Transforming raw files into professional edits is an art. That said, your edits are only as good as your software. Without the right tools for the job, rendering your sequences into polished products becomes unnecessarily complex.
To simplify matters, we’ve put together a roundup guide comparing the best tools in the business. Below, we break down the top tools designed for post-production into 3 categories: video editing, visual effects, and remote collaboration.
Whether you command a team of professional VFX artist or are editing your first home movie, this list of tools should help you find the most fitting software solutions.
What to look for when assessing different post-production tools
The best post-production software for the job will depend heavily on your circumstances. Here are a few factors to take into consideration when selecting the right tools for the job:
- Cost: How often or how long do you anticipate using the software? Post-production tools are accessible on either a subscription basis or with a lump sum fee for a specific software version.
- Day-to-day usage: How often will you be using these tools? Casual users might get away with investing less in full suites, while editing professionals likely need something more robust.
- Collaboration: Does your software facilitate easy collaboration? Do you have that need? It’s worth considering tools with built-in sharing features or opting for a stand-alone solution.
- Versatility: Are you looking for software that does one thing really well or a suite built to conquer it all? If you’re looking to segment your workflow, make sure your software is more or less compatible with the other components of your system.
The 7 best post-production software solutions for every step of the process
Without further ado, here is our guide to the top post-production software suites. From editing to the final rounds of color correction, these software tools are designed to take your project from start to finish.
Video editing software
Here are our top picks for editing software to build your project from the ground up:
1. Adobe Premiere Pro: Most versatile
Adobe’s Premiere Pro is a versatile video editing tool popular among amateurs and pro filmmakers alike. The customizable interface allows you to set up your workflow according to your preferences, making it easy to edit video and audio, add effects, and color your footage with the Lumetri Color panel.
Standout features include multi-camera editing, seamless integration with any other Adobe app, and the ability to edit 360-degree VR content.
Pros:
- Creative Cloud suite has everything necessary to edit files from start to finish.
- Great video stabilization tools
- Excellent for hobbyists and video professionals alike
Cons:
- Stability can vary from one update to the next
- For motion graphics or VFX, users need to purchase the full Creative Cloud suite
Pricing: Individual plans start at $20.99/month or $54.99/month for full Creative Cloud plans, which include the use of Adobe Audition, Lightroom, and After Effects.
2. AVID Media Composer: Best for film and TV
Media Composer, sometimes known as “AVID,” is one of the oldest and most trusted video editing software solutions available, especially for more formal movie and commercial editing purposes. It features collaborative tools like bin sharing and project locking, making it great for larger post-production teams.
While it may take a bit more time to understand upfront, it’s incredibly robust, with limitless file-sharing features, script integration, and incredible audio editing capabilities built into the software.
Pros:
- Gold standard NLE for professional editing; workflows geared toward film and broadcast
- Very stable product and user experience
- Once you understand the workflow, the software is incredibly efficient.
Cons:
- Support is tiered; users pay an additional premium to receive on-call support.
- Steep learning curve for beginners
Pricing: Monthly plans start at $23.99/month, though it requires committing to a year of service for the lowest pricing tier.
3. iMovie: Best for beginners
Hobbyists and those just starting their video journey might find themselves most attuned to the Apple iMovie platform. This free software is incredibly user-friendly and easy to understand, packed with templates to make your edit process a breeze. It works seamlessly with Apple devices, allowing you to edit on both connected computers and the iOS app.
The software also provides a library of royalty-free sound effects and music, saving creators time and money while building their creations.
Pros:
- Super user-friendly interface
- Great chroma key capabilities for greenscreen
- Built-in templates for simple project inspiration
Cons:
- Only available for Mac users, no comparable software for PC users
- Somewhat limited with only two video tracks, no capability for motion tracking
Pricing: Free for Apple users
Remote work and collaboration
4. Evercast: Best for remote collaboration
Having the right software to create is one thing, but what about software to collaborate with your post-production team? Evercast is the closest thing to feeling like you’re in the room with collaborators when you need to work remotely.
Made specifically for production, Evercast offers high-resolution 4K video streaming and screen sharing with frame accuracy that simply isn’t available with typical video conferencing tools like Zoom and Google Meet. This way, you and your post-production team can work together effectively from anywhere and everywhere.
Participants don’t need software to join; they just need to click a button to join the session.
Pros:
- All-in-one video conferencing solution for streaming, chatting, drawing, and conversing in one place
- Secure, encrypted collaboration; trusted and certified by the Motion Picture Association
- Designed specifically for creative professionals with ultra-low latency
- Service backed by 24/7, white-glove support
Cons:
- Requires a one-time setup to streamline your workflow
- Slightly pricier than other collaboration tools
Pricing: Studio pricing starts at $849/month, and custom plans are available.
Learn more about Evercast here.
Visual effects
From motion graphics to VFX, these software suites help you assemble the final finishing touches on your sequence.
5. DaVinci Resolve: Best for color correction
DaVinci Resolve is well-loved for its node-based color correction, making it the standard for colorists, visual effect artists, and some editors. The platform does provide both an editing and motion graphics suite, though it’s used most frequently for color correction.
With automatic color matching, color wheels, curves, and real-time playback, this software makes it easy to picture your project in its final form.
Pros:
- Superior node-based color correction workflow
- Has a video editor and motion graphics suite
- Fast rendering
Cons:
- This is newer software, especially in the editing realm, and other collaborators might be less familiar with the workflow.
- Not designed for complete beginner editors
Pricing: The basic editor is free, or you can purchase the full studio for a one-time fee of $295.
6. Nuke: Best for compositing and visual effects
If you’re looking for advanced, collaborative, effortlessly professional compositing, then Nuke is the way to go. This industry-standard compositing and visual effects suite has node-based architecture that offers as much flexibility as possible when compositing frame by frame.
Nuke also offers 3D compositing tools and integrates well with animation and modeling software. The user interface is also highly customizable, so updating your workflow according to your preferences is easy.
Pros:
- Golden standard for compositing
- Shot-by-shot, detailed complex processing
- Excellent relighting capabilities
Cons:
- Steep learning curve
- Expensive
Pricing: Yearly subscriptions start at $3,299 or $5,968 for a perpetual license.
7. After Effects: Best for motion graphics
Developed for visual effects, compositing, and manipulating animated elements, After Effects is Adobe Suite’s motion graphics software. It supports rotoscoping, keying, and several 3D lighting tools to bring your animation to life.
The software integrates well with Adobe’s Premiere Pro editing software and provides a customizable workflow and custom scripting.
Pros:
- Flexible software that integrates well with Premiere and other Adobe programs
- Used with VFX, compositing, and animation
- Great for beginners and professionals
- Enables custom scripting
Cons:
- Limited 3D support
- Not the most intuitive user interface
Pricing: Individual plans start at $20.99/month or $54.99/month for full Creative Cloud plans.
FAQs
Which software is best for audio editing? ›
- Riverside.fm.
- GarageBand.
- Adobe Audition.
- Logic Pro X.
- Audacity.
- Ableton Live.
- Descript.
- Sound Forge.
Professional Hollywood studios use a few different software options for film editing, including Avid Media Composer, Adobe ® Premiere ® Pro, and Final Cut Pro. Avid Media Composer is a professional-level video editing platform that's used by Hollywood studios and independent filmmakers alike.
What tools are used in post production? ›- Adobe Premiere Pro: Most versatile.
- AVID Media Composer: Best for film and TV.
- iMovie: Best for beginners.
- Evercast: Best for remote collaboration.
- DaVinci Resolve: Best for color correction.
- Nuke: Best for compositing and visual effects.
Level of Difficulty, Prerequisites, & Cost. As with many creative skills, it isn't hard to learn the tools involved in video editing. Students can pick up the basic functions of Premiere Pro or Final Cut in only a few days of training, and the advanced techniques will only take a few weeks to learn.
Which daw does Kanye use? ›He uses the DAW Pro Tools to process and record his productions made using analog equipment. For instance, he chops, mixes and pitches samples using the ASR-10, and then processes these sounds using Pro Tools. Pro Tools is the most popular DAW among professional music producers.
What audio software do producers use? ›- Roland Zenbeats 2.
- Reaper.
- Studio One Artist.
- Apple Garage Band.
- FL Studio Producer.
- Native Instruments Komplete Start.
- IK Multimedia SampleTank Custom Shop.
- Spitfire Audio LABS.
Adobe Premiere Pro has been the film industry standard for many years, used by independent filmmakers and Hollywood productions. Movies include Deadpool, Gone Girl, and Hail, Caesar! In many ways it is the perfect NLE, incorporating an extensive library of special effects, an audio mixer, plugin integration, and more.
Which is the No 1 video editing app? ›- 1 Adobe Premier Rush.
- 2 KineMaster.
- 3 PowerDirector.
- 4 Fimora.
- 5 GoPro Quik.
- 6 Splice.
- 7 VivaVideo.
- 8 Google Photos.
Premiere Pro was built to be an NLE first and foremost whereas DaVinci Resolve was designed as a color editing suite first and an NLE second. That is to say, each of the video editing softwares can do the same things the other one can, but with each excelling in certain areas where the other may falter.
What is the most important part of post-production? ›The most essential step in the post-production process is picture editing. This is where you transform raw footage and other post-production materials into a story. It's where everything begins to come together.
Can I self learn video editing? ›
While learning video editing on your own is entirely possible, it takes much longer for self-taught users to become proficient compared to those who take training courses. For some, trial and error may be an effective way to learn basic editing techniques.
Can I teach myself video editing? ›Pick a popular video editing software and go through their built-in tutorial so you have a grasp on how the interface works. From there, an external course or two can help you to better comprehend the basics, such as organizing footage, color correcting, cuts and transitions, and refining audio elements.
Can I self taught video editing? ›Some students may consider self-teaching video editing as an alternative to enrolling in a professional training program. Like many creative skills, students can self-teach most of the skills associated with using video editing tools, such as Premiere Pro, but their pace will be much slower than it otherwise could be.
Is GarageBand better than Audacity? ›Additionally, Audacity also allows sample editing, importing of raw data, noise removal, pitch change, and tempo change, whereas GarageBand does not. Therefore, it is worth noting that Audacity is better for deep, detailed editing of audio and is best for editing audio pieces longer than an hour.
Is Audacity good for editing audio? ›Audacity is a free open source pro tool which provides all of the functionality that is present in a paid pro tool. The user friendly gui and the availability of audio effects and functions make Audacity the best tool for audio manipulation and editing.
Is WAV or mp3 better for editing? ›MP3 files are much smaller and have been compressed so they lose some data. WAV files are usually lossless and have not been compressed, so they have more data. This means more in terms of file size, but also usually means better quality of audio and more options for editing.
What program is free for audio editing? ›| Software | OS | Multi-Track Editing |
|---|---|---|
| GarageBand | Mac | Yes |
| OcenAudio | Windows, Mac, Linux | No |
| Auphonic | Web Browser | Yes |
| Audacity | Windows, Mac, Linux | Yes |