Owning a GoPro or other brand of action camera is an excellent way to catch a wide range of impressive footage.
However, whether you’re using your GoPro to capture your first-person adventures, record underwater scenes, or produce an awesome time-lapse video, you will need video editing software to make the most of the footage you have collected.
The right editing software will allow you to enhance your camera’s versatility, giving you the opportunity to make full use of all its unique features, for example, the wide-angle lens and different mounting options.
With the best editing program, you can let your creative juices flow. Changing the speed of your clips, adding effects, fixing distortion, and combining your footage with other recordings are just a handful of things you can do.
This all sounds great but finding the best software can be tricky. There are so many different editing software programs available that finding the one that suits your needs best can be difficult but don’t worry, we have the solution.
We have done the research and put a list together of the best editing software you can use right now to edit your GoPro footage.
Whether you’re a beginner looking for an easy-to-use tool or an experienced editor looking for more advanced features there is something here for you.
Let’s get stuck straight into the list, shall we!
Best GoPro Editing Software – Comparison Table
Best GoPro Editing Software – Reviews
Adobe Premiere Pro is considered to be the best video editing software out there.
This powerful editing program integrates Adobe’s Creative Cloud platform, giving users timely software updates and access to cloud storage.
This cloud storage comes in handy when editing on the go.
The beauty of Premiere Pro is its suitability to both inexperienced and experienced editors.
There are basic features that allow you to easily edit your footage and more advanced tools that let you work on extensive creation projects.
Adobe Premiere Pro is also a great editing choice if you’re looking for a tool that works with virtual reality and 8k videos.
When we tested Adobe Premiere Pro we found that it works solidly. The long list of effective high-quality features made it ideal for editing action footage.
These features included impressive stabilization tools, organizational tools, and the support of unlimited video tracks. We found the Warp Stabilizer to be particularly useful.
Though you need to have a good knowledge of editing to make use of the professional tools, Adobe does include tutorials on how to use their software.
This is a big help for those of you who want to learn more about the editing process. Regular updates also ensure all of Premiere Pro’s features are up to date and working as efficiently as possible.
- All the features you need – Premiere Pro is packed with all the features you need to produce high-quality videos.
- Supports all video formats – This editing software supports all the main formats.
- Real-time content editing – This comes in handy when making the most of your footage.
- Quite expensive – This editing software comes with a cost.
![Apple Final Cut Pro HD Retail [OLD VERSION]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/21V6AJW212L._SL160_.jpg)
Final Cut Pro X is an awesome option for anybody who uses Mac. This comprehensive editing program offers a wide range of tools that will help you produce outstanding videos from your GoPro footage.
This is Apple’s signature editing program so as you can imagine a lot of care has gone into its production. You can use this software to edit almost all of your content, including the editing of 4k footage.
The most noticeable features available on Final Cut Pro X include useful color grading and color correction tools.
These tools ensure your video appears more natural whilst also conveying the specific mood or theme you want to portray.
The stabilization and noise removal tools help clean your footage and ensure your audience has a better viewing experience.
Our favorite aspect of Final Cut Pro X is the magnetic timeline that eliminates clip collisions and helps to create a more streamlined process.
Thanks to the Multicam editing feature you can also edit multiple clips from multiple cameras all at the same time.
Coming at a higher price, Final Cut Pro X, in general, is a great option if you need advanced color grading features and Multicam capabilities.
- Magnetic timeline – This allows precise editing.
- Multicam editing – Multicam editing makes editing multiple videos at once an easy process.
- Advanced features – Color grading and color correction give you the chance to have a bigger impact on the style of video you want.
- Only available on Mac – Unfortunately you can only use this software if you own a Mac.
Despite again only being available to Mac or iOS users, iMovie simply has to be on this list because the free-to-use software is a great option.
If you’re an editor wanting to create content without having to pay a subscription fee then you should strongly consider iMovie.
iMovie is a basic video editor with some great features that support the editing of HD and 4k videos. Video clipping, real-time captioning, and video stabilization are this tool’s main features.
Also built into this neat piece of software is a library full of video editing effects, transitions, and ready-to-use themes.
These features give you the chance to easily spice up your videos and share your footage with an audience. You can even import your own music and photos to include in your video.
In our opinion, iMovie is a useful entry-level editing program that will give you the basic knowledge of how to edit a video.
If you don’t take editing too seriously or want to learn the basics before investing big money into a more professional service, then iMovie is arguably your best option.
It does lack features like Multicam but you don’t have to rely on those tools to make a good video. Using iMovie you can create wonderfully put-together videos that you will be proud of.
- Ideal for beginners – The simplistic layout and easy-to-use tools make this program a perfect choice for beginners.
- Free software editing program – Who doesn’t love something for free. Despite its lack of features, iMovie offers an amazing variety of tools considering it’s free.
- Great results – You can produce fantastic videos, effortlessly using iMovie.
- Lacks useful editing features – iMovie is missing some features that can really enhance your footage.
Available on both Windows and Mac platforms, PowerDirector from Cyberlink is a solid video editing program full of high-end editing features.
This editing software is perfect for anybody editing action videos. A big advantage to PowerDirector is its outstanding value for money.
The most notable feature when using this program is its stylish, clean, and easy-to-use interface.
Even if you’re an editing beginner you will be able to jump straight in and comfortably navigate your way around the software.
Other features that give PowerDirector advantages over its competitors are the high-quality noise correction feature, motion tracking, and the ability to edit an array of different types of footage, including 4k.
The developers behind PowerDirector have specifically included editing tools that improve action camera footage.
The Action Camera Center works wonders to stabilize those shaky shots, correct distortion, and apply neat speed effects.
Being able to do so quickly lets us enhance the visuality of our footage and correct issues with color to produce awesome action videos with ease.
Overall PowerDirector offers everything you need to enhance, cut, edit and create an outstanding video. It is also the best value for money editing program on this list.
- Motion tracking feature – With the motion tracking feature you can track an object’s movement, collect track data, before then applying it to another object.
- Action Camera Center – The Action Camera Center allows you to easily fix your footage. You can also easily add effects.
- Noise correction – This program will assist you in making your footage crystal clear.
- Subscription required – To use the most up-to-date features you must have a subscription.
If you edit on a Windows PC and don’t want to spend any money on editing software, Lightworks could be your best option.
Lightworks is known for its easy-to-use, intuitive interface, and high-quality timeline editing tools. These editing tools come in handy when you want to create a streamlined video quickly.
The flexible editor gives its users the opportunity to make use of free enhancement tools where you can take full control of the creative process.
Features include the option to color correct footage, fix distortions, use Multicam, add effects to your footage, and also trim footage.
When we used Lightworks we were pleased with how easy it was to access each tool.
The drag and drop feature then allowed us to quickly scan through each segment of our recordings, applying effects as we went along.
Dragging and dropping color templates makes it a hassle-free process to apply your desired style.
If you like what you see with the free version of Lightworks you can then pay for the full package.
Paying for the full package gives you additional features that lets you develop your footage even more.
Importing and exporting footage and handling 4k footage with ease makes Lightworks a strong contender.
Being able to try the software for free is a big bonus and something you should definitely do before upgrading to the “Pro” version.
- Free to use – Being able to use the software for free gives you the chance to try before you buy.
- Endless features – The pro license gives you access to an enormous amount of features.
- Sleek interface – The sleek interface and drag and drop features make using this software a pain-free experience.
- Very pricey – The pro license is very expensive.
Best GoPro Editing Software – Buyers Guide
To help you that little bit more, here are some of the key things you should consider when looking for the best editing software. By taking these key factors into consideration you won’t make a decision you regret.
Budget
Probably the most important thing you need to think about when choosing an editing software is your budget. How much are you willing to pay?
Some video editing programs are free to use, benefiting those who don’t have the money to spend on a service. Others come with a one-off payment, while a lot of brands expect you to pay monthly.
Free editing software usually lacks advanced editing features and has more limitations than more expensive options.
On the other hand, high-end programs can have a lot of tools you will never use. To choose the right program for you, you should first identify how much you are happy to pay.
Then you can start looking for a prosumer product. This is a product that suits all your needs.
It makes no sense to buy high-end software if you only need the tools a free service can provide. Alternatively, you can’t use a free program if you need professional high-end software.
Supported Formats
Before you make your final decision you need to ensure the video editing software you are choosing can edit the video output from your camera. This is extremely important if you’re using the latest models of GoPro.
If you plan on shooting in 4k, then make sure the editing program can be used with that format. Luckily most programs can be used to edit 4k footage. However, some free programs don’t, therefore you would need to steer well clear.
Ease of Use
It is important to consider how easy the software is to use and how easy it is for you to learn when buying editing software.
The last thing you need especially as a beginner is software you need to spend months and months learning how to use.
The best way to avoid this is to look for editing software that has a simplistic interface and has a range of tutorials to learn from. A good example of this is Adobe Premiere Pro.
Adobe provides you with some excellent tutorials on how to use the software, helping you develop your skills quickly.
Advanced Features
Ideally, you will want to use software that has more advanced capabilities. More advanced editing tools allow you to take your footage to the next level.
Some video editing programs offer more features than others.
One of the most feature-packed programs is PowerDirector. When looking for a program with more features keep an eye out for the tools below. These demonstrate that a program is packed with advanced features.
- Multicam
- Action Camera Center
- Motion tracking
- 360° video editing
- Color correction
- Chroma key editing
Frequently Asked Questions
What Editing Software is Good for Beginners?
Lightworks and iMovie are probably the best beginner editing programs available right now.
Both are available for free giving new editors the opportunity to try out essential editing features without having to commit to paying for the service.
This opportunity lets beginners gain an understanding of what works, what doesn’t, and how editing can improve footage.
Is Premiere Pro Easy to Use?
Premiere Pro is a great program for both beginners and professional editors. The advanced features make it a great option for people who are serious about their editing.
Despite being full of advanced features Premiere Pro is quite easy to use. The interface is clear and straightforward and the built-in tutorials help anybody who hasn’t used the software before starting the learning process.
What Happened to GoPro Studio?
GoPro Studio was a free editing platform that allowed users to edit all their GoPro footage.
Unfortunately, it was simply discontinued by GoPro who decided the platform had reached its end-of-life support.
The software can still be downloaded today for free use but no feature updates will be available.
Takeaway
Using the best editing software is vital if you want to make the most of your GoPro footage. You will need the right editing software regardless of whether you’re a keen traveler, or action adventurer with the latest GoPro.
The right editing program will allow you to enhance your footage by incorporating a variety of powerful effects that change the overall look of your video, making it more compelling for the viewer.
You can use video editing software to change the speed of your footage, stabilize shakiness, make color corrections and combine clips together. By making the most of these features you can create a video that conveys your message and suits your style.
Finding the right editing software can be hard due to the sheer amount of products on the market but thanks to our list you should now find it a lot easier.
If you’re new to editing, why not take a look at one of the free options so you can gain an understanding of what you like and don’t like, need and don’t need.
For more experienced editors take a good look at this list and narrow down your options until you find the best option for you.