Many users rely on Adobe Premiere Pro for their movie and video editing needs. This popular software has been used in the production of major blockbuster films like Avatar and Deadpool. While it provides all the features required for advanced video editing, it may not be the right choice for every case. For starters, the $19.99 monthly subscription will put off a lot of users, plus those who just require a basic editing tool will not need all the tools supported by Adobe Premiere Pro.
Although Adobe Premiere Pro is an excellent choice in many levels and it is considered as one, if not the best solution, if you don’t require advanced functionality and prefer a more affordable solution, there are many good alternatives available. It is possible to find video editing options that are similar to Adobe Premiere Pro, but that are more suitable for small scale projects or home use. These alternatives are cheaper and some of them are even free. Here are the best options to edit your videos that you can consider instead of Adobe Premiere Pro.
Vegas Pro
If you still want the advanced functionality that Adobe Premiere offers, but want a different solution, consider Vegas Pro. This video editing software also provides a large selection of advanced features. Its interface can be easily customized and you can manage the editing features effortlessly. Vegas Pro supports 4K video editing that can be carried in 2D or 3D through a convenient drag-and-drop system. The OpenFX base offers seamless performance with most video effects and you can import the video file and convert it to its original format to optimize the storage. Other great features included are multi-camera editing, GPU acceleration, masking tools, Dolby Digital surround sound and color matching. There is a free trial available and the paid version costs $599.95.
Apple iMovie
Apple’s video editing software is included in every Mac computer and it is another great alternative to Adobe Premiere Pro. It stands out thanks to its impressive interface and it offers a great set of video editing features. You can add transitions, sound effects, titles, clip video files and more. In addition, Apple iMovie brings you advanced functions such as “flash and freeze frame” and “freeze frame”. It is also possible to slow down, speed up or rewind a video and you can mute the audio as well. There is also a precision editor and a voice over can be recorded without leaving the app. Other options include color matching, white balance adjustment, video cropping and stabilization. The software comes with most Mac computers but if you have an older model that doesn’t include it, you can get it for $14.99.
OpenShot
OpenShot is an open-source solution that works very well and it combines powerful performance and ease of use. Although it doesn’t offer as many features as Adobe Premiere Pro, it is a good choice when it comes to editing videos, as long as you don’t need to create animations or games. As a video editor, OpenShot is a great alternative to advanced software and if you are only looking to edit a video in a simple and convenient way, it would be the right solution. OpenShot supports practical features like title templates, animated titles, unlimited layers, audio mixing, a wide selection of video effects, HDV, AVCHD and more. If you are a newbie, OpenShot is the ideal application to get started and it is available for free.
VideoPad
Created by NCH Software, VideoPAd is a simple alternative to Adobe Premiere Pro. While it doesn’t support advanced functionality, its comes with a selection of practical features. If you don’t have previous experience editing and making videos, this software would be a great option. Its solid format support and user-friendly interface make it ideal for small scale and home projects. VideoPad offers many audio effects, filters, transitions and more. You can easily edit videos in the way you prefer and it supports multiple handy features such as text-to-speech, real-time preview, batch video editing and more. If you just want something simple to assist you with basic video editing needs, VideoPad will get the job done. You can get it for free if you only want to use it for personal purposes. A commercial license costs $69.95.
Windows Movie Maker
When talking about video editors, it is not possible to forget about Windows Movie Maker. It is likely that you already have it on your Windows computer and although its functionality is limited when compared to the likes of Adobe Premiere Pro, it suits home users who only need a few edits to enhance their videos. Windows Movie Maker offers good support for import and export formats and it is easy to split, duplicate and change the position of clips. It comes with a wide selection of filters and transitions that can be added to your video and in addition, its interactive and clear interface allows you to enjoy a hassle-free experience. If you need advanced features and more options to create great videos, Windows Movie Maker may not be the best choice. However, if you need a simple tool to make fast adjustments, it will be just fine. Update: At the beginning of 2017, Widows Movie Maker was discontinued. It is not possible to download it anymore from the official Microsoft website, although you may find it available on other websites.
Lightworks
Although Lightworks is somehow basic when compared to other options, its small size can be right for users who want a light solution that doesn’t take up a lot of system resources. Lightworks supports the main features needed for video editing and it offers remarkable support for import and export formats, in fact it exceeds what Adobe Premiere Pro offers in this area. Another advantage of Lightworks is that it provides fast rendering speed and seamless processing. Some of the best features of Lightworks are the real-time editing function, it’s GPU rendering, multi-camera editing support and a vast collection of presets and filters. Lightwork’s interface offers many customization options and you can choose between a free and a paid version of the software.
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