Best video editing software for YouTube in 2023

You’re going to want to play to your strengths while leaving yourself room to grow when you choose video editing software for YouTube videos. While there are several very well-known and well-regarded options out there, they each offer their own specific advantages and challenges. Just about any video editing software can spit out a video that meets YouTube’s technical requirements. But successful content creation goes beyond the technical. It also relies on factors like ease of use, speed, and compatibility with other programs. The best video editing software for YouTube will meet your specific needs without requiring a degree to learn or emptying your budget that you need for other essentials like audio gear and lenses.

• Best overall: Adobe Premiere Pro
• Easiest to use: Final Cut Pro X
• Best budget: Cyberlink PowerDirector 360
• Best for beginners: Adobe Premiere Elements
• Best free: iMovie 

How we picked the best video editing software for YouTube 

When selecting the products that appear in this buying guide, we considered the different styles of YouTube creators and what types of editing programs might best serve them. Top YouTubers are typically using programs like Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro. But there are a number of people who upload videos to YouTube that aren’t using industry-standard editing programs and so it was important to include those more budget-friendly options as well. 

The products that appear in this buying guide were selected through a mixture of hands-on experience, editorial reviews, and user feedback.  

The best video editing software for YouTube videos: Reviews & recommendations

Best overall: Adobe Premiere Pro

SEE IT

Specs

• Industry-standard program
• Non-Linear editing program 
• Supports footage up to 8K 

Pros

• Regularly updated with new features 
• Intuitive Timeline editing 
• Used by top YouTubers 

Cons

• Requires a subscription 
• Advanced features might be overkill for newer video editors 

Premiere Pro is the program that’s used by the majority of professionals and top YouTubers, which is why it has earned our top spot on this list. Although the advanced features might seem like overkill for someone who is brand new to video editing, you’ll want room to grow as you progress as a creator. This program can provide that. 

Premiere Pro features intuitive timeline editing, customizable presets, and built-in effects. It also allows for easy color adjustments that simplify the process of editing a video for YouTube. Once you have the hang of it, the predictable nature of the software will allow you to concentrate on your content. 

If you want to take your video editing skills to the next level or hope to one day be hired to create videos outside of your YouTube channel, this is the program to invest in. It requires a subscription, but paying the monthly fee means that you get access to regularly updated features. And it gives you the option to work collaboratively with other editors on your YouTube videos. 

If you have a fancy camera for YouTube content that shoots 4K or 8K footage, Premiere also offers some of the best compatibility and tools for those high-res edits.

Easiest to use: Final Cut Pro X

SEE IT

Specs

• Linear editing tool 
• Used by many YouTubers
• Approachable UI 

Pros

• Intuitive UI for new editors 
• Very fast on Mac computers 
• Magnetic timeline 

Cons 

• Experienced editors can find linear editing counterintuitive 

Final Cut Pro offers pro-level editing tools for YouTube video editors inside an extremely user-friendly package. This a great place to start for new video editors. If you’ve cut your chops using a free program like iMovie and are looking for something that will give you a little more creative freedom, Final Cut Pro is a great place to turn. The interface offers a familiar feel that subtly introduces more advanced features for those who want it. It’s used by plenty of popular YouTubers. And if you are operating on a MacOS, it is certainly much faster and less prone to crashing than Adobe’s programs. That means you can get your content editing together and published online that much quicker. 

Best budget: Cyberlink PowerDirector 360

SEE IT

Specs

• Access to stock content from Getty Images and Shutterstock  
• 4K video support 
• Non-linear editing program 

Pros 

• A variety of built-in effects and presets 
• Fast rendering 
• Access to stock footage from Getty Images and Shutterstock

Cons 

• No keyword tagging 

Cyberlink PowerDirector 360 offers a robust set of video editing tools inside an easy-to-use interface. That makes this program a great tool for YouTubers looking for something in the middle area between iMovie and Premiere Pro. PowerDirector offers extremely fast rendering and access to tons of presets and effects. These make it easy to piece together an engaging video edit without having tons of prior experience. 

The program also offers editors a huge catalog of royalty-free music and access to stock footage from Getty Images and Shutterstock. That’s a real win for YouTubers who film most of their creative content from the comfort of their home studio. Licensing footage and music can be a pricey hassle without a resource like this.

Best for beginners: Adobe Premiere Elements

SEE IT

Specs

• Stripped down version of Premiere Pro 
• Guided edit feature 
• Non-linear editing program 

Pros

• Easy to use interface 
• Good for beginning editors 
• Inexpensive compared to Premiere Pro 

Cons 

• Limited flexibility in editing 

As the name implies, Adobe Premiere Elements is a stripped-down version of Adobe’s pro-level editing software. The nonlinear editing program gives new editors the basic editing tools with a simpler interface for a more intuitive learning experience. 

Premiere Elements can also be purchased as a one-off program rather than through Adobe’s subscription-based pricing model. This makes it a more budget-friendly choice for the YouTube content creator who is just getting started. Premiere Elements includes features like video-creation wizard, step-by-step tutorials, and guided edits. This is a great starting point for making professional quality-looking YouTube videos without breaking the bank. It’s also a great option for people looking to upgrade from a simple video editing phone app without traversing a steep learning curve.

Best free: iMovie

SEE IT

Specs

• Supports 4K video 
• Customizable motion graphics 
• Free for Mac users 

Pros 

• Free for MacOS users 
• Good for making simple, straightforward edits 
• Many built-in templates that can be customized  

Cons 

• Can only import two video tracks per project
• No multicam editing functionality 
• Limited controls 

If you are brand new to editing videos for YouTube and are looking for something that is free, easy to use, and you happen to be a MacOS user, look no further than iMovie. This program lacks some of the sophisticated editing tools found in the other programs in this guide. But it’s a great choice if your end product is simple enough that it doesn’t require much heavy lifting. Be aware that it only supports two video tracks per project. So if your YouTube content is vlogging style and relies on cutting between your face talking to the camera and footage of you demonstrating something —this can actually be quite the useful starting place.

FAQs

Things to consider when looking for the best video editing software for YouTube

So you’ve decided to start a YouTube Channel. You can absolutely shoot on your phone and upload directly to YouTube. However, taking the time to run your footage through an editing program before you export it will give your videos an extra level of professionalism. 

Skill level

Before purchasing an editing program for making YouTube videos you should consider your skill level and what kind of skill level you aspire to. Video editing programs typically break into three categories: entry-level, consumer and professional. 

• An entry-level program can often be used for free but will usually limit the number of video tracks that you can import into a project and only offer the most basic tools. 

• A consumer-level program will give you more controls and often feature aesthetically pleasing templates and motion graphic effects. 

• Professional-level programs will give you the most creative control, allow you to import an unlimited number of video clips, and customize your video to your heart’s desire. These professional-level programs are what is known as “industry standard” programs and are ultimately what most of the top YouTubers are using to create their content. 

If you aspire to edit video full-time or make a decent chunk of income from your YouTube channel, investing in a pro-level editing program is probably the best choice for you. They do, however, typically involve much steeper learning curves. 

Compatibility

Some software will work best if you’re using it as part of a larger suite. For instance, Adobe’s Premiere Pro integrates tightly with other Creative Cloud software, including Photoshop and its motion graphics software, After Effects. 

Once you have a large library of edits, switching to another software can be a challenge, so make sure you feel confident in your choice before diving into it. 

Mobile apps vs. desktop apps

More advanced users typically rely on desktop-specific versions of software to make their high-production value content. Desktops typically offer more robust features, more customizable interfaces, and far superior media management. 

Mobile and tablet apps, however, can make up for their limited features with speed and ease of use. If you’re just starting out, apps can provide a much smoother on-ramp to editing for those who want to start putting out content right away without going through any tutorials

Final thoughts on the best video editing software for YouTube

Selecting the best video editing software for YouTube videos is dependent on your budget and, ultimately, your long-term goals as a video editor. If you are hoping to make your YouTube channel a source of income and sponsorship, it makes sense to invest in a piece of pro-level software from the start. If you are more interested in creating YouTube videos for sharing with family and friends, a lower-cost or free editing program will probably serve you well.