15 Best Alternatives to Adobe Premiere Pro in 2023 (Free & Paid)

If you're a pro video editor, you know that Adobe Premiere Pro, much like Adobe Photoshop for photo editing, is one of the most popular and influential options. But what are your other options? Maybe you're just starting out and don't want something so challenging to learn.

Adobe Premiere Pro is a great program, but it can be expensive for people who don’t make videos or films for a living. That's why these 15 alternatives to this top-tier version of Premiere are worth considering. Whether you're looking for something free or you’re on a budget, you're sure to find an option that suits you here.

• Top 3 Alternatives to Adobe Premiere Pro
• How to Choose an Alternative to Adobe Premiere Pro
• Best Alternatives to Adobe Premiere Pro
1. PowerDirector - Best Overall
2. Final Cut Pro - Best for Apple Users
3. DaVinci Resolve - Best for Independent Filmmakers
4. Avid Media Composer - Best for Advanced Users
5. Blender - Best Free Option for Advanced Users
6. iMovie - Best for iPhone Videographer Hobbyists
7. Vegas Pro - Best for Windows Users
8. Corel VideoStudio - Best Paid Software for Intermediate Users
9. HitFilm Pro - Best for VFX Hobbyist
10. Lightworks - Best for Social Media Content
11. Shotcut - Best Open Source Editor
12. Openshot - Best for Budding Amateurs
13. Adobe Premiere Elements - Best for Family Video Editing
14. InVideo - Best for Travelers
15. Nero Video - Best for Bargain Bin Shoppers
• Best Alternatives to Adobe Premiere Pro Comparison Chart
• How to Edit With an Alternative to Adobe Premiere Pro
• Download the Best Alternatives to Adobe Premiere Pro for Free
• Alternatives to Adobe Premiere Pro FAQ

Top 3 Alternatives to Adobe Premiere Pro

How to Choose an Alternative to Adobe Premiere Pro

When it comes to choosing a video editor, there are quite a few things you need to consider:

• The most obvious place to start is with your budget. How much can you afford to spend on software? Even if you have all the money in the world, always remember that the most expensive isn’t always the best. 
• Do you want to invest in a long-term solution, or are you looking for something more temporary?
• What operating system do you use? Adobe Premiere Pro is only available on Windows and Mac.
• How much experience do you have with video editing? If you're a beginner, you'll want something simpler to use. If you're more experienced, you might be able to handle a more complex program. 

Best Alternatives to Adobe Premiere Pro

1. PowerDirector - Best Overall

Compatibility: Windows, macOS

Overall Rating: 10 / 10

PCMag Rating: 5 / 5

Price: Free
*Premium subscription available for $4.08/month

Key Features

• AI tools including Object Detection for masking, Sky Replacement, Video Denoise, Motion Tracking and more
• Mask Designer - custom, images, and text masks to remove unnecessary objects, or composite different clips together.
• Title Designer - motion graphics, sound effects, blending modes, special effects.
• Pip Designer - add animated stickers, shapes, and callouts to your videos.

Who It’s For

PowerDirector is the ideal video editing software for people who are serious about their videos and want to do more with their clips without needing a degree in film. Even professionals find that it has everything they need.

Why We Picked It

For years, PowerDirector has been renowned for being on the cutting edge of speed and support for new video formats and effects. In fact, it has been PCMag Editors' Choice for years. Even though it comes packed with features, the program’s interface is straightforward and not as daunting as other professional software suites.

Bottom Line

PowerDirector is quick and comprehensive, with pro-level features available at consumer-level simplicity.

Try PowerDirector for free today!

2. Final Cut Pro - Best for Apple Users

Image from BolderVideo.

Compatibility: macOS

Overall Rating: 9 / 10

TechRadar Rating: 4 / 5

Price: $299

Key Features

• Magnetic timeline - allows you to edit clips without destroying the original footage.
• Compound Clips - allow users to bundle video and audio clips into a movable package. This makes it easy to rearrange your project without having to move each clip individually.

Who It's For

Final Cut Pro is an excellent alternative for professionals seeking a one-time purchase versus a subscription. However, if you are new to video editing, you will be better off learning the basics on a less intimidating and expensive option.

Why We Picked It

The latest version of Final Cut Pro has a sleek, modern interface without tracks in the timeline. Once editors get used to this flexibility, they'll appreciate that it offers as many options and capabilities as any other app.

Bottom Line

Final Cut Pro is worth the price if you're looking for video editing software with professional power and a relatively simple interface compared to Premiere Pro.

3. DaVinci Resolve - Best for Independent Filmmakers

Compatibility: Windows, macOS, Linux

Overall Rating: 8 / 10

PCMag Rating: 4 / 5

Price: Free version or $295 pro version

Key Features

• Pages - dedicated workspace and tools for each post-production stage from cutting to delivery.
• Color grading - this is the process of changing how a video clip looks by altering the colors.

Who It's For

Resolve is a powerful video editing software used by professionals in the film industry. Some movies that have used it are Avatar, Dune, and Snakes on a Plane.

Why We Picked It

DaVinci Resolve is a professional video editing program that, though not the easiest to use, has a full-capability free version.

Bottom Line

DaVinci Resolve is a handy video production toolkit that comes with all the features that professionals need, such as audio and color grading tools.

4. Avid Media Composer - Best for Advanced Users

Image from TechRadar.

Compatibility: Windows, macOS

Overall Rating: 8 / 10

G2 Rating: 4.1 / 5

Price: Starting at $23.99 per month

Key Features

• FrameFlex - enables users to change the aspect ratio of a video without re-rendering or cropping the image.
• Timecode tool - allows users to overlay timecode on a video clip.

Who It's For

It's not cheap, and it isn't very easy to use, so this one is best kept to the pros.

Why We Picked It

This software is not for those who give up easily. Even though the interface will be familiar to anyone who has used another type of video editing software, its ability to be customized will please those who want to create their perfect work environment.

Bottom Line

Avid Media Composer is for you if you want to work in a more professional environment than Premiere Pro.

5. Blender - Best Free Option for Advanced Users

Image from Blender Artists.

Compatibility: Windows, macOS, Linux

Overall Rating: 7.5 / 10

PCMag Rating: 4 / 5

Price: Free

Key Features

• Live preview - this creates a preview that allows the user to see how their video will look with specific settings before they finalize anything.

Who It's For

People on a budget or those who want to try more advanced video editing and visual effects before investing money.

Why We Picked It

Blender is a free and open-source video editing software with many features you would expect to find in an advanced paid program.

Bottom Line

Blender is loaded with tons of capabilities, from video editing to 3D animation. It is the equivalent of Adobe After Effects and Premiere Pro combined.

6. iMovie - Best for iPhone Videographer Hobbyists

Image from DesignBuckle.

Compatibility: macOS

Overall Rating: 7.5 / 10

Tom’s Guide Rating: 4 / 5

Price: Free

Key Features

• Storyboards - this is a feature that allows the user to create a rough draft of their video by piecing together clips in a sequence.

Who It's For

Beginners who don't have much experience editing videos.

Why We Picked It

The Storyboards feature helps people create beautiful digital movies, which couldn't be easier to use. This is definitely a top pick for any Mac users who have never tried editing a video.

Bottom Line

iMovie is the perfect video editing software for nonprofessionals who want to create a home-style video, such as a child's sports game or a family vacation.

7. Vegas Pro - Best for Windows Users

Compatibility: Windows

Overall Rating: 8 / 10

PCMag Rating: 3 / 5

Price: From $12.99 per month

Key Features

• Text to speech - this is a feature that allows the user to generate speech from text.

Who It's For

The earlier picks like Da Vinci and Blender are mainly for professionals, but a cheaper cut-back software like this is great for intermediate editors.

Why We Picked It

Vegas Pro's interface has formerly been significantly more complex than necessary. However, the developers have started to change this by making the interface much more straightforward and user-friendly in recent updates.

Bottom Line

If you are on a budget and aren’t a professional looking for more than just the basics Vegas Pro could be a good choice for you.

8. Corel VideoStudio - Best Paid Software for Intermediate Users

Compatibility: Windows

Overall Rating: 8 / 10

PCMag Rating: 4 / 5

Price: $79.99

Key Features

• GIF creation - create GIFs with a few clicks.
• Color Grading - offers various controls to adjust your video's color.

Who It’s For

Aimed mainly at amateurs, like students and teachers, looking to create content for fun

Why We Picked It

We first took notice of Corel's stop-motion capabilities and then were further impressed when we saw the motion-tracking tools.

Bottom Line

Intuitive and feature-packed, Corel VideoStudio is a good video editing program for consumers. With new tools, you can now edit faces, create GIFs, and use text-to-speech.

9. HitFilm Pro - Best for VFX Hobbyist

Compatibility: Windows, macOS

Overall Rating: 7.5 / 10

TechRadar Rating: 4 / 5

Price: $349

Key Features

• Audio effects - a wide range of audio effects that can be applied to your videos.
• 3D Compositing - this is a process of combining three-dimensional elements.

Who It’s For

Popular with YouTubers and filmmakers most interested in VFX.

Why We Picked It

When you purchase HitFilm Pro, you also gain access to 12 months of development updates and support. After that time frame expires, you can still keep using the software forever or pay for another year of updates at a discounted price.

Bottom Line

Even though the interface of HitFilm Pro may feel clunky and old-fashioned, it offers some remarkable features in terms of effects.

10. Lightworks - Best for Social Media Content

Compatibility: Windows

Overall Rating: 7 / 10

TechRadar Rating: 4 / 5

Price: $24.99 per month

Key Features

• Multicam editing - this is a feature that allows the user to edit footage from multiple cameras.

Who It’s For

It can be used for social media content production, all the way up to movie quality edits.

Why We Picked It

It benefits from a dedicated web export and supports a vast array of format types.

Bottom Line

Lightworks is perfect for anyone who wants to improve their video content, whether you're a movie industry expert or a social media marketer.

11. Shotcut - Best Open Source Editor

Compatibility: Windows, macOS, Linux

Overall Rating: 7 / 10

TechRadar Rating: 4 / 5

Price: Free

Key Features

• Keyframing - this is a process of setting points in time where you can change the properties of an element.

Who It’s For

Someone looking for a free solution that has everything to offer.

Why We Picked It

It's one of the best free options on the market, and it is regularly updated for bug fixes.

Bottom Line

Shotcut is an excellent video editor with a wide range of features to form a well-rounded software solution.

12. Openshot - Best for Budding Amateurs

Compatibility: Windows, macOS, Linux

Overall Rating: 6 / 10

TechRadar Rating: 2 / 5

Price: Free

Key Features

• Unlimited tracks - add as many videos, effects, titles, etc. to your project.

Who It’s For

It's free, open-source software with no limits on the number of tracks you can use.

Why We Picked It

It's one of the best free options on the market, and it is regularly updated for bug fixes.

Bottom Line

Openshot is an excellent video editor for anyone just starting or wanting to learn more about the editing process.

13. Adobe Premiere Elements - Best for Family Video Editing

Compatibility: Windows, macOS

Overall Rating: 6 / 10

PCMag Rating: 3.5 / 5

Price: $59.99

Key Features

• Auto-reframe - this is a feature that allows you to automatically adjust subjects in your video to keep them in the frame as you resize or reposition your video.

Who It’s For

Perfect for those who take home videos and want to make video capsules of time throughout their life.

Why We Picked It

Adobe’s consumer video editing software is very different from the pro version. It's simple to use for anyone looking to quickly edit a few videos.

Bottom Line

Adobe Premiere Elements is user-friendly and comes with plenty of helpful resources, but its features are limited.

14. InVideo - Best for Travelers

Image from hindustantimes.

Compatibility: Web browser

Overall Rating: 6 / 10

Digital Camera World Rating: 3.5/5

Price: Free

Key Features

• Templates - this feature allows you to use a set video editing project and simply add your content.

Who It’s For

Those who don’t want to install software on their computer.

Why We Picked It

This is a quality, fully cloud-based, online solution. You can't say that very often when it comes to video editing.

Bottom Line

With InVideo being online, this solution is excellent to use on multiple computers wherever you are in the world.

15. Nero Video - Best for Bargain Bin Shoppers

Image from Nero Video.

Compatibility: Windows

Overall Rating: 5.5 / 10

PCMag Rating: 3 / 5

Price: $59.99

Key Features

• Multitrack timeline - this is a feature that allows you to have different video and audio tracks playing at the same time.

Who It’s For

It's a cheap stepping stone to learning video editing before moving on to a more expensive one.

Why We Picked It

It's one of the most affordable options on the market and still has a lot to offer users.

Bottom Line

There are many features in Nero Video, and it's just a fraction of the price compared with others.

Best Alternatives to Adobe Premiere Pro Comparison Chart

How to Edit With an Alternative to Adobe Premiere Pro

Here is a quick tutorial on how to edit a video using PowerDirector:

1. Open up the software and upload the video(s) you wish to edit.

2. Once imported, you can begin the editing using features such as splitting, cropping, adding audio sound effects, transitions, text, and more.
3. Export your video and share it with your friends!

Download the Best Alternative to Adobe Premiere Pro for Free

PowerDirector is the best alternative to Adobe Premiere Pro. It offers a wide range of features for both beginners and professionals and is compatible with Windows and Mac.

It is free to download, so you can check it out for yourself!