Hey there! Are you looking to get into video editing, but don‘t want to commit to expensive software? Or maybe you have some experience, but need powerful tools without the high price tag? Either way, I‘ve got you covered!
As a technology analyst and editor myself, I know the ins and outs of what makes great video software. I‘ve tested and researched all the top free options for Windows and Mac to uncover the best based on capabilities, performance, learning curve and more.
In this guide, I‘ll share my picks for the top 10 free video editors in 2023. I‘ll give you the details on each one so you can decide which matches your skills and needs. I‘ll also provide plenty of advice to help choose the right free editor for any experience level.
So whether you‘re a total newbie or a budding pro, let‘s find the ideal free video editing software for you!
An Introduction to Free Editing Software
Before we dive into the options, let me give you some background on free video editors.
As online video content and streaming media continues to explode in popularity, powerful editing tools are more useful than ever. However they also usually come with premium price tags – like the $21 monthly subscription fee for Adobe Premiere Pro.
Thankfully innovation and competition have enabled free editing software to become amazingly capable. The best free video editors now include:
- Key editing features like trimming, splitting, cutting clips
- Transitions, animations, effects and text overlays
- Basic to advanced color correction capabilities
- Support for 360° footage, 4K or 8K video
- Tools for stabilization, speed manipulation and more
- Audio editing like volume, balance, sound cleanup
- Direct exporting to YouTube, Facebook etc.
Essentially they provide all the core tools both amateurs and professionals need to produce awesome videos!
The catch is that interfaces, export flexibility, rendering performance and specialty tools can vary wildly. Complete beginners also face a learning curve. But for those willing to invest the time, a free editor can deliver surprisingly polished results.
Now let‘s get into my top recommendations and in-depth advice to help find your match!
#10: Vimeo Create
First on our list is Vimeo Create, the integrated online video editor built into Vimeo. It provides templates and media libraries that really speed up video creation.
Overview
- Intuitive browser-based editor
- Over 200 eye-catching templates
- Drag-and-drop timeline interface
- Stock media libraries with over 850,000 video clips, images and songs
- Animations, illustrations, icons and fonts to spice up videos
- Export in up to 4K quality or vertical
- Built-in sharing to social platforms
Pros
- Super easy for beginners to start editing quickly
- No software downloads required
- Media libraries provide tons of creative assets
- Clearexported video quality up to 4K
Cons
- Can‘t fully customize templates
- Limited fine-tuned editing capabilities
- Requires Vimeo paid account for full access
With its web app convenience, huge template variety and deep media pool, Vimeo Create removes all friction for creating great-looking videos. But advanced customization options remain limited.
Overall it‘s a fantastic option for Vimeo users wanting to quickly adapt professional templates for their own stylish video content.
#9 Windows Video Editor
Now for those with Windows 10 or 11, your operating system actually comes bundled with a surprisingly decent free editing option – the Microsoft Photos app.
Overview
- Simple drag-and-drop interface
- Multi-track timeline for layering clips
- Tools to trim, split, arrange clips
- Filters, text overlays, stabilization
- Background audio, 3D effects, animated text
- Export video or share via OneDrive
Pros
- Free bundled with Windows
- Very easy to learn
- Handles essential video editing tasks
- Hardware accelerated performance
Cons
- Fairly basic set of editing tools
- Can‘t expand functionality with plugins
- Exports limited to a few formats
For basic cutting, splicing and modifying clips, the Windows editor gets the job done. Extra touches like filters and animated text enable you to polish things up. Just don‘t expect advanced controls.
Overall this is a wonderful free option for beginners thanks to the simple interface. And it conveniently lets Windows users skip hunting down separate software.
#8 Shotcut
If you want free video editing software with professional-grade tools, check out Shotcut. It can take on Hollywood-style projects packed with effects and edits.
Overview
- Open-source with cross-platform support
- Intuitive multi-track timeline
- Hundreds of audio and video filters
- Support for 4K, 8K, HD, VR 360° video
- Advanced Color grading and correction tools
- Hardware encoding/decoding acceleration
- Extensive audio editing features
- Direct export to YouTube, Vimeo etc.
Pros
- Professional multi-track editing interface
- Deep set of effects and color manipulation tools
- Broad support for high-end video formats
- Project history for easy reversal of mistakes
Cons
- Steep learning curve for newcomers
- Exporting limited to a few formats
- Can‘t customize interface much
With capabilities that can support an entire film pipeline, Shotcut provides everything pros need. Of course that power comes with added interface complexity beginners may find tough.
But for editors seeking expert-quality results without paying a cent, Shotcut should absolutely be on your radar.
#7 OpenShot
OpenShot delivers powerful, open-source editing tools for Linux, Mac and Windows users. It can handle just about any video project you throw at it.
Overview
- Intuitive multi-track timeline
- Hundreds of transitions presets
- Drag-and-drop support for video, audio and images
- Animated titles, effects, filters
- Video compositing and rotation support
- Real-time previews when editing
- Support for chroma-key filtering, masks, alpha channels etc.
Pros
- Clean, well-organized interface
- Surprising depth of compositing tools
- Background rendering boosts efficiency
- Opensource with frequent updates
Cons
- Steep learning curve
- Can‘t customize interface
- Limited tutorials for newcomers
While OpenShot provides tools on par with paid software, new users face a considerable learning curve. But the open-source community and frequent updates ensure it stays at the top of its game.
For those willing to climb that curve, OpenShot delivers incredibly professional editing without spending a cent.
#6 VSDC Free Video Editor
Boasting lightning-fast performance and 4K support, VSDC Free Video Editor brings advanced editing down to an easy-to-learn package.
Overview
- Streamlined timeline editing
- Hundreds of filters, transitions, stickers
- Tools for slicing, splitting, trimming clips
- Color correction with Instagram preset styles
- 4K, HD and vertical proect support
- Hardware acceleration provides solid performance
- Exports to common formats like MP4, AVI and DVD
Pros
- Intuitive non-linear editor
- Impressive rendering speeds
- Straightforward tools anyone can learn
- Stabilization tools for action camera footage
Cons
- Can‘t install plugins to expand functionality
- Multi-cam editing missing
- Limited support resources
VSDC proves that capable, GPU-accelerated video editing doesn‘t need to be complicated. Novices and experts alike have all the tools to bring their footage to life.
Overall VSDC offers newcomers an easy path towards creating professional-quality content totally free.
#5 DaVinci Resolve
Used on Hollywood films like Spiderman and Wonder Woman, DaVinci Resolve delivers astonishing editing muscle completely free of charge.
Overview
- All-in-one video editor, effects suite, color corrector and audio tool
- Used widely across TV and film
- Hundreds of templates, effects, titles
- Advanced 8K editing support
- Facial recognition and tracking
- Collaborative workflow features
- Compatible with macOS, Windows and Linux
Pros
- Professional caliber editing tools
- Unlimited tracks on timeline
- Hollywood trusted color correction
- Game-changing value for money
- Feature upgrades every few months
Cons
- Very steep learning curve
- Needs powerful computer
- Can feel overwhelming
With unmatched capabilities that rival tools like Adobe Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve redefines what free software can offer. Of course you pay for it with a complex interface.
But for creatives ready to master it, exceptional editing muscle and polish await completely gratis!
#4 VideoPad
Boasting support for both novices and experts, VideoPad makes professional editing remarkably accessible.
Overview
- Intuitive drag-and-drop timeline
- Animation tools and pre-made backgrounds
- Hundreds of overlays, effects, transitions
- Multi-track audio mixing
- Tools for color correction, chroma key etc.
- Direct sharing to YouTube or Facebook
- Support for 4K, HD and 3D video
- Available across Windows, Mac, Android and iOS
Pros
- Clear, easy-to-navigate interface
- Impressive depth of advanced tools
- Tutorials provided for complex techniques
- Actively updated and maintained
Cons
- Slow rendering with complex projects
- Can‘t customize keyboard shortcuts
- Few ways to speed up editing workflow
VideoPad proves free editing software can serve both amateurs and professionals. Entry-level users appreciate the friendly interface while experts capitalize on its compositing tools.
Ultimately VideoPad is a fantastic option if you want capable software that grows with your skills over time.
#3 iMovie
For Apple users, iMovie provides free consumer-focused editing tightly integrated with your other apps and devices.
Overview
- Intuitive multi-track timeline interface
- Hundreds of background music options
- Filters, text overlays, color correction etc.
- Animated maps/titles and green screen effects
- Support for 4K footage at 60 fps
- Share directly to YouTube, Facebook, Vimeo and more
- iOS and iPadOS mobile app versions
- Tight integration with Apple ecosystem
Pros
- Easy drag-and-drop video/audio editing
- Handy pre-made trailers and video styles
- Impressive output quality from free software
- Visual polish perfect for online videos
Cons
- Only available on Mac/iOS
- Fairly basic set of editing tools
- Can‘t expand capabilities with plugins
Thanks to Apple‘s trademark simplicity and ecosystem tie-ins, iMovie empowers Mac users to create great-looking videos with ease. Just don‘t expect intricate control or customization.
Overall iMovie is a wonderful stepping stone if you want to get started editing videos on your Apple devices without spending a dime.
#2 Lightworks
Hollywood giants like Pulp Fiction and Batman have relied on Lightworks‘ professional-grade editing. And now it‘s available completely free to the public.
Overview
- Used to cut Hollywood blockbusters
- Fast precise timeline editing
- Hundreds of royalty-free videos/audio
- Tools for multicam editing
- Real-time effects and transitions
- Background import/export
- Compatible across Windows/Mac/Linux
Pros
- Professional multi-track editing tools
- Robust trimming, slicin and manipulation
- Actively developed with frequent updates
- Stunning capabilities rivaling paid software
Cons
- Steep learning curve for new users
- Can‘t install plugins
- Only exports to MP4 and MOV by default
Bringing 25 years of professional refinement, Lightworks redefines what‘s possible with free video editing tools. Of course that power comes with complexity barriers for editing newcomers.
But for intermediate to advanced editors, Lightworks is incomparable value packed with everything technical users need for zero cost.
#1 HitFilm Express
My top recommendation balances speed, polish and sheer capability – say hello to HitFilm Express!
Overview
- 896 effects, presets, transitions
- Intuitive layered editing
- 360° video and VR tools
- Tracking and masking capabilities
- Video/audio editors
- Compositing and color grading
- Built-in instructional videos
- Available for Windows and Mac
Key Benefits
- Lightning fast performance
- Easy to achieve professional effects
- Packed with Hollywood-level features
- Frequent updates with new features
Potential Downsides
- Can feel overwhelming for new users
- Steep learning curve
- Primer/training recommended
Boasting jaw-dropping tools that rival software suites costing hundreds of dollars, HitFilm Express redefines free editing. Of course that power comes with complexity. This is no casual smartphone editor.
But content creators ready and willing can achieve effects previously only possible in studios – all without spending a penny!
I hope you‘ve found these recommendations useful! Below I‘ve summed up the best free editing options for common experience levels. Have fun bringing your creative visions to life!
Final Recommendations
Beginners
I suggest new video editors start with user-friendly tools like:
- VSDC
- Windows Video Editor
- iMovie (Mac)
- VideoPad
They provide all the utilities like trimming clips, adding music/text without initial complexity.
Intermediate Editors
Level up your skills with options like:
- OpenShot
- Shotcut
- DaVinci Resolve
Their timelines, effects and scope help transition towards advanced techniques.
Experts & Professionals
Serious hobbyists or pros should use:
- Lightworks
- HitFilm Express
They offer superb capabilities on par with expensive commercial suites.
I‘m confident with the knowledge in this guide you can find fantastic free video editing software matching your skill level and platform. Never settle for lackluster tools simply because you want to avoid costs. The options above represent amazing value that will empower whatever compelling videos your creativity envisions!
Let me know if you have any other questions. I‘m always happy to offer editing software advice and recommendations!
