Video editing is genuinely more hardware-demanding than most other computer tasks, which means the computer running the software often matters as much as which software is actually chosen.
Hardware requirements are real, not just marketing minimums
Video editing, especially with higher resolution footage (4K and above), places real demands on a computer's processor, memory, and often a dedicated graphics card for smooth playback and reasonable export times. Software that "runs" on minimum-spec hardware can still mean a frustratingly slow, laggy editing experience with real footage — checking recommended (not just minimum) specifications, and being realistic about the actual resolution and complexity of footage being edited, matters more here than in most other software categories where minimum specs are more genuinely usable.
Codec compatibility issues are a common beginner frustration
Video files use different codecs (compression formats) depending on the camera or phone that recorded them, and not every editing software handles every codec equally well — some require converting footage to a different format before smooth editing is possible, adding an extra step and file size. Checking that a specific editing software handles the actual footage format your camera or phone produces, rather than assuming any video file works equally well in any editor, avoids a common source of early frustration, laggy playback, or unexpected conversion steps.
Subscription vs. one-time purchase software work differently long-term
Similar to photo editing software, some video editors use a subscription model with ongoing access tied to continued payment, while others are a one-time purchase usable indefinitely once bought, though without ongoing new feature updates. Free options exist at a genuinely capable level for many users' needs, and it's worth evaluating whether a paid subscription's specific advanced features (certain effects, more advanced color grading tools, cloud collaboration) are actually needed before assuming a paid tier is necessary for a given project's requirements.
Storage needs add up fast with video specifically
Raw and edited video footage takes up dramatically more storage space than most other file types, and a project involving multiple takes, high resolution, or extended footage can consume storage far faster than expected — checking realistic storage needs for an actual project's footage volume, and having a plan for backup given the real risk of losing substantial, hard-to-recreate footage, matters more here than for most other computer tasks.
The one thing people forget
Organize and label footage clearly before starting to edit, rather than diving directly into the editing timeline with unsorted clips — a disorganized project with dozens or hundreds of unlabeled clips becomes genuinely difficult to navigate efficiently partway through editing, and basic organization habits established from the start save meaningfully more time than they cost upfront, especially on any project involving more than a small handful of clips.