Choosing video editor software for a beginner is not easy. While you probably know that you need an editor that is easy to use, you may not know how to find it. The good news is that although editing software is notorious for its learning curve, many are more beginner-friendly. All you need to do is know how to find them and what to look for:
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Decide on your budget.
Before considering options, you should decide how much you’re willing to spend. Don’t worry if the number is low as the only prosumer and professional video editing software is truly expensive – and neither should be what you’re looking for. If you’re only interested in looking at free options, that is possible too – but you need to know in advance.
Identify specific features that you need.
Most basic video editors have similar features to trim, join, rotate, crop, etc. However, you may want other specific features, such as audio editing tools, multi-track timelines, effects, 360-degree video editing, and so on. Don’t worry if you aren’t sure what features you’ll need. In most cases, the basics should more than suffice for beginners.
Make sure the specifications match.
Beginners often forget this, but your chosen software must match your computer’s specifications. If an editor provides both ‘minimum’ and ‘recommended’ specifications, it is best to ensure that you meet the latter.
Check out the interface.
To get an idea of the user-friendly the editor is, you should check out its interface. Pay close attention to how its features are organized and whether or not you can quickly find what you need by just looking at the interface. The more intuitive the interface is, the more beginner-friendly the editor is bound to be.
Look at the input and output formats.
One of the limitations present in many basic editors is that they may only support certain input and output format must look at the formare supported and make sure what you need are present. Simply put, the editor you choose should support the format your recording devices save videos – to export in the formats you require.
Take advantage of free trials.
Many editors have free trials, and you should take advantage of them. Think of the trials as a risk-free way to gauge whether you like a particular editor before you make a firm decision. Admittedly you’re not going to want to use the free trial of every editor out there, so you must narrow your choices before you do. However, the steps listed above should help you find a good PC or Mac video editor that you can use to learn the ropes. Just remember there’s no reason to break the bank if you don’t have to, and you should stick to your budget or even try free options before you decide.
