So I've set it as a new years resolution to try in earnest, to fulfill some of my long-term goals during 2026. One of these - and I think one of the simpler objectives - is uploading more of the best work I've made on Botb to other platforms, such as my seldom used YouTube channel.

I was curious as to whether anyone could give recommendations, on what video editing software they personally use. With YouTube being a visual platform, I wanna try and make the most of it.

I've tried and used a lot of different video editing software in the past. I mainly use Premiere Pro for editing and After Effects for everything else, BUT if I would start with video editing in 2026, I would try DaVinci Resolve. And yes, there is a free version that looks pretty good:

https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/davinciresolve

agree w wrathard, i am a strong believer in after effects despite its pricing. and despite the effort we go through to escape the pricing.
if you want to take the legal way without breakin a hole intye wallet, ive no word on this

Those are good video editors, but they cost moneys. Here's "good enough" video editors:

Openshot
Capcut (browser. The donload version is spyware)

i do a good amount of editing work and i used premiere for 5ish years, it's the obvious choice IF you're well off or get it comped/discounted through work or school. i've spent the last 6 months learning davinci resolve since i'm graduating soon and won't have premiere, and i can say it's amazingly robust and in some ways better than premiere - if you see editing just being a hobby for the forseeable future i think it's a great idea to learn the free ver of davinci and stick with that until you need to upgrade! happy to answer any questions you may have with either one

i can also recommend sony vegas if you can find it, and if you're on mobile "videoshop" was pretty solid a couple years ago no clue how it fares now

seconding wrathard's recommendation of davinci resolve, it's pretty much the video editor to kill premiere. personally, i'd also recommend kdenlive

. it's foss (free & open source software) meaning you'll never have to pay for it, it has a decent plugin repository

, it's easy to use and i've personally used it for years now. if you plan on saving money with your editing software, those two are probably your best options, but of course there's also the paid version of davinci resolve and sonic foundry's vegas pro if you want something a bit more powerful

DaVinci Resolve. More practical and totally free