Best 12 Free Video Editing Software for 2023

Great video editing software may assist you in showcasing your items from all angles by creating professional promos for platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and wherever else you publish brand videos. There are a variety of simple free video editing apps available that might help you stand out from the crowd.

The uncertainty of a buyer to make a purchase may be decreased by professionally created product films, which are a more compelling kind of content marketing than images alone. 78% of video marketers claim that video has directly increased sales, as reported by animated explainer video provider Wyzowl.

We've assembled a list of the top free video editing Software from across the internet below, along with a handful that has reasonably priced premium versions. Since every entrepreneur has unique requirements, we've included some of each tool's most helpful attributes.

Top picks

• Best video editor with free trial: PowerDirector
• Best free video editor overall: HitFilm Express
• Best video editor for Mac: iMovie

Best free video editing software

1. HitFilm Express

The best free video editing software overall

• ⭐ rating: 4.5/5
• Watermark: No
• Available for: Mac and Windows
• Price: Free; $349 for the Pro version

HitFilm, one of the greatest all-in-one free video editors accessible, may seem a little complicated at first if you don't have much expertise with video editing—used it to create Hollywood-style films—but it's worth the learning curve. When you download the program, HitFilm does request that you post a status update on social media, but it is a minor price to pay.

To save time when editing, HitFilm has animation capabilities that enable you to make and edit audio and video transitions without needing to make composite shots. Additionally, it provides engaging 3D effects for movies, music videos, and even YouTube videos, along with capabilities you'd find in a more expensive video editings software, such as 4K footage, 360-degree editing, and a special effects library.

Features include:

• With motion tracking, color pickers, and cropping tools, professional video editing
• Enhancements for composite photos that let you combine two different shots to create weird video effects
• an automatic stabilizer to make a shaky video appear smooth
• unlimited development of audio and video timeline tracks
• a re-trimming tool that adapts to your needs once you've added your clips to the timeline
• the capacity to immediately apply a collection of qualities from one clip to another or an entire project.
• Using an audio mixer to fine-tune the output for professional quality
• Options for transitions include push, zoom, and dissolve.

2. Lightworks

Strongest features, with a limited free version

• ⭐ rating: 3.5/5
• Watermark: No
• Available for: Windows, Mac, and Linux
• Price: Free; $24.99 per month for the Pro version

Lightworks has an easy-to-use interface that makes it straightforward to learn. It is one of the more approachable and simple to learn Linux video editing software solutions on this list because it also provides a selection of comprehensive video lessons.

Lightworks features a library of unique stock movies and audio clips that are authorized for use in any videos you edit using the platform, enabling you to give any marketing video a professional appearance.

Features include:

• High-quality, straightforward trim tools for quick, accurate video editing
• Multicam editing for synchronizing video from several cameras Speed optimization enables you to continue editing while importing fresh content
• Real-time collaboration on projects with complete control over who has editing access
• Simple video sharing with quick export to Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Vimeo
• wide-ranging video format support

3. iMovie

For Mac users, the best free video editing software

• ⭐ rating: 4.3/5
• Watermark: No
• Available for: Mac
• Price: Free

Mac OS includes iMovie, a well-known staple. iMovie is straightforward and offers a straightforward drag-and-drop interface to transfer files from your disc to your desktop as many native Apple products do. It's a simple approach to creating effective films that can help your YouTube marketing efforts.

The fact that iMovie files are kept in Apple's cloud allows you to work on your movie interchangeably on an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, which is a major benefit. Additionally, iMovie is regularly updated, so you can anticipate fresh additions and enhancements at all times.

Features include:

• Support for 4K resolution, enabling users to produce movies with a cinematic quality
• Working on the same project from your iPad, iPhone, and Mac thanks to cloud storage
• Numerous studio-quality title animations for credits that look professional
• For certain movie genres like Westerns and science fiction, stylish, modern video filters have been created.
• Built-in audio recording for voiceovers, sound effects, and music ensures that your sound and image editing is always consolidated.
• You may adjust the speed of fast-paced action scenes and slow down the speed of sports highlights.

4. VideoPad

The best free video editing software for beginners

• ⭐ rating: 4.1/5
• Watermark: No
• Available for: Mac, Windows
• Price: Free

VideoPad is an excellent choice for anybody looking to make high-quality films without spending a thing. With VideoPad, you may experiment with various video compositions and styles using basic and easy-to-use tools like 3D video editing and a sound effects library.

You may use special effects, overlays, fonts, and transitions to modify your movies, as well as color correction and sound effects. Then, quickly and effortlessly, export your final movie to YouTube, Facebook, Google Drive, and other mobile devices.

The only downside is that experienced video editors could find it too basic. Although it lacks some of the more sophisticated capabilities included in some of the other free Video Editing Software on our list, the choices to add light effects, adjust colors, and overlay text and pictures are sufficient to make it worthwhile to download for free.

Features include:

• For simple editing, there are two built-in screens (one to preview chosen clips, the other to preview the entire sequence).
• Customizable transitions that are already prepared for a polished appearance
• Exporting presets enables users to quickly make video files that are optimized for a variety of networks, including Facebook and YouTube, and upload them online without leaving the program
• Online publishing and sharing solutions for social media that allow for quick video sharing
• a huge collection of graphic effects and video transitions for customizing films
• Tools for optimizing videos, such as stabilizing

5. DaVinci Resolve

for experienced editors, the best free video editor

• ⭐ rating: 4.6/5
• Watermark: No
• Available for: Windows, Mac, and Linux
• Price: Free; $269 for the full Studio version

DaVinci Resolve is the software of choice for many professional editors of films, television shows, and commercials because it integrates quality 8K editing, color correction, visual effects, and audio post-production in a single product package.

DaVinci supports both offline and online editing, and its high-performance playback engine saves time when editing and trimming—even when working with processor-intensive file types like H.264 and RAW. The complicated capabilities of DaVinci Resolve may be too much for some people, but the free version is ideal for more advanced jobs.

Features include:

• Dual timelines allow for faster navigating, cutting, and editing.
• Intelligent auto-editing that syncs audio and video clips for you A separate trim interface that allows you to edit in minute detail
• Picture-in-picture effects, retiming, stabilization, dynamic zoom, text, and audio are all built-in.
• Face detection recognizes faces in your films and builds bins depending on the persons in each frame.
• To rapidly and convincingly speed up or slow down video, use high-quality motion estimation speed adjustments and frame rate conversions.

6. VSDC Free Video Editor

Best no watermark editor for Windows

• ⭐ rating: 4/5
• Watermark: No
• Available for: Windows
• Price: Free; $19.99 for the Pro version

VSDC’s desktop video editing software is available as both a free and a paid version. VSDC's complete video editing suite, including a mask tool and chroma key capabilities for green-screen video effects, is still included in the free edition despite its fewer features. A well-liked program for editing GoPro videos is VSDC.

The toolkit grows to include video stabilization, powerful post-production effects, slideshow/presentation capabilities, 3D diagram templates, and direct social media sharing if you have the money to invest in the complete edition.

Features include:

• Tools for color correcting for a more professional appearance
• a comprehensive set of transitional effects
• picture filters that are simple to apply and resemble those on Instagram
• Masking tools for obscuring, distorting, or emphasizing certain components
• HEVC/H.265 (an advanced video-compression standard) is required for processing 4K and HD recordings since it maintains the greatest quality at the smallest file size. Social media link for sharing videos on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, and Vimeo

7. OpenShot

The simplest free video editing software for editors who are intermediate

• ⭐ rating: 4.5/5
• Watermark: No
• Available for: Windows, Mac, and Linux
• Price: Free

OpenShot is a fantastic video editing software for intermediate editors because of its simple user interface. While more complicated programs could provide more editing options, OpenShot's basic design and user-friendly interface make it ideal for straightforward editing.

Small companies may effectively use OpenShot, which works well for clip resizing, scaling, cropping, snapping, and rotation. Additionally, it provides a real-time preview, audio editing, frame stepping, time mapping, and credit scrolling.

Features include:

• There are an infinite number of layers for audio, video, and watermarks.
• customizable templates for title cards
• Drag-and-drop capabilities make it simple to include music, video, or picture files.
• Brightness, gamma, hue, greyscale, and chroma key compositing for digital video effects, such as green-screen effects
• the ability to create animated films with powerful key-frame animation

8. Shotcut

The best open-source video editing software for audiophiles

• ⭐ rating: 4.5/5
• Watermark: No
• Available for: Windows, Mac, and Linux
• Price: Free

Shotcut is an open-source, cross-platform video editor with a large instructive video library. It also supports a variety of formats, such as FFmpeg, 4K, ProRes, and DNxHD. A word of caution, however: Shotcut was initially built for Linux, so some users may find the interface odd. Regardless, it's a fantastic editor.

Shotcut also offers a wide range of audio editing capabilities, making it excellent for audiophiles. Its collection of audio fine-tuning features lets users change the bass and treble, construct bandpass filters, alter gain, apply dynamic compression, and much more.

Features include:

• Native timeline editing, which allows users to insert video files directly into their project file rather than a media library Support for the newest audio and video formats using FFmpeg, the premier multimedia framework
• A multiformat timeline allows you to mix and match resolutions and frame rates inside a project.
• Balance, bass and treble, bandpass filters, compressors, and more advanced audio filters are available.
• AV1 decoding and encoding support

9. Windows Video Editor

optimum video editing software for Windows 10

• ⭐ rating: n/a
• Watermark: No
• Available for: Windows
• Price: Free

Windows Video Editor, a built-in editor from Microsoft, is a useful piece of software for those wishing to get back to fundamentals. It's ideal for quickly editing small video clips that need to be ready straight away. Windows Video Editor is more of a photo editor than a video editor, but it includes basic editing features like cropping, cutting, and adding text or music. Video Editor is included with Windows 10 and higher and is entirely free for basic video improvement.

Features include:

• Tool for automatically previewing modifications and effects
• Auto-movie tools for making customizable video clip cuts
• To effortlessly add music, titles, and credits, use the Animation tab.
• Section of 3D effects with little customization
• Simple to use for beginner Windows users

10. Vimeo Create

App with the best AI video editing software

• ⭐ rating: n/a
• Watermark: No
• Available for: iOS and Android
• Price: Free; Pro and Business subscriptions start at $7 per month.

Vimeo Create, free editing software that can be linked straight to your Shopify store, converts your existing product photos and text into beautiful ecommerce videos. No prior video experience is required.

Simply answer a few questions about your product, upload your footage and logo, and select style modifications. Vimeo Create then edits your video instantly in minutes (though you can also choose your styles or start from scratch). Colors, themes, music, and typefaces are also suggested by the AI program.

It's very handy for making large-scale videos (if you, say, start a channel for your business in an effort to make money on YouTube and want to streamline the creation process). With over 200 million users, Vimeo is a popular video software solution. Because Vimeo is a one-stop shop, you can manage, host, and distribute all of your films from one location, optimizing your process.

Features include:

• There are over 1,000 templates to pick from.
• Professional auto-editing, facial recognition, filters, effects, and auto-cropping Capability to distribute films across marketing channels
• With iStock integration, you have access to an unlimited number of high-quality stock photos.
• There is a commercially licensed music library to pick from.

11. KineMaster

The greatest mobile video editing app for free

• ⭐ rating: n/a
• Watermark: Yes
• Available for: iOS, Android, Chromebook
• Price: Free; $3.99/month for a paid plan

If you're a mobile video editor, KineMaster should be your go-to program. This capable video editing software is ideal for mobile devices and is free (subscription model optional). With KineMaster, recording video, editing it, and uploading it all from your phone or tablet is simple. KineMaster performs the reverse of what most mobile editors do, which is to toe the line between powerful capabilities and simplicity.

With KineMaster's more than 2,500 downloadable transitions and effects, you can quickly clip, splice, trim, and combine films. Correct and improve videos using color filters and enhancements to make them stand out. Once you're done, instantly upload them to sites like Reels, Stories, TikTok, YouTube, and more.

Features include:

• Download effects, music, stickers, typefaces, and other resources from the asset shop.
• Ability to backup and share videos to keep them secure
• Eight options for combining to produce beautiful video effects
• Focus changes, in-camera transitions, and other adjustments can be made with the reverse tool. easy
• 60 fps editing and exporting for 4K videos

12. Movie Maker Online

Best online video editor

• ⭐ rating: n/a
• Watermark: No
• Available for: Browser
• Price: Free

Movie Maker Online is the greatest browser-based movie editor. It's a low-cost tool for anyone who wishes to make videos, but it has certain limitations. Ads support the program, so you'll have to browse through them to edit your films. It also has a maximum length of 10 minutes, which should be plenty for the average free user.

The UI also has several peculiarities. The video and audio timelines are arranged vertically rather than horizontally, as in standard video editors. It takes some time to get used to. However, because it is entirely browser-based, it is easily accessible on different devices.

Movie Maker Online provides you with all of the fundamental tools you need to create a video for free. You also receive free music, films, and images as an added benefit.

Features include:

• Browser-based video editor for free
• Free music, images, and sound effects
• This software is ideal for fast cutting, merging, and altering movies.
• Built-in assistance

How to choose a video editor

For organizations wishing to make promotional movies, there are a plethora of desktop-based editing tools available. The main advantage of free desktop video editing software is that it has more functions than most mobile video editing apps.

Here are some things to bear in mind while editing videos for YouTube or TikTok:

• User experience. Another factor to consider is how simple the program is to learn. Look for software with express editing options so you may swiftly edit films in your desired way. Templates are also useful. Decent editing software will also provide lessons to help you understand how to use the features and excel.

• Editing features. Examine whether your preferred program includes strong video editing options that will wow viewers. If you're utilizing drone footage, for example, you'll need editing software that can improve and add effects to the video. Perhaps you require chroma key editing, color grading, or more complex tools such as 360-degree editing.

• Hidden costs. Some video editors claim to be “free“, but they are only effective if you pay extra money to gain access to greater features. Completely free editing software may have poor performance, restricted file format support, or other restrictions. Your software of choice should be able to handle all of your basic editing requirements without charging extra.

• Support. When you're new to video editing, customer assistance is always beneficial. It's convenient to have a resource where you can get answers if you have questions regarding a feature. Verify whether your program offers support options like email or phone support, FAQs, or discussion boards where you may obtain assistance from actual people.

• Export options. Where will you put videos online? Make sure your video editing software can produce high-quality video in common formats so you can easily submit films to your social media accounts.

• Requirements. Particular computer kinds are the only ones that can run certain programs. For instance, not all of the programs on this list could be compatible with Google Chromebooks. Make sure the software is compatible with your PC before investing time in it.

Finding the best free video editor for you

You may start experimenting with the finest free video editing software now that you are aware of your alternatives. Although each choice has pros and cons of its own, maybe you now have a clearer understanding of which free video-editing application is ideal for your company.

Overall social media platforms and videos regularly outperform photos and text postings in terms of interaction. A polished, well-produced marketing video may help you tell a compelling tale about your products, beat the YouTube algorithm, grab viewers' attention, establish your brand's personality, and increase the return on investment from paid social advertising.

Boost your content marketing efforts. There are several possibilities for free video editing tools, so your brand's marketing videos may be as creative as you like.

Free video editing software FAQ