Top Choice
Premiere
Runner Up
Elements
Best Value
Vegas Pro
Best Usage
Filmora
GoPro videos require editing like any other videos. The main difference between GoPro videos is their quality and the type of file they make.
GoPro videos have a lot more movement and are often shot on different levels depending on the quality of the GoPro.
However, no matter what type of GoPro it is or what type of video file it produces, you still need top-tier editing software. GoPro videos can be complex to edit because of all the movement and the way the videos are shot.
Because of this, you will need to find the best possible video editing software for GoPros. This will ensure you are discovering the full capabilities of what your videos can be through a variety of access to tools, filters, and themes.
Keep reading to find out more about the best video editing software on the market and get some of your questions answered.
Check out this article on the Top Video Editing Programs for Gaming.
Key Takeaways
- Adobe Premiere Pro is the best video editing software, thanks to its variety of features and intricate specificity.
- Adobe Premiere Pro may be the best software, but Adobe Premiere Elements, Vegas Pro, and Filmora are good follow-up options.
- For those wanting a one-time purchase rather than a subscription-based service, Adobe Premiere Elements is a good option.
What Is the Best Video Editing Software for GoPro?
GoPro videos have changed the game for video and filmmaking. It has made video production easier than ever as you can record without hassle.
The videos grow higher in quality with every new release, leading to almost professional-level graphics. The capacity and memory on these devices also continue to grow, making video files longer and more complex.
Because of these high-quality graphics, dense video files, and video length, editing these videos is no easy task. Basic video editing software will not do the job as well as it used to when GoPros has more limited features available. Because of this, you will want to find the best possible video editing software for your needs.
These are some of the top options for video editing software for a GoPro, but we will only focus on the top four today:
1. Adobe Premiere Pro
Adobe Premiere Pro is the best video editing software out there. The large variety of tools and editing options is unmatched and has almost anything you can imagine sitting at your fingertips.
It may have a steep learning curve, but it is well worth the effort to learn. With seamless transitions from other Adobe software, collaboration has never been easier.
Wondering which is better, Adobe Premiere or Final Cut Pro? Check out this article.
Adobe Premiere Pro Key Features:
- Available on multiple platforms including app stores and computers
- Integrates well with other Creative Cloud products
- Easy-to-use tools that make collaboration simple
- Consistent updates and responsive customer service
- Diverse options for editing videos
Adobe Premiere Pro User Experience:
Adobe Premiere Pro has a great variety of options making video editing and collaboration easier than ever. Customer service is very responsive to feedback and updates come consistently in response. If any bugs ever occur, you can hold comfort in the fact that they will be fixed quickly.
Like many other Adobe products, Adobe Premiere Pro is part of the Creative Cloud All Apps bundle. Meaning that with this bundle, you can use the different products seamlessly with one another. This makes both editing and collaboration simple and hassle-free.
The biggest downside, however, is the cost. The cost is high and subscription-based which turns a lot of people off of the service. At $20.99 a month alone, it can be a lot to ask for people who only want to use it occasionally. Another big issue with many Adobe products is the steep learning curve that can turn many beginners away.
A large variety of tutorial videos made by Adobe and those in the community make Adobe Premiere Pro much more accessible to beginners. Once you get the hang of it, this product is the perfect tool for editing GoPro videos.
Adobe Premiere Pro Cost:
Adobe Premiere Pro costs $20.99 a month. It is a monthly subscription service that allows you to stop subscribing and then back up whenever you need. The $20.99 is the cost for individuals. However, the cost does go up to $35.99 a month per license for teams.
Adobe Premiere is not just available as a standalone app though. You can also get the Creative Cloud All Apps plan that Adobe offers. It gives you full access to every Adobe application as well as amazing cloud storage for $54.99 a month as an individual, $19.99 as a student or teacher, or $84.99 for teams. If you are interested in trying this application, there is also a free trial option.
What We Like/Dislike About Adobe Premiere Pro:
Like:
- Easy to interact with the interface
- Available to use on multiple platforms
- Updated frequently due to its popularity
- Variety of tools and editing abilities
- Fast rendering and high, responsive speeds
Dislike:
- The interface can be challenging to grasp for beginners
- Subscription only service
Adobe Premiere Pro Scoring:
Adobe Premiere Pro easily earns a 9.5 out of 10. The large variety of tools and options for video editing is unmatched in the industry. Collaboration is seamless within the app as well as with other Adobe applications.
The steep learning curve and the cost do knock some points off. The cost does reflect what you are buying and is worth the monthly investments. More and more tutorials also continue to come out to support you as you learn the application as well.
2. Adobe Premiere Elements
Adobe Premiere Elements is ahead of the curve with many of its innovative options for editing and it sets the standard high within the industry. Seamless use of the features and intuitive interface make the software perfect for beginners and more advanced users alike.
Different levels of editing offer a variety of uses to every level, making it easier for those new to editing while offering more in-depth editing to those with more experience. It is available as a one-time purchase, making the investment well worth it, and always available to you whenever you may need it.
Key Features:
- Multiplatform for easy collaboration
- Guided Edits helps both beginners and advanced with their products
- Multiple editing modes for people with different levels of experience
- One-time purchase rather than a subscription
- AI auto-editing features available
User Experience:
Adobe Premiere Elements has a wide variety of tools and editing options available for use. It is easy to grasp for beginners but has a large amount of options for more advanced users to take advantage of as well.
Adobe Premiere Elements is known for being similar to Adobe Premiere but in a more scaled-down format. It is similar to the application but with fewer features and less consistent updates due to its one-time purchase format.
The biggest downsides are the lack of tools and the overall performance of the software in comparison to some of its competitors. The cost may seem not worth it to many users because of that. However, a one-time purchase makes life easier for those who do not use the software as much or are on a budget.
Cost:
Adobe Premiere Elements is not a subscription-based service, unlike many other Adobe applications. Instead, it is a one-time purchase of $99.99 for the latest version of Adobe Premiere Elements which is the 2024 addition.
There is also a bundle deal that you can choose as well that comes with both the latest version of Adobe Premiere Elements and the latest version of Photoshop Premiere Elements for $149.99 for individuals or $79.99 for students and teachers.
If you are interested in both applications that might be an avenue you will want to explore. There is also a free trial option Adobe Premiere Elements if you want to test the application out.
What We Like/Dislike About Adobe Premiere Elements:
Like:
- Very simplistic and intuitive interface
- Multiplatform
- Many useful features that can add interest to your videos
- One time purchase
- Good for both beginners and more experienced users to understand and take full advantage of.
Dislike:
- Expensive
- Lacks many tools that can be seen in other competitors
- Slow output rendering speeds
Scoring:
Adobe Premiere Elements earns a 9 out of 10 for its score. While yes, when comparing it to Adobe Premiere, it may be lacking, it is still leagues ahead of many competitors. It still has a large variety of tools and editing choices available.
The one-time cost may seem steep, but it is a good investment that you only have to pay for once to access the entire application and its software capabilities. Adobe Premiere Elements is one of the best editing software for GoPros.
3. Vegas Pro
Vegas Pro is an industry-standard video editing software. It has been in the game for a very long time, meaning it is well-developed and loved by video editors everywhere. It has many complex features available, allowing for ultimate specificity while editing and interacting with the software.
However, because it was previously only used by professionals, it is nearly impossible for beginners to approach the software with a lack of tutorials or introduction.
It can be inconvenient to those who have not been using the software for long because of this. The software continues to send out updates as it tries to improve these issues.
Key Features:
- Customizable interface
- Multicamera editing
- Automatic project collections
- Autosave feature
- Audio production and editing capabilities
User Experience:
Vegas Pro is developed for professional editors and is a very complex platform. It can take a while to understand and process, especially with no introduction tutorials available.
However, the software has been updated more frequently to slowly make the interface and tools more accessible to beginners while still having extensive capabilities.
Check out this list of the Best Video Editing Software for Chromebook.
Doing advanced video editing is perfectly suited for software like Vegas Pro. It has an amazing amount of features and tools you can access.
You can also customize your own experience with the software by picking one of the tiers of access depending on your needs. The price points are flexible as is your experience.
Cost:
Vegas Pro has three different tiers for its subscription. You can pay for each tier a few different ways including monthly, yearly, or every two years. The first tier of Vegas Pro is the standard version, Edit 365. This one costs $19.99 a month, $143.88 for a year, or $287.76 every two years.
The next tier of Vegas Pro unlocks most of the features available. It costs $34.99 a month, $191.88 a year, or $383.76 for every two years. The top tier of Vegas Pro unlocks all its features for the ultimate experience. This costs $49.99 a month, $299.88 a year, or $599.76 every two years.
What We Like/Dislike About Vegas Pro:
Like:
- Good rendering
- Simple and effective transitions
- Impressive audio editing capabilities
- Great editing and filter options
- Helpful autosave system
Dislike:
- No introductory tutorials or walkthroughs
- Lacks many editing conveniences seen in competitors
Scoring:
Vegas Pro receives a solid 8 out of 10 scoring from us. It is an industry-standard platform with an expansive amount of editing options and impressive features. It has an endless amount of specificity that can go into its editing.
However, the gap between advanced users and beginners is extremely wide and inaccessible. While they continue to try and bridge this gap, the software will continue to improve.
4. Filmora
Filmora is a standard video editing software that offers every basic tool you can imagine with some other added perks. You will find impressive overlays, trimming, and transitions with this software as well as many other effects.
It stays ahead of the game by continuing to add impressive new features with consistent updates.
The interface is simple and easy to use, however, this simplicity is seen to be lacking for more advanced video editors. Those looking for more specificity with their editing may need to look elsewhere as Filmora is more catered to beginners.
Key Features:
- Simplistic interface
- Tier-based subscription service
- Impressive content management
- Fast rendering speeds
- Many comprehensive features
User Experience:
Filmora is on the more simplistic side of video editing software. It does not have as much depth as those previously described and is often seen as lacking because of this. However, the simplicity makes the software perfect for beginners or those trying to test out video editing.
The animation and effects make videos of impressive quality and it has impressive editing capabilities. The rendering speed is top tier and the easy interface makes it appealing to even more advanced video editors. Compared to many other video editing software on the market, it is also rather inexpensive.
Cost:
Filmora has 4 different options for payment for its application. The first is the individual monthly subscription which costs $28.98 a month.
The next is the individual yearly subscription which costs $68.98 per year. Both of these options have additional effects and plug-ins which would cost another $18.99 a month to get.
The last individual buying option is a one-time purchase of $116.95. This payment option also comes with additional effects which would cost you $36.96 a month to unlock. The option for teams is a $155.88 per year subscription.
What We Like/Dislike About Filmora:
Like:
- Excellent import and export capabilities
- Videos are easy to cut
- Audio features are excellent
- A variety of filters and pre-designed themes are available for use
- Great screen recording feature
Dislike:
- Lacking tools
- A lot of pay-to-use features
Scoring:
Filmora scores a 7.5 out of 10. It is an impressive software that is easy to use for beginners. It makes impressive videos despite the ease of use. Video editing has never been easier and more pleasant than it is with Filmora and it is a great place to start for anyone wanting to test out video editing.
However, for more advanced video editors, it is not the most ideal. While its features are still impressive compared to many other software on the market, it is found lacking when compared to the other three on our list. More advanced users who want more personalized editing may want to look elsewhere.
Best Video Editing Software for GoPro FAQS
Does GoPro Have Its Own Editing Software?
Yes, GoPro does have its video editing software. It is called GoPro Quik and is available for limited use for free. For a fully featured version, it costs $9.99 a year or is included with a GoPro subscription at $49.99 a year.
It is specifically designed for GoPro footage, but it does lack many video editing capabilities found in more industry-standard software.
It has a limited backup of content, meaning finished content often does not get saved. Its editing features provide basic editing at best and to even get access to any of the event features, you have to pay for them.
It is pay-to-use style software with limited capabilities even when paid for. You are better off using real video editing software for the best video editing possible.
How Do I Get the Adobe Premiere Student Discount?
To get the Adobe Premiere student discount, you simply need to sign up for the application with your student email. If you were previously subscribed to Adobe, cancel that subscription and make a new one using your student email to receive the discount.
This applies for the Adobe Premiere student discount, but also any other Adobe applications offering student discounts including the Creative Cloud All Apps subscription service.
Why Are Adobe Applications So Expensive?
Adobe applications are often expensive because they are industry standard. With industry-standard products, you receive the best of the best in whatever that application is designed for. The best software always receives high demand and with that, higher prices. You get what you pay for.
With these high prices, however, you often see better quality material. The customer service is often more responsive and helpful, tutorials are more easily found, and updates or patches are frequent. This is especially true with Adobe products.
Should I Convert GoPro Footage Before Editing?
Yes, you should convert your GoPro footage before editing. This is true for any software you use for editing unless you use the software specifically designed for GoPro, GoPro Quik. GoPro video files can be large so converting them before editing is essential to not overload your program.
Each editing software can accept different kinds of files, so be sure to check the one you are using to find specifics. There are a variety of applications you can use to convert your video format, including free ones. However, your best bet would be to invest in a good converter to not mess up the video quality.
Which Version of Adobe Premiere Is Best?
Of the two Adobe Premiere options, Adobe Premiere Pro and Adobe Premiere Elements, Adobe Premiere Pro is the better option. It is used by professionals in the film industry for their video editing, making it an industry standard. It is viewed by many to be the best video editing software on the market.
Adobe Premiere Pro is also compatible with all of the other products in the Cloud Creative All Apps subscription. This makes collaboration easy and transferring files seamlessly.
Adobe Premiere Elements is still an excellent video editing software if you are looking for a more affordable option or do not need as many features available to you. It is convenient and simple to use, making it a better option for those not as serious about film editing.
Conclusion
All of the video editing software on this list are some of the best on the market and each is industry standard. They are well-used and well-loved by many video editors from casual to professional. No matter which one you choose for your GoPro video editing, you will not be disappointed.