What Video Editing Software Do YouTubers use?

Discover what video editing software do YouTubers use? to create stunning videos. Explore top tools, features, and tips to edit like a pro in 2025

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Starting a YouTube channel? Want better videos? You might ask: What software do top YouTubers use?

Truth is, there is no single “best” tool. The right pick depends on you. Think about your computer, your money, your skills, and your video style. Don’t worry! I asked many YouTubers. Here are the top tools they use every day.

1. DaVinci Resolve (By Blackmagic Design)

• Who Uses It: Pros, keen learners, people who fix colors, film makers, YouTubers wanting top tools cheap.
• Cost: FREE (Full version costs $295, pay once). The free one is very strong.
• Best For: Fixing colors well, pro editing, cool effects, fixing sound. All in one box!
• Good Points:
  • Great deal (free version does a lot).
  • Best tools for fixing colors.
  • Full pro features (multi-cam, good sound, FX).
  • Pay once for full version (no monthly bill!).
  • Gets new stuff often.
• Bad Points:
  • Harder to learn than simple tools.
  • Needs a good computer (good graphics card).
  • Screen looks busy at first.
• My Take: Want top quality, especially color and sound? Want pro tools free (or cheap)? DaVinci Resolve is very powerful. Many YouTubers love it after simple tools. It takes time to learn. But it is worth it.

2. Adobe Premiere Pro

• Who Uses It: Pro editors, YouTubers in teams, people using other Adobe tools.
• Cost: Monthly pay only (~$21/month with Adobe Cloud, often needs a year).
• Best For: Pro work, works with After Effects (moving pictures) and Audition (sound), team work, pro editing standard.
• Good Points:
  • The top tool for pro video editing.
  • Works great with other Adobe apps.
  • Many add-ons and help guides.
  • You can set up the screen your way.
  • Very good for multi-cam and big files.
• Bad Points:
  • Costs a lot every month.
  • Needs strong computer, can be buggy.
  • Harder to learn than simple tools.
  • Stuck in Adobe’s monthly pay plan.
• My Take: Many top YouTubers and pros use Premiere Pro. It has top features and Adobe links. But the cost and difficulty put off starters or people watching money.

3. Final Cut Pro (Apple)

• Who Uses It: YouTubers on Mac, pros who like Apple, people wanting speed.
• Cost: $300 (pay once).
• Best For: Fast editing on Macs, unique timeline, fast saving, works with Motion (moving pictures).
• Good Points:
  • Very fast, especially on new Macs.
  • Pay once (no monthly bill!).
  • Special “Magnetic Timeline” (some love it, some don’t).
  • Works best on Macs.
  • Good built-in effects and words.
• Bad Points:
  • Mac ONLY. No Windows.
  • Magnetic Timeline confuses some editors.
  • Some pro sound tools weaker than Premiere/Resolve.
  • Fewer add-ons than Adobe.
• My Take: Edit only on a Mac? Want pro speed with one payment? Final Cut Pro is great. Many YouTubers love how fast it is. Be ready for its special way of working.

4. CapCut

• Who Uses It: Starters, social media makers (like TikTok), YouTubers making fast, fun videos, phone editors.
• Cost: FREE (pay inside app for more effects/stuff). Computer version also free.
• Best For: Very quick edits, fun templates/effects, auto words for hearing, phone editing, simple use.
• Good Points:
  • It is very easy to learn.
  • Huge set of fun effects, changes, templates, music.
  • Great tool for auto words.
  • Free computer version.
  • Good for fast cuts and flashy bits.
• Bad Points:
  • Less control than pro tools.
  • Can make videos look too samey.
  • Hard color fixes, pro sound tools weak.
  • Some worry about data (check their rules).
• My Take: CapCut is best for fast, fun stuff. Perfect for starters or YouTubers making quick videos. Need deep control or your own style? Try other tools. But for easy and fast, it is very popular.

5. Wondershare Filmora

• Who Uses It: Starters, hobby YouTubers, moving from phone editing, people wanting simple but fun tools.
• Cost: Free try. Pay once (~$60) or Pay each year (~$40). Often on sale.
• Best For: Easy editing, built-in effects, good mix of simple and features for starters.
• Good Points:
  • Very easy screen to use.
  • Many built-in effects, changes, words, music.
  • Pay once option.
  • Works well on slow computers.
  • Easier than pro tools, more than free basics.
• Bad Points:
  • Free saves have a mark.
  • Can feel too simple as you get better.
  • Effects can look silly if used too much.
  • Pro moves (like keyframing) weaker than pro tools.
• My Take: Filmora is great after phone apps or for starters. It is popular for vlogs, how-to videos, anyone wanting easy. It fits many new YouTubers well.

6. iMovie (Apple) / Windows Photos App (Clipchamp)

• Who Uses It: Total starters, casual makers, kids, anyone with new Mac/Windows PC.
• Cost: FREE (Comes on new Apple/Windows 11+ PCs).
• Best For: Simple home videos, very basic YouTube starts/ends, learning first steps.
• Good Points:
  • Totally free, already on your computer.
  • Very simple to use.
  • No learning for easy jobs.
• Bad Points:
  • Very few features and control.
  • Few effects or ways to change things.
  • Not good for hard projects.
  • (Clipchamp) Needs internet, free saves limited.
• My Take: Great for trying editing. Never edited? Start here to learn basics. Most YouTubers move on fast. But they help start.

So, What Should YOU Pick? Simple Guide:

• You are a total starter / No money / Simple edits: Start with iMovie (Mac) or Clipchamp (Win 11+). Try CapCut for more fun looks.
• You are a starter wanting more / Easy use: Filmora (good deal) or CapCut Computer.
• You are learning and want good tools without paying much: DaVinci Resolve (Free). This is likely the best pick for growing YouTubers. Strong and free!
• You use Mac and want speed / Pay once: Final Cut Pro.
• You are a pro / Need Adobe / Work in a team: Adobe Premiere Pro (if you can pay monthly).
• You focus on phone / Fast social videos: CapCut (Phone or Computer).

More Tips for YouTubers:

1. Start Easy: Don’t stress. Learn basic cuts, changes, and sound first. Fancy bits come later.
2. Your Computer Counts: Check what it needs! A slow computer makes editing bad, any tool. Resolve and Premiere need power.
3. Sound is MOST Important: People forgive bad video but hate bad sound. Learn your tool’s sound fixes. Think about a cheap mic.
4. Keep Going Over Perfect: Don’t edit one video for weeks. Find a way you can keep doing. Your fans like steady posts.
5. Learn Fast Keys: They save LOADS of time. Every big tool has them. Learn the main ones first.
6. Keep Things Tidy: Name files clear, use folders. You will thank yourself later when finding a clip.
7. Save Your Work: Computers break. Use cloud save (Google Drive, Backblaze) or outside drives. Keep your hard work safe!

The Main Point:
The “best” tool is the one you can use well and often to make videos you like. Many big YouTubers started with free simple tools. Others use Premiere or Final Cut Pro.

My Top Tip For New YouTubers?
Got a good computer? Get DaVinci Resolve (Free). It gives pro power for $0. It is hard to learn, but free help on Blackmagic’s site is great. It grows with you.

Want super easy now? Filmora (pay once) or CapCut (free) are good starts.

Don’t let the tool stop you. Pick one that fits your needs and money, learn its main parts, and start making. Getting videos out is key!

Ready to start? Find info, help guides, and get links on their own sites. For a great start mixing power and ease, look at DaVinci Resolve first. Find it all here:
[ Get Started., “Learn more/get DaVinci Resolve at Blackmagic Design’s site”]

Good luck on YouTube! What tool do you like? Ask below!

Dive into more of my must‑read blog reviews [here]!