If you love making videos, whether you’re a new filmmaker, a YouTuber, or just enjoy editing, you need good video editing software. The great news is that you don’t need to spend a lot of money to get high-quality tools. There are many free movie editing programs that can help you make amazing videos, no matter if you’re just starting out or if you’re already experienced.
In this blog, we’ll explore six of the best free movie editing software, breaking down their features and what makes them great. Plus, you’ll get images of the software to visualize what each one looks like.
These tools are perfect for creating YouTube videos, whether you’re a beginner or looking for advanced editing options. We have also listed the free YouTube video editing software and best video editing applications at the end for your convenience.
DaVinci Resolve
DaVinci Resolve is a high-end video editor that offers an impressive range of professional tools. It’s widely known for its powerful color grading capabilities and has been used in Hollywood films. Despite being free, it doesn’t cut back on features, and with some time and effort, beginners can learn to navigate its advanced tools.
- Best for: Professional editors and filmmakers.
- Key Features: Color correction, multi-camera editing, motion graphics, and 8K editing.
- Pros: Sleek interface, powerful features, no watermarks.
- Cons: Requires a strong computer to run smoothly.
- Download: DaVinci Resolve.
Shotcut
Shotcut is an open-source, cross-platform video editor that’s great for both beginners and intermediate users. Its interface might seem a little less polished, but it makes up for it with powerful editing tools. It supports 4K video, a wide range of formats, and even provides keyframe animations and video filters.
- Best for: Beginners to intermediate users.
- Key Features: Wide format support, video filters, 4K resolution, keyframe animations.
- Pros: Free, frequent updates, customizable interface.
- Cons: The learning curve can be tricky for beginners.
- Download: Shotcut.
HitFilm Express
If you love to create videos with special effects (VFX), HitFilm Express is your go-to software. It’s perfect for YouTubers and filmmakers who want to integrate visual effects into their projects without paying for premium software. HitFilm Express offers 2D and 3D compositing, over 400 presets, and various tutorials to help you learn.
- Best for: VFX artists, YouTubers.
- Key Features: Advanced visual effects, motion tracking, green screen tools.
- Pros: Free VFX tools, lots of tutorials, powerful editing features.
- Cons: Some features require payment for premium add-ons.
- Download: HitFilm Express.
Lightworks
Lightworks has been used in several Hollywood blockbusters, and the free version comes packed with enough tools to meet most editing needs. It has a streamlined interface, professional editing features, and support for multiple formats. The only downside is that exports in the free version are capped at 720p resolution.
- Best for: Users seeking a professional-grade editor with a simple interface.
- Key Features: Fast editing, real-time effects, advanced timeline.
- Pros: Professional features, smooth editing experience, high-quality output.
- Cons: Export limited to 720p in the free version.
- Download: Lightworks.
Openshot
Openshot is a user-friendly video editor that’s ideal for beginners. Its drag-and-drop interface is easy to learn, and it offers features like unlimited layers, video transitions, and 3D animations. While it’s not as feature-rich as other editors on this list, it gets the job done for basic editing tasks.
- Best for: Beginners looking for a simple, no-frills video editor.
- Key Features: Unlimited layers, support for 3D animations, transitions.
- Pros: Easy to use, free, open-source.
- Cons: Can be slow with larger files, limited advanced tools.
- Download: Openshot.
Blender
Blender is more commonly known for its 3D animation capabilities, but it also offers video editing features. While it has a steeper learning curve than other video editors, its powerful tools make it a great choice for users who want to combine animation and video editing. With Blender, you can perform everything from simple cuts and splices to more complex editing tasks.
- Best for: Users interested in combining 3D animation with video editing.
- Key Features: 3D modeling, animation tools, timeline editing.
- Pros: No watermarks, open-source, very powerful.
- Cons: Steep learning curve, not user-friendly for beginners just looking to edit video.
- Download: Blender.
Conclusion
Each of these free movie editing software options brings something unique to the table. Whether you’re a complete beginner or a seasoned editor, you can find the right tool for your video projects. From the industry-grade color grading of DaVinci Resolve to the simplicity of Shotcut and the VFX features in HitFilm Express, the possibilities are endless!
FAQs
What are the free video editing software options for YouTube?
Here’s a list of free video editing software you can use for YouTube videos:
- DaVinci Resolve
- HitFilm Express
- Shotcut
- OpenShot
- iMovie (Mac Users)
- VSDC Free Video Editor
- Lightworks
What are the best video editing applications?
Here’s a list of some of the best video editing applications available, suitable for various skill levels and purposes:
- Adobe Premiere Pro
- Final Cut Pro (Mac only)
- DaVinci Resolve
- HitFilm Express
- iMovie (Mac only)
- Shotcut
- OpenShot
- VSDC Free Video Editor
- Filmora
- Lightworks
Can you name one good free video editing software for YouTube?
One good free video editing software for YouTube is DaVinci Resolve. It offers a wide range of professional features, including advanced color correction and audio editing, making it suitable for both beginners and experienced editors.
What are some free video editors for Windows?
Here’s a list of free video editing software specifically for Windows:
- DaVinci Resolve
- HitFilm Express
- Shotcut
- OpenShot
- VSDC Free Video Editor
- Filmora (Free Version)
- Lightworks
These applications are great options for Windows users looking for free video editing software!
Which are the best free editing software options without watermarks?
Here’s a list of some of the best free video editing software that does not impose watermarks:
- DaVinci Resolve
- Shotcut
- OpenShot
- VSDC Free Video Editor
- HitFilm Express
What are some free video editing software options for Mac?
Here’s a list of free video editing software specifically for Mac:
- iMovie
- DaVinci Resolve
- Shotcut
- OpenShot
- HitFilm Express
- Lightworks
- Blender