In the fast-paced world of social media, the advances of AI in video editing have provided a huge advantage for editors across all skill levels. Gone are the days when creating high-quality videos required extensive manual work. Today, AI-driven tools are making video editing more efficient and accessible, which is enabling content creators to output high-production content with ease. As the technology continues to advance in the video editing landscape, it’s important that you choose software that not only meets your day-to-day editing needs but also brings your workflow to the next level by tapping into powerful AI capabilities.

In this overview, we’ll explore the top five desktop video editors of 2024, highlighting their main pros and cons.

Must-have features for video editors

Basic Editing & Efficiency

AI has streamlined basic editing tasks like trimming, cropping, and color correction. Video editing software now offers automated tools that handles these time-consuming and tedious processes. With a few clicks, the software is able to care of these tasks, which means video editors are able to save a lot of time and effort. Furthermore, AI-powered tools enable the automation of repetitive tasks, allowing editors to spend their time brainstorming or coming up with other creative aspects of their projects.

Tutorial Availability

For newcomers to video editing or for those looking to master advanced techniques, the availability of instructions is a key consideration. An important factor when choosing your video editing software is the depth of learning resources, which can include in-app tutorials or extend beyond to online communities where users can share advice or provide guidance.

Special Effects, Transitions, and Media

AI-driven features also contribute by adding special effects, transitions, and other visual elements to your videos. With just a few clicks, editors can apply complex effects that would have taken several hours to create by hand. AI-powered features are particularly valuable for social media content, where catchy visuals developed with quick turnaround times are essential to boost their viewership and engagement.

Exploring the Pros and Cons of Today’s Best Video Editors

1. Wondershare Filmora

Wondershare Filmora has earned its praise as an accessible, yet powerful video editing tool that is designed for both beginners and experienced editors. Filmora has a large toolbox of AI tools, offering creative solutions, making complex edits more manageable, and ultimately saving users countless hours of time.

Pros:

• Filmora features a user-friendly interface and its intuitive design makes it easy for beginners to start editing right away, while also providing enough depth for more experienced users.
• The AI-powered capabilities, including features like AI Object Remover, allows for users to automatically remove of unwanted objects from their footage.
• Best of all is affordability—Filmora is budget-friendly and offers a strong set of tools at a price that won’t set users back. With over 100+ creative features, Filmora provides a comprehensive suite of tools that eliminate the need to purchase additional resource accounts. The vast library of creative assets, including music, effects, and templates, allows users to enhance their videos without any extra cost, making Filmora an all-in-one solution for content creators.

Cons:

• Some users may find the presence of pre-made templates limiting to their creativity as they default to the options provided.
• Filmora’s features are heavily geared toward social media content, which might not appeal to users looking for other applications.

2. Final Cut Pro

Final Cut Pro is a popular choice among professional editors, especially those who are engrained in the Apple ecosystem. It is best known for its minimalist interface and powerful editing performance.

Pros:

• Final Cut Pro offers a clean and streamlined interface, allowing users to focus on the editing process without distractions.
• The software is designed to work with Apple hardware, optimizing the performance with fast rendering times.

Cons:

• Final Cut Pro is more expensive with a steep upfront cost, which can be a significant barrier for beginners or casual hobbyists.
• The software is limited to Apple devices, meaning any current Windows users would need to purchase new hardware or be left out.

3. DaVinci Resolve

DaVinci Resolve is revered for its professional-grade color grading tools and full-suite of editing capabilities, however it’s not ideal for newcomers.

Pros:

• DaVinci Resolve offers a comprehensive suite of tools that are sought after by professional editors, particularly those focused on color grading.
• There is a free version, which allows users to try it out.

Cons:

• DaVinci Resolve has a steep and complex learning curve, which can be daunting for beginners or those looking for a simpler start to editing.
• The software requires a powerful computer to run smoothly, which may force users to spend more than they had budgeted for to get into video editing.

4. Clipchamp

Clipchamp is an online video editor that’s made a name for itself based on its ease of use and accessibility, which appeals to beginners.

Pros:

• Clipchamp offers a straightforward interface that’s great for users who are new to video editing.
• As a web-based app, Clipchamp is accessible from any internet-connected device, which also makes it convenient for edits on the move.

Cons:

• While it’s great for simple edits, Clipchamp lacks the depth required for more involved video projects.
• Some of the features users are looking for are unavailable without a subscription, which adds to an individual’s costs over time.

5. Adobe Premiere Pro

Adobe Premiere Pro is renown in the video editing industry, known for its versatility and integration with Adobe’s Creative Cloud platform.

Pros:

• The integration with Adobe’s other products, like After Effects and Photoshop, makes it a top choice for those already invested in the Adobe ecosystem.
• AI engine behind Premiere Pro, Adobe Sensei, helps users make complex edits or automate tasks.

Cons:

• Premiere Pro is one of the more expensive options on the market, requiring a monthly or yearly subscription, which can be a significant investment.
• The software’s extensive features come with a learning curve that might be challenging for novice editors.

Knowing what to choose as the right video editor depends on your specific needs and workflow. For those seeking a user-friendly, AI-powered solution that balances affordability with its advanced features, currently Wondershare Filmora stands out as the best option. Its AI tools streamline the editing process, making it easy to produce professional-quality content.

Of course, this all depends on your personal needs. Whether it’s the advanced color grading in DaVinci Resolve, the Mac integration of Final Cut Pro, the accessibility of Clipchamp, or the professional tools of Adobe Premiere Pro, there’s a video editor out there that will suit your needs. We hope this overview helped you learn more about these video editing platforms and that this can inform your choice for the one that best fits your video editing needs.