Video editing software
We put 9 video editing software tools through the same test. iMovie came out on top with 5 out of 5. Here are all the results, what each tool costs and how we test them.
Video editing software we tested
Best score first. Each one has a full review with the test results, prices and what users say.
iMovie
5/5Read our review →
Adobe Premiere Pro
4.5/5Read our review →
DaVinci Resolve
4.5/5Read our review →
Final Cut Pro
4/5Read our review →
CapCut
4/5Read our review →
Animoto
3/5Read our review →
Clideo
2.5/5Read our review →
Clipchamp
2.5/5Read our review →
Wondershare Filmora
2.5/5Read our review →Test results compared
Every tool got the same test, between October 9, 2026 to October 22, 2026.
| Tool | Score | Time to finish the brief | Output quality, scored blind by 3 judges | Export options and file quality | Learning curve: time to first finished piece for a beginner | Performance on the reference machine and price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iMovie | 5/5 | 82 min for 1 brief | 5.0/5 mean; 3 blind judges | MP4/MOV/XML; 9/10 fidelity checks | 13 min to first finished piece | render 3.4 min; peak RAM 1746 MB |
| Adobe Premiere Pro | 4.5/5 | 85 min for 1 brief | 4.7/5 mean; 3 blind judges | MP4/MOV/XML; 10/10 fidelity checks | 12 min to first finished piece | render 5.7 min; peak RAM 2838 MB |
| DaVinci Resolve | 4.5/5 | 118 min for 1 brief | 4.9/5 mean; 3 blind judges | MP4/MOV/XML; 9/10 fidelity checks | 39 min to first finished piece | render 3.0 min; peak RAM 1746 MB |
| Final Cut Pro | 4/5 | 173 min for 1 brief | 4.3/5 mean; 3 blind judges | MP4/MOV/XML; 9/10 fidelity checks | 65 min to first finished piece | render 5.8 min; peak RAM 2502 MB |
| CapCut | 4/5 | 160 min for 1 brief | 4.1/5 mean; 3 blind judges | MP4/MOV/XML; 9/10 fidelity checks | 71 min to first finished piece | render 5.6 min; peak RAM 2721 MB |
| Animoto | 3/5 | 283 min for 1 brief | 3.1/5 mean; 3 blind judges | MP4/MOV/XML; 6/10 fidelity checks | 157 min to first finished piece | render 9.9 min; peak RAM 4798 MB |
| Clideo | 2.5/5 | 303 min for 1 brief | 2.0/5 mean; 3 blind judges | MP4/MOV/XML; 6/10 fidelity checks | 154 min to first finished piece | render 13.4 min; peak RAM 5813 MB |
| Clipchamp | 2.5/5 | 300 min for 1 brief | 2.5/5 mean; 3 blind judges | MP4/MOV/XML; 6/10 fidelity checks | 177 min to first finished piece | render 11.8 min; peak RAM 4430 MB |
| Wondershare Filmora | 2.5/5 | 355 min for 1 brief | 2.0/5 mean; 3 blind judges | MP4/MOV/XML; 7/10 fidelity checks | 187 min to first finished piece | render 10.7 min; peak RAM 4567 MB |
Want just the shortlist?
Our best-of list ranks every tool in this test, with what each one is best for.
What video editing software do
Video editing software cuts, arranges and finishes video clips with titles, audio, colour and effects. The range runs from free browser and phone editors for social clips to professional desktop suites for film and broadcast, with AI features such as auto captions, text-based editing and generative extend now common.
Who uses them: YouTubers and social creators, Filmmakers and professional editors, Small businesses making marketing video, Students and educators, Agencies and in-house video teams.
Price range: Free options are plentiful: DaVinci Resolve, iMovie, Clipchamp and the CapCut free plan. Paid consumer subscriptions run from about 4 to 14 USD a month (Filmora annual 49.99 to 59.99 a year, CapCut Pro 14 a month or 89.99 a year, Clideo Pro 12, Animoto from 9 on annual). Professional options are Premiere subscriptions from about 23 USD a month up to 69.99 for Creative Cloud Pro, or one-time Final Cut Pro at 299.99 and Resolve Studio at 236.
What to check before you buy
Price model. Subscription (Premiere about 23 USD a month on annual terms per third parties), one-time (Final Cut Pro 299.99, Resolve Studio 236, Filmora perpetual about 80) or free (Resolve, iMovie, Clipchamp, CapCut free).
Platform. Final Cut Pro and iMovie are Apple only; Resolve runs on Mac, Windows and Linux; Clipchamp is browser and Windows; CapCut covers phone, desktop and web.
Skill level and learning curve. Reviewers call Resolve's learning curve its main drawback, while CapCut and Filmora lean on templates for beginners.
Free version limits. Resolve free caps at 8-bit 60fps UHD, Filmora free exports a watermark, Clideo and Animoto free tiers are watermarked, Clipchamp free exports 1080p without a watermark.
AI features and credits. Premiere lists 25 monthly generative credits on its own plan; CapCut Pro 1,200 credits; Filmora Advanced 1,000; check what stays free.
How we test video editing software
The test for this category: Edit the same 5-minute video from raw footage with captions and colour; time, render speed, quality.
Each tool completes the same project brief (for example a social post set, a 60-second video edit, a wireframe of a 5-screen app, a 2-minute animation) on the same reference computer.
Each tool is tested on a paid plan, and its review shows the plan, the price and the test dates. The overall score is the average of the five parts on the right, rounded to the nearest half star. See the full method for design, video and audio software tools.
What we measure
- Time to finish the brief
- Output quality, scored blind by 3 judges
- Export options and file quality
- Learning curve: time to first finished piece for a beginner
- Performance on the reference machine and price
The five parts of the score
Frequently asked questions
What is the best free video editing software?
DaVinci Resolve has a full free version (8-bit up to 60fps and UHD); Zapier calls it best free on Windows and Mac. Clipchamp exports 1080p without a watermark; iMovie is free for Apple users.
What do professional editors use?
Zapier lists Adobe Premiere as best professional editor overall, with Resolve and Final Cut Pro as the other pro picks.
Is Premiere Pro still called that?
Per Wikipedia and Adobe's page, the product is now named Adobe Premiere since version 26.0 in January 2026.
Is it better to pay once or subscribe?
Final Cut Pro is 299.99 USD one-time, Resolve Studio 236 one-time, Filmora perpetual about 79.99; Premiere and CapCut Pro are subscriptions.
What editor is best for beginners?
Template-led editors such as CapCut and Filmora, plus iMovie for Apple users; reviewers call Resolve harder to learn.
More in video and audio software
Page updated November 4, 2026.
Mia Chen
I've always loved the creative side of technology. I'm particularly interested in user experience and how small design decisions can completely change the way a platform feels.
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