FCP X Post-Production: Mastering the Art of Chroma Keying

FCP X: Create a Chroma-Key (Green-screen) Effect

Benjamin Arango

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

Chroma-key (also called “green screen”) effects are a staple in video production. What FCP X effect does is allow you to make the background behind an actor transparent so you can place the actor into a different environment than a studio.

---

This is a basic tutorial about Apple Final Cut Pro X, professional video editing software. However, if video editing is new to you, consider Wondershare Filmora for Mac . This is a powerful but easy-to-use tool for users just starting out. Download the free trial version below.

Download Mac Version ](https://tools.techidaily.com/wondershare/filmora/download/ )

---

Getting Started

First, the best thing you can do to improve the quality of your keys is to improve how you shoot them. Here are seven basic production rules:

• Actors should be at least 10 feet in front of the green screen. This avoids light from the background “spilling” around their body or shoulders.
• In general, don’t cast shadows on the green screen. Be very careful shooting feet.
• The green background should be as smooth as possible. Paint is always better than fabric; avoid wrinkles and folds.
• The green background should be lit smoothly, both from side to side and top to bottom. I try to have the green background display between 40-50% level on the waveform monitor.
• There is NO relationship between how the background is lit and how your actors are lit. This article will illustrate that.
• Light your background for smoothness. Light your actors for drama.
• Don’t worry about having the green background fill the frame. It only needs to completely surround the edges of your actors. Garbage mattes are used to get rid of junk around the edges.

Setting up the Key

The green screen image is always placed above the background. You can place either the green screen or background image into the Primary Storyline. I find it easier to put the background in the Primary Storyline, because it makes editing the green screen image easier. But this is purely personal choice.

Step 1: Select the green screen clip

From the Effects Browser > Keying category, double-click the Keyer effect, which applies it to the selected clip. (You can also drag the effect on top of the clip, if you forgot to select the green-screen clip first.)

Don’t panic if your image looks weird – we will fix it.

Click the Sample Color icon. This allows fine-tuning the selection of the background color.

In the green-screen image, drag to select a representative section of the background. I try to get close to the face, but not so close that I accidentally select loose hair or skin.

Your key should look better immediately. Most of the time, you can probably stop here. But there are three other adjustments that can make your key look even better:

• Cleaning up the matte
• Edge adjustments
• Light wrap

Click the Matte button to display your key as a white foreground on a black background.

Your goal is the make the foreground solid white, which means opaque, and the background solid black, which means transparent. Adjust the Fill Holes and Edge Distance sliders until your key looks solid. (For REALLY bad keys, you’ll need to also adjust Color Selection, mentioned below.)

If an edge is too pronounced, or needs help, click the Edges icon.

Step 2: Tweaks Video

Then, click and drag a line from the foreground to the background in the Canvas. Drag the midpoint slider (where my cursor is) until the edge looks the best it can. Different video formats make this easy (ProRes), while others (HDV, avchd) make this much harder. Perfection is impossible – do the best you can.

Final Cut provides four additional tweaks at the bottom of the keyer filter:

• Color Selection
• Matte Tools
• Spill Suppression
• Light Wrap

The first three are designed to clean up poorly shot keys – read the FCP X Help files to learn how these work. (I used the Color Selection tools to clean up the very dark key I use an example later in this article.)

Light wrap, though, is aesthetic. What it does is blend colors from the background into the edges of the foreground, to make the entire key look more “organic,” as if the foreground and background were actually in the same space.

This is a subtle effect, but very cool.

Twirl down Light Wrap and adjust the Amount slider and watch what happens. Drag the other sliders around and see what happens. The nice thing about this setting is that when it looks good to you, it is good. The amount of the effect is totally up to you. Remember, Light Wrap only affects the edges of the foreground and should be used subtly.

When you are done, you have a great looking key!

Clean up the Image with a Garbage Mask

Sometimes, however, you don’t have, ah, perhaps, the best green-screen image to work with. Here, for example, there are lighting instruments in the foreground, with a very inadequately lit green screen in the background. (Sigh… this is just pitiful.)

Once you pull the key – which is film-speak for creating a green-screen shot, as I described above – and get it looking as good as possible, there’s one more step: adding a garbage matte to get rid of all the garbage surrounding your actors.

Once you get your key looking as good as you can – which in this case isn’t all that good – drag the Mask effect (Effects > Keying > Mask) on top of the green-screen clip.

NOTE: The Mask effect should always be added after the Keying effect, so that the Mask is below the Keyer in the Inspector.

Then, drag each of the four circles to create a shape such that your foreground image is contained inside it, and everything you want to exclude is outside. Here, for instance, we removed the light stand, the edge of the green background and the tearing at the top of the image. I’ve found this Mask effect works best when applied to a connected clip.

However, the big limitation of the Mask effect is that you only have four points to work with. That’s where a free effect comes in, which allows you to create far more flexible shapes with it. It’s written by Alex Gollner and is available on his website – alex4d.wordpress.com/fcpx/ – I recommend his effects highly.

How to Create a Chroma-Key in easier ways?

Chroma-key, or green screen, is an essential part of every editor to make all kinds of effects. Is there any way to make this sophisticated procedure easier way? Yes, try Filmora.

In version 10.5 for Mac, Filmora added a new feature: AI portrait. It allows you to do a green screen effect with just one click.

By adopting AI portrait, you can add those stunning effects in simple steps: How to Remove or Change Video Background in One Step?

Or: How to Add a Shake Effect to your Videos?

Conclusion

The chroma-key filter in FCP X allows us to create some amazing effects. If you want to use green screen effects more easily, here is Filmora for you. You can appaly Chroma-Key effects with just a few click. Have fun playing with it.

Download Mac Version ](https://tools.techidaily.com/wondershare/filmora/download/ )

Benjamin Arango

Benjamin Arango is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Benjamin Arango

Benjamin Arango

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

Chroma-key (also called “green screen”) effects are a staple in video production. What FCP X effect does is allow you to make the background behind an actor transparent so you can place the actor into a different environment than a studio.

---

This is a basic tutorial about Apple Final Cut Pro X, professional video editing software. However, if video editing is new to you, consider Wondershare Filmora for Mac . This is a powerful but easy-to-use tool for users just starting out. Download the free trial version below.

Download Mac Version ](https://tools.techidaily.com/wondershare/filmora/download/ )

---

Getting Started

First, the best thing you can do to improve the quality of your keys is to improve how you shoot them. Here are seven basic production rules:

• Actors should be at least 10 feet in front of the green screen. This avoids light from the background “spilling” around their body or shoulders.
• In general, don’t cast shadows on the green screen. Be very careful shooting feet.
• The green background should be as smooth as possible. Paint is always better than fabric; avoid wrinkles and folds.
• The green background should be lit smoothly, both from side to side and top to bottom. I try to have the green background display between 40-50% level on the waveform monitor.
• There is NO relationship between how the background is lit and how your actors are lit. This article will illustrate that.
• Light your background for smoothness. Light your actors for drama.
• Don’t worry about having the green background fill the frame. It only needs to completely surround the edges of your actors. Garbage mattes are used to get rid of junk around the edges.

Setting up the Key

The green screen image is always placed above the background. You can place either the green screen or background image into the Primary Storyline. I find it easier to put the background in the Primary Storyline, because it makes editing the green screen image easier. But this is purely personal choice.

Step 1: Select the green screen clip

From the Effects Browser > Keying category, double-click the Keyer effect, which applies it to the selected clip. (You can also drag the effect on top of the clip, if you forgot to select the green-screen clip first.)

Don’t panic if your image looks weird – we will fix it.

Click the Sample Color icon. This allows fine-tuning the selection of the background color.

In the green-screen image, drag to select a representative section of the background. I try to get close to the face, but not so close that I accidentally select loose hair or skin.

Your key should look better immediately. Most of the time, you can probably stop here. But there are three other adjustments that can make your key look even better:

• Cleaning up the matte
• Edge adjustments
• Light wrap

Click the Matte button to display your key as a white foreground on a black background.

Your goal is the make the foreground solid white, which means opaque, and the background solid black, which means transparent. Adjust the Fill Holes and Edge Distance sliders until your key looks solid. (For REALLY bad keys, you’ll need to also adjust Color Selection, mentioned below.)

If an edge is too pronounced, or needs help, click the Edges icon.

Step 2: Tweaks Video

Then, click and drag a line from the foreground to the background in the Canvas. Drag the midpoint slider (where my cursor is) until the edge looks the best it can. Different video formats make this easy (ProRes), while others (HDV, avchd) make this much harder. Perfection is impossible – do the best you can.

Final Cut provides four additional tweaks at the bottom of the keyer filter:

• Color Selection
• Matte Tools
• Spill Suppression
• Light Wrap

The first three are designed to clean up poorly shot keys – read the FCP X Help files to learn how these work. (I used the Color Selection tools to clean up the very dark key I use an example later in this article.)

Light wrap, though, is aesthetic. What it does is blend colors from the background into the edges of the foreground, to make the entire key look more “organic,” as if the foreground and background were actually in the same space.

This is a subtle effect, but very cool.

Twirl down Light Wrap and adjust the Amount slider and watch what happens. Drag the other sliders around and see what happens. The nice thing about this setting is that when it looks good to you, it is good. The amount of the effect is totally up to you. Remember, Light Wrap only affects the edges of the foreground and should be used subtly.

When you are done, you have a great looking key!

Clean up the Image with a Garbage Mask

Sometimes, however, you don’t have, ah, perhaps, the best green-screen image to work with. Here, for example, there are lighting instruments in the foreground, with a very inadequately lit green screen in the background. (Sigh… this is just pitiful.)

Once you pull the key – which is film-speak for creating a green-screen shot, as I described above – and get it looking as good as possible, there’s one more step: adding a garbage matte to get rid of all the garbage surrounding your actors.

Once you get your key looking as good as you can – which in this case isn’t all that good – drag the Mask effect (Effects > Keying > Mask) on top of the green-screen clip.

NOTE: The Mask effect should always be added after the Keying effect, so that the Mask is below the Keyer in the Inspector.

Then, drag each of the four circles to create a shape such that your foreground image is contained inside it, and everything you want to exclude is outside. Here, for instance, we removed the light stand, the edge of the green background and the tearing at the top of the image. I’ve found this Mask effect works best when applied to a connected clip.

However, the big limitation of the Mask effect is that you only have four points to work with. That’s where a free effect comes in, which allows you to create far more flexible shapes with it. It’s written by Alex Gollner and is available on his website – alex4d.wordpress.com/fcpx/ – I recommend his effects highly.

How to Create a Chroma-Key in easier ways?

Chroma-key, or green screen, is an essential part of every editor to make all kinds of effects. Is there any way to make this sophisticated procedure easier way? Yes, try Filmora.

In version 10.5 for Mac, Filmora added a new feature: AI portrait. It allows you to do a green screen effect with just one click.

By adopting AI portrait, you can add those stunning effects in simple steps: How to Remove or Change Video Background in One Step?

Or: How to Add a Shake Effect to your Videos?

Conclusion

The chroma-key filter in FCP X allows us to create some amazing effects. If you want to use green screen effects more easily, here is Filmora for you. You can appaly Chroma-Key effects with just a few click. Have fun playing with it.

Download Mac Version ](https://tools.techidaily.com/wondershare/filmora/download/ )

Benjamin Arango

Benjamin Arango is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Benjamin Arango

Benjamin Arango

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

Chroma-key (also called “green screen”) effects are a staple in video production. What FCP X effect does is allow you to make the background behind an actor transparent so you can place the actor into a different environment than a studio.

---

This is a basic tutorial about Apple Final Cut Pro X, professional video editing software. However, if video editing is new to you, consider Wondershare Filmora for Mac . This is a powerful but easy-to-use tool for users just starting out. Download the free trial version below.

Download Mac Version ](https://tools.techidaily.com/wondershare/filmora/download/ )

---

Getting Started

First, the best thing you can do to improve the quality of your keys is to improve how you shoot them. Here are seven basic production rules:

• Actors should be at least 10 feet in front of the green screen. This avoids light from the background “spilling” around their body or shoulders.
• In general, don’t cast shadows on the green screen. Be very careful shooting feet.
• The green background should be as smooth as possible. Paint is always better than fabric; avoid wrinkles and folds.
• The green background should be lit smoothly, both from side to side and top to bottom. I try to have the green background display between 40-50% level on the waveform monitor.
• There is NO relationship between how the background is lit and how your actors are lit. This article will illustrate that.
• Light your background for smoothness. Light your actors for drama.
• Don’t worry about having the green background fill the frame. It only needs to completely surround the edges of your actors. Garbage mattes are used to get rid of junk around the edges.

Setting up the Key

The green screen image is always placed above the background. You can place either the green screen or background image into the Primary Storyline. I find it easier to put the background in the Primary Storyline, because it makes editing the green screen image easier. But this is purely personal choice.

Step 1: Select the green screen clip

From the Effects Browser > Keying category, double-click the Keyer effect, which applies it to the selected clip. (You can also drag the effect on top of the clip, if you forgot to select the green-screen clip first.)

Don’t panic if your image looks weird – we will fix it.

Click the Sample Color icon. This allows fine-tuning the selection of the background color.

In the green-screen image, drag to select a representative section of the background. I try to get close to the face, but not so close that I accidentally select loose hair or skin.

Your key should look better immediately. Most of the time, you can probably stop here. But there are three other adjustments that can make your key look even better:

• Cleaning up the matte
• Edge adjustments
• Light wrap

Click the Matte button to display your key as a white foreground on a black background.

Your goal is the make the foreground solid white, which means opaque, and the background solid black, which means transparent. Adjust the Fill Holes and Edge Distance sliders until your key looks solid. (For REALLY bad keys, you’ll need to also adjust Color Selection, mentioned below.)

If an edge is too pronounced, or needs help, click the Edges icon.

Step 2: Tweaks Video

Then, click and drag a line from the foreground to the background in the Canvas. Drag the midpoint slider (where my cursor is) until the edge looks the best it can. Different video formats make this easy (ProRes), while others (HDV, avchd) make this much harder. Perfection is impossible – do the best you can.

Final Cut provides four additional tweaks at the bottom of the keyer filter:

• Color Selection
• Matte Tools
• Spill Suppression
• Light Wrap

The first three are designed to clean up poorly shot keys – read the FCP X Help files to learn how these work. (I used the Color Selection tools to clean up the very dark key I use an example later in this article.)

Light wrap, though, is aesthetic. What it does is blend colors from the background into the edges of the foreground, to make the entire key look more “organic,” as if the foreground and background were actually in the same space.

This is a subtle effect, but very cool.

Twirl down Light Wrap and adjust the Amount slider and watch what happens. Drag the other sliders around and see what happens. The nice thing about this setting is that when it looks good to you, it is good. The amount of the effect is totally up to you. Remember, Light Wrap only affects the edges of the foreground and should be used subtly.

When you are done, you have a great looking key!

Clean up the Image with a Garbage Mask

Sometimes, however, you don’t have, ah, perhaps, the best green-screen image to work with. Here, for example, there are lighting instruments in the foreground, with a very inadequately lit green screen in the background. (Sigh… this is just pitiful.)

Once you pull the key – which is film-speak for creating a green-screen shot, as I described above – and get it looking as good as possible, there’s one more step: adding a garbage matte to get rid of all the garbage surrounding your actors.

Once you get your key looking as good as you can – which in this case isn’t all that good – drag the Mask effect (Effects > Keying > Mask) on top of the green-screen clip.

NOTE: The Mask effect should always be added after the Keying effect, so that the Mask is below the Keyer in the Inspector.

Then, drag each of the four circles to create a shape such that your foreground image is contained inside it, and everything you want to exclude is outside. Here, for instance, we removed the light stand, the edge of the green background and the tearing at the top of the image. I’ve found this Mask effect works best when applied to a connected clip.

However, the big limitation of the Mask effect is that you only have four points to work with. That’s where a free effect comes in, which allows you to create far more flexible shapes with it. It’s written by Alex Gollner and is available on his website – alex4d.wordpress.com/fcpx/ – I recommend his effects highly.

How to Create a Chroma-Key in easier ways?

Chroma-key, or green screen, is an essential part of every editor to make all kinds of effects. Is there any way to make this sophisticated procedure easier way? Yes, try Filmora.

In version 10.5 for Mac, Filmora added a new feature: AI portrait. It allows you to do a green screen effect with just one click.

By adopting AI portrait, you can add those stunning effects in simple steps: How to Remove or Change Video Background in One Step?

Or: How to Add a Shake Effect to your Videos?

Conclusion

The chroma-key filter in FCP X allows us to create some amazing effects. If you want to use green screen effects more easily, here is Filmora for you. You can appaly Chroma-Key effects with just a few click. Have fun playing with it.

Download Mac Version ](https://tools.techidaily.com/wondershare/filmora/download/ )

Benjamin Arango

Benjamin Arango is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Benjamin Arango

Benjamin Arango

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

Chroma-key (also called “green screen”) effects are a staple in video production. What FCP X effect does is allow you to make the background behind an actor transparent so you can place the actor into a different environment than a studio.

---

This is a basic tutorial about Apple Final Cut Pro X, professional video editing software. However, if video editing is new to you, consider Wondershare Filmora for Mac . This is a powerful but easy-to-use tool for users just starting out. Download the free trial version below.

Download Mac Version ](https://tools.techidaily.com/wondershare/filmora/download/ )

---

Getting Started

First, the best thing you can do to improve the quality of your keys is to improve how you shoot them. Here are seven basic production rules:

• Actors should be at least 10 feet in front of the green screen. This avoids light from the background “spilling” around their body or shoulders.
• In general, don’t cast shadows on the green screen. Be very careful shooting feet.
• The green background should be as smooth as possible. Paint is always better than fabric; avoid wrinkles and folds.
• The green background should be lit smoothly, both from side to side and top to bottom. I try to have the green background display between 40-50% level on the waveform monitor.
• There is NO relationship between how the background is lit and how your actors are lit. This article will illustrate that.
• Light your background for smoothness. Light your actors for drama.
• Don’t worry about having the green background fill the frame. It only needs to completely surround the edges of your actors. Garbage mattes are used to get rid of junk around the edges.

Setting up the Key

The green screen image is always placed above the background. You can place either the green screen or background image into the Primary Storyline. I find it easier to put the background in the Primary Storyline, because it makes editing the green screen image easier. But this is purely personal choice.

Step 1: Select the green screen clip

From the Effects Browser > Keying category, double-click the Keyer effect, which applies it to the selected clip. (You can also drag the effect on top of the clip, if you forgot to select the green-screen clip first.)

Don’t panic if your image looks weird – we will fix it.

Click the Sample Color icon. This allows fine-tuning the selection of the background color.

In the green-screen image, drag to select a representative section of the background. I try to get close to the face, but not so close that I accidentally select loose hair or skin.

Your key should look better immediately. Most of the time, you can probably stop here. But there are three other adjustments that can make your key look even better:

• Cleaning up the matte
• Edge adjustments
• Light wrap

Click the Matte button to display your key as a white foreground on a black background.

Your goal is the make the foreground solid white, which means opaque, and the background solid black, which means transparent. Adjust the Fill Holes and Edge Distance sliders until your key looks solid. (For REALLY bad keys, you’ll need to also adjust Color Selection, mentioned below.)

If an edge is too pronounced, or needs help, click the Edges icon.

Step 2: Tweaks Video

Then, click and drag a line from the foreground to the background in the Canvas. Drag the midpoint slider (where my cursor is) until the edge looks the best it can. Different video formats make this easy (ProRes), while others (HDV, avchd) make this much harder. Perfection is impossible – do the best you can.

Final Cut provides four additional tweaks at the bottom of the keyer filter:

• Color Selection
• Matte Tools
• Spill Suppression
• Light Wrap

The first three are designed to clean up poorly shot keys – read the FCP X Help files to learn how these work. (I used the Color Selection tools to clean up the very dark key I use an example later in this article.)

Light wrap, though, is aesthetic. What it does is blend colors from the background into the edges of the foreground, to make the entire key look more “organic,” as if the foreground and background were actually in the same space.

This is a subtle effect, but very cool.

Twirl down Light Wrap and adjust the Amount slider and watch what happens. Drag the other sliders around and see what happens. The nice thing about this setting is that when it looks good to you, it is good. The amount of the effect is totally up to you. Remember, Light Wrap only affects the edges of the foreground and should be used subtly.

When you are done, you have a great looking key!

Clean up the Image with a Garbage Mask

Sometimes, however, you don’t have, ah, perhaps, the best green-screen image to work with. Here, for example, there are lighting instruments in the foreground, with a very inadequately lit green screen in the background. (Sigh… this is just pitiful.)

Once you pull the key – which is film-speak for creating a green-screen shot, as I described above – and get it looking as good as possible, there’s one more step: adding a garbage matte to get rid of all the garbage surrounding your actors.

Once you get your key looking as good as you can – which in this case isn’t all that good – drag the Mask effect (Effects > Keying > Mask) on top of the green-screen clip.

NOTE: The Mask effect should always be added after the Keying effect, so that the Mask is below the Keyer in the Inspector.

Then, drag each of the four circles to create a shape such that your foreground image is contained inside it, and everything you want to exclude is outside. Here, for instance, we removed the light stand, the edge of the green background and the tearing at the top of the image. I’ve found this Mask effect works best when applied to a connected clip.

However, the big limitation of the Mask effect is that you only have four points to work with. That’s where a free effect comes in, which allows you to create far more flexible shapes with it. It’s written by Alex Gollner and is available on his website – alex4d.wordpress.com/fcpx/ – I recommend his effects highly.

How to Create a Chroma-Key in easier ways?

Chroma-key, or green screen, is an essential part of every editor to make all kinds of effects. Is there any way to make this sophisticated procedure easier way? Yes, try Filmora.

In version 10.5 for Mac, Filmora added a new feature: AI portrait. It allows you to do a green screen effect with just one click.

By adopting AI portrait, you can add those stunning effects in simple steps: How to Remove or Change Video Background in One Step?

Or: How to Add a Shake Effect to your Videos?

Conclusion

The chroma-key filter in FCP X allows us to create some amazing effects. If you want to use green screen effects more easily, here is Filmora for you. You can appaly Chroma-Key effects with just a few click. Have fun playing with it.

Download Mac Version ](https://tools.techidaily.com/wondershare/filmora/download/ )

Benjamin Arango

Benjamin Arango is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Benjamin Arango

The Best of the Best: 4K Video Editing Software for Professionals

Best 4K Video Editing Software in 2024

Max Wales

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

With the popularity of 4K Cameras and action cams , it is time to use a professional video editing software for handling your delicate 4k video footage.

There are countless software options for video editing, but not all are created equally. And importantly in current times, many do not yet have support for 4K editing. Don’t be left behind - below you will find ten of the best and most trusted video editing applications that do support 4K videos; as this technology becomes more widely used throughout the film making community.

(All features of the samples are subjected to the time.)

• P1: Quick Comparison of Top 4K Video Editors
• P2: Best Free and Paid 4K Video Editors
• P3: FAQs about 4K Video Editors

Comparison of Top 4K Video Editors

Whenever you choose a video editing software, you should always consider if your computer meets the requirements for installing and using a professional video editor , as well as the usability of the video editing software and your budget. We have listed these factors below for your quick check.

And in this top list of best video editing software, we have picked up both free 4K video editing software and paid 4k video editor for you to choose. Please keep in mind that the list is in no particular order of ranking, and the price may vary over time.

Software Name	Supported Platforms	Price	Ease of Use	System Requirements
Wondershare Filmora X	Windows, Mac	Freemium, $49.99-$79.99	Easy	Intel i3 processor +; 8GB for 4K
iMovie	OS X El Capitan	Free	Easy	4GB of RAM; an OpenCL-capable graphics card
CyberLink PowerDirector 19 Ultra	Windows 7/8/10	$99.99	Intermediate	Intel Core™ i-series or AMD Phenom II or above; 8GB RAM
Vegas Pro	Windows 7/8/10	$399.99	Quite Hard	2.5 GHz 4-core processor; 8 GB RAM
Vegas Movie Studio 17	Windows 7/8/10	$32.99	Easy	2GHZ processor, 8GB RAM
Adobe Premiere Pro	Windows & Mac	$20.99/mo.	Quite Hard	Multicore processor with 64-bit support; 8 GB of RAM
Final Cut Pro	macOS 10.13.2 or later	$299.99	Quite Hard	8GB RAM; Intel HD Graphics 3000 or later
Magix Movie Edit Pro	Windows 7/8/10	$69.99	Easy	2.4 GHz processor; 8 GB of RAM or higher

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Top 4K Video Editing Software in 2024 [Free & Paid]

We have listed the top best 4k video editing software for beginners and professionals based on its features, pros, cons and price. Let’s check it in detail.

1. Wondershare Filmora

The latest version of Filmora video editor is the stripped back, simpler option for video editors who do not want the complexity, advanced features and extra cost of the professional video editing software. It features an interface that has been created for ease of use, but there is also the option to select between Expert or Quick editing modes, depending upon your skill level and needs.

Cool effects include the particularly interesting Hollywood style effects, sound effects and stunning templates. Other interesting and new features include the Green Screen and Scene Detection options. The software can also automatically fix the footage with lighting or color issues which can result in a much more polished end result.

The newly added Action Cam Tool allows you to merge, cut and edit 4k videos shot by your action cameras, smartphones or other 4k cameras in minutes.

Filmora features the ability to import and edit 4K videos with ease. After launching Filmora, create a new project by clicking New Project in the Get Started window and then go to Project Settings to change the resolution to 3840 x 2160 (16:9 4K UHD) or 4096 x 2160 (DCI 4K) based on your need.

Not sure the differences between these two options, check our guide about What is 4K to get a clue.

The default project setting is 1920 x 1080 (16:9 Full HD), if you didn’t set up the project settings at the beginning, Filmora will prompt up a window asking you to change the project settings to match the 4K video. You can click Match to Media to change the project settings quickly.

Editing 4K videos requires high computer performance, to avoid your computer overrunning, Filmora can create proxy files to load the video in lower resolution during editing, but rending the final export video with the original full quality. You can also customize the playback quality of the 4K videos to half quality or even 1/6 quality for smoother editing.

When exporting to 4K Ultra High Definition Quality, just click the Settings button in the Export window to enter the Settings window to adjust the resolution to 3840 x 2160 or 4096 x 2160. Besides, you can also change the frame rate and bit rate as well.

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2. iMovie

If you are a Mac user and have iMovie 10.1 or version above, you can now edit 4K videos on your Mac with iMovie for free. iMovie is a free 4K video editing software for Mac. You can also import movies and trailers from iMovie for iPhone and iPad.

With iMovie for iOS and macOS, you can enjoy your videos like never before. It’s easy to browse your clips and create Hollywood-style trailers and stunning 4K-resolution movies. You can even start editing on iPhone or iPad, then finish on your Mac. And when you’re ready to premiere your movie on all your devices, iMovie Theater rolls out the red carpet.

It should be noted that 4K video editing requires a Mac from 2011 or later with at least 4GB of RAM. To playback 4K video in full resolution, you’ll need an iMac with Retina display or Mac Pro connected to a 4K display.

3. CyberLink PowerDirector Ultra

Video makers who want a very powerful, professional-level video editing program are often shocked by the price tag. However, they find that CyberLink PowerDirector Ultra, with a more beginner-friendly interface and easier to use, has virtually everything just as other programs with a higher price.


It’s hard to look past PowerDirector Ultra if you need 4k support, and if you don’t want to sacrifice on advanced features that allow you to create professional-looking videos, even if you are a beginner or have minimal experience with video editing.

This latest edition of PowerDirector supports 64-bit processors for faster editing, and of course, new support for 4K resolution videos. At under $100, CyberLink PowerDirector 19 Ultra comes amazingly close to being as advanced and capable as software that is priced multiple times more than it; making it an ideal choice for the budget-conscious video editing enthusiast.

4. Vegas Pro

One of the higher end video editing software options is the highly renowned non-linear editor (NLE) Magix Vegas Pro. Now up to version 18, this software is used by professionals and amateurs alike. Vegas Pro 18 comes with native support for 4K video, with maximum frame sizes of up to 4096 x 4096. There is native support for XAVC and XAVC S files, plus files from Red Epic and Red One. There are a number of extras and plugins included in Vegas Pro, including DVD Architect Pro.

Complete support for 4K editing puts Vegas Pro at the forefront of software in this genre, while you can also edit SD, HD, 2K and 3D videos, using Sony’s intuitive drag and drop interface. There are a huge number of tools and effects available, allowing complete control, creativity, and flexibility within the editing environment which is easily accessible to those who may even be brand new to editing videos in an NLE application.

The software is available at a cost of $399(on sale)/ $599.99(regularly); and the price is the same whether you select a download version, or the physical packaged version.

5. Vegas Movie Studio

At only $39.99, Studio 17 Platinum is just a fraction of the cost of Sony’s fully fledged editor, Vegas Pro. Magix Movie Studio 17 Platinum is a basic video editing application, suited for the beginner and home user. With an emphasis on giving users the ability to easily create and share their videos on social media sites, or creating your own home DVDs, the workflow and interface has been designed to be as simple and intuitive as possible to use, without the extensive and more complex abilities of a high end application like Sony Vegas Pro.

Notable features include a simple way of selecting the best output format with the Make Movie dialog, the choice of using the Simple Edit Mode or Advanced Edit Mode, fast direct upload to YouTube 4K, Color Match plug-in, and lots more.

6. Adobe Premiere Pro

Another video editing application that is considered to be at the highest end is Adobe’s Premier Pro. As with most of Adobe’s software, Premiere Pro is now part of the Creative Cloud plan. This requires subscription to use the application via Adobe’s cloud service.

The sheer number of features within Premiere Pro CC is extensive. But the latest version has been designed to provide a faster workflow during editing, which will be appreciated by both new and seasoned users alike. New features that are worth noting in the CC version include live text templates, which integrates seamlessly with After Effects, native support for a range of new formats, automatic backing up to the Cloud, improvements to masking and tracking, and the ability to export in new industry standard formats.

The minimum cost to access a CC plan that includes Premiere Pro is $20.99 per month. However many users will likely be inclined to select the $52.99 per month plan which includes Premiere Pro and After Effects, as well as Photoshop and more.

7. Apple Final Cut Pro X

The professional level video editing application for Mac is the very well known Apple Final Cut Pro X. Used extensively in the professional movie industry, as well as amongst amateurs, the latest version comes with full support for full resolution 4K ProRes in multiple streams (which is made for working particularly fast on the new Mac Pro).

There are hundreds of features worthy of listing, however some of the most important and interesting ones include the Magnetic Timeline which has been designed to avoid sync problems or small unwanted gaps when editing, easy organization of media with keywords and metadata, multicam clip editing, multi channel audio editing.

8. MAGIX Movie Edit Pro 2021

Movie Edit Pro 2021 is another affordable video editing solution for home and amateur users that now has full support for 4K videos. This application is available in three versions: deluxe, Plus and Premium, with the Premium version containing the most features and capabilities.

The inbuilt automatic wizards in the basic version of Movie Edit Pro make it easy for those with little or no experience in what can be the daunting process of editing videos. The software includes more than 1500 effects and templates, editing on up to 99 tracks (in the Plus and Premium versions). There is also support for multicam editing, and the ability to easily export your finished product to a range of media and social video websites.

Most Frequently Asked Questions about 4K Video Editor

1. What is the best 4k video editor for Windows PC?

Each video editor listed above has its advantages over others. For example, if you are using Filmora to handle 4K video footage, you can create a proxy smaller file, as well as preview it on a lower resolution to improve the editing efficiency. Filmora has pre-programmed many transitions, effects, filters and elements, which can help you make the video better and faster.

2. Is there any free 4k video editor?

If you are running Windows10, you will find that the inbuilt Photos app only allows you to export from 540p, 720p, and 1080p, no 4K.

For Mac users, the good news is that you can work with 4k and 60 frames per second in the free inbuilt video editor iMovie.

And if there are some other video editing software which is missed from the list, please leave a comment and let us know. But before you leave, do not forget to download and try our latest video editing software Filmora to edit your 4K video footage.

Max Wales

Max Wales is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Max Wales

Max Wales

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

With the popularity of 4K Cameras and action cams , it is time to use a professional video editing software for handling your delicate 4k video footage.

There are countless software options for video editing, but not all are created equally. And importantly in current times, many do not yet have support for 4K editing. Don’t be left behind - below you will find ten of the best and most trusted video editing applications that do support 4K videos; as this technology becomes more widely used throughout the film making community.

(All features of the samples are subjected to the time.)

• P1: Quick Comparison of Top 4K Video Editors
• P2: Best Free and Paid 4K Video Editors
• P3: FAQs about 4K Video Editors

Comparison of Top 4K Video Editors

Whenever you choose a video editing software, you should always consider if your computer meets the requirements for installing and using a professional video editor , as well as the usability of the video editing software and your budget. We have listed these factors below for your quick check.

And in this top list of best video editing software, we have picked up both free 4K video editing software and paid 4k video editor for you to choose. Please keep in mind that the list is in no particular order of ranking, and the price may vary over time.

Software Name	Supported Platforms	Price	Ease of Use	System Requirements
Wondershare Filmora X	Windows, Mac	Freemium, $49.99-$79.99	Easy	Intel i3 processor +; 8GB for 4K
iMovie	OS X El Capitan	Free	Easy	4GB of RAM; an OpenCL-capable graphics card
CyberLink PowerDirector 19 Ultra	Windows 7/8/10	$99.99	Intermediate	Intel Core™ i-series or AMD Phenom II or above; 8GB RAM
Vegas Pro	Windows 7/8/10	$399.99	Quite Hard	2.5 GHz 4-core processor; 8 GB RAM
Vegas Movie Studio 17	Windows 7/8/10	$32.99	Easy	2GHZ processor, 8GB RAM
Adobe Premiere Pro	Windows & Mac	$20.99/mo.	Quite Hard	Multicore processor with 64-bit support; 8 GB of RAM
Final Cut Pro	macOS 10.13.2 or later	$299.99	Quite Hard	8GB RAM; Intel HD Graphics 3000 or later
Magix Movie Edit Pro	Windows 7/8/10	$69.99	Easy	2.4 GHz processor; 8 GB of RAM or higher

---

Top 4K Video Editing Software in 2024 [Free & Paid]

We have listed the top best 4k video editing software for beginners and professionals based on its features, pros, cons and price. Let’s check it in detail.

1. Wondershare Filmora

The latest version of Filmora video editor is the stripped back, simpler option for video editors who do not want the complexity, advanced features and extra cost of the professional video editing software. It features an interface that has been created for ease of use, but there is also the option to select between Expert or Quick editing modes, depending upon your skill level and needs.

Cool effects include the particularly interesting Hollywood style effects, sound effects and stunning templates. Other interesting and new features include the Green Screen and Scene Detection options. The software can also automatically fix the footage with lighting or color issues which can result in a much more polished end result.

The newly added Action Cam Tool allows you to merge, cut and edit 4k videos shot by your action cameras, smartphones or other 4k cameras in minutes.

Filmora features the ability to import and edit 4K videos with ease. After launching Filmora, create a new project by clicking New Project in the Get Started window and then go to Project Settings to change the resolution to 3840 x 2160 (16:9 4K UHD) or 4096 x 2160 (DCI 4K) based on your need.

Not sure the differences between these two options, check our guide about What is 4K to get a clue.

The default project setting is 1920 x 1080 (16:9 Full HD), if you didn’t set up the project settings at the beginning, Filmora will prompt up a window asking you to change the project settings to match the 4K video. You can click Match to Media to change the project settings quickly.

Editing 4K videos requires high computer performance, to avoid your computer overrunning, Filmora can create proxy files to load the video in lower resolution during editing, but rending the final export video with the original full quality. You can also customize the playback quality of the 4K videos to half quality or even 1/6 quality for smoother editing.

When exporting to 4K Ultra High Definition Quality, just click the Settings button in the Export window to enter the Settings window to adjust the resolution to 3840 x 2160 or 4096 x 2160. Besides, you can also change the frame rate and bit rate as well.

---

2. iMovie

If you are a Mac user and have iMovie 10.1 or version above, you can now edit 4K videos on your Mac with iMovie for free. iMovie is a free 4K video editing software for Mac. You can also import movies and trailers from iMovie for iPhone and iPad.

With iMovie for iOS and macOS, you can enjoy your videos like never before. It’s easy to browse your clips and create Hollywood-style trailers and stunning 4K-resolution movies. You can even start editing on iPhone or iPad, then finish on your Mac. And when you’re ready to premiere your movie on all your devices, iMovie Theater rolls out the red carpet.

It should be noted that 4K video editing requires a Mac from 2011 or later with at least 4GB of RAM. To playback 4K video in full resolution, you’ll need an iMac with Retina display or Mac Pro connected to a 4K display.

3. CyberLink PowerDirector Ultra

Video makers who want a very powerful, professional-level video editing program are often shocked by the price tag. However, they find that CyberLink PowerDirector Ultra, with a more beginner-friendly interface and easier to use, has virtually everything just as other programs with a higher price.


It’s hard to look past PowerDirector Ultra if you need 4k support, and if you don’t want to sacrifice on advanced features that allow you to create professional-looking videos, even if you are a beginner or have minimal experience with video editing.

This latest edition of PowerDirector supports 64-bit processors for faster editing, and of course, new support for 4K resolution videos. At under $100, CyberLink PowerDirector 19 Ultra comes amazingly close to being as advanced and capable as software that is priced multiple times more than it; making it an ideal choice for the budget-conscious video editing enthusiast.

4. Vegas Pro

One of the higher end video editing software options is the highly renowned non-linear editor (NLE) Magix Vegas Pro. Now up to version 18, this software is used by professionals and amateurs alike. Vegas Pro 18 comes with native support for 4K video, with maximum frame sizes of up to 4096 x 4096. There is native support for XAVC and XAVC S files, plus files from Red Epic and Red One. There are a number of extras and plugins included in Vegas Pro, including DVD Architect Pro.

Complete support for 4K editing puts Vegas Pro at the forefront of software in this genre, while you can also edit SD, HD, 2K and 3D videos, using Sony’s intuitive drag and drop interface. There are a huge number of tools and effects available, allowing complete control, creativity, and flexibility within the editing environment which is easily accessible to those who may even be brand new to editing videos in an NLE application.

The software is available at a cost of $399(on sale)/ $599.99(regularly); and the price is the same whether you select a download version, or the physical packaged version.

5. Vegas Movie Studio

At only $39.99, Studio 17 Platinum is just a fraction of the cost of Sony’s fully fledged editor, Vegas Pro. Magix Movie Studio 17 Platinum is a basic video editing application, suited for the beginner and home user. With an emphasis on giving users the ability to easily create and share their videos on social media sites, or creating your own home DVDs, the workflow and interface has been designed to be as simple and intuitive as possible to use, without the extensive and more complex abilities of a high end application like Sony Vegas Pro.

Notable features include a simple way of selecting the best output format with the Make Movie dialog, the choice of using the Simple Edit Mode or Advanced Edit Mode, fast direct upload to YouTube 4K, Color Match plug-in, and lots more.

6. Adobe Premiere Pro

Another video editing application that is considered to be at the highest end is Adobe’s Premier Pro. As with most of Adobe’s software, Premiere Pro is now part of the Creative Cloud plan. This requires subscription to use the application via Adobe’s cloud service.

The sheer number of features within Premiere Pro CC is extensive. But the latest version has been designed to provide a faster workflow during editing, which will be appreciated by both new and seasoned users alike. New features that are worth noting in the CC version include live text templates, which integrates seamlessly with After Effects, native support for a range of new formats, automatic backing up to the Cloud, improvements to masking and tracking, and the ability to export in new industry standard formats.

The minimum cost to access a CC plan that includes Premiere Pro is $20.99 per month. However many users will likely be inclined to select the $52.99 per month plan which includes Premiere Pro and After Effects, as well as Photoshop and more.

7. Apple Final Cut Pro X

The professional level video editing application for Mac is the very well known Apple Final Cut Pro X. Used extensively in the professional movie industry, as well as amongst amateurs, the latest version comes with full support for full resolution 4K ProRes in multiple streams (which is made for working particularly fast on the new Mac Pro).

There are hundreds of features worthy of listing, however some of the most important and interesting ones include the Magnetic Timeline which has been designed to avoid sync problems or small unwanted gaps when editing, easy organization of media with keywords and metadata, multicam clip editing, multi channel audio editing.

8. MAGIX Movie Edit Pro 2021

Movie Edit Pro 2021 is another affordable video editing solution for home and amateur users that now has full support for 4K videos. This application is available in three versions: deluxe, Plus and Premium, with the Premium version containing the most features and capabilities.

The inbuilt automatic wizards in the basic version of Movie Edit Pro make it easy for those with little or no experience in what can be the daunting process of editing videos. The software includes more than 1500 effects and templates, editing on up to 99 tracks (in the Plus and Premium versions). There is also support for multicam editing, and the ability to easily export your finished product to a range of media and social video websites.

Most Frequently Asked Questions about 4K Video Editor

1. What is the best 4k video editor for Windows PC?

Each video editor listed above has its advantages over others. For example, if you are using Filmora to handle 4K video footage, you can create a proxy smaller file, as well as preview it on a lower resolution to improve the editing efficiency. Filmora has pre-programmed many transitions, effects, filters and elements, which can help you make the video better and faster.

2. Is there any free 4k video editor?

If you are running Windows10, you will find that the inbuilt Photos app only allows you to export from 540p, 720p, and 1080p, no 4K.

For Mac users, the good news is that you can work with 4k and 60 frames per second in the free inbuilt video editor iMovie.

And if there are some other video editing software which is missed from the list, please leave a comment and let us know. But before you leave, do not forget to download and try our latest video editing software Filmora to edit your 4K video footage.

Max Wales

Max Wales is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Max Wales

Max Wales

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

With the popularity of 4K Cameras and action cams , it is time to use a professional video editing software for handling your delicate 4k video footage.

There are countless software options for video editing, but not all are created equally. And importantly in current times, many do not yet have support for 4K editing. Don’t be left behind - below you will find ten of the best and most trusted video editing applications that do support 4K videos; as this technology becomes more widely used throughout the film making community.

(All features of the samples are subjected to the time.)

• P1: Quick Comparison of Top 4K Video Editors
• P2: Best Free and Paid 4K Video Editors
• P3: FAQs about 4K Video Editors

Comparison of Top 4K Video Editors

Whenever you choose a video editing software, you should always consider if your computer meets the requirements for installing and using a professional video editor , as well as the usability of the video editing software and your budget. We have listed these factors below for your quick check.

And in this top list of best video editing software, we have picked up both free 4K video editing software and paid 4k video editor for you to choose. Please keep in mind that the list is in no particular order of ranking, and the price may vary over time.

Software Name	Supported Platforms	Price	Ease of Use	System Requirements
Wondershare Filmora X	Windows, Mac	Freemium, $49.99-$79.99	Easy	Intel i3 processor +; 8GB for 4K
iMovie	OS X El Capitan	Free	Easy	4GB of RAM; an OpenCL-capable graphics card
CyberLink PowerDirector 19 Ultra	Windows 7/8/10	$99.99	Intermediate	Intel Core™ i-series or AMD Phenom II or above; 8GB RAM
Vegas Pro	Windows 7/8/10	$399.99	Quite Hard	2.5 GHz 4-core processor; 8 GB RAM
Vegas Movie Studio 17	Windows 7/8/10	$32.99	Easy	2GHZ processor, 8GB RAM
Adobe Premiere Pro	Windows & Mac	$20.99/mo.	Quite Hard	Multicore processor with 64-bit support; 8 GB of RAM
Final Cut Pro	macOS 10.13.2 or later	$299.99	Quite Hard	8GB RAM; Intel HD Graphics 3000 or later
Magix Movie Edit Pro	Windows 7/8/10	$69.99	Easy	2.4 GHz processor; 8 GB of RAM or higher

---

Top 4K Video Editing Software in 2024 [Free & Paid]

We have listed the top best 4k video editing software for beginners and professionals based on its features, pros, cons and price. Let’s check it in detail.

1. Wondershare Filmora

The latest version of Filmora video editor is the stripped back, simpler option for video editors who do not want the complexity, advanced features and extra cost of the professional video editing software. It features an interface that has been created for ease of use, but there is also the option to select between Expert or Quick editing modes, depending upon your skill level and needs.

Cool effects include the particularly interesting Hollywood style effects, sound effects and stunning templates. Other interesting and new features include the Green Screen and Scene Detection options. The software can also automatically fix the footage with lighting or color issues which can result in a much more polished end result.

The newly added Action Cam Tool allows you to merge, cut and edit 4k videos shot by your action cameras, smartphones or other 4k cameras in minutes.

Filmora features the ability to import and edit 4K videos with ease. After launching Filmora, create a new project by clicking New Project in the Get Started window and then go to Project Settings to change the resolution to 3840 x 2160 (16:9 4K UHD) or 4096 x 2160 (DCI 4K) based on your need.

Not sure the differences between these two options, check our guide about What is 4K to get a clue.

The default project setting is 1920 x 1080 (16:9 Full HD), if you didn’t set up the project settings at the beginning, Filmora will prompt up a window asking you to change the project settings to match the 4K video. You can click Match to Media to change the project settings quickly.

Editing 4K videos requires high computer performance, to avoid your computer overrunning, Filmora can create proxy files to load the video in lower resolution during editing, but rending the final export video with the original full quality. You can also customize the playback quality of the 4K videos to half quality or even 1/6 quality for smoother editing.

When exporting to 4K Ultra High Definition Quality, just click the Settings button in the Export window to enter the Settings window to adjust the resolution to 3840 x 2160 or 4096 x 2160. Besides, you can also change the frame rate and bit rate as well.

---

2. iMovie

If you are a Mac user and have iMovie 10.1 or version above, you can now edit 4K videos on your Mac with iMovie for free. iMovie is a free 4K video editing software for Mac. You can also import movies and trailers from iMovie for iPhone and iPad.

With iMovie for iOS and macOS, you can enjoy your videos like never before. It’s easy to browse your clips and create Hollywood-style trailers and stunning 4K-resolution movies. You can even start editing on iPhone or iPad, then finish on your Mac. And when you’re ready to premiere your movie on all your devices, iMovie Theater rolls out the red carpet.

It should be noted that 4K video editing requires a Mac from 2011 or later with at least 4GB of RAM. To playback 4K video in full resolution, you’ll need an iMac with Retina display or Mac Pro connected to a 4K display.

3. CyberLink PowerDirector Ultra

Video makers who want a very powerful, professional-level video editing program are often shocked by the price tag. However, they find that CyberLink PowerDirector Ultra, with a more beginner-friendly interface and easier to use, has virtually everything just as other programs with a higher price.


It’s hard to look past PowerDirector Ultra if you need 4k support, and if you don’t want to sacrifice on advanced features that allow you to create professional-looking videos, even if you are a beginner or have minimal experience with video editing.

This latest edition of PowerDirector supports 64-bit processors for faster editing, and of course, new support for 4K resolution videos. At under $100, CyberLink PowerDirector 19 Ultra comes amazingly close to being as advanced and capable as software that is priced multiple times more than it; making it an ideal choice for the budget-conscious video editing enthusiast.

4. Vegas Pro

One of the higher end video editing software options is the highly renowned non-linear editor (NLE) Magix Vegas Pro. Now up to version 18, this software is used by professionals and amateurs alike. Vegas Pro 18 comes with native support for 4K video, with maximum frame sizes of up to 4096 x 4096. There is native support for XAVC and XAVC S files, plus files from Red Epic and Red One. There are a number of extras and plugins included in Vegas Pro, including DVD Architect Pro.

Complete support for 4K editing puts Vegas Pro at the forefront of software in this genre, while you can also edit SD, HD, 2K and 3D videos, using Sony’s intuitive drag and drop interface. There are a huge number of tools and effects available, allowing complete control, creativity, and flexibility within the editing environment which is easily accessible to those who may even be brand new to editing videos in an NLE application.

The software is available at a cost of $399(on sale)/ $599.99(regularly); and the price is the same whether you select a download version, or the physical packaged version.

5. Vegas Movie Studio

At only $39.99, Studio 17 Platinum is just a fraction of the cost of Sony’s fully fledged editor, Vegas Pro. Magix Movie Studio 17 Platinum is a basic video editing application, suited for the beginner and home user. With an emphasis on giving users the ability to easily create and share their videos on social media sites, or creating your own home DVDs, the workflow and interface has been designed to be as simple and intuitive as possible to use, without the extensive and more complex abilities of a high end application like Sony Vegas Pro.

Notable features include a simple way of selecting the best output format with the Make Movie dialog, the choice of using the Simple Edit Mode or Advanced Edit Mode, fast direct upload to YouTube 4K, Color Match plug-in, and lots more.

6. Adobe Premiere Pro

Another video editing application that is considered to be at the highest end is Adobe’s Premier Pro. As with most of Adobe’s software, Premiere Pro is now part of the Creative Cloud plan. This requires subscription to use the application via Adobe’s cloud service.

The sheer number of features within Premiere Pro CC is extensive. But the latest version has been designed to provide a faster workflow during editing, which will be appreciated by both new and seasoned users alike. New features that are worth noting in the CC version include live text templates, which integrates seamlessly with After Effects, native support for a range of new formats, automatic backing up to the Cloud, improvements to masking and tracking, and the ability to export in new industry standard formats.

The minimum cost to access a CC plan that includes Premiere Pro is $20.99 per month. However many users will likely be inclined to select the $52.99 per month plan which includes Premiere Pro and After Effects, as well as Photoshop and more.

7. Apple Final Cut Pro X

The professional level video editing application for Mac is the very well known Apple Final Cut Pro X. Used extensively in the professional movie industry, as well as amongst amateurs, the latest version comes with full support for full resolution 4K ProRes in multiple streams (which is made for working particularly fast on the new Mac Pro).

There are hundreds of features worthy of listing, however some of the most important and interesting ones include the Magnetic Timeline which has been designed to avoid sync problems or small unwanted gaps when editing, easy organization of media with keywords and metadata, multicam clip editing, multi channel audio editing.

8. MAGIX Movie Edit Pro 2021

Movie Edit Pro 2021 is another affordable video editing solution for home and amateur users that now has full support for 4K videos. This application is available in three versions: deluxe, Plus and Premium, with the Premium version containing the most features and capabilities.

The inbuilt automatic wizards in the basic version of Movie Edit Pro make it easy for those with little or no experience in what can be the daunting process of editing videos. The software includes more than 1500 effects and templates, editing on up to 99 tracks (in the Plus and Premium versions). There is also support for multicam editing, and the ability to easily export your finished product to a range of media and social video websites.

Most Frequently Asked Questions about 4K Video Editor

1. What is the best 4k video editor for Windows PC?

Each video editor listed above has its advantages over others. For example, if you are using Filmora to handle 4K video footage, you can create a proxy smaller file, as well as preview it on a lower resolution to improve the editing efficiency. Filmora has pre-programmed many transitions, effects, filters and elements, which can help you make the video better and faster.

2. Is there any free 4k video editor?

If you are running Windows10, you will find that the inbuilt Photos app only allows you to export from 540p, 720p, and 1080p, no 4K.

For Mac users, the good news is that you can work with 4k and 60 frames per second in the free inbuilt video editor iMovie.

And if there are some other video editing software which is missed from the list, please leave a comment and let us know. But before you leave, do not forget to download and try our latest video editing software Filmora to edit your 4K video footage.

Max Wales

Max Wales is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Max Wales

Max Wales

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

With the popularity of 4K Cameras and action cams , it is time to use a professional video editing software for handling your delicate 4k video footage.

There are countless software options for video editing, but not all are created equally. And importantly in current times, many do not yet have support for 4K editing. Don’t be left behind - below you will find ten of the best and most trusted video editing applications that do support 4K videos; as this technology becomes more widely used throughout the film making community.

(All features of the samples are subjected to the time.)

• P1: Quick Comparison of Top 4K Video Editors
• P2: Best Free and Paid 4K Video Editors
• P3: FAQs about 4K Video Editors

Comparison of Top 4K Video Editors

Whenever you choose a video editing software, you should always consider if your computer meets the requirements for installing and using a professional video editor , as well as the usability of the video editing software and your budget. We have listed these factors below for your quick check.

And in this top list of best video editing software, we have picked up both free 4K video editing software and paid 4k video editor for you to choose. Please keep in mind that the list is in no particular order of ranking, and the price may vary over time.

Software Name	Supported Platforms	Price	Ease of Use	System Requirements
Wondershare Filmora X	Windows, Mac	Freemium, $49.99-$79.99	Easy	Intel i3 processor +; 8GB for 4K
iMovie	OS X El Capitan	Free	Easy	4GB of RAM; an OpenCL-capable graphics card
CyberLink PowerDirector 19 Ultra	Windows 7/8/10	$99.99	Intermediate	Intel Core™ i-series or AMD Phenom II or above; 8GB RAM
Vegas Pro	Windows 7/8/10	$399.99	Quite Hard	2.5 GHz 4-core processor; 8 GB RAM
Vegas Movie Studio 17	Windows 7/8/10	$32.99	Easy	2GHZ processor, 8GB RAM
Adobe Premiere Pro	Windows & Mac	$20.99/mo.	Quite Hard	Multicore processor with 64-bit support; 8 GB of RAM
Final Cut Pro	macOS 10.13.2 or later	$299.99	Quite Hard	8GB RAM; Intel HD Graphics 3000 or later
Magix Movie Edit Pro	Windows 7/8/10	$69.99	Easy	2.4 GHz processor; 8 GB of RAM or higher

---

Top 4K Video Editing Software in 2024 [Free & Paid]

We have listed the top best 4k video editing software for beginners and professionals based on its features, pros, cons and price. Let’s check it in detail.

1. Wondershare Filmora

The latest version of Filmora video editor is the stripped back, simpler option for video editors who do not want the complexity, advanced features and extra cost of the professional video editing software. It features an interface that has been created for ease of use, but there is also the option to select between Expert or Quick editing modes, depending upon your skill level and needs.

Cool effects include the particularly interesting Hollywood style effects, sound effects and stunning templates. Other interesting and new features include the Green Screen and Scene Detection options. The software can also automatically fix the footage with lighting or color issues which can result in a much more polished end result.

The newly added Action Cam Tool allows you to merge, cut and edit 4k videos shot by your action cameras, smartphones or other 4k cameras in minutes.

Filmora features the ability to import and edit 4K videos with ease. After launching Filmora, create a new project by clicking New Project in the Get Started window and then go to Project Settings to change the resolution to 3840 x 2160 (16:9 4K UHD) or 4096 x 2160 (DCI 4K) based on your need.

Not sure the differences between these two options, check our guide about What is 4K to get a clue.

The default project setting is 1920 x 1080 (16:9 Full HD), if you didn’t set up the project settings at the beginning, Filmora will prompt up a window asking you to change the project settings to match the 4K video. You can click Match to Media to change the project settings quickly.

Editing 4K videos requires high computer performance, to avoid your computer overrunning, Filmora can create proxy files to load the video in lower resolution during editing, but rending the final export video with the original full quality. You can also customize the playback quality of the 4K videos to half quality or even 1/6 quality for smoother editing.

When exporting to 4K Ultra High Definition Quality, just click the Settings button in the Export window to enter the Settings window to adjust the resolution to 3840 x 2160 or 4096 x 2160. Besides, you can also change the frame rate and bit rate as well.

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2. iMovie

If you are a Mac user and have iMovie 10.1 or version above, you can now edit 4K videos on your Mac with iMovie for free. iMovie is a free 4K video editing software for Mac. You can also import movies and trailers from iMovie for iPhone and iPad.

With iMovie for iOS and macOS, you can enjoy your videos like never before. It’s easy to browse your clips and create Hollywood-style trailers and stunning 4K-resolution movies. You can even start editing on iPhone or iPad, then finish on your Mac. And when you’re ready to premiere your movie on all your devices, iMovie Theater rolls out the red carpet.

It should be noted that 4K video editing requires a Mac from 2011 or later with at least 4GB of RAM. To playback 4K video in full resolution, you’ll need an iMac with Retina display or Mac Pro connected to a 4K display.

3. CyberLink PowerDirector Ultra

Video makers who want a very powerful, professional-level video editing program are often shocked by the price tag. However, they find that CyberLink PowerDirector Ultra, with a more beginner-friendly interface and easier to use, has virtually everything just as other programs with a higher price.


It’s hard to look past PowerDirector Ultra if you need 4k support, and if you don’t want to sacrifice on advanced features that allow you to create professional-looking videos, even if you are a beginner or have minimal experience with video editing.

This latest edition of PowerDirector supports 64-bit processors for faster editing, and of course, new support for 4K resolution videos. At under $100, CyberLink PowerDirector 19 Ultra comes amazingly close to being as advanced and capable as software that is priced multiple times more than it; making it an ideal choice for the budget-conscious video editing enthusiast.

4. Vegas Pro

One of the higher end video editing software options is the highly renowned non-linear editor (NLE) Magix Vegas Pro. Now up to version 18, this software is used by professionals and amateurs alike. Vegas Pro 18 comes with native support for 4K video, with maximum frame sizes of up to 4096 x 4096. There is native support for XAVC and XAVC S files, plus files from Red Epic and Red One. There are a number of extras and plugins included in Vegas Pro, including DVD Architect Pro.

Complete support for 4K editing puts Vegas Pro at the forefront of software in this genre, while you can also edit SD, HD, 2K and 3D videos, using Sony’s intuitive drag and drop interface. There are a huge number of tools and effects available, allowing complete control, creativity, and flexibility within the editing environment which is easily accessible to those who may even be brand new to editing videos in an NLE application.

The software is available at a cost of $399(on sale)/ $599.99(regularly); and the price is the same whether you select a download version, or the physical packaged version.

5. Vegas Movie Studio

At only $39.99, Studio 17 Platinum is just a fraction of the cost of Sony’s fully fledged editor, Vegas Pro. Magix Movie Studio 17 Platinum is a basic video editing application, suited for the beginner and home user. With an emphasis on giving users the ability to easily create and share their videos on social media sites, or creating your own home DVDs, the workflow and interface has been designed to be as simple and intuitive as possible to use, without the extensive and more complex abilities of a high end application like Sony Vegas Pro.

Notable features include a simple way of selecting the best output format with the Make Movie dialog, the choice of using the Simple Edit Mode or Advanced Edit Mode, fast direct upload to YouTube 4K, Color Match plug-in, and lots more.

6. Adobe Premiere Pro

Another video editing application that is considered to be at the highest end is Adobe’s Premier Pro. As with most of Adobe’s software, Premiere Pro is now part of the Creative Cloud plan. This requires subscription to use the application via Adobe’s cloud service.

The sheer number of features within Premiere Pro CC is extensive. But the latest version has been designed to provide a faster workflow during editing, which will be appreciated by both new and seasoned users alike. New features that are worth noting in the CC version include live text templates, which integrates seamlessly with After Effects, native support for a range of new formats, automatic backing up to the Cloud, improvements to masking and tracking, and the ability to export in new industry standard formats.

The minimum cost to access a CC plan that includes Premiere Pro is $20.99 per month. However many users will likely be inclined to select the $52.99 per month plan which includes Premiere Pro and After Effects, as well as Photoshop and more.

7. Apple Final Cut Pro X

The professional level video editing application for Mac is the very well known Apple Final Cut Pro X. Used extensively in the professional movie industry, as well as amongst amateurs, the latest version comes with full support for full resolution 4K ProRes in multiple streams (which is made for working particularly fast on the new Mac Pro).

There are hundreds of features worthy of listing, however some of the most important and interesting ones include the Magnetic Timeline which has been designed to avoid sync problems or small unwanted gaps when editing, easy organization of media with keywords and metadata, multicam clip editing, multi channel audio editing.

8. MAGIX Movie Edit Pro 2021

Movie Edit Pro 2021 is another affordable video editing solution for home and amateur users that now has full support for 4K videos. This application is available in three versions: deluxe, Plus and Premium, with the Premium version containing the most features and capabilities.

The inbuilt automatic wizards in the basic version of Movie Edit Pro make it easy for those with little or no experience in what can be the daunting process of editing videos. The software includes more than 1500 effects and templates, editing on up to 99 tracks (in the Plus and Premium versions). There is also support for multicam editing, and the ability to easily export your finished product to a range of media and social video websites.

Most Frequently Asked Questions about 4K Video Editor

1. What is the best 4k video editor for Windows PC?

Each video editor listed above has its advantages over others. For example, if you are using Filmora to handle 4K video footage, you can create a proxy smaller file, as well as preview it on a lower resolution to improve the editing efficiency. Filmora has pre-programmed many transitions, effects, filters and elements, which can help you make the video better and faster.

2. Is there any free 4k video editor?

If you are running Windows10, you will find that the inbuilt Photos app only allows you to export from 540p, 720p, and 1080p, no 4K.

For Mac users, the good news is that you can work with 4k and 60 frames per second in the free inbuilt video editor iMovie.

And if there are some other video editing software which is missed from the list, please leave a comment and let us know. But before you leave, do not forget to download and try our latest video editing software Filmora to edit your 4K video footage.

Max Wales

Max Wales is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Max Wales

Best Mac Video Editing Programs for Creators In

Best Video Editing Software for Mac in 2024

Larry Jordan

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

Regardless of whether you’re an experienced content maker or simply a beginner to edit your videos, the right video editing software for your Mac can improve things significantly. It should assist you with doing everything you want when editing videos on Mac, from basic editing to advanced editing. It should take your videos to a higher level and make it stand apart from the group. So, we did some testing and have tracked down the best video editing software on Mac for you. Followings are our picks for you, you can choose the one suits you more.

Part1: Best Video Editor for Mac – Wondershare Filmora for Mac

Wondershare Filmora is a powerful video-editing software available for Windows and Mac users. Just like its intuitive interface, you can conduct video editing easily with only few clicks, your videos will become much more attractive. You can not only simply trim, crop, split and merge videos, but also utilizing motion tracking, key framing and color match and others advanced tools to make your video more attractive. There are also tons of video effects like AR stickers and AI portrait, filters, elements, and titles to personalize you video. What’s more, you can use almost all features of it via free version. Try it now to edit your video easily.

Main Features

• Rich export options: support all the popular video formats, allows burn to video and can share on YouTube directly
• Basic video editing: Quickly trim, cut, split, crop and merge videos
• Advanced video editing: motion tracking, key framing, audio ducking, green screen and more
• Amazing effects: cloud-based library with tons of effects, filters, transition and titles
• Rich export options: support all the popular video formats, allows burn to video and can share on YouTube directly
• Regular update: keeps providing improved and new features like AR stickers and AI portrait
• GPU acceleration ：rendering faster when editing
• Screen Recording: Easily record your screen and camera for further video editing

Part2: Other Best Video Editing Software for Mac

1. iMovie (Best for Beginners)

iMovie is a video editing application that pre-installed on Mac. This application provides a range of editing tools to create and edit your videos handily. iMovie also supports premium audio editing features with an intuitive interface for beginners. You can perform white balancing, transition effects, cool filters as well as export your masterpiece video in 4K resolution.

Pros

• Completely free application
• Pro-level themes and features
• Audio editing tools
• 4K High-Definition resolution

Cons

• Lacks multi-cam, motion tracking and new updates
• Limited output controls

Price: Free

2. Adobe Premiere Elements

Premiere Elements is Adobe owned video editing software available for Mac. If you are new to video editing or just looking to edit your videos for fun, then you will find this application easy to navigate with all its features. Adobe Premiere Elements isn’t viable with 360-degree video and other imaginative abilities like multi-cam editing. The program’s AI tools will make it easier for you to perform the video editing process. Also, now it supports the masking effect with new updates.

Pros:

• Supports cross-platform
• AI-based features
• 4K resolution

Cons:

• Slow rendering process
• It also doesn’t support multi cam feature

Price: $69.99

3. Cyberlink PowerDirector 365

PowerDirector 365 is an easy-to-use video editing software for Mac users. Its top-notch features include great video effects, multi-cam editing, captions templates, audio editing and much more you can find out. Also, it supports a pro-level color correction features along to make your video stylish. But its new-released Mac version is not as good as its windows version.

Pros:

• Powerful yet simple to use app
• 360-degree VR editing capabilit

Cons:

• Lacks some audio editing features

Price: $59.99

4. Final Cut Pro

In case you are a high-level video content creator with a Mac, Final Cut Pro is the best video editor for you. This software comes up with some professional features that will empower you to make Hollywood-level videos from your work area. Paying the one-time cost will give you the overall ability to use its AI-based video editing features.

Pros:

• HDR resolution support
• Fast performance and Intuitive interface
• Also supports trackless timeline

Cons:

• It lacks stabilization tool
• Also it has no support for motion tracking feature

Price: $299

5. Adobe Premiere Pro (Best for Professionals)

If you are a professional video editor, Adobe Premiere Pro is your first to perform video editing. Adobe Premiere Pro can conduct 4K, 8K, and VR video editing. You can deal with an uncapped number of video tracks, which can be imported from practically any source you can consider.

Pros:

• Professional-quality tools and interface
• Compatibility with Adobe Creative Cloud
• Quality stabilization tools

Cons:

• Lacks sound effects templates
• Difficult to use for normal users

Price: $239.88

Part3: FAQs of Video Editing on Mac

1. Is MacBook good for video editing?

MacBook systems are known for their best graphics and cool display which makes them pretty much viable for video editing purposes. Hence making them the best fit for video editing tasks.

2. Is there a default video editor on Mac?

iMovie is Apple’s free and built-in video editor which is available right inside the Apple store and you need to activate it if you’re a new user of MacBook.

3. Is Final Cut Pro for Mac only?

Final Cut Pro is a profoundly skilled application available only for Apple users. Unfortunately, you can not use it on Windows systems. Final Cut Pro is designed for professional video editors. If you only need to edit personal videos and share on social platform, you can just go with Filmora, it suits you well and you can try it for free now.

Larry Jordan

Larry Jordan is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Larry Jordan

Larry Jordan

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

Regardless of whether you’re an experienced content maker or simply a beginner to edit your videos, the right video editing software for your Mac can improve things significantly. It should assist you with doing everything you want when editing videos on Mac, from basic editing to advanced editing. It should take your videos to a higher level and make it stand apart from the group. So, we did some testing and have tracked down the best video editing software on Mac for you. Followings are our picks for you, you can choose the one suits you more.

Part1: Best Video Editor for Mac – Wondershare Filmora for Mac

Wondershare Filmora is a powerful video-editing software available for Windows and Mac users. Just like its intuitive interface, you can conduct video editing easily with only few clicks, your videos will become much more attractive. You can not only simply trim, crop, split and merge videos, but also utilizing motion tracking, key framing and color match and others advanced tools to make your video more attractive. There are also tons of video effects like AR stickers and AI portrait, filters, elements, and titles to personalize you video. What’s more, you can use almost all features of it via free version. Try it now to edit your video easily.

Main Features

• Rich export options: support all the popular video formats, allows burn to video and can share on YouTube directly
• Basic video editing: Quickly trim, cut, split, crop and merge videos
• Advanced video editing: motion tracking, key framing, audio ducking, green screen and more
• Amazing effects: cloud-based library with tons of effects, filters, transition and titles
• Rich export options: support all the popular video formats, allows burn to video and can share on YouTube directly
• Regular update: keeps providing improved and new features like AR stickers and AI portrait
• GPU acceleration ：rendering faster when editing
• Screen Recording: Easily record your screen and camera for further video editing

Part2: Other Best Video Editing Software for Mac

1. iMovie (Best for Beginners)

iMovie is a video editing application that pre-installed on Mac. This application provides a range of editing tools to create and edit your videos handily. iMovie also supports premium audio editing features with an intuitive interface for beginners. You can perform white balancing, transition effects, cool filters as well as export your masterpiece video in 4K resolution.

Pros

• Completely free application
• Pro-level themes and features
• Audio editing tools
• 4K High-Definition resolution

Cons

• Lacks multi-cam, motion tracking and new updates
• Limited output controls

Price: Free

2. Adobe Premiere Elements

Premiere Elements is Adobe owned video editing software available for Mac. If you are new to video editing or just looking to edit your videos for fun, then you will find this application easy to navigate with all its features. Adobe Premiere Elements isn’t viable with 360-degree video and other imaginative abilities like multi-cam editing. The program’s AI tools will make it easier for you to perform the video editing process. Also, now it supports the masking effect with new updates.

Pros:

• Supports cross-platform
• AI-based features
• 4K resolution

Cons:

• Slow rendering process
• It also doesn’t support multi cam feature

Price: $69.99

3. Cyberlink PowerDirector 365

PowerDirector 365 is an easy-to-use video editing software for Mac users. Its top-notch features include great video effects, multi-cam editing, captions templates, audio editing and much more you can find out. Also, it supports a pro-level color correction features along to make your video stylish. But its new-released Mac version is not as good as its windows version.

Pros:

• Powerful yet simple to use app
• 360-degree VR editing capabilit

Cons:

• Lacks some audio editing features

Price: $59.99

4. Final Cut Pro

In case you are a high-level video content creator with a Mac, Final Cut Pro is the best video editor for you. This software comes up with some professional features that will empower you to make Hollywood-level videos from your work area. Paying the one-time cost will give you the overall ability to use its AI-based video editing features.

Pros:

• HDR resolution support
• Fast performance and Intuitive interface
• Also supports trackless timeline

Cons:

• It lacks stabilization tool
• Also it has no support for motion tracking feature

Price: $299

5. Adobe Premiere Pro (Best for Professionals)

If you are a professional video editor, Adobe Premiere Pro is your first to perform video editing. Adobe Premiere Pro can conduct 4K, 8K, and VR video editing. You can deal with an uncapped number of video tracks, which can be imported from practically any source you can consider.

Pros:

• Professional-quality tools and interface
• Compatibility with Adobe Creative Cloud
• Quality stabilization tools

Cons:

• Lacks sound effects templates
• Difficult to use for normal users

Price: $239.88

Part3: FAQs of Video Editing on Mac

1. Is MacBook good for video editing?

MacBook systems are known for their best graphics and cool display which makes them pretty much viable for video editing purposes. Hence making them the best fit for video editing tasks.

2. Is there a default video editor on Mac?

iMovie is Apple’s free and built-in video editor which is available right inside the Apple store and you need to activate it if you’re a new user of MacBook.

3. Is Final Cut Pro for Mac only?

Final Cut Pro is a profoundly skilled application available only for Apple users. Unfortunately, you can not use it on Windows systems. Final Cut Pro is designed for professional video editors. If you only need to edit personal videos and share on social platform, you can just go with Filmora, it suits you well and you can try it for free now.

Larry Jordan

Larry Jordan is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Larry Jordan

Larry Jordan

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

Regardless of whether you’re an experienced content maker or simply a beginner to edit your videos, the right video editing software for your Mac can improve things significantly. It should assist you with doing everything you want when editing videos on Mac, from basic editing to advanced editing. It should take your videos to a higher level and make it stand apart from the group. So, we did some testing and have tracked down the best video editing software on Mac for you. Followings are our picks for you, you can choose the one suits you more.

Part1: Best Video Editor for Mac – Wondershare Filmora for Mac

Wondershare Filmora is a powerful video-editing software available for Windows and Mac users. Just like its intuitive interface, you can conduct video editing easily with only few clicks, your videos will become much more attractive. You can not only simply trim, crop, split and merge videos, but also utilizing motion tracking, key framing and color match and others advanced tools to make your video more attractive. There are also tons of video effects like AR stickers and AI portrait, filters, elements, and titles to personalize you video. What’s more, you can use almost all features of it via free version. Try it now to edit your video easily.

Main Features

• Rich export options: support all the popular video formats, allows burn to video and can share on YouTube directly
• Basic video editing: Quickly trim, cut, split, crop and merge videos
• Advanced video editing: motion tracking, key framing, audio ducking, green screen and more
• Amazing effects: cloud-based library with tons of effects, filters, transition and titles
• Rich export options: support all the popular video formats, allows burn to video and can share on YouTube directly
• Regular update: keeps providing improved and new features like AR stickers and AI portrait
• GPU acceleration ：rendering faster when editing
• Screen Recording: Easily record your screen and camera for further video editing

Part2: Other Best Video Editing Software for Mac

1. iMovie (Best for Beginners)

iMovie is a video editing application that pre-installed on Mac. This application provides a range of editing tools to create and edit your videos handily. iMovie also supports premium audio editing features with an intuitive interface for beginners. You can perform white balancing, transition effects, cool filters as well as export your masterpiece video in 4K resolution.

Pros

• Completely free application
• Pro-level themes and features
• Audio editing tools
• 4K High-Definition resolution

Cons

• Lacks multi-cam, motion tracking and new updates
• Limited output controls

Price: Free

2. Adobe Premiere Elements

Premiere Elements is Adobe owned video editing software available for Mac. If you are new to video editing or just looking to edit your videos for fun, then you will find this application easy to navigate with all its features. Adobe Premiere Elements isn’t viable with 360-degree video and other imaginative abilities like multi-cam editing. The program’s AI tools will make it easier for you to perform the video editing process. Also, now it supports the masking effect with new updates.

Pros:

• Supports cross-platform
• AI-based features
• 4K resolution

Cons:

• Slow rendering process
• It also doesn’t support multi cam feature

Price: $69.99

3. Cyberlink PowerDirector 365

PowerDirector 365 is an easy-to-use video editing software for Mac users. Its top-notch features include great video effects, multi-cam editing, captions templates, audio editing and much more you can find out. Also, it supports a pro-level color correction features along to make your video stylish. But its new-released Mac version is not as good as its windows version.

Pros:

• Powerful yet simple to use app
• 360-degree VR editing capabilit

Cons:

• Lacks some audio editing features

Price: $59.99

4. Final Cut Pro

In case you are a high-level video content creator with a Mac, Final Cut Pro is the best video editor for you. This software comes up with some professional features that will empower you to make Hollywood-level videos from your work area. Paying the one-time cost will give you the overall ability to use its AI-based video editing features.

Pros:

• HDR resolution support
• Fast performance and Intuitive interface
• Also supports trackless timeline

Cons:

• It lacks stabilization tool
• Also it has no support for motion tracking feature

Price: $299

5. Adobe Premiere Pro (Best for Professionals)

If you are a professional video editor, Adobe Premiere Pro is your first to perform video editing. Adobe Premiere Pro can conduct 4K, 8K, and VR video editing. You can deal with an uncapped number of video tracks, which can be imported from practically any source you can consider.

Pros:

• Professional-quality tools and interface
• Compatibility with Adobe Creative Cloud
• Quality stabilization tools

Cons:

• Lacks sound effects templates
• Difficult to use for normal users

Price: $239.88

Part3: FAQs of Video Editing on Mac

1. Is MacBook good for video editing?

MacBook systems are known for their best graphics and cool display which makes them pretty much viable for video editing purposes. Hence making them the best fit for video editing tasks.

2. Is there a default video editor on Mac?

iMovie is Apple’s free and built-in video editor which is available right inside the Apple store and you need to activate it if you’re a new user of MacBook.

3. Is Final Cut Pro for Mac only?

Final Cut Pro is a profoundly skilled application available only for Apple users. Unfortunately, you can not use it on Windows systems. Final Cut Pro is designed for professional video editors. If you only need to edit personal videos and share on social platform, you can just go with Filmora, it suits you well and you can try it for free now.

Larry Jordan

Larry Jordan is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Larry Jordan

Larry Jordan

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

Regardless of whether you’re an experienced content maker or simply a beginner to edit your videos, the right video editing software for your Mac can improve things significantly. It should assist you with doing everything you want when editing videos on Mac, from basic editing to advanced editing. It should take your videos to a higher level and make it stand apart from the group. So, we did some testing and have tracked down the best video editing software on Mac for you. Followings are our picks for you, you can choose the one suits you more.

Part1: Best Video Editor for Mac – Wondershare Filmora for Mac

Wondershare Filmora is a powerful video-editing software available for Windows and Mac users. Just like its intuitive interface, you can conduct video editing easily with only few clicks, your videos will become much more attractive. You can not only simply trim, crop, split and merge videos, but also utilizing motion tracking, key framing and color match and others advanced tools to make your video more attractive. There are also tons of video effects like AR stickers and AI portrait, filters, elements, and titles to personalize you video. What’s more, you can use almost all features of it via free version. Try it now to edit your video easily.

Main Features

• Rich export options: support all the popular video formats, allows burn to video and can share on YouTube directly
• Basic video editing: Quickly trim, cut, split, crop and merge videos
• Advanced video editing: motion tracking, key framing, audio ducking, green screen and more
• Amazing effects: cloud-based library with tons of effects, filters, transition and titles
• Rich export options: support all the popular video formats, allows burn to video and can share on YouTube directly
• Regular update: keeps providing improved and new features like AR stickers and AI portrait
• GPU acceleration ：rendering faster when editing
• Screen Recording: Easily record your screen and camera for further video editing

Part2: Other Best Video Editing Software for Mac

1. iMovie (Best for Beginners)

iMovie is a video editing application that pre-installed on Mac. This application provides a range of editing tools to create and edit your videos handily. iMovie also supports premium audio editing features with an intuitive interface for beginners. You can perform white balancing, transition effects, cool filters as well as export your masterpiece video in 4K resolution.

Pros

• Completely free application
• Pro-level themes and features
• Audio editing tools
• 4K High-Definition resolution

Cons

• Lacks multi-cam, motion tracking and new updates
• Limited output controls

Price: Free

2. Adobe Premiere Elements

Premiere Elements is Adobe owned video editing software available for Mac. If you are new to video editing or just looking to edit your videos for fun, then you will find this application easy to navigate with all its features. Adobe Premiere Elements isn’t viable with 360-degree video and other imaginative abilities like multi-cam editing. The program’s AI tools will make it easier for you to perform the video editing process. Also, now it supports the masking effect with new updates.

Pros:

• Supports cross-platform
• AI-based features
• 4K resolution

Cons:

• Slow rendering process
• It also doesn’t support multi cam feature

Price: $69.99

3. Cyberlink PowerDirector 365

PowerDirector 365 is an easy-to-use video editing software for Mac users. Its top-notch features include great video effects, multi-cam editing, captions templates, audio editing and much more you can find out. Also, it supports a pro-level color correction features along to make your video stylish. But its new-released Mac version is not as good as its windows version.

Pros:

• Powerful yet simple to use app
• 360-degree VR editing capabilit

Cons:

• Lacks some audio editing features

Price: $59.99

4. Final Cut Pro

In case you are a high-level video content creator with a Mac, Final Cut Pro is the best video editor for you. This software comes up with some professional features that will empower you to make Hollywood-level videos from your work area. Paying the one-time cost will give you the overall ability to use its AI-based video editing features.

Pros:

• HDR resolution support
• Fast performance and Intuitive interface
• Also supports trackless timeline

Cons:

• It lacks stabilization tool
• Also it has no support for motion tracking feature

Price: $299

5. Adobe Premiere Pro (Best for Professionals)

If you are a professional video editor, Adobe Premiere Pro is your first to perform video editing. Adobe Premiere Pro can conduct 4K, 8K, and VR video editing. You can deal with an uncapped number of video tracks, which can be imported from practically any source you can consider.

Pros:

• Professional-quality tools and interface
• Compatibility with Adobe Creative Cloud
• Quality stabilization tools

Cons:

• Lacks sound effects templates
• Difficult to use for normal users

Price: $239.88

Part3: FAQs of Video Editing on Mac

1. Is MacBook good for video editing?

MacBook systems are known for their best graphics and cool display which makes them pretty much viable for video editing purposes. Hence making them the best fit for video editing tasks.

2. Is there a default video editor on Mac?

iMovie is Apple’s free and built-in video editor which is available right inside the Apple store and you need to activate it if you’re a new user of MacBook.

3. Is Final Cut Pro for Mac only?

Final Cut Pro is a profoundly skilled application available only for Apple users. Unfortunately, you can not use it on Windows systems. Final Cut Pro is designed for professional video editors. If you only need to edit personal videos and share on social platform, you can just go with Filmora, it suits you well and you can try it for free now.

Larry Jordan

Larry Jordan is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Larry Jordan

Top 6 Windows Video Editing Software

Whenever a film or video is created, it always needs editing. Even pictures after a photoshoot are edited and finalized before any further action is taken. The same is the case with movies. Movie clips are filmed firstly. Then they are edited and finalized before compiling everything. There are various movie editors for Windows in the market.

This article will talk about 6 different and best movie makers for Windows. Although the market is flooded with editing tools, only a few are worth trying. We will be sharing the editors that will bring epic transformation to your movies.

Part 1. 6 Best Movie Editor for Windows in 2024

Who doesn’t want their movie to stand out and shine among other movies? For such a unique and classic movie, the most important factor after the content and composition is the movie’s editing. As mentioned earlier that not all movie editors are worth the try. Only a few movie editors can do the magical editing to your content.

In this section of the article, we will talk about the best Win movie maker 2024. The following movie editing software for Windows has proved to be the best and topmost movie editor for the year 2024. Let’s discuss the editors without any further delay.

1. Wondershare Filmora

Try It Free

For Win 7 or later (64-bit)

Try It Free

For macOS 10.12 or later

When we talk about movie editing, the first classic editor that comes to mind is Wondershare Filmora. No movie editor can compete for its editing level. The software has a whole new and different editing world to offer its users.

With Filmora, you can do stunning editing to your ordinary movie. Wondershare Filmora is a Mac as well as a Windows movie editor. It offers a lot of editing features. Using Filmora, you can trim your movie, split the screen, rotate the content.

The most brilliant thing with Filmora is to create freeze frames and do motion tracking. You can also join various movie clips together using Wondershare Filmora. Filmora has its own media library, which can be accessed and used.

The stock media library of Filmora has a wide range of editing effects, transitions, and whatnot. You can create a high-quality movie by adding text and titles from Filmora. Using Wondershare Filmora, you can create an amazing movie that will stun everyone.

2. Lightworks

After Filmora comes Lightworks. The movie editing software for Windows is free to download and great to work with. Lightworks is the best option for someone who wants to make stunning movies without spending a penny on it.

Lightworks promises to deliver the final product while maintaining its quality. It never compromises on the footage quality as it matters the most. You can also upgrade the version of Lightworks, and with its upgraded version, you can export the project in different formats. You can also create 3D movies.

Lightworks is a non-linear movie editor. The movie editor offers a variety of features that expensive editors mostly offer. A few of its features are.

• Lightworks supports multitrack movie editing.
• Along with Windows, the movie editor is also available for Linux and macOS.
• You can drag numerous editing windows and create as many layout variations as you want to.
• With Lightworks, you can import and also render footage in the background.

3. Adobe Premiere Elements

The next best movie maker for Windows is Adobe Premier Elements. This software is great for beginners and experts to edit their movies at a professional level. The amazing thing about Adobe Premiere Elements that most software lacks is the ease of usability. This movie editing software is very easy to understand and simple to use.

Although Premiere Elements is a simplified version of Premier Pro, the software has some classic high-end features that make it worth using. Adobe Premiere Elements is relatively cheap, and you can learn it very easily. The software is very capable and strong when it comes to movie editing.

Adobe Premiere Elements contains a variety of soundtracks and audio effects. The software has a wide range of movie editing effects that include various transitions, opacity, and chroma-key. You can also motion tracking along with smart toning. Some more fascinating features of Adobe Premiere Elements are shared below.

• The craziest feature that Adobe Premiere Elements offers is that it lets you select one subject from the movie, and then it will focus on the subject throughout the movie.
• With Adobe Premiere Elements, you can also view animated GIFs within the interface.
• A classical feature offered by this software is Face Detection.
• Adobe Premiere Elements is available for both Mac and Windows.

5. Adobe After Effects

The next movie editing software that should be discussed is Adobe After Effects. The platform is well known for its simple and easy-to-understand interface. Adobe After Effects is known to be used by professionals to add class and uniqueness to your classical videos.

The movie making software is non-linear with a multimedia transcoder. With Adobe After Effects, you can improve graphics quality throughout your video, thereby making it attractive and interesting. A few of its features are mentioned below.

• Adobe After Effects supports the quick conversion of movies.
• The biggest feature of Adobe After Effects is its integration with other Adobe products.
• With this movie editing software, you can create animations, visual effects, etc.
• Adobe After Effects allows you to create and combine 2D layers into 3D space.

6. Studio

The last editor in the list of best Win movie makers 2024 is Studio. The movie editor is one of its types. No one but Studio has a 30-day money-back policy. The editing software is available for Windows.

The best thing about is that it offers more than 1500 effects, various text and title templates, etc., at a very reasonable price. By using Studio, you can do HD editing of your movie. Some other attractive features of this editor are mentioned below.

• With Studio, you can do smart object tracking.
• The editor also supports 8K import and keyframe groups.
• If we talk about Studio’s interface, it has a very simple, user-friendly, and understandable interface.
• Studio offers you color correction as well as time remapping, and a lot more.

Final Words

As promised in the beginning, the article is a complete pack of information about the best movie maker for Windows. If you have been wandering around and looking for suitable movie editors, then this article is all you need. We have discussed the 6 finest and leading movie maker software for Windows in detail.

Versatile Video Editor - Wondershare Filmora

An easy yet powerful editor

Numerous effects to choose from

Detailed tutorials provided by the official channel

Try It Free Try It Free

Try It Free

For macOS 10.12 or later

When we talk about movie editing, the first classic editor that comes to mind is Wondershare Filmora. No movie editor can compete for its editing level. The software has a whole new and different editing world to offer its users.

With Filmora, you can do stunning editing to your ordinary movie. Wondershare Filmora is a Mac as well as a Windows movie editor. It offers a lot of editing features. Using Filmora, you can trim your movie, split the screen, rotate the content.

The most brilliant thing with Filmora is to create freeze frames and do motion tracking. You can also join various movie clips together using Wondershare Filmora. Filmora has its own media library, which can be accessed and used.

The stock media library of Filmora has a wide range of editing effects, transitions, and whatnot. You can create a high-quality movie by adding text and titles from Filmora. Using Wondershare Filmora, you can create an amazing movie that will stun everyone.

2. Lightworks

After Filmora comes Lightworks. The movie editing software for Windows is free to download and great to work with. Lightworks is the best option for someone who wants to make stunning movies without spending a penny on it.

Lightworks promises to deliver the final product while maintaining its quality. It never compromises on the footage quality as it matters the most. You can also upgrade the version of Lightworks, and with its upgraded version, you can export the project in different formats. You can also create 3D movies.

Lightworks is a non-linear movie editor. The movie editor offers a variety of features that expensive editors mostly offer. A few of its features are.

• Lightworks supports multitrack movie editing.
• Along with Windows, the movie editor is also available for Linux and macOS.
• You can drag numerous editing windows and create as many layout variations as you want to.
• With Lightworks, you can import and also render footage in the background.

3. Adobe Premiere Elements

The next best movie maker for Windows is Adobe Premier Elements. This software is great for beginners and experts to edit their movies at a professional level. The amazing thing about Adobe Premiere Elements that most software lacks is the ease of usability. This movie editing software is very easy to understand and simple to use.

Although Premiere Elements is a simplified version of Premier Pro, the software has some classic high-end features that make it worth using. Adobe Premiere Elements is relatively cheap, and you can learn it very easily. The software is very capable and strong when it comes to movie editing.

Adobe Premiere Elements contains a variety of soundtracks and audio effects. The software has a wide range of movie editing effects that include various transitions, opacity, and chroma-key. You can also motion tracking along with smart toning. Some more fascinating features of Adobe Premiere Elements are shared below.

• The craziest feature that Adobe Premiere Elements offers is that it lets you select one subject from the movie, and then it will focus on the subject throughout the movie.
• With Adobe Premiere Elements, you can also view animated GIFs within the interface.
• A classical feature offered by this software is Face Detection.
• Adobe Premiere Elements is available for both Mac and Windows.

5. Adobe After Effects

The next movie editing software that should be discussed is Adobe After Effects. The platform is well known for its simple and easy-to-understand interface. Adobe After Effects is known to be used by professionals to add class and uniqueness to your classical videos.

The movie making software is non-linear with a multimedia transcoder. With Adobe After Effects, you can improve graphics quality throughout your video, thereby making it attractive and interesting. A few of its features are mentioned below.

• Adobe After Effects supports the quick conversion of movies.
• The biggest feature of Adobe After Effects is its integration with other Adobe products.
• With this movie editing software, you can create animations, visual effects, etc.
• Adobe After Effects allows you to create and combine 2D layers into 3D space.

6. Studio

The last editor in the list of best Win movie makers 2024 is Studio. The movie editor is one of its types. No one but Studio has a 30-day money-back policy. The editing software is available for Windows.

The best thing about is that it offers more than 1500 effects, various text and title templates, etc., at a very reasonable price. By using Studio, you can do HD editing of your movie. Some other attractive features of this editor are mentioned below.

• With Studio, you can do smart object tracking.
• The editor also supports 8K import and keyframe groups.
• If we talk about Studio’s interface, it has a very simple, user-friendly, and understandable interface.
• Studio offers you color correction as well as time remapping, and a lot more.

Final Words

As promised in the beginning, the article is a complete pack of information about the best movie maker for Windows. If you have been wandering around and looking for suitable movie editors, then this article is all you need. We have discussed the 6 finest and leading movie maker software for Windows in detail.

Versatile Video Editor - Wondershare Filmora

An easy yet powerful editor

Numerous effects to choose from

Detailed tutorials provided by the official channel

Try It Free Try It Free

Try It Free

For macOS 10.12 or later

When we talk about movie editing, the first classic editor that comes to mind is Wondershare Filmora. No movie editor can compete for its editing level. The software has a whole new and different editing world to offer its users.

With Filmora, you can do stunning editing to your ordinary movie. Wondershare Filmora is a Mac as well as a Windows movie editor. It offers a lot of editing features. Using Filmora, you can trim your movie, split the screen, rotate the content.

The most brilliant thing with Filmora is to create freeze frames and do motion tracking. You can also join various movie clips together using Wondershare Filmora. Filmora has its own media library, which can be accessed and used.

The stock media library of Filmora has a wide range of editing effects, transitions, and whatnot. You can create a high-quality movie by adding text and titles from Filmora. Using Wondershare Filmora, you can create an amazing movie that will stun everyone.

2. Lightworks

After Filmora comes Lightworks. The movie editing software for Windows is free to download and great to work with. Lightworks is the best option for someone who wants to make stunning movies without spending a penny on it.

Lightworks promises to deliver the final product while maintaining its quality. It never compromises on the footage quality as it matters the most. You can also upgrade the version of Lightworks, and with its upgraded version, you can export the project in different formats. You can also create 3D movies.

Lightworks is a non-linear movie editor. The movie editor offers a variety of features that expensive editors mostly offer. A few of its features are.

• Lightworks supports multitrack movie editing.
• Along with Windows, the movie editor is also available for Linux and macOS.
• You can drag numerous editing windows and create as many layout variations as you want to.
• With Lightworks, you can import and also render footage in the background.

3. Adobe Premiere Elements

The next best movie maker for Windows is Adobe Premier Elements. This software is great for beginners and experts to edit their movies at a professional level. The amazing thing about Adobe Premiere Elements that most software lacks is the ease of usability. This movie editing software is very easy to understand and simple to use.

Although Premiere Elements is a simplified version of Premier Pro, the software has some classic high-end features that make it worth using. Adobe Premiere Elements is relatively cheap, and you can learn it very easily. The software is very capable and strong when it comes to movie editing.

Adobe Premiere Elements contains a variety of soundtracks and audio effects. The software has a wide range of movie editing effects that include various transitions, opacity, and chroma-key. You can also motion tracking along with smart toning. Some more fascinating features of Adobe Premiere Elements are shared below.

• The craziest feature that Adobe Premiere Elements offers is that it lets you select one subject from the movie, and then it will focus on the subject throughout the movie.
• With Adobe Premiere Elements, you can also view animated GIFs within the interface.
• A classical feature offered by this software is Face Detection.
• Adobe Premiere Elements is available for both Mac and Windows.

5. Adobe After Effects

The next movie editing software that should be discussed is Adobe After Effects. The platform is well known for its simple and easy-to-understand interface. Adobe After Effects is known to be used by professionals to add class and uniqueness to your classical videos.

The movie making software is non-linear with a multimedia transcoder. With Adobe After Effects, you can improve graphics quality throughout your video, thereby making it attractive and interesting. A few of its features are mentioned below.

• Adobe After Effects supports the quick conversion of movies.
• The biggest feature of Adobe After Effects is its integration with other Adobe products.
• With this movie editing software, you can create animations, visual effects, etc.
• Adobe After Effects allows you to create and combine 2D layers into 3D space.

6. Studio

The last editor in the list of best Win movie makers 2024 is Studio. The movie editor is one of its types. No one but Studio has a 30-day money-back policy. The editing software is available for Windows.

The best thing about is that it offers more than 1500 effects, various text and title templates, etc., at a very reasonable price. By using Studio, you can do HD editing of your movie. Some other attractive features of this editor are mentioned below.

• With Studio, you can do smart object tracking.
• The editor also supports 8K import and keyframe groups.
• If we talk about Studio’s interface, it has a very simple, user-friendly, and understandable interface.
• Studio offers you color correction as well as time remapping, and a lot more.

Final Words

As promised in the beginning, the article is a complete pack of information about the best movie maker for Windows. If you have been wandering around and looking for suitable movie editors, then this article is all you need. We have discussed the 6 finest and leading movie maker software for Windows in detail.

Versatile Video Editor - Wondershare Filmora

An easy yet powerful editor

Numerous effects to choose from

Detailed tutorials provided by the official channel

Try It Free Try It Free

Try It Free

For macOS 10.12 or later

When we talk about movie editing, the first classic editor that comes to mind is Wondershare Filmora. No movie editor can compete for its editing level. The software has a whole new and different editing world to offer its users.

With Filmora, you can do stunning editing to your ordinary movie. Wondershare Filmora is a Mac as well as a Windows movie editor. It offers a lot of editing features. Using Filmora, you can trim your movie, split the screen, rotate the content.

The most brilliant thing with Filmora is to create freeze frames and do motion tracking. You can also join various movie clips together using Wondershare Filmora. Filmora has its own media library, which can be accessed and used.

The stock media library of Filmora has a wide range of editing effects, transitions, and whatnot. You can create a high-quality movie by adding text and titles from Filmora. Using Wondershare Filmora, you can create an amazing movie that will stun everyone.

2. Lightworks

After Filmora comes Lightworks. The movie editing software for Windows is free to download and great to work with. Lightworks is the best option for someone who wants to make stunning movies without spending a penny on it.

Lightworks promises to deliver the final product while maintaining its quality. It never compromises on the footage quality as it matters the most. You can also upgrade the version of Lightworks, and with its upgraded version, you can export the project in different formats. You can also create 3D movies.

Lightworks is a non-linear movie editor. The movie editor offers a variety of features that expensive editors mostly offer. A few of its features are.

• Lightworks supports multitrack movie editing.
• Along with Windows, the movie editor is also available for Linux and macOS.
• You can drag numerous editing windows and create as many layout variations as you want to.
• With Lightworks, you can import and also render footage in the background.

3. Adobe Premiere Elements

The next best movie maker for Windows is Adobe Premier Elements. This software is great for beginners and experts to edit their movies at a professional level. The amazing thing about Adobe Premiere Elements that most software lacks is the ease of usability. This movie editing software is very easy to understand and simple to use.

Although Premiere Elements is a simplified version of Premier Pro, the software has some classic high-end features that make it worth using. Adobe Premiere Elements is relatively cheap, and you can learn it very easily. The software is very capable and strong when it comes to movie editing.

Adobe Premiere Elements contains a variety of soundtracks and audio effects. The software has a wide range of movie editing effects that include various transitions, opacity, and chroma-key. You can also motion tracking along with smart toning. Some more fascinating features of Adobe Premiere Elements are shared below.

• The craziest feature that Adobe Premiere Elements offers is that it lets you select one subject from the movie, and then it will focus on the subject throughout the movie.
• With Adobe Premiere Elements, you can also view animated GIFs within the interface.
• A classical feature offered by this software is Face Detection.
• Adobe Premiere Elements is available for both Mac and Windows.

5. Adobe After Effects

The next movie editing software that should be discussed is Adobe After Effects. The platform is well known for its simple and easy-to-understand interface. Adobe After Effects is known to be used by professionals to add class and uniqueness to your classical videos.

The movie making software is non-linear with a multimedia transcoder. With Adobe After Effects, you can improve graphics quality throughout your video, thereby making it attractive and interesting. A few of its features are mentioned below.

• Adobe After Effects supports the quick conversion of movies.
• The biggest feature of Adobe After Effects is its integration with other Adobe products.
• With this movie editing software, you can create animations, visual effects, etc.
• Adobe After Effects allows you to create and combine 2D layers into 3D space.

6. Studio

The last editor in the list of best Win movie makers 2024 is Studio. The movie editor is one of its types. No one but Studio has a 30-day money-back policy. The editing software is available for Windows.

The best thing about is that it offers more than 1500 effects, various text and title templates, etc., at a very reasonable price. By using Studio, you can do HD editing of your movie. Some other attractive features of this editor are mentioned below.

• With Studio, you can do smart object tracking.
• The editor also supports 8K import and keyframe groups.
• If we talk about Studio’s interface, it has a very simple, user-friendly, and understandable interface.
• Studio offers you color correction as well as time remapping, and a lot more.

Final Words

As promised in the beginning, the article is a complete pack of information about the best movie maker for Windows. If you have been wandering around and looking for suitable movie editors, then this article is all you need. We have discussed the 6 finest and leading movie maker software for Windows in detail.

Versatile Video Editor - Wondershare Filmora

An easy yet powerful editor

Numerous effects to choose from

Detailed tutorials provided by the official channel

Try It Free Try It Free

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