Best video editing software that won't break the bank?

[Fascinations]

Hi. I'm a complete newcomer to filmmaking. It's something I've wanted to do for a long time, but I've never had the motivation or any ideas until now. I was playing with a few things from the Windows 10 app store, but it became apparent after a very short time that it wasn't going to give me a professional-looking film, no matter how hard I tried.

So: what video editing software does everyone use, and what's the best affordable option (<£100)?

[indietalk]

http://www.adobe.com/products/premiere.html

[WalterB]

What do you consider professional looking?

[AcousticAl]

Take a look at HitFilm. There's a free version, and if you like what you see, they have a paid tier that isn't too expensive. It isn't Premiere Pro, or Davinci resolve, or AVID, but damn impressive in both its free and paid versions.

Stay away from Pinnacle, and don't waste your time with Premiere Elements.

These are all just apps. Most of looking professional is in how you edit, so it's really a matter of app stability and what kinds of extra tools you want to have.

[Sweetie]

break the bank?

With editing software, you really get what you pay.

The big three are:

Avid
Premiere Pro
Final Cut

In that order.

Avid First is a free, cut down version of the main software. Premiere Pro gives you 7 days free. No idea about FCP.

As AL said, it's more about the skills of the editor than the software itself. I'd rather a great editor with crappy editing software, than the other way around.

While I don't recommend it, if you're happy to step down a tier, Resolve has a free version.

If you're happy to slum it and step down another tier and you'll have more options like Hitfilm and many more.

[directorik]

Originally Posted by Fascinations

but it became apparent after a very short time that it wasn't going to give me a professional-looking film, no matter how hard I tried.

What, exactly, are you trying to achieve that the software you have tried couldn't do?

[Rayandmigdalia]

Editing system less than $100....try Corel.

[indietalk]

Premiere CC is $19.99 a month, a couple beers!

[Rayandmigdalia]

For color grading and a "film look", I have been using Filmconvert.com, which offers a free trial. You can try this on footage that you have already edited, and you can greatly enhance its look in various ways. The filmconvert allows you to try different things with "instant rendering", so that you can try different looks and techniques in real time. Pretty neat. I did our last feature with it.

[El Director]

Avid Media Composer First. Avid is used on almost every Hollywood movie, so you know it's pro. And the "First" is completely free, just slightly watered down that shouldn't affect you while you're starting out.

[Lucky Hardwood]

Sadly, the free public beta version of Davinci Resolve Studio has ended.

[oakstreetphotovideo]

There is still a free version of Davinci Resolve (current version 15.2.2)

[Layne]

Lightworks. It's free and it works on all 3 Operating systems.

https://www.lwks.com/

[sonnyboo]

Originally Posted by oakstreetphotovideo

There is still a free version of Davinci Resolve (current version 15.2.2)

The regular version of DaVinci Resolve is pretty good. I like it. And it's free!

https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/pro...avinciresolve/

[itarumaa]

I have been using Davinci Resolve for feature editing and it's ok, but I do like more of Adobe Premiere. Davinci Resolve is quite unstable and keeps on crashing all the time. But it's also free and does have a lot of options to choose from.