Do you own a Mac and want to try something new and exciting – how about video editing? Starting out, you might ask: do I need video editing Apps for Mac book or is iMovie all I need? iMovie is a decent entry-level video editing software preinstalled on new Macs and is free, but it does not necessarily work for everybody – especially if you deal with bigger files or a lot of editing. There is good news – there, many other and more advanced features are available. In this tutorial, we will consider the top nine video editing software made for Mac users that goes from novice to professional level.
The Best Online Video Editor for Mac
Kapwing stands out as a browser-based editor, eliminating the need for hefty downloads and ensuring smooth operation even on older Macs. The platform is designed to handle all video editing tasks directly from your browser, so there are no worries about storage space or system updates.
- System Requirements: Works on all versions of macOS, no downloads required.
- Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate.
- Key Features:
- No memory lag.
- Unlimited cloud storage.
- Collaborative editing in real-time.
- AI-powered tools and auto-subtitles.
- Safe Zones for social media editing.
- Multi-layer editing timeline.
- Pricing: Free version available with limited features; Pro version at $32 per month, or $16 per month when billed annually.
2. Lightworks: Best Desktop Editor for Intermediate Users
Lightworks is a cutting-edge desktop editor that is ideal for users at a mid-level because it helps in keeping the highly professional end users acraged without having to pay for expensive packages such as in Adobe Premiere or in Final Cut pro. It does not have advanced features like splintatics and splinting out envelopes at the site, Lightworks is very easy to learn compared to other advanced tools, but it can make edits that are worthy of the best Hollywood films – The Wolf of Wall Street for instance.
- System Requirements: macOS 10.15 or later, minimum 4 GB RAM.
- Skill Level: Intermediate.
- Key Features:
- Advanced audio tools.
- Royalty-free music.
- Split-screen viewer.
- Video stabilization.
- Pricing: Free version available; premium plans start at $9.99/month.
3. PowerDirector 365: Ideal for Older MacBooks
For users working on older Macs, PowerDirector 365 provides a feature-rich experience without the need for a modern, high-powered machine. It offers more than iMovie while taking up less space and can run on older macOS versions.
- System Requirements: macOS 10.14 or later.
- Skill Level: Advanced Beginner to Intermediate.
- Key Features:
- 50 GB cloud storage.
- 4K video previews.
- AI-enhanced editing tools.
- Supports both Mac and Windows, although licenses must be purchased separately.
- Pricing: Plans range from $4.33 to $19.99 per month.
4. Movavi Video Editor: Best iMovie Alternative for Beginners
Movavi is perfect for users who are new to video editing but want more functionality than iMovie offers. Its intuitive interface, easy-to-use tools, and range of effects make it an ideal starting point for beginners.
- System Requirements: macOS 10.13 or later with 2 GB of RAM.
- Skill Level: Beginner.
- Key Features:
- Screen recording functionality.
- Robust transition library.
- Extensive visual effects and stickers.
- Easy-to-navigate menus and tools.
- Pricing: $74.95 for the full version.
5. Apple iMovie: Best Free Video Editing Software for Beginners
Preloaded on all newer Macs, iMovie is a no-cost option that offers a simple interface for basic video editing tasks. It’s perfect for users who want to quickly edit short videos or create content for social media.
- System Requirements: macOS 12.6 or later.
- Skill Level: Beginner.
- Key Features:
- Drag-and-drop interface.
- Auto-save feature.
- Works across multiple Apple devices.
- Preloaded on macOS.
- Price: Free.
6. DaVinci Resolve: Best for Professional Teams
DaVinci Resolve is a favorite among professionals, known for its advanced color grading and audio tools. With team collaboration features, this editor is ideal for larger projects and professional workflows, although it requires high-performance hardware.
- System Requirements: macOS 11 (Big Sur) or later, 16 GB RAM (32 GB recommended).
- Skill Level: Advanced.
- Key Features:
- Real-time project sharing.
- Blackmagic Cloud collaboration tool.
- AI-powered color correction.
- Advanced audio editing tools.
- Pricing: Free version available; $295 for the paid version.
7. Adobe Premiere Elements: Best for Beginners Wanting Advanced Features
Adobe Premiere Elements is a more basic version of the professional Adobe Premiere Pro, adapted to the needs of beginners who would like to go deeper into video editing Apps for Mac. Another reason this video editing software is friendly to beginners is the guided edits which assist in quick and beautiful video creations. For an entry-level video editing software that allows learning without the purchase of a more complete software, Adobe Premiere Elements is a very great solution for making some nice videos.
- System Requirements: macOS 11 or later.
- Skill Level: Beginner.
- Key Features:
- Over 80 guided edits.
- Advanced lighting, framing, and color correction tools.
- Template-based movie creator.
- Pricing: $99.99.
8. Final Cut Pro X: Best Advanced Software for Mac Users
Final Cut Pro X is the go-to choice for advanced Mac users who need a powerful video editor with robust features. This Apple-native program is favored by YouTubers and professional editors for its user-friendly layout and smooth integration with Mac hardware.
- System Requirements: macOS 12.6 or later.
- Skill Level: Advanced.
- Key Features:
- Multi-cam editing.
- Advanced motion graphics.
- Extensive third-party plugin support.
- Pricing: $299.99.
9. Adobe Premiere Pro 23: Best for Professional Video Editors
As far as professional video editing software is concerned, Adobe Premiere Pro undoubtedly ranks high. This robust program comes with plenty of tools and integrates seamlessly with other Adobe Creative Cloud apps. This is also a tool for those who want to use sophisticated video editing tools to handle videos with higher resolutions. I would say that with industry-standard features, Adobe Premiere Pro can also be effectively employed in creation of quality videos as well as attaining the best results ever.
System Requirements: macOS 11 or later.
- Skill Level: Advanced.
- Key Features:
- Motion tracking.
- High-resolution video support.
- Integration with Adobe Stock.
- Advanced editing tools.
- Pricing: $31.49/month (or $20.99/month with an annual membership).
Conclusion
Selecting the best Mac video editing software will depend on the specific needs and the level of experience of the user. If you are a novice, you may want to start with an extremely basic and free video editor like iMovie. Adobe Premiere Pro is the best for professional editors needing more features. However, for the majority of Mac users Kapwing is the best overall video editing software. It has cloud service inheritance, is affordable, is easy to learn and use, which is perfect for video editing on Mac. For tips and recommendations on video editing software, and much, much more, go to Solve My iOS to get the most recent updates.
