What Software Do Professionals Use for Video Editing in 2025?

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TL;DR
Professionals primarily use three main software suites: Adobe Premiere Pro for its industry integration, DaVinci Resolve for its powerful free version and unparalleled color grading, and Final Cut Pro for its incredible performance on Apple hardware. The choice depends on their specific workflow, budget, and operating system.

When you see an insane gaming montage or a perfectly crafted stream highlight video, it’s easy to wonder what magic software the pros are using to make it happen. The truth is, most professional editors rely on a core group of powerful tools to get the job done. The answer to what software do professionals use for video editing primarily boils down to three titans: Adobe Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, and Final Cut Pro.

As a gamer or streamer, your most valuable asset is time. While these professional programs offer endless creative control, the biggest challenge isn’t always the edit itself—it’s finding the hype moments from hours of gameplay in the first place. A truly professional workflow in 2025 isn’t just about the final editing software; it’s about using smart tools to streamline the entire process from start to finish, letting you get back to playing.

Read more: What Are the Best Editing Tools for Beginner Content Creators in 2025?

The “Big Three” of Professional Video Editing

These programs are known as Non-Linear Editors (NLEs), and they are the command centers for professional video production. Think of them as the ultimate loadout for any editing challenge.

Adobe Premiere Pro: The Industry Standard

If video editing were a multiplayer game, Premiere Pro would be the most-picked character class. It’s available on both Windows and Mac and is part of the Adobe Creative Cloud subscription.

• Why Gamers Use It: Its biggest strength is the seamless integration with other Adobe apps like After Effects for mind-blowing motion graphics and visual effects, and Photoshop for custom thumbnails. If you’re planning complex edits with lots of custom animations for your stream highlights, Premiere Pro is a beast.
• The Downside: The subscription model can be a recurring cost that not everyone loves.

DaVinci Resolve: The Color Grading Powerhouse (and More)

Originally the go-to tool for Hollywood colorists, DaVinci Resolve has evolved into a full-fledged editing suite that is unbelievably powerful.

• Why Gamers Use It: Two words: the free version. The free version of Resolve is more powerful than many paid programs, offering professional editing, color grading, audio mixing (Fairlight), and even visual effects (Fusion) in one app. For gamers who want to make their gameplay footage look incredibly cinematic without a monthly fee, there is no better starting point.
• The Downside: It can be very demanding on your PC, so you’ll want a solid gaming rig with a good GPU to run it smoothly.

Final Cut Pro: The Apple Ecosystem Champion

For creators who live and breathe Apple, Final Cut Pro is the undisputed king of performance. It’s a one-time purchase, which is a huge plus for many.

• Why Gamers Use It: It is optimized to an insane degree for Mac hardware. This means buttery-smooth playback and incredibly fast rendering times, even with 4K footage. For Mac-based streamers who want to edit and upload as quickly as possible, Final Cut Pro is built for speed.
• The Downside: It’s Mac-only, which is a dealbreaker for the vast majority of PC gamers.

The Pro Gamer’s Workflow: Smart Tools First, Heavy Lifting Later

Here’s the secret the pros won’t always tell you: the software is just a tool. The real skill is in the workflow. No streamer has time to manually scrub through an 8-hour VOD to find 30 seconds of gold. A truly professional workflow means automating the boring parts.

This is where a tool like Eklipse becomes a non-negotiable part of your process. Instead of spending hours searching for clips, you can use the AI Highlights tool to automatically analyze your streams and pull out all your best kills, funny moments, and epic plays.

Think of Eklipse as your scout, automatically finding all the best loot from your stream. Then, you can either share those clips instantly or send them to your pro NLE for that final, cinematic polish. You can even make quick, high-impact edits for social media right in the Eklipse Studio or on the go with the Eklipse Mobile App, which is perfect for getting content out while the hype is still fresh.

Ready to make your workflow truly professional? With an Eklipse Premium subscription, you get your AI clips in crisp 1080p, process them 3x faster, and remove all watermarks. It’s the ultimate first step for any serious gaming creator.

Read more: Why Use Eklipse to Create Clips from Your Stream?

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the best FREE professional video editing software?

Without a doubt, the free version of DaVinci Resolve. It offers a complete, professional-grade suite for editing, color grading, audio, and VFX that is unmatched by any other free software.

Is Premiere Pro or DaVinci Resolve better for gaming videos?

It depends. If you’re on a budget and want amazing color in your videos, start with DaVinci Resolve. If you’re already in the Adobe ecosystem and plan on doing heavy motion graphics with After Effects, Premiere Pro is a fantastic choice.

Can I edit professional-looking videos on my phone?

Yes, especially for platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels. Tools like the Eklipse Mobile App are designed specifically to help you create engaging, vertical gaming clips quickly and easily right from your phone.

What software do they use for Hollywood movies?

While all the “Big Three” have been used on major films, the long-standing Hollywood giant is Avid Media Composer, which is known for its powerful media management and collaborative features essential for large-scale productions.