12 Best Video Editing Software for Creating Engaging Content

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Videos have a 92% audience reach worldwide. They are considered the most powerful type of content that engages people on a much deeper level.

Videos bring value, build brand awareness, and significantly increase conversions. If they are good enough, of course. Creating an informative video is not enough. You also need to make it beautiful and immersive with the help of different instruments.

Below, we share 12 video editing software that helps to create engaging content for Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, and other mediums.

Paid and Free Video Editors You Should Choose in 2024

These programs come in multiple shapes and sizes, suit all types of budgets, and cover a wide range of features. We are sure that after reading our comprehensive guide, you will find the best software to make videos that are not inferior to Oscar-quality movies.

1. Movavi Video Editor

Movavi Video Editor

Price:

Free trial for 7 days

1-year subscription for $16.95

Lifetime license for $21.95

Compatible systems:

Windows and Mac

Movavi Video Editor is used by millions of people both for personal purposes and as a part of video content marketing to acquire leads.

Thanks to the clear design, reasonable prices, and constantly updated versions, this program becomes an irreplaceable instrument for creating engaging content.

Pros
  • AI background and noise removal
  • Direct upload to Google Drive, TikTok, Vimeo, and YouTube
  • Intuitive user interface
  • Movavi Effects Store
  • Quick video creation
  • Motion tracking
Cons
  • Rendering could be better

2. VEED

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Price:

Free
$12-$59 per month

Compatible systems:

Any web browser

VEED is known for its user-friendly interface and is suitable for creating and editing videos for different purposes.

This online video editor offers advanced tools like a video translator, background noise remover, audio converter, and subtitle generator.

VEED is also actively working on developing AI tools, including the recently introduced eye contact correction tool.

Pros
  • User-friendly interface
  • Online accessibility
  • Collaborative editing
  • Ready to use templates
  • Free stock videos
Cons
  • Additional pricing for advanced features
  • Relies on a stable internet connection

3. DaVinci Resolve

DaVinci Resolve

Price:

Free version

Premium offers for $295 lifetime

Compatible systems:

Windows and Mac

DaVinci Resolve is a good video editor suitable for experienced editors but beginners as well.

The basic version includes all standard features, so you can easily edit the video without spending a dollar. But be ready that it may take a while to master the interface.

Pros
  • Audio overlays and scrubbing
  • Adjustment clips
  • Multicamera editing
  • Closed captioning 
  • DaVinci Resolve Speed Editor and Keyboard
Cons
  • Only a lifetime subscription
  • Occupies lots of system resources

4. Shotcut

Shotcut

Price:

Free

Donation-based

Compatible systems:

Windows, Linux, and Mac

With the help of Shotcut, you can create engaging videos for LinkedIn, Instagram, and other popular platforms.

It is an open-source video editor with plenty of tutorials, so even beginners will easily understand how it works.

A significant number of supported formats, advanced tools, and bandpass features are only a small piece of what Shotcut can offer.

Pros
  • Supports FFmpeg, ProRes, 4K, and other formats
  • Native timeline editing
  • AVI encoding and decoding
  • Webcam and audio capture
  • Network stream playback
Cons
  • Quirky design

5. KdenLive

KdenLive

Price:

Free

Donation-based

Compatible systems:

Windows, Mac, and Linux

KdenLive is another open-source video editing software that is free to use.

You can thank developers with a donation that helps the program grow and evolve. Video processing is mostly done by the MLT Framework.

Pros
  • Audiometer, histogram, and vectorscope 
  • Proxy editing
  • Automatic backups
  • Timeline previews
  • A variety of interface themes
Cons
  • Relies on other open-source projects 

6. HitFilm

HitFilm

Price:

Free

$349 for Pro Version

Compatible systems:

Windows and Mac

If you want to understand how to create cutting-edge videos, consider using HitFilm. It is usually used by more advanced editors but the result is definitely worth the effort.

When using a free version, HitFilm asks for a social media status update during each download. The list of features this editor offers is truly amazing.

Pros
  • 3D effects
  • Motion tracking and cropping
  • Numerous transition tools
  • Composite shots
  • Audio mixers
  • Auto stabilizer 
Cons
  • Mostly targets advanced users 
  • The pro version is pricy

7. Kapwing

Kapwing

Price:

Free

$24 monthly or

$192 annually for the Pro version

Compatible systems:

Any web browser

Kapwing is a rather unusual video editor, as it targets teams, not individuals.

With this collaborative software, teams can embed YouTube videos in Outlook, create presentations, and do many other things.

The free version allows unlimited exports with a watermark, auto-subtitles for up to 10 minutes per month, and 720p quality.

Pros
  • Videos up to 120 minutes
  • 4K quality
  • AI editing instruments
  • Custom fonts
  • Limitless cloud storage
Cons
  • A limited set of features in the free version

8. VSDC

VSDC

Price:

Free

$19.99 for advanced features

Compatible systems:

Windows

VSDC Video Editor is good for beginners and those who don’t want to spend much time creating engaging content.

It can fix the footage rather quickly with motion tracking, color correction, and other useful instruments. The number of VSDC users exceeds 5 million.

Pros
  • Mask tool
  • Green screen
  • Chroma Key functionality
  • Post-production effects
  • 3D templates
Cons
  •  No acceleration features
  • Clunky interface

9. KineMaster

KineMaster

Price:

Free

$3.99 monthly paid plan

Compatible systems:

Android, iOS, and Chromebook

KineMaster is an affordable but still powerful video editor for those who prefer working on the go.

With its help, users can record a video, edit it, and upload it to the required platform in a matter of minutes.

There are over 2,500 downloadable effects and transitions to achieve outstanding results.

Pros
  • KineMaster store with fonts, stickers, effects, and sounds
  • 4K videos
  • Automatic backups
  • Blending options
Cons
  • No PC version

10. Wave.video

Wave.video

Price:

Free

$16 -$48 per month

Compatible systems:

Any web browser

Wave.video is a convenient and user-friendly editor with plenty of extras like video marketing, thumbnail creation, and live streaming.

There are numerous video tutorials and articles about each tool and feature. If you want a no-watermark video, you’ll need to purchase the advanced version. 

Pros
  • Stock library with millions of templates and images
  • Automatic subtitles
  • Background removal
  • Video hosting
  • Screen sharing
Cons
  • Absence of a downloadable version

11. SoapBox

SoapBox

Price:

Free trial

Annual packages start from $228

Compatible systems:

Any web browser

SoapBox is a free Chrome extension that is used to catch screens and videos and make them more appealing with the help of multiple editing instruments.

SoapBox is an irreplaceable tool for startups and influencers who need quality talking heads, product demos, and tutorial videos.

Pros
  • Browser-based screen recording
  • Intuitive video trimmer
  • Video CMS
  • Custom Video Player
Cons
  • Expensive compared to other editors

12. CapCut

CapCut

Price:

Free

$7.99 monthly or

$44.99 annual subscription

Compatible systems:

Windows and any web browser

CapCut is an all-in-one video editor that has both an online and a downloadable version.

You can enrich your videos with more than 500,000 audio files, 4,600 stickers, and 200 filters.

CapCut also has social media tools to create and edit TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram videos.

Pros
  • Many templates
  • AI tools
  • Speech to text
  • Background removal
  • Video resizing
Cons
  • 60 FPS maximum frame rate

13. Lightworks

Lightworks software

Price:

Free

$24.99/month for Pro Version 

Compatible systems:

Windows, Mac, and Linux

Lightworks has been on the market for over 30 years and remains one of the most popular video editors in the world.

Its Pro version was even used in Hollywood movies like ‘The King’s Speech’ with Colin Firth. Lightworks is a bit complex but has an introductory guide with the main features covered. 

Pros
  • Background processing
  • Real-time sharing
  • Speed optimization
  • Simple multi-camera editing
Cons
  • Exports of up to 720p in a free version

Conclusion

Video editors are among the best content creation tools as they let the audience experience a full immersion into the process.

And you don’t need to be a professional video editor because modern online programs are intuitive and easy to use. You already have a list of top-12 free and paid video editors, so it is the right time to make the first step toward the content of your dreams. 

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author on the blog

Stefan Mitrovic

Stefan is a long-time content creator and one of the Stream Mentor's co-founders. He's a tech geek and a Dota 2 player (not even a good one) who wanted to help others become professional streamers and earn from the comfort of their home.