If you want to edit your videos or combine images and video or merge video content, you will need a full featured and all-in-one video editing software. There are so many different programs of this type today that you just need to figure out which one works best for you. A video editor should not only support video files but image and audio files as well. Moreover, if you plan to work on your media content periodically, the program’s interface should be user-friendly and intuitive. We checked about two dozen of tools and are ready to provide you with the list of the best video editing software below.
What to look for when choosing free video editing software?
First, let’s look at things you must consider when choosing the best video editing software. You must consider the level of detail and features you require. Do you want advanced video editor, or do you just want to add text overlays and audio? Moreover, what file formats do you want to use? Different editing software supports different file types and codecs. Finally, also consider the video exporting quality – do you require 4K resolution, or will a lower-quality recording be sufficient? Some additional perks like color enhancement, variety of transitions, effects and others should be considered.
| Video Editing Software | License | Price | Complexity | Score |
| Icecream Video Editor | Freemium | Lifetime 29.95$ | Prosumer | 10 |
| Lightworks | Freemium | 29$/month | Professional | 9 |
| Shortcut | Open-source | Free | Prosumer | 9 |
| OpenShot | Open-source | Free | Prosumer | 9 |
| HitFilm Express | Shareware | Lifetime 3495$ | Professional | 8 |
| Blender | Open-source | Free | Professional | 8 |
| DaVinci Resolve | Shareware | Lifetime 295$ | Professional | 8 |
| Avidemux | Freeware | Free | Basic | 8 |
| VSDC Free Video Editor | Freeware | Free | Prosumer | 8 |
| InVideo | Free | Pro 30$/mo | Basic | 7 |
1. Icecream Video Editor – best free and easy in use video editor for Windows
Icecream Video Editor is a great free video editing software that is perfect for both the beginners and advanced users. The program offers all the possibly needed tools to edit videos such a the ability to crop, trim and speed up videos, add text and filters to videos.
It is possible to add both videos and images to the timeline and apply transition effects between the scenes. The audio files are added to a separate second timeline. The video editor offers the features to trim audio files and loop them. Add text to the videos, specify its size, speed of its appearance in the videos and the visual effect. Crop the scenes, change the resolution, aspect ratio, customize bars on the sides of the video for the best results. Keep the original audio of the video scenes or select to apply the new background.
A set of filters can be applied to the videos to make them more unique and vivid. Various transition effects (including the random one) are available in the free video editor for a smooth transition between the scenes. Create cool videos for social media and add animated emojis and stickers to your content.
All the applied changes can be undone and redone whenever needed. Thanks to the user-friendly interface it is very easy to use this free video editing software. Another great thing about Icecream Video Editor is that you can upload the created videos right to your YouTube channel and to Google Drive or Dropbox accounts.
OS: Windows 7, 8, 10
Licensing: Shareware, Lifetime license $29.95
Our Rating: 10 / 10
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2. Lightworks – stable free video editor
Not only is Lightworks a robust free video editing software, but it also deserves praise for aiming to bring a professional-grade editing suite to everyone. Make no mistake, this is a true high-end tool that just happens to be free. Indeed, Lightworks is so powerful it has been used to edit bona fide Hollywood movies, such as the Oscar winning film The King’s Speech. This incredible video software is loaded with features, such as sequencing, filters, video effects, and more. There is a paid pro version of Lightworks that adds robust sharing tools and added features. However, almost any user will get all they need from the free version, including over 100 effects, real-time effects, and multi-camera editing.
We love Lightworks because it is also a light load video editor that will run on most computers and on not that powerful hardware. Of course, nothing is perfect: Lightworks certainly won’t appeal to beginners as there is a learning curve to mastering this video editing software.
OS: Windows Vista, 7, 8, 10, Mac OS X 10.9 – 10.12
Licensing: Freemium, PRO version – $24.95 per month
Our Rating: 9 / 10
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3. Shotcut – old school video editor
Shotcut is one of the oldest video editing software that has been with us for over a decade. The open source program has been developed consistently since launch and continues to evolve as one of the best video editors. Thanks to an array of features that are prosumer level, Shotcut is a fantastic alternative to a paid video editing software.
The program supports an impressive number of media formats to satisfy all the video editing needs. For instance, audio capture is supported along with web camera recording. Thanks to a wide variety of video tutorials available on the official website it’s easy to learn using Shotcut.
During testing, we enjoyed how Shotcut’s strong set of both video and audio filters allowed us to make some quick edits on the fly. Editors wanting a more manual experience are also catered for thanks to powerful features and highly customizable interface of this video editing software. Time-mapping, audio mixing, and real-time previews are just some of the noteworthy tools included in Shotcut. Users who invest time in delving into Shotcut’s various tools are rewarded with a rich video editing experience.
OS: Windows 7, 8, 10, Mac OS X 10.8 – 10.12
Licensing: Open-source
Our Rating: 9/ 10
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4. OpenShot – cross platform video editing software
OpenShot is well known as one of the most robust free video editing software, thanks mostly to its myriad of features that are all free. It is also a versatile program, available on Windows, Mac, and Linux.Just like listed above Shotcut, OpenShot supports a whole bunch of video, audio and image formats. Custom watermarks, time mapping and speed up / slow down features offered by this video editor can definitely be very handy.
It’s hard not to get excited about some of the features on OpenShot because they are so intuitive that video editors will love them. Key Frame animations, a massive number of layers, drag-and-drop image and audio, 3D tiles, over than 400 scenes transitions and loads of effects are all available. It’s a feature set that won us over, and the program also does the simple things well. For example, clipping, scaling, rotating, and scrolling are all easily accessible for beginners and prosumers alike. There are some limitations in this video editor, such as a reduced timeline zoom (8 seconds), while truly professional video editing tools are not the forte of this app.
OS: Windows 7, 8, 10, Mac OS X 10.9 – 10.12
Licensing: Open-source
Our Rating: 9/ 10
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5. HitFilm Express – advanced video editor for pros
HitFilm Express is a video editing software similar to Lightworks in that it hides some premium features behind a pro version, but it still delivers pro-level tools through its freeware program. In fact, the video editor suite feels almost modular in how users can pick and choose their level.
Certainly, just using the free version will be enough to suit most video editors. That’s because HitFilm Express delivers excellent pro features.
Among the most important features there are interface customization, multiple timelines, PiP support, 3D camera projection, trim videos, adding text and titles, working with colors and even more. Audio mixes, a wide variety of transitions and video/audio effects are available at your disposal. We used intricate cutting tools, filters, audio controls, layers, chroma keying for green screen VFX, and more.
For the most part, even demanding video editors will find the free of video editing software good enough. However, the significant downside of HitFilm Express is it takes a heavy toll on PC processing. We advise editors to check the system requirements before downloading. YouTube channel and online forum are great places to check the tutorials for HitFilm Express video editing software.
OS: Windows Vista, 7, 8, 10, Mac OS X 10.10 – 10.12
Licensing: Freemium, PRO version – $299 per year
Our Rating: 8 / 10
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6. Blender – open source video editing software
Blender is primarily a 3D animation and rendering program – it has extensive capabilities for 3D rendering and is one of the most advanced open source programs of its kind. This fantastic software also has a detailed free video editor too. If you want to create simple, but effective multimedia – Blender is a great choice. As it is open source video editing software, it is completely free. Moreover, it has a large community of developers and dedicated users continually working to improve the program.
The built-in editor has a simple interface and is relatively easy to use. Using the video editing program, you can quickly splice and make cuts to existing videos. Furthermore, you can perform advanced tasks like masking and adding audio overlays. In addition to this, it has an advance set of features for transitions, filters, speed control, and other general video editing.
OS: Windows, macOS, Linux
Licensing: Free
Our Rating: 8 / 10
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7. DaVinci Resolve – great feature rich video editing software
DaVinci Resolve is a powerful video editing software available in both free and premium versions. This program is available on Windows, macOS, and Linux systems. It is a comprehensive editing and development tool that is geared towards professional usage. We would not advise beginners or hobbyists to use this video editor unless they intend to forge a career in professional video editing.
That being said, this video editing software does have an intuitive user interface that looks fantastic. DaVinci Resolve has a plethora of features including – video slicing & trimming, color correction, 2D & 3D titles, multicam editing, and audio mastering. It as everything you require to make fully-fledged videos and more. In addition, video editor by Blackmagic Design features dedicated interfaces for different functions like editing, trimming, and audio.
OS: Windows, macOS, Linux
Licensing: Freemium, PRO version cost $295
Our Rating: 8 / 10
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8. Avidemux – video editing software with intuitive GUI
Avidemux is a completely free to use video editor. It can be used on Windows, Mac, and Linux devices. This editor has a simple interface that may look a little dated – don’t let that fool you, it is powerful and has some excellent features for basic editing. Avidemux is compatible with a myriad of main video files including AVI, MPEG, ASF, and MP4 – it also supports a wide choice of codecs.
If you are a beginner and want a gentle introduction into the world of video editing, this program is a great choice. The interface is self-explanatory – you can quickly find and use the different features. In terms of features, Avidemux allows basic video cutting, encoding, filtering, and a variety of overlays. This is by no means an advanced free video editing software, but it does its job well!
OS: Windows, macOS, Linux
Licensing: Free
Our Rating: 8 / 10
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9. VSDC Free Video Editor – full featured video editing software
As the name points out, VSDC is a free video editor that delivers a dizzying array of effects and filters. So much so, many of the pre-installed tools can deliver quick instant edits for users, providing a great base for beginners. That said, VSDC is also a rich manual video editing software. Clipping together footage and positing clips is a joy thanks to the non-linear editing capabilities on which VSDC is built. Dropping and removing elements from the timeline is easy and intuitive, providing the ability to work with multiple clips and piece together scenes.Video editor supports popular media formats and HD / 4K resolutions. The program is featured with built in desktop recorder, webcam recorder and video recorder that works with connected video devices and DVD burner.
It’s certainly an odd interface, but VSDC can be plenty of fun and a nice change from traditional editing suites. It also has some unique features, like picture-in-picture and video stabilization. The video editing software offers direct export to social media services like YouTube, Vimeo, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. Sadly, VSDC Free Video Editor is rather slow video editor and throttles the processing speed on videos that are being edited.
OS: Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 10
Licensing: Freemium, PRO version – $19
Our Rating: 8 / 10
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10. InVideo – online and offline video editor
InVideo is a professional video editing software that is geared towards business usage. You can use this video editor both online and offline. It is a fantastic program created primarily for producing video presentations, as opposed to full multi-media video. The interface is streamlined and has a host of tools that are accessible and easy to identify. On the left-hand side, there is a main toolbar where you can quickly select different editing and file management functions.
If you want to quickly create business presentations, InVideo has a range of fantastic pre-build video templates you can use. Moreover, new templates are regularly added to the library each month. Aside from templates, this video editor has the following features – audio tools, text overlay, speed adjustments, split & merge video, video stabilization, transitions. Whilst it may not be suitable for professional video editing, InVideo is a brilliant business tool.
OS: Web-based, Windows, MacOS
Licensing: Free / Business for $10 p/month
Our Rating: 7 / 10
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The reviewed 10 best free video editing software can be helpful for all sorts of video content. You can find more advanced video editors for PROs and rather easy-to-use programs for basic and quick edits. With these programs, professional editors are able to take their creations to the next level, while beginners will be able to learn how to craft a video through the editing process. Create outstanding content for your YouTube channel, Instagram, TikTok and other social media. Check out our guide on how to convert videos with Google Drive for those cases when you need to convert the videos prior to editing them.
Cool
Does anyone use WonderFox HD Video Converter Factory? I love its video editing features. And it also supports HD video conversion and online video downloading.
Nice post format mate. When I look at these free video editing software at your PROS. You forgot some important factors. For example:
– Lightwork is not hard to use. However, it only let you export video up to 720p.
– Hitfilm is lightweight and not exactly what you said “heavy file”.
Anyway, it’s always nice to get a free tool.
Thanks for your suggestions.
simple et efficace,
seul bémol ont peut pas bouger l’audio comme ont le désir sur la timeline et ont ne peut pas ajouter beaucoup de texte sur la même image dommage
Do you know Joyoshare Media Cutter? It is also one of the best video editing software, providing various editing options and offering the ability to split/merge/convert media files.
Great Blog, I’ve been using IceCream for a while and love it for its simplicity, though I came to this blog to seek alternatives after IceCream brought in a Pro version and slapped a 5 minute limit on the free version.
It felt like a bit of a stitch up, but it is quite easy, I ended up paying the £24 to carry on using it and save the hassle
I use IceCream screen recorder and video editor, very super tools i must say. But i feel some improvements can be done on both apps.
Where is Kdenlive??
OpenShot is slow and buggy us no white balance.
nice content