So, you’ve decided to start a vlog – awesome! Creating video content is a rewarding creative outlet and a great way to build an audience. But before you start recording, you’ll need to set yourself up with some essential vlogging gear. At the top of the list is video editing software.
Editing your footage is key to crafting an engaging vlog and putting your unique stamp on your content. You have options at various price points, but for most new vloggers, free or low-cost software is the way to go when you’re first getting started. In this article, we’ll explore some of the best free and affordable video editing tools for vlogging so you can pick what’s right for your needs and budget. Ready to make movie magic? Let’s dive in!
Why You Need Video Editing Software for Vlogging
As a vlogger, your videos are your creative outlet and passion project. To make the best content possible, you need video editing software. Here are a few reasons why:
- Video editing software allows you to polish and enhance your raw footage. You can trim clips, add transitions, insert subtitles or graphics, adjust color and lighting, and more. With the right tools, you can transform decent footage into a mini masterpiece.
- It gives you more creative control and flexibility. Do you want to splice in b-roll, add text overlays, create picture-in-picture effects or time lapses? Video editing software puts these techniques and so much more at your fingertips. You’re limited only by your imagination.
- You can improve the overall quality and flow. Editing software lets you stitch multiple clips together, rearrange segments, and make cuts and splices so your video has good pacing and continuity. You can also correct issues like shaky camera work, poor lighting or bad sound.
- Using video editing software is really the only way to produce high-quality, professional-level content for your vlogging channel. While filming gear, a charismatic host and interesting topics are important, editing is what truly elevates your videos and keeps viewers engaged. If you’re serious about vlogging, video editing software is 100% essential.
With so many great options available, like Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, iMovie, and VSDC Free Video Editor, there’s really no reason not to use video editing software for your vlogging. Your viewers will thank you for the polished, compelling content. And you’ll have a lot more fun creating it!
The Best Free Video Editing Software Options
If you’re just getting started with vlogging, you’ll want an easy-to-use video editing software that won’t break the bank. The good news is, there are several great free options out there.
- iMovie is a popular choice for Mac users. This free app lets you edit video clips, add titles and music, apply filters and transitions, and more. It’s simple to use but can produce high-quality results.
- VLC Media Player is a free, open-source program available for Windows, Mac, and Linux. While mostly known as a video player, VLC also has some basic editing features like cutting, merging, and adding subtitles to your clips. For simple edits, it works great.
- Shotcut is an open-source, cross-platform editor with a decent set of features. You can trim, cut and paste clips; add transitions and titles; correct color; and export to various formats. The interface takes some getting used to but is a capable free option.
- Lightworks is free video editing software used by professionals. The free version supports up to 720p and lets you do a variety of edits like trimming, cutting, and adding music. If you want to upgrade to HD and 4K support as well as some advanced features, paid options start at $24.99.
- OpenShot is an open-source video editor for Windows, Mac, and Linux. It’s easy to use but provides lots of useful features like trimming, snapping, and cutting clips; 3D animations; video and audio effects; and title templates. It’s a great free choice if you’re on a budget.
Recommended Paid Video Editing Software
Once you’ve gotten the hang of vlogging and shooting your videos, it’s time to focus on editing. Editing is where the magic happens—it’s how you turn raw footage into a compelling final video. For vlogging, paid video editing software is really the way to go. The free options out there are very limited. Here are a few of the top recommendations from expert vloggers.
Adobe Premiere Pro
Premiere Pro is a professional video editing program used by many vloggers and YouTubers. It does have a steep learning curve, but it’s considered the industry standard for good reason.
Final Cut Pro X
For Mac users, Final Cut Pro X is an excellent choice. It’s designed specifically for high-volume vlogging and YouTube content creation.
Tips for Choosing Video Editing Software
Choosing the right video editing software is key to creating great vlogs. Here are some tips to help you find an option that suits your needs.
Consider your skill level
As a beginner, you’ll want something simple and intuitive to learn, like iMovie, Windows Movie Maker or Adobe Premiere Elements. These make it easy to import clips, add transitions and effects, and publish to YouTube.
For more advanced editing, look at Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro or DaVinci Resolve. The learning curve is steeper but they offer powerful features like color correction, motion graphics and multi-cam editing. Think about how much time you want to invest in learning new software.
Check what features you need
Do you need options for adding text overlays, transitions, filters or special effects? Do you want to include still images, music, or voiceovers? Make a list of the capabilities that are most important for your vlogging style. Some software offers more features than you may ever use, so focus on what will help you create the best content for your audience.
Consider your budget
Luckily, there are good free and low-cost options for vloggers like HitFilm Express, Lightworks and Shotcut. However, if you want access to premium features and plugins, you’ll need to invest in software from companies like Adobe, Apple or Blackmagic Design. Subscription models provide ongoing updates for a monthly fee. Perpetual licenses give you ownership of a specific version. Evaluate how much you can spend and the payment model that works best for your needs.
Check hardware requirements
Make sure any software you choose will run well on your computer. More advanced programs typically require more processing power, memory, graphics capability and storage space. Compare the minimum and recommended specs for each option to your own hardware. If your equipment can’t keep up, it may lead to frustrating editing experiences, crashes and other issues.
Choosing video editing software is an important decision. Do your research and evaluate how well different options align with your vlogging goals to find a solution you’ll be happy using for the long run. The right software can make the creative process enjoyable and help you craft content you’re proud to share. Nonetheless, it will make no sense for you to invest in all these video editing software without any subscribers and viewers on YouTube. That’s why it is recommended for beginners to buy some followers before even investing in video editing software. YouTubestorm sells high-quality and natural subscribers and viewers to help you set up your YouTube channel.
Conclusion
So, you’ve figured out which camera and mic you’re going to use to capture your vlogs, but now you need to decide how you’re going to put it all together. Video editing software is essential for creating polished, professional-looking vlogs that people will want to watch. You have a lot of great options to choose from, whether you prefer something simple and free like iMovie or Windows Movie Maker, or a more advanced paid option like Adobe Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro. Do some research to find what will work with your skill level and budget.
