Traditional Vs Online Video Editing: Which One Should You Use?

Video editing has changed. It used to be all about reliable software like Adobe Premiere Pro and After Effects. But today, more and more people are ditching traditional editors in favor of AI-powered and web-based tools like GlingAI, Kleapchamp, InVideo AI, and even Adobe's own cloud-based Adobe Express.

The question is why? Have people become lazy, looking for easier tools to skip the learning curve? Or are AI editors actually becoming good enough to replace traditional software? And if they are easier, do they maintain the same level of quality? That's exactly what we're going to break down today. So, keep on reading.

Why More Editors Are Switching to Online & AI-Based Tools

For years, traditional editing software was the only real option. If you wanted to create professional videos, you had to learn Adobe Premiere Pro and After Effects. These programs have everything: advanced color grading, detailed keyframe animations, multi-layer editing, and high-level control over audio and effects.

But there's a reason many people are leaving them behind. Online and AI-based editors make everything faster and easier. GlingAI, for example, automatically cuts out silences and bad takes from your footage, something that would take time if done manually in Premiere Pro.

Kleapchamp and InVideo AI offer templates and AI-assisted tools that can generate transitions, subtitles, and even animations with almost no effort. Adobe Express, Adobe's own web-based editor, is designed for quick edits without the complexity of traditional Premiere Pro. The biggest reason behind this shift? Convenience.

People don't want to spend weeks learning complex software when they can just upload a video and let AI do the work. Online tools also eliminate the need for expensive hardware. Traditional software requires a powerful computer, especially for 4K editing, whereas cloud-based editors handle all the processing online.

That means you can edit videos from any device, even a basic laptop, without worrying about lag or crashes. Collaboration is another factor. If you're using Premiere Pro, you have to share project files manually. But online editors like Kleapchamp allow multiple people to work on the same video in real-time just by sharing a link. This is perfect for social media teams, remote workers, or businesses that need quick content creation. But here's the catch. Convenience comes at a price.

Why Professionals Still Prefer Traditional Editing Software

For all the advantages of AI and online video editing, professionals still stick to traditional software. And the reason is simple: Control. Premiere Pro gives you full control over every frame of your video. You can fine-tune color grading, adjust audio levels down to the smallest detail, and manually craft transitions that AI just can't replicate.

After Effects allows for professional-level motion graphics and visual effects that AI-based editors don't come close to. Even the best AI editors struggle with precision. Gling AI can remove silences automatically, but it doesn't always get it right.

Sometimes it cuts off important pauses or natural breathing in a conversation, making the final edit feel unnatural. Online editors also rely on templates, which can limit creativity. InVideo AI can generate an entire video from text, but if you want something unique, you're stuck working within the boundaries of its presets.

With Premiere Pro or DaVinci Resolve, you build everything from scratch, exactly the way you want. Another issue is offline access. Traditional software works entirely on your computer.

If you're traveling, have a slow internet connection, or need to work without interruptions, Premiere Pro and After Effects are the safer choices. But if you're using an online editor like Kleapchamp, you're completely dependent on a stable internet connection. If the servers are down or your Wi-Fi is weak, you can't edit.

Then there's the issue of long-term cost. AI-based editors often use a subscription model, where advanced features cost extra. While Premiere Pro also requires a subscription, once you pay, you get access to all its features. Many online editors charge additional fees for watermark removal, high-resolution exports, or premium templates, making them more expensive in the long run.

Traditional vs Online Editors: Feature-by-Feature Comparison

So how do these tools compare when put side by side? Premiere Pro and After Effects dominate in professional filmmaking, YouTube content creation, and high-end video production. If you want Hollywood-level edits, there's no alternative.

It's also the best choice if you need high-quality color correction, motion tracking, or deep audio control. Kleapchamp, Gling AI, and InVideos AI, on the other hand, are perfect for quick, simple edits. If you're making TikToks, Instagram Reels, or short YouTube videos, these tools can cut your editing time in half.

Adobe Express is another great option if you want a lighter, web-based version of Premiere Pro, but it's nowhere near as powerful as its desktop counterpart. If you need real-time collaboration, online editors are the best. If you need total creative control, traditional software is still the top choice. It all comes down to what matters more: speed and simplicity, or professional-grade quality.

Why Companies Want You to Use Online Editors

This shift towards AI and online video editing isn't just happening naturally. Companies are actively pushing it. Adobe didn't just create Adobe Express for fun—they see where the market is heading. More people are creating content than ever before, but most don't want to learn complex software. By offering AI-powered and web-based tools, companies attract more users, especially beginners, influencers, and businesses that need quick social media content.

More users mean more subscription revenue, which is why we're seeing more AI-based video tools entering the market. Another reason is cloud computing. Companies save costs by offloading processing power to their servers rather than relying on users having high-end computers.

This also means they can charge for storage, premium templates, and additional AI-powered features. Even Adobe, which built its name on professional editing software, knows this is the future. But does that mean traditional video editing is dying? Not quite.

Who Really Controls Your Content? The Truth About AI-Based Editors

One major difference between traditional and AI-based video editing software is the control you have over your content. With traditional editors like Adobe Premiere Pro, After Effects, and DaVinci Resolve, everything remains on your computer. Your project files, raw footage, and final exports are completely in your hands.

You can access them at any time, archive them for years, and transfer them between devices without restrictions. In contrast, AI-based and cloud editors like Gling AI, Kleapchamp, and InVideoAI operate online, which means users often depend on the platform itself in ways they might not realize. Cloud-based editors store everything online, which creates potential risks.

If a company changes its pricing model or shuts down, users may lose access to their projects altogether. Many of these platforms do not allow project files to be downloaded in an editable format, meaning once a subscription is canceled, ongoing work disappears. Some AI-based editors also limit export settings, requiring users to pay extra for high-resolution downloads or watermark removal.

Traditional editors do not impose such restrictions, allowing full control over file formats. Data privacy is another concern with AI and web-based editing platforms. Since raw footage is uploaded to a cloud server, companies technically have access to user content.

Some free or budget-friendly online editors even use uploaded footage for training AI models or data collection. Traditional editing software, on the other hand, keeps all footage on a local device, significantly reducing privacy risks. Another key issue is creative freedom.

AI editors rely on automated processes and preset templates, limiting the ability to customize edits. While these templates can speed up the process, they also make content feel repetitive. Traditional software allows for precise control over every cut, transition, effect, and audio mix.

Users can experiment, fine-tune details, and create something completely unique rather than working within predefined structures. For those who prioritize full control over their videos, ownership of their projects, and the flexibility to edit without limitations, traditional software remains the superior choice. AI editors offer speed and convenience but often at the cost of creative freedom, long-term accessibility, and control over the final product.

So where does that leave us? If you want the fastest, easiest way to edit videos, AI and online editors are a great choice. They're perfect for social media creators, small businesses, and beginners who don't want to spend hours learning software. AI tools are leading the way in making video editing accessible to everyone.

But if quality matters most, traditional editing software is still king. Traditional software gives you control that AI editors simply can't match. If you're serious about filmmaking, YouTube, or high-end production work, you're better off sticking with traditional tools.