When I first started using drones seven years ago, I was obsessed with how fun they were to fly and the amazing photos you could get. Capturing stunning landscapes and angles previously out of reach was thrilling. But, I soon learned that editing raw footage into visual stories was where the real magic happened.
Over the years, I’ve experimented with countless video editing software, each with its own set of features and quirks. Through trial and error, I’ve honed my skills and found the tools that truly bring out the best in drone footage.
Whether you’re a seasoned pilot or a newbie eager to showcase your aerial adventures, the right video editing software for drones can make all the difference. So, let’s dive into the top four drone video editing software that has earned a permanent spot in my editing toolkit!
The 4 Best Video Editing Software for Drones
In 2024, there are four outstanding video editing software for drones available. These software options provide powerful features and an intuitive interface to help you edit and enhance your drone videos.
1. LightCut
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2. Premiere Pro
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3. Da Vinci Resolve
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4. Final Cut Pro
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These software options offer a wide range of features and capabilities to help you create stunning and professional drone videos. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced user, there is video editing software that will suit your needs. Now let’s dive deeper.
1. LightCut
For those looking for free editing software on their mobile, LightCut is the best video editing software for DJI drone footage. This mobile-friendly app is completely free to use and supports 4K footage, ensuring your videos retain their stunning quality throughout the editing process.
Offering a range of intuitive features designed to streamline your workflow including automatic editing modes that intelligently cut and arrange your clips, a variety of filters and effects to enhance your visuals, and easy sharing options to quickly post your finished masterpieces on social media.
Whether you’re a casual hobbyist or a professional filmmaker, LightCut makes mobile video editing a breeze.
Pros of LightCut
- LightCut’s user-friendly interface makes it easy for beginners to navigate and understand.
- Easily cut and trim your drone footage to remove unwanted sections and create a seamless video.
- Add audio effects to your drone videos to enhance the overall viewing experience.
- One tap edit to speedily create a video.
- Adjust the colour of your drone footage to create stunning visuals.
- Apply filters to your drone videos to add artistic effects and make them stand out.
- Change the speed of your drone footage to create dramatic slow-motion or fast-motion effects.
- A free video editor that supports 4K(rare).
Cons of LightCut
- Only available on mobile
- Lacks in-depth colour correction tools
- Can’t edit 5K video
I love the one tap edit feature which is great when you’re working on a tight schedule. The speed ramp feature is also a winner to create captivating videos.
2. Adobe Premiere Pro
My go to video editing software for drones is Premiere Pro. I use it to make YouTube videos with my DJI Mavic 3 drone footage. It’s known for its advanced editing capabilities, allowing precise control over every aspect of your video.
Here’s a deeper look into what makes Premiere Pro a top choice, along with some pros and cons:
Pros of Premiere Pro
- Offers a wide array of features such as multi-camera editing, advanced colour grading, and motion graphics.
- Handles 4K, 8K, and even VR footage with ease, making it ideal for high-quality drone videos.
- Integrates seamlessly with other Adobe products like After Effects, Photoshop, and Audition, enhancing workflow efficiency.
- Provides a rich library of effects and transitions, along with third-party plugin support for added flexibility.
- Benefits from Adobe’s regular updates, ensuring users have access to the latest features and improvements.
- Integrates with social media apps like YouTube, X and Facebook to quickly upload your videos.
- You get access to Premiere Rush on the mobile device which is similar to LightCut
- Create engaging speed ramps
Cons of Premiere Pro
- The extensive features can be overwhelming for beginners, requiring a significant time investment to master.
- Adobe Premiere Pro is available only through a subscription, which can be costly for those on a budget.
- Requires a powerful PC to run smoothly, particularly when working with high-resolution footage, which can be a barrier for some users.
Overall, Adobe Premiere Pro is a formidable tool for serious drone videographers who seek precision and creative control. With a Premiere Pro subscription, you gain access to Premiere Rush video editor on your mobile which allows up to 4K editing.
While it requires commitment in terms of learning and resources, the results are unparalleled, making it a go-to choice for professional-grade video editing.
3. DaVinci Resolve
DaVinci Resolve is a leading video editing software for drones that offers precise editing capabilities for aerial footage, making it an ideal choice for drone videographers in 2024.
One of the standout features of DaVinci Resolve is its comprehensive toolset for colour grading. It provides a wide range of colour grading options, allowing you to create stunning visuals and enhance the overall look of your drone footage.
Additionally, DaVinci Resolve offers advanced capabilities for editing audio tracks, recognizing faces, and creating cinematic visual effects. This makes it a versatile tool for creating professional-grade drone videos.
Pros of Davinci Resolve
- Known for its industry-leading colour grading tools, DaVinci Resolve offers precise and comprehensive colour correction capabilities.
- Combines video editing, colour correction, visual effects, and audio post-production in one software, eliminating the need for multiple programs.
- The free version of DaVinci Resolve includes many of the features found in the paid Studio version, making it accessible to a wide range of users.
- Supports high-resolution formats, including 4K, 6K, and 8K, and delivers professional-quality output suitable for broadcast and cinema.
- Offers new AI features like text based timeline editing and dialogue separation.
- Automatic Cut Detection when importing pre-edited videos.
Cons of Davinci Resolve
- The comprehensive feature set and professional-grade tools can be a steep learning curve.
- Requires a powerful computer with high-end specifications to run smoothly, especially when working with high-resolution footage and complex projects.
- The interface can be complex and intimidating for new users, with many tools and panels that may not be immediately intuitive.
- While the free version is robust, it lacks some advanced features and effects available in the Studio version, such as noise reduction and more sophisticated visual effects.
- Cannot link to other software like Adobe Premiere Pro.
- No mobile app.
DaVinci Resolve offers a comprehensive toolset that sets it apart as a top choice for drone videographers. If you’re someone who’s already using Adobe software then lacking the connection between apps could be a deal breaker.
4. Final Cut Pro
Final Cut Pro is a leading video editing software for Mac users, offering an optimized workflow specifically designed for the Mac platform.
Additionally, Final Cut Pro provides a range of innovative features, including advanced colour grading, motion graphics templates, and 360-degree video editing.
These features allow you to create stunning and immersive drone videos that stand out.
Pros of Final Cut Pro
- The magnetic timeline makes it easy to arrange and rearrange clips without causing gaps or sync issues, enhancing the editing
- Enhances contrast and vivid colours on Macs using 1600 nits of brightness.
- Final Cut Pro is optimized for Mac hardware, ensuring smooth performance and integration with macOS features.
- Utilizes advanced features like Metal for enhanced performance, allowing for faster rendering and real-time effects.
- Supports 360° video editing, enabling users to create immersive VR content.
- Robust multicam editing features allow for easy synchronization and editing of multiple camera angles from your iPhones and iPads.
- Offers a range of colour correction and grading tools, including colour wheels, curves, and LUTs.
- Seamless integration with Apple Motion allows for advanced motion graphics and visual effects creation.
- Extensive support for third-party plugins and extensions, expanding the software’s capabilities.
These innovative features, combined with Final Cut Pro’s optimized workflow for Mac users, make it a top choice for drone video editing in 2024.
Cons of Final Cut Pro
- Final Cut Pro is exclusive to Mac users, limiting its accessibility for Windows or Linux users.
- The one-time purchase price is relatively high compared to some subscription-based models, which might be a barrier for some users.
- While the interface is user-friendly, some advanced features and workflows can still require a significant investment of time to master.
- Final Cut Pro lacks robust built-in collaboration tools for team projects, making it less ideal for large collaborative environments.
- No mobile app.
Key Highlights
1. LightCut is the go to video editing software for drones on mobile.
2. Adobe Premiere Pro is a professional-grade editing tool with advanced features like motion tracking and colour grading.
3. DaVinci Resolve provides precision editing for aerial footage and is a favourite among advanced users.
4. Final Cut Pro offers an optimized workflow for Mac users and innovative features for drone video editing.
Wrap Up
So there you have the best video editing software for drones this year.
Whether you’re diving into the streamlined simplicity of LightCut, embracing the robust versatility of Premiere Pro, marvelling at the colour correction wizardry of DaVinci Resolve, or enjoying the seamless ecosystem of Final Cut Pro, each software brings its own flavour to the editing table.
So, the next time you’re staring down a mountain of raw footage, remember: it’s not just about the tools you wield but how you wield them. And if all else fails, just throw in some slow-motion shots and dramatic music – it worked for Michael Bay, didn’t it?
Frequently Asked Questions
How Important is Color Grading in Drone Video Editing?
Often when you first view your drone footage on the computer it can appear flat, especially if you’ve shot in D Log which takes all colour out of your video. This is where colour grading comes in, it brings the colours into the footage and gives you the power to choose which colours pop.
By adjusting the colors and tones, filmmakers can create a cohesive and cinematic look.
What’s the Best Picture Editing Software for Drones?
When it comes to picture editing software for drones, Adobe Lightroom stands out as the best choice. It offers high-quality editing features that allow users to enhance their drone footage and create stunning visuals.
Lightroom utilises AI to speed up the workflow, you can now remove an unwanted subject with a couple of clicks. Adobe Lightroom is available on desktop and mobile which is great.
How can I Edit a DJI Video on my Computer?
For editing drone footage, software like Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro X and DaVinci Resolve are popular choices.
They offer advanced editing features specifically designed for enhancing drone video quality and creating stunning aerial visuals for your projects.
I'm Matt, a writer and drone photographer with over 6 years in the field. I specialize in all things drones – from buying guides and editing tips to monetization strategies. My goal is to help enthusiasts and professionals alike navigate the exciting world of aerial photography and videography, sharing insights that turn drone passion into expertise and opportunity.
