Best Video Editing Software for Mac (M1 & M2 Compatible)

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Best Video Editing Software for Mac (M1 & M2 Compatible)

Choosing a video editing software can feel overwhelming because there are so many options on the market. To make the right choice, consider the following factors:

1. Budget – Determine how much you are willing to pay monthly or annually. Some tools require a one-time purchase, while others operate on a subscription model.

2. Skill level and project needs – If you’re new to video editing or short on time, choose software with a simple, intuitive interface, even if it limits advanced features. Experienced users or professionals may prefer feature-rich suites with more complex interfaces to meet advanced project requirements.

3. Supported formats and project features – Know the input formats you’ll use and the output formats you need. Ensure the software supports them. Also, check if the software includes transitions, special effects, filters, audio control, and color grading, depending on your project’s requirements.

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17 Video Editing Software for Mac

1. iMovie

Best for: Entry-level editing that delivers impressive results

Input video formats: MP4, MOV, M4V
Output formats: MPEG-4, QuickTime

Features: Magic Movie, Storyboards, Cinematic Mode, Personalized Title Cards, Green Screen, Trailer Templates, Share Options

Effects: Stylized Filters, Audio Effects, Two-Image Use, Speed & Motion Effects, Beat Markers, Flash and Hold, Fade To

iMovie is a free video editing app designed for seamless working across Apple devices. It offers the essential editing tools you’ll need to turn basic clips into entertaining videos. It also lets you add your personal touch using transitions, title cards, background, soundtrack, and audio effects.

Pros:

• Simple user interface that is good for beginners

• Color matches imported clips

• Many audio tools available

• Sleek movie templates

Cons:

• Missing capabilities for multicam, motion-tracking, or 360-degree editing capabilities

• Has a limit of 2 video tracks only

Pricing plans:

• Free for all Mac users

Free Download

2. Final Cut Pro

Best for: Use with high-performing equipment and for access to high-quality effects

Input video formats: 24 video formats | Output formats: Apple ProRes, AVC-Intra Class 50/100/200, DV, DVCPRO HD, H.264, HDV, MPEG IMX (D-10), MXF, Uncompressed 10-bit 4:2:2, Uncompressed 8-bit 4:2:2, XDCAM HD/EX/HD422 | Features: Object Tracker, Cinematic mode, Pro Performance, Duplicate Detection, Multicam, Motion and Compressor, Advanced Color Grading, RAW flexibility, 360° video, Closed captions, Third-party integration | Effects: Transitions, Effects, Generators, Onscreen controls, Video animation

Final Cut Pro is Apple’s video editing software for professionals and serious hobbyists who create content for commercial or cinematic use. Despite its wide range of editing power, you can still navigate its relatively simple interface. You won’t be seeing the usual track-based timeline as it has reimagined the future of video editing with its Magnetic Timeline.

Pros:

• Magnetic timeline is trackless

• Fast-performing

• Stable with numerous tools

• Superior tools for organization

• Supports multicam feature

Cons:

• Timeline takes time to get used to

• Update rate is slow

Pricing plans:

• Free Trial for 90 days

• One-time purchase fee of $299.99

Free Download

3. DaVinci Resolve

Best for: Comprehensive post-production workflow within a single software

Input video formats: AVI, MP4, QuickTime, DNxHD, XAVC, other formats | Output formats: AVI, MP4, QuickTime, other formats | Features: Video editing, Color correction, Audio mixing/effects, Visual effects | Effects: Adjustment Clip, Fusion Composition, Binoculars, Colored Border, Digital Glitch, DSLR, DVE, Night Vision, Video Call, Video Camera

DaVinci Resolve is a powerful video edit software with features for streamlined post-production editing, color grading, audio, and effects. Its free version is more than capable of handling professional projects, but it has a steep learning curve that may not be attractive for the casual enthusiast.

Pros:

• Monthly and lifetime updates

• Industry-standard tools for video editing

• Standard version is free, which already includes major features

Cons:

• Has a complex user interface

Pricing plans:

• DaVinci Resolve 18 – Free

• DaVinci Resolve Studio – $295

Free Download

4. Adobe Premiere Pro

Best for: Advanced toolset for professional-level videos with impressive collaboration feature

Input video formats: 38 video formats | Output formats: AH.264, H.265 (HEVC), Apple ProRes, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, AVCHD, and more; all files if through Adobe Media Encoder | Features: Simultaneous Projects, Animated Templates, Lumetri Support, Direct Publishing, Flexible Alignment Controls, ARRI ALEXA 35 camera support | Effects: Adjust, Blur and Sharpen, Channel, Color Correction, Distort, Generate, Image Control, Keying, Perspective, Stylize, Time, Transform, Transition, Utility, and Video Effects

As one of the industry standards for video editing, Adobe Premiere Pro is well-recognized by beginners and experts alike. The interface enhances productivity by dividing workspaces into panels so you can focus on tasks and minimize distractions. Despite having a powerful set of tools, it tries to deliver simplicity and even offers a Learning workspace to guide new users.

Pros:

• Interface is clear and customizable to suit personal workflow preference

• Supports a wide range of file types for import and export

• Integration with other Adobe apps opens more creative possibilities

• Receives frequent updates

• Stabilization tool is excellent

Cons:

• Uses a lot of RAM

• Seeing multiple panels at once can be overwhelming

• Monthly subscription instead of one-time purchase

Pricing plans:

• Premiere Pro plan – $20.99/month

• Creative Cloud All Apps plan – $54.99/month

Free Download

5. Adobe Premiere Elements

Best for: Beginners looking for basic and intuitive features for simple edits

Input video formats: 3GPP, Audio Video Interleave, AVCHD, H.264, H.264-Encoded QuickTime, HEVC/H.265 , HEIF/HEIC, MOD, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-2 Transport Stream, QuickTime, Apple ProRes, Video Object (DVD video), Windows Media | Output formats: H.264, XAVC-S | Features: Auto-reframe subjects, Precise selections, Reduce Noise, Smart Trim, Dynamic Stop-Motion Videos, HQ Playback, Shadow and highlights adjustment, Range of Audio tracks, AI & Automation, Guided Edits | Effects: Standard, fixed effects, and third-party effects\

Adobe Premiere Elements is well-suited for the consumer market looking to produce high-quality videos using standard video editing tools. It offers Guided Edits and is packed with fun and smart AI features, making it perfect for users who want to optimize videos for social media interactions.

Pros:

• User-friendly interface

• Simplifies the editing process

• Choose the aspect ratio based on the social media platform where the content will be released

• Auto-adjustment when changing to another aspect ratio

Cons:

• Expensive relative to competitors

• Slow export speed

• Limited capabilities – no screen-cam recording, 3D/360° editing, or stock media available

Pricing plans:

• One-time payment – $99.99

• Bundled one-time payment (Photoshop Elements 2023 & Premiere Elements 2023) – $149.99

Free Download

6. Lightworks

Best for: Powerful free video editing for fine image tweaking and direct export to YouTube or Vimeo

Input video formats: MXF OP1a, MXF OPAtom – P2, MXF OPAtom – native, Avid support, QuickTime, AVI, .mts, .m2ts, .m2t, .mpg, .mp4, .ts, .m2v, .asf, .vob | Output formats: MXF OP1a, MXF OPAtom – P2, MXF OPAtom – native, Avid support, QuickTime, AVI, .mts, .m2ts, .m2t, .mpg, .mp4, .wmv | Features: Custom sequence output formats, Efficient file handling, Pro media format support, Full suite of trimming tools, Flexible timeline, Proxy-editing, Stereoscopic, Multicam, Advanced background processing, Smart auto-save, Hardware support, and Custom metadata and broad interoperability | Effects: Color Correction, Filters, Stabilization, Chroma Key Green Screen, Customizable Transitions, Alpha Blends, Mapping & Overlays, Prime Time Lower Thirds

Lightworks was awarded a 2017 EMMY for being one of the early creators of the digital non-linear editing software. It has a free version for the consumer market and is equipped with advanced features for great-quality videos. However, access to the professional features comes with a catch–export is capped at 720p, so you’ll have to pay to export in HD.

Pros:

• Partnership with NewBlueFX for over 1500 effects and 175 plugins

• Direct uploads to YouTube and Vimeo

• Users have access to titles, transitions, and effects

• Good for social media content with small dimensions

Cons:

• Limited tutorials available online

• Free version has limited export options

Pricing plans:

• Free version

• Lightworks Create is at $9.99/month, $99.99 user/year, $154.99 user/life

• Lightworks Pro is at $23.99 user/month, $239.99 user/year, $389.99 user/life

Free Download

7. ZS4 Video Editor

Best for: Built-in effects and unlimited tracks

Input formats: AVI, WAV, and image files | Output formats: AVI, WAV, JPG, PNG, BMP | Features: Customizable Video Export Size, Custom Speed and Direction Change for Video and Audio, Number of Tracks and Sub-composites Limited Only by Available Memory, Optional Super-sampled Compositing during Export for Better Quality Zoom and Rotation, Tie Effect and Compositing Controls to Audio Wave Forms | Effects: Color and Chroma keying tools, Distortion effects, Color adjusters, Pattern generating effects

ZS4 Video Editor for mac is an open-source software for advanced video editing and compositing that comes with more than 150 built-in video effects. On its interface, you can quickly select folders and files for processing using its basic set of editing tools. However, its interface isn’t intuitive and may not be easy for beginners, especially when there’s no help manual available and tutorials on the use of the software are limited.

Pros:

• Open-source program

• Contains enough useful features

• Tasks are carried out quickly, and without errors

Cons:

• UI looks outdated

• Not a lot of information about the software online

Pricing plans:

• Free

Free Download

8. PowerDirector 365

Best for: Full-featured video editing platform with interface options depending on your level of experience

Input video formats: 2D Video, 3D Video, 360&deg Video formats | Output formats: AVI, MPEG-2, Windows Media Video, H.264 AVC MPEG-4 in 8-bit with AAC/LPCM, H.264 AVC in 8-bit with LPCM/DTS/AAC, H.264 AVC in 8 bit with LPCM audio, *XAVC-S in 8 bit with LPCM audio/AAC, *H.265 HEVC in 8 bit with AAC/LPCM, *H.265 HEVC in 8 bit with LPCM/DTS/AAC, *H.265 AVC in 8 bit with LPCM, Windows Media Video, MPEG-4, MPEG-2, H.264 AVC, Matroska | Features: Video templates, Mask/title/PIP designer, AI Motion Tracking/Replacement/Object Detection, Green Screen Effects, Built-in titles/animations/stickers/stock media | Effects: Style Effect, Color Preset, Color LUT, Blending Effect

The CyberLink PowerDirector 365 is a movie edit software for the consumer market that gives studio-level results. It is best for those looking for essentials or complex capabilities. However, the drawback to having access to a lot of choices is that it can be overwhelming.

Pros:

• Edit 360-degree videos

• Wide range of options for transitions and effects

• Quick renders

• Not intimidating for beginners

• Has screen recording

Cons:

• Menu options on the interface are overwhelming

• 1 GB space required for installation

Pricing plans:

• $51.99/year

• $19.99/month

Free Download

9. VideoProc Vlogger

Best for: Quick video manipulation for complete beginners

Input video formats: H.265/HEVC, H.264/AVC, HDR, Apple ProRes, QuickTime, and more | Output formats: MP4, MKV | Features: Visualized Speed Ramping, Motion Effect for Videos and Photos, Color Grading & Color Correction, Studio-grade Audio Editing, All Basic Video Editing Features | Effects: Transition, Effects, Title Animation, 3D LUTs filter, Motion, Green Screen, Fake Camera Movements

VideoProc Vlogger is a freeware with a user-friendly interface that can handle small or large-scale projects. It uses hardware acceleration to render and perform faster, making it perfect for its target vloggers and content creators who create content on the regular.

Pros:

• Easy installation

• Supports a lot of videos, audio, and image formats for import

• Ease of use for beginners

• Reframe projects for optimization on social media

Cons:

• Video converter is a separate app

• Some users report program crashes

Pricing plans:

• Free

Free Download

10. Hitfilm Express

Best for: If you need tutorials on how to produce Hollywood-style films

Input video formats: Quicktime, AVI, MOV, MP4 (AVC / H264 and AAC), MPEG-1 (TS, ps, MPE, MPG, MPEG, M2V), MXF (DVCPro HD), DV, HDV, WMV, etc. | Output formats: Youtube, H.264, OpenEXR, Image Sequence, AVI | Features: Advanced Tracking, Screen Simulation, Footage Distortions, Muzzle Flash Effects, Change Backdrop, Blaster Impacts, Lighting Effects, Iconic Titles, Create Realistic Shotgun Effects, Grading Tools, Import And Animate Complex 3D Models, Recreate And Enhance Iconic Heads-Up Display, Masking And Layering Technique | Effects: 360° Video, Audio, Blurs, Color Correction, Color Grading, Distort, Generate, Geometry, Gradients & Fills, Grunge, Keying, Lights & Flares, Particles & Simulation, Quick 3D, Scene, Scopes, and more.

HitFilm Express is an app developed by FXhome. It performs basic functions and offers simple effects for video editing. It also comes with professional-grade VFX tools, plus 2D and 3D compositing are also possible on the software.

Pros:

• Offers free tutorials for new users

• High-quality free features

Cons:

• Heavy system requirements

• Lacks advanced features for expert-level editing

• Leaves a watermark on the free version

Pricing plans:

• Free version available

• Creator – $6.25/month

• Pro – $9.99/month

Free Download

11. OpenShot

Best for: Quick or animated edits for small businesses

Input video formats: AVCHD, WebM, HEVC | Output formats: MPEG4, OGV, Blu-ray, DVD video, and Full HD videos for uploading to Internet video websites | Features: Cross-platform video editing software, Support for many formats, Powerful curve-based Key frame animations, Desktop integration, Unlimited tracks/layers, Clip resizing, Video transitions, Compositing, 2D/3D Title templates, Advanced Timeline, Frame accuracy, Time-mapping and speed changes, Audio mixing and editing, Digital video effects, chroma key | Effects: Brightness, gamma, hue, greyscale, chroma key, transitions, animation, time control

OpenShot Video Editor is an open-source video editor for Mac that is easy-to-use, quick to learn, and powerful. It can perform cross-platform editing across macOS, Linux, Windows, and Chrome OS. With its 3D animation capabilities, users can use it to render bounding, sliding, or fading effects in their video projects.

Pros:

• Supports 3D animation as it always shares the newest 3D features with Blender

• Completely free with frequent updates

• No watermark

• Multi-lingual

Cons:

• Reported issues of freezing, lagging, and suddenly quitting

• Inadequate functionality not enough to meet professional needs

• Interface is obsolete

Pricing plans:

• Free

Free Download

12. Kdenlive

Best for: Open-source access to an extensive ecosystem of editing resources

Input video formats: ProRes, H.264, AVCHD DNxHD, DIVX, HDX, QuickTime | Output formats: Video with Alpha, Generic, Ultra-high Definition, Old-TV definition, Hardware Accelerated | Features: Multi-track video editing, Titler, Automatic backup, Audio and video scopes, Proxy editing, Timeline Preview, Keyframeable effects, Themable interface | Effects: Audio Correction, Alpha/Transform, Analysis and data, Color, and Image adjustment

Kdenlive is an open-source nonlinear video editor based on the MLT framework. It accepts multiple audio and video formats, and users can easily add effects, transitions, and export video projects. Various plugin effects for sound and video processing are integrated well within the software, along with a powerful titling tool and a DVD authoring solution.

Pros:

• Interface is friendly for new users and beginners

• Efficient for video montages

• Compatible with subtitle formats

• Effects and transitions are advanced

Cons:

• Slow response causes the software to crash or lag

• Some popular formats (MKV, MOV, AVI) are not supported

• Mixed frame rates not allowed

• Lacks hardware acceleration

Pricing plans:

• Free

Free Download

13. Avidemux

Best for: Simple cutting, encoding, and filtering of video projects

Input video formats: AVI, OpenDML, MPEG 1/2, NuppelVideo, Images, H263, MPEG-4, OGM | Output formats: AVI, MPEG-2 PS, MPEG-2 TS, MP4, MATROSKA, OGM, Flash Video| Features: Cutting, Copying/Removing Video Portions, Video/Audio Filters, Encoding, Custom Scripts, Deinterlacing Video, Project Files, Archive/Publish video projects | Effects: Transform, Interlacing, Colors, Noise, Sharpness, Subtitles, OpenGI, Miscellaneous

Avidemux is another open-source video edit software available for macOS that’s quick and easy-to-use. Although not intended for full video editing, it can perform basic video manipulation tasks and has support for processing or conversion of videos to different file formats.

Pros:

• Free use for video edits with no watermarks on export

• Beginner-friendly

• Available on popular operating systems

• Store custom scripts for future reference

Cons:

• Lack of timeline

• UI is outdated

• Batch conversion unavailable

• Missing effects like split-screen, chroma-keying, PIP, etc.

Pricing plans:

• Free

Free Download

14. HyperEngine-AV

Best for: Creating slideshows

Input video formats: AIFF, Audio CD, AVI, BMP, DLS, DV, FLC (some limitations may apply), GIF, JPEG/JFIF, MPEG-1, MP3, M3U (MP3 Playlist files), MPEG-4 (MP4), Photoshop*, PICS, PICT, PNG, QuickTime, SF2 (SoundFont 2), Sound, Text, TIFF*, and WAV | Output formats: AIFF, AVI, BMP, DV Stream, FLC, JPEG/JFIF, JPEG 2000 (Mac OS X only), MPEG-4, PICT, PNG, QuickTime, System 7 Sound, Text, TIFF, and WAV | Features: Fades, Time-stretch, Trim, Duplicate, Merge, Transitions | Effects: Edge Detection, Emboss, Film Noise, and Color Tint

HyperEngine-AV is an open-source program with no recent updates. It allows users to capture, process, organize, and export video projects and slide shows. On top of the twelve studio-quality effects that are available in-app, you can utilize its text effects to add info, credits, title, or karaoke lyrics.

Pros:

• Free for macOS

• Can capture desktop screens

Cons:

• Discontinued, so there will be no recent version

• Not suitable for beginners

• Limited information available online

Pricing plans:

• Free

Free Download

15. Movavi Video Editor Plus

Best for: Movie-editing with motion-tracking and picture-in-picture tools

Input video formats: AVI, MP4 (MPEG-4), MOV, 3GP, FLV, MKV, WMV, MP3, WAV | Output formats: H.264, MPEG-4, AVI, MOV, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, WMV, MKV, FLV | Features: Montage Wizard to create videos automatically, Assemble slideshows with Transition Wizard, Artistic Filters, Smooth Transitions, Animation, New Sample Videos, Stickers, Music Tracks, Stabilization| Effects: Chroma Key, Pan & Zoom, Keyframe Animation, Stop Motion

Movavi Video Editor Plus has advanced features and an easy-to-navigate user interface. You may render the videos in 4k, and it is integrated with a video capture system for direct recording from a camera or phone to the software. However, renders can be slow on the software.

Pros:

• Has YouTube integration

• Dashboard is simple and straightforward

• Low system requirements

Cons:

• Lacks features compared to its competitors

• The free trial exports with watermark

• Few templates available

• Processing can be slow

Pricing plans:

• Free trial (7 days)

• $69.95

Free Download

16. Filmora

Best for: Casual editing looking to support 4k video processing and a wide range of effects

Input video formats: MPEG-1/2, MPEG-4, QuickTime Movie File, Camcorder File, Flash Video, Windows Media, Audio Visual Interleave, Matroska Video File, HTML5 Video File, Non-encrypted DVD Titles | Output format: .mp4, .wmv, .avi, .mov, .f4v, .mkv, .ts, .mpg, .3gp, .webm, .gif, .mp3 | Features: Smart render, 4K Editing, GIF Support, Noice Removal, Reverse play, Social Import, Speed Control, Color Tuning, PIP, Advanced Text Editing, Green Screen, 3D LUT, Video Stabilization, Audio Separation, Scene Detection, Audio Equalizer | Effects: Filters, Overlays, Face-off, Mosaic, Image Masks, Tilt-Shift, Titles, Motion Elements

Wondershare Filmora is a video software editor for Mac that has powerful features combined with a user-friendly interface. All modern video formats are well-supported as well as HD and 4K video editing. Although not professionally equipped, most beginner and intermediate video editors will find it handy for short videos, films, and other video projects.

Pros:

• Interface is intuitive and pleasing

• Various effects and overlays available

• Great tools for title and text

• Quick renders

Cons:

• No multicam support

• Some software crashes

• No DVD menu or chapter authoring

Pricing plans:

• Free trial for 7 days

• $19.99/month

• $49.99/year

• $79.99 Perpetual plan

Free Download

17. Blender

Best for: 3D animation making, modeling, and sculpting

Input video formats: ABC, USD, OBJ, FBX, PLY, STL | Output formats: AVI JPEG, AVI Raw, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, AVI, Quicktime, DV, OGG, Matroska, Flash, WebM | Features: Rendering, Modeling, Sculpting, Animation & Rigging, Story Artist, VFX, Simulation, Pipeline, Video Editing, Scripting, Customizable Interface | Effects: Blur, Colorize, Flip, Glow, Pixelate, Rim, Shadow, Swil, Wave Distortion

Blender is a free and open-source software for basic video edits and advanced 3D visual effects. You can access four editing modes–Video Editing, VFX, Sculpting, and 2D Animation. Its built-in sequencer allows non-linear video editing that lets you perform basic video edits, such as cutting and splicing, to complex tasks including color grading and video masking.

Pros:

• Free and open-source

• Complete set of functions for 3D editing and animation

• Tools for modeling, VFX effects, and simulations help make 3D edits convenient to work with

Cons:

• User interface can be complex to new users

• Video editing is secondary so advanced features like 360° video support, Multicam mode, Picture-in-Picture, and

• Actioncam are unavailable

• Doesn’t support 4K clips

• Sharing directly to social media is not well-integrated into the software

Pricing plans:

• Free

Free Download

How to Use Video Editing Software on a Mac

Here’s how to download a video edit software on Mac like VideoProc Vlogger:

1. Visit their website at VideoProc Vlogger | Free Video Editor Software for All.

2. Click on Download.
   

   

3. Save to your desired file location.
   

   

4. On Finder, double-click on the .dmg file.
   

   

5. Wait for the file to be verified. Then, drag the app icon to your Applications folder.
   

   

6. Go to Launchpad and look for the software icon, then double-click on it.

7. The software will launch.
   

   

8. You will be prompted to open a new project.
   

   

Now, you can use a video editing software on your Mac. For more information on how to use them, you’ll find that softwares now come with learning modules, or you can search the internet for tutorials and manuals.

Conclusion

Final Cut Pro is ideal for both professional and casual video editing projects. It can be installed on multiple Macs for a one-time price of $299.99, which includes automatic updates. In contrast, competitors like Adobe Premiere Pro require monthly or annual subscriptions.

One of Final Cut Pro’s standout advantages is its superior file organization, which streamlines post-production workflows and allows users to create and deliver projects more efficiently. Additionally, it was specifically optimized for Mac hardware, ensuring smooth performance and faster rendering on MacBooks.