Video editing tools
Cut, color and finish videos. 9 tools we track, checked .
Short answer page: What's the best video editing tool?
Ranked by fit for solo businesses: tools we profile in depth first, then those used in our research notes, then the rest. Affiliate status never changes the order.
- 1
CapCut
Pick this if you want short-form social video.
Video editor for desktop, web and mobile with templates, effects and auto captions.
Free plan + paid plans · Free plan: Yes · $0 · then USD 19.99/mo · Difficulty 1/5
- 2
Descript
Pick this if you want podcasts and talking-head videos edited like a doc.
Edit audio and video by editing the transcript, with AI cleanup tools.
Free plan + paid plans · Free plan: Yes · $0 · then $24/mo, or $16/mo billed yearly · Difficulty 2/5
- 3
DaVinci Resolve
Pick this if you want pro-grade editing for free.
Professional editing, color, audio and effects; the free version is very capable.
Free plan + paid plans · Free plan: Yes · Free · then $295 one-time · Difficulty 4/5
- 4
Adobe Premiere Pro
Pick this if you want client work in Adobe-based teams.
Industry-standard video editor in Creative Cloud.
Paid plans only · Free plan: Trial only · Difficulty 4/5
- 5
Final Cut Pro
Pick this if you want mac editors who prefer no subscription.
Apple's pro video editor for Mac, sold as a one-time purchase.
One-time purchase · Free plan: Trial only · Difficulty 3/5
- 6
Clipchamp
Pick this if you want simple edits on Windows or in a browser.
Microsoft's browser-based video editor with templates and stock media.
Free plan + paid plans · Free plan: Yes · Difficulty 1/5
- 7
VEED
Pick this if you want fast captioned edits in the browser.
Online video editor with subtitles, recording and AI tools.
Free plan + paid plans · Free plan: Yes · Difficulty 1/5
- 8
Kapwing
Pick this if you want teams editing social clips together.
Collaborative online video editor with AI subtitles and resizing.
Free plan + paid plans · Free plan: Yes · Difficulty 1/5
- 9
Camtasia
Pick this if you want software tutorials with callouts.
Screen recorder and editor for tutorials and training.
Paid plans only · Free plan: Trial only · Difficulty 2/5
Side-by-side
| Tool | Pricing model | Free plan | Starting price | Difficulty | Output rights | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CapCut | Free plan + paid plans | Yes | $0 · then USD 19.99/mo | 1/5 | Depends on each asset's license | Short-form social video |
| Descript | Free plan + paid plans | Yes | $0 · then $24/mo, or $16/mo billed yearly | 2/5 | You own or may use output commercially | Podcasts and talking-head videos edited like a doc |
| DaVinci Resolve | Free plan + paid plans | Yes | Free · then $295 one-time | 4/5 | Not a content generator | Pro-grade editing for free |
| Adobe Premiere Pro | Paid plans only | Trial only | See official site | 4/5 | – | Client work in Adobe-based teams |
| Final Cut Pro | One-time purchase | Trial only | See official site | 3/5 | – | Mac editors who prefer no subscription |
| Clipchamp | Free plan + paid plans | Yes | See official site | 1/5 | – | Simple edits on Windows or in a browser |
| VEED | Free plan + paid plans | Yes | See official site | 1/5 | – | Fast captioned edits in the browser |
| Kapwing | Free plan + paid plans | Yes | See official site | 1/5 | – | Teams editing social clips together |
| Camtasia | Paid plans only | Trial only | See official site | 2/5 | – | Software tutorials with callouts |
"Starting price" is shown only for tools we profile in depth, where we read the official pricing page on . For the others, check the official site.