It’s powerful and fast, with a full range of professional features, but it’s relatively easy to learn: I’ve taught twelve-year-olds to edit with it. You can also import project files made with the iPhone/iPad version. Best for beginners: iMovie (Mac)Īpple’s own iMovie is easy to learn and use, but it offers a surprising degree of creative control for a free program. The pro programs (Final Cut Pro X, Premiere and Resolve) give you the option of many more video and audio tracks, and let you make precise adjustments and corrections. All the programs here will allow you to add cutaways (a second video track, so the image changes but the sound stays the same) adjust audio levels, and use extra audio tracks.

You can get simpler editing programs than these, but they’re limited. Which video editing program should you use? And should you consider editing on your phone? Here’s my roundup of the best editing programs for starting filmmaking. You can get free trials of most of these programs if you want to try before you buy. I earn affiliate commission from some of the links on this page.

App like imovie for windows