Video editing services: costs, options and when to DIY
A video editing service turns your raw footage into a finished video. There are three kinds: freelancers (hourly or per project, roughly $20–150 an hour), monthly editing services (about $500–1,500 a month for 4–12 videos) and agencies (about $1,500–3,000+ a month, or per project). You're paying for two things: the hours spent watching footage and assembling a cut, and the craft of making it look and sound right. Software now handles much of the first part. Here's how to choose.
The three kinds of editing service
| Freelancer | Monthly editing service | Agency | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $20–40/h beginner, $45–75 mid, $80–150+ specialist | ~$500–1,500/month for 4–12 videos | ~$1,500–3,000+/month or per project |
| Turnaround | 2–5 days | 24–72 hours per video | Agreed schedule |
| Best for | One-off projects, specific styles | Steady weekly content | Ads, brand films, campaigns |
| Watch out for | Variable quality; vet portfolios | Templates, revision limits | Cost |
What to check before you sign up
- Revision rounds: how many, and what counts as one.
- Length caps: many plans price by finished length.
- Extras: thumbnails, Shorts, captions, motion graphics, color grading are often add-ons.
- Turnaround per video and for revisions.
- Files: do you get the project file and the music licenses?
- Who edits: a dedicated editor, or whoever is free?
What you're paying for
- Watching everything. A 20-minute interview takes at least 20 minutes to watch, usually twice.
- Choosing the moments. Best answers, strongest shots, no repeats.
- Cutting it together. Pacing, music, titles, captions.
- Craft. Color, sound mix, motion graphics, story.
Steps 1–3 are most of the hours, and they're what Novacut does. In the video below, one paragraph of instructions turned 19 minutes of astronaut interviews into an 87-second YouTube video with captions and a title card.
19 minutes of interviews became an 87-second YouTube video; the first cut took about 16 minutes, including the upload. Sped up. Phone-size version.
When a service is worth it
- Brand films, ads and anything art-directed frame by frame.
- Heavy motion graphics, color grading or sound design.
- You don't want to touch the video at all.
When software is enough
- You publish often: weekly YouTube videos, listings, events, podcasts.
- You need several versions: 16:9, a vertical Short, a 30-second teaser.
- Changes are small and frequent: "remove the second answer", "make it 60 seconds".
The middle option
Make the cut in Novacut, then hand it to an editor to finish. Export the timeline to Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve or Final Cut and the editor starts from a cut instead of raw footage, which removes most of the billed hours. How to hire an editor →
FAQ
How much do video editing services cost?
Freelancers charge about $20–150 an hour depending on experience; monthly services about $500–1,500 for 4–12 videos; agencies $1,500–3,000+ a month. Detailed rates →
How long does a video editing service take?
Freelancers usually deliver in 2–5 days; monthly services advertise 24–72 hours per video; agencies work to a schedule.
Can I use a service for just part of the edit?
Yes. Many editors will finish (color, sound, graphics) a cut you provide, usually for fewer hours than a full edit.
Is an AI editor a replacement for a service?
For routine videos, often yes. For brand work where taste and polish matter most, use AI for the first cut and a person for the finish. Outsourcing guide →
Sources: rate ranges from GigRadar, goLance and Ad Snipper; monthly plans via SaaSworthy and ManyPixels. Checked October 2026; prices change, so check current quotes.
Demo footage: NASA interviews with astronaut Jeanette Epps (public domain). NASA does not endorse Novacut.