Wondershare Filmora

In the 21st century, video content has already taken over all other possible sources of information. YouTube has 2.3 billion registered users worldwide. Due to such a great content demand, the need for high-quality video editing software is growing. Main requirements are convenient use and fast work.

We've found a suitable option for any users - Filmora by Wondershare. It includes all basic instruments - effects, transitions, color palette changes, chroma-key, cropping, resolution changing, adding text, and many more. On top of that, this video editor allows recording screens, webcams, and voiceover. Let's take a closer look at the program.

With a fairly wide functionality, Filmora has relatively low system requirements. This factor allows it to work stably on any average system.

Interface and features

Filmora is set to Dark Mode on the first launch, which can be changed to Light Mode or System Default. When using the last option, the program will automatically adjust to the color palette of your operating system. By the way, the first launch is accompanied by a small step-by-step tutorial on how to import media files, add elements to the timeline and apply effects (close to skip it).

The whole program’s interface can be conditionally divided into 3 main parts: Content panel, Preview panel and Timeline.

1. Content panel 

It includes 7 particular tabs: Audio, Titles, Transactions, Effects, Elements, Media, and Split Screen. The first 5 are default libraries with a different number of elements, the last 2 tabs need a closer look.

Media - contains all imported content by user, including pictures, audio, and video files. Here you will find additional options for uploading files, folders, items from your phone or camcorder, as well as the ability to add photos from a specific cloud called Flickr. This one also provides functions for recording video from a webcam, desktop, and voiceover.

Split Screen - involves specific presets for playing several videos on one display. The difference between presets is in the number of video elements and options to move them around.

Note: All components (transitions, effects, titles, etc.) are applied by dragging and dropping to a specific element on the timeline.

1. Preview player

Serves for a preview of edited video files. It allows us to change the quality of preview via 5 modes: Full (highest quality), 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, and 1/16 (the lowest). It also provides the ability to change a project aspect ratio, volume, zoom level (10%, 25%, 50%, 75%, 100%, or automatic). Specific trimming Mark In/Mark Out options are present as well. All instruments are located in the right lower corner.

1. Timeline

A special panel, mainly designed for adding and editing different components. It contains 3 types of tracks for any kind of content (audio, photo, and video). Keep in mind that you are free to add up to 100 tracks in one project. There are also 11 instruments present here. Each of them has different goals:

1. Undo/Redo - cancel or bring back any editing action.
2. Delete - remove a selected element from the timeline.
3. Split - cut video, audio or photo files.
4. Crop - set timeline for a specific element.
5. Speed - change/adjust playback speed.
6. Advanced Color Tools - change colors using presets or manual settings.
7. Green Screen - remove any specific color.
8. Motion Tracking - track an object or camera motion, attach text, picture.
9. Keyframing - mark the frames of a specific element, apply animations in between.
10. Edit - access effects, apply/change/cancel, etc.
11. Silence detection - automatically remove all quiet sections from the sound track.

Note: In the right-upper corner of Filmora’s timeline, you can also find additional buttons for marking, preview rendering, audio mixing, voice over, etc.

Elements editing. Each uploaded component has individual settings. You can access it via the Edit button, or double-click on a part. This window will contain 4 tabs: Video, Audio, Color, and Animation.

1. Video - consists of 8 essential options: transform, compose, motion track, stabilize, chroma-key, correct lens, drop shadow, auto-enhance. Each of these instruments can be used separately or combined. Only Motion Tracking is an exception, as it can’t be used together with Stabilization and Lens Correction. Keep in mind that the Reset button can remove all changes.
2. Audio - works with the soundtrack of selected components. Provides fade in/out effects, allows to change pitch, remove background noises, perform some equalization, etc. Auto Normalization feature can make the sound more smooth in a few clicks.
3. Color - provides access to detailed color settings. It includes 5 key features: color enhancement, white balance, tone, 3D LUT, and color match.
4. Animation - contains 70+ animations that can be applied at any point of a video.

Export options. As a rule, after all editing actions, users export finished files to local disc, special device or upload it directly to such platforms as YouTube or Vimeo for example. Note that Filmora provides 13 video formats including such popular ones as MP4, WMV, AVI and MOV.

Whatever the chosen format is, you are able to change the final file resolution using presets or set the custom one (change frame rate, bit rate (video quality), sample rate, stereo/mono, encoder, etc.). To simplify export options, developers supply 3 quality presets (good, better, best) that automatically choose optimal video bitrate for any specific format.

Note: When choosing the MP4 format for export, you will be able to turn on the Auto Highlight option, which generates additional video file with highlighted shots.

Exclusive macOS features

1. Auto Reframe: detect a focal point, crop videos for different aspect ratios.
2. Direct import: get videos/photos from Photos library, iPhone, GoPro, camcorder, or other devices.
3. HEVC (H.265) codec support for Instant Cutter Tool.
4. Touch Bar support for MacBook Pro users, custom shortcuts.
5. Dark and light modes.

Performance testing

To test Filmora performance, we’ve used a relatively small video file - 936 MB, with 1280x720 resolution, 24 FPS frame rate and 30 minutes long in MKV format. We’ve exported the edited file in 3 different formats after having applied 7 transactions, 1 title, 2 effects, and 2 elements in each scenario. Final resolution and video quality (bit rate) has been changed as well.

Test machine characteristics: CPU - Intel Core i5-7500 3.40 GHz, RAM - 16 GB 2400 Hz, Graphics - Intel HD Graphics 630, Operating System - Windows 10 (64-bit).

Pricing

Wondershare provides a free 7-days trial version with limited functionality and watermarked video export. If you decide to buy this product, check the plans comparison table to fit your needs and optimize financial expenses:

Conclusion

Filmora is perfectly suitable for those who are just beginning their video editing journey. Effects, titles, audio, and other elements apply in a few clicks. Practical interface and simple instrument use are the reasons to choose this software. Users shouldn't worry about program crashes, accidental closes, and other problematic scenarios as Filmora restores all processes on the next launch, if it happens.

This video editor includes essential instruments for basic editing tasks, provides GPU Accelerator for faster exporting, and even can burn a DVD if needed. Most tools are automated, which makes the editing process quicker. On the other hand, not all of them are working smoothly. Filmora might not be the choice of professional video makers, yet for casual users it is a decent choice.