Top 10 Mac Video Editors for Creating Stunning Visuals in 2023

When it comes to video editing on a Mac, there are plenty of software options available, each offering a unique set of features and capabilities. Whether you're a professional filmmaker, a content creator, or a casual video enthusiast, having the right video editing software is crucial for creating stunning visuals. In this article, we will explore the top 10 video editing software for Mac that stand out from the crowd in terms of functionality, ease of use, and overall performance.

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#1. Adobe Premiere Pro

• OS: macOS 11.0 (Big Sur) or later
• Supported Formats: AVI, MXF, MP4, VOB, Windows Media (ASF, WMV), and DV, MPEG-based formats, as like H. 264 AVC, HEVC, M4V, M2V, MTS, M1V and M2T(S) and so on.
• Suitable Crowd: Both professional editors and enthusiasts who require a comprehensive set of features, advanced editing capabilities, and seamless integration with other Adobe Creative Cloud apps.
• Download Link: https://www.adobe.com/products/premiere/free-trial-download.html

Adobe Premiere Pro is a widely-used video editing software for Mac and Windows that offers a comprehensive suite of tools for both beginners and professionals. With its intuitive interface, seamless workflow, and integration with other Adobe Creative Cloud apps, Premiere Pro is a popular choice among content creators. It supports a wide range of video formats and offers advanced editing features such as timeline-based editing, audio mixing, and multi-camera editing.

Pros: Professional-grade editing tools, seamless integration with Adobe ecosystem, broad format compatibility, collaborative workflow, and access to a vast community of users and resources.
Cons: Can be resource-intensive, steep learning curve for beginners, subscription-based pricing model.

#2. iMovie

• OS: macOS 12.6 or later, iOS
• Supported Formats: DV/HDV, AVCHD, MPEG-2, MP4 (MPEG4/H.264), MOV
• Suitable Crowd: Casual users, beginners, and individuals who need a user-friendly video editing software with basic editing capabilities.
• Download Link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/imovie/id408981434

iMovie is system-attached video editing software for Mac. It offers a user-friendly interface and a range of basic editing tools, making it suitable for beginners and casual video editing. Certainly, a more amazing work can generated thanks to various effects tools, ranging from simple title/transitions and other elements adding to a little advanced fast-forward, slow-motion, picture-in-picture, side-by-side, green screen.

What's more, a full soundtrack with built-in music, sounds or songs from iTunes can be created with ease. This great video editor for Mac is announced capable of making Hollywood-style trailers taking full advantage of splendid templates and a professional outline for movie including title, cast names and studio logo.

Pros: Free and pre-installed on macOS, easy-to-use interface, basic editing tools, seamless integration with Apple ecosystem, and ability to quickly share videos.
Cons: Limited advanced editing features, not suitable for professional-grade projects, lacks some advanced export options.

#3. Final Cut Pro X

• OS: Mac OS 11.5.1 or later
• Supported Formats: DVD/HDV, AVCHD (MTS/M2TS), Motion JPEG, MP4 (MPEG4/H.264), 3GP, AVI, MOV, MXF
• Suitable Crowd: Final Cut Pro X is best suited for professional filmmakers, videographers, and advanced video editors who require powerful tools, advanced features, and seamless integration with other Apple products.
• Download Link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/final-cut-pro/id424389933

Different from the above video editing software for Mac, Final Cut Pro X features superior editing functions allowing professional filmmakers and video hobbyists to handle more complicated tasks. It is armed with several particular features. Magnetic Timeline assembles and sync video clips magnetically without black gaps in timeline. Multicam gives auto syncing up to 64 angles of video and photos and custom options for precise footage alignment. Clips including videos, music, sound effects can be easily connected together.

3D and cinematic templates in latest version can create stunning looks. And, traditional ways to trim and color tools for grading and masking are provided as well. This video editing software for Mac can well handle resolution from SD to 4K and deliver high performance for rendering, transcoding and moving media.

Pros: Professional-grade editing capabilities, seamless integration with Apple ecosystem, efficient media organization, powerful color grading, and support for high-resolution videos.
Cons: Exclusive to Mac, relatively high price point compared to other video editing software.

#4. Kdenlive

• OS: Apple macOS 10.15 (Catalina) or newer and on M1, Linux, FreeBSD
• Supported Formats: DV/HDV, AVCHD, MPEG2, MP4 (MPEG4/H.264), AVI, WMV, FLV etc.
• Suitable Crowds: Beginner to intermediate video editors, enthusiasts, and those who prefer open-source software. It caters to individuals who want a free, versatile, and user-friendly video editing solution without compromising on functionality.
• Download Link: https://kdenlive.org/en/download/

Kdenlive shows excellent work on video editing based on the MLT Framework and KDE as an open-source free program. It allows users to merge a set of media including video, audio and image into a single file with customized resolution, frame rate, PAR and DAR. The multi-track editing with a timeline can be applied to an unlimited number of video/audio tracks.

This video editing software for Mac also owns essential tools to create, delete, move and crop clips, while a diverse of effects and transitions for video/audio, like rotations, colors, phase and pitch shifting, volume and more are used for enriching the output file.

Pros: Free and open-source, cross-platform compatibility, user-friendly interface, wide range of features, customizable workflow, and multitrack editing capability.
Cons: Learning curve required, occasional stability issues, limited advanced features, and resource-intensive performance.

#5. Avidemux

• OS: Mac OS X, Windows, Linux, BSD
• Supported Formats: AVI, ASF, WMV, FLV, MKV, MPEG, TS, MP4, MOV, 3GP, VOB etc.
• Suitable Crowd: Avidemux is suitable for users who require a simple and lightweight video editing software for basic editing tasks and quick video processing.
• Download Link: http://avidemux.sourceforge.net/download.html

Avidemux is another top free video editing software for Mac written in C++. It is mainly used for non-liner video editing, transcoding and visual effects applying with Filters. Besides simply cutting and trimming video, it can also handle audios by inserting to a video as background or sound effect as well as extract audio streams from videos in turn.

Avidemux embeds a subtitle tool supporting multiple subtitle formats, MicroDVD (.SUB), (Advanced) Substation Alpha (.ASS) and SubRip (.SRT). Moreover, it can be used as a basic video converter to export videos in AVI, FLV, MKV, MPEG, TS, MP4, OGM and VOB using libavcodec.

Pros: Straightforward interface, a wide range of video formats support, basic editing tools, and free.
Cons: No advanced editing features, a limited user interface customization.

#6. DaVinci Resolve

• OS: macOS 11 Big Sur or later, Windows and Linux
• Supported Formats: QuickTime MOV, MP4, AVI, R3D, MXF, Prores, DNxHD, MXF, DPX, CIN, EXR, etc.
• Suitable Crowd: Professional editors, colorists, and filmmakers who require advanced editing capabilities, robust color correction tools, and audio post-production features.
• Download Link: https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/davinciresolve

DaVinci Resolve stands out as a powerful and feature-rich Mac video editor that combines professional editing, color correction, high dynamic range (HDR) support, multi-user collaboration, and fairlight audio post-production capabilities. It offers advanced color grading tools, a robust editing interface, and multi-user collaboration features. DaVinci Resolve is available in both free and paid versions, catering to a wide range of users.

For the novice, it is still quick to get started and is an excellent option for YouTube creators. Spending a few hours can help you learn some of the necessary operating skills. It will take a long time to study if you want to learn something more professional.

Pros: Powerful color grading capabilities, advanced editing features, professional audio editing, multi-user collaboration, and a free version with impressive functionality.
Cons: Steep learning curve, resource-intensive, may require a high-end system for optimal performance.

#7. Wondershare Filmora

• OS: macOS v10.14(Mojave) to macOS V13 (Ventura). If you are using macOS X 10.12 to 10.13, go to Filmora v10.5.
• Supported Formats: MP4, WMV, AVI, MOV, F4V, MKV, TS, 3GP, MPEG-2, WEBM, GIF, and MP3 etc.
• Suitable Crowd: Beginners, casual users, and content creators who need an easy-to-use video editing software with a range of effects and transitions.
• Download Link: https://filmora.wondershare.com/video-editor-mac/

Wondershare Filmora is a user-friendly video editing software for macOS and Windows. It offers an intuitive interface and a wide range of effects and transitions, making it an attractive choice for beginners and casual users. Many users appreciate Filmora's intuitive drag-and-drop interface, which allows for easy video editing without requiring extensive technical knowledge. The extensive effects library is often praised, offering users a wide range of options to enhance their videos and make them visually appealing. Filmora also provides pre-built templates that can be utilized for quick and professional-looking edits.

However, some reviewers note that Filmora lacks certain advanced features found in professional-grade video editing software for Mac. While it provides a solid foundation for basic editing needs, more advanced users may find it limiting in terms of customization and control over the editing process. Additionally, the audio editing capabilities are often described as basic.

Pros: User-friendly interface, extensive effects library, easy editing tools, simplicity for beginners, and affordable pricing options.
Cons: Lacks advanced editing features compared to professional-grade software, limited audio editing capabilities.

#8. HitFilm Express

• OS: Mac OS X 10.10 Yosemite and later, Windows
• Supported Formats: Quicktime, AVI, MOV, MP4 (AVC / H264 and AAC), MPEG-1 (TS, MPE, MPG, MPEG, M2V), MXF (DVCPro HD), DV, HDV, WMV, etc.
• Suitable Crowd: Independent filmmakers, YouTubers, and creators who require advanced editing features and a wide range of visual effects.
• Download Link: https://fxhome.com/product/hitfilm

HitFilm Express is a powerful and feature-rich visual effects and video editing software on macOS and Windows for creating impressive visual effects, composite shots, and professional-grade edits. One of the standout features of the Mac video editor is its comprehensive visual effects toolkit, which offers a wide range of effects, including 2D and 3D effects, particle simulations, keying, green screen compositing, and more. its advanced compositing capabilities are also worthy to mention. It allows users to combine multiple layers, images, and videos to create complex composite shots. But for the beginners, HitFilm Express is a little bit hard to handle as it requires a steep learning curve.

Pros: Comprehensive visual effects capabilities, professional-grade editing tools, wide range of effects, advanced compositing, and a free version with impressive functionality.
Cons: Can be resource-intensive, learning curve for beginners, certain features limited to the paid version.

#9. Avid Media Composer

• OS: The latest version is available on macOS Catalina and later, Windows 11/10 64-bit
• Supported Formats: ARRI, AVCHD, CINE, DVC PRO, MXF, QUICKTIME MOV, XAVC, XDCAM, and more.
• Suitable Crowd: Professional filmmakers, video editors, and studios working on large-scale projects that require advanced editing features and collaborative workflows.
• Download Link: https://www.avid.com/media-composer

Avid Media Composer is a professional-grade video editing software available on macOS and Windows, which is widely used in the film and television industry. It offers a comprehensive set of tools and features tailored to meet the needs of professional filmmakers, video editors, and production studios. This video editor for Mac provides a robust editing environment with advanced editing tools, multicamera editing, and extensive media management capabilities. The software supports high-resolution video editing and offers features such as advanced color grading, visual effects, and audio post-production.

Moreover, Avid Media Composer excels in its collaborative workflow options, allowing multiple editors to work on the same project simultaneously. However, the professional-grade capability also means complicated operations, which can make the novice feel at loss. It also tends to be more resource-intensive, often requiring high-performance hardware to ensure optimal performance.

Pros: Industry-standard editing software, robust editing features, collaborative workflow options, extensive media management capabilities, and support for high-resolution videos.
Cons: Steep learning curve, higher price point, resource-intensive, may require additional hardware for optimal performance.

#10. Camtasia

• OS: macOS 11.0 or later, Windows 10/11
• Supported Formats: AIFF, CMREC, GIF, JPG, Lottie (.json, .mp4, .zip and .gif), MOV (ProRes, QuickTime movie, DV, MPEG-1, H.264), M4A, MP3, MP4, MTS, PDF, PNG, PPT, SRT, TIFF, TREC, WAV, WMA and so on.
• Suitable Crowd: Educators, trainers, and content creators who need screen recording and video editing software to create instructional videos and tutorials.
• Download Link: https://www.techsmith.com/download/camtasia/

Camtasia is a versatile video editing software that offers a range of features specifically designed for video editing and screen recording on Mac. It allows users to capture their screen activity, including audio and webcam footage, making it ideal for creating video tutorials or showcasing software demonstrations. Still, you can trim and cut footage, add transitions, apply visual effects, and incorporate animations by using this Mac video editor. It also provides a range of built-in templates, annotations, and royalty-free music to enhance the overall production value of the videos.

After editing video in Camtasia, users can directly upload their videos to popular platforms like YouTube, Vimeo, and Screencast. The software also supports various export formats, making it compatible with a wide range of devices and playback platforms.

Pros: User-friendly interface, screen recording capabilities, video editing tools, built-in templates and effects, and easy sharing options for tutorials and instructional videos.
Cons: Primarily focused on screen recording, limited advanced editing features compared to professional-grade software.

Wrap Up

When it comes to video editing software for Mac, there are various options available to cater to different needs and skill levels. Professional-grade software like Final Cut Pro X and Adobe Premiere Pro offers advanced features, extensive editing capabilities, and professional workflows, making them ideal for experienced editors and studios working on high-end projects. For beginners and casual users, software like iMovie and Filmora provides user-friendly interfaces, basic editing tools, and affordability, allowing them to create polished videos without a steep learning curve.

Open-source options like Kdenlive and HitFilm Express offer versatility and accessibility, appealing to users who prefer free software and enjoy community-driven development. Specialized software like Camtasia is tailored for screen recording and tutorial creation, making them popular among educators and content creators.

It's important to consider factors such as the desired features, budget, learning curve, and specific editing needs when choosing the right video editing software. Each software has its own strengths and weaknesses, so it's crucial to evaluate them based on individual requirements. Just find a suitable video editing software for Mac to bring your creative vision to life, whether you're a professional looking for advanced capabilities or a beginner seeking a simple and intuitive editing experience.