YouTube has gone from being a simple video sharing site to becoming a phenomenon. So much so that there are people who now watch YouTube instead of traditional television. This means that if you dream of being a YouTube star or you simply want to share videos with your friends, creating videos for YouTube can be a rewarding process.
However, to create and edit YouTube videos, you will need the right tools. And with that in mind, here are the best video editing applications for YouTube.
1.- Adobe Premiere Rush
Adobe Premiere is the closest thing to a family name when it comes to video editors. It's incredibly powerful, but it's so packed with features that it can be excessive for some YouTube creators. If you are looking for a video editor, the new Premiere Rush may be a better option.
As the name implies, Adobe Premiere Rush is meant to help you gather videos faster. It has built-in motion graphics templates, so there is no reason to integrate After Effects into your workflow. This is just one of several features that help you get videos faster and easier.
Premiere Rush is also relatively affordable at $ 9.99 per month. If you want to have Premiere Pro also available, you can group both for USD 20.99 per month.
Similarly, Adobe Premiere Rush is available on Windows, macOS, Android and iOS.
2.- iMovie for YouTube
If you're just getting started and you're not familiar with all the editing apps for YouTube, you may not want to spend money. Simple videos are not that difficult to put together, so you may not need sophisticated software.
If you use a Mac and are looking for a simple and cheap option, look no further than iMovie, which comes free with your Mac.
You are not going to edit a movie with iMovie, but it is more than enough for simple editing tasks. It offers more than the built-in YouTube editor, which could be all you need.
3.- Movie Maker Pro
The previous option will not help you if you are looking for a YouTube editing software for Windows. Windows Movie Maker used to be an option, but you won't find it in Windows 10. The good news is that Movie Maker Pro offers many of the same features.
You will find Movie Maker Pro in the Microsoft Store, but it is not a Microsoft application. It is a free download but offers an optional update.
Looking at user reviews, many people are more than happy with the free version. There are better options, but for a YouTube editor that is free on Windows, this is a good place to start.
4.- Blender for YouTube
At first, Blender may seem like a strange option to include here. After all, it is mainly known as 3D rendering software. Interestingly, Blender also includes a full-featured video editor. This is more than enough to make it one of the best video editors for YouTube, especially if you are interested in 3D graphics.
Blender can handle simple video editing functions such as cutting and splicing, but also more advanced tasks such as masking. Get up to 32 tracks (known as slots here) for video, audio, images, effects and more. The application is also completely free and open source, and is available on Windows, macOS and Linux.
5. Final Cut Pro X
When it was first released, fans of Final Cut Pro have long hated Final Cut Pro X. While some still ridicule it as "iMovie Pro," it's actually very useful if you're looking for video editing software from YouTube that is a little more advanced than iMovie. You won't feel completely alienated, but Final Cut Pro X is much more powerful.
As a Mac-exclusive software, Final Cut Pro X takes advantage of features such as the MacBook Pro touch bar and the Metal Graphics API to improve performance. The application is not exactly cheap at 299 USD, but that is not much more than what you would pay for a year of Premiere Rush and Premiere Pro CC.
In this case, you are actually buying the application, so you don't have to worry about monthly billing.
6.- CyberLink PowerDirector 365
CyberLink PowerDirector has been around for a long time and has developed a reputation as a reference application when it comes to editing videos on Windows. There is also an Android version, which is one of the best.
If you like the app but don't like paying for updates, CyberLink PowerDirector 365 brings the monthly payment model of Premiere Pro CC to the original application.
While it may not be compatible with Adobe offers and similar brands, PowerDirector far exceeds the default YouTube editing software. It is also a familiar interface that should appeal not only to PowerDirector fans, but to anyone who has used a video editor before.
7.- DaVinci Resolve for YouTube
It may have roots as color classification software for Hollywood movies, but DaVinci Resolve is also one of the best video editors for YouTube. You will find an overwhelming amount of features, but fortunately, you don't have to use them all. All you need to know is that you can edit anything you want, including 4K images.
If you decide you want to upgrade, the full version of DaVinci Resolve costs $ 299, but you can do a lot with the free version. It is available for Windows, macOS and Linux, so it is an excellent option regardless of what platform you are on.
8.- Hitfilm Express
Another professional editor with a free version available, Hitfilm Express is one of the best video editing applications for YouTube you'll find. Like DaVinci Resolve, it allows you to do almost any editing task you can think of, including 4K footage editing. Hitfilm Express has a friendlier interface, so if you're new to video editing, this may be a better option.
Hitfilm Express also has a full version available for $ 299. But it also offers an intermediate option. You can buy optional add-ons for the free version, adding bits and pieces of functionality for around 10 to 20 USD each. Hitfilm Express is available for Windows and macOS.
9.- Shotcut
Like Blender, Shotcut is free and open source. Because of this, you can't really expect the same level of interface polishing that you would find in a paid application. That does not mean that this application is not powerful enough.
Where Shotcut stands out from the multitude of free editing software for YouTube, these are the tutorials offered. When it comes to open source software, this is not always something you can count on.
If you are looking for a simple and free option on Linux, it is worth a try. You may also like it on Windows or macOS, but the competition is much tougher on those platforms.
Find the best video editing apps for YouTube
Before deciding on one of these video editing applications for YouTube, it makes sense to think about your ambitions. If you just want to share a game clip of yourself singing a song, you don't need a powerful editor. On the other hand, if you're looking to replace every person in a movie with Nicolas Cage, you'll need something more capable.
You should also think about how popular you want your videos to become. If you just want to create by creating, have fun. However, if you are looking to make a living, then you will need more professional editors.