Cloud video editing: how to edit faster from anywhere

Cloud video editing should feel easier by now.

Editors have powerful tools. Internet speeds are faster. Accessing global talent is easier than ever. And yet, projects still stall. 

But it’s not the editing that’s holding things up, it’s file access. Most cloud storage simply wasn’t built for video editing workflows.

Transfers drag on. Sync tools choke on large files. Drives get shipped. Files get duplicated, renamed or lost. The end result is editors spending more time waiting than cutting.

This article covers how to build a cloud video editing workflow that actually works, using the tools you already trust plus storage designed for the way video teams work.

What is cloud video editing (and why are teams switching)?

At its core, cloud video editing is simple: your media lives in the cloud, not on a server in one office or someone’s local machine.

In a cloud-based video editing workflow: 

• Files live in shared media cloud storage

• Editors access files from anywhere 

• Remote collaboration happens on a single source of truth 

• Location stops dictating who can work, and when 

The edit stays familiar. But access to media finally catches up.

For most teams, the shift to editing in the cloud starts when existing workflows crack under pressure.

Why teams turn to the cloud

Big files, multiple collaborators, tight deadlines and distributed teams create a perfect storm of remote video editing headaches.

File transfers slow teams down

Moving terabytes of footage between editors eats days, not minutes. Even with fast connections, transfers become the critical path.

Sync-and-share breaks at scale

Sync tools work fine, until media libraries grow. Long sync times, partial files and relinking issues turn “easy sharing” into a daily headache.

Read more about why sync-and-share tools cause delays to your workflow and what works better instead.

On-prem limits who can collaborate

Traditional NAS or SAN systems are fast, but tied to a facility. Remote editors need VPNs, remote desktops or shipped drives to participate.

Collaborators create duplication and chaos

Freelancers, agencies and clients all need access. Without a central source of truth, copies multiply and version control disappears.

Cloud video workflows promise relief, but only if the underlying access model is right. If you’re itching to get straight to the best options for cloud video storage, check out this video.

Cloud vs on-prem: what actually changes for editors

Traditionally in the cloud vs on-prem debate, cloud workflows offer convenience while on-prem offers speed. However, with the right kind of cloud storage, the media can be ready the moment you open a project.

On-prem reality:

• Files tied to a physical facility

• Excellent performance, but only in one place

• Collaboration requires copying, syncing or shipping

Cloud video editing done right:

• Files live centrally in the cloud

• Editors access only what they need, when they need it

• Location no longer dictates who can work

Fast file access in the cloud = more cutting, fewer pauses and projects that actually flow, wherever you work.

What to look for in cloud video editing software

Cloud video editing only works well when teams can access media reliably and instantly. Even the most powerful NLE stalls if files are delayed, out of sync or scattered across multiple locations.

When evaluating cloud video editing software, ask:

• Can editors start working immediately?

• Do files need to sync or fully download?

• Can multiple editors access the same media safely?

• Does performance feel local?

• Does it work with existing tools and workflows?

If file access is slow, fragile or complicated, cloud editing quickly becomes another workflow bottleneck.

The best way to make your cloud video editing workflow work is to look at your full stack. Which combination of tools keeps you cutting without interruption?

Best cloud video editing tools: understanding the stack

Cloud video editing is a system, not a single tool.

It’s the combination of editing software, cloud storage and streaming that keeps media flowing, timelines smooth and teams in sync.

Editing tools

Editors already have editing tools they trust and for good reason:

• Final Cut Pro is built for speed, especially for Mac-based editors cutting high volumes of content on tight deadlines

• Premiere Pro connects deeply with the rest of Adobe Creative Cloud, making it a go-to for teams juggling motion, audio and design

• DaVinci Resolve offers unmatched color tools and an all-in-one approach for editors who want maximum power without a subscription

• Avid Media Composer remains the standard for large broadcast and film productions, with collaboration baked into its DNA

• CapCut dominates social-first workflows where speed, templates and daily output matter most

The differences matter less than one thing: how editors access the same media across a distributed team.

Cloud storage for video editing

Storage will make or break a cloud video workflow.

Historically, teams relied on VPNs into on-prem NAS or SAN systems or used file acceleration tools to move large media between locations. These approaches can work in controlled environments, but they strain quickly as teams become distributed, timelines tighten and file sizes grow.

Today, most cloud storage for video editing falls into two access models.

Sync and share tools

Sync-and-share platforms like Dropbox, Google Drive and OneDrive are often the first stop for teams experimenting with cloud video editing, but they weren’t built for video workflows.

How they work:

• Downloading full copies of files to each editor’s machine

• Syncing changes back to the cloud after the fact

Where they work well:

• Small teams

• Light assets

• Review, approvals and handoff

Where they break down for video:

• Long sync and re-sync times for large files

• Duplicate files and version conflicts

• Relinking issues inside NLEs

• Editors waiting on downloads before they can cut

For video teams, syncing entire media libraries quickly becomes the bottleneck, not the edit itself.

File streaming platforms

File streaming takes a different approach.

Instead of syncing full files locally, media streams on demand directly from the cloud.

What this changes

• Files don’t need to fully download before work begins

• Multiple editors can access the same media at the same time

• Edits feel local, even though files live in the cloud

This access model removes waiting, reduces duplication and keeps everyone working from a single source of truth — regardless of which editing software they use.

How LucidLink powers cloud video editing

Most editing teams don’t want to rethink how they work.

They want projects to open quickly, media files to stay organized and collaborators to stay in sync — even when everyone’s in a different place.

LucidLink’s file streaming tech makes cloud video editing possible by keeping files accessible, responsive and shared across the team.

Files stream directly from the cloud as they’re needed. Editors can start working almost immediately, without waiting for large downloads or background processes to finish.

That access model makes collaborative video editing simpler. A team can upload footage once and have multiple editors working from the same filespace at the same time. Everyone sees the same media, which keeps projects organized and reduces version sprawl as work moves forward.

From an editor’s perspective, it feels familiar and fast.

From an IT perspective, storage stays centralized, secure and easy to manage as teams grow.

Benefits of LucidLink for cloud video editing storage

LucidLink solves the friction that slows editors down:

Appears and acts like a local drive

LucidLink mounts as a drive on each editor’s system. NLEs interact with it the same way they do with local storage, so projects open, relink and play back as expected.

No syncing

Files live in one shared Filespace. Editors work directly from the same media without managing local copies or waiting on sync cycles.

No downloads

Editors don’t need to download full media libraries before they can start cutting. Footage is available as soon as it’s uploaded.

Files stream on demand

Only the data being used streams from the cloud, supported by a smart local cache that keeps the edit experience responsive.

With LucidLink, projects open instantly, media streams on demand and edits keep pace with creativity, not bandwidth.

Cloud video editing in action: how Sandwich keeps editors cutting without delays

When Sandwich set out to scale creative output for 50 campaigns a year with just 15 people — including four in post-production — they faced the ultimate workflow challenge: overlapping projects, distributed teams and a file system that couldn’t keep up.

The challenge: scaling creative without chaos

Pre-pandemic, Sandwich worked on a NAS; when remote work hit, they tried Dropbox which quickly hit the limits of sync-and-share systems.

“We made it work, but it was chaos. No one really knew what everybody else had. You’d ask ‘where’s that file?’ and get back ‘I don’t know.’” Zach Hobesh, Chief Post Officer

They needed a system that felt like working in the same room, even when they weren’t and predictable file access for building automation on top.

How the workflow held up

Sandwich replaced Dropbox with LucidLink. Mounted as a drive on every machine, LucidLink gave everyone the same files in the same places. Consistent paths and folder structures became the foundation for automation and collaboration.

The team built tools to eliminate busywork:

• Publish tool: one Slack command replaces half a dozen manual steps, uploading cuts, updating databases and sending links automatically

• Automated VFX setup: creates folders, reference files, thumbnails and pre-configured Nuke comps as soon as projects move from offline to online

“Artists just open the comp and do their work. They don’t have to tell it where to go or what format to put it in. It’s just built.” Dan Sturm, VFX Supervisor

Collaboration without compromise

With LucidLink, multiple editors, freelancers and post team members access the same cloud-hosted media in real time.

Files stream on demand without syncing, downloads or duplication. Everyone works from a single source of truth.

“We’re not locked on anything until we deliver. If it’s delivery day and we decide we need to rethink something, we can tackle it without banging our heads against the wall.” Dan Sturm

Lessons for your workflow

• Treat cloud storage like local infrastructure: predictable paths make automation possible

• Automate repetitive tasks wherever you can to free up creative time

• Keep folder structures and naming conventions consistent across teams and freelancers

• Use cloud-first workflows to let distributed teams collaborate in real time

Read the full story here.

Cloud video editing that actually works

Cloud video editing works best when media is instantly accessible, centrally stored and secure. Your editing tools stay the same — the difference is how fast your team can move.

When media is ready the moment you need it, editors cut faster, teams collaborate seamlessly and location stops being a limitation.

Your software is only as good as the access it has to your media. Get file access right, and the rest of your  workflow can move as quickly as you do.

Try LucidLink free and see how real-time cloud video editing transforms your workflow.