What are the best free video editing software you can find online?
Want to expand your business's social media presence? Perhaps you're stuck at home and want to open up your creative corners? Either way, if you're looking for an easy and free way to start your video editing ventures, here are some of the best programs available on the web, and they won't cost you a penny!
1. Lightworks
The Best Free Video Editing Programs Available
The majority of seasoned video editors will have some knowledge, if not hands-on experience of using Lightworks. It is a video editing program that has been around for the best part of 25 years, and it features both a free and paid version. The reason we have this on our list is because the free version boasts an impressive array of features, without having an interface that is too daunting for the user.
The free version allows you to export videos without a watermark, and you can make use of their professional colour grading tools. Lightworks is well renowned for being the software that many Hollywood blockbuster movies have adopted to use, including the likes of Pulp Fiction and The Wolf of Wall Street.
The free version has no upper limit on video creation length, and there are multiple layering tools to ensure you can get in all of your snippets and additional clips in - The only downside is Lightworks' free version has a limited output feature. Those who aren't intending to produce content to YouTube or Vimeo will not be able to upload directly to their social pages. In addition - the free version of Lightworks only allows for 720p rendering, which, although is still a fair quality, isn't recommended if you're wanting to produce professional content, where 1080p 60 fps (frames per second) is much better suited.
Overall Score: 9 out of 10 Stars
2. VSDC Video Editor
The Best Free Video Editing Programs Available
If Lightworks seems a little daunting for you in terms of the number of buttons and options available, perhaps try toning down the interface, with VSDC Video Editor.
Expect to be able to use some high quality features, such as colour blending and filters, as well as a free built in desktop screen recording tool. You can export your project to a range of social networking sites such as YouTube, Facebook and Vimeo, in up to 1080p quality. Length of video is not restricted, and there are a range of linear video effect tools, as well as audio enhancement, should you need to clean up your sound files.
Overall, VSDC Video Editor is a better alternative for first time video editors, due to its simple, yet premium-level range of in-built features.
Overall Score: 8 out of 10 Stars
3. Shotcut
The Best Free Video Editing Programs Available
Developed since 2004 by author Charlie Yates, and officially released by Dan Dennedy in 2017, Shotcut is a highly popular mid-market, free video editing tool that is great for both beginners and experienced video editors alike. It features a simple to use, yet high range interface, with features such as 4K output, webcam capture, multi-format timelines and much more.
Colour grading is a big feature too, with there being a 3-way colour wheel grading scheme. You can also speed up or slow down your content, as well as play in reverse, which can provide for cool effects, especially in the output of advertisements and montages.
If you're looking for the best video editing software to quickly built up your video editing skill set, Shotcut is definitely an option to greatly consider, as there's no limit on video output, as well as video length too.
Overall Score: 7.5 out of 10 stars
4. Best For iMac or Macbooks - iMovie
The Best Free Video Editing Programs Available
If you're an iMac or Macbook user, and want to start out with a video editing software that is free, simple and easy to use, you should try out iMovie. You should have it on your device already (Providing your iMac or Macbook is a new enough model). iMovie is perfect for Apple devices as it fits perfectly with the design of the devices, and comes with an array of essential features.
Expect to be able to apply cool video effects and transitions, such as speeding up and slowing down video, colour coding, and up to 4K export output directly to social media sites such as Facebook and YouTube.
You can layer videos, as well as edit audio with the desired effects, and the best part, you don't even have to download anything! Let alone pay for any software.
If you're looking for the easiest video editing software on iMac or Macbook to get you started, we would highly recommend iMovie as a first option.
Overall rating: 8 out of 10 stars
Thank you for reading 'The Best Free Video Editing Programs Available' by IT Block. IT Block is an IT support services provider based in Singapore and we love sharing our IT expertise with the world.
