Video editing tools help users digitally edit video and audio files to create promotional materials, educational guides, short videos and feature-length films, to name a few. The best free video editing software for Mac, Windows, iOS, and Android can provide the tools you need, on any device. Without video editing tools, we wouldn’t have my favorite short-length video format: the music video.
Without further ado, let’s talk free video editor tools for beginners and get you on your way to video editing mastery. The following list includes video editing tools that are free to download or include free trials.
Here are the best free video editor software in 2018
- imovie
- Lightworks
- VSDC Free Video Editor
- DaVinci Resolve
- Filmora
- Freemake
- Camtasia
- Clipchamp
- Shotcut
- HitFilm Express
FOR EACH FREE VIDEO EDITOR I PROVIDE:
- An overview
- Highlighted features
- Free and paid options details
I have pulled all of the product details highlighted herein directly from the vendors’ websites. I elucidate the free options so you will know if these products are available as free licenses or temporary free trials. I have also highlighted the paid options so there are no surprises. If you test a free video editor application, like it and want to upgrade, you will understand the cost to do so.
iMovie
OVERVIEW
iMovie provides Apple-based video editing software: you can start editing on an iPhone or iPad and then finish on your Mac.
FREE OPTION
- Free for macOS and iOS
FEATURES
- Select from dozens of styles to add beautifully animated titles and credits
- Add a broadcast feel to your school report with picture-in-picture and split-screen effects
- Choose from 10 creative video filters that add a cinematic touch
- Built-in music, sound effects, and voiceover
Lightworks
OVERVIEW
Lightworks, a professional non-linear editing (NLE) software (non-destructive to the source material), can produce video in SD and HD with up to 4K resolution. (Thelma Schoonmaker used it on “The Wolf of Wall Street.”)
FREE OPTION
- Free license version limited to a 1080p Vimeo export
- Can’t import 4K video files
- No Blackmagic or AJA camera support
- Limited exporting options
PAID OPTION
Lightworks Pro license, including Boris Graffiti and FX packages, costs:
- $25 per month
- $175 per year
- $438 outright
FEATURES
- Simple and intuitive User Interface
- Easy timeline editing and trimming
- Real-time ready to use audio and video
- FX access to royalty-free audio and video content
- Lo-Res Proxy workflows for the 4K export video for YouTube/Vimeo and SD/HD
- Video tutorials available via Lightworks YouTube channel
VSDC Free Video Editor
OVERVIEW
VSDC is a Windows-based professional NLE suite.
FREE OPTION
- Download and use completely free without restrictions
- No trial period, watermarks or ads
PAID OPTION
- Technical support prices start at $10 for Free option
- Video Editor Pro is available for $19.99
FEATURES
- Non-linear video editor
- Visual and audio effects are split into five categories: color correction, object transformation, object filters, transition effects and special effects
- Blending modes and Instagram-like filters
- Create different shaped masks for hiding, blurring or highlighting certain elements in your video and apply special effects inside or outside the masked area
- Easy export to social networks
- Subpixel accuracy provides smooth animation, rotation, transformation and precise relative positioning
DaVinci Resolve
OVERVIEW
DaVinci Resolve provides professional tools for video and audio editing in SD, HD and Ultra HD.
FREE OPTION
- DaVinci Resolve 14
PAID OPTION
- DaVinci Resolve 14 Studio for $299
FEATURES
- Professional editing, color correction and Fairlight audio tools for SD, HD and Ultra HD work at up to 60 frames per second
- Includes virtually every imaginable editing and trimming tool available
- Includes fully featured Fairlight audio in the same software you use for editing and color correction
- Picture editors, colorists, and sound editors can work in parallel
- Runs on all major platforms: Mac, Windows, and Linux
- Video tutorials available on Blackmagic Design YouTube channel
Filmora
OVERVIEW
Filmora is a Mac-, Windows-, iOS- and Android-based video editor.
FREE OPTION
- Free trial with Filmora watermark
PAID OPTION
- 1-year license for $44.99
- Lifetime license for $59.99
- Multi-users lifetime license for 2-5 PCs for $179.97
FEATURES
- 4K editing and GIF support
- Noise removal, reverse, color tuning and camera shake effects
- Social Import
- Precision speed control
- Frame by frame preview, pan and zoom and 1:1 & portrait Support
- Add up to 5 text tracks and 10 music tracks to your timeline
- Picture in picture (PIP) track, audio mixer, advanced text editing
- Green Screen, split screen, and screen recording
- Selection of color grading presets inspired by popular movies
- Video Stabilization, tilt-shift and audio separation
- Video tutorials available on Filmora YouTube channel
Freemake
OVERVIEW
Freemake provides free video editing software without registration, time limitations or hidden costs.
FREE OPTION
- All Freemake programs are free to download; no trials or limitations
FEATURES
- Video converter and downloader
- Convert to MP4, MP3, AVI, WMV, DVD, iPhone, Android
- Convert YouTube to anything
- Cut, join and rotate clips
- Convert movie with subtitles
- Embed video to websites
- Video tutorials available on Freemake YouTube channel
Camtasia
OVERVIEW
Camtasia provides tools to customize and edit videos.
FREE OPTION
- Free 30-day trial
PAID OPTION
- A single-user license for $199.00
- Upgrade current license for $99.50
FEATURES
- Record your screen, make edits and add effects
- Make training and support videos: record mouse movement, show keystrokes and add notes
- Create marketing and demo videos: drag-and-drop editor, motion graphics, and music tracks
- Transform powerpoint presentations and webinars into a compelling video
- Create engaging educational videos
Clipchamp
OVERVIEW
Clipchamp provides a private, browser-based video editor and webcam recorder.
FREE OPTION
- Basic is limited for personal use
PAID OPTION
- Business is $7.50 per month billed annually or $9 month to month
- Professional is $82 per month billed annually or $99 month to month
- Business is $249 per month billed annually or $299 month to month
FEATURES
- 5 videos per month
- 5 min per video webcam recordings
- Unlimited maximum input video length
- Unlimited maximum input video size
- Video compression
- Batch video processing
- Plugins available for WordPress, Slack and Gmail
- Video tutorials and training available on Clipchamp YouTube channel
Shotcut
OVERVIEW
Shotcut is a Windows-, Mac- and Linux-based free and open source, cross-platform video editor.
FREE OPTION
- Free and open-source
FEATURES
- Support for a wide range of formats
- Audio features
- Video effects
- Editing features
- No import required meaning native timeline editing
- Blackmagic Design support for input and preview monitoring
- Resolution support to 4k
- Tutorials available
- Video tutorials and training available on Shotcut YouTube channel
HitFilm Express
OVERVIEW
HitFilm Express 2017 is a Mac- and Windows-based free editing and VFX software. It is the free version of HitFilm Pro.
FREE OPTION
- HitFilm Express is free to download
PAID OPTION
- HitFilm Express add-ons are available for purchase starting at $10
FEATURES
- 2D and 3D effects compositing
- Compatible with Mac and Windows
- Over 180 visual effects
- Editor with transitions and unlimited tracks
- International filmmaking community
- Video tutorials and training available on HitFilm YouTube channel
Best Bonus:
Media 100
OVERVIEW
Media 100 Suite is a macOS-based free professional video editor for for tape or digital.
FREE OPTION
- Free to download
FEATURES
- Easy-to-use, responsive interface
- Broad support for 4K, 2K, HD, and SD standards
- Edit in Media 100 and export their Media 100 timeline to Adobe After Effects for finishing
- Boris RED is included for integrated transitions and titling on the Media 100 timeline
- Eye Scream Factory’s “100 Essential Transitions” package is included featuring a variety of designer transition effects including artistic dissolves, glow dissolves, luma dissolves, pullswaps, rays dissolves and Wipes
Best Video Editor
Thanks a lot!!
Please Give me Stars for this Article…
I’m not sure exactly why but this web site is loading extremely slow for me. Is anyone else having this problem or is it a issue on my end? I’ll check back later and see if the problem still exists.