Best Video Editing (2026)

Edit professional videos with top video editing software for creators and businesses.

6 tools tested | Updated monthly | Independent reviews

Buyer's Guide

Video editing tools range from AI-powered simplicity (Descript, CapCut) to Hollywood-grade power (DaVinci Resolve, Adobe Premiere Pro). Content creators making YouTube videos, podcasts, or social media clips should prioritize ease of use and AI features. Professional editors need advanced color grading, VFX, and audio tools. Consider: What's your primary output format? How much editing experience do you have? Is collaboration required?

All Video Editing Reviewed

DaVinci Resolve

Rating: 4.8/5 | Pricing: Free – $295 (one-time)

Professional-grade video editing, color grading, and VFX in one free application.

  • Free version is astonishingly powerful and feature-rich, suitable for most professional workflows.
  • Industry-best color grading tools, widely used in Hollywood for feature films and high-end productions.
  • One-time purchase for the Studio version, eliminating ongoing subscription fees.

CapCut

Rating: 4.6/5 | Pricing: Free – $13.99/mo

Free video editor with AI features that rivals paid tools like Premiere Pro, backed by ByteDance.

  • Best free video editor available
  • AI features surpass paid competitors
  • Massive template library for social content

Final Cut Pro

Rating: 4.6/5 | Pricing: $299.99 one-time

Apple's professional video editor with magnetic timeline and native Apple Silicon performance.

  • One-time purchase
  • Native Apple Silicon
  • Magnetic timeline

Adobe Premiere Pro

Rating: 4.5/5 | Pricing: $22.99/month

Industry-standard video editor with deep Adobe Creative Cloud integration.

  • Comprehensive professional editing toolkit
  • Seamless integration with other Adobe Creative Cloud applications
  • Extensive third-party plugin ecosystem

Descript

Rating: 4.5/5 | Pricing: Free – $33/mo

AI-powered video and podcast editor that lets you edit media like a document.

  • Revolutionary text-based editing approach
  • AI Studio Sound for noise removal
  • Filler word auto-removal

Filmora

Rating: 4.3/5 | Pricing: Free / From $49.99/yr

Beginner-friendly video editor with AI features, effects library, and affordable pricing.

  • Very beginner-friendly
  • Large effects library
  • AI editing tools

Popular Comparisons

Our Testing Methodology

We test video editors by editing identical raw footage — a 10-minute interview, a product demo, and social media clips. We measure export quality, rendering speed, AI feature accuracy, and time from import to final export. Each tool is tested on both Mac and Windows.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the best video editing in 2026?

Based on our testing, DaVinci Resolve is our top pick with a rating of 4.8/5.

How do we evaluate video editing?

We test video editors by editing identical raw footage — a 10-minute interview, a product demo, and social media clips. We measure export quality, rendering speed, AI feature accuracy, and time from import to final export. Each tool is tested on both Mac and Windows.

Are your video editing reviews independent?

Yes. While we may earn affiliate commissions, our editorial team tests every product independently. Ratings are never influenced by commercial relationships.

How often are reviews updated?

We re-test and update our video editing reviews at least quarterly to ensure accuracy.

How does DaVinci Resolve compare to CapCut?

DaVinci Resolve (4.8/5) and CapCut (4.6/5) are both top-rated. Read our detailed comparison for a side-by-side breakdown.