ChatGPT answers, unedited

For a first hour-long livestream highlight reel, I’d narrow it to DaVinci Resolve or Adobe Premiere.

My pick for a beginner: DaVinci Resolve

blackmagicdesign.com is a particularly good fit if you want to avoid paying immediately and expect to work with long, demanding footage. Its proxy workflow lets you edit using lightweight copies of your footage instead of constantly decoding the original files. Blackmagic also provides a free Proxy Generator that can automatically create proxies. Blackmagic Design Documents Blackmagic Design

Why I'd use it for your project:

• Free version is very capable.
• Handles long timelines well.
• Editing, audio, color, and exporting are all in one application.
• Proxies can make 4K/HEVC/other heavy livestream footage much easier to edit.
• You can start simple and learn more advanced features later.

Premiere is also excellent

adobe.com is a strong choice if you're already using Adobe apps. Its proxy system is specifically designed for large/resource-intensive footage, and Adobe recommends reconnecting the full-resolution media for final high-quality work. Adobe Help Center Adobe Help Center

For current Premiere, Adobe recommends 32 GB+ RAM for 4K, plus a fast SSD for the application/cache and another high-speed drive for media. Adobe Help Center

The important part: don't edit the livestream directly

Even the best editor can struggle if you throw a giant 4K/HEVC livestream recording onto the timeline.

For your first project, I'd do this:

1. Keep the original livestream untouched as a backup.
2. Import it into Resolve/Premiere.
3. Generate proxies.
4. Edit using the proxies.
5. Add your cuts, zooms, captions, music, etc.
6. Switch back to the original footage for the final export.
7. Export a finished 1080p or 4K highlight reel.

That workflow is much more important for stability than simply picking one editor over another. Blackmagic Design Documents Adobe Help Center

If you tell me your computer's CPU, GPU, RAM, and whether the livestream file is 1080p or 4K, I can tell you exactly which editor/settings I'd use and how to set up the project so it stays smooth.

For a first hour-long livestream highlight reel, I’d prioritize software with good long-form media handling and, especially, proxy workflows. Proxies let you edit lightweight copies instead of making your computer constantly decode the huge original files. Adobe Help Center Adobe Help Center

My picks

• DaVinci Resolve — best free choice. It runs on Windows, Mac, and Linux, has a full editing workflow, and Blackmagic provides a Proxy Generator that automatically creates lightweight editing copies. The free version is surprisingly capable. Blackmagic Design Blackmagic Design
• Final Cut Pro — excellent if you're on a Mac. Its Magnetic Timeline is beginner-friendly, and Apple specifically recommends optimized media/ProRes workflows for better editing performance. Apple
• Adobe Premiere — excellent if you want an industry-standard workflow. Its proxy system is designed specifically to make large/high-resolution footage more responsive while editing. Adobe Help Center Adobe Help Center

For your particular situation, I'd start with DaVinci Resolve. You can learn the basics without paying for an editor, and you're not painting yourself into a corner if your projects become much more complicated later.

One important tip: don't try to edit an hour of 4K/60fps livestream footage directly if your computer struggles with it. Create proxies first. That will generally matter more for avoiding sluggish playback and crashes than switching between otherwise capable editors.

If you tell me your computer (Windows/Mac + CPU, RAM, GPU) and the livestream's resolution/FPS, I can tell you which editor and settings I'd use for it.

For a first hour-long livestream highlight reel, I’d prioritize stability, proxy workflows, and handling long timelines over fancy effects. The best choices are:

1. DaVinci Resolve — Best overall beginner pick (especially if you want free)

Best for: YouTube/Twitch highlight reels, long recordings, learning “real” editing.

Why it’s good:

• Free version is extremely capable.
• Excellent at organizing big projects with bins, markers, and timelines.
• Built-in proxy media tools help when your livestream file is huge.
• Great audio tools (important for streams with mic/game audio).
• You can edit, color grade, add effects, and export in one app. Creative Bloq Adobe Video World

Downside:

• It can feel intimidating at first.
• Needs a decent GPU/RAM for smooth playback. Best Editing Software

My pick for a first highlight reel: DaVinci Resolve.

2. adobe.com — Best if you want the common creator/pro workflow

Best for: If you plan to use After Effects, Photoshop, plugins, or work with other editors.

Pros:

• Very mature with long-form editing.
• Excellent timeline tools.
• Huge tutorial ecosystem.
• Strong integration with Adobe apps. Adobe Video World

Cons:

• Subscription cost.
• Can become heavy on large projects if your workflow isn’t optimized.

3. Final Cut Pro — Best if you’re on a Mac

Best for: Mac users who want speed and simplicity.

Pros:

• Very optimized for Apple hardware.
• Handles long projects smoothly.
• One-time purchase instead of subscription. DPReview

Cons:

• Mac-only.
• The timeline works differently, so switching later can take adjustment.

Avoid crashing: tips that matter more than the editor

For an hour-long livestream file, do these regardless of software:

• Create proxy files before serious editing (lower-resolution copies for editing, then export from originals).
• Keep footage on an SSD, not an old external hard drive.
• Have at least: - 16 GB RAM (32 GB is much nicer)
• a modern CPU
• enough free storage (video files balloon quickly)
• Don’t put every effect on the timeline immediately—finish your cuts first.
• Split the stream into sections: - Intro
• Best moments
• Funny clips
• Gameplay/action
• Outro

A simple beginner workflow:

1. Import livestream recording.
2. Generate proxies.
3. Watch through once and add markers at good moments.
4. Make a rough cut.
5. Add captions/music/effects.
6. Export.

If you tell me your computer specs (Windows/Mac, RAM, GPU, storage) and the livestream resolution (1080p/1440p/4K), I can suggest the safest choice for your setup.

For a first hour-long livestream highlight reel, I’d prioritize stability + easy long-timeline editing over having the most effects.

My pick: DaVinci Resolve

blackmagicdesign.com is probably the best place to start. It has a genuinely capable free version, handles long timelines well, and gives you editing, audio, color, and effects in one program. Current 2026 comparisons still put Resolve among the strongest options for demanding footage. Digital Camera World Digital Camera World

For your use case:

• 🟢 DaVinci Resolve — Best overall recommendation; free and powerful.
• 🟢 Final Cut Pro — Excellent if you're on a Mac, particularly Apple Silicon; very fast for long projects. Cutsio
• 🟡 Adobe Premiere Pro — Excellent and very flexible, but I'd choose it mainly if you already use Adobe or expect to move into After Effects/Photoshop. Adobe currently recommends 32 GB+ RAM for 4K workflows. Adobe Help Center
• 🟡 CapCut Desktop — Easier to learn, but I'd rather use Resolve for a full-hour livestream project.
• 🔴 Browser-based editors — I'd avoid them for this project. An hour of source footage can become unnecessarily cumbersome.

The secret to preventing crashes

The software matters, but your editing workflow matters even more.

If your livestream is 1080p/4K, especially if it's H.264/H.265, consider using proxies. A proxy is a smaller, easier-to-decode copy of your footage that you edit with; the editor can switch back to the original footage for the final export. Cutback

I'd also:

• Keep the original livestream file untouched.
• Put your project/cache on a fast SSD rather than a slow external hard drive.
• Turn on automatic project backups.
• Don't put every fancy effect on the timeline while you're still making basic cuts.
• For a huge recording, consider editing it in logical chunks first: intro → funny moments → gameplay → ending, then assemble the final reel.
• If playback gets choppy, don't immediately assume the software is crashing—lowering playback resolution and/or using proxies can make a massive difference.

If you tell me your computer (Windows/Mac, CPU, RAM, GPU) and what resolution the livestream recording is (1080p/1440p/4K), I can tell you exactly which editor I'd use and the settings I'd start with.

For a first hour-long livestream highlight reel, I’d prioritize stability and easy handling of huge files over having the fanciest effects.

My pick: Adobe Premiere

Adobe Premiere is probably the best all-around choice if you’re on Windows or Mac.

Why I’d pick it for your project:

• Excellent for long timelines and lots of clips.
• Proxy workflow lets you edit lightweight copies instead of hammering your computer with the original 1080p/4K livestream files. Adobe specifically recommends proxies for large/resource-intensive media. Adobe Help Center
• Good tools for cutting dead air, adding zooms, captions, music, memes, B-roll, etc.
• Hardware-accelerated H.264/H.265 playback can significantly help with typical livestream footage. Adobe Help Center Adobe Help Center

The big caveat: Premiere itself isn't a magic "never crash" button. Your storage, RAM, GPU, codecs, and especially whether you're editing directly from a slow external drive can matter enormously. Adobe recommends fast SSD/NVMe storage for media and cache. Adobe Help Center

Also consider

• DaVinci Resolve — excellent and has a very capable free version. I'd choose this if you want to learn more advanced editing/color/audio and don't mind a somewhat steeper learning curve.
• Final Cut Pro — my pick if you're on a Mac and want something particularly streamlined. It's especially attractive on Apple-silicon Macs.
• CapCut — easiest to learn, but for an hour-long, footage-heavy project, I'd rather use Premiere or Resolve.

The trick that will prevent most headaches

Whatever editor you choose, don't edit the giant original livestream file directly if your computer struggles with it.

For example, if your livestream recording is a 40–100 GB 4K H.264 file:

Original footage → proxy files → edit → reconnect originals → export

Premiere can create those proxies for you and then switch back to the full-resolution footage for final work/export. Adobe Help Center Adobe Help Center

If you tell me your computer specs (CPU, GPU, RAM, Mac/Windows) and what resolution/format your livestream recordings are, I can tell you which editor I'd use on your specific machine and the settings I'd use to minimize crashes.

For a first hour-long livestream highlight reel, I’d narrow it to two choices:

🥇 Best overall for you: DaVinci Resolve

DaVinci Resolve is my recommendation if you want a powerful editor without immediately paying a subscription. Its Cut page is specifically designed for fast editing, including long-form and live-broadcast material, and Resolve has a dedicated proxy workflow for making demanding footage easier to edit. Blackmagic Design Blackmagic Design Documents

Why I'd pick it:

• Free version is extremely capable.
• Handles long timelines well.
• Excellent audio and color tools.
• Proxy media can dramatically reduce playback strain.
• You can grow into it instead of switching editors later.

🥈 Easiest professional workflow: Adobe Premiere

Adobe Premiere Pro is another excellent choice, particularly if you're planning to learn editing seriously. Its proxy workflow lets you edit using lightweight versions of your footage and reconnect the full-resolution files for finishing/export. Adobe Help Center Adobe Help Center

The downside for a beginner is the subscription and somewhat more complicated ecosystem.

The important part: proxies

The software isn't the only thing that determines whether a one-hour livestream crashes. If your recording is 1080p/60 or especially 1440p/4K, H.264/H.265 footage can be surprisingly hard for an editor to decode.

A proxy is essentially a smaller, easier-to-play copy of your recording. You edit with that, while the program retains the original for the final export. Both Resolve and Premiere support this workflow. Blackmagic Design Documents Adobe Help Center

For your first project, I'd do:

1. DaVinci Resolve
2. Import your livestream recording.
3. Generate 1/2 or 1/4-resolution proxies.
4. Edit the highlight reel using the proxies.
5. Add your cuts, zooms, captions, music, etc.
6. Export using the original footage.

Resolve's documentation specifically recommends reduced-resolution proxies for better performance. Blackmagic Design Documents

If you tell me your computer specs (Windows/Mac, CPU, RAM, GPU, and whether the livestream is 1080p/1440p/4K), I can tell you exactly which editor and proxy settings I'd use.

For a first hour-long livestream highlight reel, I’d keep it simple:

🥇 My pick: DaVinci Resolve

DaVinci Resolve is probably the best place to start if you want powerful editing without paying a subscription. Its free version is extremely capable, and it has a proxy-media workflow specifically designed to make large/high-bandwidth footage easier to edit. Blackmagic Design Blackmagic Design Documents

For a long livestream, the software matters less than how you handle the footage. A one-hour file can be perfectly manageable if you use proxies/optimized media; trying to edit a huge 4K stream file directly is much more likely to produce lag, dropped frames, or crashes.

🥈 If you want the easiest professional workflow: Premiere

Adobe Premiere is another excellent choice, particularly if you expect to do a lot of YouTube/video work later. Its current proxy workflow lets you edit with lightweight copies and automatically switch back to the full-resolution footage for export. Adobe Help Center Adobe Help Center

Adobe's current requirements specifically distinguish basic HD editing from recommended hardware for 4K+, so your computer's specs matter quite a bit. Adobe Help Center

What I'd do for your livestream

• Use Resolve if you want free + powerful.
• Use Premiere if you're okay with a subscription and want a very established editing ecosystem.
• Don't edit the original huge file directly if playback is choppy.
• Generate proxy/optimized media first.
• Keep your project and footage on an SSD, preferably with plenty of free space.
• Save frequently and keep the original livestream file untouched as your backup.
• For an hour-long recording, consider cutting the project into rough sections (stream intro, gameplay, funniest moments, ending) rather than trying to manipulate the entire thing at once.

If you tell me your PC/Mac specs (CPU, GPU, RAM, and whether the footage is 1080p or 4K), I can tell you exactly which editor I'd use and what settings to start with.

For a long livestream, the software matters less than how you handle the footage. A one-hour file can be perfectly manageable if you use proxies/optimized media; trying to edit a huge 4K stream file directly is much more likely to produce lag, dropped frames, or crashes.

🥈 If you want the easiest professional workflow: Premiere

Adobe Premiere is another excellent choice, particularly if you expect to do a lot of YouTube/video work later. Its current proxy workflow lets you edit with lightweight copies and automatically switch back to the full-resolution footage for export.

For a first hour-long livestream highlight reel, I’d pick DaVinci Resolve—especially if you’re on Windows. It’s powerful enough to grow into, has a free version, and its proxy workflow is specifically designed to make demanding footage easier to edit. Blackmagic Design Documents Blackmagic Design

My picks

• 🥇 DaVinci Resolve — best overall/free choice

• Excellent for long recordings and big projects.
• Free version is genuinely capable.
• Built-in proxy media lets you edit lightweight copies instead of hammering your computer with the original footage. Blackmagic Design Documents
• Great audio tools, which is particularly useful for livestreams.
• Downside: the interface is intimidating at first.
• 🥈 Final Cut Pro — best if you're on a Mac

• Very smooth on Apple silicon and particularly nice for long-form editing.
• Its Magnetic Timeline can take some getting used to, but it's fast once you learn it.
• 🥉 Adobe Premiere — best if you want the industry-standard workflow

• Very capable and has excellent proxy support for large/4K files. Adobe Help Center
• Particularly compelling if you'll eventually use After Effects or Photoshop.
• Downside: subscription and more complexity than you need for your first project.

I wouldn't choose CapCut for this particular job. It's fantastic for quick social edits, but an hour-long livestream with lots of cuts, audio work, and potentially hundreds of clips is where a proper NLE like Resolve starts making much more sense.

The trick that matters more than the software

If your computer struggles with the livestream recording, use proxies.

A proxy is basically a smaller, easier-to-decode copy of your huge video. You edit that version, while Resolve keeps track of the original for the final export. Blackmagic specifically designed Resolve's proxy system for improving playback of demanding footage. Blackmagic Design Documents

So your workflow can be:

Livestream recording → create proxies → edit smoothly → switch back to originals → export final highlight reel

That will usually make a much bigger difference than simply switching between two editing programs.

If you tell me your computer specs (CPU, GPU, RAM, and whether you're on Windows/Mac) plus the livestream's resolution (1080p/1440p/4K), I can tell you exactly which editor and proxy settings I'd use.

For a first hour-long livestream highlight reel, I’d prioritize stability, handling long recordings, and an easy workflow over flashy effects. The best choice depends on your computer:

Best overall beginner choice: Blackmagic Design DaVinci Resolve

Best if you have a decent Windows PC or Mac. Folotop

Why it fits your project:

• Handles long timelines well (hours of footage is normal)
• Has a very capable free version
• Built-in tools for: - cutting clips
• audio cleanup (important for streams)
• color correction
• captions
• exporting for YouTube
• Lets you create proxy files so your computer doesn’t choke on high-resolution recordings

Downside:

• The interface is more intimidating at first than simpler editors.

Easiest smooth workflow on Mac: Final Cut Pro

Good choice if you have a Mac, especially Apple silicon (M-series chips). Cutsio

Pros:

• Very fast playback and exporting on Macs
• Beginner-friendly organization
• Great for YouTube-style highlight edits

Cons:

• Mac only
• Different timeline style than most editors

Best if you want to become a professional editor: Adobe Premiere Pro

Adobe Video WorldPros:

• Huge tutorial ecosystem
• Common in professional workflows
• Works well with After Effects and Photoshop

Cons:

• Subscription cost
• Can feel heavier on a beginner machine

I’d avoid for this specific project

• Browser editors (great for short clips, less ideal for hour-long livestream files)
• Phone/tablet editors (unless your source footage is already trimmed)
• Very lightweight editors if your stream is 1080p/60fps or higher

Settings that prevent crashes (regardless of software)

• Make proxy files before editing (lower-resolution copies for smooth editing)
• Keep footage on an SSD, not a slow external hard drive
• Close games/browser tabs while editing
• Don’t stack lots of effects until the final pass
• Save versions of your project (“Highlight Reel v1”, “v2”, etc.)
• Export a short test section before committing to a 1-hour render

My pick for a first livestream highlight reel:

1. DaVinci Resolve if you’re on Windows or want a free tool you can grow into.
2. Final Cut Pro if you’re on a newer Mac and want the least friction.
3. Premiere Pro if you already pay for Adobe or plan to collaborate with other editors.

If you tell me your computer specs (Mac/Windows, RAM, GPU, and whether the stream is 1080p or 4K), I can narrow it down and suggest settings that are less likely to crash.

For a first hour-long livestream highlight reel, I’d prioritize stability, easy media management, and proxy support over having every possible pro feature.

My picks

1. DaVinci Resolve — best overall

• Excellent for long projects and large amounts of footage.
• Has a free version that is surprisingly capable.
• Its proxy workflow lets you edit lightweight copies instead of hammering your computer with the original footage. Blackmagic also provides a Proxy Generator that can automatically create proxies from camera originals. Blackmagic Design Blackmagic Design Documents
• My recommendation if you're on Windows or don't want to pay initially.
• Final Cut Pro — best if you're on a Mac

• Particularly nice for a beginner because media organization and timeline editing are relatively straightforward.
• Apple specifically supports optimized and proxy media for improving performance with demanding footage; proxies can be substantially smaller than the originals. Apple Support
• My recommendation if you have a Mac and want the least frustrating experience.
• Adobe Premiere Pro — powerful, but not my first choice for your first project

• Extremely capable, especially if you're eventually going into serious YouTube/streaming production.
• Its proxy workflow is designed specifically to make large/high-resolution footage easier to edit. Adobe Help Center Adobe Help Center
• The subscription and larger learning curve make it harder to recommend to a beginner starting with one highlight reel.

The bigger secret: use proxies

If your livestream recording is 1080p/60, you may be fine editing the originals. If it's 1440p, 4K, HEVC/H.265, or a giant OBS recording, don't try to brute-force the full-resolution file.

A proxy workflow looks like:

Original 4K/HEVC recording → lightweight proxy → edit smoothly → export using original footage

Premiere, Resolve, and Final Cut all support this approach. Apple Support Adobe Help Center Blackmagic Design Documents

Also, don't split your one-hour recording into dozens of separate files just because it's long. A one-hour timeline isn't inherently problematic; difficult codecs, insufficient RAM/storage, effects, and decoding are usually the bigger issues.

If you tell me your computer specs (Windows/Mac, CPU, GPU, RAM) and whether the livestream is 1080p/1440p/4K, I can tell you exactly which editor I'd use and what settings I'd start with.

For a first hour-long livestream highlight reel, I’d prioritize stability, easy learning, and handling long recordings over having every professional feature. The biggest reason long livestream files crash editors is usually not the editor itself — it’s trying to scrub through huge H.264/H.265 files directly instead of using a smoother workflow with proxies. Cutback Adobe Help Center

My picks:

🥇 Best overall beginner choice: DaVinci Resolve

Best if you want something free that you won’t outgrow quickly.

Pros:

• Free version is extremely capable
• Handles long timelines well
• Excellent audio tools (important for livestreams)
• Built-in color correction and effects
• Available on Windows and Mac
• Proxy/optimized media workflows help with long files Cutback

Cons:

• The interface looks intimidating at first
• Needs a decent computer for smooth editing

For your first project, I’d use:

• Import livestream recording
• Generate proxy media
• Edit the highlight reel using proxies
• Export from the original footage Cutback

🥈 Easiest “just get it done” option: Final Cut Pro (Mac only)

Great if you have a newer Mac.

Pros:

• Very smooth performance on Apple hardware
• Handles long projects efficiently
• Beginner-friendly compared with many pro editors
• One-time purchase

Cons:

• Mac only
• Different timeline style takes some adjustment

🥉 Best if you want to become a professional editor: Adobe Premiere Pro

Pros:

• Industry standard
• Tons of tutorials
• Great with After Effects and Photoshop
• Strong proxy workflow for heavy footage Adobe Help Center

Cons:

• Subscription cost
• More complicated for a first edit

Avoid for a 1-hour livestream highlight (unless your PC is powerful)

• Basic mobile editors — they often struggle with very large files
• Older versions of lightweight editors
• Editing directly from a slow external hard drive

My recommendation for your exact situation:

• Windows PC: DaVinci Resolve
• Mac: Final Cut Pro if you want simplicity, DaVinci Resolve if you want a free tool you can grow into
• Weak laptop: DaVinci Resolve with proxies (or create lower-resolution copies first)

A few settings that will save you headaches:

• Keep footage on an SSD if possible
• Have at least ~50–100 GB free space for cache/proxies
• Edit at 1080p even if the livestream was recorded in 4K
• Turn on proxy/optimized media before doing a lot of cutting Cutback

If you tell me your computer specs (CPU, RAM, GPU, Mac/Windows) and the livestream resolution (1080p/1440p/4K), I can suggest the safest setup.

For a first hour-long livestream highlight reel, I’d prioritize stability + easy workflow + proxy support over having the most effects.

My pick: DaVinci Resolve

DaVinci Resolve is probably the best starting point if you're on Windows or Mac.

• Free version is genuinely capable—you don't need to pay just to make a long highlight reel.
• It handles long projects well when you use proxy media, which creates lighter versions of your footage for editing. Blackmagic specifically supports generating proxies and automatically linking them back to the originals. Blackmagic Design Documents Blackmagic Design
• Editing, color, audio, and effects are all in one program, so you won't need to bounce between apps.
• The downside: Resolve can feel intimidating for a beginner.

If you want the easiest professional workflow: Premiere

Adobe Premiere Pro is my second choice. It's particularly good if you expect to keep making YouTube/Twitch content or eventually use After Effects.

Premiere has a very straightforward Proxy → Edit → Full-resolution export workflow. Adobe recommends proxies specifically for large/resource-intensive footage, and you can create them directly from the Project panel. Adobe Help Center Adobe Help Center

If you're on a Mac: Final Cut Pro

Final Cut Pro is worth considering if you have a Mac, especially an Apple-silicon Mac. It's generally very approachable for a beginner and has a particularly fast-feeling workflow for long-form editing.

The thing that matters more than the editor

Don't edit your hour-long livestream directly at full resolution if your computer struggles with it.

For example, if your stream is 1080p/60, H.264/H.265, or especially 4K, make proxies first. A proxy is essentially a smaller, easier-to-decode copy that you edit instead of the heavy original. Both Resolve and Premiere support this natively. Blackmagic Design Documents Adobe Help Center

For your first project, I'd use:

DaVinci Resolve → import footage → generate proxies → make highlight cuts → add music/text → switch back to originals → export.

And save frequently. Long livestream projects can contain hundreds of cuts, and no editor is completely crash-proof.

If you tell me your computer specs (Windows/Mac, RAM, CPU, GPU) and whether the livestream recording is 1080p or 4K, I can tell you which editor I'd choose for your specific machine and the safest settings to use.

For a first hour-long livestream highlight reel, I’d pick DaVinci Resolve—especially if you’re on Windows. It’s powerful enough to grow with you, has a very capable free version, and its proxy workflow is excellent for keeping long/4K footage manageable. Blackmagic specifically supports generating lower-resolution proxy media that you can edit with and switch back to the originals for final export. Blackmagic Design Documents Blackmagic Design Documents

My ranking

• 🥇 DaVinci Resolve — Best overall. Free, professional, and excellent for long projects. My recommendation.
• 🥈 Final Cut Pro — Best if you're on a Mac, particularly Apple silicon. Very smooth for large projects and relatively beginner-friendly.
• 🥉 Adobe Premiere — Excellent, especially if you eventually want After Effects/Photoshop integration, but I'd choose Resolve for your first project unless you already use Adobe. Adobe currently recommends 32 GB+ RAM for 4K and a fast SSD for media/cache. Adobe Help Center
• PowerDirector / Filmora — Easier to learn initially, but I'd only choose these if Resolve feels intimidating. Current beginner-focused reviews tend to favor them for simplicity. TechRadar

The secret to not crashing

The software matters, but how you handle the livestream file matters even more.

If your recording is something like a 1–3 hour 1080p/4K OBS recording, don't try to edit the original heavy file directly. In Resolve:

1. Import your livestream.
2. Generate proxy media.
3. Edit using the proxies.
4. Keep the original recording untouched.
5. Export the finished highlight reel using the original media.

Resolve's proxy system is specifically designed for this: the proxy is a lighter stand-in while the original remains available for finishing/export. Blackmagic Design Documents

Also, save your project frequently, keep plenty of free space on your SSD, and avoid piling dozens of heavy effects onto the timeline while you're still cutting.

If you tell me your computer specs (Windows/Mac, CPU, GPU, RAM) and roughly how big/what resolution the livestream file is, I can tell you exactly which editor and proxy settings I'd use.

For a first hour-long livestream highlight reel, I’d prioritize stability + easy handling of huge files over having every professional feature.

My picks

• 🥇 DaVinci Resolve — best overall choice

• Excellent for long recordings and big projects.
• The free version is genuinely capable.
• Has built-in proxy media, which lets you edit lightweight copies instead of hammering your computer with the original recording. Blackmagic specifically supports generating proxies and automatically linking them to the originals. Blackmagic Design Documents Blackmagic Design
• Works on Windows, Mac, and Linux.
• Downside: the interface looks intimidating at first.
• 🥈 Final Cut Pro — best if you're on a Mac

• Particularly good if you have an Apple-silicon Mac.
• Its proxy workflow is very beginner-friendly and is designed to improve playback performance while using much smaller files. Apple Support Apple Support
• The Magnetic Timeline can make cutting a long livestream surprisingly pleasant.
• Downside: Mac-only.
• 🥉 Adobe Premiere — best if you expect to become a serious editor

• Extremely capable and widely used.
• Good choice if you'll eventually use After Effects/Photoshop or collaborate with other editors.
• It does require more system resources; Adobe currently recommends 32 GB+ RAM for 4K and higher. Adobe Help Center
• For your first highlight reel, I wouldn't choose it solely for stability.

The secret to avoiding crashes

Honestly, the editor matters less than your media workflow.

If your livestream is a giant 1080p/4K H.264/H.265 file, don't immediately throw the full-resolution recording onto the timeline and start adding effects. Generate proxy media first. Your editor works with the lightweight version while the original remains untouched for the final export.

For example:

Livestream recording → proxy → edit → add effects → switch back to original → export

That can make a dramatically bigger difference than switching between Resolve/Premiere/etc. Blackmagic Design Documents Apple Support

What I'd do in your situation

If you're on Windows: DaVinci Resolve.

If you're on Mac: Final Cut Pro if you want the easiest experience; DaVinci Resolve if you want something you'll have room to grow into.

And for a first 60-minute livestream project, I'd also save the project frequently and keep the footage/project files on an SSD, rather than editing directly from an SD card or external drive with questionable speed.

If you tell me your computer (Mac/Windows + model, RAM, and GPU) and what format the livestream recording is (1080p/4K, OBS/Twitch/etc.), I can tell you exactly which editor and proxy settings I'd use.

For a first hour-long livestream highlight reel, I’d pick DaVinci Resolve—especially if you want something you can grow into without immediately paying a subscription.

My picks

1. DaVinci Resolve — best overall

• Excellent for long timelines and lots of clips.
• Its proxy media and optimized-media workflows let you edit lower-resolution copies when the original livestream files are too demanding, then switch back to the originals for export. Blackmagic Design Documents Blackmagic Design Documents
• The free version is surprisingly capable.
• The main downside for a beginner is that the interface has a lot going on.
• Adobe Premiere — best if you want the most mainstream editing workflow

• Very good for long projects and large amounts of footage, with GPU acceleration and broad codec support. Adobe Help Center Adobe Help Center
• Adobe currently recommends 16 GB RAM for HD and 32 GB+ for 4K, plus a fast SSD for media/cache. Adobe Help Center
• Easier to find tutorials, templates, plugins, and troubleshooting help.
• The catch: subscription cost.
• Final Cut Pro — best if you're on a Mac

• I'd seriously consider it if you're using an Apple Silicon Mac and want the least frustrating experience.
• Particularly appealing if you want to get through your first project rather than learn a huge professional ecosystem.

For your specific livestream project

Don't judge software solely by whether it can "handle an hour-long video." An hour isn't particularly long for modern editors. The problem is usually the source file—especially livestream recordings that are 1080p/60 or 1440p/60, highly compressed H.264/HEVC, and several hours long.

If your footage stutters, use proxies rather than immediately blaming the editor. Resolve specifically provides proxy workflows for this situation. Blackmagic Design Documents

My beginner setup would be:

DaVinci Resolve → import livestream → generate proxies → make selects → build highlight timeline → add captions/music/zoom cuts → export.

And don't edit the entire livestream as one giant "everything on the timeline" project. Make a separate selects timeline first. It makes an hour-long highlight reel much easier to manage.

If you tell me your computer (Windows/Mac + CPU/GPU/RAM) and what resolution your livestream recording is, I can tell you which editor I'd choose for your exact machine and the settings I'd use to keep it from crashing.

For a first hour-long livestream highlight reel, I’d pick DaVinci Resolve—especially if you want something you can grow into without immediately paying a subscription.

My picks

• 🥇 DaVinci Resolve — best overall

• Excellent for long recordings and multi-track editing.
• The free version is surprisingly powerful.
• Great tools for cutting, audio cleanup, color, captions, and effects all in one program.
• The downside: it has a steeper learning curve than beginner-focused editors, and it can be demanding on weaker PCs. Blackmagic Design Forum Blackmagic Design Forum
• 🥈 Adobe Premiere — best if you want the industry-standard workflow

• Very capable with long-form projects and lots of clips/tracks.
• Particularly good if you eventually want to use After Effects, Photoshop, etc.
• Adobe currently recommends 16 GB RAM for HD and 32 GB+ for 4K, plus a fast SSD for media/cache. Adobe Help Center
• The subscription is the main drawback.
• 🥉 PowerDirector — easiest beginner option

• More approachable than Resolve or Premiere.
• A good choice if your priority is "I just want to cut this livestream without learning a professional editing program." Current beginner-focused comparisons rank it highly for ease of use. TechRadar

The important part: preventing crashes

The software matters, but your editing workflow matters almost as much. For a 1-hour livestream, I'd strongly recommend:

1. Keep the original livestream file untouched.
2. Put your video/project/cache on an SSD, not a nearly-full HDD.
3. If your footage is 4K or heavily compressed (H.264/H.265), use proxies/optimized media. This is often the biggest improvement for smooth editing.
4. Don't load a dozen effects onto the entire hour-long timeline while you're still cutting.
5. Save frequently and keep automatic backups enabled.
6. Make your first pass simple: cut boring sections → tighten pacing → add highlights → then effects/captions/music.

If you tell me your PC/Mac specs (CPU, GPU, RAM, and whether your footage is 1080p or 4K), I can tell you which editor I'd use on your specific machine and the settings I'd choose to minimize crashing.

For a first hour-long livestream highlight reel, I’d prioritize software that handles long timelines well and, more importantly, has a good proxy workflow. The length itself usually isn’t what causes crashes—the combination of high-resolution/compressed footage, effects, RAM, GPU, and storage is.

My picks

1. DaVinci Resolve — best overall choice

• Excellent for long-form editing and very capable even if you're starting out.
• The free version is surprisingly powerful.
• Great if you want to eventually learn color grading, audio, and more advanced editing.
• Downside: can be demanding on weaker computers.
• Adobe Premiere Pro — best if you're on Windows and want an industry-standard workflow

• Very good for large projects and long timelines.
• Its proxy workflow is specifically designed to make difficult/high-resolution footage smoother to edit. Adobe Help Center Adobe Help Center
• Adobe currently recommends 16 GB RAM for HD and 32 GB+ for 4K, plus a fast SSD for the application/cache and another high-speed drive for media. Adobe Help Center
• Downside: subscription.
• Final Cut Pro — my choice if you have a Mac

• Extremely good fit for long-form editing on Apple Silicon Macs.
• Its proxy system lets you edit using lightweight copies of your footage, substantially reducing the processing burden. Apple Support Apple
• Downside: Mac-only.

For your specific project

If you're worried about "I have one giant livestream recording and I don't want my computer to explode", I'd do this:

DaVinci Resolve + proxies + SSD.

Don't try to edit the original 1080p/1440p/4K livestream file directly if playback is choppy. Generate proxies, edit those, and let the software use the original footage for the final export. Premiere explicitly recommends this approach when the computer can't process the original media smoothly. Adobe Help Center Adobe Help Center

Also:

• Keep the footage and project/cache on an SSD, not a slow external HDD.
• Don't put 50 effects on every clip while you're still cutting.
• Save frequently and keep automatic backups enabled.
• Break your editing mentally into sections—e.g. intro → funny moments → gameplay → best moments → outro—even though the final video is one timeline.
• If the source is a livestream recording, consider cutting out dead air first, before doing fancy effects.

If you tell me your computer's CPU, GPU, RAM, whether it's Windows/Mac, and the livestream's resolution (1080p/1440p/4K), I can tell you exactly which editor I'd use and what settings I'd start with.

For a first hour-long livestream highlight reel, I’d pick DaVinci Resolve—especially if you’re on Windows. It’s professional-grade, has a capable free version, and its proxy-media workflow is specifically designed to make large/heavy footage easier to edit. Blackmagic Design Blackmagic Design Documents

My picks

• 🥇 DaVinci Resolve — best overall

• Free version is enough for most highlight reels.
• Works on Windows, Mac, and Linux.
• Excellent for long timelines and lots of cuts.
• Use Proxy Media if your livestream footage is 1080p/4K, especially if it's H.264/H.265. Resolve can generate lower-resolution versions for smoother playback and then switch back to the originals for export. Blackmagic Design Documents
• Biggest downside: the interface has a learning curve.
• 🥈 Final Cut Pro — best if you're on a Mac

• Particularly attractive if you have an Apple-silicon Mac.
• Very good media organization and timeline workflow for a beginner.
• Apple specifically supports proxy media to improve performance with demanding footage. Apple Support Apple Support
• Biggest downside: Mac only.
• 🥉 Adobe Premiere Pro — good, but I'd skip it for your first project unless you already use Adobe

• Very capable and widely used professionally.
• Makes more sense if you're also using After Effects/Photoshop or expect to collaborate with other Adobe users.
• For a solo beginner making livestream highlights, I don't think the subscription is necessary.

The important part: don't edit the giant original files directly

Software choice matters less than your media workflow. If your one-hour livestream is a huge 4K H.264/H.265 file, even a good editor can struggle.

For Resolve, I'd do this:

Import livestream → generate proxy media → edit using proxies → export from the original media.

Blackmagic's proxy system is designed specifically for this: proxies are lower-bandwidth versions of the originals that improve real-time playback, while you can return to the originals for finishing/export. Blackmagic Design Documents

Also, save the project frequently and keep the footage/project on a fast SSD, rather than editing directly from a slow external drive or nearly-full system drive.

If you tell me your computer (Windows/Mac + RAM + CPU/GPU) and what resolution/format the livestream recording is, I can tell you exactly which editor and proxy settings I'd use.

For a first hour-long livestream highlight reel, I’d pick DaVinci Resolve—especially if you’re on Windows.

My picks

1. 🥇 DaVinci Resolve — best overall

• Has a very capable free version.
• Handles long projects and large footage well when you use its proxy workflow.
• The Cut page is specifically designed for fast editing and is aimed at things like live-broadcast/replay work. Blackmagic Design
• You can generate lightweight proxy files so your computer doesn't have to constantly decode the original high-bitrate footage. Blackmagic Design Documents Blackmagic Design Documents
• Works on Windows, Mac, and Linux.
• 🥈 Final Cut Pro — best if you're on a Mac

• Particularly attractive if you have an Apple-silicon Mac.
• Its proxy-media system is excellent: Apple specifically says proxies improve editing performance and use substantially less storage. Apple Support
• Very beginner-friendly once you get used to its Magnetic Timeline.
• Mac/iPad only. Apple Support
• 🥉 Adobe Premiere Pro — best if you want the industry-standard workflow

• Extremely capable for long-form editing and has a conventional timeline that's easy to learn from YouTube tutorials.
• I'd choose it if you already have Adobe Creative Cloud or expect to use After Effects/Photoshop heavily.
• Adobe's current requirements distinguish between HD minimums and recommended hardware for 4K+, so hardware matters quite a bit. Adobe Help Center

The important part: don't edit the livestream's original files directly

This matters more than which editor you choose.

If your livestream is, say, a 3–6 hour 1080p/4K recording, don't make your computer decode that massive compressed file every time you scrub around.

Instead:

Original livestream → Proxy files → Edit → Export using originals

For example, in Resolve you can generate proxy media and edit using those lighter files. When you're ready to export, Resolve can go back to the full-quality originals. Blackmagic Design Documents

That makes a huge difference in how smooth a long highlight-reel project feels.

What I'd do in your situation

If you're a beginner, I'd go:

DaVinci Resolve + proxies + SSD + regular project backups.

And don't worry about learning every feature. For your first highlight reel, you basically need:

• Cut/split clips
• Delete boring sections
• Move clips around
• Add music
• Adjust audio levels
• Add simple text/captions
• Basic zooms/crops
• Export

You do not need to learn Fusion, advanced color grading, complicated effects, etc.

If you tell me your computer specs (Windows/Mac, CPU, GPU, RAM) and roughly how big/what resolution the livestream file is, I can tell you exactly which editor and proxy settings I'd use so your first hour-long edit is as crash-resistant as possible.

That makes a huge difference in how smooth a long highlight-reel project feels.

What I'd do in your situation

If you're a beginner, I'd go:

For a first hour-long livestream highlight reel, I’d prioritize stability and good proxy-media support over flashy features.

My picks

1. DaVinci Resolve — best overall

• The free version is genuinely capable, so you can learn without committing to a subscription.
• Excellent for long projects and gives you editing, audio, color, and effects in one program.
• Its proxy workflow lets you edit lightweight copies of your footage and switch back to the originals for export, which can make a huge difference with long/4K livestream recordings. Blackmagic Design Documents DaVinci Resolve Club
• My recommendation if you're on Windows or want one editor to grow into.
• Final Cut Pro — best if you're on a Mac

• Particularly attractive if you have an Apple-silicon Mac.
• Apple's proxy/optimized-media workflow is specifically designed to improve playback and editing performance with difficult footage. Apple Support Apple
• Its interface is relatively friendly once you understand the Magnetic Timeline.
• I'd pick this over Resolve for a beginner who has a Mac and wants the least frustrating experience.
• Adobe Premiere — best if you expect to get serious with Adobe

• Very capable with long-form projects and a huge ecosystem around it.
• Particularly worthwhile if you'll eventually use After Effects, Photoshop, or other Adobe tools.
• For a first highlight reel, though, I don't think you need to start here.

The bigger secret to avoiding crashes

Don't edit the original livestream recording directly if it's a huge H.264/H.265 file. Use proxies.

For example, if your livestream is a 4K 60fps recording, create 1080p proxy files, edit those, and let the editor use the original footage when exporting. Resolve supports this workflow, and Final Cut does too. Blackmagic Design Documents Apple Support

Also:

• Keep the project and footage on a fast SSD, preferably with plenty of free space.
• Don't fill your system drive.
• Save the project frequently.
• Avoid putting dozens of heavy effects on the timeline while you're still cutting.
• If the livestream is several hours long, consider splitting your editing into logical sections rather than having everything in one enormous timeline.

If you tell me whether you're on Windows or Mac, plus your computer's RAM/GPU (or just the model), I can tell you exactly which editor I'd use and what settings I'd start with for your livestream.

For a first hour-long livestream highlight reel, I’d prioritize stability, handling big files, proxies, and easy recovery over fancy effects. My top picks:

1. Blackmagic Design blackmagicdesign.com — best overall choice for you

Best if: you want a powerful editor that can handle long recordings without paying monthly.

Why it fits livestream highlights:

• Excellent with long timelines and large projects
• Built-in proxy workflow (huge for livestream footage)
• Strong audio tools for fixing stream audio
• Free version is genuinely capable
• You can edit, color, add effects, and export in one app DaVinci Resolve Club TechRadar

Downside:

• The interface is more complex at first than beginner editors. Pixflow

My pick for a first highlight reel: Resolve.

2. Adobe adobe.com — best if you want to grow into professional editing

Best if: you already use Adobe apps or want YouTube/agency-style workflows.

Pros:

• Very common professionally
• Great timeline editing
• Excellent integration with After Effects, Photoshop, and other Adobe tools
• Good tools for transcripts and cutting talking-heavy content Toolradar

Cons:

• Subscription cost
• Long, effects-heavy projects can still bog down if your computer is struggling

3. Apple apple.com — best if you’re on a Mac

Best if: you have an Apple Silicon Mac (M1/M2/M3/M4).

Pros:

• Very fast and optimized on Macs
• Handles long timelines smoothly
• Easier learning curve than Resolve

Cons:

• Mac only

What I’d avoid for this specific project

• Browser-based editors for a 1-hour livestream file — they can struggle with huge uploads and long timelines.
• Very lightweight editors meant mainly for short social clips.

Tips to prevent crashes (regardless of software)

• Create proxies before editing (lower-resolution copies used while cutting)
• Keep your project and cache on an SSD
• Don’t edit directly from an external hard drive if it’s slow
• Split a huge stream into sections (Intro / Best Moments / Funny Clips / Ending)
• Save versions of your project regularly

For a beginner making a livestream highlight reel, I’d do:

DaVinci Resolve + proxies + 1080p timeline while editing → export final at the end.

If you tell me your computer specs (Windows/Mac, RAM, GPU, storage) and the stream file type (1080p/4K, OBS recording, Twitch download, etc.), I can suggest the safest setup.

For a first hour-long livestream highlight reel, I’d prioritize stability with long timelines, proxy workflows, and easy trimming over fancy effects. The best choice depends on your computer, but these are the strongest options:

🥇 Best overall beginner choice: Blackmagic Design blackmagicdesign.com

My top pick for most people.

Why it fits livestream highlights:

• Handles long timelines well when set up correctly
• Free version is extremely capable
• Excellent audio tools (important for streams)
• Built-in proxy generation helps with huge files
• You can cut, color, add effects, and export without switching apps

Downside:

• The interface looks intimidating at first
• Needs some tweaking for smooth playback on weaker PCs

VidioPics Allin1panel## 🥈 Best if you have a Mac: Apple apple.com

Great if you’re on a Mac, especially Apple Silicon (M-series chips).

Pros:

• Very smooth with long 1080p/4K projects
• Fast scrubbing through footage
• Beginner-friendly once you understand the “magnetic timeline”
• Less likely to feel sluggish on supported Macs

Cons:

• Mac only
• The workflow is different from most other editors

Larry Jordan## 🥉 Best if you want to become a “professional editor”: Adobe adobe.com

Pros:

• Used widely in professional workflows
• Great for YouTube + motion graphics workflows
• Excellent integration with After Effects and Photoshop

Cons:

• Subscription cost
• Can require more maintenance (cache management, proxies, settings) to keep big projects smooth

cutsio.com## Avoid for this specific project

• Browser editors (fine for short clips, not ideal for hour-long livestream files)
• Very basic phone-first editors if you’re cutting hours of footage
• Editing directly from an external slow hard drive

To stop crashes (regardless of software)

Do these:

1. Create proxies (lower-resolution copies for editing)
2. Keep footage on an SSD, not an old spinning HDD
3. Close Chrome and other RAM-heavy apps while editing
4. Split the stream into sections (for example: intro, gameplay, funny moments, ending)
5. Export a backup project file regularly

If you tell me:

• your computer model (Windows/Mac + RAM + graphics card if you know it)
• stream resolution (1080p, 1440p, 4K)
• file type (OBS MKV/MP4, Twitch VOD, YouTube download, etc.)

…I can recommend the editor and settings most likely to stay stable on your machine.

For a first hour-long livestream highlight reel, I’d prioritize stability, proxy support, and easy timeline editing over fancy effects.

My pick: DaVinci Resolve

blackmagicdesign.com is probably the best place to start, especially because the free version is extremely capable. It handles long-form projects, editing, audio, color, and effects in one application. Current comparisons also put Resolve among the strongest all-in-one choices for demanding footage. DaVinci Resolve Club M Studio

Why I'd choose it for you:

• Free version is enough for a highlight reel.
• Excellent for long timelines.
• Proxy/optimized-media workflows can make huge livestream files much easier for your computer.
• You can do your cuts, audio cleanup, captions, color, and export without jumping between programs.
• Works on Windows, Mac, and Linux. Blackmagic Design

Other good choices

• Final Cut Pro — If you're on a Mac, this is my alternative. It's particularly good for performance on Apple silicon and is designed around a very fast editing workflow. Cutsio
• Adobe Premiere Pro — Great if you eventually want to work with After Effects/Photoshop or collaborate with other editors. It's powerful, but I'd consider it more software than a beginner needs for a first highlight reel. DaVinci Resolve Club
• Premiere Elements — Easier than Premiere Pro and relatively lightweight, but I'd choose Resolve if you're willing to learn a more professional editor. Adobe currently recommends 32 GB+ RAM for 4K workflows and a fast SSD for media/cache. Adobe

The bigger secret to avoiding crashes

The software matters less than how you handle the livestream file.

If your recording is, say, 3–8 hours of 1080p/4K H.264 or H.265, don't try to brute-force the original file at full resolution throughout the edit. Those highly compressed codecs can require substantially more processing power to decode during editing. Blackmagic Design Documents

In Resolve, I'd use proxies/optimized media, keep the project/cache on a fast SSD, and edit at a lower preview resolution. Then export from the original-quality footage at the end.

If you tell me your computer (Windows/Mac + model, RAM, and GPU) and roughly how large the livestream file is, I can tell you exactly which editor/settings I'd use so that hour-long reel is as crash-proof as possible.

For a first hour-long livestream highlight reel, I’d prioritize stability, handling big files, and an easy learning curve over having every professional feature. My top picks:

🥇 Best overall: DaVinci Resolve

Best choice for most beginners editing long livestreams. www.folotop.com

Why it fits livestream highlights:

• Handles long timelines well (1–3+ hour recordings are common)
• Free version is extremely capable
• Built-in tools for:
  • cutting clips quickly
  • color correction
  • audio cleanup
  • subtitles/captions
  • exporting for YouTube/Twitch
• Good proxy workflow if your footage is 1080p/4K and your computer struggles allin1panel.com

Downside: The interface looks intimidating at first. Stick mainly to the Cut and Edit pages until you learn more.

🥈 Easiest if you use a Mac: Final Cut Pro

Great if you have an Apple Silicon Mac (M1/M2/M3/M4/M5). It is known for being very optimized and fast on Macs. larryjordan.com

Pros:

• Very smooth playback
• Excellent for long recordings
• Beginner-friendly organization
• Fast exports

Cons:

• Mac only
• Costs money

🥉 Best if you want to become a professional editor: Adobe Premiere Pro

Used widely in professional workflows. www.folotop.com

Pros:

• Tons of tutorials
• Great for YouTube channels with lots of graphics
• Works well with After Effects and Photoshop

Cons:

• Subscription cost
• Can be heavier on some systems with large projects vidiopicks.net

I’d avoid for your first hour-long highlight reel:

• CapCut Desktop — great for short clips, but a full livestream timeline can become annoying.
• Browser editors — uploading and processing huge livestream files is often frustrating.
• Older/basic editors — they may choke on long recordings.

To prevent crashes no matter what software you use:

1. Create proxies (lower-resolution editing copies)
2. Keep footage on an SSD, not a slow external hard drive
3. Close Chrome/game launchers while editing
4. Edit in sections:
   • Pass 1: remove dead air
   • Pass 2: pick best moments
   • Pass 3: add effects/captions
5. Save versions of your project regularly

If you tell me your computer specs (CPU, RAM, GPU, storage) and whether your stream is 1080p or 4K, I can suggest the safest editor/settings for your setup.

For a first hour-long livestream highlight reel, I’d recommend DaVinci Resolve—especially if you’re on Windows. It’s free, handles large projects well, and has built-in proxy editing, which is one of the biggest things that prevents long/high-resolution footage from becoming painfully slow. Blackmagic specifically describes Resolve as suitable for large projects and live-broadcast editing. Blackmagic Design Blackmagic Design

My picks

• 🥇 DaVinci Resolve — best overall

• Free version is genuinely capable.
• Excellent for long livestream recordings.
• Proxy workflow makes 4K/HEVC footage much easier to edit.
• Lots of room to grow as you get better.
• Available on Windows, Mac, and Linux. Blackmagic Design Blackmagic Design
• blackmagicdesign.com
• 🥈 Final Cut Pro — best if you're on Mac

• Particularly good performance on Apple-silicon Macs.
• Very beginner-friendly compared with many professional editors.
• Can optimize footage into ProRes for smoother editing. Apple Apple Support
• 🥉 Adobe Premiere — good, but I'd skip it for your first project

• Extremely capable and widely used.
• But it's subscription-based and can be more complicated than you need right now.
• Adobe currently recommends 32 GB+ RAM for 4K editing, so hardware matters. Adobe Help Center

The important part: don't edit the livestream directly

Even the best editor can struggle if you're throwing a giant 1080p/4K livestream recording with H.264/H.265 compression at it.

For your first project, I'd do this:

Livestream recording → proxy files → edit proxies → export from original footage

YouTube itself recommends using proxies when a computer struggles with high-resolution footage. Google Support

If you tell me your PC/Mac specs (CPU, GPU, RAM) and the livestream's resolution/format (1080p/4K, OBS recording settings, etc.), I can tell you exactly what settings I'd use in Resolve to minimize crashes and lag.

For a first hour-long livestream highlight reel, I’d recommend DaVinci Resolve—especially if your main concern is handling a long recording without your editor constantly falling over.

My picks

1. DaVinci Resolve — best overall for you

• Has a very capable free version.
• Excellent for long timelines and large amounts of footage.
• Its proxy/optimized-media workflow lets you edit lower-resolution copies while keeping the original footage for the final export. Blackmagic specifically recommends proxies when the source footage is difficult for your computer to play smoothly. Blackmagic Design Documents Blackmagic Design Documents
• You can do editing, audio cleanup, color, and exporting in one program.
• Downside: the interface looks intimidating at first.
• Adobe Premiere Pro — best if you want the easiest transition into “professional” editing

• Very good for cutting livestreams, especially if you'll eventually use After Effects or Photoshop.
• Has a mature proxy workflow specifically designed for working with large/heavy media. Adobe Blog Adobe Help Center
• Downside: subscription cost and, in my view, I'd pick Resolve first if stability + value are your priorities.
• CapCut — easiest, but not my first choice for an hour-long project

• Great for simple cuts, captions, zooms, memes, and short-form content.
• I'd rather use Resolve once you're dealing with a huge livestream recording and hundreds of cuts.

The important part: don't edit the livestream directly

Even the best editor can struggle if you're feeding it a massive 1080p/4K livestream recording encoded in a difficult format.

For your first project, I'd do:

Livestream recording → create proxies → edit proxies → export from original footage

Resolve's proxy media is specifically designed to make source footage easier to edit while retaining the full-resolution originals for the finished project. Blackmagic Design Documents

Also, save frequently and keep the project/media on an SSD rather than editing directly from a slow external hard drive or nearly-full drive.

If you tell me your computer (Windows/Mac + CPU + RAM + GPU) and what resolution your livestream recording is (1080p/1440p/4K), I can tell you exactly which editor I'd use and the settings I'd choose to make that hour-long file run smoothly.

For a first hour-long livestream highlight reel, I’d pick DaVinci Resolve—especially if you’re on Windows. It’s powerful enough for very long timelines, has a free version, and gives you room to grow without needing to switch editors later. www.logicalrefer.com

My picks

If you're on a Mac with Apple silicon: I'd seriously consider Final Cut Pro. It's particularly efficient on Apple hardware and is a great fit for solo creators. www.folotop.com

If you're on Windows: DaVinci Resolve is my recommendation.

The important part: proxies

For an hour-long livestream, the software isn't the only thing that determines whether it crashes. If your recording is 1080p/60 or 4K, especially H.264/H.265, editing the original file directly can put a lot of strain on your computer.

Resolve has Proxy Media/Optimized Media, which creates easier-to-play versions of your footage while keeping the original files for the final export. Blackmagic specifically describes proxy media as a way to improve editing performance with lower-bandwidth media. documents.blackmagicdesign.com

Premiere has the same concept: its current workflow lets you right-click footage → Proxy → Create Proxies, with editing-friendly formats such as ProRes or DNxHR. community.adobe.com

For your first project, I'd do this:

1. Keep the original livestream recording untouched.
2. Import it into Resolve.
3. Generate proxies/optimized media.
4. Edit using the proxies.
5. Save the project frequently.
6. Export using the original full-quality footage.

That will generally make a much bigger difference to your experience than obsessing over which editor is theoretically the most stable.

If you tell me your computer (Windows/Mac + CPU/GPU/RAM) and what resolution/frame rate the livestream recording is, I can tell you exactly which editor and proxy settings I'd use so your hour-long file doesn't turn into a crash-fest.

For a beginner editing a 1-hour livestream highlight reel, I’d pick DaVinci Resolve—especially if you’re on Windows. It’s powerful enough for long projects, has a free version, and its proxy-media workflow is specifically designed to make demanding footage easier to edit. documents.blackmagicdesign.com

My picks

If you're on a Mac, I'd seriously consider Final Cut Pro. Apple specifically emphasizes its performance on Apple silicon, and it supports proxy workflows for large/high-resolution footage. www.apple.com It also automatically saves changes and makes library backups, which is reassuring for a first big project. support.apple.com

The biggest tip for avoiding crashes

The software matters less than your editing workflow. Don't throw the original 4K/60fps livestream file onto the timeline and expect a modest computer to play it smoothly.

Use proxy media:

Original livestream → create lower-resolution proxy → edit proxy → export using original footage

Resolve supports this workflow specifically to improve real-time editing performance. documents.blackmagicdesign.com

For your first highlight reel, I'd also:

• Keep the project and footage on an SSD, preferably with plenty of free space.
• Avoid stacking tons of effects while you're doing the initial cut.
• Save/backup the project frequently.
• Cut the boring portions first, then add captions, zooms, memes, music, etc.
• If playback starts stuttering, don't immediately assume the program is crashing—switch to proxies/optimized media.

If you tell me your computer (Windows/Mac + CPU/GPU + RAM) and roughly how big the livestream file is, I can tell you which editor I'd use and the settings I'd start with.

For a first hour-long livestream highlight reel, I’d prioritize stability, proxy editing, and handling long timelines over flashy effects. My top picks:

🥇 DaVinci Resolve — best overall choice (especially free)

Best for: YouTube/Twitch highlight reels, long recordings, creators who want room to grow.

Why it’s a strong pick:

• Handles long timelines well when set up correctly
• Excellent built-in audio tools (useful for streams with voice/game audio)
• Powerful free version
• Good proxy workflow for huge files
• Color correction and captions are built in

The downside: it can feel overwhelming at first because it includes editing, color, VFX, and audio tools in one app. www.video-editor.com

🥈 Adobe Premiere Pro — best if you want the “industry standard”

Best for: YouTubers, editors who may collaborate, people already using Adobe apps.

Pros:

• Very mature editing workflow
• Tons of tutorials and templates
• Great with After Effects, Photoshop, and other Adobe tools

Cons:

• Subscription cost
• Large projects can still get sluggish depending on your hardware and footage. www.softwareadvice.com

🥉 Final Cut Pro — best if you’re on a Mac

Best for: Mac users who want speed and fewer headaches.

Pros:

• Extremely optimized for Apple hardware
• Smooth with long projects
• Beginner-friendly once you understand the magnetic timeline

For your specific case (a 1-hour livestream highlight reel), I’d use:

1. DaVinci Resolve
2. Import the stream recording
3. Create proxy media before doing lots of cuts/effects
4. Make a rough cut first (remove dead air, pauses, boring sections)
5. Add memes, zooms, captions, and effects afterward

A few things that prevent crashes regardless of software:

• Keep footage on an SSD if possible
• Don’t edit directly from a slow external hard drive
• Leave plenty of free disk space (cache files get huge)
• Use proxies for 1080p/4K livestream recordings
• Save versions of your project (“Highlight_v1”, “Highlight_v2”, etc.)

If you tell me your PC/Mac specs (CPU, RAM, GPU) and whether your stream files are 1080p or 4K, I can suggest the smoothest setup.

For a first hour-long livestream highlight reel, I’d prioritize stability, good handling of long recordings, and an easy workflow over having every fancy feature.

My picks

1. DaVinci Resolve — best overall

• Free version is genuinely capable.
• Excellent for long recordings and large projects.
• Has proxy/optimized-media workflows, which are extremely useful if your livestream footage is 1080p/4K or heavily compressed. documents.blackmagicdesign.com
• Windows, Mac, and Linux.
• More complicated than beginner editors at first, but it's something you can grow into.

2. Final Cut Pro — best if you're on a Mac

• Particularly good choice if you have an Apple-silicon Mac.
• Very fast and well optimized for Mac hardware. cutsio.com
• Its Magnetic Timeline takes a little getting used to, but it's excellent once you understand it.

3. Adobe Premiere — best if you want the industry-standard workflow

• Excellent for large projects and lots of third-party/tutorial support.
• Works on Mac and Windows.
• More expensive because it's subscription-based, and I'd personally choose Resolve over it for a first project unless you already use Adobe. helpx.adobe.com

The bigger secret to avoiding crashes

The software matters less than how you handle the footage.

For an hour-long livestream, I'd do this:

1. Don't edit directly from an external/slow drive if you can avoid it.
2. Import the original recording into the editor.
3. If playback is laggy, generate proxy media rather than trying to force your computer to decode the full-quality recording in real time. Resolve specifically supports this workflow. documents.blackmagicdesign.com
4. Save your project frequently and keep automatic backups enabled.
5. Don't pile dozens of effects onto the timeline while you're still making the basic cuts.
6. Export a short test section first before committing to the full hour-long render.

If you tell me your computer (Windows/Mac + model, RAM, and GPU if you know it) and whether the livestream recording is 1080p or 4K, I can tell you exactly which editor I'd use and what settings I'd start with.

For a first hour-long livestream highlight reel, I’d pick DaVinci Resolve—especially if you’re on Windows.

My ranking

1. DaVinci Resolve — best overall
   • Free version is genuinely capable and handles long-form editing, audio, color, and effects in one program. www.blackmagicdesign.com
   • It has proxy editing, which is one of the biggest things you want when working with huge livestream files. www.blackmagicdesign.com
   • The downside: the interface looks intimidating at first. You only need the Cut/Edit pages to start.

2. Final Cut Pro — best if you have a Mac
   • Very good choice for long footage, particularly on Apple-silicon Macs.
   • Its proxy workflow is excellent: proxies are specifically designed to improve editing performance while using much less storage. support.apple.com
   • Apple currently recommends 16 GB RAM for Final Cut Pro. support.apple.com

3. Adobe Premiere Pro — best if you want an industry-standard workflow
   • Extremely capable, but I'd consider it overkill for your first highlight reel.
   • Adobe recommends 16 GB RAM for HD and 32 GB+ for 4K, plus a fast media drive. helpx-origin-uw2.aws116.adobeitc.com

The important part: don't edit the livestream at full quality

Even the best editor can struggle if you're throwing a massive H.264/H.265 livestream recording at it.

For your project, I'd do this:

Livestream recording → create proxies → edit the proxies → export using the original footage.

That makes a much bigger difference to stability than simply choosing one editor over another.

Also keep the footage and editing cache on an SSD, rather than a slow external hard drive or USB stick.

If you tell me your computer model/specs (Windows or Mac, RAM, CPU/GPU) and roughly how big the livestream file is, I can tell you exactly which editor I'd use and what settings I'd choose to minimize crashes.

If your main concern is editing an hour-long livestream without crashes, I’d narrow it to these:

🥇 Best overall: DaVinci Resolve

DaVinci Resolve

For a beginner, Resolve is probably my first recommendation, especially if you're on Windows. It has a free version, handles very long timelines well, and gives you room to grow into more advanced editing.

The big thing for livestream footage is proxy media. Resolve can create lower-bandwidth versions of your footage so your computer doesn't have to constantly decode the giant original files while you edit. You can switch back to the originals for the final render. documents.blackmagicdesign.com

I'd pick Resolve if:

• You're on Windows
• Your livestream recordings are 1080p/4K and several hours long
• You want something free
• You don't mind spending a day learning the interface

🥇 If you're on a Mac: Final Cut Pro

Final Cut Pro

If you have an Apple-silicon Mac, Final Cut Pro is arguably the easiest choice for a beginner who wants smooth performance. Apple specifically optimizes it for Apple silicon, and it has proxy/optimized-media workflows for making difficult footage easier to edit. www.apple.comsupport.apple.com

Its Magnetic Timeline can also make cutting down a giant livestream into a highlight reel relatively painless.

I'd pick Final Cut if:

• You have an M-series Mac
• You prioritize ease of use
• You don't want to spend much time learning technical editing concepts

🥈 Premiere Pro

Adobe Premiere Pro

Premiere is excellent and very capable with long projects, but I wouldn't make it my first recommendation for your specific situation unless you already use Adobe apps or expect to move toward professional editing. Its subscription and larger ecosystem aren't particularly useful when you're simply trying to make your first highlight reel.

The thing that matters more than the software

Don't edit the original livestream directly if your computer struggles with it.

For example, if your stream is a 4K H.265 recording, even a powerful computer can have a miserable time scrubbing through it. Generate 1080p proxy files, edit those, and have the software use the original files when exporting.

That can make the difference between:

😡 "Why is my timeline freezing every 10 seconds?"

and

😎 "Oh, this is actually pretty easy."

Final Cut and Resolve both have proper proxy workflows. documents.blackmagicdesign.comsupport.apple.com

My recommendation:
Windows → DaVinci Resolve
Mac → Final Cut Pro
Already invested in Adobe → Premiere Pro

If you tell me your computer (Mac/Windows + model, RAM, and GPU if you know it) and what format your livestream recording is (1080p/4K, OBS/Twitch/etc.), I can tell you exactly which one I'd use and what settings to start with.

For a first hour-long livestream highlight reel, I’d recommend DaVinci Resolve.

It’s particularly well suited to long recordings because it has proxy/optimized-media workflows, so you can edit lightweight copies of your footage instead of constantly making your computer decode the full-resolution livestream. Blackmagic specifically describes its proxy workflow as improving real-time playback performance. documents.blackmagicdesign.com

My picks

🥇 DaVinci Resolve: My default recommendation. The free version is genuinely capable, and Resolve 21 includes a streamlined Cut page specifically designed for fast editing; Blackmagic even calls out live broadcast/replay workflows. www.blackmagicdesign.com

Download DaVinci Resolve from Blackmagic Design

🥈 Final Cut Pro: If you're on a Mac—especially an Apple-silicon Mac—I'd seriously consider this instead. It's extremely fast and relatively easy to learn. moonbear.shop

🥉 Premiere Pro: Great if you already use Photoshop/After Effects or expect to collaborate with other editors. For a solo beginner, though, I don't think the subscription is necessary just for livestream highlights.

The important part: don't edit the livestream file directly

Even good editing software can struggle if you're throwing a 2–6 hour 1080p/4K H.264/H.265 livestream recording at it.

For Resolve, I'd do this:

1. Import the full livestream.
2. Generate proxy media.
3. Edit using the proxies.
4. Keep the original footage untouched.
5. Export using the original-quality media.

That workflow is much more important for avoiding lag/crashes than choosing between the major editors. Resolve lets you generate proxies from your clips and switch between proxy and original media. documents.blackmagicdesign.com

If you tell me your computer (Windows/Mac + model, RAM, and GPU if you know it) and roughly how large the livestream file is, I can tell you exactly which editor/settings I'd use so you don't spend hours editing and then have it crash.

For a first hour-long livestream highlight reel, I’d pick DaVinci Resolve—especially if your biggest concern is handling a huge recording without your editor constantly choking.

My ranking

Resolve is particularly good for this because it has proxy media, which lets you edit lower-resolution versions of your footage while keeping the original recording for the final export. documents.blackmagicdesign.com

If you're on a Mac with Apple silicon, Final Cut is also an excellent choice; current comparisons continue to highlight its performance and stability on Apple hardware. www.digitalcameraworld.com

The important part: don't edit the livestream directly

Even with good software, a 1–3 hour livestream recording can be a nightmare if it's something like 4K H.264/H.265. The trick is to use proxies.

For example, in Resolve:

Original livestream → proxy → edit → final export from original

That means your computer isn't constantly decoding the giant original file while you're scrubbing through it. Resolve's proxy system is specifically designed to provide easier-to-play versions while retaining the originals for finishing/export. documents.blackmagicdesign.com

Premiere has essentially the same workflow: Adobe recommends creating low-resolution proxy copies for large/resource-intensive footage and then reconnecting the full-resolution media for final work. helpx.adobe.com

What I'd do in your situation

If you're on Windows:
👉 DaVinci Resolve Free

If you're on Mac:
👉 DaVinci Resolve Free or Final Cut Pro
I'd lean Resolve if you want to learn a skill that'll scale with you.

If you already pay for Adobe:
👉 Premiere is perfectly fine—just use proxies from the beginning.

And don't worry about your first highlight reel being an hour long. The software doesn't really care that the finished video is an hour; what matters more is the resolution, codec, number of video tracks, effects, and your computer's RAM/GPU.

If you tell me your PC/Mac specs + the livestream recording's resolution (1080p/1440p/4K), I can tell you exactly which editor I'd use and what proxy settings to choose.

For a first hour-long livestream highlight reel, I’d pick DaVinci Resolve—especially if you want something you can grow into without immediately paying for a subscription.

My ranking

1. DaVinci Resolve — best overall
   • Free version is genuinely capable.
   • Excellent for long timelines and heavy footage.
   • Has editing, audio, color, effects, and exporting all in one app.
   • Most importantly for your concern, it supports proxy media, which lets you edit lightweight copies instead of hammering your computer with the original livestream files. documents.blackmagicdesign.com
   • My pick for you: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

2. Final Cut Pro — best if you're on a Mac
   • Particularly good if you have an Apple-silicon Mac.
   • Very smooth for long-form editing, and Apple's proxy workflow is excellent. documents.blackmagicdesign.comsupport.apple.com
   • Easier to get comfortable with than Resolve in some respects.
   • Downside: Mac-only and paid.

3. Adobe Premiere Pro — best if you expect to go "professional"
   • Extremely capable and widely used.
   • Great ecosystem if you eventually want After Effects/Photoshop integration.
   • But for a beginner who mainly wants "please don't crash while I'm editing this giant stream", I wouldn't make it my first choice.

The secret isn't actually the editor

A one-hour livestream can be surprisingly brutal if it's something like 1080p/60 or 4K H.264/H.265, particularly if you're adding effects, multiple camera angles, or lots of cuts.

Use proxies. That's the single biggest recommendation I'd make.

Your workflow should be roughly:

Import livestream → generate proxies → edit using proxies → switch back to originals → export

Resolve's proxy system is specifically designed to let you work with lower-bandwidth versions for smoother playback, then return to the original footage for finishing/export. documents.blackmagicdesign.com

Also, don't edit the footage directly off a slow external USB drive if you can avoid it. Put your project/cache/proxies on a reasonably fast SSD.

If you tell me your computer specs

Send me your CPU, GPU, RAM, whether you're on Windows/Mac, and the livestream's resolution (1080p/1440p/4K). I can tell you exactly which editor I'd use and what settings to start with so your first hour-long project is as crash-proof as possible.

For a first hour-long livestream highlight reel, I’d prioritize stability, handling big files, and easy recovery over having every pro feature. My top picks:

🥇 Best overall: DaVinci Resolve

Best choice if you’re on Windows or want a free tool that can grow with you. www.video-editor.com

Why it fits livestream highlights:

• Handles long timelines well
• Free version is genuinely powerful
• Great audio tools (important for streams)
• Good proxy workflow for preventing lag/crashes
• You can start simple and learn advanced features later

Downsides:

• Uses a lot of GPU power
• The interface can feel overwhelming at first

🥈 Easiest stable option for Mac: Final Cut Pro

If you have a Mac, this is probably the smoothest experience for long edits. It’s optimized for Apple hardware and is known for fast playback and rendering. larryjordan.com

Good for:

• Hour-long streams
• Lots of cuts
• YouTube-style edits
• Beginners who don’t want to tweak settings constantly

🥉 Best if you want a career path: Adobe Premiere Pro

A strong choice if you plan to work with other creators, editors, or agencies. cutsio.com

Pros:

• Huge tutorial ecosystem
• Works well with Photoshop/After Effects
• Very common professionally

Cons:

• Subscription cost
• Can feel heavier on long, complex timelines

For your specific first livestream highlight reel, I’d do this:

1. Use DaVinci Resolve (Windows/Mac) or Final Cut Pro (Mac).
2. Make proxy files before editing if your stream footage is 1080p60, 1440p, or 4K.
3. Keep your project on an SSD, not an old external hard drive.
4. Split the hour-long stream into sections:
   • Intro/setup
   • Best moments
   • Funny moments
   • Clutch plays/reactions
   • Ending
5. Save versions:
   • Stream_Edit_v1
   • Stream_Edit_v2
   • Stream_Final

Your computer specs matter a lot. If you tell me:

• Windows or Mac?
• CPU/GPU
• RAM
• footage resolution (1080p, 1440p, 4K?)
• recording format (OBS? Twitch VOD download? YouTube?)

…I can recommend the exact editor settings to avoid crashes.

For a first hour-long livestream highlight reel, I’d prioritize stability, good media management, and an editor that won’t make you fight the software.

My picks

1. DaVinci Resolve — best overall for you

• Excellent for long projects and large video files.
• Free version is genuinely powerful.
• Has editing, audio, color correction, effects, and exporting all in one program.
• Works on Windows, Mac, and Linux.
• The downside: it has a steeper learning curve than beginner-focused editors.

2. Final Cut Pro — best if you have a Mac

• Particularly good if you're on Apple silicon.
• Its library/media organization and Magnetic Timeline make long edits relatively painless.
• Apple currently recommends 16 GB memory for comfortable use, although 8 GB is the minimum. support.apple.com
• I'd pick this over Resolve if you're on a reasonably recent Mac and want the smoothest beginner experience.

3. Adobe Premiere — best if you want to eventually become a serious editor

• Extremely capable and widely used professionally.
• Great if you'll eventually use After Effects/Photoshop too.
• For 4K, Adobe recommends 32 GB+ RAM and 8 GB GPU memory, so hardware matters. helpx.adobe.com
• It's subscription-based, which makes it less attractive for a first project.

The bigger issue isn't actually the software

For an hour-long livestream, don't edit the original giant recording directly if your computer struggles with it. Use proxies (lower-resolution temporary copies) while editing. Your final export still uses the original footage.

Also:

• Keep your footage on an SSD, preferably internal or a fast external SSD.
• Leave plenty of free disk space for cache/render files.
• Turn on automatic project backups.
• Don't pile hundreds of effects onto the timeline while you're still cutting.
• If the livestream is 1080p, edit at 1080p rather than unnecessarily working in 4K.
• Save versions of the project as you go.

If you tell me your computer specs (Windows/Mac, CPU, GPU, RAM, and whether the livestream is 1080p or 4K), I can tell you which editor I'd choose specifically for your machine and how to set it up to minimize crashes.