Video content has become an essential part of our daily lives, from streaming videos online to recording our vlogs or home movies. Whether you’re an aspiring YouTuber or a professional videographer, having access to reliable video editing software can take your content to the next level. However, investing in premium video editing software can be expensive and may not be affordable for everyone. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the top 10 free video editing software programs for creative content creators to help you create stunning videos without breaking the bank.
Top Free Video Editing Software
DaVinci Resolve — the best free video editing software for advanced editors
DaVinci Resolve is an excellent video editing software that is suitable for both beginners and professionals. The free version offers a wide range of features, including audio editing, color correction, and video effects. Its user-friendly interface makes it easy to use, and its powerful editing tools can help you achieve professional-looking videos.
Standout features
- Advanced color correction tools
- Advanced audio editing features
- Range of visual effects, including motion graphics and 3D compositing
- Collaboration features, such as real-time collaboration and shared project databases
- Advanced multicam editing capabilities
iMovie — the best free video editing software for Mac users
iMovie is a video editing software that is available for Mac operating systems. It’s a user-friendly tool that offers a range of features for editing videos, including support for multiple video and audio tracks, 4K resolution editing, and customizable video filters.
One of the standout features of iMovie is its simplicity. It’s easy to navigate and comes with a range of video and audio effects that can be applied to your footage. Additionally, it integrates with other Apple products, making it a great option for anyone who uses Apple devices.
Standout features
- User-friendly interface: iMovie has a simple and intuitive interface that makes it easy for beginners to start editing videos.
- Themes and templates: iMovie offers a variety of pre-made themes and templates that users can choose from to give their videos a professional look.
- Mobile integration: With iMovie, users can easily transfer videos from their iPhone or iPad to their Mac for editing.
- Audio editing: iMovie offers a range of tools for editing audio, including the ability to adjust volume, add sound effects, and create custom soundtracks.
- Green screen effects: iMovie offers green screen effects, which allow users to add custom backgrounds and effects to their videos.
HitFilm Express
HitFilm Express is a powerful video editing software that offers a wide range of features, including visual effects, audio editing, and color correction. It’s suitable for both beginners and professionals and has a user-friendly interface that makes it easy to use.
Standout features
- Visual effects: HitFilm Express offers a range of advanced visual effects, including particle effects, compositing tools, and advanced 3D features.
- Audio editing: HitFilm Express allows users to edit audio tracks, including the ability to add effects and filters, adjust levels, and synchronize sound with the video.
- Multicam editing: HitFilm Express offers advanced multicam editing features, allowing users to edit footage from multiple camera angles.
- Color correction: HitFilm Express offers advanced color correction tools, including the ability to adjust color balance, saturation, and contrast.
- Add-ons and plugins: HitFilm Express offers a range of add-ons and plugins that users can purchase to expand the software’s capabilities.
Shotcut
Shotcut is an open-source video editing software that is entirely free to use. It offers a wide range of features, including video transitions, audio editing, and color correction. It’s compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux, making it accessible to a wide range of users.
OpenShot
OpenShot is a free, open-source video editing software that is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux. It offers a wide range of features, including video transitions, audio editing, and color correction. Its user-friendly interface makes it easy to use, and its powerful editing tools can help you achieve professional-looking videos.
Lightworks
Lightworks is a video editing software that offers a wide range of features, including video effects, audio editing, and color correction. Its user-friendly interface makes it easy to use, and its powerful editing tools can help you achieve professional-looking videos. It’s compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux, making it accessible to a wide range of users.
Avidemux
Avidemux is a free and open-source video editing software that is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems. It’s a simple tool that offers basic features for editing videos, including support for multiple video and audio tracks, and customizable video filters.
One of the standout features of Avidemux is its simplicity. It’s easy to navigate and offers a range of video and audio effects that can be applied to your footage. Additionally, it supports a wide range of video and audio formats, making it a versatile option for editing videos from different sources.
VSDC Video Editor
VSDC Free Video Editor is a powerful video editing software that is available for Windows operating systems. It offers a range of features for editing videos, including support for multiple video and audio tracks, 4K resolution editing, and customizable video filters.
One of the standout features of VSDC Video Editor is its user-friendly interface. It’s easy to navigate and comes with a range of video and audio effects that can be applied to your footage. Additionally, it supports a wide range of video and audio formats, making it a versatile option for editing videos from different sources.
Windows Movie Maker
Windows Movie Maker is a free video editing software that’s available for Windows users. It has a user-friendly interface and a range of features, such as trimming, cutting, and adding audio tracks. Windows Movie Maker also supports a variety of video formats and allows you to export your video in various resolutions.
Blender
Blender is a free, open-source 3D animation and video editing software that is suitable for both beginners and professionals. It offers a wide range of features, including video transitions, audio editing, and color correction. Its user-friendly interface makes it easy to use, and its powerful editing tools can help you achieve professional-looking videos.
How to choose the right free video editing software
Here’s a table for easy comparison:
| Video Editing Software | Pros | Cons | Platform Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| DaVinci Resolve | Offers advanced features such as audio editing, color correction, and video effects. Suitable for both beginners and professionals. User-friendly interface. | Heavy system requirements. May take some time to learn for beginners. | Windows, Mac, and Linux |
| iMovie | Easy-to-use interface. Free with Mac computers. Offers basic video editing features such as video trimming and audio editing. | Limited advanced features compared to other video editing software options. Only available for Mac computers. | Mac |
| HitFilm Express | Offers a wide range of visual effects and advanced features such as audio editing, color correction, and video effects. Suitable for both beginners and professionals. User-friendly interface. | Heavy system requirements. Limited video editing timeline. | Windows and Mac |
| Shotcut | Open-source video editing software with a simple and easy-to-use interface. Offers video transitions, audio editing, and color correction. Compatible with multiple platforms. | Limited advanced features. May experience lagging or freezing on older computers. | Windows, Mac, and Linux |
| OpenShot | Free and open-source video editing software with a user-friendly interface. Offers video transitions, audio editing, and color correction. Compatible with multiple platforms. | Limited advanced features. May experience lagging or freezing on older computers. | Windows, Mac, and Linux |
| Lightworks | Offers advanced video editing features such as video effects, audio editing, and color correction. Suitable for both beginners and professionals. User-friendly interface. | Limited export options in the free version. Limited support for popular video formats. May experience lagging or freezing on older computers. | Windows, Mac, and Linux |
| Avidemux | Simple and easy-to-use interface. Offers basic video editing features such as video trimming and filtering. Compatible with multiple platforms. | Limited advanced features. May experience lagging or freezing on older computers. | Windows, Mac, and Linux |
| VSDC Free Video Editor | Offers advanced video editing features such as video effects, audio editing, and color correction. Suitable for both beginners and professionals. User-friendly interface. | Limited export options in the free version. Limited support for popular video formats. May experience lagging or freezing on older computers. | Windows |
| Windows Movie Maker | Easy-to-use interface. Free with Windows computers. Offers basic video editing features such as video trimming and audio editing. | Limited advanced features compared to other video editing software options. Only available for Windows computers. | Windows |
| Blender | Offers advanced features for 3D animation and video editing. Suitable for both beginners and professionals. User-friendly interface. | The steep learning curve for beginners. Limited video editing features compared to other video editing software. | Windows, Mac, and Linux |
By using this table, you can easily compare the pros and cons of each video editing software and choose the one that best suits your needs.
Best free video editing software trials
While there are many free video editing software options available, some of them also offer free trials for their more advanced features. Here are some of the best video editing software trials available:
- Adobe Premiere Pro: Adobe Premiere Pro is a popular video editing software used by many professionals. While the software is not free, Adobe offers a 7-day free trial period for users to test out the software’s features before committing to a paid subscription.
- Final Cut Pro X: Final Cut Pro X is a professional-level video editing software for Mac computers. While the software is not free, Apple offers a 90-day free trial period for users to test out the software’s features before committing to a paid subscription.
- Filmora: Filmora is a popular video editing software that offers a free version with basic features and a paid version with more advanced features. The paid version offers a 30-day free trial period for users to test out the software’s advanced features.
- CyberLink PowerDirector: CyberLink PowerDirector is a video editing software that offers a free version with basic features and a paid version with more advanced features. The paid version offers a 30-day free trial period for users to test out the software’s advanced features.
- Vegas Pro: Vegas Pro is a popular video editing software used by many professionals. While the software is not free, the company offers a 30-day free trial period for users to test out the software’s features before committing to a paid subscription.
These free trials offer a great opportunity for users to test out the more advanced features of professional-grade video editing software before deciding to invest in a paid subscription.
FAQs
Some popular video editing software options include DaVinci Resolve, Shotcut, HitFilm Express, OpenShot, Blender, and Lightworks. Each of these options offers unique features and characteristics.
Yes, you can use this video editing software for professional projects. While some video editing software may have limited features compared to paid options, many free options still offer advanced features such as color correction, video effects, and audio editing.
Depending on the software you choose, you may need a more powerful computer to run it smoothly. Some video editing software may require more memory and processing power than others. However, many free video editing software options are designed to work on a variety of computers and operating systems.
The ease of use varies depending on the software you choose. Some options, such as OpenShot and Shotcut, are designed to be user-friendly and easy to learn, while others, such as Blender and DaVinci Resolve, may have a steeper learning curve. However, with practice and tutorials, anyone can learn to use video editing software effectively.
While free video editing software can offer many advanced features, there may be some limitations to using it. For example, some free video editing software may have limited export options or file formats, and some may not offer as many advanced features as paid options. Additionally, some free options may include watermarks or another branding on exported videos.
Final thoughts about free video editing software
Video editing has become an essential part of modern-day filmmaking, and not everyone can afford expensive video editing software. However, there is plenty of free video editing software available that can cater to your needs, whether you’re a beginner or a professional. We’ve compiled a list of top free video editing software, including DaVinci Resolve, Shotcut, HitFilm Express, OpenShot, Blender, and Lightworks. So, go ahead and choose the one that best suits your needs, and start creating professional-looking videos today!
