Video & Design Software

The 5 at a glance

Our 5 picks, ranked

1. Rank 1

   Adobe Premiere Pro

   The industry-standard video editor, for when you want pro-level control.

   Best forSerious video editors, YouTubers and filmmakers

   What it does

   Premiere Pro is Adobe’s professional video editing software. It handles everything from quick social clips to long films, and works smoothly with other Adobe apps such as After Effects and Photoshop.

   Strengths

   • Used by professionals around the world
   • Works smoothly with other Adobe apps
   • Powerful tools for color, audio and effects
   • Available on Windows and Mac

   Good to know: It is subscription-only with no one-time purchase, and it takes some time to learn.

2. Rank 2

   Filmora

   An easy, friendly video editor for beginners and busy creators.

   Best forBeginners, YouTubers and small businesses

   What it does

   Filmora is a video editor with a clean drag-and-drop layout, plus effects, templates and AI helpers that save you time.

   Strengths

   • Easy to learn, even if you have never edited video before
   • Lots of effects, titles and templates
   • AI tools to speed up editing
   • Annual plan or one-time purchase option

   Good to know: The free version adds a watermark to exports, and some AI features use credits.

3. Rank 3

   Envato Elements

   Unlimited video templates, music, footage and graphics for one flat fee.

   Best forVideo editors and designers who need fresh assets all the time

   What it does

   Envato Elements is a subscription with unlimited downloads of video templates, stock footage, music, graphics, fonts and more, all with a commercial license.

   Strengths

   • Huge library: video, music, templates, fonts and graphics
   • Unlimited downloads for a flat fee
   • Commercial license included
   • Saves time on every project

   Good to know: Plans changed in 2026 and AI generation allowances differ by plan, so check what is included. Annual billing is much cheaper than monthly.

4. Rank 4

   Riverside

   Studio-quality recording for podcasts and video interviews.

   Best forPodcasters, interviewers and anyone recording remote guests

   What it does

   Riverside records each person locally on their own device, so audio and video stay crisp even if the internet connection is shaky. It also includes editing tools and AI features such as transcripts and short clips.

   Strengths

   • High-quality recording for every guest
   • Up to 4K video on paid plans
   • Built-in editing and transcription
   • A free plan to try it out

   Good to know: The free plan adds a watermark and limits quality, and paid plans cap monthly recording hours.

5. Rank 5

   Camtasia

   Screen recording and video editing made for tutorials and training.

   Best forTeachers, trainers and anyone making how-to videos

   What it does

   Camtasia records your screen and webcam and lets you edit everything in one app, so you can create tutorials, training videos and presentations.

   Strengths

   • Screen recording and editing in one app
   • Easy callouts, zooms and captions
   • Works on Windows and Mac
   • Free trial available

   Good to know: It costs more than most beginner editors, and exports from the free trial carry a watermark.