In today's fast-paced digital world, video content has become a vital part of our lives.
Whether it's for personal or professional use, video content has the power to engage and captivate audiences like no other medium.
However, creating high-quality videos requires more than just a camera and a good idea.
The real magic happens with editing, where skilled video editors use the best software to transform raw footage into stunning, polished videos.
But with so many video editing software options available on the market, choosing the right one can be overwhelming.
Tag along with us and read on to explore the best video editing software options available so that you can find the perfect match for your video editing needs.
When choosing a free video editing software, you must consider several factors. Here are some steps to help you choose the right one:
Before you start searching for video editing software, identify your specific requirements.
Consider the type of projects you'll be working on, the level of complexity you need, and any specific features you may require, such as special effects, audio editing, or color correction.
Ensure your computer meets the minimum system requirements for the video editing software you're considering.
Consider factors like operating system compatibility, processor speed, RAM, and available storage space.
Look for reputable free video editing software options. Visit their official websites and explore their features, user interface, and available resources.
You can also read reviews or watch tutorial videos to understand their capabilities and ease of use.
Assess the learning curve associated with the software. Some programs may be more beginner-friendly, while others may have a steeper learning curve but offer more advanced features.
Consider your skill level and the time you're willing to invest in learning to work with the applications.
Look for software that offers the features you need.
Consider the availability of basic editing tools like trimming, cutting, and merging clips, as well as more advanced features like transitions, filters, titles, and audio editing.
If you have specific requirements, ensure that the software supports them.
Some free video editing software may have limitations or add watermarks to your exported videos. Be aware of these restrictions and evaluate if they align with your needs.
Consider paid software options if you require more advanced features or want to remove limitations.
Look for software with an active user community, tutorials, documentation, and online support.
This can be valuable when encountering difficulties or learning new techniques.
Check if the software has an active forum or online community where you can ask questions and seek assistance.
Once you've narrowed down your options, consider downloading and testing the software. Get hands-on experience by importing your own footage, editing clips, applying effects, and exporting the final video.
This will give you a better understanding of the software's usability, performance, and workflow.
Each of these software options offers a range of features and capabilities for editing videos at no to minimal cost.
It's recommended to explore their specific features and choose the one that best suits your needs. Here are 13 of the best free video editing software options:
HitFilm Express provides the best VFX experience. This free video editing software promises color adjustments, keying effects, lens flares, and light swords.
It offers all the essential features that editing enthusiasts will need in free video editing software.
Despite being free, the software includes one of the most awesome VFX toolkits on the market.
Although this free video editing software can be complicated, editors might need time to get used to it. It is suitable for independent filmmakers and editing enthusiasts.
Pros
Cons
Suitable for: Independent filmmakers
Price: Free; $349 for the Pro version
Available for: Mac and Windows
Lightworks is easily one of the most user-friendly video editing software out in the market. Lightworks is a system used for editing and mastering digital video. It is available in both free and paid versions.
The free version comes with a seven-day license, but you can renew this as many times as you like.
The paid version, Lightworks Pro, has a license that can be purchased outright or obtained through a monthly subscription.
The software is available for Windows, Mac OS, and Linux. Lightworks has a suite of original stock videos and music clips licensed for use in any videos you edit on the program, letting you give a furnished look to any marketing video.
It is best suited for pro editors and editing enthusiasts.
Pros:
Cons:
Suitable for: Advanced editors
Price: Free; Lightworks Create for $9.99/month; Lightworks Pro for $24.99/month.
Available for: Mac, Windows, and Linux.
iMovie is probably the best video editing software for Mac users, and it comes bundled with Mac OS.
Like many native Apple apps, iMovie is uncomplicated and uses a simple drag-and-drop interface for moving files from your drive to your workstation.
iMovie is that files are saved on Apple's cloud, meaning you can work on your project interchangeably on an iPhone, iPad, or Mac. iMovie is constantly updated, so you can always look forward to new features and improvements.
Pros
Cons
Suitable for: Apple devices users
Price: Free
Available for: Mac
DaVinci Resolve is a color grading, color correction, visual effects, and audio post-production video editing software developed by Blackmagic Design for Mac, Windows, and Linux.
DaVinci Resolve is a clean, intuitive program that you would never guess is free.
This video editor for PC, Mac, and Linux offers a wide range of advanced features, including intelligent color-correction tools that let you edit skin tones, eye color, and lip color at the touch of a button.
DaVinci's resolve is the best of its kind. It is suitable for professional editors and people who really love editing.
It may take time to master the software, but it gets easy to work with once you are acquainted.
Pros
Cons
Price: Free; DaVinci Resolve studio for $295
Available for: Mac, Windows, Linux
Suitable for: Professional editors
VSDC Free Video Editor is a non-linear editing application developed by Flash-Integro LLC.
The program can process high-resolution footage, including 4K UHD, 3D, and VR 360-degree videos.
VSDC allows for applying post-production effects, live color correction, and motion tracking.
VSDC video editing software is available as both a free and a paid version.
Although the free version has reduced features, it still comes with VSDC's full video editing suite, including a mask tool and chroma key functionality for green-screen video effects.
Overall, it is excellent software for casual editors as well as for making business presentations.
Pros
Cons
Price: Free; Premium version for $19.99.
Available for: Windows.
Suitable for: Casual editors, business presentations.
OpenShot Video Editor is undoubtedly an easy-to-use, quick-to-learn, and surprisingly powerful video editor.
OpenShot is an efficient option for small businesses and is best for clip resizing, scaling, trimming, snapping, and rotation.
It also offers credit scrolling, frame stepping, time mapping, audio editing, and real-time preview.
OpenShot's intuitive interface and minimal design are perfect for simple editing.
It is outstanding software for amateurs and beginners because of its easy-to-use interface.
Pros
Cons
Price: Free
Available for: Windows, Mac, and Linux
Suitable for: Beginners
Shotcut is a free, open-source, cross-platform video, audio, and image editing program for FreeBSD, Linux, Mac, and Windows.
Shotcut also provides extensive audio editing options, making it ideal for audiophiles.
Its fine-tuning audio tools allow users to make bass and treble adjustments, add dynamic compression, and much more.
Pros
Cons
Price: Free
Available for: Windows, Mac, Linux
Suitable for: Intermediate users, Editing enthusiasts
Windows Video Editor is a Microsoft built-in editing software that makes it absolutely free and no hassle to install.
It is a convenient software for people looking to go back to basics. It's great for making quick edits to short video clips you need ready immediately.
Windows Video Editor is more of a photo editor but offers basic editing tools like cropping, trimming, and including text or audio.
Included with Windows 10 and up, Video Editor is free and suitable for basic video enhancement.
Pros
Cons
Price: Free
Available for: Windows 10, 11
Suitable for: Windows users, Beginners
Vimeo Create is a free editing software you can connect directly to your Shopify store.
It automatically turns your existing product images and text into polished e-commerce videos without prior experience making or editing them.
With Vimeo Create, you'll make stunning videos that look like much work has been done on them.
Building, editing, customizing, and sharing is easy and intuitive. Because Vimeo is an all-in-one solution, you can manage, host, and distribute all your videos effortlessly from one place.
Pros
Cons
Price: Free; Pro and Business subscriptions start at $7 per month.
Available for: iOS and Android.
Suitable for: Amateur and professional editors.
It is a fast and easy video editing app and one of the best free video editing apps in the market.
KineMaster has free, professional, easy-to-use video editing and audio editing features.
You can quickly shoot footage, edit it, and upload it from your phone or tablet.
Mobile editors usually sacrifice advanced tools to simplify video creation, but KineMaster does the opposite.
With KineMaster, you can easily cut, splice, crop, and combine videos with transitions and effects.
You can use color filters and adjustments to correct and enhance videos so they stand out. And when you're done, it also allows you to quickly share them to YouTube, TikTok, Reels, Stories, and more.
Pros
Cons
Price: Free; $3.99/month for the paid plan
Available for: Android, iOS, Chromebook
Suitable for: Beginners, lightweight professional users
Windows movie maker online is the best browser-based free online video editor.
It's a cost-effective tool for people that want to create videos, but there are some drawbacks.
Ads support the tool, so you'll have to navigate around them to edit your videos.
It also has a 10-minute maximum duration, sufficient for the standard free user. It's easily accessible on multiple devices because it's completely browser based.
Movie Maker Online gives you all the basics to make a video for free. You also get access to free music, videos, and photos.
Pros
Cons
Price: Free
Available for: Browser
Suitable for: Beginners
Premiere Rush is an all-in-one video creation tool that quickly captures, edits, and shares professional-looking videos.
When using Premiere Rush, you can overlay images and videos with text and audio to create projects for presentations, demonstrations, and more.
Adobe Rush is the mobile version of Premiere Pro. Rush is terrific for those creating content for social media platforms.
Price: 30-day free trial, then $99.99
Available for: Windows and Mac
Pros
Cons
Suitable for: Professional video editors who want to try out a free video editing program
Lightworks is one of the best free video editing apps to edit a video.
Given below are things you should avoid while you edit videos:
In 2022, the overwhelming majority of professionals working in video editing use either Adobe's Premiere Pro or Apple's Final Cut Pro.
The best free video editing software for beginners is built on easy-to-use platforms that allow users to learn quickly. We recommend Windows video editor and Windows moviemaker online.
It can be. You are good to go if you know how to make the best of the available tools.
The flexibility of free software helps reduce costs in many ways and accelerates the development of projects by having fewer restrictions than projects that use closed models.
Yes, you have to pay for a premium video editor to gain access to professional tools and perks.
If you are editing YouTube videos regularly, we advise investing in a premium video editor for PC.
This will help you get the most out of your hardware, speed up the editing process, and create higher-quality cuts and video effects.
Most advanced video editors that professionals use are Adobe Premiere Pro or Apple Final Cut Pro and associated apps such as Adobe's After Effects, a motion graphics, and visual effects app.
YouTubers often rely on PowerDirector for video editing. It's a great beginner-friendly option with many tools and pro-level features.
With an extensive library of royalty-free music, YouTube templates, and direct uploads to the platform, PowerDirector has everything a Youtuber could need.
Some also opt for Adobe Premiere Pro and related apps.
With the right video editing software, you can enhance your footage, add special effects, and create an engaging and professional product.
While many paid video editing options are available, there are also excellent free video editing programs offering a range of features and tools.
Free video editors provide a cost-effective solution for users to enhance their videos without breaking the bank.
They help improve videos' overall quality, storytelling, and visual appeal, making them more impactful and memorable.
With free video editing software, anyone can unlock their creative potential and produce impressive videos without expensive software or professional expertise.
From beginners to professionals, there will always be video editing software that will meet your needs.
Whether creating a personal video or a professional project, video editing software can help you take your content to the next level.
So, why not try out some of the best free video editing software options available and see how they can take your videos to the next level?