Video Editors 2019

Home Video Editing

The following is a list of low cost Windows video editing software suitable as a replacement to Windows Live Movie Maker.

Beginner to Intermediate

Video Soft http://www.videosoftdev.com/

Best free option

Fully featured 32 bit and 64 bit video editing at no cost and low cost.  Supports 4K video and includes dedicated video capture supporting tuners, IP and web cams, and a separate screen recording application.  Ideal for business graphics and promotional videos. Pro version adds audio waveform editor, hardware acceleration, stabilisation, advanced editing tools.

• VSDC Video Editro Free £0
• VSDC Video Editor Pro £20

Magix Software https://www.magix.com/gb/

For the burgeoning creative

The new home of the former Sony Vegas professinal video editing package.  The Video Easy and Mover Edit Pro packages are 64 bit applications tailored towards home users and priortitise ease of use.  Magix provide a try before you buy 30 day trial version.

• Magix Video Easy £30
• Magix Movie Edit Pro £60

Intermediate to Pro - The Big Guns

Corel Video Studio https://www.videostudiopro.com/

Corel Video Studio is a direct competitor of Adove Premier Elements.  Similar to Elements, Video Studio is a mature product initially developed for Windows XP.  The latest version offers advanced features, including an extensive filter library, morphing and multi-camera support.  The Ultimate package essentially offers 'more' over the Pro package; more filters, more transitions, more, title effects etc.

• Corel Video Studio Pro £70
• Corel Video Studio Ultimate £90

Adobe Premier Elements

Cross Platform PC and Mac

Adobe dominate the creative design professional software space with their Creative Cloud subscription software suite (Photo Shop, Light Room, Premier Pro, InDesign, Fireworks etc) costing £100s to £1000s.  To provide a more affordable path for home users, many of whom had relied on pirated versions of the earlier Creative Suite products, Adobe offer the Elements range of Photoshop and Premier.  Even so the Elements packages remain some of the the most expensive packages in the home user space, with the Adobe brand name commanding a premium.

There is no doubt that Premier Elements is a highly accomplished and mature video editor within an extensive package of filters and transitions.  Premier Elements provides some integrations with Photoshop Elements.  However the primary benefit and differentiating factor is that it is available for both Windows PC and Mac OSX, with a single user license covering both versions distrubuted on one installation disc.

• Adobe Premier Elements £90

Prices correct at time of writing. (February 2019.)

Update 2023

The market has become even more dynamic as a result of the proliferation of TikTok, Facebook, Youtube and Twitch.  Many low cost products have appeared to relieve first time creators of their money.  App stores and web advertorials are full of regurgitated apps winning awards no one hear of promising ease of use with professional results - A contradiction in terms.

Products of Note in 2023 

Adobe still provide a perpetual license for the Elements package of Photoshop Elements and Premier Elements at around £150.  The UK web site continues to hide product details behind redirects to the Creative Cloud subscriptions.

Corel Video Studio is now in the sub £100 price bracket and offers 360 degree editing features

Microsoft have added Clip Champ to Windows 10/11 offering basic editing functionality similar to Windows Moviw Maker.

Cyberlink Power Director is available as a perpetual or subscription package.  The perpetual license costs around £110 but comes with limited peripheral features and services.  The subscription package starts around £4.00 PCM and includes sufficient peripheral services (titles, transitions, music, sound effects, stock clips and photos, cloud storage), to make it an attractive choice

Wondershare Filmora offer a cross platform (Windows, Mac, Mobile) editor aimed at beginners.  Filmora is available as a perpetual license or subscription. Include 10Gb of cloud space and access to royalty free music.

Movavi offer a video editor and photo editor package aimed at beginners.  Features are similar to Fimora but without the additional services. Advertised at £110 down from £526 although this looks like an Allied Carpets permanent sale.