Today there are 67 different video editing software for Mac. We spent 68 hours comparing the top 50 to find the seven best you can use to edit videos on your Mac.
What is the Best Video Editing Software for Mac?
- Filmora — best of the best
- Screenflow — best for creators
- Apple Final Cut Pro — best for professional video editors
- Apple iMovie — best for Apple loyalists
- Adobe Premiere Pro — best for prolific editors
- DaVinci Resolve — best for color grading
- Adobe Premiere Elements — best for hobbyists
1. Filmora
Our Verdict — Best Of The Best
Price: Starts at $49.99/year
Filmora is the overall best video editing software. We think it’s the best for both hobbyist and pro video editors because of its powerful AI features, user-friendly interface, and simplified editing experience.
The Best Part:
It has the best intuitive interface. The user experience feels very natural and even total beginners can create incredible videos.
The Worst Part:
It lacks some professional features. You'll miss many advanced features present in advanced software like Apple Final Cut Pro and Adobe Premiere Pro.
Get it if you want a complete video editing program without the complications of most pro options .
I recommend you download the free plan, then transition into a paid plan once you’re ready.
(free plan available)
Best For
Filmora is best for hobbyist video editors who want a simple interface as opposed to a convoluted video editing experience.
Top Features
- AI-powered features. Cut out elements in your clips, auto-stretch audio, and edit portrait backgrounds with a few clicks.
- Reasonable pricing. You get unmatched value for your money, at only $79.99 for the lifetime plan. That would be $6.60 per month if it was just for one year… but you get it for life.
- Free version available. Take advantage of the free plan for editing simple videos and to try the software’s full-featured version.
- Easy-to-use interface. Create and edit videos without prior experience thanks to the software's intuitive design and clear navigation.
- It’s impossible to make bad-looking videos. Get access to large databases of video editing plug-ins, stock libraries, and professionally created presets so that your videos always look amazing.
Pricing
Filmora offers three pricing plans:
- Free Plan: Free forever, for beginner users looking to make basic edits for non-professional use.
- Annual Plan: $49.99/year for experienced video editors who are looking for reliable software for personal and professional use.
- Perpetual Plan: $79.99 for experienced video editors who want the best value for their money.
Try Filmora today with the free plan.
2. Screenflow
Our Verdict — Best For Creators
Price: Starts at $169
Screenflow is a professional screen recording and video editing software. We think it’s the best for content creators because of its superb visual effects, powerful video editing tools and multiple publishing options.
The Best Part:
Multi-device compatibility for Apple. Record and edit through different mics, cameras, and Apple device screens (iPad, MacBook, or iPad).
The Worst Part:
It only has lifetime plans available. You can only make a one-time purchase for this software, instead of the option of paying yearly or monthly.
Get it if you want an all-in-one content creation ecosystem.
I recommend you get the free 30-day trial then purchase the package that suits your needs best when you’re ready.
(free 30-day trial)
Best For
Screenflow is best for video content creators who want a comprehensive video creation and editing tool for Apple devices.
Top Features
- Flexible publishing options. Export and publish your videos directly from ScreenFlow to YouTube, Vimeo, Wistia, and several other social networks and platforms.
- 3, 2, 1… You’ve got your video. Publish and export videos fast in a variety of popular formats (MOV, AVI, MP4, etc.) at lightning speeds.
- Manage your digital assets like a boss to make for even more editing time. This is too much “feature”, let’s make it more “benefit” or what’s in it for me, like “save time with templates and organization” or something like that.
- Multi-device recording support. Record your iOS device screens and use external. cameras/microphones for simultaneous video and audio recording.
- Discounted team pricing. Get special prices for license purchases in multiples of five.
Pricing
Screenflow offers five pricing plans:
- ScreenFlow: $169 for hobbyist content creators.
- ScreenFlow Super Pak: $229 for professional video creators looking for a stock media library.
- ScreenFlow Super Pak + Premium Support: $259 for professional video creators who also want dedicated software support.
- 5x ScreenFlow Super Pak: $845 for teams of five seeking access to the stock media library built into ScreenFlow.
- 5x ScreenFlow Super Pak +: $1,040 for teams of five seeking software support and stock media library access.
5x license plans provide up to a 25% discount over regular plans.
Try Screenflow today with a free 30-day trial.
Our Verdict — Best For Professional Video Editors
Price: $299.99
Final Cut Pro is Apple's best video editing software for professional video editors because of its popularity among professionals, advanced tools, and similarities to other household editing software interfaces.
The Best Part:
- Powerful video processing. It rises to the challenge when it comes to exhaustive editing work with 8K footage, intensive color adjustments, 360-degree video, and more.
The Worst Part:
- Steep learning curve. If you are not familiar with other professional video editing software, it’ll probably take you a while to get the hang of Final Cut Pro.
Get it if you want professional-level video editing capabilities on your Mac.
I recommend you take advantage of the free 90-day trial then upgrade to the Lifetime plan, for $299.99.
(free 90-day trial)
Best For
Final Cut Pro is best for professional editors who want a powerful tool for a one-off fee.
Top Features
- Flexible export options. Export a wide range of file types with different aspect ratios, formats, and ranges.
- One-time purchase with no ongoing subscription. Pay a one-time fee and you get this powerhouse of a software with free updates for life.
- Advanced special effects. Use features such as color matching, color correction, advanced color grading, shaky footage stabilization, and tons of others.
- Latest technology support. Edit large files with no issues (i.e. 360-degree footage, VR movies, 3D editing, 4K & 8K video files, etc.) and get free updates to support new technologies in the future at no additional cost.
- Integrated audio editor and sound design. Leverage advanced audio editing features with industry-leading audio effects, filters, and tools.
Pricing
Final Cut Pro offers a single pricing plan:
Apple Final Cut Pro: $299.99 one-time payment for professional video editors ready to hone their skills in the video editing field with pro-level software.
Try Final Cut Pro today with a free 90-day trial.
Our Top Three Picks
Here’s a quick summary of our top three picks:
- Filmora — best of the best
- Screenflow — best for creators
- Apple Final Cut Pro — best for professional video editors
Here’s a quick comparison of our top seven picks:
Tool | Entry Offer | Pricing |
|---|---|---|
Filmora | Free plan | Starts at $49.99/year |
Screenflow | Free 30-day trial | Starts at $169 |
Apple Final Cut Pro | Free 90-day trial | $299.99 |
Apple iMovie | None | Free forever |
Adobe Premiere Pro | Free 7-day trial | Starts at $20.99/mo |
DaVinci Resolve | Free version | $295 |
Adobe Premiere Elements | None | $99.99 |
Here are the top 50 video editing software tools we considered in this review:
- Filmora
- Screenflow
- Apple Final Cut Pro
- Apple iMovie
- Adobe Premiere Pro
- DaVinci Resolve
- Adobe Premiere Elements
- Lightworks
- Blender
- Camtasia
- HitFilm Express
- OpenShot
- Shotcut
- Avidemux
- InVideo
- Movavi Video Editor Plus
- PowerDirector 365
- VideoPad
- VideoProc
- Adobe Premiere Rush
- Avid Media Composer
- BeeCut
- CameraBag Pro
- Capto
- Fastreel
- HyperEngine-AV
- Kapwing
- Kdenlive
- Lumen5
- Moovly
- Videobolt PRO
- Zs4 Video Editor
- Animoto
- Autodesk Motion FX
- CapCut
- Corel VideoStudio
- CyberLink ColorDirector
- Ezvid
- Filmigo
- Machete Video Editor Lite
- Movie Edit Pro
- MovieMator Video Editor
- Olive Video Editor
- Pinnacle Studio
- Replay Video Capture
- Vegas Pro
- VN - Video Editor
- VSDC Free Video Editor
- WeVideo
- Shave Video
Is Mac best for video editing?
While this would depend on your personal preferences and how happy you are with Mac products, MacBooks have often been favored for video editing thanks to the smooth and non-distracting experience they provide.
PCs — as opposed to Macs — often provide a less concentrated experience overall. PC video editing interfaces feel often inconsistent and don't seamlessly integrate with the rest of the software or operating system as a whole.
What is the best professional video editing software for Mac?
The perfect professional software options for editing video for Mac are mainly Adobe Premiere Pro, Davinci Resolve, and Apple Final Cut Pro.
All three are popular for their miraculously powerful features through which popular movies from Hollywood and other cinemas have been edited. These tools have literally no limits and make top-notch finished products out of your media.
What is the best way to edit videos on Mac?
You can choose one of two approaches for editing videos on Mac:
- Online software. Due to the high storage videos occupy, this is an option we would not recommend. After all, it is very costly for companies to run videos online, and clips will always take forever to upload, process, and — even worse — export. With this in mind, you can try out Canva's free video editor, Loom, or Clipchamp. We'd recommend online tools or plugins if you are a creator who wants to enjoy some browser-only advantages such as fast online recording and editing.
- Mac software. These provide a more powerful and fast experience, and they more often than not produce better results than online software. If you can't think of any productive uses for browser tools, downloadable MacOS software should be your first choice.
What is the easiest video editor for Mac?
Based on our testing and research, the easiest video editor for Mac is Filmora. It's a good go-to software for beginners, yet it does provide professional tools that are easily usable for amateurs, with a well-designed interface. You get the benefits of advanced software without the skill set and labor that are often required.
Lower-priced alternatives for Filmora that provide more of a basic editing experience are Apple iMovie and Adobe Premiere Elements.
Is iMovie better than Premiere Pro?
iMovie is a free pre-installed Apple video app that is designed for basic video clip editing. This, however, is not a description that would fit Adobe Premiere Pro, as it is rather a very professional tool that requires a video editing background.
iMovie is better for individuals looking to make quick edits, while Premiere Pro is preferred by professionals taking on advanced video projects.
Is DaVinci better than iMovie?
DaVinci Resolve is one of the reigning professional software editing tools, while iMovie is on the other end of the spectrum. Both tools are great for what they are built for, but DaVinci Resolve is the more powerful option.
Is Filmora better than Premiere Pro?
Filmora is better than Adobe Premiere Pro for the average user who wants an easy experience with an interface that is made to simplify editing while delivering amazing results.
Adobe Premiere Pro, on the other hand, is way better for the professional user who is looking to maximize any advanced features and produce videos in a work setting.
What do YouTubers use for video editing?
YouTubers look for content creator-friendly software that takes the least effort to produce the most results. YouTubers who edit their own videos often use software that has a mix of creation and editing features. Examples of this type of software include ScreenFlaw, Camtasia Studio, and Snagit.
However, many YouTubers outsource their work to dedicated professionals, who often use software such as Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, and DaVinci Resolve.
Does Mac have a built-in video editor?
Yes, Mac computers come pre-installed with a video editing app named iMovie. It is a basic tool that is geared toward editing small clips and videos.
The Bottom Line
To recap, here are the best video editing software tool to try this year:
- Filmora — best of the best
- Screenflow — best for creators
- Apple Final Cut Pro — best for professional video editors
- Apple iMovie — best for Apple loyalists
- Adobe Premiere Pro — best for prolific editors
- DaVinci Resolve — best for color grading
- Adobe Premiere Elements — best for hobbyists
