Whether you’re crafting stylish social clips or editing high-res footage for a full production, choosing the right video editing software can make all the difference. Mac users benefit from powerful built-in tools and seamless integrations; therefore, selecting the right program can elevate your workflow, creativity, and final product. In this guide, we’ll break down the top video editing software for Mac—tailored by skill level, functionality, and user-friendliness.

Beginner-Friendly Video Editing Software for Mac

If you’re just getting started, you don’t need anything too complex. Fortunately, beginner-friendly tools can help you create fun, polished videos without the overwhelm.

Here are two of the best ones for Mac users:

iMovie

iMovie comes pre-installed on your Mac, so there’s nothing extra to download or purchase. Designed by Apple, it integrates beautifully with your Mac, iPhone, and iPad. In addition, its clean interface makes it easy for beginners to get started.

Some of its key features include:

• Video Editing: Trim, split, and arrange video clips in your project.
• Audio Editing: Adjust audio levels, add sound effects, and record voiceovers.
• Titles and Text: Add customizable titles and text overlays to your videos. ​
• Transitions: Apply various transition effects between clips for smooth scene changes.​
• Video Effects: Enhance your videos with filters, color adjustments, and picture-in-picture effects.
• Trailers: Create movie trailers using pre-designed templates with built-in music and titles.
• Sharing: Easily share your edited videos to platforms like YouTube and Facebook or save them to your device.

If you’re brand new to video editing, iMovie gives you just enough tools to experiment while learning the ropes.

CapCut

Similarly, CapCut is ideal for creators focused on short-form content like TikToks or YouTube Shorts. It’s fast, sleek, and perfect for stylish edits—whether you’re on your phone or desktop.

Its key features include:​

• Video Editing: Trim, split, and arrange video clips to craft your desired sequence.
• Speed Controls: Adjust playback speed for slow-motion or time-lapse effects.
• Text and Stickers: Add customizable text, stickers, and emojis to enhance your videos.
• Music and Sound Effects: Incorporate music tracks and sound effects from a vast library to enrich your content.
• Transitions: Apply various transition effects between clips for smooth scene changes.
• Filters and Effects: Utilize a variety of filters and visual effects to give your videos a unique look.
• AI Tools: Leverage AI features like speech-to-text for automatic captions and text-to-speech for voiceovers.
• Templates: Access pre-designed templates for quick video creation.
• Collaboration: Share projects and collaborate with others seamlessly.
• • Cross-Platform Access: Edit videos on mobile devices or desktop computers, with projects syncing across platforms.

Both iMovie and CapCut are beginner-friendly, so you can focus on being creative instead of trying to figure out how everything works.

Intermediate Tools to Elevate Your Mac Video Edits

Ready to level up your editing game? Intermediate tools give you more control, flexibility, and customization—perfect for YouTubers, content creators, and aspiring pros.

When looking for the best video editing software for Mac, it’s important to consider the features that will help you elevate your editing process.

Adobe Premiere Pro

Adobe Premiere Pro is one of the most well-known video editing programs out there. Many YouTubers, filmmakers, and professionals use it to create high-quality content. It gives you a lot of control over how your video looks and sounds. 

Key functionalities for intermediate users include:​

• Multi-Sequence Editing: Work with multiple timelines within a single project, allowing for complex editing structures.​
• Advanced Color Grading: Utilize tools like the Lumetri Color panel to adjust color balance, exposure, and apply creative color effects.​
• Audio Editing and Mixing: Edit audio tracks with precision, apply effects, and mix sound using the Essential Sound panel and Audio Track Mixer.
• Motion Graphics Templates: Access and customize motion graphics templates from Adobe Stock or create your own for dynamic title sequences.​
• Multi-Camera Editing: Synchronize and edit footage from multiple cameras, streamlining the editing process for interviews or event coverage.​
• Effects and Transitions: Apply a wide variety of video and audio effects, as well as transitions, to enhance your project’s visual and auditory appeal.​
• Integration with Adobe Creative Cloud: Seamlessly collaborate with other Adobe applications like After Effects and Photoshop for a unified workflow.​
• AI-Powered Features: Utilize Adobe’s Firefly AI tools, such as Generative Extend, to intelligently extend video clips and audio, filling gaps with contextually appropriate content. ​
• Customizable Workspaces: Arrange panels and tools to suit your editing style, enhancing efficiency and comfort during the editing process.

It takes some time to learn, but once you get the hang of it, you can do almost anything. If you want to take your editing to the next level, this is a strong choice.

DaVinci Resolve

DaVinci Resolve is another powerful program. A lot of people use it for color correction because it has some of the best tools for making your video look amazing. 

The cool thing? There’s a free version that gives you most of the features, and it works great on a Mac. The free version offers:

• Multi-User Collaboration: Work simultaneously with others on the same project, enhancing teamwork efficiency. 
• Comprehensive Color Grading: Utilize tools like luma, HSL, and 3D keyers, along with color warper and HDR grading capabilities, to enhance your video’s color quality.
• Fusion Visual Effects: Access a node-based interface for creating complex visual effects and motion graphics directly within the software. 
• Fairlight Audio Editing: Edit and mix audio with features like noise reduction, compression, and support for multiple audio tracks, providing a professional sound design environment.
• High-Resolution Support: Edit and export projects up to Ultra HD (3840 x 2160) at 60 frames per second, ensuring high-quality output for your videos.
• Extensive Format Compatibility: Works with a wide range of 8-bit video formats, facilitating flexibility in your editing workflow. ​

If you ever need even more tools, you can upgrade to the paid version.

Both options are great for you if you’re comfortable with basic editing and want something more advanced. They give you the tools to create professional-looking videos right from your Mac.

Advanced Mac Video Editing Software for Pros

Working on big projects like short films, commercials, or videos for clients? You’ll need powerful editing software. These advanced tools give you full control over every part of your video, from color and sound to effects and final output. 

Adobe Premiere Pro

Adobe Premiere Pro is also great if you’re part of a team or working on big projects with lots of video clips, audio, and effects. You can build a workflow that fits the way you like to work. It’s super flexible and works well with other Adobe apps like After Effects and Photoshop.

Here are features for seasoned video editors:

• Generative Extend: Utilize AI to seamlessly add frames to the beginning or end of clips, facilitating precise timing and transitions. 
• AI-Powered Media Search: Quickly locate footage by describing visual elements, objects, or scenes, streamlining the editing process. 
• Enhanced Color Management: Easily work with wide-gamut camera raw and log-encoded media, simplifying color grading and achieving consistent results across various formats.
• Multilingual Caption Translation: Automatically generate and translate captions into multiple languages, broadening your video’s accessibility to global audiences. ​
• Improved Audio Workflow: Fine-tune audio transitions with interactive fade handles and organize audio clips efficiently using AI-driven audio category tagging. 
• Dynamic Waveforms: Visualize audio with dynamic waveforms that adjust in real time and aid in precise audio editing and synchronization.
• Content Credentials: Embed metadata into video exports to provide viewers with information about content creation and any AI-generated elements, promoting transparency.

It’s made for professionals, but once you learn it, it can handle just about anything you throw at it.

DaVinci Resolve Studio

DaVinci Resolve Studio is the premium upgrade to the free version of DaVinci Resolve, designed for professionals in TV and film who need advanced tools and performance.

Key features include:

• High-Resolution & High-FPS Support: Edit projects up to 32K and beyond 60 fps for ultra-smooth, detailed playback.
• Multi-GPU Acceleration: Boost performance with support for multiple GPUs during complex edits.
• Advanced Noise Reduction: Clean footage using temporal and AI-based spatial noise reduction tools.
• Lens Distortion Correction: Automatically fix lens distortions for more accurate visuals.
• Professional HDR Scopes: Grade HDR content with precision using advanced ST.2084 and HLG scopes.
• Stereoscopic 3D Tools: Tackle 3D projects with in-depth controls for eye alignment and convergence.
• Collaboration Tools: Multiple users can work on the same project with remote monitoring and grading.
• DaVinci Neural Engine: AI-powered tools like facial recognition, Super Scale, and speed warp enhance efficiency.
• Expanded Resolve FX: Get 40+ additional GPU/CPU effects, including lens flares, sharpening, and beauty tools.
• Workflow Integration: Automate and customize workflows with Python/LUA scripting and plugin support.

If you’re working on full-length videos, commercial projects, or collaborative productions, DaVinci Resolve Studio offers the high-end capabilities to get professional, polished results right from your Mac.

Final Thoughts: Which Video Editor Should You Choose for Mac?

Best video editing software for Mac depends entirely on your experience level, editing needs, and creative goals. From beginner-friendly tools like iMovie and CapCut to more advanced programs like Adobe Premiere Pro and DaVinci Resolve, Mac users are fortunate to have access to a wide range of options. Whether you’re producing content for social media or crafting a full-length film, the right software can streamline your process and elevate your final product.

At Qi Graphics, we believe the editing journey should feel as exciting as the end result. If you’re looking to transform your footage into professional, eye-catching videos, our team is here to help every step of the way. Let’s bring your creative vision to life—on brand and on point.

For new projects and beginner-friendly editing, easily create polished videos with:

iMovie

For professional-level editing, powerful features, and flexibility, bring your most ambitious projects to life with:

Premiere Pro

To learn more about Qi Graphic Design’s video design services, click below:

Video Design