Best Free Video Editing Software

If you have ever opened a video editor for the time you probably remember how you felt. You click a things move something around and then you just sit there. It is a lot to take in.

There are buttons everywhere. You have timelines, layers, effects and reminders that you can upgrade to premium.

Here is the thing. You do not actually need to pay anything to get started with video editing. There are some good free video editing tools out there. Some of these free video editing tools are super simple to use. Others take a bit of getting used to. Either way these free video editing tools work.

Let us go through a few of these free video editing tools without making it too complicated.

1. DaVinci Resolve. It is powerful. It takes a bit of patience

You will see DaVinci Resolve recommended a lot.. Yeah there is a reason for that.

DaVinci Resolve is basically a professional level video editor. People use DaVinci Resolve for films, not YouTube videos. The free version of DaVinci Resolve is packed with features. You can edit videos, color grade videos, mix audio add effects to videos, all in one place with DaVinci Resolve.

I will not pretend it is easy at first. When you open DaVinci Resolve it can feel like you have stepped into something way serious than expected. DaVinci Resolve is not beginner friendly in the sense.

Still if you give DaVinci Resolve some time it can do anything you need with video editing.

2. CapCut. It is simple, quick and honestly pretty smooth

Now CapCut feels completely different from DaVinci Resolve.

CapCut is one of those video editing tools where you do not feel stuck. You open CapCut drop your video clips in trim a few parts. You are already making progress with your video editing.

It is especially popular for short form content like TikTok, Instagram and reels. CapCut also comes with built in captions, effects and templates which saves a lot of effort with your video editing. You do not have to figure everything out from scratch with CapCut.

If you just want to edit videos without overthinking things CapCut is an option for video editing.

3. Clipchamp. It is basic. It is useful

A lot of people already have Clipchamp and do not even realize it.

Clipchamp comes with Windows 11. It runs in your browser. Keeps things pretty simple with video editing.

You are not getting video editing tools with Clipchamp but that is kind of the point. Clipchamp is good for trimming video clips adding text to videos maybe putting together a video.

It is one of those video editing tools you use when you just want to get something done without digging into settings with video editing.

4. Shotcut and OpenShot. They are not flashy. They work

These two video editing tools do not get a lot of attention but they are worth mentioning.

Shotcut and OpenShot are both source and completely free. There are no watermarks, no costs with Shotcut and OpenShot.

They can handle basic video editing tasks without much trouble. The only thing is, they do not look very modern. The interface of Shotcut and OpenShot feels a bit outdated. Not terrible, just not as clean as some video editing tools.

Still Shotcut and OpenShot get the job done with video editing.

5. Kdenlive. It gives you a bit control and it is still manageable

Kdenlive sits somewhere in the middle of video editing tools.

It is more powerful than video editors but not as overwhelming as something like DaVinci Resolve.

You get track video editing, more control over your timeline and room to grow if you stick with Kdenlive.

It might take a time to get comfortable with Kdenlive but it is not frustrating to learn.

6. IMovie. It is clean and easy to use if you are on Mac

If you are using a Mac you probably already have iMovie.

It is simple, clean and just works. You do not spend time figuring things out with iMovie. You just edit videos. You can cut video clips add music to videos throw in some transitions and export your video without effort with iMovie.

It is not built for video editing but for everyday use iMovie is honestly more than enough.

So which video editing tool should you use?

This is where people tend to overthink things with video editing.

There is not one option for everyone. It really depends on what you need and how comfortable you feel using the video editing tool.

• If you want something for video editing try DaVinci Resolve.
• If you want something for video editing go with CapCut.
• If you just need video editing Clipchamp is fine.
• If you like open source video editing tools try Shotcut, OpenShot or Kdenlive.
• If you are on Mac, iMovie is the choice for video editing.

Sometimes the best way is just to pick one video editing tool and try it.

A small personal thought about video editing

A lot of beginners spend much time choosing video editing software. Honestly the video editing tool does not matter as much as you think in the beginning of your video editing journey.

I have seen people create nice videos using simple video editing apps.. I have seen others download advanced video editing software and never actually use it for video editing.

So yeah do not get stuck there with video editing.