The best video tools, by job and by creator

A best-of list is the fastest way to a shortlist when you know the job but not the tools. Every list here uses the same fixed columns: best for, editing approach, platform, input, output, cheapest paid plan and free tier. Prices are read from each vendor's pricing page and dated.

The pick for each situation sits at the top, before the table. Cutroom is placed on a list for what it does, which is turning one talking take of up to 3 minutes into a finished 9:16 ad. Each list names the tool to choose when the job is different: long recordings, podcasts, horizontal video or avatars.

Lists are grouped by platform or device, by the kind of creator or business, and by the job to be done.