Best video-editing software for Mac in January 2025

Features

• Built-in filters, titles, and transitions
• All popular video and audio formats available for export
• Direct upload to YouTube, Google Drive, and Vimeo
• Unlimited number of tracks on the timeline

Movavi Video Editor is fast and powerful video-editing software for Mac and Windows devices. The program is designed for creating engaging content with minimum effort. Its intuitive interface ensures that even beginners can start editing right away, without needing prior experience with video-editing software.

It offers basic video-editing features as well as advanced tools such as Chroma key, keyframe animation, and motion tracking. The clean interface with intuitive controls makes video editing on your MacBook, iMac, or iPad pure joy. The timeline is straightforward, and tools are well-organized, making it easy to cut, trim, and arrange clips.

Movavi comes with a wide variety of built-in video effects, filters, transitions, and titles to enhance your footage. And it offers regular updates and releases of new content and features based on feedback from its users. This and all the above mentioned advantages make Movavi Video Editor one of the best movie editing apps for Mac.

PCMag review: 4 out of 5

Features

• Advanced tools and settings for professional editing
• Automation functionality

Adobe^® Premiere^® is the program widely considered to be the industry standard and used by filmmakers, content creators, and video production teams all over the world. With a rich interface and a wide range of editing features, it is the go-to video-editing tool for many editors. Part of the Adobe^® Creative Cloud^®, Premiere^® Pro software offers powerful tools, seamless integration with other Adobe products, and the flexibility to work on almost any type of video project. Also, it’s consistently updated with new features, bug fixes, and performance improvements.

Due to the program’s popularity, you can find a video tutorial to solve any problem you come across. While an overwhelming number of settings makes it quite intimidating for a beginner, it is definitely one of the best video-editing software for Mac and Windows.

PCMag review: 4.5 out of 5

Features

• 8k resolution support
• 360-degree movie editing

Final Cut Pro X is Mac video-editing software available for free on iMac, MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, and other Apple computers. It is a professional-level program with a clean, powerful interface and many built-in effects. If you’re a serious video editor, content creator, or filmmaker working on large-scale projects, it’s definitely worth considering. It’s powerful, fast, and optimized for MacOS, making it a fantastic choice for high-quality, professional video production.

Suitable for beginners and professionals alike, it offers everything you need to get started as well as the opportunity to grow. However, its price is rather high compared to some other video-editing programs. It’s still affordable for a professional tool when compared to subscription-based software.

PCMag review: 4.5 out of 5

Features

• Basic video editing tools
• High-fidelity filters
• Built-in sound effects

iMovie is basic video-editing software for Mac available to all Apple users for free. With a simple interface and a good set of features, this app is among the best video editors for Mac for beginners. It’s designed to be simple, intuitive, and perfect for casual video editors who want to create polished projects without needing to deal with complicated software. And unlike some free software, iMovie doesn’t add watermarks to your projects.

However, while great for beginners, it lacks the more advanced features needed for professional work like multi-cam editing, advanced color grading, or VFX. And its interface and options are relatively basic compared to other software. So if you want to take your video editing to the next level, have a look at more advanced programs.

PCMag review: 4.5 out of 5

Features

• Detailed color correction
• Audio post-production tools

Unlike other professional video-editing programs for Mac in this list, DaVinci Resolve offers a fully functional free version that rivals paid software. Widely used in the film and TV industry, it’s known for its powerful tools, stunning output quality, and incredible versatility. Its powerful color correction and audio processing tools make it possible to produce high-quality videos. That said, while the free version is loaded with cool features, you’ll miss out on some high-end tools like HDR grading, advanced noise reduction, and collaborative tools.

This program is a good option for experienced users. Fair warning, though, this program is no lightweight. It needs a pretty powerful computer, especially if you’re working with 4K footage. And beginners may find it hard to make sense of the complex interface.

PCMag review: 4 out of 5

Features

• Masking and blending
• Chroma key
• Keyframing
• Motion tracking

PowerDirector by Cyberlink is another video maker for Mac designed for creative editing. It’s especially popular for its high-speed rendering, intuitive interface, and robust set of features tailored for video creators. The app uses hardware acceleration to ensure quick rendering and smooth playback. And CyberLink frequently adds new features and updates to improve the software further.

Its smart AI-powered tools such as masking and blending, keyframing, and motion tracking offer precise control over each frame and make it possible to create stunning cinematic effects. In fact, the sheer number of features may be intimidating at first.

PCMag review: 4.5 out of 5

Features

• Effects and animations
• Free learning resourses
• GPU acceleration

HitFilm Express is beginner-friendly yet surprisingly powerful video software for Mac with a vast library of over 400+ effects and presets, including lens flares, light swords, explosions, and particle effects. It offers a free basic version as well as paid Pro options.

It’s particularly popular among aspiring filmmakers and YouTubers who need advanced tools without the hefty price tag. However, the most attractive parts of the program – VFX content packs with pre-made animations and toolkits – are sold separately and for a relatively high price  can be expensive. Also, beginners might find some features overwhelming at first, and the app requires a relatively powerful computer for smooth operation.

PCMag review: 4.5 out of 5

Features

• Smart automation tools
• A good selection of effects

Adobe^® Premiere^® Elements is a simplified version of Adobe^® Premiere^® Pro. This program is much easier to navigate and still offers many useful features. It even includes smart automation tools that make editing faster and more efficient, perfect for beginners and casual editors alike. For example, tools like Smart Trim, which cuts out unnecessary parts of clips while keeping the good bits. 

There are few tutorials available for the Adobe^® Premiere^® Elements app, but even beginners will find it easy to use. In fact, it has built-in video-editing tutorials that are super helpful if you're just getting started or need a refresher. They walk users step-by-step through different editing techniques, such as time-lapse creation, double exposure, or motion titles.

If you only need some basic editing tools, you might want to consider a cheaper alternative, however, this is still one of the best video editors for Mac.

PCMag review: 3.5 out of 5