Adobe Premiere Pro has long been the go-to choice for professional video editors, but it may not suit everyone’s needs or budget. If you’re looking for Adobe Premiere Pro alternatives, this comprehensive guide will walk you through some of the best options available in 2024.
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced editor, there’s sure to be a suitable alternative for you.
1. DaVinci Resolve
Best Free Software for Confident Editors
DaVinci Resolve started as a color grading application but has since transformed into a fully-featured post-production suite that’s quickly gaining popularity among industry professionals.
Key Features
DaVinci Resolve boasts separate workspaces for editing, color, audio, and visual effects, allowing you to perfect every element of your project. Its color grading tools are considered the best in the market, and its other toolsets are equally impressive.
One of the standout features of DaVinci Resolve is its real-time multi-user collaboration, which allows multiple team members to work on a project simultaneously within the same application. This is a significant advantage over Adobe’s model, where editors work in Premiere Pro and then send the project to other applications like Audition and After Effects for audio and visual effects work.
While DaVinci Resolve is not suitable for beginners due to its complex nature, the standard version is completely free and offers most of the essential features. The premium version, DaVinci Resolve Studio, is available for a one-time fee of $295 and includes additional features like a neural engine, stereoscopic 3D tools, and advanced HDR grading.
2. Final Cut Pro – Adobe Premiere Pro alternatives
Best Editing Software for Mac Users
Final Cut Pro is a powerful video editing software designed exclusively for Mac users. Its intuitive interface and powerful features make it an excellent alternative to Premiere Pro.
Key Features
Final Cut Pro features a well-designed, user-friendly interface that makes the editing process smooth and efficient. Its magnetic timeline simplifies the process of inserting shots within a sequence without disrupting the relative position of other clips. Final Cut Pro has a strong focus on maximizing creativity while minimizing complexity.
As an Apple product, Final Cut Pro is designed to work seamlessly with other Apple hardware and software. It syncs efficiently with iTunes and Photos collections, and you can easily import projects you’ve started editing in iMovie.
While the software is only available for Mac users, its one-time purchase fee of $299.99 is cost-effective in the long run, as it includes access to all future updates.
3. Pinnacle Studio
Best Mid-Level Editor
Pinnacle Studio has come a long way in recent years, transforming from a slow, buggy, and limited software to a reliable and feature-rich alternative to Premiere Pro.
Key Features
Pinnacle Studio may not be as advanced as high-end programs like Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, or Final Cut Pro, but it is a great choice for mid-level editors. Its interface is intuitive, and recent updates have addressed previous performance issues while adding several useful features.
Some of these features include color grading tools, multi-camera capturing and editing, precise keyframe controls, and a mode specifically designed for creating stop motion videos. The software also offers a title designer with an impressive level of control over animated text and face-tracking masks for adjusting lighting or effects on a moving face.
Pinnacle Studio is available in three different versions: Standard, Studio Plus, and Studio Ultimate, which cost a one-time fee of $59.95, $99.95, and $129.95, respectively. The Ultimate version includes additional features like masking and 4K editing, making it worth the extra cost if you plan to utilize these features.
4. Corel VideoStudio
Best for Beginners
If you’re new to video editing, Corel VideoStudio might be the perfect alternative to Premiere Pro for you. The software’s simple and uncluttered interface makes it easy for beginners to navigate and start putting videos together.
Key Features
Corel VideoStudio offers three template types for novice editors: Highlight Reel, Fast Flick, and Instant Project. These templates guide users through the process of creating a basic video and help them develop their editing skills.
Despite its beginner-friendly nature, Corel VideoStudio still boasts some advanced features, such as a color grading panel that offers a high level of control over highlights, midtones, and shadows. The software also includes other features like tone curves and audio ducking.
You can choose between two versions of the software: VideoStudio Pro and VideoStudio Ultimate, which cost $79.99 and $99.99, respectively. These fees are one-time purchases, but you will need to buy a new license to access any future updates at a reduced cost.
5. CyberLink PowerDirector – Adobe Premiere Pro alternatives
Best for Mid-Level Editing
Like Pinnacle Studio, CyberLink PowerDirector is a solid choice for mid-level editing software. It’s been available for Windows since 2005 and has recently launched on Mac as well.
Key Features
CyberLink PowerDirector offers an efficient interface that allows users to start editing quickly, along with an Auto Mode for beginners that guides them through the process of creating a basic video.
For more confident users, PowerDirector includes several advanced features, such as flexible masking tools, multi-camera editing, 360° editing, and text graphics. However, its color tools are limited compared to competitors like Pinnacle Studio and Corel VideoStudio.
PowerDirector is available in two versions with one-time license costs, or you can subscribe to the PowerDirector 365 plan, which includes all future updates and access to a vast library of Shutterstock video, music, and images.
6. Adobe Premiere Elements – Adobe Premiere Pro alternatives
Adobe’s Simpler and Cheaper Version of Premiere Pro
Adobe Premiere Elements is a scaled-down version of Premiere Pro, targeted at enthusiasts who want to create simple home videos without the complexity of the professional tool.
Key Features
Premiere Elements offers a much simpler interface than Premiere Pro, making it easier for beginners to learn and use. However, it lacks many of the precision controls found in other alternatives, making it more suitable for basic video editing.
The software features a Guided Edit mode, where AI-powered tutorials take users through various tasks, allowing them to put together a video while learning how to use the program. The latest version offers 25 guided edits, which is more comprehensive than other apps with similar tutorials.
Premiere Elements can be purchased for a one-time fee of $99.99, making it much more affordable than Premiere Pro. Upgrading to the latest version from a previous version costs $79.99.
7. Filmora
Best for Novice Editors
Filmora is a video editing software aimed at novice editors, offering a simple yet powerful alternative to Premiere Pro.
Key Features
Filmora’s interface is designed to be visually appealing and easy to learn, guiding users through the editing process without overwhelming them with options or explanations.
The latest major update, Filmora X, adds several new features, including motion tracking, keyframing, color matching, and audio ducking. These features are intuitive to use, allowing inexperienced editors to add creative touches to their videos with ease.
However, the simplicity of Filmora comes at the expense of precision, and more ambitious editors may be disappointed by the lack of options for fine-tuning edits and effects. The color and audio tools are also relatively basic compared to some competitors.
Filmora can be downloaded and used for free, but your finished videos will have a watermark. Removing the watermark costs a one-time fee of $79.99, which includes access to all Filmora X updates but not versions beyond X. Alternatively, you can subscribe to an annual plan for $54.99/year.
8. Nero Video – Adobe Premiere Pro alternatives
Best for Quick and Easy Editing
Nero Video is a fair alternative to Premiere Pro for those who need fast editing tools to produce decent-quality content without the complexity of Adobe’s professional tool.
Key Features
Nero Video is designed to make the editing process as quick and easy as possible for users with little knowledge of video editing. It offers a range of essential FX, including chroma-keying, to help bring your movies to life.
While Nero Video doesn’t match Premiere Pro in terms of features and toolkits, it does excel at making the editing process incredibly simple for just about everyone. It’s a great option for beginners, enthusiasts, and hobbyists who may not need the in-depth tools offered by other alternatives.
Nero Video is available for a budget-friendly one-time purchase, making it an affordable alternative to Premiere Pro.
9. Lightworks
Best Free Premiere Pro Alternative for Beginners
Lightworks is a video editor with a pedigree, having been used to edit numerous professional feature films. However, the free version of Lightworks offers a more limited selection of tools, making it a good alternative to Premiere Pro for beginners.
Key Features
Lightworks Free offers the same interface as the Pro version, but with a more limited set of tools. Despite this, it’s an excellent option for beginners who want to learn the basics of video editing.
The software’s interface is intuitive, and its contextual help windows effectively guide users through their first steps in video editing. While the free version lacks some of the pro features, it still offers a great learning experience for newcomers to video editing.
The main downside to Lightworks Free is that it only allows users to export projects at a maximum resolution of 720p. Upgrading to the Pro version unlocks additional features and export options, including 1080p and 4K resolutions.
10. HitFilm – Adobe Premiere Pro alternatives
Best for Beginners and Experts
HitFilm is an excellent alternative to Adobe Premiere Pro for both beginners and experts. The software offers a powerful, professional, and multi-platform experience that caters to users of all skill levels.
Key Features
HitFilm provides users with professional video editing tools for free, making it an attractive option for those looking for an alternative to Premiere Pro. The software is designed to be simple and slick, encouraging creativity without overwhelming users with options.
For beginners, HitFilm offers a range of tutorial videos that help users learn the basics of video editing. The software also includes advanced features like motion tracking, keyframing, color matching, and audio ducking, which are easy to use and accessible to users of all skill levels.
However, some of the more powerful features in HitFilm are either watermarked or hidden behind a paywall. Users who want access to these features can either upgrade to the Pro version or subscribe to an annual plan.
Conclusion
There are plenty of Adobe Premiere Pro alternatives available to suit various needs and budgets. Whether you’re a beginner, an experienced editor, or a professional, you can find a video editing software that matches your requirements. Make sure to try out the free versions or trials of these alternatives to determine which one is the best fit for your video editing needs.