01In plain English
A non-destructive editor records your edits as a list of instructions or as separate layers, and leaves the original pixels, footage or audio untouched. You can go back and change any step later.
02Why it matters when you are choosing
It means you can experiment freely and change your mind weeks later without starting again. Destructive edits, once saved, are baked in for good.
03What to check
Ask the vendor
Check which tools in the app work non-destructively, since many editors mix both kinds.