Best Video Editing Software for YouTube Beginners
Starting a YouTube channel? You need editing software that’s easy to learn and won’t cost a fortune.
Top 5 for Beginners
| Software | Price | Difficulty | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| CapCut | Free | Easy | Mobile + Desktop |
| DaVinci Resolve | Free | Medium | Color grading |
| iMovie | Free (Mac) | Easy | Mac users |
| Filmora | $49.99/yr | Easy | Windows |
| Adobe Premiere Elements | $99 | Easy | Adobe ecosystem |
1. CapCut — Best Free Option
Price: Completely Free
CapCut is TikTok’s editor—perfect for YouTube too.
Beginner Features
- ✅ Dead simple interface
- ✅ Trending effects
- ✅ Auto captions
- ✅ Music library
- ✅ Desktop & mobile
- ✅ 4K export
2. DaVinci Resolve — Best Free Pro
Price: Free / $295 (Studio)
DaVinci is professional software with a free tier.
Why Beginners Should Try It
- Free with no watermark
- Professional quality
- Great color tools
- Future-proof skills
- Growing community
Learning curve: ~1 week for basics.
3. iMovie — Best for Mac
Price: Free (Mac only)
iMovie comes free with every Mac.
Strengths
- Pre-installed
- Very easy
- Good templates
- iPhone sync
- Basic effects
What YouTube Beginners Need
Essential Features
- ✅ Cut and trim clips
- ✅ Add text/titles
- ✅ Add music
- ✅ Basic transitions
- ✅ Export to YouTube
Skip for Now
- Advanced color grading
- Multi-cam editing
- Motion graphics
- 3D effects
Getting Started Tips
- Start with CapCut — Easiest learning curve
- Keep videos simple — Content > fancy editing
- Learn keyboard shortcuts — Save hours
- Use templates — Speed up workflow
- Upgrade later — Skills transfer between apps
Our Recommendation
CapCut for absolute beginners.
DaVinci Resolve if you’re serious about learning.
iMovie if you’re on Mac and want simple.
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Last updated: January 2026