Best Video Editing Software Free

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  1. Best Video Editing Software Free Without Watermark
  2. Editing Software For Videos
  3. Best Video Editing Software Free Easy
  4. Best Video Editing Software Free Android
  5. Best Video Editing Software Free For Youtube

The Best Free Video Editing Software for YouTube It’s great to have a full set of tools in your arsenal, regardless of your experience editing video. HitFilm Express provides you with a boatload of features and is ideal for folks that want to add some pizazz to their YouTube videos for free.

Sep 20,2019• Proven solutions

Video is changing our way of communication and expression, more and more people are tending to record vlogs and share it with friends and family members, share their knowledge and experience on YouTube, or use the video to boost business online.

With more and more high quality video editing software available, if you are new to the video editing world, you may wonder which one is the best choice for beginners? Is there any free video editing software for Windows PC users?

I’ve updated the best free video editing software for Windows list based on my recent research, I’ll share my overview of each video editor in the content below, so you can pick up the best free video editing software based on your needs. If you’re looking for best free and paid video editors for Mac, Linux, mobile phone, or online, check our overview of the best 36 video editors for all platforms.

Tips: Most of the free video editors are feature limited, they are easy to use and can meet almost all of your basic video demands like cutting, trimming, cropping, or rotating. I have also found some professional video editing software which provide a light free version, so you can achieve some cool effects with those FREE yet Powerful video editor on Windows. However, these powerful video editing software may have high system and computer performance requirement. Some of these editing software also need a steep learning curve. For those who want to create high quality videos in a quicker way, you can use some paid video editors such as Filmora9. Check the video below to find out how Filmora9 can help you in editing videos.

Part 1: Top 10 Best Free Desktop Video Editing Software for Windows

In this part, I’ve listed some best free video editing software for Windows on desktop, which means you will need to download the program first. Typically, these free desktop programs have more editing tools and functionalities compared with the online video editor or mobile editing apps, which can satisfy the needs for creating Hollywood style master piece or just family videos.

Note: The video editing software listed below is ranked in no particular order.

1. Free Windows in-built Movie Maker - Windows Movie Maker & Windows Photos APP

Windows Movie Maker was once the world's most popular free video editing tool for Windows and users can make home movies by simple drag-and-drop. It contains features such as video effects, video transitions, adding titles/credits, audio track, timeline narration, and Auto Movie.

After you finish video editing, you can share video directly to social media platform including Facebook, YouTube and Twitter. If you don't know your computer's system requirement, you can try this one.

Windows Movie Maker is built for Windows 7 and can also be used on Windows8, but since Microsoft will stop the support for Window 7 on January, 2020, you may have the same question as many other Windows Users: Does Windows10 have a free video editor as well? If you are looking for some free video editing software for Windows 10, the good news is that you can try Microsoft Windows 10 Photos app.

This lightweight free video editing software can turn your images to videos automatically under the Automatic Video mode, which will save your time if you don’t want to do any editing. You can also use the Custom Video mode to trim, resize the video, change audio volume, add filters, text, motion and 3D effects. However, it hasn’t a timeline e and some advanced features such as split tool, green screen, video stabilization effects are missing.

In case that you don't want to upgrade to Windows 10, you can still find installation packages of Windows Movie Maker on some third-party authoritative download sites. (Windows Movie Maker has been discontinued by Microsoft, remember to download it on your trust download sites. ) However, you must know it won't upgrade anymore, so you are not able to enjoy some innovative and high video editing technology.

The built in Movie Maker and Photos App in Windows include some features listed below:

  • Input formats: ASF, AVI, DVR-MS, M1V, MP2, MP2V, MPE, MPEG, MPG, MPV2, WM, WMV
  • Output formats: Windows Media Video (WMV) or DV AVI
  • Advantages: Free, meets your basic editing demands
  • Limitations: Windows Movie Maker Service discontinued; No support for modern file formats; Windows Photos App Lacks color correction tools, visual effects or any other advanced video editing options.

2.Avidemux

Avidemux is a free video editor designed for simple cutting, filtering and encoding tasks. You can use it on Windows 10/7/8. It supports various file types, including AVI, DVD compatible MPEG files, MP4 and ASF, using a variety of codecs.

As its interface is so clear, it lacks timeline, so you can't add filters and transitions. The whole design of Avidemux is that many functions are for practical use, not stylish purpose. If your needs is very basic, this free video editing software is a choice. For advanced video editing, it can't let you have more controls. The good thing is you can use it smoothly and learn it quicly if you are a new users in video editing industry.

Avidemux includes some features below:

  • Imput formats: AVI, MPEG, MOV, MP4, etc
  • Output formats: AVI, MPEG, DIVX, XVID, MP4, etc
  • Advantages: Avidemux also has solid encoding options and its interface is user-friendly.
  • Limitations: There are no video effects or transitions.

3.OpenShot

Another open-source video editor which offers basic video editing features like trimming and slicing. It also provide lots of transitions and audio effects to help you make simple videos.

This free video editor can offer you unlimited video tracks in timeline. You can add many videos and audio clips. It also includes tile templates and video effects, so if you want to have more touches on your video, this free video program can also help you.

For audio editing, you can use waveforms to visualize your audio. It includes more than 70 languages. This free video editor is updated regularly, so you can always use the lasted video editing technology. However, you need to fix bugs or problems on your own as it is an open source editor, and the video effects are also limited.

  • Imput formats: QuickTime, AVI, WMV, MPEG, etc
  • Output formats: mpeg, avi, mp4, mov, etc
  • Advantages: Free as well as powerful.
  • Limitations: Need to install add-ons if the OS you are using doesn't meet the software's system requirements.

Best Video Editing Software Free Without Watermark

4.VSDC Video Editor

It has tones of features and you can start for free. There is wide range of filters, overlays, transition effects and color correction abilities. This platform is designed to serve users with smooth editing experience so that even beginners can enjoy creative media projects. Thanks to its wide format support that helps to handle all popular media files with ease.

You can also use the build-in video converter tools to freely convert video/audio format to another format. It is a non-linear tool, which means you can place video clips in the timeline freely. You can also export your video to IG, FB and YouTube, which is powerful as a free video editor. You can also edit 4K and HD videos. For this point, not every free video editor can do.

  • Imput formats: AVI, QuickTime (MP4/M4V, 3GP/2G2, MOV, QT), HDVideo/AVCHD (MTS, M2TS, TS, MOD, TOD), WindowsMedia (WMV, ASF, DVR-MS), DVD/VOB, VCD/SVCD, etc
  • Output formats: AVI, DVD, VCD/SVCD, MPEG, MP4, M4V, MOV, 3GP/3G2, WMV, MKV, RM/RMVB, FLV, SWF, AMV, MTV
  • Advantages: Intuitive interface, friendly to beginners.
  • Limitations: Technical support is not free.

5.VideoPad Video Editor

VideoPad is a cross-platform software for beginners. Although the free version limits the video exporting options to just two file formats. The VideoPad's interface doesn't take much time to get used to, and it perfectly adjusted to the needs of inexperienced video editors.

This is an intuitive, feature rich and easy to use video editing platform. Beginners can enjoy easy editing with its drag and drop type timeline and the loads of transitions, effects and speed adjustment features make customization easier.

If you like to use transitions and have various video clips, VideoPad includes more than 50 transition effects. After applying transitions, you can also adjust video speed to make slow motion or fast speed video effect. For audio, you can also record narations to make your video more detailed, which is a bonus for game lovers. However, this free video editor can't be used to make slideshow, so just pass it if you really care this function.

Features of this free video editor you should know:

  • Input formats: avi, wmv, mpv, divx and many more
  • Output formats: WMV, AVI
  • Advantages: Intuitive interface
  • Limitations: Certain features become unavailable when using the free version of the software over a longer period of time.

6.Kdenlive - Free and Open-source Video Editing Software

Kdenlive is an open-source video editing software which is compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux. This video editing software combines the simplicity of entry-level video editors with advanced video editing tools frequently used by experienced professionals.

Youtube

As a free video editor, it is popular at first on Linux, but now you can also use it on Windows. It includes multi-track timeline to use, so you can import various video and audio clips onto timeline. For some special situation, say crash, Kdenlive can back up your file automatically, so no worries about file missing. From online forum and community, you can ask them questions if you have any questions, but sometimes you won't get answered as there is no support team.

  • Imput formats: QuickTime, AVI, WMV, MPEG, etc
  • Output formats: mpeg, avi, mp4, mov, etc
  • Advantages: Allows you to extend your capability with free add-ons.
  • Limitations: No technical support.

7.Blender - Free & Open-source & Professional Animated Film Toolset

Blender is the free open source 3D content creation which supports all major operating systems under the GNU General Public License. Blender has many advanced features, such as modifier-based modeling tools, powerful character animation tools, a node-based material, etc. and is one of the best video editors for both Windows and Mac.

As a beginner users, it is difficult to use as it is designe for pros. It is totally free to use and distribute. The interface is customizable and flexible color settings. On the other hand, if you a semi-pros or want to improve your video edting to a higher level, this free video editor is best for you. The thing is you need to spend many time and energy to learn it. You can have a try to see if you like it or not.

  • Input formats: latest audio and video formats
  • Output formats: .MOV, .MPEG4, .MP4, .AVI, .WMV, .MPEGPS, .FLV, 3GPP, WebM.
  • Advantages: A lot of advanced features, perfect for advanced users
  • Limitations: Learning curve is steeper for beginners; Very limited learning resources.

Learn more about Blender >>

8.DaVinci Resolve - Free Professional Video Editing & Color Correction software

If you had access to the video editing pro level, then you must try DaVinci Resolve 14. Except for multi-camera editing, 3D editing, motion blur effects, and spatial noise reduction which are only available on the paid version DaVinci Resolve Studio, you can almost do any professional video/audio editing and color correction with DaVinci Resolve 14.

  • Supported formats: ARI, MTS, MXF, AVI, CIN, DNG, DPX, CDX, MP4, MXF, EXR, MOV
  • Advantages: Stunning image quality. Color correction and audio editing are also excellent in Davinci Resolve.
  • Limitations: Learning curve is steeper for beginners.

9.HitFilm Express - Popular Free Video Editor & Compositor

HitFilm Express is a good alternative to Adobe After Effects, it offers users with many visual effect compositing options, and it lets you use semi-professional video editing tools for free. But beginners may find the software's interface difficult to navigate.

  • Imput formats: AVCHD, AVI, DV, MP4, MPEG, MOV, MMV
  • Output formats: AVI, MP4
  • Advantages: Offers a wide spectrum of transitions and video effects.
  • Limitations: Feature limited while exporting video files, not friendly to beginners.

10.Lightworks - Powerful Free Video Editor for Professionals

Lightworks is a great free video editor featured with many video effects. It can edit up to 256 video, audio, and still image clips. But the user interface is very technical so many people find it hard to use. The pro version costs $25 a month.

Lately, it comes a new version 14.5. For more than 25 years, many movie makers use it as a professional tools to edit videos. You can use it to edit YouTube video and 4K films. Speaking of 4K, you can use proxy for smooth 4K video editing experience. If you want to edit 4K videos, this one is best for you.

  • Imput formats: latest audio and video formats
  • Output formats: mp4, MXF, Quicktime, AVI, mts, mpg, m2t
  • Advantages: Well designed interface, many advanced features.
  • Limitations: Not for beginners.

To help you find out the best free video editing software based on your needs and video editing experience, we’ve summarized the key features about each free video editor mentioned above.

Level Products Input formats Output formats Pros Cons
For beginners In built Windows Movie Maker / Windows 10 Photos App ASF, AVI, DVR-MS, M1V, MP2, MP2V, MPE, MPEG, MPG, MPV2, WM, WMV Windows Media Video (WMV) or DV AVI Free, meets your basic editing demands WMM Service discontinued; No support for modern file formats; some basic editing tools are missing in Photos app
VideoPad Video Editor avi, wmv, mpv, divx and many more WMV, AVI Intuitive interface Certain features become unavailable when using the free version of the software over a longer period of time.
Avidemux AVI, MPEG, MOV, MP4, etc AVI, MPEG, DIVX, XVID, MP4, etc Has solid encoding options and its interface is user-friendly. There are no video effects or transitions.
OpenShot QuickTime, AVI, WMV, MPEG, etc mpeg, avi, mp4, mov, etc Free as well as powerful Need to install add-ons if the OS you are using doesn't meet the software's system requirements.
VSDC Video Editor AVI, QuickTime (MP4/M4V, 3GP/2G2, MOV, QT), HDVideo/AVCHD (MTS, M2TS, TS, MOD, TOD), WindowsMedia (WMV, ASF, DVR-MS), DVD/VOB, VCD/SVCD, etc AVI, DVD, VCD/SVCD, MPEG, MP4, M4V, MOV, 3GP/3G2, WMV, MKV, RM/RMVB, FLV, SWF, AMV, MTV Intuitive interface, friendly to beginners. Technical support is not free.
For amateurs and pros Kdenlive QuickTime, AVI, WMV, MPEG, etc mpeg, avi, mp4, mov, etc Allows you to extend your capability with free add-ons. No technical support.
Blender latest audio and video formats .MOV, .MPEG4, .MP4, .AVI, .WMV, .MPEGPS, .FLV, 3GPP, WebM. A lot of advanced features, perfect for advanced users Learning curve is steeper for beginners; Very limited learning resources.
DaVinci Resolve ARI, MTS, MXF, AVI, CIN, DNG, DPX, CDX, MP4, MXF, EXR, MOV ARI, MTS, MXF, AVI, CIN, DNG, DPX, CDX, MP4, MXF, EXR, MOV Stunning image quality. Color correction and audio editing are also excellent in Davinci Resolve. Learning curve is steeper for beginners.
HitFilm Express AVCHD, AVI, DV, MP4, MPEG, MOV, MMV AVI, MP4 Offers a wide spectrum of transitions and video effects Feature limited while exporting video files, not friendly to beginners.
Lightworks latest audio and video formats mp4, MXF, Quicktime, AVI, mts, mpg, m2t Has a free version Not for beginners

Part 2: 2 Best Free Online Video Editing Software for Windows [No Watermark]

If you’re looking for free video editing software for Windows and don’t want to download and install any program, you can check my picks about the free online video editor, which listed 10 free video editing tools, some of them are free to use, but you need to pay or invite friends to remove the watermark. Here, I’ll just share some free online video makers with no watermarks.

1. ClipChamp

This easy-to-use free online video editor features some basic video editing tools such as trimming & cutting, rotating and flipping, cropping, and splitting and combining. Besides that, ClipChamp also provides customizable video templates and offers the entrance to stock video and audio libraries such as Videoblocks and Audioblocks.

You can create a ClipChamp video editor in 3 Steps, create a new project and drag-n-drop your own audio, image, and videos to the editor to it, and then add text, titles, filters, and transitions or background overlays to the time to make a professional-looking video; at last export and save the video.

Note: you need to create an account first to launch this online service. And in the free trial version, your export video is limited to 480P.

2. Kapwing

Editing Software For Videos

Currently, if you’ve signed in before creating videos on Kapwing, there will be no watermark at the exported video. Kapwing provides lots of video editing tools such as video trimmer, video resizer, video maker as well as a complete Studio will is more complicated and powerful than its other tools. Besides the most commonly used editing tools, Kapwing allows you to set up the output video aspect ratio to 1:1, 9:16, 16:9, 4:5, or 5:4, which covers most of the popular video size.

There aren’t much templates or transitions and filters compared to ClipChamp, but basically, you can edit and create a video online with this free tool without many efforts.

Part 3: Best Video Editing Software for Beginners (Filmora9 Video Tutorial):

You might find that the free video editing software above are either too simple to meet your demends like audio editing and color correction, or too difficult to understand the workflow, then you should look at Wondershare Filmora9, which has significant improvement in overall performance, making the product faster, more powerful, and taking the user editing experience to a new level. It is perfect for helping beginners and intermediate users create stylish videos by providing an intuitive user interface and built-in effects. You can download it for free and have a try.

You can find more video tutorials about how to use Filmora9 on the official YouTube channel , or on its 101 Series Page.

  • A wide support for different formats, including MP4, AVI, MOV, AVCHD, MKV and more.
  • Enables you to crop, trim, cut, split and combine in a few clicks.
  • Various top-tier video effects including motion elements, animated titles, royalty-free music, and transitions.
  • Make your footage look like Hollywood film with color tuning tool
  • Perfect your sound with audio keyframing, background noise removal, and an audio equalizer.
  • Make exciting GoPro/action cam videos with precise speed controls, video stabilization, and fish-eye lens correction.
  • Real-time rendering will keep your editing experience smooth, even if you’re working with 4K footage.
  • Burn to DVD or upload to YouTube, or transfer to any popular portable devices.

How to Edit Videos with Wondershare Filmora9 [3 Steps]


Import Media Files

Import media files from your computer or cameras and smart phones, and directly drag-n-drop to the program.


Edit Your Video

Easily crop, rotate, split or cut videos on the timeline. Then add effects and filters to enrich your video.


Save & Enjoy

Save your video to different formats, or upload to YouTube, Vimeo, burn to DVD and more.

Part 4: Choosing the Right Video Editor for Windows

As we mentioned before, there are so many video editing software [free & paid] available on the market, but how to choose the right video editing software especially when you are a newbie and want a free video editing software before you dig deeper?

  • Interface: For a newbie, a user-friendly interface can help you save a lot of time from learning and getting familiar with the program. Some users like to use modern and intuitive free video editor, while others just like to use old style editors.

  • Formats: Make sure the software you choose enables you to export common used formats like MP4, MOV, AVI, MKV, etc, so that you can easily share your work on YouTube or other social media platform. Friendly reminder: generally speaking, MP4 is the most used format, so it is wiser to find a free video editor that supports MP4 at least.

Best Video Editing Software Free Easy

Check this video to see more best video editing software for Windows 10 on the market!

This is the article about free video editing software for Windows, please check some free video editing for mac here. We do love to hear from you in the comment below if there are some other awesome free video editing software for Windows which are worth mention.

Best Video Editing Software Free Android

Easy-to-use and powerful video editor for all creators.

Bring up your video to a professional level with straightforward tools.

Best Video Editing Software Free For Youtube

  • Choosing Video Editing Software
  • Video Editing Tips