The Best Video Editing Software of 2023

Best Overall: Adobe Premiere Pro

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The granddaddy of video editing, Adobe Premiere Pro is the cross-platform, uber-popular, timeline based video editor that has long set the standard for video editing software. Capable of tackling nearly any type of video format, Adobe's software is ready to produce video for any type of professional production, including film, television and the Web. Premiere Pro offers enough horsepower to handle 360-degree virtual reality video to 8K footage all in native format. It can even import and export footage from competitive software such as Final Cut Pro.

While most professional-grade software can handle multi-cam editing, Premiere Pro goes one step beyond, handling as many sources as necessary with as many angles as required. The inclusion of the bundled Lumetri Color Panel allows advanced color adjustments to be handled with ease. Additionally, Adobe’s integration with After Effects and Photoshop adds even more reason for professional grade editors to choose Premiere Pro.

Runner-Up, Best Overall: Nero Platinum Unlimited

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Nero is a trusted name when it comes to diverse and easy-to-use multimedia suites, and Nero Platinum Unlimited is no different. The latest version of its flagship product allows you to burn media, create your own, edit creations, organize your collection, stream the media you've already got, and much more. It's an essential multitasking tool that's perfect for beginners or aspiring filmmakers, with everything you need to author, burn, and store the best possible content you can make.

It now includes improved facial recognition to identify portraits, people and groups more accurately. It also has 1-Click Video Story, and DriveSpan app for making stored creations even simpler. Whether you need to edit that great new film you shot with friends or want to organize your files, Nero Platinum Unlimited is an excellent choice.

Best for Macs: Apple Final Cut Pro

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Apple’s Final Cut Pro X software falls into what we call the "prosumer" category because it treads the line between a product for consumers who want to up their video-editing game and one for professionals who need powerful editing tools. It lacks a traditional timeline-track interface, which is enough to scare some users off, but the software is intuitive and powerful nonetheless.

It has great organizational tools like libraries, ratings, tagging, auto analysis for faces and scenes, and automatic color coding for track-specific clips, useful keyboard short-cuts, and drag-and-drop media importing give Adobe’s Premiere Elements a run for its money. Unfortunately, you can't directly open projects from Final Cut Pro 7 or earlier, but there are many third-party plug-ins that will help you out there.​

Best for YouTube: Corel VideoStudio Ultimate 2020

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When it comes to video editing for YouTube, almost every app does it well, but Corel VideoStudio Ultimate 2020 does it better. With nearly every feature and tool that you need at your disposal (including transitions, effects, titles, templates, and more), VideoStudio brings with it an outstanding fleet of tools.

Support for 360-degree VR, 4K, Ultra HD and 3D media help round out the export opportunities available with VideoStudio and, while they may not all be supported by YouTube now, it's good to know you have the capability for when they are. The user interface isn't for beginners, but within a short amount of time, you'll be a pro at capturing, editing and sharing.

Features such as time remapping for including slow motion, high-speed effects or freeze action are complemented by easily grouping or ungrouping clips on a timeline to edit in bulk or one at a time. With over 2,000 customizable effects, transitions and titles, there's something for everyone. Even as the video itself is the focus, custom fitting your project with a soundtrack is handled well with custom-fit audio allowing your movies to both look and sound good.

Best for Vloggers: Sony VEGAS Movie Studio 17

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Sony VEGAS Movie Studio 17 was made with the digital filmmaker in mind – once you've edited your video to your satisfaction, you can directly upload it to Facebook or other social media for fast sharing. Create video in beautiful 4K (ultra HD) XAVCS, or AVCHD to give your vlogs a high-production, professional feel.

With large, easy-to-use buttons, fewer menus and the popular Simple Edit Mode, Movie Studio 17 makes video editing fast and easy, so you can keep up with the Internet's viral pace. The software also comes with Sound Forge Audio Studio 14 to take your online media up a notch.