Video Editing tools

Desktop, browser and mobile video editors from beginner-friendly to professional.

What to look for in video editing tools

  • Hardware requirements — some editors need a powerful computer
  • Export watermarks and resolution limits on free versions
  • Auto-captions and the languages they support
  • Learning curve versus how much control you need

Video Editing tools in our database

Listed alphabetically — this is not a ranking. We only rank tools after hands-on testing.

CapCut

Video Editing

A video editor for mobile, desktop and web, popular for short-form social video. It includes templates, auto-captions and effects…

Main use
TikToks and Reels
Free plan
Not yet verified
Pricing
Not yet verified
Last reviewed
Not yet reviewed

DaVinci Resolve

Video Editing

Professional desktop software from Blackmagic Design combining editing, colour correction, visual effects and audio post-production. A…

Main use
YouTube videos
Free plan
Yes
Pricing
Not yet verified
Last reviewed
Not yet reviewed

Descript

AI Audio

An audio and video editor that transcribes your recording so you can edit it by editing the text. It also includes AI tools for cleaning…

Main use
Editing podcasts
Free plan
Not yet verified
Pricing
Not yet verified
Last reviewed
Not yet reviewed

Runway

AI Video

A creative platform focused on AI video. It generates short video clips from text or images and offers AI-assisted editing tools for…

Main use
B-roll and visual effects
Free plan
Not yet verified
Pricing
Not yet verified
Last reviewed
Not yet reviewed

Compare these side by side

Related reading

Guide

AI tools for South African creators

How South African creators can use AI for scripts, voiceovers, editing and research — and what to check about dollar billing, data costs, accuracy and POPIA.

· 7 min read