Video editing is one of the most demanding tasks a computer can perform. It requires a lot of processing power to render video frames, so your processor needs to be fast.
Mac computers are known for their exceptional video editing capabilities due to their superior hardware and software integration – and they offer a variety of features and tools that make the process seamless and efficient. All of this without slowing down due to overheating issues.
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Tips On How To Edit Videos On Mac
Editing videos on a Mac is a pretty straightforward process. There are, however, some things you can do to get the most out of your editing experience:
- Ensure your Mac is running the latest operating system and has enough memory and storage space to handle the video editing process.
- Organize your files using folders and labels so that it’s easy to find them later on down the line.
- Back up your work regularly to avoid losing progress.
- Take advantage of keyboard shortcuts to speed up the editing process.
- Use external drives to store large video files.
- Feel free to experiment with different software and techniques to find the best approach for your video editing needs.
Then comes the critical part: if you want to edit videos on your Mac, you’ll need a program that lets you do so.
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9 Powerful Video Editing Software For Mac in 2023
If you want to edit videos on Mac, you can count on the various video editing software out there to enhance your videos through the use of color correction, sound mixing, and visual effects. Without further ado, here’s a list of the top 9 Mac video editors on the market:
Apple iMovie
Apple iMovie is free video editing software for Mac users. It’s easy to use, has an excellent interface, and comes with most Mac computers by default – making it a perfect app for content creators.
In addition to being free, iMovie also has many good features that make it a great choice for beginners looking for an easy way to get started with video editing. Some of them include chroma key, color-matching, and the ability to add titles and sound effects.
PROS:
- It’s an excellent tool for beginners who want to learn video editing
- Offers a wide range of templates and pre-built themes
- Enables color matching
- Simple, elegant interface
- Provides a wide array of audio tools
- It includes a chroma-keying feature.
CONS:
- Lacks advanced features like motion tracking, multi-camera editing, and 3D editing
- Has limited support for file formats
- Lacks integration with other Apple products
- Doesn’t allow tagging
- Can’t edit 360-degree videos
- Restricted to only two video tracks
- Doesn’t export to H.265
Pricing: Free with macOS.
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Adobe Premiere Pro
Adobe Premiere Pro is cloud-based professional video editing software that offers advanced features such as multi-camera editing, 3D editing, and color correction.
It also has an extensive library of plug-ins and effects. It allows you to edit any video format imaginable and has plenty of space to store your files.
PROS:
- Versatile and powerful video editing tool that is ideal for professional video editors.
- Excellent integration with other Adobe products, such as After Effects and Photoshop
- Access to plenty of educational resources
CONS:
- It can be complex for beginners
- requires a high-end Mac to run smoothly
- has a steep learning curve
- requires a subscription to use.
- High RAM usage
Pricing: Starts at $20.99 per month.
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Final Cut Pro
Final Cut Pro is video editing software perfect for both amateurs and professionals. It has some advanced features such as multi-camera editing, intelligent motion tracking, a wide range of templates and plug-ins, and color correction.
PROS:
- Ideal for professional video editors
- User-friendly interface
- Allows switch between multiple camera angles during editing
- Abundant organizational features to efficiently manage projects
- Offers excellent integration with other Apple products
- Supports 360-degree footage
- Can edit multi-angle footage
- Fast editing and rendering
CONS:
- It can be expensive
- Lacks sound effect samples
- The interface may be daunting for inexperienced users
- Specific advanced techniques may require the use of additional software
- It requires a high-end computer to run smoothly
- Lacks 3D editing capabilities
- Import and export capabilities are less advanced than those of Premiere Pro.
Pricing: $299.99
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DaVinci Resolve
DaVinci Resolve is a professional video editing program that offers advanced features such as multi-camera editing, 3D editing, and color correction. It also has a powerful audio editing tool and an extensive library of plug-ins and effects.
DaVinci Resolve offers numerous editing capabilities, even in the free version. If you upgrade, you’ll get additional features like special effects, Neural Engine, advanced noise reduction, stereoscopic 3D, optical blur, and more.
PROS:
- The free version has a lot of capabilities
- Comprehensive editing tools
- Includes features for motion graphics and audio editing
- An intuitive and well-designed interface that is easy to navigate and use
- Fast rendering performance
- Amazing color grading tools
CONS:
- It can cause slowdowns or performance issues on less powerful devices
- It can sometimes have a steep learning curve due to its advanced and complex features
Pricing: Free or $295 for the Studio version
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Filmora Video Editor
Filmora Video Editor is beginner-friendly video editing software that offers basic features such as trimming, splitting, and merging clips, adding titles and sound effects and color correction. It also has a library of templates and plug-ins.
If you want to edit your YouTube videos fast, this software is for you.
PROS:
- Renders videos at lightning-fast speeds
- User-friendly interface
- Ideal for beginners
- Offers a wide range of effects and overlays
- Affordable and budget-friendly
CONS:
- Lacks some advanced features
- The video stabilizer feature is not that great
- Lacks multi-cam editing or VR capabilities
Pricing: Starts at $39.99 per year.
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CyberLink PowerDirector 365
Known for its popularity amongst Windows users, CyberLink PowerDirector 365 doesn’t fail Mac aficionados either. It’s a beginner-friendly video editing software that offers features such as Title Designers, Mask, stock content, templates, and advanced audio options like wind removal and denoise.
Not to mention it is an affordable and easy-to-use video editing that is perfect for YouTube creators.
PROS:
- Features a straightforward and user-friendly interface
- Has the option to single-purchase
- Renders projects quickly
- Offers a wide variety of effects and AI tools
- Supports multi-cam and motion tracking
- Includes a screen recording feature
CONS:
- Difficulty choosing amongst so many options
Pricing: 12.50$/month or 149.99$ for a single-purchase
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Shotcut
Shotcut is an open-source video editing platform available for Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems. It has many features that make it a popular choice for both novice and professional video editors.
It also supports a wide range of video formats, codecs, and resolutions, allows for timeline-based editing with multiple tracks, and has a range of audio and video filters and effects.
PROS:
- Free, open-source software that is available for multiple operating systems
- Supports a wide range of video formats and resolutions
- Timeline-based editing feature allows for precise editing and multiple tracks for different media types
- The software is easy to use and has a simple interface
- Regularly updated with new features and improvements
CONS:
- The software can be slow and sometimes crashes when working with large files.
- You can’t upload directly to social media.
- Some advanced features may not be as robust as other professional video editing software.
- Limited user community and online resources
Pricing: FREE
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Avid Media Composer
Avid Media Composer is powerful video editing software ideal for cinematographers as it has a wide range of advanced editing tools, including color grading and effects, supports collaboration and project sharing with other editors, and allows for media management and organization.
It also comes in 3 different versions – suited for any filmmaker:
- Avid Media Composer First – for beginner filmmakers/cinematographers
- Avid Media Composer – for independent filmmakers and editors who work alone
- Avid Media Composer Ultimate is for collaborations.
PROS
- Industry-standard software
- Regularly updated with new features and improvements
- Supports the latest Apple technology
- It has extensive online resources and a large user community for support and learning.
- The option to collaborate with multiple editors on a project
CONS
- The software has a steep learning curve and may not be as accessible for beginners.
- The system requirements are high
- It comes with a hefty price tag
- The advanced features can be overwhelming for some users and may only be necessary for some video projects.
PRICING: Starting from 23.99$/month
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Camtasia
Camtasia is a screen recorder that is also a video editor – so by using it, you get the best of both worlds. It’s an excellent program for educators who want to make video tutorials easily. Proof of this is that you can also add a webcam or PowerPoint presentation to your video.
PROS:
- User-friendly interface
- The ability to record your screen
- Ability to add webcam footage or a PowerPoint presentation
- Multi-track timeline editing
CONS:
- Camtasia may not have all the advanced capabilities that some professional video editors require.
Pricing: a one-time payment of $299 per user OR $169 per user per year
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Which video editing software is the best?
There is no best. It’s all a matter of preference.
These video editing programs have some features in common – such as importing and exporting, trimming, and splitting options. So if you only need the basics, you can’t go wrong with either of these options. But the final choice ultimately depends on what your editing needs are.
If you’re looking for a simple way to trim clips down and add text, iMovie is probably your best bet. If you need something that can handle more advanced features like motion tracking or 3D rendering, Adobe Premiere Pro might be more up your alley.
If you need something advanced but cheap – or even free – give DaVinci Resolve a try. If you’re also editing on your mobile phone, check to see if the editing program has a mobile app available.
Then again, you may be looking for something that incorporates other capabilities like PDF converting and screen recording, in which case you’d have to look elsewhere.
Lastly, you can also use most of the software mentioned here on a Windows operating system. However, check compatibility before subscribing or purchasing if you want them to work for both Mac and Windows.
Whenever in doubt, experiment with more editing programs – most of them have a free trial period.
