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Top 5 Video Editing Software Choices For Under $50
If you’re looking to join the video editing game, your first step is to find editing software that meets your skill level and budget. You can find hundreds of video editing programs across the web that come with a range of prices, features, tools, and capabilities—and knowing which one is right for you may feel challenging.
The secret to making amazing videos is always the maker, not the software. You don’t need to purchase an expensive, high end program to create a Hollywood-level video. Instead, you need to know how to use an affordable program to your full advantage.
Video editors such as PowerDirector offer a wide range of unique tools and features with beginner friendly capabilities for an affordable price tag. In addition, Lightworks, VideoPad, Nero Video, and Movavi Movie Edit Plus are affordable programs many editors use today.
To help you determine the right program for your needs, we have reviewed each of these video editing software options. We explain their features, pros, cons, and price points. Read ahead to learn about the affordable programs on our list, then download our #1 choice PowerDirector today to begin producing top quality videos on a budget.
- Top 5 Affordable Video Editing Software
- PowerDirector: Starting at $5.83 per Month
- Lightworks: $24.99 per Month
- VideoPad: $39.95
- Nero Video: $47.95
- Movavi Video Editor Plus: $39.95 per Year
- Comparison Chart
- Summary
Top 5 Affordable Video Editing Software
1. PowerDirector: Starting at $5.83 per Month
If you’re looking for an affordable editing program with expensive looking features and results, look no further than the award-winning PowerDirector from CyberLink.
PowerDirector includes all of the features you would expect from a high end video editing program. The software features unlimited access to built-in templates with monthly updates. There are tools to help beginners learn the ropes, along with advanced effects such as keyframing, masking, motion graphics, and more.
You'll have access to all of the tutorials, editing tips, and functions available through the program at no additional cost. CyberLink offers numerous resources to help you learn how to use the program to your full advantage, allowing you to get your money’s worth out of your monthly price.
PowerDirector offers flexible subscriptions to suit your budget and editing habits. You can pay for the program monthly, annually, or as a lifetime subscription, and the most affordable plan will cost you only $5.83 per month, or less with seasonal offers. This price offers the best value of any other professional editing program on the market.
Overall, PowerDirector is an impressive software with an affordable price tag suitable for beginners and professionals alike.
Key Features- Title and transition effects
- Green screen editing
- Masking effects
- Motion graphics
- 360 Video Support
- Free tutorials
- Best value editing program
- Wide range of professional-level features
- Free templates added monthly
- The number of features included may be overwhelming at first
2. Lightworks: $24.99 per Month
Lightworks is a powerful video editing program with a range of advanced tools and effects. This software is an excellent choice for editors looking to get serious with their video editing careers.
Lightworks offers an impressive selection of professional-level features suitable for Hollywood-style films. A few of its features are its multicam editing tools, real time effects, and color correction tools.
Some users have reported that Lightworks utilizes a tricky workflow that requires a bit of a learning curve. While the program has an impressive range of features available, it will take you some time to master the program’s toolkit.
Lightworks is also not as affordable as other programs on our list. While the lite version is free, you’ll need to pay around $24.99 per month for LightWorks Pro. However, you may choose to purchase a year long license for $174.99 or a lifetime license for $437.99 instead.
Altogether, Lightworks is a suitable option for anyone looking for a pro level affordable video editing software.
Key Features- Real time effects
- Color correction
- Preset save files
- Multicam editing
- Professional, advanced effects
- Windows, Mac, and Linux compatibility
- Fast processing speeds
- Confusing interface
- Higher price point than other options
3. VideoPad: $39.95
VideoPad is an introductory video editing program suitable mostly for beginners. This program includes all of the tools you would need to create a home movie or casual film for social media, but it lacks the more advanced features necessary for professional editing.
One of VideoPad’s most advanced features is its support for 360 degree video editing. If you shoot a VR video on your phone or camera, you can import it into the VideoPad software to perform base level adjustments.
VideoPad also allows you to perform simple audio edits without needing a separate mixing program. You can use this software to mix audio tracks, vocals, and music to create your own movie soundtrack.
You can download VideoPad for a flat rate of $39.95. Unfortunately, the program lacks some of the advanced features you would expect in a program of this price range. If you’re looking to create a Hollywood-level looking video, you’ll want to stick with one of the professional editors on our list.
Key Features- Easy-to-use transitions
- 360 degree VR editing
- Audio mixing
- User friendly interface
- Base level tools
- Flat rate pricing
- Fewer advanced features than other programs
4. Nero Video: $47.95*
Nero Video is another inexpensive video editing software effects and tools. Along with basic editing effects, the program offers a few advanced features such as auto stabilizing, picture-in-picture effects, and audio editing.
One significant downside of Nero Video is its interface. This program’s interface is visibly outdated, making it challenging for new users to understand. The interface does not include any of the intuitive tools or guides you would expect in a modern editing program or that you may already be familiar with from previous editors.
You can purchase the program outright for $59.95 or you can take advantage of the occasional offers from Nero. You can also download a 15 day trial version for free.
Overall, if you don’t mind learning the program’s outdated interface, Nero Video is a suitable choice for basic to professional editing on a budget.
Key Features- Picture-in-picture
- Stabilization
- Audio editing effects
- Basic and advanced features
- In program audio editing
- Outdated user interface
- Poor support for new formats
*Special pricing as seen on website in June 2021. Pricing might change.
5. Movavi Video Editor Plus: $39.95 per Year
Movavi Video Editor features a clean interface that includes a vast timeline, distinct tracks, and dark modes.
Movavi includes all of your essential editing tools, along with some advanced features you may not expect from affordable software. For example, you can implement object animation in your videos with a few clicks of a button using Movavi’s animation tool.
One downside that professional editors have reported is that you cannot import custom objects into Movavi Video Editor Plus. Additionally, many users found the program’s color grading options to be lacking.
However, at $39.95 per Year, Movavi is a simple and good video editor for beginners.
Key Features
- Object animation
- Scene detection
- Stabilization
- Range of advanced editing tools
- Clean, user friendly interface
- Lacks some essential features for professionals
- No monthly releases of effects or plug ins
- Key tools restricted until you upgrade to the next subscription tier
Comparison Chart
 PowerDirector |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Starting at $5.83 per Month | $24.99 per Month | $39.95 | $47.95* | $39.95 per Year |
| User-Friendly | Easy, Beginner Friendly | No, Professional | Yes | Moderate | Yes |
| Updates & New Features | Constantly/Year-Round | Minimum | No | No | No |
| Music, Photo, Video Stock Libraries | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Multicam Editing | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| Transition Library | Large Collection & Growing | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Text Animations & Title Templates | Wide Selection | Limited | Limited | Yes | Yes |
| Split Screen Designer | Yes | No | No | No | No |
*Special pricing as seen on website in June 2021. Pricing might change.
Summary
Editing videos is a trend that has only become more popular over the past few years. Whether you are a millennial looking to post to YouTube or TikTok, a business owner trying to incorporate videos into your digital marketing campaign, or a parent looking to create video montages of your children, you can benefit from learning the ropes of a video editing program.
Thankfully, you don’t need any expensive equipment or editing programs to begin creating professional quality videos. Instead, you can find dozens of top quality video editors under $50 that offer all of the same tools and functionality of thousand dollar software.
The best affordable video editing software is PowerDirector. This program is easy to learn and suitable for beginners, professionals, and every editor in between. PowerDirector’s impressive selection of built-in tools, advanced editing capabilities, and free tutorials make it the top affordable video editor all around.
Editing programs like Lightworks, VideoPad, Nero Video, and Movavi Video Editor Plus are also viable options for less than $50 a piece. To determine which program is suitable for your needs, we recommend downloading a free trial of each and comparing their features.
Producing expert level videos is easier than you think with PowerDirector. Download PowerDirector today to try the program’s impressive features for yourself.
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