Best Video Editing Courses Reviewed: top 8 platforms
Do you want to learn video editing? These are the best courses you can take online.
When it comes to online video editing courses, there is a lot of choice. Add to that the fact that the number of options for the best video editing software can be a bit overwhelming, so are you looking for a course that focuses specifically on the software you want to use or do you have to choose that too?
In this post, I’ve rounded up the best video editing courses in the online market to help you decide.
But as with any learning or graphic designer resource, one size won’t fit all and the course that’s right for you will depend on your preferred software, budget, and preferred way of learning.
In short, I put something in it for everyone. So read on and I’ll give you the information you need to find the right online video editing course for you.
In this post we'll cover:
Best Online Video Editing Courses
Let’s dive in, and there’s probably one for you too:
Video Editing Courses with Udemy
Solid training at reasonable prices: Udemy offers quality courses at a relatively low cost. Other sites cannot compete with such an extensive range, provided you can follow a course in English.
Advantages
- cheap
- videos can be downloaded
- super large offer
- specific courses to learn video editing with your favorite software
Cons
- variable quality, you have to find the right course
- some courses are quite short
- it’s in english
Udemy is an online learning platform for digital professionals with over 80,000 courses in total. That means if you need to master a particular tool, you’ll likely find a course that fits your needs.
It’s my platform of choice when I want to learn something, be it video editing or digital marketing to improve my blog.
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There are about 100 video editing courses on the site, including tools like Premiere Pro (also read our review here), Final Cut Pro, Sony Vegas Pro, and Da Vinci Resolve. And you can refine the list further using the tabs at the top of the page, based on level, price and language (although Dutch will be hard to find).
You do not have to take out a subscription, which is another advantage. You simply pay for the individual courses you follow. And unlike some online course providers, Udemy allows you to download its videos for offline learning via its mobile app.
It is important to find the right course that suits you, because not all quality is equally good. If you’re a beginner, we recommend checking out The Complete Video Production Bootcamp from Video School Online, where Phil Ebener walks you through the basics of video editing, from program layout to final export, over nine hours of video training:
(Note that this course is taught in Final Cut Pro 7, but if you use another software like Premiere Pro you will still learn a lot from it in terms of general principles).
In general, the quality of the courses on Udemy are good, but they can vary, so it’s always worth reading the customer reviews before enrolling in another online video course.
View all online video courses on the Udemy platform here
LinkedIn Learning (formerly Lynda.com)
High quality training from respected experts – Lynda.com is now known as LinkedIn Learning and integrated into the social network.
Advantages
- Can download videos
- LinkedIn integration
Cons
- Academic approach may not be for everyone
- some videos feel too long
Founded in 1995, Lynda.com is the most established and respected source of software training on the Internet. Recently rebranded as LinkedIn Learning, the service gives you access to all of its courses as soon as you sign up for a monthly subscription.
Premium members can download full courses and individual videos on most desktop, iOS, and Android devices using the app.
There are nearly 200 courses to choose from when it comes to video editing, including software like iMovie, Final Cut Pro X, Premiere Pro, and Media Composer. Because of this wide range, Lynda is worth checking out if you’re looking for something specific.
Premiere Pro Guru: Multi-Camera Video Editing by Richard Harrington is a two-hour course that teaches you how to import, sync, and edit footage from multiple cameras using Premiere Pro.
The style of the tutorial is a bit more formal and academic than most online course providers, which can be a positive or negative depending on what you’re looking for. If you want to see what kind of stuff you get, check out the free video tutorials that come with each course.
You can also take out a one-month free trial to access all courses on the platform.
One more thing: The move from Lynda.com to LinkedIn Learning isn’t just a name change; there is also a nice integration between the courses and LinkedIn. For example, if you’re signed in to LinkedIn, the platform will now use the data it has about you to provide training content relevant to your needs.
Also, if you learn new skills by taking a course, it’s super easy to add those skills to your LinkedIn profile.
But don’t worry, if you’re not on LinkedIn, you can ignore all that and focus on taking the course you signed up for.
View the offer here on Linkedin Learning
Larry Jordan
The best all-rounder – learn more about video editing from renowned titan Larry Jordan
Advantages
- industry focused
- expert insights
Cons
- you can’t download videos
- minimum 3 months subscription
Who better to teach you about video editing than someone with a great career and reputation in the industry? Larry Jordan is an award-winning producer, director, editor, educator and trainer who has spent the past five decades working for American television.
He launched an online course website in 2003 to enable editors, directors and producers to learn more about evolving media technology.
Jordan’s classes explain the basics of the software and then illustrate them with stories of how they are used in real-world projects. There is a lot of focus on updates to these tools so that ordinary users can understand the latest features and what they can be used for.
Covered software includes Adobe tools (Premiere Pro, Photoshop, After Effects, Audition, Encore, Media Encoder, Prelude) and Apple tools (Compressor, Final Cut Pro X, Motion). There are 2000 video editing courses to choose from, and you get access to all of these for $19.99 per month (for a minimum of three months on the Basic plan), along with webinars, tutorials, and newsletters.
Alternatively, you can pay for courses and webinars individually. All classes will be streamed, but subscribers will not have an option to download videos.
There’s also no free trial option, although there are a selection of free tutorials so you can see what kinds of things are on offer.
Inside the Edit
Industry Insights for Working Editors – Inside the Edit provides in-depth industry knowledge you won’t find anywhere else
Advantages
- creative focus
- unique angle
Cons
- can’t download videos
- does not provide software training
Already working as a video editor, or starting your first job? Need training that goes beyond the basics, and takes you to the essentials of what’s really needed in the real world of video editing?
Inside The Edit doesn’t teach you any real software skills. Instead, it describes itself as the world’s first creative editing course.
Developed by professional publishers in the industry, it describes hundreds of specific structural, journalistic and creative techniques used in documentary and entertainment television.
The tutorials are therefore a mix of high-end editing theory, image analysis and timeline demonstration, and you get 35 hours of real rushes (raw footage) to practice on, plus 2000 music tracks to edit with.
So it is more of a full training suite than a specific course aimed at learning a skill.
There are also lessons on the secondary skills video editors need; as “psychologists, diplomats and social chameleons”. In short, this course is not at all suitable for video editing beginners.
But for anyone working in (or almost close to) story-based television, which can be found in documentaries, entertainment shows, and reality TV, this could be just the boost you need to take it to the next level in your life. career to achieve.
Learn video editing with Pluralsight
Software training focused on Adobe tools – Pluralsight’s video editing tutorials focus on Photoshop, After Effects and Premiere Pro.
Advantages
- videos can be downloaded
- learning checks keep you on track
Cons
- some courses quite short
- little value for non-Adobe software
Pluralsight offers a number of online courses that will train you to use Adobe video editing software, including Premiere Pro, After Effects, and Photoshop. These include beginner, intermediate and advanced level.
For example, Ana Mouyis’ Photoshop CC Video Editing course covers how to edit videos, composite, and basic motion graphics.
After this short course, you’ll be familiar with the video editing workflow and have the skills you need to get started on your own projects.
One of the coolest features of Pluralsight is learning checks, which are short quizzes to check your understanding of the material. It’s a small thing, but it can be really helpful in keeping your learning on track.
If you want to download videos for offline viewing, you can do so through the mobile app. And note: Pluralsight offers a free 10-day trial so you can “try before you buy.”
Diverse range of courses and topics – Skillshare is an open platform, so there’s a wide variety of video editing tutorials to choose from.
Advantages
- a wide range of topics
- videos can be downloaded
Cons
- variable quality
- some courses are quite short
Skillshare is an online training platform where anyone can create and sell a course.
This creative freedom means for everyone that it’s a good place to find relatively short and snappy video lessons on niche topics, and that goes for video editing just as much as anything else.
For example, if you are a student who is completely new to video editing: How to Vlog! Film, Edit & Upload to YouTube by Sara Dietschy is a snappy, no-nonsense guide to the basics of making a vlog, in just 32 minutes.
If you know exactly what you are looking for and would like to learn that part in a short amount of time, then the Skillshare platform is probably for you.
Watch the first video, which you can use for free, and you’ll quickly get the idea. Bite-sized video courses like these tend to be less academic and more casual compared to, say, LinkedIn Learning. But if you just want to quickly start doing things, that might be preferable.
Moreover, you can first take out a free trial period of one month to see if this is for you, before you have to come up with money. And if you decide to buy, you can download videos in the app for offline use.
View the full range on Skillshare
American Graphics Institute
Interactive Courses with Live Tutors – The American Graphics Institute offers live classes for an instant, interactive experience.
Advantages
- Live lessons
- interaction with teachers
Cons
- expensive option
- only available on certain dates
Want to get to know Premiere Pro? Looking for live instructions instead of pre-recorded videos? The American Graphics Institute, a publishing and training publishing house, offers online classes led by live instructors.
These regularly scheduled classes range from introductory to advanced levels, and if you can go to Boston, New York, or Philadelphia, there is also the option of attending physical classes as well.
You pay per course and it is not cheap. But the value of interactive lessons, where you can ask questions, hear and talk to the instructor, and even share your screen means you really get what you pay for.
Ripple Training Video Editing Course
Pro Training in Non-Adobe Tools – Ripple Training offers a good selection of courses for Final Cut Pro users
Advantages
- good quality tutorials
- free preview of the lessons
Cons
- only covers specific tools
- some courses are quite expensive
Today, most online video editor training focuses on Adobe software. But if you’re using Final Cut Pro, Motion, or Da Vinci Resolve, you might be better off taking a course at Ripple Training, a source of high-quality, regularly updated tutorials in that software, as well as their own tools and plugins.
Founded by veteran industry professionals Steve Martin, Jill Martin and Mark Spencer in 2002, Ripple Training is not a particularly big name in the field.
But their courses, which are a reflection of the in-person classes they teach, are very good quality and you can download the videos for offline viewing.
To see what they’re about, check out the free ‘Getting Started’ lessons at the bottom of their homepage.
Hi, I'm Kim, a mom and a stop-motion enthusiast with a background in media creation and web development. I've got a huge passion for drawing and animation, and now I'm diving headfirst into the stop-motion world. With my blog, I'm sharing my learnings with you guys.
