Almost every designer or vlogger will need streamlined and easy-to-use video editing software. With the development of open-source code these days, free software is becoming more and more useful for multi-tasking.
Working as a creative designer for many years, I’ve been exposed to many video editing software. The 10 names below are the best choices I’ve ever used.
1. OpenShot Video Editor
Specifications
- Platform: Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows XP
- Download size: 5 MB.
- Minimum system requirements: Core 2 Duo.
Key Features
The experience that OpenShot Video Editor brings far exceeded my expectations. It’s a free video editing software that supports simple, easy-to-use, high-quality movie creation. To create quality movies, I only needed to drag and drop the video and use the cropping and timing tools.
I also especially love its transitions. This feature is relatively easy to use but makes my videos more professional.
OpenShot Video Editor also provides valuable features, such as adding digital images to videos and sharing videos directly to Facebook and other platforms.
The above equipment is too impressive for free video editing software. However, I think the publisher can improve some of the shortcomings, such as the audio not syncing with the picture in the beginning.
Price: Free
Website Link: https://www.openshot.org/download/
Pros
- Simple and easy to use.
- Add digital images to videos.
- Provide many transition effects
- Support creating high-quality movies.
- Support sharing videos on social networks.
Cons
- Audio is sometimes out of sync with the picture.
2. Freemake.com
Specifications
- Platform: Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows XP.
- Download size: 23.6 MB.
- Minimum requirements: 1GHz processor or above.
Key Features
You may have at least once wanted to convert video files into other formats during video editing. And Freemake.com is the tool I always use to convert video and audio files.
Since learning Tenorshare, I no longer have difficulty converting MP4 files to MOV, FLV, and vice versa. The software also convinced me of its ease to use.
All its functions are arranged scientifically, and it didn’t take me long to get used to the software’s friendly interface.
I’m pretty satisfied with this simple risk-free video format conversion software. My only complaint is that with the free version, the software does not handle very long videos.
Price: Free
Website Link: https://www.freemake.com
Pros
- Easy to use.
- Safe and no risk.
- Friendly interface, scientific.
- Support many conversion formats.
- Support converting both video and audio.
Cons
- Having some problems converting long videos.
3. VideoProc Converter
Specifications
- Platform: Mac and Windows.
- DirectX: 11.
- Minimum system requirements: Intel Core i or Apple M1.
Key Features
VideoProc Converter is an editing tool that meets professional expectations. This software offers editing tools that not many free options can offer.
Some of the impressive features that I immensely love about VideoProc care transitions and motion tracking with 100% accuracy.
In particular, I am pretty impressed with this blue screen editing software. I used to use this to add cinematic effects to my videos.
The VideoProc Converter is professional, powerful, and provides many practical editing tools. But, the two versions on Mac and PC will be different, which can cause difficulty if you work with two devices simultaneously.
Price: Free
Website Link: https://www.videoproc.com
Pros
- Professional blue screen editing.
- Include many impressive transition effects
- Motion tracking with 100% accuracy.
- It offers a wide variety of templates.
Cons
- Hard to use
4. VSDC Free Video Editor
Specifications
- Platform: Windows.
- Download size: 5 MB.
- Minimum system requirements: Core 2 Duo.
Key Features
You don’t have to be an expert to create professional videos. You can record screens or videos from a webcam or video input device.
VSDC is a software that can handle the above tasks well. It helps me take screenshots and videos quite effectively. In particular, it also supports simultaneous screen and webcam recording thanks to the video overlay feature.
Another advantage I appreciate is its diverse video format support. I also have a few options to save the recording from ASF and AVI to WMV.
This software does not come with too many editing features. But in return, it works pretty well. Sometimes I find the video processing software to be a bit slow and choppy. To speed up the processing, I will choose VLC.
Price: Free.
Website Link: http://www.videosoftdev.com/free-video-editor
Pros
- Stable operation.
- Simple, easy to edit.
- Support many video formats
- Multiple options to save recordings.
- Support simultaneous screen and webcam recording
Cons
- Video processing is slow and jerky.
5. Apple iMovie
Specifications
- Platform: Windows.
- Download size: 3MB.
- Minimum system requirements: No.
Key Features
I was new to video editing for the first time, but the Apple iMovie helped me a lot. It’s easy to use and offers several tools that meet my basic needs.
One of the features I love about this software is its ability to convert popular video formats. The conversion process is fast, even with the extensive files.
I also love its cool visual effects, and basic editing features like rotation, adding text, and adjusting its brightness.
With all the above features, Apple iMovie is a simple video editing software that any beginner should be familiar with.
Yet, it’s still not perfect. Sometimes I get a hang when doing the conversion.
Price: Free
Website Link: https://www.apple.com/imovie/
Pros
- Easy to use.
- Support many exciting effects
- Include essential editing tools
- Meet the needs of beginner users.
- Quickly convert many video formats.
Cons
- Sometimes there is a problem with the conversion.
6. Movie Maker – Free Video Editor
Specifications
- Platform: Windows.
- Download size: 3MB.
- Short GIF creation support.
- Minimum system requirements: No.
Key Features
Movie Maker – Video Editor is the software I always recommend for those new to video and image editing. This one supports color balance, adding filters, resizing, and many other features you often use.
The tool also supports saving videos and images in many different formats. I often use Movie Maker – Video Editor to create short GIFs, and the software has never let me down.
Movie Maker – Video Editor will meet the introductory video and beginner’s image editing needs. It appears to be a downside when your work requires more complex editing operations simultaneously. It’s slower to handle and has some pretty annoying little glitches.
Price: Free
Website Link: https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/9MVFQ4LMZ6C9?hl=en-us&gl=US
Pros
- Support color balance
- Easy to use for beginners.
- Provide many simple editing tools
- Short GIF creation support.
- Save videos and images in many formats.
Cons
- Having trouble editing multiple photos at once.
7. Movavi Video Editor
Specifications
- Platform: Windows 10, Windows 7, Windows XP.
- Download size: 1.17 MB.
- Minimum system requirements: Core 2 Duo.
Key Features
Movavi Video Editor is the software I always use whenever I want to enrich my video content. I quickly add visual and sound effects to videos.
The available music editing tools have software that is relatively easy to use and gives entirely professional results.
Movavi also supports noise reduction, click noise reduction, and many other advanced features to help make videos perfect.
Finally, I’m particularly impressed with the effects sequence feature. This feature will apply all the effects at once, saving me a lot of time editing the video.
Movavi also owns many other valuable features. However, most of these features are only available in the paid version. If you want the complete experience, you won’t be too satisfied with this drawback.
Price: Free.
Website Link: https://www.movavi.com/video-editor-plus/
Pros
- Support noise reduction.
- Deliver flawless, professional videos.
- Easily add photo and video effects.
- Enrich the video content.
- The effect sequence feature saves video editing time.
Cons
- Some features are only available in the paid version.
8. DaVinci Resolve 18
Specifications
- Platform: Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows XP.
- Download size: 1.35 GB.
- Minimum system requirements: multiprocessor CPU.
Key Features
The DaVinci Resolve 18 has all the tools you need to create professional-looking movies. It also supports simple and advanced editing modes.
And I especially love the advanced editing mode that the software offers. It helps me create vivid and detailed 4K-quality videos. In addition, I also use the toolkit to create and edit 3D videos.
This professional software focuses on supporting the editing of high-quality 4K files. However, I’m having trouble exporting 1080p at 60fps again.
Price: Free
Website Link: https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/davinciresolve/
Pros
- Two advanced and simple editing modes.
- Support to create 4K quality videos.
- It provides many impressive effects
- Catering to the process of creating and editing 3D videos.
- Meet the needs of professional filmmaking.
Cons
- Having trouble exporting 1080p at 60fps.
9. Video Grabber
Specifications
- Platform: Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7.
- Download size: 925 MB.
- Minimum system requirements: 2 GHz processor.
Key Features
Video Grabber provides powerful tools to create stunning videos. It has many transition effects that make it easy for me to create professional videos. I also had no difficulty adding titles and music to the video with the help of Video Grabber.
The advantage I appreciate most in this tool is the direct support to upload videos to social networks like Youtube and Facebook. Exporting and sharing high-quality videos has never been so easy.
Yet, like every other free software, it still has some downsides. And one of them is the difficulty of handling large files.
Price: Free.
Website link: https://www.videograbber.net
Pros
- Easy to use.
- Many professional tools.
- Many impressive transition effects.
- Support adding titles and music to videos.
- Export and share videos directly to social networks.
Cons
- Having problems handling large files.
10. Express Animate Free Animation
Specifications
- Platform: Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows XP
- Download size: 1.05 MB.
- Minimum system requirements: Celeron 2.1.
Key Features
If you are looking for free software to help you create animations from images and text, Express Animate is an excellent choice to consider.
This software has helped me make quite a few professional animation projects. I quickly got impressive footage with simple operations such as using keyframe motion animation and adding video text.
I also use Express Animate to create animated GIFs or export videos as a flash.
To make more complex digital videos, I had to spend quite a bit of time getting used to the advanced tools. However, it is not a huge drawback, and the results received after using Express Animate are pretty impressive.
Price: Free
Website Link: https://www.nchsoftware.com/animation/index.html
Pros
- Support creating videos from images.
- Export video as an animated GIF.
- It can be available to create complex digital videos.
- Include many helpful video editing tools
- Add audio and text to the video.
Cons
- It’s a bit difficult to get used to the advanced tools.
Buying Guides
There are quite a few free video editing software on the market. Yet, it is not easy to find the most suitable software. Here are some of my experiences that you can apply to get yourself the optimal choice.
Display
Feature-rich software for professional photo editing purposes will often be quite complex. For beginners, getting used to this software is a challenge.
If you do not have too many requirements for video editing tools or are just starting, you should be interested in options with a simple interface that is easy to get used to and use.
Feature
The necessary features of the software will depend on your usage needs.
Easy sharing software is the best choice if you need to share videos directly on social media. To create professional cinematic quality footage, you’ll need the green screen feature and tools that add audio to video.
Ability to export
Some free options only support video storage in low resolution and limited formats. Consider the software’s video export support, especially when you want 4K quality videos with no storage format limitations.
FAQs
Is free video editing software good enough?
Free video editing software will not have enough professional features as you would expect. However, these options are good enough to meet your needs if you are a beginner.
Why care about free software?
Free software saves you a considerable amount of money. In addition, this software is not limited by copyright. Therefore, you can write additional code and modify and adjust the software to best suit your needs.
Should I pay for a premium video editor?
If you are an expert in video design and production, you should pay for specialized editing software. Paid software will provide many valuable tools, bringing more professional videos.
What video editing software features should I look out for?
Some features you need to look out for in editing software are video drag and drop, duration and speed control, color correction, audio mixing, and more.
What programs do professionals use?
Some of the software that professionals love are Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro X, and Avid Media Composer.
Conclusion
I always recommend OpenShot to anyone looking for free video editing software. It’s easy to use, includes all the helpful editing features, and is free.
I’m also satisfied with the VSDC. This software produces professional footage that not all free options can offer.
In addition to the two names above, the remaining suggestions are also worth testing. You will undoubtedly be satisfied with the experience that this powerful software brings.
