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Comparison of video editing software

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This is a comparison of non-linear video editing software applications. See also a more complete list of video editing software.

General information

This table gives basic general information about the different editors:

Active

ProgramDeveloperPlatformInitial releaseLatest releaseLicenseTarget audienceVersionDateAdobe Premiere ElementsAdobe Premiere ProAutodesk FlameAvid Media ComposerAvid Media Composer FirstAvidemuxAVS Video EditorBlenderCamtasiaCinelerraCinelerra-GG InfinityCorel VideoStudioCyberLink PowerDirectorDaVinci ResolveFinal Cut ProEDIUSFlowbladeBlackbirdiMovieivsEditsKdenliveLightworksLiVESLosslessCutMagix Movie Edit ProNatronNero VideoOpenShotMicrosoft Photos Video EditorPinnacle StudioPitiviShotcutVegas ProVideoPadVSDC Free Video Editor
Adobe Inc.macOS200420222022Trialware}}prosumer
Windows
Adobe Inc.macOS1991Commercial}}professional
Windows
AutodeskLinux199320222022Commercial}}professional (vfx; finishing system)
macOS
AvidmacOS19892024.102024Commercial}}professional
Windows
AvidmacOS20172021.92021Freeware}}professional
Windows
Mean, Gruntster and FahrBSDGPL-2.0-or-later}}basic
Linux
macOS
Windows
Online Media Technologies Ltd.Windows20039.7.32022prosumer
Blender FoundationLinux2002GPL-2.0-or-later}}professional
Irix
macOS
Solaris
Windows
TechSmith CorporationWindows20022025.2.52025-11-11Trialware, Commercial}}professional, prosumer
macOS
Heroine VirtualLinux20027.42021professional
Open Source CommunityLinux20162025-032025-03-31professional
Corel CorporationWindows1993VS 20212021prosumer
CyberLinkWindows2001202021prosumer
Blackmagic DesignLinux2004202025-05-27Freeware, Commercial}}professional
macOS
Windows
Apple Inc.macOS201111.1.12025-05-22professional
Grass Valley CanopusWindows200210.002020professional
Open Source CommunityLinux2012prosumer
Blackbird PLCCross-platform2004-2020professional
Apple Inc.iOS199910.4.32024-11-13Commercial}}prosumer
macOS
Interactive Video SystemsWindows20085.0.6072017professional (small)?
Open Source CommunityBSD2002GPL-2.0-or-later}}prosumer
Linux
macOS
Windows
LWKSLinux19892021.12021Freeware, Commercial}}professional
macOS
Windows
Gabriel Finch and othersLinux2002GPL-3.0-or-later}}prosumer
Unix-like
Mikael FinstadBSD2016GPL-2.0-only}}basic, GOP-boundaries
Linux
macOS
Windows
MagixWindows200120192021prosumer
Alexandre Gauthier
Frédéric DevernayLinux2014GPL-2.0-or-later}}prosumer ? (vfx)
macOS
Windows
Nero AGWindows200220222021prosumer
Open Source CommunityLinux2008GPL-3.0-or-later}}prosumer
macOS
Windows
Microsoft CorporationWindows201720212021basic
Pinnacle SystemsWindows1999252021prosumer
Open Source CommunityLinux2004prosumer (in development)
Meltytech, LLCLinux2011GPL-3.0-or-later}}prosumer
macOS
OpenBSD
Windows
MagixWindows1999232025professional (small)
NCH SoftwareAndroid200811.222022Trialware}}prosumer
iPad
iPhone
macOS
Windows
Flash-Intergro LLCWindows20089.12024prosumer

Discontinued / Inactive

ProgramDeveloperPlatformInitial releaseLatest releaseLicenseTarget audienceVersionDateWindows Movie MakerVirtualDubModVideoThangAvid Free DVFinal Cut ExpressFinal Cut ProPinnacle VideospinUlead MediaStudio ProSerif MoviePlusMPEG Video Wizard DVDXpress ProKinoMainActorEditDVVirtualDubCinelerra-CVAutodesk SmokeVegas Movie Studio
MicrosoftWindows2000basic
"Belgabor"Windows20021.5.10.3_b25502007
VideoThang LLCWindows20072.0.12008
AvidmacOSrowspan="2"1.8.12006Commercial}}rowspan="2"
Windows
Apple Inc.macOS20034.0.12007prosumer
Apple Inc.macOS19997.0.32009professional
AvidWindows20092.02009
Ulead SystemsWindows8.12006
Serif (Europe) LtdWindows2000X62012prosumer (basic)
Womble MultimediaWindows5.0.1.1052012prosumer
AvidmacOS20035.8rowspan="2"Commercial}}rowspan="2"
Windows
Open Source CommunityBSD2000GPL-2.0-or-later}}rowspan="2"
Linux
MainConceptLinux20045.52007Commercial}}rowspan="2"
Windows
RadiusmacOS19973.02002Commercial}}rowspan="2"
Windows
Avery LeeWindows20001.10.4 stable2013basic
Open Source CommunityLinux2003?2.32015professional
AutodeskmacOS20212021professional (vfx; finishing system)
MagixWindows2000172020prosumer

Definition

  • professional: used for full length Hollywood movies;
  • professional (small): mainly used for paid commercials, short films or podcasts/YouTube channels;
  • prosumer: Mainly targeting private use, anything that can do more than just trimming a film;
  • basic: trimming a film;

System requirements

This table lists the operating systems that different editors can run on without emulation, as well as other system requirements. Note that minimum system requirements are listed; some features (like High Definition support) may be unavailable with these specifications.

WindowsmacOSUnix-likeProcessorRAMVRAMHDDAdobe Premiere Pro CCAdobe Premiere ElementsAvid Media ComposerAvidemuxAVS Video EditorBlender (VSE : Video Sequence Editor)CinelerraCinelerra-GG InfinityCorel VideoStudioDaVinci ResolveEDIUSFinal Cut Pro XFlowbladeBlackbirdiMovieKdenliveLightworksLiVESMagix Movie Edit ProMPEG Video Wizard DVDNero Multimedia SuiteOpenShot Video EditorPinnacle StudioPitiviShotcutVegas ProVideoPadVirtualDubModVSDC Free Video EditorWindowsmacOSUnixProcessorRAMVRAMHDD
Skylake or later8 GB2 GB8 GB
2 GHz+ with SSE2 support2 GB4.5 GB
SSE 4.1 support16 GB
Intel / AMD compatible at 2500 MHz or higher1 GB1 GB
2 GHz+ with SSE2 support2 GB512 MB
x86-64 compatible processor256 MB0.25 GB
x86-64 compatible processor,
recommended minimum: 2 GHz, 4 cores8 GB recommended for HD editing0.25 GB
3.0 GHz4 GB256 MB8 GB
Modern Intel/AMD/Apple silicon processor16 GB DDR4, 32 GB DDR4 when using Fusion2 GB GDDR63.5 GB
Intel Core 2 or later with SSSE3 support1 GB512 MB6 GB
4 GB256 MB3.8 GB
x86-64 compatible processor2.7 GB
256 MBAny
Intel based Macs or iPhone 4 or later1 GB5 GB
600 MHz256 MB1 GB
Intel Core Duo, Intel Xeon or AMD processor2 GB200 MB
800 MHz128 MB10 GB
Dual core processor with 2.0 GHz1 GB2 GB
233 MHz32 MB20 MB
2 GHz AMD or Intel processor512 MB (1 GB for Windows Vista or Windows 7)
2 GB when editing HD5 GB
4 GB (16 GB recommended)1 GB
1.8 GHz1 GB1.7 GB
??2 MB
2 GHz AMD or Intel processor2GB / 4 GB when editing HD1 GB
2.0 GHz1.0 GB400 MB
multicore x86 compatible processor1GBAny
????
1.5 GHz or higher, Intel or AMD or compatible processor512 Mb for the program

"Unix" includes the similar Linux, BSD and Unix-like operating systems.

High definition/High resolution import

The table below indicates the ability of each program to import various High Definition video or High resolution video formats for editing.

DVCPRO HDAVCHDXDCAM HDHDVXAVCDNxHDDNxHRProResProRes RAWR3DArriRawAV1Adobe Premiere ProAdobe Premiere ElementsAvid Media ComposerAvidemuxAVS Video EditorBlenderCinelerraCinelerra-GG InfinityDaVinci ResolveEDIUSFinal Cut Pro XBlackbirdiMovieLightworksLiVESKdenliveMagix Movie Edit ProMPEG Video Wizard DVDNero VideoOpenShot Video EditorPinnacle StudioPitiviShotcutCorel VideoStudioVegas ProVideoPadVirtualDubVSDC Free Video EditorWeVideoWindows Live Movie MakerDVCPRO HDAVCHDXDCAM HDHDVXAVCDNxHDDNxHRProResProRes RAWR3DArriRawAV1
(As of 7.0)
(Quick Sync and CUDA for decoding)
(3rd party via
codec install)
(3rd party)
(as of Pro 11)(as of Pro 11)(as of Pro 11)
(3rd party)(as of Pro 11)
?????????????
(3rd party)(3rd party)(as of Pro 9)

Feature set

High Definition supportNon-destructive editingMultitrack editingFull-screen playbackStoryboard modeVideo tracksAudio tracks / max channelsLinear timecode displayGPGPU with OpenCL accelerationAdobe Premiere ProAdobe Premiere ElementsAvid Media ComposerAvidemuxAVS Video EditorBlender (VSE : Video Sequence Editor)CinelerraCinelerra-GG InfinityDaVinci ResolveEDIUSFinal Cut Pro XBlackbirdiMovieKdenliveLightworksLiVESMagix Movie Edit ProMPEG Video Wizard DVDNero VideoOpenShot Video EditorPinnacle StudioPitiviShotcutCorel VideoStudioVegas ProVideoPadVirtualDubVSDC Free Video EditorWeVideoWindows Live Movie MakerHigh Definition supportNon-destructive editingMultitrack editingFull-screen playbackStoryboard modeVideo tracksAudio tracksLinear timecode displayGPGPU with OpenCL acceleration
, By hitting ctrl+~ (CS6 only)UnlimitedUnlimited
UnlimitedUnlimited
24 tracks, unlimited layers24 tracks, unlimited layers
12 / ?
11+(Quick Sync for decoding/encoding, CUDA for decoding)
url=https://projects.blender.org/blender/blender/commit/8fecc2a85254title = Increase VSE strip channels limit from 32 to 128}} channels (combined with audio)128 channels (combined with video)
(any resolution)UnlimitedUnlimited / 16
max 8KUnlimitedUnlimited / 16Some formats, using
VAAPI/VDPAU/CUDA
for decoding/encoding
UnlimitedUnlimited
, on both PC & TV monitors in realtimeunlimited realtime layersunlimited realtime layers
Input only1836
26
UnlimitedUnlimitedthrough MLT
UnlimitedUnlimited
(any resolution)
(multitrack mode)
(on first, second or all monitors, configurable)Unlimitedaudio per video track + backing audio / 2 channels
32/99 (Plus/Premium)each track may contain audio and video
13
Unlimited(CUDA)
UnlimitedUnlimited
UnlimitedUnlimited
UnlimitedUnlimited
(Quick Sync)
79(CUDA and Quick Sync)
UnlimitedUnlimited/Max Channel 16(as of 11)
UnlimitedUnlimited
11
UnlimitedUnlimited
UnlimitedUnlimited
12

Output options

Please note that recording to Blu-ray does not imply 1080@50p/60p . Most only support up to 1080i 25/30 frames per second recording. Also not all formats can be output.

DVDHigh DefinitionSmartphoneQuickTimeWindows MediaMPEG-4XML/EDLPrint to tapeWeb, not hostedWeb, hostedPodcastingAdobe Premiere ProAdobe Premiere ElementsAvid Media ComposerAvidemuxAVS Video EditorBlender (VSE : Video Sequence Editor)CinelerraCinelerra-GG InfinityEDIUSFinal Cut Pro XFlowbladeBlackbirdiMovieKdenliveLightworksLiVESMagix Movie Edit ProMPEG Video Wizard DVDNero VideoOpenShot Video EditorPinnacle StudioPitiviShotcutCorel VideoStudioVegas ProVideoPadVirtualDubVSDC Free Video EditorWeVideoWindows Live Movie MakerDVDHigh DefinitionSmartphoneQuickTimeWindows MediaMPEG-4XML/EDLPrint to tapeWeb, not hostedWeb, hostedPodcasting
(Blu-ray)
(Blu-ray)
(Blu-ray)
max 8KCMX3600
(MPEG 2)(MPEG 2)
(3rd party)(with .Mac)
(max 720p in free version)(only in Pro 11)(only in Pro 11)
(AVCHD, Blu-ray)
(AVCHD, Blu-ray)
(AVCHD, Blu-ray)
(via plug-in)(with DropShot)
(Blu-ray)
(Via passthru)(Via passthru)

References

References

  1. G2. (August 17, 2020). "G2 Best Video Editing Software Rankings".
  2. "Cinelerra HV news".
  3. "Cinelerra-GG changelog".
  4. Coalition, ProVideo. (August 22, 2018). "Movie Edit Pro 2019: new version offers improved speed and new features by Jose Antunes".
  5. "Pinnacle Studio Downloads".
  6. "'NOW IN CURRENT: Shotcut' - MARC".
  7. "VideoPad Video Editor Versions". www.nchsoftware.com.
  8. "Download Free Video Editor". www.videosoftdev.com.
  9. Roberts, Neil. (April 25, 2011). "Smoke on the Water: Which software is used to edit Movies?".
  10. [https://helpx.adobe.com/premiere-pro/system-requirements.html Adobe Premiere Pro system requirements] Adobe Systems
  11. [http://avid.force.com/pkb/articles/en_US/Compatibility/Media-Composer-System-Requirements Media Composer System Requirements] Avid
  12. [https://www.blender.org/download/requirements/ Requirements] Blender Foundation
  13. [http://help.corel.com/videostudio/en/user-guide/videostudio-2019.pdf VideoStudio Ultimate 2019 User Guide] P.10 Corel
  14. [https://www.ediusworld.com/en/support/faq/cat120/cat2_826.html EDIUS 9 system requirements] Grass Valley
  15. [https://www.apple.com/final-cut-pro/specs/ Final Cut Pro X - Technical Specifications] Apple
  16. [https://helpx.adobe.com/premiere-pro/using/supported-file-formats.html Premiere Pro supported file formats] Adobe Systems
  17. [http://resources.avid.com/SupportFiles/attach/Avid_Supported_Video_File_Formats.pdf Avid Supported Video File Formats] Avid
  18. [https://documents.blackmagicdesign.com/SupportNotes/DaVinci_Resolve_15_Supported_Codec_List.pdf DaVinci Resolve Supported Formats and Codecs] Blackmagic Design
  19. [https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT200321 Apple ProRes and ProRes RAW Authorized Products] Apple
  20. [https://support.apple.com/kb/PH12754?locale=en_US Final Cut Pro X: Final Cut Pro: Supported media formats] Apple
  21. "Increase VSE strip channels limit from 32 to 128".
  22. "VideoStudio Ultimate 2021 | Fast & Fun Video Editing".
  23. (February 11, 2009). "EDL Support in Blender". www.blenderartists.org.
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