<p>Since you said you use Blender for animation, why not just use that? Feature-wise, it's video editor can stand on it's own. It's a nightmare in usability (in my opinion, I believe that's also the general consensus), but if you're used to the program anyway ...</p>

<h2>Free software</h2>

<p>There are a couple of free programs available (<a href="https://softwarerecs.stackexchange.com/questions/11433/freeware-video-editing-software">a list</a>, <a href="http://tv.isg.si/site/?q=node/873" rel="nofollow noreferrer">another list</a>), most of which suffer from the same problem as Blender, that is not having a coherent design which leads to inconsistensies in it's functionality. It might take longer for you to get a grip of the software, and certain functionality might be missing. So if you're willing to invest some money, you can probably do better (even though it mostly comes down to preference).</p>

<h2>The low-cost software trap</h2>

<p>Be careful with cheap software (for example, <a href="http://www.magix.com/us/movie-edit-pro/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Magix software</a>), as it's most likely consumer oriented and not fit for (semi-)professional editing. The problem with those programs is that they are not built for editors who are willing to put some time into learning the software and fine-tuning effects and settings, but rather for people who just want to throw their vacation video together, add a title, some background music and be done with it. That means advanced functionality such as keyframe animation will probably not be available and in terms of visual effects you will most likely be tied down to a couple of presets. </p>

<p>It comes down to what you want to do, what functionality you need and personal preference.</p>

<h2>Some affordable candidates</h2>

<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.sonycreativesoftware.com/vegassoftware" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Sony Vegas (at least Pro)</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.apple.com/final-cut-pro/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Final Cut X</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.lwks.com/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Lightworks</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.videostudiopro.com/en/products/videostudio/ultimate/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Corel VideoStudio Ultimate</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.adobe.com/de/products/premiere-elements.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Premiere Elements</a></li>
</ul>

<p><strong>Please note that this list is influenced by personal preference</strong> (I use that word a lot for a reason). Again, it comes down to what you need. Also, all of those low- to medium-cost options are to some degree limited, i.e. might lack certain functionality. None of them will compare to professional software such as Premiere Pro and After Effects. Final Cut X and Sony Vegas Pro Suite probably come closest to it, whereas Corel VideoStudio and Lightworks would be somewhere in between professional and consumer software. Premiere Elements is pretty easy to learn, but lacks most functionality that you will need for professional/advanced editing.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-04-07T00:13:13.873Z
I would give lightworks a try. The good thing is that it's "freemium" so you can learn it (and use it) free of charge - limited to 720p h264 output. Then, only license export options when you need them.
Hans Meiser
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-04-06T21:31:33.003Z
2016-04-06T21:31:33.003Z
2017-04-13T12:50:06.283Z
MoritzLost
<p>Hitfilm has a free <a href="https://hitfilm.com/express" rel="nofollow">express version</a> and a <a href="http://hitfilm.com/pro" rel="nofollow">paid version</a>. 
It's a video editor and a compositor. </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-11-17T20:29:51.150Z
You can do a lot with the free version and buy the modules as you go. The basic module is just USD 10.
neves
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-04-14T20:00:36.743Z
2016-04-14T20:00:36.743Z
Slapout
<p>Lightworks (as mentioned previous) but also newcomer to the game is BlackMagic Davinci Resolve 12 which can be both Free and Paid (if you want all the PRO Pro Features)</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-04-07T10:00:14.580Z
2016-04-07T10:00:14.580Z
Adam Mann Pro
<p>Just wanted to mention Davinci's <a href="http://documents.blackmagicdesign.com/DaVinciResolve/20150911-5823e9/DaVinci_Resolve_12_Configuration_Guide.pdf" rel="nofollow">hardware requirements</a>. Of course you can't neglect hardware when editing video, but Davinci is quite voracious on that account - not comparable, for example, to Lightworks or Sony Vegas.
I really wanted to try it, but gave up because the hw upgrade needed was huge.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-04-16T22:01:52.137Z
2016-04-16T22:35:01.457Z
2016-04-16T22:35:01.457Z
Theo
<p><strong>I am looking for a cheap (not necessarily free) editing software.</strong><br />
At the moment I have to work with Serif MoviePlus X6 but I find this too basic.<br />
I have a lot of knowledge of video editing but am usually restricted by the limitations of the software I can afford. I need something as advanced as After Effects - and similar to Blender's layout which is <strong>NOT</strong> designed for ease of use but rather to offer as much flexibility as possible - for general video editing; but for a lower cost than Adobe products.</p>
<p>Any suggestions?</p>
<hr />
<h2>ANSWER</h2>
<p>Of the amazing answers I received I found the best suggestions were:</p>
<ol>
<li>BlackMagic Davinci Resolve 12</li>
<li>Lightworks</li>
</ol>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-04-06T20:19:44.483Z
You say you're looking for editing software, but give After Effects as an example, which is mainly an SFX program. What exactly do you need? Also, what do you mean by 'non-specific'?
MoritzLost
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-04-06T20:46:45.103Z
As you said by non-specific I meant software that is not JUST audio; but I was under the impression that After Effects was "motion graphics and visual effects" as I just doubled checked on the Adobe website?
Tom Wright
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-04-06T20:59:30.633Z
That is correct, After Effects can be used for all kinds of special effects (i.e. [SFX](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special_effect)) and animations. That's more than regular editing software (such as Adobe Premiere) can do. If you're only looking for something with video editing capabilities, [here](http://softwarerecs.stackexchange.com/questions/11433/freeware-video-editing-software) a list of free editing software. Fully-featured animation/sfx software is rather expensive. So the question is what do you need, only editing or animation/sfx as well?
MoritzLost
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-04-06T21:01:08.353Z
Only editing because I use blender for any animation. Thank you for the list.
Tom Wright
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-04-06T21:02:22.710Z
In that case you have a couple of good options, I'll post an answer in a sec
MoritzLost
<video><editing><software>
Advanced Low Cost Editing Software
Tom Wright
# Advanced Low Cost Editing Software

(Asked by: username_0 on 2016-04-06)

**I am looking for a cheap (not necessarily free) editing software.**  
At the moment I have to work with Serif MoviePlus X6 but I find this too basic.  
I have a lot of knowledge of video editing but am usually restricted by the limitations of the software I can afford. I need something as advanced as After Effects - and similar to Blender's layout which is **NOT** designed for ease of use but rather to offer as much flexibility as possible - for general video editing; but for a lower cost than Adobe products.

Any suggestions?

---

## ANSWER

Of the amazing answers I received I found the best suggestions were:

1. BlackMagic Davinci Resolve 12
2. Lightworks

**Tags:** video, editing, software

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: You say you're looking for editing software, but give After Effects as an example, which is mainly an SFX program. What exactly do you need? Also, what do you mean by 'non-specific'?  
> **username_0**: As you said by non-specific I meant software that is not JUST audio; but I was under the impression that After Effects was "motion graphics and visual effects" as I just doubled checked on the Adobe website?  
> **username_1**: That is correct, After Effects can be used for all kinds of special effects (i.e. [SFX](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special_effect)) and animations. That's more than regular editing software (such as Adobe Premiere) can do. If you're only looking for something with video editing capabilities, [here](http://softwarerecs.stackexchange.com/questions/11433/freeware-video-editing-software) a list of free editing software. Fully-featured animation/sfx software is rather expensive. So the question is what do you need, only editing or animation/sfx as well?  
> **username_0**: Only editing because I use blender for any animation. Thank you for the list.  
> **username_1**: In that case you have a couple of good options, I'll post an answer in a sec  

---

## 4 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2016-04-06. Score: 1 | Accepted answer

Since you said you use Blender for animation, why not just use that? Feature-wise, it's video editor can stand on it's own. It's a nightmare in usability (in my opinion, I believe that's also the general consensus), but if you're used to the program anyway ...

## Free software

There are a couple of free programs available ([a list](https://softwarerecs.stackexchange.com/questions/11433/freeware-video-editing-software), [another list](http://tv.isg.si/site/?q=node/873)), most of which suffer from the same problem as Blender, that is not having a coherent design which leads to inconsistensies in it's functionality. It might take longer for you to get a grip of the software, and certain functionality might be missing. So if you're willing to invest some money, you can probably do better (even though it mostly comes down to preference).

## The low-cost software trap

Be careful with cheap software (for example, [Magix software](http://www.magix.com/us/movie-edit-pro/)), as it's most likely consumer oriented and not fit for (semi-)professional editing. The problem with those programs is that they are not built for editors who are willing to put some time into learning the software and fine-tuning effects and settings, but rather for people who just want to throw their vacation video together, add a title, some background music and be done with it. That means advanced functionality such as keyframe animation will probably not be available and in terms of visual effects you will most likely be tied down to a couple of presets.

It comes down to what you want to do, what functionality you need and personal preference.

## Some affordable candidates

* [Sony Vegas (at least Pro)](http://www.sonycreativesoftware.com/vegassoftware)
* [Final Cut X](http://www.apple.com/final-cut-pro/)
* [Lightworks](http://www.lwks.com/)
* [Corel VideoStudio Ultimate](http://www.videostudiopro.com/en/products/videostudio/ultimate/)
* [Premiere Elements](http://www.adobe.com/de/products/premiere-elements.html)

**Please note that this list is influenced by personal preference** (I use that word a lot for a reason). Again, it comes down to what you need. Also, all of those low- to medium-cost options are to some degree limited, i.e. might lack certain functionality. None of them will compare to professional software such as Premiere Pro and After Effects. Final Cut X and Sony Vegas Pro Suite probably come closest to it, whereas Corel VideoStudio and Lightworks would be somewhere in between professional and consumer software. Premiere Elements is pretty easy to learn, but lacks most functionality that you will need for professional/advanced editing.

> **Comments:**
> **username_2**: I would give lightworks a try. The good thing is that it's "freemium" so you can learn it (and use it) free of charge - limited to 720p h264 output. Then, only license export options when you need them.  

---

### Answer by username_3 on 2016-04-14. Score: 2

Hitfilm has a free [express version](https://hitfilm.com/express) and a [paid version](http://hitfilm.com/pro).
It's a video editor and a compositor.

> **Comments:**
> **username_4**: You can do a lot with the free version and buy the modules as you go. The basic module is just USD 10.  

---

### Answer by username_5 on 2016-04-07. Score: 1

Lightworks (as mentioned previous) but also newcomer to the game is BlackMagic Davinci Resolve 12 which can be both Free and Paid (if you want all the PRO Pro Features)


---

### Answer by username_6 on 2016-04-16. Score: 0

Just wanted to mention Davinci's [hardware requirements](http://documents.blackmagicdesign.com/DaVinciResolve/20150911-5823e9/DaVinci_Resolve_12_Configuration_Guide.pdf). Of course you can't neglect hardware when editing video, but Davinci is quite voracious on that account - not comparable, for example, to Lightworks or Sony Vegas.
I really wanted to try it, but gave up because the hw upgrade needed was huge.


---

