4 Best Video Editing Tools for Beginners

What to Pick, Where to Start, and What They Cost

Getting into video editing can feel a bit tricky with all the options out there. Timelines, layers, and formats might sound intimidating, but don’t sweat it! The trick is to pick the right tool for you. In this guide, we’ll look at four popular beginner-friendly video editing programs, weigh their pros and cons, and help you figure out which one is best for you.  

DaVinci Resolve - The Free Pro Choice 

DaVinci Resolve is one of the top video editing tools you can find, and it offers a free version that’s perfect for most beginners. It’s a solid pick if you want to do more than just basic edits down the line.  

Pros: 

✔ Completely free (no watermarks).  

✔ Great tools for color correction, audio, and editing.  

✔ Used by pros in the film industry - a handy skill for later.  

Cons: 

❌ The interface can seem a bit complex at first.  

❌ Needs a decent computer to run smoothly.  

Price: 

💵 Free.  

💵 Paid version (DaVinci Resolve Studio) – about $295 CAD (one-time fee, no subscription).  

CapCut - Easy & Mobile–Friendly 

CapCut, created by the folks behind TikTok, is super user-friendly and works on both phones and PCs. It's ideal for short clips, social media posts, and more.  

Pros:  

✔ Simple interface.  

✔ Lots of templates, effects, and transitions.  

✔ Works on Windows, macOS, and mobile.  

Cons:  

❌ Not great for complicated projects.  

❌ Limited customization options.  

Price: 

💵 Free (with optional Pro features).  

💵 CapCut Pro subscription – around $10 CAD/month.

Adobe Premiere Pro: The Go-To for Pros

If you’re serious about a video career, Premiere Pro is the top choice for studios and freelancers. But it can be a bit much for beginners.  

*Pros:  

✔ The industry standard—great for job prospects.  

✔ Loads of tutorials and works well with other Adobe apps.  

✔ Very powerful and flexible.  

Cons: 

❌ Subscription-only (no one-time payment option).  

❌ Steeper learning curve.  

Price: 

 💵 Around $27 CAD/month (discounts for students).  

💵 Adobe Creative Cloud (full package) – about $70 CAD/month.  

IMovie (Mac Only) – The Easiest Pick 

If you've got a Mac, iPhone, or iPad, you already have iMovie. It’s great for quick and simple edits without any learning involved.  

Pros: 

✔ Free and comes on Apple devices.  

✔ Really easy to use for basic editing.  

✔ Perfect for home videos and school projects.  

Cons: 

❌ Very limited features.  

❌ Not really suited for professional work.  

Price: 

 💵 Free (only for macOS/iOS).  

Final Comparison  

Conclusion 

Want something quick and easy? Go for CapCut or iMovie.  

Looking to build pro skills?  Try DaVinci Resolve.  

Thinking about a video career? Adobe Premiere Pro is the way to go.