No matter how proficient you are at video editing, if your video editing app lacks top-notch features and versatility, your creativity will not have the freedom to express itself and the end product may eventually fall well short of expectations. Fortunately, there is no dearth of video editing software on the market. However, if your search for the best Windows 10 video editors seems to be in a fix and you can’t decide which one to choose, this short roundup can help you make the right decision. Here are the 10 best Windows 10 video editing apps that you should check out in 2020.
Before putting your money on a video editor and spending hours on learning it to edit your videos, there are a few crucial things you need to keep in mind so that you don’t end up with the app that is not in line with your expectations. So take a quick glance at all the apps and learn what kind of video editors would be the best for you.
Adobe Premiere Pro
Avid Media Composer First
Lightworks
DaVinci Resolve
Sony Vegas
Free and For Beginners
OpenShot
HitFilm Express
VSDC
Shotcut
Microsoft Photos App
Fix Your Priority Before Choosing a Video Editor
It’s always good to be very clear of what your need demands. For instance, if you are looking for Windows 10 video editors to just create fun-loving videos for sharing on social sites like Facebook and Instagram, then you don’t need to go for a powerful software with tons of pro tools. A simple video editor can live up to your task without costing an arm and a leg. And oh, there are also some pretty good free apps that are designed to get the job done elegantly.
1. Adobe Premiere Pro
No roundup of the best Windows 10 video editors would be complete without Adobe Premiere Pro as it’s always been a powerhouse. Whether you are a filmmaker, YouTuber, or videographer, you will find Premiere Pro a solid option. Apart from boasting high-end tools, the app sports an interface that is easy to navigate. Packed with some really handy automated tools, it ensures your workflow remains smooth.
Cons:
- Slow to process videos
- Quite Expensive
Supported Input Formats: MP4, MPEG, MPE, MPG (MPEG-1, MPEG-2), M2V (DVD-compliant MPEG-2), MTS (avchd), MOV, FLV, AVI
If there is a Windows 10 video editing software that can give Adobe Premiere Pro a run for its money, it has to be the Avid Media Composer. For those unfamiliar with its rich legacy, this app played a major role in editing movies and TV show like Captain Marvel, Bohemian Rhapsody, and Game of Thrones. As compared to Premiere Pro, Avid’s interface looks a bit more inviting. On the editing front, it has got a plethora of professional tools that let you edit videos immaculately.
Thanks to impressive audio effects, it will also let you create unique sound effects and dialogue. With the virtual recording studio at your disposal, you can effortlessly create voice-overs and edit audio. There are also dozens of effects and presets which can endow visual appeal to your movie instantly.
Pros:
Cons:
Supported Input Formats: MPEG, DV, DVPRO, H.264, XDCAM, MPEG-4, AVCHD, and more (click here to learn more)
3. Lightworks
Lightworks has been around for more than 25 years and it’s been used on some of the most successful films like The Wolf of Wall Street, LA Confidential, Pulp Fiction, Heat and more. What sets this video editor app apart from many rivals is the simplicity; that too without compromising on the advanced editing tools. The entire interface feels very familiar right from the start. Thus, you won’t have to spend plenty of time to master the editing tools or get a good hold of the software.
- Features packed the brim
- Access royalty-free media
- Excellent UI
- Variable frame rate editing
- Stunning effects and filters
Supported Input Formats: MPEG-2 I-Frame SD, Apple Pro Res, DVCAM / DVCPRO 25, AVCHD (M2T, M2TS, MPEG4, H.264) and others
Should your priority lies with impressive 8K editing and flawless color correction, try out DaVinci Resolve. The best part about this software is the capability to efficiently combine 8K editing, stunning visual effects, color correction, and audio post-production. As a result, you will be able to amp up your multitasking without any hassle.
Another notable feature of this software is multi-user collaboration. If you often have to collaborate with entire team and want everyone involved to seamlessly work on a project, you would be hard-pressed to find a better alternative to it.
To me, GPU acceleration is a must especially when you have to deal with large media files and want the production to proceed with the desired speed. Therefore, you would be really glad to find a full-on GPU acceleration tool that offers you more control and also plays a vital role in accelerating your task.
Supported Input Formats: QuickTime, AVI, R3D, MXF, Prores, DNxHD, MXF, DPX, CIN, EXR and others
Install: Free, the full version is available for $299
Whether you are a professional video editor or a beginner who has just taken on video editing, “Sony Vegas” is one of the better options for you. If you are a novice, the guided video creator and model-based workflow can go a long way in helping you master many tricks of the trade. What puts it at the forefront is the ability to offer more flexible video production, depending on the type of movie you would like to create.
When it comes to video stabilization functionality, Vegas does an excellent job. As a result, you won’t have to spend much on stabilizing your shots. On the video effects front, it has got both the rich quality and variety. So, when you decide to ramp up the visual appearance of your video, you will have a good many options to try out.
Supported Input Formats: DV, HDV, AVCHD, NXCAM, MOV, MP4, WMV, MPEG-1/2/4, H.264/AVC, and more.
Install: Starts at $399
6. OpenShot
If you are looking for a free video editor on Windows 10 and one that is dead simple to use then OpenShot is your best option. Apart from being completely free, the video editor is also open-source and available on multiple platforms, besides Windows 10. It has a quick learning curve and you don’t need to spend hours and learn how to apply some transitions or merge multiple clips. Keep in mind, that does not stop OpenShot to be any less powerful.
- Simple and easy to use
- Free and open-source
- Basic and advanced tools
- Multi-timeline support
Supported Input Formats: FFmpeg, WebM (VP9), AVCHD, HEVC, mp3, aac, MPEG4, ogv, Blu-ray, and DVD video
HitFilm Express is another powerful video editor for Windows 10 that is well-equipped with all the basic and advanced tools. FXhome is the developer of HitFilm and it offers a paid version (HitFilm Pro) and free version (HitFilm Express). However, the Express version is not bereft of premium features as it offers you professional-grade VFX tools, and also simple tools for beginners and students.
Even if you opt for the paid version which unlocks many advanced tools, it costs you a one-time fee of $349 and you can use it on 3 different machines. That’s awesome, right?
- Learning curve can be higher for beginners
Supported Input Formats: Quicktime, AVCHD, AVI, M2T, M2TS, MOV, MP4 (AVC/H264 & AAC), MPEG-1 & MPEG-2 (TS, PS, MPE, MPG, MPEG, M2V), MTS, MXF (DVCPro HD), DV, HDV, WMV.
VSDC is a Windows 10 video editor that is known for its free offering and simple user interface. It weighs around 80MB in size which makes it clear that VSDC is not for pro users, but for beginners who want to get started with video editing on Windows 10. That said, lately, the developer has added a wide array of video processing tools to VSDC like Chrome Key, video effects, filters and support for 360-degree video editing.
Not to mention, you have the usual multi-panel timeline, support for various codecs and file formats, stabilization, voiceover, and more. You can also export videos at 4K resolution without paying any charge. To conclude, if you are looking for a free Windows 10 video editor that has ample processing tools then VSDC is a great choice.
Supported Input Formats: AVI, MP4, MKV, MPG, WMV, 3GP, FLV and others; audio files: MP3, WAV, WMA, FLAC, PCM, OGG, AAC, M4A, AMR
Install: Free
If you are a budding YouTuber or someone who likes to create awesome videos for sharing on social networking sites, you will love to have Shotcut. One of the biggest highlights of this app is the support for hundreds of audio and video formats. As a result, you will be able to edit almost any video file without having to run into an incompatibility issue. Besides, the multi-format timeline, frame-rates, and resolutions would play a decisive role in enhancing your productivity.
When you would want to give scenes a more enchanting look, a wide range of transitions like a barn door, clock, and box would come into play really well. Plus, the support for resolutions up to 4k makes it more than a safe bet.
Supported Input Formats: Based on FFmpeg hence supports most of the video formats
Supported Output Formats: H.264, WebM, ProRes, MPEG-2, and others
I bet not many of you are aware of the fact that the stock Photos app of Windows 10 has hidden video editing tools. If you are looking for a simple yet highly efficient video editor that can let you create fun-loving videos to share on social networking sites, it can fit into your needs with ease.
Now, you will have access to plenty of editing tools. For instance, you can trim the video to get rid of the unwanted portions and add a slo-mo effect to make your clip look eye-catching.
Comes pre-installed with Windows 10
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Does Windows 10 Have Video Editing?
Yes, you can use the Microsoft Photos app on Windows 10 to edit videos. It comes preinstalled on Windows 10 and works like a charm.
You can either use fully-featured video editors from the list above or use the first-party Microsoft Photo app to edit videos on Windows 10. Just press the Windows key once and search for “photos” and then open it.
If you are not a professional, there is no point getting a paid software that comes with advanced tools. For beginners who want to merge clips and sync audio, free video editors are enough and you can use them comfortably. I have listed top 5 free video editors for Windows 10 above so go through that.
YouTubers generally use Final Cut Pro (Apple users) and Adobe Premiere Pro (Windows users). However, if Adobe Premiere Pro is too complex for you then you can take a shot at OpenShot and HitFilm.
Final Cut Pro, Avid Media, and Adobe Premiere Pro are the three software mainly used by professionals.
