Best Free Video Editing Software Programs: The Ultimate Guide

Are you an aspiring video editor?

As society continues to evolve, so does our technology. Today, you can find free software that enables you to create almost any kind of media from home, from virtual reality experiences to animated films. The more that visual media gains prominence in our world, the more demand there is for skilled video editors who know how to assemble video footage into compelling content. 

In this article

1. A Roundup of Our Favorite Free Video Editing Programs
2. 1. HitFilm Express
3. 2. iMovie by Apple
4. 3. DaVinci Resolve
5. 4. ShotCut
6. 5. VideoPad
7. 6. VSDC
8. 7. LightWorks
9. 8. Blender
10. 10. OpenShot
11. 11. Filmora
12. 13. InVideo
13. 14. Adobe Premiere Rush
14. 15. KineMaster
15. 16. GoPro QuikStories
16. What do Most YouTubers Use to Edit Their Videos?
17. What is the Easiest Program for Video Editing?
18. Take Advantage of the Best Free Video Editing Software Programs Today

If you’re an aspiring business owner or filmmaker, video editing can be a very valuable skill to develop. However, it can be difficult to learn with limited budget, time, and resources. If this happens to be the barrier standing between you and your desire to become a skilled video editor, worry not!

When you’re on the lookout for the best free video editing software, we have you covered. In this article, we give you some of the best free editing software for videos. Read on to discover more about some of the available free video editing software.

A Roundup of Our Favorite Free Video Editing Programs

1. HitFilm Express

HitFilm Express is a great app for free video editing. The program offers a number of worthwhile tools to its users, including basic editing features such as trimming, splicing, and audio edits.

HitFilm is one of the more versatile video editing apps. Some users may find it a little advanced, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll benefit from its wide range of tools. HitFilm’s free package even offers 180 special effects.

If you’re editing content that you intend to publish on YouTube, HitFilm comes with a built-in YouTube uploader. The tutorials are easy to understand and are interactive for new editors.

2. iMovie by Apple

If you’re a Mac user, you may already be familiar with Apple’s iMovie. This is a popular app that comes built-in with Apple products like the iPhone and MacBook. Many would argue that iMovie is the best free video editing app for Apple enthusiasts.

This app allows its users to become professional editors with its Hollywood-style effects. Any updates to Mac software and tools will be supported in iMovie, such as Apple’s addition of a touch bar to newer Mac models. 

Thanks to its holistic integration with Mac software, iMovie offers fast encoding time. You can upload videos directly from iMovie to Vimeo or YouTube. You can also select a single frame and export it as an image.

However, iMovie lacks some of the new features that are present in other free video editing apps. Users of iMovie have limited control over output settings and cannot edit 360-degree videos.

3. DaVinci Resolve

Advanced video editors are likely to enjoy the features of DaVinci Resolve, a professional-grade post-production program. In its latest update, DaVinci Resolve works with Fusion.

Fusion was once a stand-alone software for video editing. It offers high-quality modules for video production. This includes modules for editing, color correction, and motion graphics.

If you’re familiar with professional video editing tools, you’ll enjoy DaVinci Resolve. However, if you’re new to video editing, you may feel overwhelmed by the learning curve. DaVinci Resolve 17 now offers new features like 3D audio and face recognition.

This free editing software is available across Windows, Linux, and Mac. You’ll also have no limits or watermarks when rendering your videos. However, if you plan to install DaVinci Resolve, you need a high-performance computer.

4. ShotCut

ShotCut is another free and open-source video editing software for Mac, Linux, and Windows. The program is ideal for both enthusiasts and prosumer creators.

ShotCut supports a broad range of formats with extensive video and audio editing effects. However, with limited integration with other video-sharing platforms, it may not be the best choice for social media sharing. The learning curve may also be steep for some beginner editors.

When you use ShotCut, you can fill your workspace with a variety of windows. However, just make sure that you don’t clutter your screen, which is easy to do in the program.

5. VideoPad

One of the best video editing programs for beginners is VideoPad. It comes with a plethora of features and is relatively easy to learn. VideoPad’s intuitive interface eases the learning curve for new editors.

You can use VideoPad on Windows and Mac. Though simpler than most software, VideoPad still allows you to edit in 360 degrees. However, it lacks some features that may be sought-after by advanced video editors, such as multi-tracking and high-end special effects.

If you enjoy using VideoPad, you can purchase some of its add-ons. These add-ons will expand your user experience and provide you with a bigger toolkit as you edit your videos.

6. VSDC

VSDC is a free video editing software for Windows users only. VSDC offers tools for editing video projects. While navigating through VSDC’s interface, you may also find links to instructional videos.

VSDC offers more flexibility to users while editing with its nonlinear interface. For basic edits, VSDC is a great starter software.

Upgrading to VSDC Pro for $20 will allow you to get additional features. This includes masking tools, chroma key functionality, and other additional features.

7. LightWorks

LightWorks is a popular free video software for Mac, Windows, and Linux users. Its wide arsenal of features makes it one of the most powerful video editing software programs available, and its free version already offers a variety of tools for video editing.

LightWorks supports multicam editing and includes high-precision trimming. For YouTubers, LightWorks can export videos at 720p. You can also export your videos in a wide range of video formats.

If you want to get 4K videos for Vimeo and YouTube, you may want to try out the paid version of Lightworks. For only $23.99 a month or a one time fee of $390, you can lift this restriction and gain access to other features.

8. Blender

If you’re more familiar with 3D animation, you may be familiar with Blender. However, most people don’t know that Blender also offers video editing capabilities. Blender’s free platform is usually enough for most users.

Blender’s video editor gives you access to the basics, like cuts and splices. However, you can also use Blender for more advanced tasks such as video masking. This is a flexible video editor that is ideal for all users of any skill level.

In addition to its basic tools, you also get histogram displays and previews of your projects. Especially if you have projects that involve 3D animations, Blender might be the best software for you.

9. Movie Maker Online

If you’re looking for an online video editing platform, check out Movie Maker Online. This free video editor runs in your browser instead of requiring you to install the software. To start editing a video project, upload it to a vertical timeline on the interface.

Here, you can perform basic functions like filters and traditions. Movie Maker Online is one of the best browser-based tools for free video editing. You can access this platform through any desktop device.

The best thing about Movie Maker Online is that it caters to all users. No matter what device you’re using or how old it is, you can access Movie Maker Online. If you want to add still images to your video, this editor offers an archive of royalty-free photos.

10. OpenShot

OpenShot is an open-source video editor, making it one of the most accessible apps on this list. OpenShot shares some similarities with iMovie’s drag and drop interface.

However, compared to iMovie, Openshot has some more useful features, including audio mixing and unlimited layers.

OpenShot offers a great interface that balances advanced and simple features. Editors can view real-time previews while adding transitions to their projects.

With OpenShot, users also get an unlimited amount of video layers and tracks. You can resize, scale, snap, and rotate clips with OpenShot. OpenShot offers templates for titles, subtitles, animated titles, and 3D effects.

However, if you’re new to video editing, OpenShot hasn’t produced very many video tutorials to learn to use the software. You may need to turn to YouTube if you want to familiarize yourself with OpenShot’s interface.

11. Filmora

Filmora is among the best video editing programs for beginner editors. The software is free and allows you to layer clips and sounds.

You can also achieve perfect timing while editing thanks to its key framing features. Filmora allows its users to remove unwanted background noise and publish videos in 4K. You can install Filmora on both Mac and Windows systems.

If you’re looking to edit videos for social media sharing, give Filmora a try. The app allows you to export in various frame sizes for different types of social media.

12. Filmora Go

If you’re looking for a mobile alternative for Filmora, check out Filmora Go. While this model may not be as robust as its desktop version, it is still a powerful editing program. Filmora Go is available for both Android and iOS users.

Filmora Go’s wide variety of features allow you to edit content while on the go. You can trim, split, and add transitions to clips while traveling. With this software, you can also select your desired aspect ratio for social media sharing.

You can even reverse your video clips and speed them up. This app also offers stickers, filters, and text. You can add audio from voice recording or with Filmora Go’s archive of royalty-free music.

13. InVideo

InVideo is the perfect free video editing software for beginners and marketers. InVideo aims to help media companies and small businesses turn content into videos. If you’re setting out to create an explainer video or a promotional video for your business, InVideo may just be the best partner.

This software allows anyone to create videos fast without extensive editing knowledge. Anyone can make professional videos with high-quality edits. Its free version gives you access to 1,500 templates to streamline the editing process.You can also utilize InVideo’s text-to-speech feature and turn blog posts into engaging videos. With InVideo’s free plan, you can create up to 60 videos per month at no extra cost.

14. Adobe Premiere Rush

You may be familiar with one of the world’s best video editing programs, Adobe Premiere Pro. Well, its creators released a new app called Adobe Premiere Rush. This app offers all the basics for video editing and sharing.

This mobile app allows you to edit videos while on the go. There is also a desktop version that is available for both Windows and Mac PCs. Premiere Rush offers an easy-to-use interface for editing audio and color correction.

With Adobe Premiere Rush, you can also tap into advanced editing features such as motion graphics. Premiere Rush gives you the choice to edit videos within the app itself. Premiere Rush is a convenient tool for creating, editing, and uploading videos to your socials.

Adobe Premiere Rush’s features are usually enough for beginner editors. However, you can also opt to get the paid version for about $9.99 a month.

15. KineMaster

If you’re in search of a mobile video editing app, KineMaster is another beneficial tool that you may want to check out. This mobile app works across tablets and phones. KineMaster is a useful tool that doesn’t streamline the process like most mobile editors.

You can start a new video project by tapping on the red button with a clapper board icon. You can then choose between three aspect ratios for social media. KineMaster relies on your camera roll to pull clips for your video project.

You can add as many clips and images as you want to complete your video project. You can also reorder your clips as needed. KineMaster allows you to work with multiple layers, as long as your device allows it.

KineMaster users will enjoy its versatile workspace. While free, you can check out its premium version for $4.99 a month or $39.99 a year.

16. GoPro QuikStories

The GoPro creators built a new app specifically for mobile video editing. With its simple and feature-packed interface, you can create engaging videos wherever you are. This app provides an easy way to edit videos shot with the GoPro camera.

The QuikStories interface caters to the GoPro camera, allowing you to control it from your phone. However, you don’t need a GoPro to enjoy its features. You can edit any kind of video with GoPro QuikStories.

What do Most YouTubers Use to Edit Their Videos?

By and large, Youtubers are editing their videos for free using Adobe Premiere Rush and iMovie. Many professional YouTubers will make the move to paid editing software by upgrading to Adobe Audition Pro, but all of the editing softwares mentioned above would be well known by YouTube content creators. 

What is the Easiest Program for Video Editing?

The easiest program for video editing is the one that gives you the tools suited to your knowledge base. For beginners, the easiest video editing software could very well be iMovie. 

Professionals who need more robust tools and features often say that the easiest video editing software for them is Adobe Premiere Pro or another program with a bit of a price tag. They feel the limited functionalities of the free softwares make them more challenging to use! It’s all about how you need to use it that will predict what is easiest for you. 

Take Advantage of the Best Free Video Editing Software Programs Today

Looking to start editing for your next video project or marketing campaign? You’ve now been introduced to some fantastic and cost-effective video editing programs that are yours to discover. From iMovie to Lightworks, there are many free video editing software programs for you to test out and determine which suits your workflow best.

Of course, the video editing process only covers one element of your project. If you need to hire talent to take care of your audio production, music composition, translation, or voice over, you’ve come to the right place. Sign up for a Voices account and get instant access to creative professionals in a range of categories who can help bring your project to life.