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 — best for prolific editors
- DaVinci Resolve — best for color grading
- Lightworks — best for cross-platform editing
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.
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 $6.67 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 five pricing plans:
- Free Plan: Free forever, for beginner users looking to make basic edits for non-professional use.
- Basic Plan: $49.99/year for experienced video editors who are looking for reliable software for personal and professional use.
- Advanced Plan: $59.99/year for editors who also want 1,000 monthly AI credits and 10GB of cloud storage.
- Premium Plan: $99.99/year for editors who want 2,000 monthly AI credits, 100GB of cloud storage, and the Creative Assets library.
- 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 $199
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 (iPhone, iPad, or MacBook).
The Worst Part:
There’s no monthly plan for the app. You pay $199 once for the license, and only the Stock Media Library and Premium Support add-ons renew yearly.
Get it if you want an all-in-one content creation ecosystem.
I recommend you get the free trial then purchase the package that suits your needs best when you’re ready.
(free 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. Keep your clips, templates, and media organized in one place, so you spend less time searching and more time editing.
- Multi-device recording support. Record your iOS device screens and use external cameras/microphones for simultaneous video and audio recording.
- Discounted team pricing. Get volume discounts when you buy multiple licenses.
Pricing
ScreenFlow offers three pricing plans:
- ScreenFlow: $199 one-time payment, for content creators who want screen recording and video editing on their Mac.
- ScreenFlow Super Pak: $298 for the license plus the first year of the Stock Media Library ($99/year after that), for creators who want stock media.
- ScreenFlow Super Pak + Premium Support: $357 for the license plus the first year of the Stock Media Library and Premium Support ($59/year), for creators who also want priority support.
Try ScreenFlow today with a free trial.
Our Verdict — Best For Professional Video Editors
Price: Starts at $12.99/month
Final Cut Pro is Apple's best video editing software for professional video editors because of its Magnetic Timeline, multicam editing, and pro color tools, all built for Apple silicon.
The Best Part:
- Powerful video processing. It rises to the challenge when it comes to exhaustive editing work with ProRes RAW footage, HDR on Apple displays, multicam projects, 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 try it free for a month with Apple Creator Studio, then buy the one-time Mac license for $299.99 if you’d rather not subscribe.
(1-month free trial)
Best For
Final Cut Pro is best for professional editors who want pro tools from Apple, either by subscription or with a one-time license.
Top Features
- Flexible export options. Export a wide range of file types with different aspect ratios, formats, and ranges.
- Own it or subscribe. Buy the Mac app once for $299.99, or get it with the rest of Apple Creator Studio for $12.99/month.
- Pro color tools. Use color curves, hue/saturation curves, color wheels, and LUTs, or let Enhance Light and Color fix a clip automatically.
- ProRes RAW support. Capture in ProRes RAW with Final Cut Camera and keep the extra detail in highlights and shadows all the way to export.
- Integrated audio editor and sound design. Leverage advanced audio editing features with industry-leading audio effects, filters, and tools.
Pricing
Final Cut Pro offers three pricing plans:
- Final Cut Pro for Mac: $299.99 one-time, on the Mac App Store, for professional video editors who want to own the software.
- Apple Creator Studio: $12.99/month or $129/year after a 1-month free trial, for Final Cut Pro on Mac and iPad, Motion, Compressor, Logic Pro, and Pixelmator Pro.
- Students and educators: $2.99/month or $29.99/year after a 1-month free trial, for the same Apple Creator Studio apps.
Annual subscriptions provide a 17% discount.
Try Final Cut Pro today with a free 1-month trial.
4. Apple iMovie
Our Verdict — Best For Apple Loyalists
Price: Free
iMovie is Apple’s free video editor for Mac, iPhone, and iPad. We think it’s the best for Apple loyalists because you can start a movie on your iPhone or iPad and finish it on your Mac, and it’s free on the App Store.
The Best Part:
- Free and easy to learn. You download iMovie from the App Store for free, and its streamlined design and intuitive editing features make it easy to pick up.
The Worst Part:
- It only runs on Apple devices. iMovie is only available for Mac, iPhone, and iPad, so you can’t take your projects to a Windows PC.
Get it if you want a simple, free way to turn your clips into movies on your Mac.
I recommend you download iMovie for free from the Mac App Store.
(free download)
Best For
iMovie is best for Apple users who want to edit home videos, trailers, and short clips without paying for software.
Top Features
- Hollywood-style trailers. Choose from 29 trailer templates with original scores, and customize the studio logos, cast names, and credits.
- 4K editing. Edit movies at up to 4K resolution on compatible Macs, with video from your iPhone, GoPro, and other Ultra HD cameras.
- One-click Enhance. Instantly improve the look and sound of your video, and stabilize shaky footage.
- Effects and green screen. Add titles, transitions, and 48 video and audio effects, plus picture-in-picture, side-by-side, and green screen.
- Easy sharing. Export videos optimized for YouTube, Facebook, and other popular destinations.
Pricing
iMovie offers one pricing plan:
- iMovie: Free, for Mac users who want to edit and share movies at up to 4K.
Try iMovie today with a free download.
Our Verdict — Best For Prolific Editors
Price: Starts at $22.99/month
Adobe Premiere is Adobe’s professional video editing software. We think it’s the best for prolific editors because its editing, effects, titles, color, and audio tools all live in one app, so you can finish video after video without leaving Premiere.
The Best Part:
- Everything in one app. You edit, add effects and titles, grade color, mix audio, and export without ever leaving Premiere.
The Worst Part:
- It’s a subscription. There’s no one-time purchase, so you keep paying every month or year to keep using it.
Get it if you edit a lot of videos and want professional tools that keep up with you.
I recommend you take the 7-day free trial, then get the annual plan billed monthly at $22.99/month.
(7-day free trial)
Best For
Adobe Premiere is best for professional editors and creators who turn out a steady stream of videos.
Top Features
- Precise editing and trimming. Stay in your creative flow with intuitive tools for cutting and trimming your clips.
- Hundreds of effects. Choose from hundreds of built-in transitions and effects, or customize a professionally designed filter.
- Titles and captions. Create titles, graphics, and captions without leaving Premiere.
- Color grading. Set the mood with advanced color correction and grading tools.
- Clean audio. Clean up dialogue, record voiceovers, add audio effects, and mix your soundtrack.
Pricing
Adobe Premiere offers three pricing plans:
- Monthly: $34.49/month, for editors who don’t want a yearly commitment.
- Annual, billed monthly: $22.99/month, for editors who commit to a year and pay as they go.
- Annual, prepaid: $263.88/year, for editors who want to pay for the whole year upfront.
Annual subscriptions provide a 33% discount.
Try Adobe Premiere today with a free 7-day trial.
Our Verdict — Best For Color Grading
Price: $295
DaVinci Resolve is Blackmagic Design’s all-in-one app for editing, color correction, visual effects, motion graphics, and audio post-production. We think it’s the best for color grading because Blackmagic’s color page has been used to color and finish more high-end feature films and TV shows than any other system.
The Best Part:
- Pro tools in the free version. The free version edits and finishes Ultra HD video at up to 60fps and includes multi-user collaboration and HDR grading.
The Worst Part:
- There’s a lot to learn. Editing, color, effects, and audio all live in one app, so it takes time to learn every page.
Get it if you want Hollywood-grade color grading on your Mac.
I recommend you download the free version, then upgrade to DaVinci Resolve Studio when you need the AI tools.
(free version)
Best For
DaVinci Resolve is best for editors and colorists who want professional color grading, starting with a free version.
Top Features
- Hollywood’s color page. Grade with the same color tools used on high-end feature films, including primary sliders that new users pick up fast.
- All-in-one post-production. Edit, grade color, add visual effects and motion graphics, and mix audio in a single app.
- DaVinci AI Neural Engine. Studio adds AI tools like facial recognition, magic mask, smart reframe, and object removal.
- Real-time collaboration. Work on the same project with editors, colorists, and sound engineers through Blackmagic Cloud.
- A full audio studio. Fairlight lets you work with up to 2,000 audio tracks at a time, with realtime effects, EQ, and dynamics.
Pricing
DaVinci Resolve offers two pricing plans:
- DaVinci Resolve: Free, for editors who want editing, color, effects, and audio on Ultra HD video at up to 60fps.
- DaVinci Resolve Studio: $295, on sale for $236 right now, for pros who want the AI Neural Engine, extra Resolve FX, and 10-bit video at up to 120fps.
Try DaVinci Resolve today with the free version.
7. Lightworks
Our Verdict — Best For Cross-Platform Editing
Price: Starts at $20/month
Lightworks is a professional video editor for Mac, Windows, and Linux. We think it’s the best for cross-platform editing because the same editor runs on all three systems, and its free plan never expires.
The Best Part:
- Free forever, with no time limit. The free plan includes the professional timeline, color correction and grading, multitrack audio editing, and Full HD 1080p export.
The Worst Part:
- 4K export costs extra. The free plan stops at 1080p, so you need Create for 4K and Pro for 8K, 10-bit, and HDR.
Get it if you work across more than one operating system and want a pro editor that goes where you go.
I recommend you start on the free plan, then move to Create when you need 4K export.
(free plan)
Best For
Lightworks is best for editors who switch between Mac, Windows, and Linux and want a professional timeline they can start using for free.
Top Features
- A timeline built for editors. Cut and trim with an intelligent trim engine that keeps everything in sync, on the editor that has helped shape Oscar-winning films, with credits like Pulp Fiction and The Departed.
- Mac, Windows, and Linux. Install the same editor on all three systems, with a layout you can set up as fixed or floating panels.
- Camera-original footage. Create decodes BRAW and ProRes files, and Pro adds Apple ProRes encoding.
- Titles and audio cleanup. Create adds NewBlue Titler Pro, audio effects, and noise reduction.
- Pro finishing tools. Pro handles up to 8K and 10-bit video, HDR editing, full scopes, and AU, VST3, and LADSPA plugins.
Pricing
Lightworks offers three pricing plans:
- Free: Free forever, for editors who want the professional timeline, color grading, multitrack audio, and 1080p export.
- Create: $20/month, $160/year, or a $240 perpetual license, for creators who need 4K export, BRAW and ProRes decoding, and NewBlue Titler Pro.
- Pro: $35/month, $280/year, or a $490 perpetual license, for pros who need 8K, 10-bit, HDR, full scopes, and ProRes encoding.
Annual subscriptions provide a 33% discount.
Try Lightworks today with the free plan.
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/yr |
ScreenFlow | Free trial | Starts at $199 |
Apple Final Cut Pro | 1-month free trial | Starts at $12.99/mo |
Apple iMovie | Free download | Free forever |
Adobe Premiere | Free 7-day trial | Starts at $22.99/mo |
DaVinci Resolve | Free version | $295 |
Lightworks | Free plan | Starts at $20/mo |
Here are the top 50 video editing software tools we considered in this review:
- Filmora
- ScreenFlow
- Apple Final Cut Pro
- Apple iMovie
- Adobe Premiere
- DaVinci Resolve
- Lightworks
- Adobe Premiere Elements
- Blender
- Camtasia
- LumaFusion
- OpenShot
- Shotcut
- Avidemux
- InVideo
- Movavi Video Editor Plus
- PowerDirector 365
- VideoPad
- VideoProc
- ScreenPal
- Avid Media Composer
- BeeCut
- CameraBag Pro
- Capto
- Fastreel
- Descript
- Kapwing
- Kdenlive
- Lumen5
- VEED
- Videobolt PRO
- Zs4 Video Editor
- Animoto
- Autodesk Motion FX
- CapCut
- Corel VideoStudio
- CyberLink ColorDirector
- Ezvid
- Clipchamp
- 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
- Screen Studio
Frequently Asked Questions About Video Editing Software for Mac
What is the best video editing software for Mac?
Filmora is our top pick for Mac, and it works for hobbyists and pros alike. Its intuitive interface and AI features make it hard to turn out a bad-looking video.
What is the easiest video editor for Mac for beginners?
Filmora is the easiest Mac editor to pick up. Its intuitive interface means you get productive fast, even as a beginner.
Is Final Cut Pro good for professional video editing on Mac?
Yes. Final Cut Pro is our pick for professional editors, and you can buy it once for your Mac or get it in the Apple Creator Studio subscription, which starts with a free month. Expect a steep learning curve if you are new to pro software.
Is there a free video editing software for Mac?
Yes. iMovie is free forever and the one to reach for if you are an Apple loyalist editing small clips. Filmora and Lightworks also have free plans, and DaVinci Resolve has a free version.
Is Filmora good for beginners on Mac?
Yes. Filmora is our overall Mac pick, and its intuitive interface plus AI features make it beginner-friendly. You get a free plan alongside paid options.
What is the best Mac video software for color grading?
DaVinci Resolve is the one to reach for when you grade color, and it has a free version. It is one of the reigning professional editing tools.
iMovie vs Premiere: which should I use?
Use iMovie for quick edits and Adobe Premiere when you work like a professional. Premiere is our pick for prolific editors, and a free trial is available.
Which video editing software is best for content creators on Mac?
ScreenFlow is our pick for content creators, built around professional screen recording. It offers a free trial, and its multi-device Apple compatibility makes recording across your devices easy.
Which Mac video editors are worth trying first?
Start with the seven we rate highest. We weighed ease of use, professional features, target user level, export options, and Mac compatibility to choose them.
The Bottom Line
To recap, here are the best video editing software tools 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 — best for prolific editors
- DaVinci Resolve — best for color grading
- Lightworks — best for cross-platform editing