The Best Video Making Software in 2026
We researched video making software using official vendor websites, including pricing pages, plan tables, and product documentation. Rankings focus on each product’s core video-creation job, value for money, and verified features. Compare options for editing and making videos across different workflows, skill levels, and budgets.
Our top picks
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Top ranked
DaVinci Resolve#1 of 329.4/10A broad professional editor with a capable free version and a one-time Studio upgrade.
Free plan
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Runner-up
Adobe Premiere#2 of 329.3/10A full-featured editor for professionals who work across Adobe’s video and creative tools.
Free plan · 7-day trial
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Top-ranked free plan
Avid Media Composer#3 of 329.2/10A deep editorial toolkit for demanding productions, with a free entry edition.
Free plan · 30-day trial
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
The full ranking 32 tools, best first
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Best forEditors needing complete professional post-production
A broad professional editor with a capable free version and a one-time Studio upgrade.
9.4/10★★★★★Try DaVinci Resolve -
Best forProfessional editors working across Adobe tools
A full-featured editor for professionals who work across Adobe’s video and creative tools.
Free plan · 7-day trial Our Adobe Premiere verdict → Visit Adobe PremiereFor vendors Sponsor this spot · #2 · $99/mo →9.3/10★★★★★Visit Adobe Premiere -
Best forBroadcast and high-end post-production teams
A deep editorial toolkit for demanding productions, with a free entry edition.
Free plan · 30-day trial Our Avid Media Composer verdict → Visit AvidFor vendors Sponsor this spot · #3 · $79/mo →9.2/10★★★★★Visit Avid -
Best forMac and iPad editors seeking a polished workflow
A substantial editing toolkit for Apple users, with subscription and one-time Mac purchase options.
9.1/10★★★★★Visit Apple -
Best forCreators who want free editing across devices
A flexible free editor for creators who want to work across devices.
9.0/10★★★★☆Visit CapCut -
Best forWindows creators wanting broad tools at a clear price
A broad editor with a free tier, AI tools and flexible desktop and mobile plans.
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit CyberLink -
Best forCreators editing across devices with team workflows
A broad editing toolkit with cross-device and team workflows, but limited cloud storage.
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit Filmora -
Best forBudget-conscious desktop editors who want open source
A capable desktop editor for multitrack work, without license fees or paid tiers.
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit Kdenlive -
Best forFree desktop editors needing format and export flexibility
A capable desktop editor for multitrack, mixed-format projects and high-resolution exports.
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit Shotcut -
Best forCasual editors wanting a free Microsoft-connected workflow
A free, accessible editor for everyday videos, with 4K exports in eligible paid plans.
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit Clipchamp -
Best forTeams editing interviews, podcasts, and narrated videos
A spoken-content editor with transcription, remote recording, and AI tools.
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit Descript -
Best forDesktop editors who value free access and shared bins
A cross-platform editor with proxy, color, and collaboration tools; free exports are limited to 720p.
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit Lightworks -
Best forSchools and teams making collaborative browser-based videos
A browser-based editor for shared video projects, with plan-based limits on publishing and resolution.
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit WeVideo -
Best forWindows editors wanting multicam and plug-in support
A Windows desktop editor with advanced multicam, compositing, and plug-in support.
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit VEGAS Pro -
Best forCreators prioritizing generative video and API workflows
A broad generative video toolkit with API access, but not a conventional editing focus.
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit Runway -
Best forTeams making presenter-led, translated training videos
A presenter-video tool with translation and interactive features, from free to enterprise plans.
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit HeyGen -
Best forOrganizations producing training and interactive videos
Turns scripts and documents into presenter-led videos, with interactive and learning features.
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit Synthesia -
Best forTeams making captioned and localized videos
A browser-first editor for teams producing captioned and localized videos.
7.6/10★★★★☆Visit VEED -
Best forSocial teams collaborating on branded short-form videos
Collaborative browser editing with social resizing, captions, AI tools, and 4K on paid plans.
7.5/10★★★★☆Visit Kapwing -
Best forSmall teams making template-based videos in a browser
A template-led browser editor with recording, AI tools, and plans up to 4K export.
7.4/10★★★★☆Visit FlexClip -
Best forNon-editors making branded template videos quickly
A straightforward video maker for quick, branded social content without advanced editing demands.
- Watermark-free export
7.3/10★★★★☆Visit Animoto -
Best forCreators generating complete videos from prompts
A prompt-led video maker that brings scripts, visuals, voiceovers, and editing together.
7.2/10★★★★☆Visit InVideo AI -
Best forMarketing teams repurposing scripts and web content
A browser-based AI video editor for marketing teams turning existing content into video.
7.1/10★★★★☆Visit Lumen5 -
Best forBusinesses making branded explainers and interactive videos
A business video maker for branded explainers, collaborative projects, and interactive publishing.
7.0/10★★★★☆Visit Biteable -
Best forWindows users seeking a conventional consumer editor
A Windows desktop editor with timeline, multicamera, color, subtitle, and audio tools.
6.9/10★★★☆☆Visit site -
Best forTeams repurposing scripts and recordings
A browser-based video maker for turning long scripts and recordings into clips.
6.8/10★★★☆☆Visit Pictory -
Best forLearning teams building interactive avatar-based courses
A focused toolkit for turning learning materials into avatar-led, interactive courses.
6.7/10★★★☆☆Visit Colossyan -
Best forDevelopers creating talking-avatar videos and agents
D-ID pairs avatar video creation with APIs for developers building video agents.
6.6/10★★★☆☆Visit D-ID -
Best forTraining teams converting presentations into avatar videos
A training-focused video maker with presentation conversion, avatars, and interactive features.
6.5/10★★★☆☆Visit Elai.io -
Best forFree desktop users seeking open-source editing basics
A free desktop editor with multitrack tools, color controls, recording and 4K export options.
6.4/10★★★☆☆Visit OpenShot -
Best forSmall businesses creating template-based promo videos
A template-led video maker for promotional content, with scene editing and AI tools.
- AI video generation
- Team collaboration
- Stock media included
6.3/10★★★☆☆Visit Renderforest -
Best forApple users making simple videos at no cost
A free editor for simple videos, guided projects and 4K exports on compatible devices.
6.2/10★★★☆☆Visit Apple
No tools match those filters.
Compare at a glance
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | DaVinci Resolve | Yes | 9.4 | |
| 2 | Adobe Premiere | Yes | 9.3 | |
| 3 | Avid Media Composer | Yes | 9.2 | |
| 4 | Final Cut Pro | No | $29.99/yr | 9.1 |
| 5 | CapCut | Yes | 9.0 | |
| 6 | CyberLink PowerDirector | Yes | $79.99/yr | 8.9 |
| 7 | Wondershare Filmora | Yes | 8.8 | |
| 8 | Kdenlive | Yes | Free | 8.7 |
| 9 | Shotcut | Yes | Free | 8.6 |
| 10 | Microsoft Clipchamp | Yes | 8.5 | |
| 11 | Descript | Yes | $16/user/mo | 8.4 |
| 12 | Lightworks | Yes | 8.3 | |
| 13 | WeVideo | Yes | $4.99/mo | 8.1 |
| 14 | VEGAS Pro | No | 8.0 | |
| 15 | Runway | Yes | $12/mo | 7.9 |
| 16 | HeyGen | Yes | $24/mo | 7.8 |
| 17 | Synthesia | Yes | $18/mo | 7.7 |
| 18 | VEED | Yes | 7.6 | |
| 19 | Kapwing | Yes | $16/user/mo | 7.5 |
| 20 | FlexClip | Yes | $143.88/yr | 7.4 |
| 21 | Animoto | Yes | 7.3 | |
| 22 | InVideo AI | Yes | 7.2 | |
| 23 | Lumen5 | Yes | 7.1 | |
| 24 | Biteable | No | $15/user/mo | 7.0 |
| 25 | Corel VideoStudio | No | 6.9 | |
| 26 | Pictory | No | 6.8 | |
| 27 | Colossyan | Yes | $59/mo | 6.7 |
| 28 | D-ID | No | 6.6 | |
| 29 | Elai.io | Yes | 6.5 | |
| 30 | OpenShot Video Editor | Yes | Free | 6.4 |
| 31 | Renderforest Video Maker | Yes | $8/mo | 6.3 |
| 32 | iMovie | Yes | Free | 6.2 |
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How we rank video making software
Every tool on this page was researched by iTechGuides Editors from its official website — pricing pages, plan tables and product documentation. We rank on how well each one does this category's core job, what the free or entry plan includes, and where it falls short. Where we have enough verified facts, the score out of 10 is a rubric — job fit, value and how much we could verify — shown with its breakdown on every tool's page; a tool we have not verified enough to score yet shows its rank without a number. Scores are re-checked when a product changes its plans. Read the full editorial policy, or submit a tool we missed.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update