Video Editing on a Shoestring: Best Low-Cost Options

Best Cheap Yet Powerful Video Editing Software

Ollie Mattison

Mar 29, 2024• Proven solutions

The demand for video content on social media is at an all-time high. This also means that the quality of videos posted on social media matters a lot. With the right video editing software, you get the creative freedom to make attention-grabbing videos constantly. In this article, we are going to take you through seven of the most affordable video editing apps for Macs and PCs.

In this article

01 Part 1. Need for Video Editing Tools: Industry Statistics

02 Part 2. Video Editing Software for Less Than $100: Top 9 Best Tools

03 Part 3. Best Professional Video Editing Apps That Cost Under $300

Part 1. Need for Video Editing Tools: Industry Statistics

Statistics indicated the continued growth in the consumption of video content. There is also a significant increase in the use of video editing tools. Here are some notable figures:

• Video Editing Software market size was valued at US$4079.1 million in 2022 and is projected to reach US$5198.23 million by 2028
• An average person spends about 100 minutes per day watching online videos
• 54% of people want to see more video content from marketers
• Over 85% of internet users watch online videos each month
• 86% of businesses use video as a marketing too
• 93% of marketers who use video say that it’s an important part of their marketing strategy
• 80% of video marketers say video has directly helped increase sales
• An impressive 93% of companies report to acquire customers through social media

Top Affordable Video Editing Software: A Comparison Table

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Part 2. Video Editing Software for Less Than $100: Top 9 Best Tools

You no longer need access to professional video editing apps if you want to process the footage recorded in the 4K resolution, apply the Chroma Key effect to a video clip, or color grade a video since there are several options that are available for less than a hundred dollars that allow you to do all these things and much more. Let’s take a look at some of the best video editing apps that are not going to burn a hole in your budget.

Please keep in mind that the list is in no particular order of ranking, and the price may vary over time.

1. Filmora

Thousands of gamers, YouTubers, and social media video creators are already using Filmora because it is loaded with powerful features that are remarkably easy to use. The visual effects, transitions, AI features, or music libraries contain hundreds of different options that enable Filmora’s users to enhance color in their videos, switch between two shots smoothly, or create soundtracks with royalty-free music.

Price:

• Subscription Plan: US$19.99 per month
• Cross-Platform Plan: US$69.99 per year
• Perpetual Plan: US$79.99

Compatibility: macOS, Windows, Android, iOS, iPad, online

What Makes Filmora Unique:

• AI-powered features for automated video creation and editing
• Supports nearly all video file formats
• Processes 4K videos recorded with GoPro cameras or Full HD videos s
• Export projects to YouTube or Vimeo directly
• Low learning curve and user-friendly interface
• Made to fit beginners and intermedia users
• Free to try

You can check the detailed introduction of Filmora to find out why you should choose Filmora to edit videos .

2. VideoPad Video Editor

Working with 3D video footage, applying visual effects to 360-degree videos, or exporting videos in the 4K resolution are only a few reasons why VideoPad is one of the best cross-platform video editing apps on the market. It also comes with a wide range of features to make your video editing experience straightforward. The app doesn’t offer free music, which can slightly limit your options if you don’t have your own music you can use as a soundtrack. However, VideoPad lets you record voice-overs with a push of a button and it features an audio effects library that contains hundreds of professional sound effects.

Price:

• Free demo version available
• Lifetime license - US$24.99 for a Home Edition
• Lifetime license – US$34.99 for a Master’s Edition

Compatibility: macOS, Windows

What Makes VideoPad Unique:

• Better control over transitions and other options.
• Easy to use for beginners
• Editing 360 videos with VideoPad is super easy

3. Adobe Premiere Elements

Adobe Premiere Elements is basically a lighter version of Adobe Premiere Pro that is aimed at social media video creators. Mastering the Adobe Premiere Elements won’t take too much of your time and it will enable you to produce captivating videos with ease.

Price:

• 30-day free trial
• Lifetime license - US$99.99

Compatibility: macOS, Windows

What Makes Adobe Premiere Elements Unique:

• The Adobe Sensei AI technology automatically creates slideshows and collages from photos and videos
• Creates highest quality video content
• Additional features like Face Detection, Shake Reduction, or Smart Trim

4. Magix Movie Edit Pro

Magix Movie Edit Pro provides several automatic program wizards that are designed to shorten the amount of time required to make a video. You can just choose one of the automatic programs, and import the footage you would like to include in a project and Magix Movie Edit Pro will do the rest for you.

Price:

• 30-day free trial
• Movie Studio Platinum - US$69.99 for a lifetime license
• Movie Studio Suite - US$79.99 for a lifetime license
• Movie Studio Ultimate - US$299 for a lifetime license

Compatibility: Windows

What Makes Magix Movie Edit Pro Unique:

• Automatic and manual video editing
• More than 1500 visual effects to manipulate video clips
• Multi-cam video editing option and 360-degree videos are available on the Pro Plus version.

5. CyberLink PowerDirector Ultra

You can hardly go wrong if you decide to purchase this award-winning video editing software, which features hundreds of video templates that enable you to make a new video in just a couple of minutes.

Price:

• 30-day free trial
• Perpetual License: US$139.99
• Annual Plan: US$74.99

Compatibility: Windows

What Makes CyberLink PowerDirector Ultra Unique:

• Automatic and manual video editing
• More than 1500 visual effects to manipulate video clips
• Multi-cam video editing option and 360-degree videos are available on the Pro Plus version.

Part 3. Best Professional Video Editing Apps That Cost Under $300

1. Vegas Pro

It is difficult to imagine a video editing task you can’t perform with Vegas Pro. This video editing software supports nearly all video file formats, so you can edit footage captured with almost all digital video cameras.

Price:

• Vegas Pro Edit – US$ 199-lifetime license
• Vegas Pro Suite – US$ 299-lifetime license
• Vegas Pro Post – US$ 399-lifetime license

Compatibility: Windows

What Makes Vegas Pro Unique:

• HDR color support
• 360-degree and multi-camera video editing
• A broad range of compositing modes
• Quick export directly to YouTube, Facebook, or Vimeo platforms.

2. Final Cut Pro X

There are so many reasons why industry professionals hold Final Cut Pro X in such high esteem. FCPX is undoubtedly an excellent choice for all filmmakers who need a wide spectrum of video editing tools to create movies that sweep audiences off their feet.

Price:

• 90-day free trial
• US$299.99 for a lifetime license

Compatibility: macOS

What Makes Final Cut Pro X Unique:

• Arrange video clips on the video editor’s magnetic timeline
• Organize huge numbers of files easily
• Creates stunning 2D and 3D motion graphics
• Color correction tools with complete control over the hue, saturation, and other color values

Conclusion

Purchasing video editing software is a long-term investment that will enable you to increase the quality of the videos you’re creating over time. This doesn’t mean that the videos you’re producing are going to become better overnight since most video editing apps only offer possibilities that can’t be properly utilized without proper video editing skills.

Well, If you haven’t decided which one to go for so far, I would strongly recommend Filmora to you. It’s free to try, you can download it with the buttons below, and click through to see if it matches your needs.

Ollie Mattison

Ollie Mattison is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Ollie Mattison

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