6 Things to Consider when Choosing a Video Editor for YouTube

Once you’ve decided to start creating videos for YouTube, researching and picking the right video editing software can be overwhelming. With so many choices out there, you want to make sure you make the right decision.

This article will help guide you through the decision making process by looking at the factors you should consider when comparing video editing software titles.

Here are six factors to consider:

1. Budget and price.
2. Learning curve/ease of use.
3. Video format support and Multi-GPGPU acceleration.
4. Advanced editing tools.
5. Special effects, music, and other perks.
6. Quality customer support.

1. Budget and Price

A good place to start is to decide how much you are willing to pay. There are free video editing software options, but they can have poor performance, limited file format support, lack major editing features, and have many other limitations. On the other hand, higher end software for professionals can end up costing thousands of dollars, and have many features you will probably never use.

The software you should be considering is those categorized as prosumer, as they should serve all your needs for editing videos for YouTube. Here is a price comparison chart showing some of the more popular prosumer brands of video editing software.

Prosumer Software Price Comparison

2. Learning Curve/Ease of Use

An important thing to consider when buying video editing software is how easy it is to learn and become proficient with it. The last thing you want is to purchase software, and then spend months learning how to edit your first video.

Look for software that provides video editing templates and auto (express) modes to get you started. Auto (express) modes help you create videos quickly, by allowing you to import media, select a preferred video style, and then your video is automatically composed for you. Templates are existing video projects where you just need to replace the existing placeholder media with your own content.

You also want the video editing software to include lots of tutorials so you can learn each feature. Tutorials are even more helpful when they can be easily accessed right in the program. This way you can learn how to use a feature as you edit, maximizing your learning and editing time.

3. Video Format Support and Multi-GPGPU Acceleration

Before you take the plunge and buy your video editing software, make sure it can edit the video outputted from your camera. This is especially important if you plan to edit video from the newest drone, action, and 360 cameras. Video quality and formats are constantly evolving and it can sometimes take time for the software to catch up.

For exporting video, most prosumer level video editing software is capable of outputting in high quality and in the most popular formats, so you can rest assured that you’ll have little trouble uploading your videos to YouTube. If you plan on creating 4K videos, be sure that you have a capable computer, preferably one with a dedicated graphics card as the processing of 4K video can require significant computing resources and time.

4. Advanced Editing Tools

Take your YouTube videos to the next level with advanced editing tools and features. If you want your videos to impress, you want your software to have powerful tools that will dazzle your viewers.

PowerDirector has a lot of advanced, but easy to use, editing features that will create professional-looking videos for YouTube. Some of these features include:

• MultiCam Designer – load in video footage shot from up to four cameras, and quickly output it as one linear video.
• Action Camera Center – best for drone users and action cameras to quickly edit, enhance, and add effects to footage.
• Object motion tracking.
• Advanced 360° video editing.
• Chroma key editing (green screen effect).
• One-click color correction, intelligent color match, and color grading.
• Fast video rendering and easy uploading to YouTube.

5. Special Effects, Music, and Other Perks

The most popular videos on YouTube are those that include professional looking graphics and titles, background music, and other effects. Depending on the video editing software, effects and music will cost you extra or you’ll require expensive plug-in software to achieve what you want.

Be sure the video editing software you buy at least has effects and music included, or you may end up having videos that lack that special something.

6. Quality Customer Support

A company’s customer support is something you may never have to use, but when you need it, you want it to be responsive and helpful. You should look for a company that has extensive customer support services that include things like phone support, product FAQs, and a forum community where you can get help from other users.

Now that you have more information on what you should look for, you can go out there and make a decision. A good place to start is to download and use the trial versions of the software, as nothing beats hands on testing.

You can try PowerDirector right now for free by downloading PowerDirector Essential.