Top Choice
Premiere
Runner Up
Final Cut
Best Value
Elements
Best Usage
Davinci
Creating gaming videos is about more than just playing a game. You need to make sure that you record yourself playing the game, have funny and entertaining lines, and have little dead space in your videos.
This means you need to do more than sit and record yourself playing a game before uploading. Video editing allows you to add funny lines, images, and sounds, and shorten your videos to a good length. To make good videos, you need good video editing software specific to gaming.
Thankfully, we have some options for you. Keep reading below to find out more about the top four video editing software options for gaming.
This article will cover cost, pros and cons, and detailed descriptions of each software so you can make an informed decision about which one works best for your needs.
Check out this article on the Top Video Editing Programs for GoPro.
What Is the Best Video Editing Software for Gaming?
There are plenty of options for video editing software available. Most of them would work fine for video editing after streaming for a game. However, if you want something perfect for editing your streams and game recordings into the perfect video, you want the best video editing software for games.
Thankfully, there are quite a few options out there for that specific need as well. These video editing software options provide the exact features and settings you need to create the perfect clips, shorts, and videos to attract the attention of your viewers.
These are some of the top options for Video Editing software for gaming, but we will only focus on the top four today:
1. Adobe Premiere
Adobe Premiere is one of the best options for editing video from games. It’s used by professionals and YouTubers just to get started. It’s useful because it works well with all types of editing and whatever problems you need to fix.
It’s also been around for a long time. Premiere started in 1991 and has undergone numerous edits and upgrades since then. It’s a trusted and well-used software for any videos you could imagine editing.
Adobe Premiere Key Features:
- Animated Graphics
- Has a library of necessary and useful assets included
- Intelligent audio cleanup
- Comparison View
- Auto color correct
Adobe Premiere User Experience:
Almost everyone has heard of or used Adobe products at some point during their life. This is because Adobe has become the golden standard in many industries. With Adobe Premiere, the company has managed to even top the charts when it comes to video editing.
There is a lot to like about the program. For one, it has a lot of features. While this can make it confusing for beginners, it means you get almost unlimited options when it comes to video editing.
One downside that becomes apparent the more you use it is that sometimes using Adobe Premiere feels like using several different programs at once.
Depending on where you are in the software, commands and shortcuts do different things, and some files that worked fine the last time opened don’t want to open the next time.
Despite this, the software runs smoothly and it’s easy enough to use
Adobe Premiere Cost:
Adobe Premiere is subscription-based. This means you can’t just buy it one time. Instead, you have to purchase it on a monthly or yearly subscription.
This can be good for people who need to use it a couple of times and don’t want to pay a lot for a program they will never use again. Unfortunately, it’s a little expensive for people who are hoping to use video editing software frequently.
Adobe Premiere by itself costs $20.99 a month. If you pay for the year in advance, you save roughly a dollar per month. Or, if you’re planning to use other Creative Cloud apps by Adobe, you can get the Creative Cloud membership for $54.99 a month.
What We Like/Dislike About Adobe Premiere:
Like:
- Up to 8K resolution
- Auto reformatting for simple edits
- The interface can be adapted to fit your needs
- Quick to respond to demands
- Offers easy organization and collaboration
- Works for all levels of skill when it comes to video editing
Dislike:
- Subscription-based
- Sometimes overwhelming for beginners
- No sound effect samples included
- May need other applications to get a finished product
Adobe Premiere Scoring:
Adobe Premiere gets a 9.9 out of 10. It really is the perfect software for video editing games. It’s a little overwhelming at first, but that’s only because it has so many features professionals need for the perfect video.
Honestly, if it wasn’t for the subscription, this would be the perfect service to use. But that subscription makes it a little expensive to use in the long run. For that reason, we cannot give it a full 10 out of 10.
2. Final Cut
Final Cut was the perfect addition to Apple’s lineup. While iMovie is a great option for beginners, it doesn’t have the features you need for an in-depth video editing service. Final Cut provides a much more professional level of video editing.
It is a little confusing for both professionals and amateurs. The unique timeline may cause a bit of issues for the standard professional while the sheer number of features may overwhelm the amateur. With a little time, however, this makes for the perfect video editing software for gaming videos.
Final Cut Key Features:
- Lots of plug-in options
- Drag-and-drop object tracker
- Live scrubbing options
- Lots of effects and transitions
- Smooth connections to other Mac products
Final Cut User Experience:
What you first notice when you start using Final Cut is that it’s a little behind Premiere. Though it has all the features you need, it’s a little outdated in its appearance and features.
Thankfully, while it feels old, it is still able to keep up with other editing software. Everything you need for editing games is available right off the bat. The designers also listen well to their customers. Many of the complaints that come out when people use the software get fixed with the next rendition or set of upgrades.
While the magnetic, trackless timeline is rather neat to use and has great potential, it’s hard to adjust. Anyone who has spent years video editing with a traditional timeline may find themselves having a steep learning curve. On the other hand, for beginners, the system is intuitive.
Professional editors who have used other programs may initially find themselves shunning Final Cut. However, many who have pushed through and gotten to understand the program have found that it actually makes work faster and easier for them once they get the hang of it.
Previous versions of Final Cut were not great, and many editors may be hesitant to try again, but the newer versions work incredibly well and have all the features, settings, and designs you could think about needing. Some even argue these features beat out Premiere.
It’s an interesting change, and it will be even more interesting to see if other video editing software picks up a similar method or not.
Final Cut Cost:
Unlike Adobe Premiere, Final Cut lets you buy the software once. Then, you own it for life. Unfortunately, because of this, the price is pretty steep. It costs about $300 to download. Another benefit is that even though you’re outright buying the software, all the updates that come after are free.
What We Like/Dislike About Final Cut:
Like:
- Unique timeline options
- The interface is overall simple and easy to use
- Fast
- Free Trial
- Can export straight to certain services such as YouTube
Dislike:
- Some presets are unnecessarily complex
- Importing and exporting is sometimes difficult
- Often have to relink files after moving them around
- Only works with Mac and other Apple products.
Final Cut Scoring:
Final Cut gets a 9 out of 10. The system is a little outdated and not easy for professionals to transition to, but it does work incredibly well. As an Apple-specific software, it connects with Apple’s other programs and software better than other options on the market.
We do expect Final Cut to stay on top in the future. In the last couple of years, not only has the software managed to catch up with its competitors, but it has surpassed them and created innovative features in some areas.
3. Adobe Premiere Elements
Adobe Premiere Elements offers a more simple version of video editing compared to Adobe Premiere. You can still do quite a bit with the program though. For example, you can use AI to help you cut certain components or enhance your movie. Cinematic effects and overlays are also available.
Since this is more designed with beginners in mind, there are plenty of tools to help guide you with your edits. This will not only make all of your videos better, but it will help you to learn what kind of edits you like best in your videos and how to do them for future edits.
It’s a great software to not only improve your editing skills but to make your videos the best they can be.
Elements Key Features:
- AI-powered design to make editing easier
- Guided edits for beginners
- Dozens of templates and apps
- Ability to see effects in real-time
Elements User Experience:
The first thing you notice when you open up Adobe Premiere Elements is how simple it is. Too often, video editing services have dozens of menus and settings that appear right off the bat.
If you know what you’re doing, it’s easy to know how to adjust the menus to fit your needs. For the average person, though, it’s overwhelming.
That’s not a problem with Premiere Elements. The layout is rather simple. It’s not simple in a bad way, as it still has plenty of features you might need. It’s a breath of fresh air for those looking to get started with video editing.
Another way Premiere Elements ends up helping beginners is with its guided edits. Instead of users having to watch dozens of tutorials and practice on their own, the software actually walks you through steps that your video might need, and why. The guided editing is quite amazing, even suggesting places to cut your video and adjust the color settings.
Some of the guided edits and AI edits include smart trimming, making precise selections, reducing grain in the video, fitting music to the video, properly reframing your subject, and pulling out photos from your video.
While these edits and suggestions aren’t always perfect, they do have a lot to offer. This is especially the case when you just need to do simple edits and not in-depth video manipulation.
Elements Cost:
Most people know that Adobe has moved most of its software to a subscription-base. Adobe Premiere is a good example of this, costing around $21 a month. However, Adobe Premiere Elements is still offered as a one-time payment.
You can get the 2023 version for $99.99 or you can get Photoshop Elements and Premiere Elements as a bundle for $149.99. According to Adobe, this bundle saves you roughly $50.
If you’ve had previous versions of Premiere Elements, you can upgrade for $79.99, or get the bundle upgrade for $119.99. Students and teachers get the bundle for $79.99, which is a pretty large discount.
There’s a 30-day free trial available as well. See if this software works for you or not before you decide to make a final purchase.
What We Like/Dislike About Adobe Premiere Elements:
Like:
- Great cross-platform support
- Clear, simple interface
- Guided edits even for advanced projects
- Built-in tutorials
- Keyframing for animation
- One-time purchase
Dislike:
- Slow rendering speed
- No 3D editing
- Limited export presets
Elements Scoring:
Adobe Premiere Elements scores an 8.5 out of 10. It’s an amazing software for beginners trying to learn how to video edit. It’s also a good option for people frequently needing simple and quick video editing.
Where it falls flat, however, is when it comes to professional editing. Because of its more simplified design, it’s not able to handle as vigorous and detailed editing as some game editors might need.
To be fair, Adobe Premiere Elements never claims to be a professional resource. They target people doing video editing for small projects and they are very obvious about that.
If you're a small YouTuber who wants something to help them get started, this is a great option. However, down the line, you may want to upgrade to Adobe Premiere for more detailed options.
4. DaVinci Resolve
DaVinci Resolve offers free software for video editing. It’s a video editing service that combines editing, color correction, motion graphics, audio post-production, and visual effects all in one software. Everything can be done in one program, preventing you from needing several programs just to edit one video.
Many of its features are either highly competitive with its competition or stand out amongst the crowd. Somehow, even with several updates of DaVinci Resolve and other video editing software, no one ever comes close to matching DaVinci’s quality and details when it comes to color grading.
DaVinci Resolve Key Features:
- Advanced editing options
- Options to seamlessly cut and connect video clips
- Provides options for both simple and advanced video editing
- Free and paid version
- Full features to compete against Premiere
DaVinci Resolve User Experience:
Even professionals who prefer Premiere can’t argue that DaVinci Resolve has the best color grading for videos. And trust us when we say that the color grading is on point.
Even if you only ever use DaVinci Resolve for color grading, you’ll get your money’s worth. It works with almost any format of video you have, which means it works well when you’re still learning or working with a variety of people.
Whether you’re a professional or an amateur, using DaVinci Resolve takes some getting used to. That doesn’t mean it’s not well worth the investment. There are some quirks such as file placement and occasional bugs, but for getting free video editing software without a watermark, you can’t complain too much.
DaVinci Resolve Cost:
There is both a free version of Davinci Resolve and a paid version. This paid version does have almost everything the average user would need.
It’s not a light version that has almost nothing, but is a fully fleshed-out version of the software. It offers color grading, compositing, and multi-user collaboration. There’s not even a watermark to worry about when you’re finished.
The paid version is known as DaVinci Studio. DaVinci Studio costs $295. Not only do you get the software, but all future upgrades are free as well.
The paid version offers a bit more features. For one, the free version only offers up to 4K ultra HD and 60fps exports. On the paid version, you get 32K and 120fps with exports. You also get access to a few other programs and settings.
For the average user, such as those starting out with video editing for their YouTube gaming channel, the paid version isn’t necessary. Of course, since it is a one-time cost with free upgrades down the line, there’s no reason not to get the paid version if you have the money.
What We Like/Dislike About Davinci Resolve:
Like:
- It is simple for beginners to use, but offers advanced features once you learn the software in depth
- Interface is well-designed
- Renders quickly
- Free
- Works on multiple platforms
- Has motion graphics and audio editing
Dislike:
- A little complex and not super intuitive
- Needs a lot of power from your computer
DaVinci Resolve Scoring:
DaVinci Resolve gets an 8 out of 10. Though it's an amazing software that even rivals Premiere, there’s one huge downside that makes it rank lower. This is the fact that DaVinci is a huge program. It takes up a lot of space in your computer, and it needs a lot of power to run.
Although you can get DaVinci for free, you may not be able to take advantage of it because you have to buy a new computer or intense gaming computer to run DaVinci.
Best Video Editing Software for Gaming FAQ
What Is the Difference Between Adobe Premiere and Adobe Premiere Elements?
Premiere Elements is more intuitive and simpler to use. This is a great option for people who want to get into video editing, but are overwhelmed by the numerous features in Adobe Premiere.
While it doesn’t have some of the more professional settings, it does work well for beginners and lets them transition smoothly from Premiere Elements to Premiere later down the line.
Do Professionals Use Adobe Premiere?
Yes. Professionals and amateurs alike use Adobe Premiere to edit their videos. DaVinci is another one used by professionals, as it’s better for color correction. However, either one works well if you’re looking to get into video editing as a professional.
What’s Adobe Premiere Used For?
Adobe Premiere can be used for many things. Not only does it work well for video editing of all kinds, but it makes wonderful commercials, television, and more. Essentially, if there is any time you need to edit a video or audio, then you would use Adobe Premiere.
How Much RAM Do You Need for Gaming and Video Editing?
Generally, you want at least 16GB RAM. 8GB will sometimes work, but it severely slows down your computer and no other programs, websites, or software can be running at the same time. Ideally, 32GB or more is preferable for better graphics and faster speeds.
Is a Gaming PC Okay for Video Editing?
Gaming PCs are great options for video editing. Because both games and video editing software require high speeds, RAM, and CPU, they tend to overlap in their computer component requirements.
Conclusion
No matter which software out of the four you pick to edit your game videos, you won’t be disappointed. They are all great options that provide you with everything you need and then some extra to make your videos enticing and interesting to whoever is watching.
We find that Adobe Premiere is our favorite, but Final Cut, Adobe Premiere Elements, or Davinci Resolve may have something that entices you more than Adobe Premiere. It’s worth taking advantage of any free trials to see which one fits your needs best.