Searching for editing programs for free? You’re in the right place. We’ve put together a list of top-notch free video editing software that will help you make impressive videos without spending a dime. From simple tools for beginners to advanced options for professionals, there’s something here for everyone.
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
DaVinci Resolve, Lightworks, and HitFilm Express are the top free video editing software options for 2024, offering advanced features with no watermarks, catering to both professionals and beginners.
Free video editors for beginners like iMovie, Shotcut, and VideoPad Video Editor provide user-friendly interfaces and essential tools to facilitate an easy start in video editing.
Cross-platform video editors such as Kdenlive, OpenShot, and Blender ensure compatibility with multiple operating systems, providing flexibility for users who switch between different devices.
Top Free Video Editing Software for 2024
Finding the best free video editing software for 2024 can be a game-changer for content creators, YouTubers, and anyone looking to produce high-quality videos without spending a fortune. With over 60 apps considered for this roundup, we’ve narrowed down the top three that stand out for their features, ease of use, and professional results.
Free video editing software has evolved significantly, offering features that were once exclusive to paid programs. These tools, including free video editing program options, support various formats, up to 8K resolution, and include keyframing, screen recording, and webcam capture. Moreover, they are compatible with multiple operating systems, including Windows, Mac, and Linux.
The three leading free video editors for 2024 are DaVinci Resolve, Lightworks, and HitFilm Express. These programs are ideal for YouTubers, prosumers, and beginners alike, offering a range of advanced editing features without watermarks.
DaVinci Resolve
DaVinci Resolve is widely regarded as the best professional-level free video editing software available for both Windows and Mac users. This powerful tool is also compatible with Linux, making it a versatile choice for advanced users with extensive editing experience. DaVinci Resolve offers a complete suite of tools, including:
Two editing interfaces
Audio mastering
Effects
Delivery
This makes it a top choice for professional film and TV productions.
One of the standout features of DaVinci Resolve is its pro-level capabilities, including:
Editing
Effects
Color grading
Integration with the VFX tool Fusion
Advanced features like color grading, VFX software, and audio transcription
Multi-camera editing support
These features provide users with a robust set of tools to create high-quality videos.
However, be aware that the free edition comes with some limitations, such as the lack of 10-bit video export and 4K at 60 frames per second export, which are available in the $299 Studio version. Despite these limitations, DaVinci Resolve remains the most powerful free video editor available in 2024, making it an excellent choice for those seeking a comprehensive video editing solution.
Lightworks
Lightworks is another top contender, offering professional-level results with a simple, beginner-friendly interface. Trusted by professional filmmakers, Lightworks features:
A drag-and-drop interface
Effects
Transitions
Chroma key capabilities
This makes it accessible for users of all experience levels.
Supporting almost all video file types, Lightworks ensures flexibility in the editing process. This makes it suitable for both amateur and professional filmmakers and content creators who need a reliable and versatile video editing tool.
Whether you’re creating a short film or editing a YouTube video, Lightworks provides the tools you need to achieve professional results without overwhelming complexity. Its user-friendly design and powerful features make it an ideal choice for anyone looking to produce high-quality videos on a budget.
HitFilm Express
HitFilm Express is renowned for its extensive VFX toolkit and pro-level editing tools, making it a favorite among content creators who want to incorporate high-quality visual effects into their projects. This free video editor includes:
A VFX toolkit
Support for 4K videos
Pro-level editing tools
Animation features
It provides a comprehensive solution for video editing.
One of the standout aspects of HitFilm Express is its extensive library of tutorials, with over 100 hours of content to help new users get started. The user-friendly interface and excellent online tutorials make it accessible for beginners, despite its professional-grade features.
While HitFilm Express is free, there are paid add-ons available for those looking for additional features. This makes it a budget-friendly option for students or content creators seeking a powerful film editor without the high cost.
Best Free Video Editors for Beginners
For beginners, finding a free video editor that is both user-friendly and feature-rich is essential. These tools provide a simple interface and essential editing features, making it easy for newcomers to start editing videos without a steep learning curve.
The top free video editors for beginners include iMovie, Shotcut, and VideoPad Video Editor. These programs offer intuitive interfaces, basic editing tools, and enough flexibility to grow with the user’s skills. Here’s a detailed examination of these beginner-friendly video editors.
iMovie
iMovie is a simple, free video editing app that comes pre-loaded on Mac devices, making it an ideal choice for Mac users. Key features of iMovie include:
Cross-platform editing with Apple devices
4K editing support
Various filters, themes, and transitions
Over 100 smart soundtracks for custom audio
Despite its simplicity, iMovie offers powerful tools like chroma keying and stabilization, allowing beginners to create professional-looking videos with ease. However, bear in mind that iMovie is not available for Windows or Android, which may be a drawback for some users.
Shotcut
Shotcut is another excellent choice for beginners, offering a sleek, intuitive interface with multiple dockable and undockable panels, allowing users to customize their workspace to suit their workflow. Shotcut supports multi-format timelines and resolutions within a single project, providing flexibility and ease of use for new editors.
With its user-friendly design and powerful features, Shotcut is suitable for beginners who want to explore video editing without feeling overwhelmed. Its simplicity and flexibility make it an ideal choice for new editors looking to create high-quality videos.
VideoPad Video Editor
VideoPad Video Editor is a versatile, beginner-friendly video editor that offers over 50 different effects and transitions, providing users with a range of visual tools to enhance their projects. This software is designed to be highly accessible, making it an excellent choice for those new to video editing.
In addition to its visual effects, VideoPad also features:
Built-in audio editing, allowing users to manage both video and audio within their projects seamlessly
Support for more than 60 formats
Rapid processing times
Features for 3D and 360 video editing
These features ensure that beginners have all the tools they need to create professional-quality videos.
Top Free Cross-Platform Video Editors
When selecting video editing software, compatibility with your operating system and devices is crucial. Cross-platform video editors ensure that you can work on your projects seamlessly, regardless of whether you’re using Windows, macOS, or Linux. These editors provide flexibility and convenience, especially for users who switch between different operating systems.
The top free cross-platform video editors include Kdenlive, OpenShot, and Blender. These programs offer robust features and wide compatibility, making them ideal for users who need a versatile editing tool that works across various platforms. We will now examine each of these powerful cross-platform video editors in detail.
Kdenlive
Kdenlive is widely regarded as the best cross-platform, open-source free video editor, particularly favored by Linux users. This powerful and logical video editor includes advanced features such as motion tracking, keying, and a wide range of export options that cater to professional needs.
The Kdenlive interface is user-friendly, featuring tools like:
a razor tool
markers
audio levels
tabbed panels for media and effects
This makes it easy to navigate and use. With its advanced transition options, such as wipe, dissolve, and 3D effects, Kdenlive provides users with the creative flexibility needed to produce high-quality videos.
Additionally, Kdenlive supports a comprehensive range of export options, including H.264, HEVC, and AV1, ensuring compatibility with various output requirements. Its open-source nature and cross-platform compatibility make Kdenlive an excellent choice for users seeking a powerful and versatile video editing tool.
OpenShot
OpenShot is known for its features such as:
Simple drag-and-drop interface, making it an ideal choice for new users who want to create videos with ease
Variety of transitions and animations to enhance video projects
Feature for keyframe animation that aids in creating complex animations
OpenShot’s interface is extremely flexible and customizable, allowing users to tailor their workspace to fit their workflow. Despite some issues with the official Mac version, such as problems with transitions, OpenShot remains a popular choice for users seeking a straightforward and user-friendly video editor.
Blender
Blender is renowned for its 3D video editing capabilities, including VFX, digital sculpting, and animation, making it a versatile tool for both 3D and standard video editing. This powerful software also offers basic video editing features, providing a comprehensive solution for a variety of editing needs.
One of Blender’s standout features is its built-in compositor, which allows users to create and edit video effects directly within the software. Whether you’re working on a 3D animation project or a simple video edit, Blender provides the tools and flexibility needed to achieve professional results.
Online Free Video Editors
Web-based video editing tools offer significant advantages for users who do not own powerful hardware, as these tools allow video editing directly from the browser without the need for high-performance local resources. These online editors are convenient and accessible, making it easy to edit videos from anywhere with an internet connection.
The top online free video editors include Clipchamp, Canva, and Video Grabber. These tools provide a range of features that cater to different editing needs, from basic trimming and cropping to advanced effects and transitions. We will now delve into each of these online video editors.
Clipchamp
Clipchamp is recognized as the best free web-based video editor, offering multi-track video editing with a generous selection of free assets. This web-based tool works best in Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge, providing a smooth and efficient editing experience.
One of Clipchamp’s standout features is its AI auto-editor, which helps streamline the editing process, making it easier for users to produce high-quality videos quickly. With its user-friendly interface and extensive library of free templates and assets, Clipchamp is an excellent choice for anyone looking to edit videos online.
Canva
Canva provides an intuitive drag-and-drop editing interface, making it accessible for users of all experience levels. With real-time collaboration features, multiple team members can work on a project simultaneously, enhancing productivity and creativity.
In addition to its user-friendly design, Canva boasts a vast library of stock videos and images, helping users enhance their projects with high-quality visual content. Whether you’re creating social media videos or professional presentations, Canva’s video editor offers the tools and resources needed to produce impressive videos.
Check out Free Online Video Editor & Maker | Canva (Drag-and-drop).
Video Grabber
Video Grabber is a comprehensive online video editing tool with a user-friendly interface, making it accessible for users of all experience levels. This tool includes basic editing functions such as:
Adding arrows
Shapes
Drawing with a pencil
Inserting text and numbers
These features provide users with the essential tools needed to manipulate their video content.
Designed to help users easily edit their videos without needing powerful hardware, Video Grabber offers various features for video editing, including:
Video cropping
Trimming
Adding watermarks
Altering volume and play speed
Triggering video effects
Its comprehensive set of tools makes the free online video editor a versatile choice for online video editing.
Mobile Free Video Editors
For users who need to edit videos on the go, video editing apps offer a convenient solution for editing video. These apps provide powerful editing tools right at your fingertips, allowing you to create and share videos directly from your mobile device.
The best mobile free video editing apps, also known as free video editors, include KineMaster, Movavi Clips, and Adobe Premiere Rush. These apps are available on both Android and iOS platforms, offering a range of features that cater to different editing needs. Let’s examine each of these mobile video editors more closely.
KineMaster
KineMaster is a user-friendly mobile video editor that allows multi-layer editing, enabling users to add various layers such as videos, images, stickers, and audio tracks. With its real-time preview functionality, users can instantly see changes as they are applied, making the editing process more efficient.
KineMaster is particularly suitable for social media content creation due to its asset store, which includes additional downloadable effects, music, and more. Combined with its user-friendly interface, KineMaster is an excellent choice for creating engaging social media content on the go.
Movavi Clips
Movavi Clips is a mobile video editing app designed for convenience and ease of use while on the go. The app offers a variety of filters and transitions to enhance your videos, making it easy to create visually appealing content.
In addition to basic editing functions like cutting, merging, and cropping videos, Movavi Clips allows users to add music to their videos, creating dynamic and engaging content. Its user-friendly design makes it a great choice for beginners and experienced editors alike.
Adobe® Premiere® Rush
Adobe Premiere Rush is considered the best free video editing software for quick edits, offering a simple workflow that allows users to automatically edit clips and upload directly to YouTube. This app is ideal for those who need to produce high-quality videos quickly and efficiently.
With its user-friendly interface and powerful editing tools, Adobe Premiere Rush enables users to create professional-looking videos with minimal effort. Whether you’re editing on your desktop or mobile device, Adobe Premiere Rush provides the tools needed to produce impressive videos on the go.
Advanced Features in Free Video Editors
Some free video editors offer advanced features like motion tracking, keying, and multi-camera editing, providing users with professional-level tools without the cost. These features are essential for creating high-quality, polished videos that stand out.
Video editors like VideoProc Vlogger provide numerous advanced features for free, making them an excellent choice for those looking to take their video editing skills to the next level. We will now delve into these advanced features in more detail.
Green Screen Effects
Green screen effects are essential for vloggers and content creators, allowing them to replace the background with any image or video, creating a professional and polished look. Video editors like Shotcut, ActivePresenter, and KineMaster offer green screen effects through their chroma key filters, providing users with the tools needed to create impressive videos.
Green screen capabilities in free video editing software allow for professional-level editing and creative flexibility, making it easier for content creators to produce engaging and visually appealing videos.
Multi-Camera Editing
Multi-camera editing is a crucial feature for editors who work with footage from multiple camera angles simultaneously, enabling seamless synchronization and switching between views. Kdenlive supports various editing modes and includes a multi-camera editing workflow, making it an excellent choice for those who need to work with multiple angles.
This feature is particularly useful for creating dynamic and engaging videos, allowing editors to switch between different camera angles to keep the audience’s attention and enhance the overall viewing experience.
Audio Tools and Sound Effects
Audio tools and sound effects are important features in video editing software, as they help enhance the overall quality and impact of the videos. Canva’s video editor supports multiple audio file formats and features a Beat Sync tool that allows users to synchronize their videos seamlessly with music.
Additionally, Canva offers AI-powered features such as Enhance Voice, Auto-trim, and Highlights, which improve audio tracks and make the editing process more efficient. These tools are essential for creating professional-quality videos with clear and engaging audio.
Honorable Mentions
While the above-mentioned video editors are excellent choices, there are other free video editing tools worth mentioning. These honorable mentions include built-in software and other free editors that offer unique features and capabilities.
Microsoft Photos, VSDC Video Editor Pro, and Icecream Video Editor are some of the notable mentions that provide powerful editing tools without the cost. We’ll now examine each of these honorable mentions in detail.
VSDC Video Editor Pro
VSDC Video Editor Pro is known for its powerful editing features, including a built-in green screen tool that allows users to create professional-quality videos. This software offers a range of advanced editing tools, making it an excellent choice for users looking for a versatile and powerful video editor.
Whether you’re editing a simple video or working on a complex project, VSDC Video Editor Pro provides the tools needed to achieve professional results without breaking the bank.
Icecream Video Editor
Icecream Video Editor is a lightweight and beginner-friendly video editor that offers various effects, filters, and transitions. Supporting popular video and image formats like MP4, MOV, and AVI, this software provides users with the flexibility needed for different editing projects.
Although the free version has limitations like a 10-minute maximum for resulting videos and watermarks, the Pro version, available for $29.95, removes these limitations and offers additional features. Icecream Video Editor is an excellent choice for beginners looking for a simple and effective video editing tool.
Microsoft Photos
Microsoft Photos is a built-in video editing tool that comes preinstalled with Windows 10, offering a range of features for creating and editing videos. With tools for adding title cards, trimming clips, and applying motion or 3D effects, Microsoft Photos provides a user-friendly and accessible option for video editing.
Additionally, Microsoft Photos:
Supports raw camera files, including Canon’s .CR3 and Nikon’s .NEF formats, making it a versatile tool for photographers and videographers alike
Has a touch-friendly interface
Offers automatic object tagging to make it easy to use and organize your video projects.
How to Choose the Best Free Video Editing Software
Choosing the best free video editing software involves considering several factors to ensure that the software meets your needs and preferences. Factors such as the type of video you want to create, the formats and resolutions supported, and the performance and stability of the software are crucial.
Additionally, when choosing a video editing software, consider the following:
The range of features available
The ability to use multiple tracks for footage and audio
The flexibility to transfer projects from mobile to desktop for continued editing
We’ll delve into some of these considerations in greater depth.
User Experience and Interface
An intuitive and clean user interface enhances productivity by making navigation easier and reducing workflow hindrances. Programs with clearly labeled tools and menus help save time and effort during the video editing process, making it easier for users to focus on their creativity and content.
User interfaces that mimic real-world objects or processes, like film editing, can be easier to learn for beginners, providing a more intuitive and enjoyable editing experience.
Supported Formats and Export Options
Ensure that the software supports the file formats you will be working with to avoid compatibility issues. For example, Shotcut supports hundreds of audio and video formats and codecs, making it versatile for various editing needs.
Consider the export options available in the software to match your desired output quality and format. Programs like DaVinci Resolve and VideoPad Video Editor allow users to upload directly to YouTube, providing a seamless workflow for content creators.
Learning Resources and Community Support
Some software programs offer tutorials, customer support, and online communities to help users navigate through technical difficulties. Access to comprehensive tutorials can significantly reduce the learning curve for complex software, making it easier for users to learn and master the tools.
Being part of an online community can provide inspiration and support from other video editors, offering valuable insights and troubleshooting tips for novice editors. Active user communities can make a significant difference in the overall editing experience.
Summary
In summary, finding the right free video editing software can significantly impact the quality and efficiency of your video projects. From professional-grade tools like DaVinci Resolve and Lightworks to beginner-friendly options like iMovie and Shotcut, there is a wide range of free video editors available to suit different needs and skill levels.
By considering factors such as user experience, supported formats, and available features, you can choose the best free video editor for your specific requirements. With the right tools and resources, you can create stunning videos that capture your audience’s attention and bring your creative vision to life.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best free video editing software for professional use?
DaVinci Resolve is widely considered the best free video editing software for professional use, offering advanced features such as color grading, VFX, and multi-camera editing.
Which free video editor is best for beginners?
For beginners, iMovie is the best free video editor as it provides a user-friendly interface and essential editing features, particularly for Mac users.
Are there any free video editors that support 4K video editing?
Yes, there are several free video editors such as DaVinci Resolve, iMovie, and HitFilm Express that support 4K video editing.
Can I use free video editing software for YouTube?
Yes, you can use free video editing software like DaVinci Resolve, Lightworks, and VideoPad, all of which offer direct upload options to YouTube, making them ideal for content creators.
What are some free online video editors?
You can try using Clipchamp, Canva, and Video Grabber as free online video editors – they offer browser-based editing tools and don’t require powerful hardware.
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