6 Best Video Editing Software Platforms

1. Sony Movie Studio Platinum

3D capabilities help Sony's consumer-grade video editing software to stand out, and the precise editing and solid rendering speed make this an excellent option for consumers.

Other features include YouTube sharing, DVD and Blu-Ray compatibilities, and an excellent Picture in Picture preview.

The downside? The interface feels a little outdated, and definitely seems like a watered-down version of Sony's Pro software, as opposed to a product developed with the consumer's needs in mind.

Price: $94.95

2. Pinnacle Studio 16 Ultimate

With an attractive interface, a multitude of video effects and the ability to upload directly to Facebook, Vimeo, Box and YouTube, Pinnacle Studio has long been a favorite in video editing. While it is one of the more expensive options in this list, and it doesn’t have 4K UHD support, Pinnacle serves as a nice middle-ground option for those who aren’t slackers in the video editing department, but who haven’t reached pro status just yet.

Price: $114.99

3. AVS Video Editor

Packed with more than 670 transitions and effects, 46 text options and 34 templates for disc menus, AVS is surprisingly simple to use and customize. Users need only drag and drop the desired effect into place.

Editing videos is quick and easy, and AVS supports multiple formats, such as HD, MPEG, AVI, WMV, QuickTime, Adobe Flash, mobile video, Real Networks and WebM files, among others.

Price: $59

4. Avid Media Composer 7

Avid Media Composer's latest version comes with a wealth of new and improved features, such as accelerated high-res-to-HD workflows and automated media management to handle background media tasks while you focus on your creative vision. The $999 price tag is steep for amateurs, but worth it if you're looking for a professional-grade software. As the editing software of choice for summer blockbusters like Star Trek and The Great Gatsby, Avid Media Composer 7 can handle any editing challenge with ease.

5. Adobe Premiere Pro CC

As the industry leader in video editing, Adobe Premiere Pro CC comes with a redesigned timeline and Paste Effects, which allows you to copy and paste the effects you need from one clip to another, making your editing faster and more efficient. Other new features include new sync settings, the ability to browse through your projects to find and combine clips faster, closed captioning features and improved multicam editing. And as part of the Creative Cloud, it’s backed by the Adobe Creative Suite, integrated with Behance and can be synced across multiple workstations.

6.iMovie 11

For Mac users who want a simple video editing software without the bells and whistles, there’s iMovie 11. Easy drag-and-drop functionality makes cropping and adding music a breeze, and previewing the resulting video in real time makes it easy to ensure that you got the right shot.

While it may not have the latest and greatest features, iMovie packs all of the basics in an easy-to-master interface for a relatively cheap price.

Price: $79