Best Easy Mac Video Editing Software

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BestVideo Editing Software for MaciMore2020

Your Mac is a great tool for editing video, but the software needed can get a little pricy. If you're looking for something less expensive, or at least want to see what is on the market, you've come to the right place. These video editors for Mac should get the job done.

The Granddaddy: Adobe Premiere Pro CC (one-year subscription)

Staff favorite

The leading video editing software for film, TV, and the web, Adobe Premiere Pro CC is also one of the most expensive. Plus, it's now only available through monthly or yearly subscriptions. For this, you also gain access to Premiere Rush, which allows you to capture footage and start editing on all your devices.

$240 at Amazon

For consumers: Adobe Premiere Elements 2019

Considered a less powerful (and cheaper) sibling to Premiere Pro, Premiere Elements is available on Mac and Windows and allows you to do basic and intermediate edits. And yes, you only have to pay for it once -- until a new version is released, of course.

$90 at Amazon

Signature selection: Apple Final Cut Pro

If you're looking for an option not owned by Adobe, you should consider Apple's Final Cut Pro. Ideally suited for professionals, this software combines video editing and media organization. Extend your capabilities by adding third-party workflow extensions.

$300 at Apple

Apple's freebie: iMovie

Available for free in the Mac App Store, iMovie features classic themes, chroma-keying, audio tools, and a brilliant, yet simple interface. You can enhance your iMovie experience by using the iOS version on the iPhone and iPad.

Free at Apple

Universal choice: Lifeworks Pro (one-month subscription)

Available for Mac, Windows, and Linux, Lifeworks Pro is ideally suited for anyone just stepping into video editing as well as long-time users. You can download a free version with output format restrictions or purchase a monthly or yearly subscription that unlocks everything.

$25 at Lifeworks

A packed freebie: DaVinci Resolve 16

The free version of DaVinci Resolve 16 offers editing, visual effects, motion graphics, color correction, and audio post-processing. For $300, you can purchase the studio version, which adds multi-user collaboration, 3D tools, FX, and more. This software is available on Mac, Windows, and Linux.

Free at Blackmagic Design

Free and open-source: Blender

With Blender, you receive a free and open-source 3D creation suite. Tools are available for video editing, modeling, rigging, animation, simulation, rendering, compositing and motion tracking, and game creation. If you're looking for something a little bit different that is supported by professionals and hobbyists alike, this is the one to check out.

Free at Blender

Easy to learn: OpenShot

Also open-source, OpenShot is a quick-to-learn, yet powerful video editor. Offering 3D animations, trim and slice, video effects, and much more.

Free at OpenShot

Two in one solution: Camtasia

Both a screen recorder and video editor, Camtasia allows you to combine or split clips, trim, and speed up or slow down footage. From there, you can preview your masterpiece through the video editor. Add effects to add polish to your videos. Camtasia is available for Mac and Windows and is available for free through a 30-day trial.

Best free video editing software for mac 2019. DaVinci Resolve.

$250 at TechSmith

Lots of choices

Video editing software for Mac comes at various price points, with some even being open-source. Our favorite, Adobe Premiere Pro CC, is the most complete solution available. For this, however, you're going to pay monthly. With this, you'll also receive Premiere Rush, which lets you capture footage on all your devices.

We also highly recommend Apple's extensive Final Cut Pro and the consumer offering, iMovie. All the ones on this list are worth taking a look. Both let you stay in the Apple ecosystem and avoid Adobe products. The choice is yours.

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If you can’t choose which Apple’s model is the best Mac for video editing, read more about these top 6 laptops that will run Premiere Pro and Final Cut without lags.

What Is the Best Mac for Video Editing?

Defining the best computer for video editing and multimedia from the Apple line is not easy. Numerous variants need to be analyzed, each of them can have different hardware pieces, additionally, several received updates this year.

Regardless of your position and degree of financial freedom, I’ve gathered top 6 Macs that are good for basic and experienced video post production.

Best Macs for Video Editing In 2020

Look through these laptops and choose the one for your budget and video editing.

1. Apple iMac 27-inch Retina 5K Display

  • Powerful 6-core i5 processor
  • Clear 5K retina display
  • Corporate ultra-thin design
  • 2 Thunderbolt 3 high-speed ports
  • Keyboard and mouse included
  • Haven’t been found
Best Easy Mac Video Editing Software

Apple regularly updates its older versions, so the new iMac for video editing is nearly flawless, even comes close to what the Pro can do. The clear screen with awesome color rendition and high contrast ratio is worth a lot.

It almost fully reproduces the DCI-P3 color space used in the movies. The built-in Retina Display works at 60 MHz.

Being 1K bigger in size, it is an ideal 4K video editing computer, allowing you to change frames in full definition without hiding the controls. Its heart is the cutting-edge six-core Intel Core i5 processor with Turbo Boost capability above 4GHz that can process nearly everything at high speed.

Dedicated AMD Radeon Pro graphics processor with 4-8 GB of video memory will handle any rendering software easy. Other cool features are the 8GB of RAM and a large 1TB SSD Fusion drive. Memory can be extended too.

Considering Apple's brand industrial design, updated fillings, price-quality relationship, I can recommend this device as the best iMac for video editing.

  • Read more about the best monitor for video editing.

2. Apple MacBook Pro 15-Inch

  • Retina display of increased sharpness
  • New processor
  • Four Thunderbolt 3 ports
  • Long battery life
  • Non-4K screen
  • SSD could be larger
  • No standard ports

In case your job requires combining portability with the capability to handle complex video processing, Apple MacBook Pro i9 is your choice. The 15-inch versions are advisable for their discrete video cards: video editing in 4K or photo editing in RAW is ensured by the AMD Radeon Pro powerful graphics processor.

It alternates with the integrated Intel UHD graphics processor when performance can be reduced. Video editing on MacBook flaws smoothly on the high definition Retina screen that is very sharp with incredible colors. Additional monitor can be joined easily, too.

It includes a branded track and touchpad to flip through the software timeline. You will also like optimized stereo speakers. It combines 16GB of RAM with a 512GB SSD drive.

The installed battery can run for about 10 hours, offering superior performance by laptop standards. The sturdy case protects the 9th generation 8-core Intel processor from overheating and throttling.

The 15-inch version would be the best MacBook Pro for video editing for those who need to balance portability with decent image and power.

  • Check out the best computers for video editing.

3. Apple iMac Pro

  • 5K resolution display
  • Powerful discrete video card
  • Ability to expand hardware
  • Double cooled case with 4 UCB-C ports
  • Branded keyboard and mouse included
  • High cost
  • SSD volume could be larger

It’s not surprising that the brand’s leader in my lit too due to its quick processing and low delay. With iMac Pro video editing is possible in 8K format, sound effects can be adjusted smoothly at the fastest speed.

The 27-inch screen is large and crisp with a 5120x2880 definition and renders colors naturally thanks to the Retina panel. The standard version includes 8 Intel Xeon W cores, the maximum is 18, with the possibility of overclocking.

You can install recent Radeon Pro Vega 56 with 8GB or 64 with 16GB of memory. Either one performs great with software capable of GPU acceleration.

The 32GB of RAM and a voluminous 1TB solid state drive make professional video editing flawless. Numerous ports are very convenient, including Thunderbolt 3, plus Apple Magic keyboard and mouse.

  • Read more about how much RAM do you need for video editing.

4. Apple MacBook Pro 13-Inch

  • Retina screen with True Tone feature
  • Ability to connect a separate eGPU
  • Ultra-compact design with 4 USB-C ports
  • Super-fast SSD
  • Could have more memory
  • The screen isn`t 4K
  • Integrated video card

When Intel engineered their 8th generation of processor, users got a new MacBook Pro 13 inch. This model has an outstanding True Tone Retina screen, famous for clear and natural picture, powerful speakers, and four fast Thunderbolt 3 inputs.

The Core i5 with 2.4 GHz base frequency is enhanced by 8GB of RAM. This should answer “Is the 13 inch MacBook Pro good for video editing” question, though 4K processing may be troublesome.

Despite the integrated Intel Iris Plus Graphics 655, the device can flawlessly run any modern video editing software. The CNC-Machined cover has a super-fast 512GB solid-state drive.

If work is mostly done not at home, you will benefit from Macbook Pro video editing with this mobile and portable but powerful machine that has 10-hour battery duration and a weight of 1.35 kg.

  • Check out what is the best Apple laptop.

5. Apple Mac Pro

  • Ability to connect up to 6 monitors simultaneously
  • You can expand hardware components
  • Connecting up to 36 peripheral units
  • Silent cooling system
  • Monitor required
  • Old CPU and GPU technologies
  • No FireWire Connections

Apple Workstation is a professional video editing computer designed for specialists, who consider the highest power combined with flexibility very important. It is suitable for applications that use the biggest amount of processing cores and rendering like video editors, image editing softwares, 3D programs, etc.

Despite the updates being discontinued, it remains the best desktop computer for video editing with tremendous computational capability and speed. It has two AMD FirePro graphics processors.

You can install up to 64GB of RAM memory, up to 1TB of flash memory, update the graphics or up-level the processor (even to a 12-core one). This would let you effortlessly run a whole software set while simultaneously encoding a 4K video.

Music Editing Software For Mac

Doing professional work and being in need of extreme multiprocessing capabilities, undoubtedly purchase this best Mac for video editing considering its decreasing cost.

  • Read more about the best video editing softwares.

6. Apple MacBook Air

Best mac photo editing software
  • Retina screen
  • Processor Turbo-overclocking up to 3.6 GHz
  • Slim body and lightweight design
  • Excellent battery life
  • Built-in graphics processor
  • RAM could be bigger

Since Apple has updated the frame and internal components, added the desirable features, using MacBook Air for video editing has become quite realistic for simple video color grading operations.

The laptop is quite light (1.35 kg) with a familiar keyboard. The miniature body fits a 13.3-inch Retina screen. At 2560x1600 definition, it shows a sharp image with realistic colors.

The 1.6 GHz dual-core Intel i5 processor can be overclocked to double its speed. The video editing won’t be flawless. Still, it handles simple editing and normal administrative work great.

The integrated Intel UHD 617 video card, 8GB of RAM, together with 128 or 256GB SSD ensure that. It has 2 USB-C ports plus an SD card slot, so transferring photos is convenient.

This laptop for video editing is under $1000 and has the benefit of working for up to 14 hours on a battery charge. For people with limited budget who search for a portable and inexpensive version of the MacBook, this is the best choice.

Top 6 Best Macs for Video Editing

ImageNameFeatures
OUR CHOICE
  • Clear 5K display
  • 6-core i5 processor
  • Ultrathin design
Check Price
Apple MacBook Pro 15-Inch
  • Increased sharpness
  • Double overclocking processor
Check Price
PROFESSIONAL
  • 5K display
  • Discrete video card
Check Price
Apple MacBook Pro 13-Inch
  • Retina Screen
  • Connect a separate eGPU
Check Price
  • Can have up to 6 monitors
  • Can connect up to 36 peripherals
Check Price
Apple MacBook Air
CHEAPEST
  • Retina display
  • Processor turbo-overclocking
  • Thin body
Check Price

How to Choose Mac for Video Editing?

Video editing is a serious task for any OS. Certainly, this brand’s computers can do this job, but the difference is substantial between some vlog clips and a real movie.

Not working in the 4K format, you can afford to go around with a small laptop. For a specialist, the full-size desktop will forever remain superior in power.

CPU

For any video editing software, the processor plays the main role. My advice is to not go below the quad-core Intel Core i5 processor.

If you’re ready to invest, get a 6-8 core processor, because the expense greatly enhances performance. Being very limited in budget, you can still get a dual-core but performing complex jobs will be problematic.

Display

Those working with footage consider accurate color rendition of the highest importance and Apple Retina displays gained the best reputation in this. iMac and MacBook Pro have it and it’s a huge boost.

Such a display is known for crisp definition, natural colors, and wide viewing cones. Such features help to display the footage accurately and clearly, with no distortions, which ensures higher-quality video editing.

GPU

The second most influential component is the video card. The software is mostly capable of rendering through a graphics processor.

AMD hardware has gained popularity, so a middle- or higher-class Mac means a discrete GPU. Certain Pro models even have the AMD Fire Pro dual feature that concentrates on providing superior performance or combining integrated and discrete processors to optimize it.

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RAM Capacity

Best Easy Mac Video Editing Software Free

The video editing process largely depends on the amount of RAM in your computer. The most time-consuming process is the export of the finished video.

For comfortable video editing on a Mac, you need at least 8GB of RAM (16GB is required for 4K editing, 3D work, and 360 ° video editing).

SSD Capacity

The speed and capacity of the internal drive will provide instant access to the material. Get at least a standard SSD drive. Better yet, the branded hybrid SSD. Its speed is several times higher than usual, both during recording and reading.

Ann Young

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