Look, we’ve all been there – staring at our first piece of raw footage like it’s a 1000-piece puzzle with no edge pieces. Whether you’re just starting your YouTube journey or looking to level up your editing game, I’m about to spill the tea on what the pros are actually using to make their content shine (spoiler alert: it’s not just filters and prayer).
The New Kid on the Block: AI-Powered Video Creation
Storiella
Your personal AI video production wizard
Before we dive into traditional editors, let’s talk about the future of content creation. If you’ve ever thought “I wish I could just explain my idea and have the video make itself,” well, welcome to 2024, because Storiella is basically that magic genie in a bottle.
What makes Storiella special:
- Zero to Hero: Just type in a topic like “Explain exoplanets to a 6-year-old,” and watch as it generates everything from narration to matching visuals
- Perfect for Faceless Content: Want to build a channel without showing your face? Storiella’s got your back
- AI-Generated Everything: Automatic narration, image generation (via Stability AI or DALL-E), and voice synthesis
- But Wait, There’s More: You can still be the boss – edit any generated content to add your personal touch
- Desktop Power: Available for laptop and desktop users (sorry mobile warriors, this is for the big screens)
Best For:
- Educational content creators
- History channel enthusiasts
- Fact-sharing channels
- Story-based content
- Math and science explainers
- Anyone looking to create informative videos without appearing on camera
Think of Storiella as your video production team in a browser tab. It’s like having a writer, artist, and editor all rolled into one, minus the creative differences and coffee runs.
The Heavy Hitters: Professional-Grade Editors
Adobe Premiere Pro
The Toyota Camry of video editors – reliable, powerful, and everyone seems to have one
- Used By: MrBeast, Casey Neistat, Peter McKinnon
- Best For: Pretty much everything (except maybe your wallet)
- Price: $20.99/month
- Learning Curve: Steeper than your uncle’s conspiracy theory graphs
Premiere Pro is like that overachiever in high school who was good at everything – it can handle any type of content you throw at it, from gaming videos to cinematic vlogs. Plus, it plays nice with other Adobe apps, which is great if you’re into that whole “professional workflow” thing.
Final Cut Pro
The Apple ecosystem’s golden child
- Used By: MKBHD, iJustine, Jonathan Morrison
- Price: $299.99 (one-time payment)
- Learning Curve: Like learning to ride a bike (if the bike was made by Apple)
- Platform: Mac only (sorry, Windows gang)
If Premiere Pro is the Toyota, Final Cut Pro is the Tesla – sleek, super-fast, and ready to remind everyone it’s a Mac exclusive at every opportunity.
The Mid-Range Champions
DaVinci Resolve
The “I can’t believe it’s free” option
- Used By: Many up-and-coming creators
- Price: Free (Pro version: $295)
- Learning Curve: Like trying to learn chess and juggling simultaneously
Fun fact: DaVinci Resolve is what big-budget Hollywood colorists use, but somehow they’re letting us peasants use it for free. The free version has more features than some paid editors, which is like getting a Ferrari for the price of a Hot Wheels car.
Vegas Pro
The old reliable
- Used By: Many gaming channels
- Price: Around $399 (often on sale)
- Learning Curve: Gentler than most pro options
Vegas Pro is like that friend who’s been around forever – not the flashiest, but knows all the right moves.
Budget-Friendly Beginners’ Options
OpenShot
Free and open-source goodness
- Price: Free
- Learning Curve: As smooth as butter on a warm toast
- Best For: Simple edits and learning the basics
iMovie
Apple’s gift to beginners
- Price: Free (comes with Mac)
- Learning Curve: Your grandma could probably figure it out
- Platform: Mac only
Mobile Options (Because Sometimes Life Happens)
CapCut
TikTok’s favorite child
- Price: Free
- Used By: Literally everyone on TikTok
- Best For: Quick, trendy edits
InShot
The Swiss Army knife of mobile editing
- Price: Free (Pro version available)
- Best For: On-the-go edits
Pro Tips for Choosing Your Editor
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Start Simple: Don’t feel pressured to jump straight into Premiere Pro just because your favorite creator uses it. That’s like trying to learn to drive in a Formula 1 car.
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Consider Your Content: Gaming channel? Vegas Pro might be your jam. Cinematic travel vlogs? Maybe lean towards Premiere Pro or Final Cut.
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Factor in Your Hardware: No point in getting Premiere Pro if your computer still runs on hamster power.
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Think Long-Term: Free is great, but sometimes investing in an editor that can grow with you is worth it. It’s like dating – sometimes you need to commit to see the best results.
How to Choose Your Weapon
Now that we’ve covered everything from AI-powered tools to professional-grade editors, here’s how to pick your perfect match:
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Content Type Matters:
- Making educational or fact-based videos? Give Storiella a shot
- Need complex effects and transitions? Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro
- Gaming content? Vegas Pro might be your jam
- Quick social media content? CapCut or InShot
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Consider Your Time Investment:
- Want quick, automated production? Storiella
- Ready to learn professional tools? Adobe or Final Cut
- Need something in between? DaVinci Resolve
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Think About Your Workflow:
- Fully automated with AI assistance? Storiella
- Traditional editing with full control? Professional editors
- Mix and match? Use Storiella for basic assembly and professional editors for fine-tuning
The Secret Sauce
Here’s what most articles won’t tell you: the best editing software is the one you’ll actually use. MrBeast could probably make a viral video using Windows Movie Maker (RIP), because it’s not about the tools – it’s about the story you’re telling.
Time to Edit!
Whether you’re jumping into the AI-powered future with Storiella or going old school with traditional editors, remember that every famous YouTuber started exactly where you are now – probably googling “what do YouTubers use to edit videos” at 2 AM while questioning their life choices. The only difference is they picked something and started creating.
So, what are you waiting for? Whether you’re team AI or team traditional, your future viral video isn’t going to edit itself (though with Storiella, it kind of does!).