Best video editor for windows

In today’s digital landscape, videos reign supreme. Whether it’s creating videos for YouTube or Vimeo or crafting snappy clips for TikTok or Instagram Reels, everyone is dabbling in content creation.

Perhaps you’re eager to jump into video editing but feel overwhelmed by the vast array of editing software options available. The last thing you want to do is invest time in the wrong software.

Not to worry — we’ve done the legwork for you and have compiled a list of the best free video editing software currently on the market.

With this guide, you can start honing your editing skills without spending a dime. We’ll delve into each option’s key features, pros and cons, and recommended skill level, as well as provide guidance on selecting a video editor for your PC. Plus, we’ve answered some of the most asked questions about video editors.

• Snapshot of Our Top 3 Free Video Editing Software
• How to Choose a Free Video Editing Software
• How We Test the Free Video Editing Software on This List
• 23 Best Free Video Editing Software for Windows PC in 2023
• Best Free Video Editing Software Comparison Chart
• How to Edit a Video on Windows PC
• Download the Best Video Editing Software for Free
• Free Video Editing Software FAQ

Snapshot of Our Top 3 Free Video Editing Software

How to Choose a Free Video Editing Software

You don’t want to waste time learning to edit videos on software that isn’t the right fit for you or your projects. Below are several factors that you should consider before choosing which free video editing software is most suitable for you.

Your Experience Level

The free video editing software on our list covers everyone from first-time editors to experienced professionals. If you are a beginner, make sure you edit videos with software that is beginner-friendly with plenty of templates and guided edits. If you are a more advanced user, choose a video editor for PC with more professional tools and manual controls for more precise edits.

System Requirements

Obviously you need a video editor for PC that works with your OS, but you should check the system requirements to make sure your PC has enough RAM and CPU to not only download the software but also edit video without causing lag or freezing. If you have an old PC, don’t worry — there are some free video editing software on our list with very low system requirements.

Format Support and Video Resolution

Does your free video editing software support the format your camera shoots? Will it work with your webcam, external mic, or video capture card? Also, check the max resolution your video editor for PC will support. If you spent good money on a 4K camera, you won’t want to upload a video that’s been downgraded to 780p.

Tools and Features

Free video editing software come with vastly different feature sets. Maybe you film a lot of action footage and need a video stabilizer. Maybe you are a gamer who needs green screen effects, an animator who needs visual effects tools, or an influencer who likes to edit videos with fun filters and stickers. Whatever your specific need, make sure it’s available in the free version of the video editor for PC you choose.

How We Test the Free Video Editing Software on This List

You might be wondering why you should trust our opinion to find the best free video editing software. Below we explain how we test and rank our products.

Product Testing

First, we test the products ourselves. We edit videos with the same basic editing tools on all the free video editing software so we can compare apples with apples. Then we check the key features and tools unique to the software.

Compare Versions

If the free video editing software has paid versions, we compare them to see what is included at each price point.

Publisher Reviews

We read reviews written by the best critics in the business to make sure our findings reveal an accurate picture of the product. To remove bias, we take the most common rating out of 5 from the publisher reviews to rank our products. When there are multiple products with the same ranking, we use our testing to decide the order.

User Reviews

It can be hard for seasoned editors to get into the mind of a first-time user. We scan user reviews to find out what consumers are saying about the products and the most common pros and cons.

23 Best Free Video Editing Software for Windows PC in 2023

1. PowerDirector Essential — Best Overall

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Key Features:

• Royalty-Free Stock Library: A collection of video and audio clips licensed for use without requiring the user to pay royalties or licensing fees.
• Compositing Tools: Enable users to combine multiple video or image layers to create complex visual effects.
• AI Motion Tracking: Uses artificial intelligence to track and follow an object or person in a video.
• Color Grading and Correction Tools: Used to adjust the color and tone of a video to improve its overall look and feel.

Compatibility: Windows, Mac

PCMag Rating: 5/5

Price: Free
*Premium features available for free for 30 days, then $4.33/month

Who It’s For

PowerDirector ranks as our best free video editing software overall because it is an excellent choice to edit videos for all skill levels. We found its interface to be intuitive and the design straightforward which makes it easy for beginners to edit videos. At the same time, its robust advanced features and hardware acceleration will satisfy even the most experienced video editors.

Why We Picked It

Dive right in and edit videos with its easy-to-use tools, effects, transitions, and titles without paying for advanced features or needing any prior video editing experience. The free version of this video editor for PC will suit all your everyday video editing needs.

Bottom Line

PowerDirector is a long-time winner of the prestigious PC Magazine Editors’ Choice award and is highly recommended by TechRadar Pro. This free video editing software includes professional and AI-powered tools to turn your videos into studio-quality masterpieces.

Download our pick for the best free video editing software by clicking the link below.

2. DaVinci Resolve — Best for Experts

Key Features:

• High-Quality Visual Effects: Provides a range of visual effect tools allowing video creators to enhance their video content with professional-looking visual effects.
• AI-Based Magic Mask: This feature uses artificial intelligence to automatically identify and isolate objects in a video clip.
• Multicam Editing: Allows users to edit footage from multiple cameras simultaneously
• Dual Timelines: Allows users to work on two timelines simultaneously, making it easier to edit videos with complex timelines or multiple video tracks.

Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Linux

TechRadar Rating: 4.5/5

Price: Free
*Premium version available for $295 for DaVinci Resolve Studio

Who It’s For

DaVinci Resolve is one of the most advanced free video editing software on this list. While it can be overwhelming and intimidating for those without previous editing experience, if you have a deep understanding of how to edit videos and need a powerful program, Resolve is your best option.

Why We Picked It

Overall, DaVinci Resolve is a clean, intuitive program that you would never guess is free. This video editor for PC, Mac, and Linux offers a wide range of advanced features, including intelligent color-correction tools that let you edit skin tones, eye color, and lip color at the touch of a button.

Bottom Line

If you’re creating a feature documentary, narrative film, TV commercial, or show, you should definitely try DaVinci Resolve over expensive professional software like Adobe Premiere Pro or Avid. However, if you’re only looking to cut together home movies or social media posts, this is not the free video editing software for you. For influencers and beginners, we recommend our top choice PowerDirector.

3. Blender — Best for Animation

Key Features:

• Masking tools: Masking tools allow users to create a mask around an object in their video, which can then be used to isolate the object for special effects or color correction.
• Advanced Motion Graphics: Provides users with the ability to add dynamic and complex visual effects to their videos, such as particle effects, 3D animation, and dynamic typography.
• Modeling and Sculpting: Create 3D models and sculptures within the video editing software.
• Audio adjustment tools: Enables users to adjust the audio of their videos, including volume, equalization, and noise reduction.

Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Linux

G2 Rating: 4.5/5

Price: Free

Who It’s For

Blender is an open-source free video editing software for animators, illustrators, and VFX artists. It comes with a plethora of compositing, 3D, and animation tools. Blender’s pro-level effects tools make Blender a popular video editor for PC for intermediate and advanced users to edit videos without paying for expensive software like After Effects.

Why We Picked It

This free video editing software includes wide-ranging effects capabilities like motion tracking, particle simulation, onion skinning, and 3D painting tools. The ability to add plug-ins means you can constantly enhance your experience and find exactly what you need for any project.

Bottom Line

Blender has everything you could need to make amazing motion graphics, animations, and custom VFX, as well as basic editing tools. However, it has a very steep learning curve and is not for beginners. We placed it below DaVinci Resolve, because while Blender is specifically for animation or effects, DaVinci covers all post-production and video editing needs.

4. Animoto — Best for a Quick Turnaround

Key Features:

• Screen Recording: Screen recording is a feature that allows users to capture their computer screen, enabling them to create video tutorials, software demos, or gameplay videos.
• Trim/Crop Videos: Trimming and cropping tools enable users to remove unwanted portions of their video footage or adjust the framing of their shots, giving them greater control over the final look and feel of their videos.
• 40+ Professional Fonts: A collection of professional fonts is included with the software, providing users with a wide range of typography options to use in their videos, such as title screens, lower thirds, and captions.

Compatibility: Web Browser

Capterra Rating: 4.3/5

Price: Free
*Premium subscriptions available for $8/month for Basic, $15/month for Professional, and $39/month for Professional Plus

Who It’s For

Animoto is a cloud-based free video editing software for content creators or small businesses that have a tight turnaround to release content. This video editor for PC and Mac has hundreds of time-saving templates you can quickly customize with your own media, or choose from Animoto’s stock libraries.

Why We Picked It

This free video editing software makes it easy for beginners and those with no design or video editing experience to edit videos. All of Animoto’s templates are ready for easy upload and adhere to social media best practices. The paid versions include helpful features such as brand kits and team collaboration tools.

Bottom Line

Animoto is a good choice for social media posts, ads, and events, but not for long-form or plot-driven YouTube videos. While we like it for those with little design know-how, most of the reviews we found complained of the lack of creative control, an issue we also came across in our test. We also found issues with poor customer service. We recommend PowerDirector Essential for anyone who likes to use templates as a jumping-off point for their own creativity.

5. WeVideo — Best for Templates

Key Features:

• Screen Recorder: This feature enables users to capture their computer screen, allowing them to create video tutorials, demonstrations, or gameplay videos directly within the software.
• 50 Transitions: The software includes a collection of 50 transitions that can be used to add dynamic effects to video footage, such as crossfades, wipes, and fades.
• Animated Effects: Animated effects provide users with the ability to add dynamic and engaging animations to their videos, such as text animations, motion graphics, and visual effects.
• Meme Maker: Create custom memes by adding text and images to video footage, making it easy to create engaging and shareable content for social media platforms.

Compatibility: Web Browser

G2 Rating: 4.3/5

Price: Free
*Premium subscriptions available for $4.99/month for Power, $7.99/month for Unlimited, $19.99/month for Professional, and $36.99/month for Business

Who It’s For

WeVideo is a web-based free video editing software. WeVideo comes with tons of social-media-friendly video templates for anything from new home listings to back-to-school nights. We think these customizable templates are perfect for beginners or busy influencers.

Why We Picked It

Customize the templates with your own photos and videos or use the WeVideo stock library. The library of this video editor for PC even includes green screen footage you can use to change the background of a scene. There are 30 effects you can apply with one click, however, unlike PowerDirector, WeVideo allows little control over effects.

Bottom Line

While the paid version of WeVideo is a great option for content creators, the free version is unrealistic for anyone who regularly edits videos, as it is limited to 5 minutes of exported content a month at a max of 480p. For this reason, we placed it behind the very similar and equally rated Animoto, which has a more robust free version.

6. Shotcut — Best for Intermediate Users

Key Features:

• Wide Format Support: Supports a wide range of video formats, allowing for compatibility with various types of video footage.
• Audio Mixing: Provides tools for adjusting and mixing audio tracks, enabling control over the volume, balance, and effects.
• Color Correction and Grading: Offers features for adjusting and enhancing the colors and overall look of videos, allowing for precise color correction and creative grading.
• 360-Degree Video Filters: Includes filters specifically designed for 360-degree videos, allowing for applying effects and adjustments to immersive video footage.

Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Linux

G2 Rating: 4.2/5

Price: Free

Who It’s For

If you’re not a professional but looking to move beyond basic free video editing software, then we recommend Shotcut as an excellent option. With a typical drag-and-drop audio and video file manager, plus the ability to export 4k video, anyone with some experience should find it easy to edit videos with this video editor for PC.

Why We Picked It

Shotcut offers advanced effects and filters that will help you produce a high-quality video for free. This program is open source, so once you download it, you will have access to all its features and can customize the interface to your liking. It may take a little bit of time to get started but it’s worth the effort once you’re up and running.

Bottom Line

Shotcut is an excellent next step if you have moved on from a basic-level free video editing software like Movie Maker Online, but are not ready to make the jump to a pro-level video editor for PC like Avid or DaVinci.

7. Avidemux — Best for Beginners Using Linux

Key Features:

• Excellent encoding options: Offers a range of encoding options, allowing users to customize video output according to their preferences and requirements.
• Sharpening and de-noising filters: Provides filters to enhance video quality by sharpening the image and reducing noise.

Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Linux

TechRadar Rating: 4/5

Price: Free

Who It’s For

Avidemux is suitable for those who need to encode or configure a video for a particular speaker setup, and for those who need a simple video editor.

Why We Picked It

Avidemux is a free, easy-to-use video editor that allows users to make quick edits and cuts. Its best feature is its array of export options that give users total control over audio and video encoding.

Bottom Line

Avidemux is a good option for those who need a simple video editor and encoding tool, but it lacks advanced features and a timeline.

8. VideoPad — Best for Beginners

Key Features:

• Over 60 Supported Video Formats: The software supports a wide range of video formats, ensuring compatibility with various video sources.
• 3D and 360-Degree Editing: Provides tools and features specifically designed for editing 3D and 360-degree videos, allowing for immersive and engaging video editing experiences.
• Audio Effects: Offers a variety of audio effects and filters to enhance the sound quality and add creative audio elements to videos.
• Chroma Key: Includes chroma key functionality, allowing for the removal or replacement of a specific color (usually green or blue) in a video, commonly used for creating green screen effects.

Compatibility: Windows, Mac

G2 Rating: 4.1/5

Price: Free
*Premium versions available for $70 for Home Edition and $129 for Master’s Edition

Who It’s For

If you are just starting your video editing journey and want a very basic free video editing software, VideoPad is a good option. Where PowerDirector is loaded with features, this video editor for PC is comparatively scaled back. It is a great place to start but eventually, you may outgrow it and want to upgrade.

Why We Picked It

Beginner video editors will be able to familiarize themselves with its editing tools without spending anything. This free video editing software features a variety of pre-made transitions and sound effects, along with a few advanced features such as camera shake reduction tools, within a familiar and easy-to-learn platform.

Bottom Line

This video editor for PC offers everything you need to edit videos without much expertise. It performs most of the fundamental functions you can expect in free video editing software but doesn’t go too far beyond that. We placed it above the other 3-Star options, Vegas Pro and VSDC because VideoPad is easier to use.

Please note that VideoPad as a free video editing software is available for non-commercial use only.

9. VideoProc Vlogger — Best for Action Cam Footage

Key Features:

• Audio Extractor: Allows users to extract audio tracks from videos, providing the ability to separate and work with audio separately.
• Remove noise/grain: Provides tools to reduce or eliminate unwanted noise or grain from video footage, resulting in cleaner and clearer visuals.
• Advanced Color Correction: Offers advanced color correction tools, enabling precise adjustments and enhancements to the colors and tones of videos.
• Fisheye Removal: Includes functionality to correct the fisheye distortion often present in videos captured with fisheye lenses, resulting in a more natural and distortion-free visual output.

Compatibility: Windows, Mac

KommandoTech Rating: 4/5

Price: Free

Who It’s For

VideoProc Vlogger is free video editing software that is aimed at beginners, hobbyists, and content creators who need advanced motion and speed effect tools. We think it is a great choice for editing action camera or GoPro footage. It has advanced speed adjustment tools and over 20 speed presets. This video editor for PC also comes with a video stabilizer, time-lapse tools, and motion simulation for applying tilt, roll, and dolly effects.

Why We Picked It

Even though it has some pretty advanced effects, this free video editing software is beginner-friendly. It also has a learning center with helpful blogs and user guides, and a support center to answer any questions.

Bottom Line

VideoProc Vlogger is an easy-to-use video editor for PC for beginners with some advanced speed effects. However, professionals will find it lacking in overall video editing tools. If you have action camera footage you need to edit, we recommend our top choice PowerDirector, which has a dedicated Action Camera Center and a full range of basic editing tools. 

10. HitFilm Express — Best for VFX

Key Features:

• 4K Export: Enables users to export videos in 4K resolution, delivering high-quality output suitable for high-resolution displays.
• Motion Tracking: Includes motion tracking capabilities, allowing users to track and apply effects or adjustments to moving objects within a video.
• 3D Simulations: Provides tools for creating and incorporating 3D simulations into videos, adding depth and visual interest to the footage.
• Displacement and Distortion: Offers features for applying displacement and distortion effects to video clips, allowing for creative and artistic manipulations of the visuals.

Compatibility: Windows, Mac

TechRadar Rating: 4/5

Price: Free
*Premium subscriptions available for $7.99/month for Creator and $12.99 /month for Pro

Who It’s For

We found HitFilm to be the best video editor for PC for independent filmmakers to edit videos with Hollywood-style visual effects. The software includes one of the biggest free VFX toolkits on the market. This free video editing software includes color adjustments, keying effects, lens flares, and light swords.

Why We Picked It

It offers all the basic features that editing enthusiasts will need in free video editing software. And for being a non-professional video editor for PC, it offers a few surprising features like Unified 3D Space and a puppet tool.

Bottom Line

Unfortunately, this free video editing software can be difficult to use, so prepare to invest time learning the software. Many of HitFilm’s advanced visual effects are saved for paid subscribers, which is why we placed it behind the completely free VideoProc Vlogger.

11. Magix Movie Studio — Best for Video Collages

Key Features:

• Direct Upload to Social Media: Facilitates seamless sharing of edited videos directly to popular social media platforms, streamlining the process of sharing content with online audiences.
• 900+ Effects and Transitions: Provides a vast library of effects and transitions, offering users a wide range of creative options to enhance their videos.
• Deep Color Correction: Offers advanced color correction tools, allowing for precise adjustments and enhancements to the color grading and tonal balance of video footage.
• Layer Masks: Includes the ability to work with layer masks, enabling users to apply selective edits or adjustments to specific areas of the video, providing greater control over the editing process.

Compatibility: Windows

TechRadar Rating: 4/5

Price: 30-day free trial, then $69.99 for Movie Studio, $99.99 for Platinum, and $129 for Suite

Who It’s For

Magix Movie Studio is a free video editing software for those interested in making video collages. We liked using the video collage templates with extra-large manipulation tools where we could make precise adjustments to a clip’s rotation and size.

Why We Picked It

Like our top choice, PowerDirector, Magix Movie Studio offers tools for both beginners and professionals to edit videos. Storyboard Mode offers one-click solutions such as Remove Beginning or Split Movie, while more experienced editors can use frame-by-frame editing and utilize manual tools.

Bottom Line

Magix Movie Studio does not have a dedicated free version, only a free trial, placing it below HitFilm and VideoProc Vlogger. Also, many users have complained of frequent crashing and of projects not carrying over to updated versions.

12. Movavi Video Editor — Best for Vlogging

Key Features:

• Background Rendering: Allows users to continue working on other tasks or editing activities while the software performs rendering tasks in the background, enhancing workflow efficiency.
• Video Stabilization: Provides tools to reduce or eliminate camera shake or instability from video footage, resulting in smoother and more professional-looking videos.
• Stylized Filters: Offers a selection of stylized filters or effects that users can apply to their videos, adding creative visual elements and enhancing the overall look and feel.
• Voice Over: Includes functionality to record and add voice-over narration to videos, enabling users to enhance their videos with spoken commentary or audio explanations.

Compatibility: Windows, Mac

PCMag Rating: 4/5

Price: 7-day free trial, then 54.95/year

Who It’s For

Movavi Video Editor is a free video editing software and a great way to edit videos for social media. With this easy-to-use editor, you can have a finished product in 20 minutes. Easily make YouTube videos with ready-made intros, animated titles, transitions, sound effects, thematic stickers, and social-media-friendly aspect ratios.

Why We Picked It

There are also some advanced video editing tools like chroma key, motion tracking, and time effects. Even though there is no learning curve, this video editor for PC still offers a built-in training module for added support.

Bottom Line

Because Movavi Video Editor is so quick and easy to use, it sacrifices a lot of features found in other editing software, and there is a lack of control over effects. Also, it only offers a 7-day free trial, making it the least accessible free version on our list.

13. Windows Video Editor — Best for Slideshows

Key Features:

• 3D Effects: Provides a collection of 3D effects that users can apply to their videos, adding depth and visual interest to the footage.
• Auto Movie Options: Offers automated movie creation options, allowing users to quickly generate videos with pre-set themes, transitions, and effects.
• Fade Effects: Includes various fade effects that users can use to smoothly transition between video clips or apply artistic fade-in or fade-out effects.
• Customizable Titles: Enables users to create and customize titles for their videos, adding text overlays with various fonts, styles, and animations.

Compatibility: Windows

TechRadar Rating: 4/5

Price: Free

Who It’s For

Windows Video Editor is free video editing software that comes built-in on PCs with Windows 10 or later. This free video editing software is a quick and easy way to edit videos, especially for Windows users who regularly use the native photo app. It has all the tools needed to bring your photos to life with a fun slideshow. You can add motion to photos and sync your show to the beat of your background music.

Why We Picked It

It comes with pre-designed animations, a good collection of filters and themes, and the ability to edit videos with music. This video editor for PC comes with all the basic track editing tools, such as splitting, trimming, adding text, and adjusting audio.

Bottom Line

Windows Video Editor is very simple to use, but has no advanced features and wouldn’t suffice for anything more than a short, simple video or photo slideshow. That is the reason we ranked it below Magix and Movavi, even though they lack free versions.

14. EaseUS Video Editor — Best for First-Time Users

Key Features:

• Cut and Merge Video: Allows users to trim or remove unwanted portions of video clips and merge multiple video files into a single composition.
• Video Overlay: Provides the capability to overlay additional video elements, such as logos, graphics, or other videos, on top of the main video footage.
• Text-Speech Exchange: Offers functionality to convert text into speech, allowing users to add voice-over narration or dialogue to their videos.
• Voice Over: Enables users to record and add their own voice-over narration or audio commentary to the video, enhancing the storytelling or explanatory elements.

Compatibility: Windows

TechRadar Rating: 4/5

Price: Free
*Premium subscriptions available for $29.95/month, $49.95/year, or $79.95 for a lifetime license

Who It’s For

EaseUS Video Editor is an incredibly simple free video editing software for those with zero editing experience. It features a large preview window, with large icons that detail the pared-down editing tools and features.

Why We Picked It

With this video editor for PC, you can use basic tools such as trim, split, and rotate. We liked that it allowed us to easily mix audio and that the free version had no limit on video length.

Bottom Line

While we like the free version of EaseUS Video Editor for brand-new editors to get their feet wet, it is too basic for any serious video editing and does not include the effects and transitions found in the premium versions. We placed it last amongst the free video editing software that scored a publisher rating of 4 because the paid versions offer few tools.

15. VSDC Free Video Editor — Best for Presentations

Key Features:

• Motion Tracking: Offers tools for tracking and following the movement of objects or elements within a video, allowing users to apply effects or annotations that stay connected to the tracked objects.
• Video Stabilization: Provides functionality to reduce or eliminate camera shake or instability from video footage, resulting in smoother and more professional-looking videos.
• Chroma Key: Enables users to remove a specific color or range of colors from a video, allowing them to replace the background or overlay the video onto a different scene or environment.
• Voice Over: Allows users to record and add their own voice-over narration or audio commentary to the video, enhancing the storytelling or explanatory elements.

Compatibility: Windows

Trustpilot Rating: 3.9/5

Price: Free
*Premium version is $19.99

Who It’s For

If you are looking for a good solution to edit videos for business presentations, then VSDC Free Video Editor is a great option. It is a relatively easy-to-use software with all the basic tools you will need to create engaging video content. Plus it makes it easy to work with charts and create videos for specific multimedia devices.

Why We Picked It

This video editor for PC offers advanced editing features, such as color blending and masked effects, that you wouldn’t expect from a free video editing software of its kind. It also offers precise edits with subpixel accuracy.

Bottom Line

Though VSDC Free Video Editor is more suitable for creating presentations, the casual video editor will find its features sufficient to make fun videos. However, the unpolished interface is confusing to navigate, and many tools are hidden behind submenus.

16. Kapwing — Best for Subtitles

Key Features:

• Color Adjustment
• Change Video Speed
• Cloud Storage
• Clean Audio Tool

Compatibility: Web Browser

Product Hunt Rating: 3.6/5

Price: Free
*Premium subscription available for $16/month

Who It’s For

Kapwing is a browser-based free video editing software that is perfect for anyone who frequently adds captions to videos. Accurate, auto-generated subtitles save creators tons of time and help increase views. We also found you can also copy and paste any URL into Kapwing and it will add subtitles, making it a helpful tool for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community to understand videos that were made without subtitles. In addition, Kapwing offers an auto-translation tool and text-to-speech.

Why We Picked It

The free version allows you to record your screen and add transitions and effects such as chroma key. This video editor for PC also includes free stock templates, team collaboration tools, and a meme generator.

Bottom Line

Kapwing is an easy-to-use free video editing software with some excellent captioning and audio tools. However, long-time users have noticed that the free version is slowly getting harder and harder to use, as more tools move behind a paywall. It can also be tricky to figure out which tools are free, leaving many with the predicament of spending hours on a project, only to find out they have to pay an expensive monthly fee just to download it. PowerDirector Essential has a much more affordable premium version (4 times cheaper!), so if you decide to spring for advanced features, you don’t have to change your lifestyle to afford it.

17. Lightworks — Best for Advanced Users

Key Features:

• Instant Autosave
• Background Processing
• Motion Graphics
• Filters and LUTs

Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Linux

G2 Rating: 3.5/5

Price: Free
*Premium subscriptions available for $9.99/month for Lightworks Create and $24.99/month for Lightworks Pro

Who It’s For

We found Lightworks to be the best free video editing software for intermediate to advanced users. While DaVinci Resolve is too intimidating for intermediate users, Lightworks is more inviting. So if you’re looking to take your first step into professional editing, look no further.

Why We Picked It

Lightworks has been around for years, and the professional edition of this video editor for PC was used to edit box office hits like Pulp Fiction, 28 Days Later, and Congo. If you’re willing to put in the work to learn this free video editing software, it’s a great choice.

Bottom Line

One thing to note is that the free version of Lightworks only allows videos to be exported in up to 720p, while Pro can export in a broader range of formats and resolutions. Pro also includes some additional features and plug-ins.

18. Avid Media Composer First — Best for Budding Professionals

Key Features:

• Video Stabilization
• Time Code Tool
• Bulk Edit
• Multicam Editing

Compatibility: Windows, Mac

Tom’s Guide Rating: 3.5/5

Price: Free
*Premium subscriptions available for $23.99/month for Avid Media Composer and $49.99 for Avid Media Composer Ultimate

Who It’s For

Avid Media Composer First is surprisingly robust for free video editing software, containing many of the pro-level tools you find in paid versions. It is the free version of Avid Media Composer, which is a popular program Hollywood professionals use to edit videos. Budding pros would do well to learn the ropes on this free, slimmed-down version before upgrading to professional software.

Why We Picked It

With this free video editing software, you can edit video on up to 4 video tracks and 8 audio tracks with 5 bins per project. It has a large amount of color-correcting tools and direct uploads to YouTube and Vimeo.

Bottom Line

Although Avid Media Composer First offers very professional tools completely free, it is too limited for professionals and too challenging for beginners. We placed it below Lightworks because Avid has a steeper learning curve, but above Movie Maker Online, which lacks any advanced features. 

19. Movie Maker Online — Best for Speed

Key Features:

• Transitions
• Speed Adjustment and Reverse Effect
• Chroma Key
• Blur Tool

Compatibility: Web Browser

TechRadar Rating: 3.5/5

Price: Free

Who It’s For

Based on our review, Movie Maker Online is the most accessible online tool to edit videos for free. If you don’t currently have a video editor for PC and need to quickly edit videos in a pinch, Movie Maker Online is a great solution. Simply go to the site, drag and drop your video clips, and start editing. No downloading software, no registering, no sign-up.

Why We Picked It

Movie Maker Online is also completely free and includes a library of text options, backgrounds, royalty-free music, and images.

Bottom Line

Movie Maker is also the best option for low-performance laptops, as it doesn’t have a RAM requirement or needs a specific operating system to run. The downsides are that Movie Maker Online completely lacks advanced editing tools, and you can’t edit videos without an internet connection.

20. Adobe Premiere Elements — Best for Organizing Media

Key Features:

• Auto Reframe
• Video Stabilization
• Noise Reduction Tool
• Video-to-Photo Tool

Compatibility: Windows, Mac

PCMag Rating: 3.5/5

Price: 30-day free trial, then $99.99

Who It’s For

Adobe Premiere Elements is an easy-to-use, free video editing software. It comes with Organizer, a separate app that uses facial recognition to automatically tag your files. This video editor for PC also helps you select and organize the clips you want to edit.

Why We Picked It

It is a beginner-friendly yet scaled-down version of Premiere Pro, the popular professional video editor for PC. Premiere Elements allows you to edit videos in three modes: Quick, Guided, and Expert (though “Expert” is still not for professionals, but consumers who have graduated from the Guided module).

Bottom Line

Premiere Elements is great for home movies but lacks the advanced tools needed for any serious projects. Similar to Avid Media Composer First, Premiere Elements is ideal for beginners who want to get comfortable with an Adobe product before moving up to Premiere Pro.

21. OpenShot — Best for Beginners With Advanced Features

Key Features:

• Time Effects
• 3D Animations
• Title Editor
• Background Removal

Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Linux

TechRadar Rating: 3/5

Price: Free

Who It’s For

OpenShot is a free video editing software that gives beginners access to more advanced video editing tools and a little more room to grow. Beginners will find the built-in templates, real-time previews, and advanced timeline features helpful to learn the ropes of video editing, while intermediate users will appreciate the unlimited layering options on this video editor for PC.

Why We Picked It

This free video editing software is open source, so anyone can use and adapt the program to meet their needs. A recent update has added some much-needed tools, such as video stabilization and motion tracking.

Bottom Line

Both OpenShot and VideoPad received a 3 out of 5 rating and both are beginner-friendly. OpenShot edges out VideoPad by providing more advanced features. However, we would not recommend OpenShot for professionals as we found some features don’t work as expected and may frustrate those who edit videos on a tight deadline.

22. VEGAS Pro – Best for Color Adjustments

Key Features:

• 3D Editing
• Motion Tracking
• AI-Powered Video Upscaling
• Audio Editing Tools

Compatibility: Windows

TechRadar Rating: 3/5

Price: 30-day free trial, then $12.99/month for VEGAS Edit, $19.99/month for VEGAS Pro, and $29.99/month for VEGAS Post

Who It’s For

VEGAS Pro is a free video editing software with excellent color correction and color grading tools. You can apply color effects using LUTs, and adjust dark areas, mid-tones, and brightness with color wheels. There’s also a curve graph where hue, saturation, and lighting can be adjusted with a slider.

Why We Picked It

We also like this video editor for PC for its Notes feature, where teammates can leave virtual color-coded notes on specific areas of an edit and link them with a timecode. It also has speed adjustment tools, although they can be challenging to use.

Bottom Line

VEGAS Pro is a robust video editor for PC, however, it features an unintuitive interface, and doesn’t offer tutorials for beginners. It also doesn’t have a free-forever version, only a free trial.

23. MiniTool Movie Maker — Best for Instant Movies

Key Features:

• Batch Processing
• Resize Video
• Flip/Rotate Video
• Stickers

Compatibility: Windows

Source Forge Rating: 2.5/5

Price: Free
*Premium subscription available for $12.99/month or $59.99/year

Who It’s For

MiniTool Movie Maker is a video editor for PC with tons of one-click options for beginners to use to create instant movies. It also comes with a large library of templates you can quickly customize by slotting in your videos and photos.

Why We Picked It

This free video editing software goes beyond the basics and offers motion effects, speed adjustments, color correction, and an audio extractor.

Bottom Line

MiniTool Movie Maker is quick and very easy to use. However, it lacks customization options. If you are a beginner who likes to flex a little more creativity, try PowerDirector, which allows you to edit videos with both manual and automatic options.

Best Free Video Editing Software Comparison Chart

How to Edit a Video on Windows PC

Up next we’ll show you how to make some basic edits using our recommended choice for best free video editing software, PowerDirector. Download it for free by clicking the button below and follow along.

1. Import your media files by selecting Import Media Folder and choosing the correct folder on your desktop. Then, click Select Folder.



2. Once your files are in the media library, start putting your video together by adding images, videos, or music to the appropriate timeline. To add a video file to the video timeline, select it in the Media Library and then drag and drop it to the video timeline.
3. You can split and trim clips using the Video Timeline Slider. Move the slider where you want to split the clip, then click the cutter icon. For a more in-depth look at splitting and trimming clips, click here.



4. To add transitions to your video, go to the Transition Room then click and drag a transition in between two clips.



For more information on adding transitions, click here.

5. To add title text to your video, click on the Title Room, then click and drag a template to the title track on the video timeline. Click the Designer button then enter the text you want to use.



Click here for a more in-depth look at adding text and titles to your video.

6. To add music, go to the Media Library Window and select Media Content, then Background Music. Choose the appropriate music track and drag it to the audio track section on the editing timeline.



Check out a tutorial on adding and editing music here.

7. Once you’re done making all edits, you’re ready to produce and save the video. Click Produce to export your video. Select the format you want and an output folder where the video file will be saved. Then hit Start.

Download the Best Video Editing Software for Free

Dozens of free video editing software options exist on the market today, but not all of them offer the same features and high-quality results. With the help of this guide, hopefully, you’ve been able to narrow down your search for a video editor for PC. And since these programs are free, you can try all the ones that suit your needs and level of expertise.

If you are still unsure which software to try, download our top pick for the best overall editor, PowerDirector. It is the only free video editing software on this list that works well for novice, intermediate, and advanced editors. It’s the perfect program to develop your skills.

Download PowerDirector by clicking the link below and become an expert-level video editor in no time.

Время на прочтение
12 мин

Количество просмотров 22K

Если вам нужно быстро смонтировать видеоролик для рекламной кампании или других целей, совсем не обязательно изучать сложные программы. Собрали 15 простых инструментов, с которыми справится даже новичок в видеомонтаже. Все они бесплатные, имеют бесплатную версию или их можно оплатить из России. Читайте новую подборку от редакции click.ru.

Десктопные приложения

Movavi Video Editor

Официальный сайт

Movavi Video Editor – видеоредактор для начинающих, но практически с таким же набором возможностей, как профессиональные редакторы. Все элементы управления – кнопки, меню, монтажный стол, дорожки – расположены логично, что позволяет разобраться в них всего за несколько минут без инструкции.

Стоимость: 2508 рублей за бессрочную лицензию. Есть тестовый период с неограниченным функционалом, но с другими ограничениями. Например, с водяным знаком на видео и пр.

Платформы: Windows, macOS. Есть мобильные версии для iOS, Android.

Язык: русский.

Кому подойдет: и новичкам, и продвинутым монтажерам.

Особенности и преимущества:

• отдельная панель с базовыми функциями монтажа – поворотом видео, разделением на клипы, кадрированием, цветокоррекцией;

• поддержка обработки звука, добавление фото и аудио. Можно легко изменить скорость видео или проиграть его в обратном направлении;

• панель расширенных настроек для продвинутых пользователей. Можно добавить переходы, стикеры, титры, эффекты, фильтры, музыку;

• внутренний магазин Movavi, где можно купить понравившиеся шаблоны эффектов;

• дружелюбный интерфейс с нераздражающими подсказками, которые быстро позволяют понять, что к чему. Никаких дополнительных окон с метаданными, маркерами и прочими элементами, которые путают новичков;

• минимальные системные требования – подойдет ПК или ноутбук с оперативной памятью от 2 Гб и не устаревшей моделью видеокарты;

• канал на Ютуб с полезными видео о монтаже.

DaVinci Resolve

Официальный сайт

DaVinci Resolve – не просто видеоредактор, а полноценная среда для постобработки видео и звука. В описании указано, что программа используется при создании голливудских шедевров, хотя конкретных примеров нет. Возможностей DaVinci Resolve хватает, чтобы эффектно смонтировать видео с нуля. Но для этого потребуется разобраться в сложностях процесса и освоить интерфейс многофункциональной программы.

Стоимость: полностью бесплатно, водяных знаков нет. Есть платная версия с расширенным функционалом, десятком плагинов и фильтров. Цена – 295 долларов за лицензию.

Платформы: Windows, macOS, Linux.

Язык: более 30 языков.

Кому подойдет: всем, кто планирует в будущем более профессионально заниматься видеомонтажом. DaVinci используют многие специалисты кино- и телеиндустрии.

Особенности и преимущества:

• все инструменты для монтажа – постобработка звука, цветокоррекция, наложение визуальных эффектов;

• рабочая область, разделенная на вкладки: импорт в одной, монтаж в другой, цветокоррекция в третьей;

• контекстно-зависимость – редактор может определять, как именно вы хотите обрезать ролик, в зависимости от положения вашей мыши.

ShotCut

Официальный сайт

ShotCut – отличный видеоредактор, который, хотя и не является профессиональным, имеет множество эффектов и функций для работы с видеороликами. Пользователи высоко ценят программу за функционал для работы с кадрами, который освоит даже новичок.

Стоимость: бесплатно. 

Платформы: Windows, macOS, Linux.

Язык: русский.

Кому подойдет: всем, кому нужны инструменты мощнее, чем встроенные в операционные системы.

Особенности и преимущества:

• поддержка видеоэффектов, цветокоррекция, работа с дорожками и аудио;

• захват потока с разных источников, включая внешние устройства;

• простой интерфейс;

• возможность использовать мультимедиа напрямую из встроенного в рабочую область проводника. Это сильно ускоряет процесс, но влияет на потребление аппаратных ресурсов;

• поддержка 4K-видео.

OpenShot Video Editor

Официальный сайт

Видеоредактор с открытым исходным кодом. ПО умеет обрезать видео, добавлять эффекты и переходы, настраивать дорожки.

Стоимость: бесплатно без ограничений.

Платформы: Windows, macOS, Linux.

Язык: поддерживает более 70 языков.

Кому подойдет: тем, кому важна кроссплатформенность и простой интерфейс.

Особенности и преимущества:

• широкий функционал, который включает нарезку, склейку, добавление субтитров, текста, эффектов, переходов между сценами, аудиодорожек;

• возможность склеить вместе несколько слоев поверх друг друга. Например, можно наложить на ролик текст, логотип, водяной знак, временной штамп и прочее, что потребуется. Чем больше слоев находится на временной шкале, тем больше ресурсов компьютеру потребуется для обработки и конвертации проекта в готовый видеоролик;

• возможность выбрать в настройках экспорта оптимальный формат для загрузки ролика на YouTube, во ВКонтакте и другие соцсети.

VSDC Video Editor

Официальный сайт

Это редактор, программа для записи экрана и конструктор для создания презентаций одновременно. При запуске VSDC появляется плашка с названиями главных функций, чтобы сразу было понятно, куда переходить. Бесплатная версия почти ничем не отличается от платной. Это большая редкость для таких редакторов. Главное ограничение – скорость экспортирования файлов.

Стоимость: бесплатно без ограничений. Есть платная премиум-версия с расширенным функционалом, 19,99 долларов в год.

Платформы: Windows.

Язык: более 10 языков, включая русский.

Кому подойдет: тем, кто часто редактирует видеофайлы и создает видеоклипы различной сложности с использованием видео- и аудиоэффектов.

Особенности и преимущества:

• множество инструментов для обработки видео, включая обрезку, склейку, добавление эффектов, настройку цветовой гаммы, работу с аудио;

• поддержка большого количества форматов – для редактирования подойдут любые ролики, от AVI-файлов и MP4 до flash-видео в SWF;

• удобный интерфейс, который, правда, многим кажется устаревшим;

• поддержка слоев и ключевых кадров для создания анимаций и специальных эффектов;

• широкий выбор эффектов и фильтров, профессиональные возможности цветокоррекции;

• функционал маскирования, который позволяет создавать различные эффекты и скрывать ненужные элементы на видео.

Avidemux

Официальный сайт

Максимально простой кроссплатформенный инструмент с базовыми функциями для несложного и быстрого редактирования видеофайлов:  удаления ненужных частей, наложения стандартных фильтров и кодирования. Хотя у него ограниченные функции монтажа, можно легко склеить простой ролик и добавить интересные эффекты.

Стоимость: бесплатно.

Платформы: Windows, macOS, Linux, PC-BSD.

Язык: более 17 языков, включая русский.

Кому подойдет: тем, кому нужен максимально простой кроссплатформенный инструмент.

Особенности и преимущества:

• простой и понятный интерфейс, напоминающий интерфейс старых проигрывателей для Windows;

• небольшой вес и нетребовательность к «железу»;

• удобное выполнение разных простых операций, например вырезание, копирование, вставка, корректировка размера изображения, добавление эффектов;

• калькулятор для расчета оптимальных параметров кодирования;

• командная строка;

• возможность указать очередность выполнения задач.

Lightworks

Официальный сайт

Lightworks – мощная программа для профессионального монтажа видео и работы с музыкой. По функциональности не уступает популярным Adobe Premiere Pro или Sony Vegas, но при этом доступна бесплатно. С помощью Lightworks можно создать практически голливудский фильм. Среди проектов, которые монтировались в этом видеоредакторе, – «Бэтмен навсегда», «Остров проклятых», «Король говорит», «Авиатор», «Криминальное чтиво» и много других. При этом она подойдет и новичкам. В программе доступны обучающие видеоролики.

Стоимость: бесплатно с ограничениями. Есть платная pro-версия – 23,99 долларов в месяц.

Платформы: Windows, Linux, macOS.

Язык: английский.

Кому подойдет: тем, кому нужен мощный многофункциональный инструмент для сложного монтажа.

Особенности и преимущества:

• нелинейный монтаж видео, который позволяет обрезать, разделять, склеивать и перемещать видеоклипы на временной шкале. Можно настраивать скорость воспроизведения и добавлять переходы между видео;

• широкие возможности цветокоррекции. Можно изменять яркость, контрастность, насыщенность и оттенки видео;

• возможность добавлять фоновую музыку и звуковые эффекты, настраивать уровни громкости, записывать голосовые комментарии прямо в программе;

• настраиваемая панель инструментов;

• возможность добавлять текстовые надписи, титры и субтитры, выбирать различные шрифты, размеры и стили;

• более 100 встроенных эффектов и фильтров, таких как размытие, эффекты перехода, цветовые фильтры и другие. Также можно самостоятельно создавать свои эффекты;

• поддержка профессионального оборудования. Lightworks интегрируется с пультами управления, видеоинтерфейсами и другими устройствами для более удобного управления процессом монтажа;

• возможности для совместной работы над проектами – обмена файлами, комментариями с коллегами.

VirtualDub

Официальный сайт

VirtualDub похож на Avidemux, который был в нашем списке. Пользователи часто используют редактор для быстрой нарезки и склейки клипов. У ПО нет широких функций, но, тем не менее, оно популярно у пользователей.

Стоимость: бесплатная GNU General Public License (GPL).

Платформы: Windows.

Язык: английский.

Кому подойдет: тем, кому нужен максимально простой редактор.

Особенности и преимущества:

• малый вес (1-2 Мб), не требуется установка;

• простой и понятный интерфейс, в программе легко работать – вырезать нужный/ненужный фрагмент, обрезать/склеивать части видео, конвертировать и перекодировать видео, добавлять эффекты и т. д.;

• возможность обрезать, добавлять,заменять звуковые дорожки, работать с несколькими дорожками;

• высокая скорость работы;

• копирование видео напрямую, без перекодирования. С помощью редактора можно обрезать и склеивать видео- и аудиодорожки, а затем сохранять готовый файл, не теряя в качестве.

ВидеоМОНТАЖ

Официальный сайт

Решение от российских разработчиков для создания роликов и фильмов высокого качества. Основной функционал разбит в меню на блоки: картинки, текст, переходы, эффекты. Разделы помогают улучшить и стилизовать кадр, добавить заголовки, графические акценты, субтитры.

Стоимость: от 690 рублей за бессрочную лицензию.

Платформы: Windows.

Язык: русский.

Кому подойдет: для новичков и профессионалов.

Особенности и преимущества:

• все необходимые функции для качественной обработки видеоряда – обрезка, коррекция цвета, кадрирование, стабилизация;

• замена звука;

• поддержка более 50 мультимедиа форматов;

• поддержка работы с текстом;

• минимальные системные требования;

• встроенный конструктор, который проводит по основным этапам создания ролика и помогает быстрее освоиться;

• можно накладывать надписи, создавать титры и заставки. В каталоге футажей есть коллекция роликов, которые можно использовать для перебивок;

• настройки конвертации, позволяющие загружать готовый проект на любое современное портативное устройство. Также видеоредактор помогает адаптировать запись для загрузки на сайт или популярный видеохостинг вроде YouTube;

• более 150 эффектов для видео – тонирование, стилизации под винтаж, виньетки, имитации кинопленок и пр.

VideoPad

Официальный сайт

Функциональный, но несложный софт. В VideoPad используется высокоскоростной процессор. Благодаря ему файлы обрабатываются и выгружаются быстрее обычного.

Стоимость: основной инструментарий бесплатный, но если хочется использовать профессиональные опции, можно купить бессрочную лицензию за 35 долларов.

Платформы: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android.

Язык: более 20 языков, включая русский.

Кому подойдет: тем, кому нужна простая программа с широким функционалом.

Особенности и преимущества:

• простой интерфейс;

• возможность микшировать несколько звуковых дорожек, музыки и повествования. Имеется библиотека звуковых эффектов и атмосферной фоновой музыки;

• редактирование 360-градусного видео;

• захват видео с цифровой видеокамеры, устройства видеозахвата или веб-камеры;

• более 50 эффектов тонирования, которые можно использовать в первозданном виде или создавать уникальные шаблоны фильтров для будущих проектов;

• ряд функций для оптимизации видео, включая добавление субтитров, цифровых изображений, цветокоррекцию, регулировку скорости воспроизведения;

• возможность работать с «объемным» видео. Можно редактировать 3D-исходники или переводить 2D в 3D;

• библиотека звуковых эффектов для работы с аудио. Для озвучки доступна запись с микрофона;

• возможность сконвертировать клип в HD или FullHD, выгрузить на YouTube или сохранить на компьютере.

Онлайн-сервисы

Clipchamp

Официальный сайт

Clipchamp – онлайн-платформа для нелинейного редактирования и сжатия видео от австралийской компании Clipchamp Pty Ltd. 7 сентября 2021 года Microsoft официально объявила о приобретении Clipchamp. В результате сделки программа стала частью операционной системы Windows 11. Теперь пользователи могут использовать как онлайн-, так и десктопную версию программы для редактирования видеоматериалов.

Стоимость: бесплатно. Есть платный тариф 11,99 евро в месяц с расширенным функционалом.

Платформы: онлайн в браузере.

Язык: русский.

Кому подойдет: владельцам слабых компьютеров, которым нужен простой инструмент без лишнего функционала. Можно выполнять небольшие проекты.

Особенности и преимущества:

• все основные функции видеоредакторов – кадрирование, обрезка, поворот, работа со слоями, обработка звука, разделение дорожек, добавление музыки и фото;

• сжатие видео без потери качества. Это полезно, когда необходимо уменьшить размер видеофайла для загрузки или передачи через интернет и сохранить высокое качество изображения;

• возможность создавать автоматически точные субтитры на более чем 140 языках;

• широкий функционал для преобразования текста в речь. Можно выбрать язык, тембр, темп голоса и пр.;

• тренажер для тренировки речи при записи на веб-камеру. Можно отслеживать свой темп, тон и слова-вставки;

• поддержка цветокоррекции, фильтров и текста. Эффектов немного, но они очень качественные;

• современный, стильный и удобный интерфейс.

Online video cutter от 123apps

Официальный сайт

У сервиса 123apps есть несколько веб-приложений: инструменты для работы с .pdf, конвертеры аудио и видеоредактор. Online video cutter – браузерный аналог видеоредакторов в смартфонах. Это наиболее быстрый вариант, если нужно немного отредактировать короткое видео, поменять разрешение или переписать его формат.

Стоимость: бесплатно – десять сохраненных файлов в день. На платной версии количество не ограничено. Цена – 6 евро в месяц. Максимальный размер файла – до 4 Гб.

Платформы: онлайн в браузере.

Язык: русский.

Кому подойдет: всем, кому нужно решать несложные повседневные задачи.

Особенности и преимущества:

• возможность обрезать, кадрировать, зациклить и стабилизировать видео;

• возможность изменить скорость, громкость и разрешение файла. Например, с .avi на .mp4;

• минималистичный интерфейс. Все настройки находятся на панели и нигде не спрятаны.

При этом тут нет поддержки работы с дорожками. Нельзя добавить фото, текст и другие эффекты. Также не получится наложить аудио поверх видео.

Clideo

Официальный сайт

Легкая кроссплатформенная программа для монтажа видео. Ролики добавляются с Google Диска, из внутренней памяти устройства или облака Dropbox. Сервис используют сотрудники крупных и малых компаний по всему миру – Amazon, Google, Loreal, Microsoft и пр.

Стоимость: бесплатно с ограничениями. Платная версия – от 6 долларов в месяц.

Платформы: онлайн-сервис, не требует загрузки и установки. Работает на macOS, Windows, Android и iOS.

Язык: английский.

Кому подойдет: всем, у кого нет опыта, но нужен широкий функционал.

Особенности и преимущества:

• несколько дорожек (видеофайл, аудио, текстовое поле), которые можно редактировать отдельно друг от друга;

• возможность сделать видео квадратным, горизонтальным или вертикальным, чтобы поделиться им в YouTube, Instagram* и пр.;

• изменение скорости воспроизведения, громкости, регулировка яркости и контрастности каждого файла;

• возможность добавить текст и персонализировать его. Например, изменить шрифт, размер, цвет, толщину, добавить фон и пр.;

• функция разделенного экрана, позволяющая отображать в одном кадре несколько клипов сразу. Так создается эффект картинка-в-картинке, который пригодится для оформления динамичного видео о путешествии или вечеринке.

Мобильные приложения

InShot

Официальный сайт

InShot выпустила компания InShot Inc. У нее есть и другие программы для монтажа с подобным интерфейсом. Но у них нет своих страниц на сайте. InShot – одно из самых популярных приложений для видеомонтажа на мобильных устройствах.

Стоимость: условно бесплатно с рекламой, ограничениями функционала и водяным знаком. На тарифе Pro есть доступ ко всем платным эффектам, переходам, стикерам. Водяной знак отсутствует. От 350 рублей в месяц.

Платформы: iOS, Android.

Язык: русский.

Кому подойдет: всем, кто хочет монтировать видеоролики на телефоне.

Особенности и преимущества:

• приложение объединяет сразу три программы – фоторедактор, редактор коллажей и программу для монтажа. Подпрограммы разделяют три кнопки на главном экране;

• наличие всех базовых функции – обрезки, кадрирования, изменения скорости, монтажа из нескольких фото и видео, звуков, наложения музыки, голоса и текста;

• возможность добавлять стикеры, переходы и фильтры. Широкоугольное видео возможно поместить в квадрат и разбавить фоном пустые участки;

• возможность записывать озвучку, а потом изменять голос – делать его женским, мужским, детским или похожим на робота;

• функция отмены и возврата действий;

• понятный интерфейс. Имеется справка по неочевидным и базовым функциям. Наглядные подсказки можно прочитать за несколько минут и изучить полезные фичи, способные пригодиться в работе.

Splice

Официальный сайт

Еще одно мультиплатформенное приложение для видеомонтажа на смартфонах. Уступает по функциональности InShot.

Стоимость: есть бесплатная версия, но в приложении больше рекламы, чем в InShot, и меньше бесплатного контента. Например, визуальные динамические эффекты доступны только за деньги. Также в Pro-версии есть маски, которые позволяют делать боковую виньетку в кадре или круглые видео. Также в платной версии можно заменить фон – нужно отметить пипеткой цвет на удаление, и объект вырежется.Стоимость платной версии – 899 рублей в неделю.

Платформы: iOS, Android.

Язык: доступно на английском, французском, немецком, испанском, итальянском, португальском, русском, японском и китайском языках.

Кому подойдет: всем, кто хочет монтировать видеоролики на телефоне.

Особенности и преимущества:

• все возможности для редактирования видео. Можно настраивать скорость воспроизведения, регулировать цвета, добавлять переходы, текст;

• широкая библиотека лицензированной музыки и звуковых эффектов. Можно искать треки по настроению, жанру или вокалу;

• более 70 бесплатных фильтров, которые можно настроить по интенсивности;

• интересная подборка шрифтов. Например, есть как трендовые шрифты с засечками в стиле New York Times, так и в виде надписей TikTok;

• экспорт видео в различных форматах, включая HD и 4K.

Надеемся, наша подборка упростит вам процесс подготовки креативов. А если вы знаете какой-то отличный сервис для работы с видео, который мы не указали в статье, расскажите в комментариях.

*Социальные сети Instagram и Facebook запрещены в РФ. Решением суда от 21.03.2022 компания Meta признана экстремистской организацией на территории Российской Федерации.

If you are looking to purchase professional video editing software for your Windows computer but are confused about choosing the perfect one and value for money, you are in the right place to research. In this article, we’ll discuss in-depth the best 10 video editing software for windows.

Before you decide to purchase an editing tool for pro use, please read this article very carefully.

Related: Best Video Editor for Chromebook

A good video editor can help you create professional promos for platforms like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Twitch, and anywhere else you share product videos. A variety of free video editing apps are available to help you stand out from the crowd and edit videos like a pro in no time.

Best 5 Video Editing Software for Windows In 2023

In this article, we have listed such five best video editing software recommended by the most professional video editor. We have researched those tools very carefully and collected essential data so that anyone can justify and choose according to their needs. There is a short description for every tool, including their features, creative tools, pro designing tools, special effects, audio editing creativities, motion graphics, HD/4k/ 3D video quality capacity, etc.

Related: Best Video Editor for MAC

All the new features are described with their Pros and cons. A spec comparison table is provided with user ratings. However, here is the  list of the best 5 video editing software for windows in 2023:

1. CyberLink PowerDirector 365
2. Adobe Premiere Pro
3. Corel VideoStudio Ultimate
4. Movavi Video Editor Plus
5. DaVinci Resolve

Let’s find out why those editors are top of the list?

CyberLink PowerDirector 365

CyberLink’s PowerDirector is a professional video editor, a buyer-friendly software for windows. The developer of this tool always updates their technologies and formats to support their customers better than other software companies. It is loaded with multi-functional features like digital movie creating ability, lots of effects, transitions, captions, and titles. The best part of this editing tool is that it is simpler and faster than others.

Related: Best Video Editor for Voiceover

PowerDirector 365 includes almost all standard video editing features, from the most basic to advanced, such as frame-by-frame motion tracking. It also contains tools for 360° VR photo and video editing, green screen background replacement, 1:1 square video editing for Instagram and Facebook, vertical video editing for smartphone footage, picture-in-picture design, theme design, distortion correction tools, and more.

Key Features/Pros or Cons:

Pros	Cons
Fastest rendering Clear interface Loads of effects Multicam editing Motion tracking Screen recording	Number of options can make interface overwhelming During the editing process, the software crashed a couple of times.  Can’t handle working on bigger projects. There is lake of proper stabilization and cleaning video.

Creative Editing Tools	Precision Design Tools	New features
Editing and production of 1:1 square video Import, edit, and export vertical video Produce high-frame-rate video at 120/240 frames per second. Stabilizer and True Theater color Adjusting the opacity of keyframes a screenshot of the screen Audio editor built-in Video demonstration at the point of use	Titles for motion graphics) Scrubbing the audio Zoom, Crop, and Pan tools in the title designer’s menu Designer of transitions between multiple cameras Particle and picture-in-picture display speeds can be adjusted. True360 view designer Theme designer Mask designer	AI Sky Replacement.  Stock Content from Getty iStock.  New AI Audio Tools. Soundtrack Fitting.  New Aspect Ratio Options. More Shapes and Motion PiPs.  Object Segmentation.  Plenty of New Transitions,

What is the pricing of Cyberlink Power Director 365?

PowerDirector runs on Microsoft Windows 7,8.1,10, and11, with a 64-bit version is required. Two editions of subscription are available, the $99.99 Ultra and the $139.99 Ultimate. You can try the 30-day downloadable trial version.

Adobe Premiere Pro

Its standard video editing software, unique editing tools, and powerful functionality have earned it an excellent reputation. With a large import-export capacity, it has improved. Adobe Premiere Pro comes with an auto-caption generator, frame integration, and other creative tools. Premiere Pro is a worthy video editor for professionals because of these features.

Related: Best Video Editor for Android

Adobe Premiere Pro is the industry’s most popular video editing program for social media, television, and film. Adobe assists you in turning raw footage into polished films and videos. You can also create and edit new projects from any device using the Premiere Rush app. The revolutionary native 64-bit, GPU-accelerated Adobe Mercury Playback Engine in Adobe Premiere Pro CC for Windows PC provides breakthrough performance for video production, allowing you to work dramatically faster.

Pros	Cons
Clear, flexible interface Many organizational tools Responsive speed Rich ecosystem of video production apps Excellent stabilization tool Unlimited Multicam angles	For non-professionals, the interface is intimidating. Some techniques necessitate additional software, such as After Effects or Media Encoder. There are no sound effect samples available.

Creative Editing Tools

New features

Audio cleanup that is intelligent Color grading with a focus on Infographics based on data Templates for motion graphics 360-degree VR 360-degree VR 360-degree VR 360-degree VR 360-degree VR 360 Immersive media spatial markers Enhancements to Adobe Stock Team Projects invites a group of people to work on a project together. Color management on the display Improvements in performance Enhancements to the Creative Cloud Library Language support for keyboard shortcuts is an Australian closed-captioning standard. Adobe Immersive Environment’s Theater Mode

Interface Changes.  Frame.io Integration Caption Tools. Media Replacement in Motion Graphics Templates.  Copy and Paste Audio Effects. Learning tools.  Auto Reframe.

What is the pricing of Adobe Premiere Pro

Monthly subscription is $20.99, and the annual subscription of Premiere pro is $239.

Corel VideoStudio Ultimate

Use Corel VideoStudio Ultimate 2023 to put together your video footage and start creating spectacular videos with top-quality effects. The app has standard tools you would expect, including timelines, storyboards, picture-in-picture (PiP), sound editing, and many attractive new features in the latest release. Pinnacle Studio, which is geared toward video professionals, is also produced by Corel.

This software is designed for advanced consumers and social media creators. It includes face effects, AR stickers, face indexing,  video masking, multicamera, split-screen effects, GIF creation, and camera movement transitions. Speech-to-text captioning and improved audio waveform editing with easier tool access are audio features.

Key Features/Pros or Cons:

Creative Editing Tools	New features
Face Indexing Color Grading Video Masking 3D Title Editor Face Effects Speech-to-Text Animated AR Stickers GIF Creator	Camera Movements Nonlinear Keyframing in Variable Speed Enhanced Audio Waveforms Improved LUT Use Enhanced Media Library New Format Support Features Essential Video Editing Tools Multicam Capture Lite Multicam Video Editing Split Screen Templates Video/Audio Tracks

What is the pricing of Corel VideoStudio Ultimate?

Corel Video Studio comes in two packages: Pro ($79.99, or $59.99 if you upgrade from an older version) and Ultimate ($99.99, or $79.99 if you upgrade from an older version).

Movavi Video Editor Plus

Use Video Editor Plus 2023 from Movavi to take a hands-on, creative approach to your personal video editing workflow. This intuitive software encourages users to experiment with different techniques thanks to its variety of special effects, ready-made intros, and transitions, among other features. A refined user interface builds on the expansions of the 2021 version—LUTs, audio sync, timeline blanks, and overlay track transitions to add more audio editing capabilities.

Picture-in-picture, built-in effects, video, and vertical filters make editing videos for Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, or Instagram a breeze. Fast file processing and rendering enable you to produce more content in less time. The software can be installed both on Windows and macOS without internet access.

Key Features/Pros or Cons:

Pros	Cons
Easy-to-understand user interface Transitions with sound Motion tracking and picture-in-picture tools Chroma keying Quick movie-creation tool	Lacks advanced trim modes and clip pre-trimming Rendering on the slow side Not compatible with Apple Silicon M1

Creative Editing Tools	New features
Cut, trim, and join video Effects and transitions Automatic video creation Built-in media pack with 16 intros and outros, 20 sample videos, 39 music tracks, and 89 stickers Keyframe animation Timeline markers Fast processing of 4K videos	Revamped audio effects panel Audio enhance button Ability to combine audio effects Sound level, visualizer

What is the pricing of Movavi Video Editor Plus

Movavi Video Editor Plus costs $54.95 per year or $74.95 for a lifetime pass. Plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

DaVinci Resolve

DaVinci Resolve is included with many innovative features and is very beneficial for professional video editing. It is innovative editing software that provides cutting-edge elements for the editors.

It has multi-functional audio editing options like fairlightFX, ResolveFX, and DaVinci Neural Engine. The audio workstation is valuable, with features like EQ and dynamics processing, a full mixer, ADR tools, and many plugins.

DaVinci could be an excellent choice for an interactive project with large team members. It has many extra features, including face recognition, warp stabilization, speed warp re-timing, color grading or balancing, etc.

Its features and capabilities make it suitable software for digital creators, especially when you want to make a good impression.

Key Features/Pros or Cons:

Pros	Cons
There are numerous editing tools available for precise control. The user interface is simple and well-designed. Other professional editors have separate apps for motion graphics and audio editing.	Requires a lot of system resources Complex software takes considerable time to learn The software can be intimidating to those who aren’t familiar with video editing in general.

Creative Editing Tools	New features
Resolve 17 Studio 8K Editing & Color Correction Advanced HDR Editing Next-Gen Audio Engine; Edit 2000+ Tracks Use Fusion Compositions in Cut/Edit Tabs Mac, Windows & Linux Compatible Resolve Speed Editor Keyboard Shortcuts Match Edit Functions Small & Portable with Search Dial Bluetooth or USB Connectivity	Resolve FX such as ultra beauty and 3D depth map improved subtitling  GPU accelerated Fusion paint and real-time title template playback Fairlight fixed to FlexBus conversion

Comparing all the best editors for Windows

We have explained the 5 best editors for windows PC including their key features, pros, and cons so that you can get depth information about those video editing software. But still, that information can make you confused about selecting the best ones. Take a look at this table below; here, we have made a comparison of those editors according to some specs:

Softwares	CyberLink PowerDirectorr 365	Adobe Premiere Pro	Corel VideoStudio Ultimate	Movavi Video Editor Plus	DaVinci Resolve
Rating	4.5	4.5	4.0	4.0	4.0
Number of Video Tracks	100	Unlimited	50	Unlimited	Unlimited
Motion Tracking	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Multicam Editing	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes
3D Editing	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Exports to H.265 (HEVC)	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes
Supports 360° VR Content	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes
Supports 4K XAVC-S Format	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Keyword Tag Media	No	No	Yes	No	Yes

How to choose the best Windows video editor?

People who want a more powerful editor with a variety of built-in resources, responsive technical support and more should invest in one of the best video editing software products.

Related: Best Video Editor for Trimming

All the software was evaluated based on its functionality, ease of use, performance, sharing options, and new features in the most recent versions. We also judged the packages based on real-world usage for several categories and best for the Windows platform.

Quality is essential, but they are not a critical component of software evaluations because your capability will vary depending on your hardware configuration. Export clock speed is given less weight than ease of use, interface, and features. Nonetheless, speed testing provides valuable comparative information as a single measure among many.

What’s the best video editing software for Windows in 2023? Keep reading to find out in our complete review of the leading video editors for PC!

We’ll share our top recommendations for all types of video creators, from beginner friendly to more advanced and professional editing alternatives.

Important: When available, we use affiliate links and may earn a commission!

If you’ve been following us for a while, you probably know that these ‘Best Video Editing Software’ roundups have become an annual thing. But this year, we’ve done things a little bit differently…

Instead of sharing a wide range of 7+ contenders, we’ve narrowed it down to just TWO awesome Windows video editors that we recommend.

We’ll cover exactly why these two video editing software are so powerful AND why we’re not recommending the other options over these ones anymore.

This roundup might be shorter, but it still packs a punch! Whether you’re looking for the best free video editing software for Windows PC or something more advanced, our roundup will provide you with some great options.

Make sure you stick around to find out our top 3 video editing tips for ANY software.

Video Editing Software For Windows Shortlist

Our recommendations for best video editing software in 2023 are:

• CapCut
• DaVinci Resolve

The best part? They both have a completely free version available. This is great news if you’re looking for the best free video editing software.

But even if you’re not looking for a free video editor, we think these options have overtaken the paid video editing software.

Let’s dive in to find out why we recommend these two video editing software and who they’re for.

Windows Video Editor #1: CapCut

CapCut is an amazing, super intuitive and really easy to use video editing software. It works on Windows, Mac, Android and iPhone.

The fact that you can use it on multiple devices and have access to all the same features is really powerful.

CapCut actually started out as an app first. They’ve taken the same interface, workflow and usability from mobile and brought it over to the desktop version.

This makes it so much more intuitive than more traditional video editing software. We think this is part of the reason it’s so powerful on desktop.

So even if you’ve never edited a video before, you’d be able to figure it out really quickly.

CapCut Features

It’s incredibly easy to use. You could jump in, play around and figure out how to create something pretty amazing without much time and effort – even as a complete beginner.

Some of our favorite CapCut features include:

• Awesome transitions and effects: There’s more than just your average transitions and effects in here, there are some really cool ones that can help you really level up your story telling (& they’re definitely a level up from iMovie’s wipe transitions!)
• Supports multiple layers of video and audio: This means you can create reasonably complicated projects
• Switch between different video formats: You can switch your project from a wide screen video for YouTube to a vertical video for TikTok with the click of a button
• Background remover tool: This allows you to remove the background of your video clips without needing to use a green screen
• Great basic presets & filters for color correction: Just keep in mind that these aren’t pro-grade tools (if you’re after something more advanced, the next option will be much better suited for you)
• Adjustment layers for quickly applying effects to clips: These are like blank layers you can add to the top of your video clips – once you apply any adjustments to that layer, they will flow through to any clips that are underneath it
• Voice to text tool: You can type out text, select a voice and the text will be spoken aloud (or even SUNG aloud!)
• Even more amazing features: Built-in video stabilization, motion tracking, noise reduction and more

CapCut Downsides

There are a couple of things you should be aware of with CapCut.

Copyright Music

There’s a ton of music inside CapCut. But a lot of this music is copyright music, meaning if you use it in your YouTube videos you’re likely going to get a copyright claim on that content.

As a general rule, it’s always safer to use music that you actually own the license to rather than the built-in music provided by video editing programs.

That’s why we use services like Epidemic Sound and Artlist for our music, because it means we know all the licensing is completely handled and we won’t have any copyright issues in the future.

The reason CapCut has a lot of copyright music available, is for use in TikTok videos.

CapCut and TikTok are created by the same company, ByteDance. CapCut has tons of awesome tools for creating great TikToks.

So you can use that copyright music in TikTok videos and you won’t have any trouble with licensing. Just make sure you’re not using that music in your YouTube videos.

Privacy Concerns

You might have heard about some concerns around TikTok’s Terms of Service.

Given that TikTok and CapCut are owned by the same company, people have also been concerned about there being some questionable stuff in CapCut’s Terms of Service.

Apparently, because of these concerns both TikTok and CapCut have been banned in India.

But we’re not overly concerned and still have CapCut installed on all our devices. Again, this is just something you should be aware of.

Overall, CapCut is an amazing video editor.

With all the incredible tools in there, it outperforms so many of the paid video editing tools. Previously we recommended options like Kdenlive, Shotcut and Filmora in this category.

That’s not to say you can’t still use those options and get great results. But CapCut has really nailed a great balance of having an amazing feature set with a really easy to use interface.

So it’s a great option for someone who’s an absolute beginner right through to an intermediate level video editor.

Windows Video Editor #2: DaVinci Resolve

DaVinci Resolve is another mind blowing video editing software. It works on Windows, Mac, Linux and recently an iPad version was released as well.

It’s professional-level video editing software that’s completely free.

When we say ‘professional-level’, we mean that literal Hollywood movies are being edited and produced on this by professional editors!

While there is a paid version, the free version will definitely get the job done for the majority of people – it’s a fully featured video editor with very few limitations.

DaVinci Resolve Features

This video editing software is intuitive and easy enough to learn. It’s definitely not as easy to use as CapCut but it’s also not as complicated as some of the other pro-level tools out there.

Some of the top DaVinci Resolve features include:

• Individual tabs for each stage of the editing process: There are different tabs for each of the stages in the editing process, allowing you to access tools relevant to that stage e.g. there’s a Cut area where you compile and cut down your video files, there’s the Edit tab where do further edits to your video clips
• Awesome motion graphics and animations: There’s a ton of pro-level tools in the Fusion tab (think DR’s version of Adobe After Effects)
• Incredible color grading tools and audio tools: The tools are even used by professionals in these fields – we’ve heard of audio professionals jumping into DR just to use the tools for audio editing!
• Easily work with a team: You can really easily work collaboratively with teams using DR’s cloud service or even just by transferring projects
• Voice isolation tools: This is incredibly powerful for removing background noise and cleaning up audio
• Really powerful tracking and masking features: These will blow your mind, especially if you’ve been doing this stuff manually before

DaVinci Resolve Downsides

The only potential downside here is that you will need to have a fairly new computer.

If you’re using an older, low powered computer, DaVinci Resolve likely won’t work very well and you probably won’t have a great experience.

You can always take a look at the DaVinci Resolve System Requirements to see if your device is compatible.

DaVinci Resolve Pricing

You can upgrade to the Studio Version for a one-time fee of $295.

This unlocks some more advanced features and more integration with your computer hardware which helps you process/render/edit in a more fluid way.

It’s awesome that you don’t need to commit to a monthly subscription like with other options such as Adobe Premiere Pro.

But as we mentioned earlier, the free version is incredibly powerful and will likely suit most people’s needs.

Overall, if you want pro-grade tools that are literally industry standard software then DaVinci Resolve is right up your alley.

With an entire suite of video editing tools, you can take your pick of which ones you want to use.

Justin mostly works in the Edit tab but you might find yourself spending more time in the Color tab for example. There’s just so much in this video editing app – it’s crazy that you get access to this for free!

What’s The Best Video Editing Software For Mac

For years, the winner of our ‘best video editing software for Windows’ roundup has been Adobe Premiere Pro.

While we’re still big fans of Premiere, it’s getting a lot harder to recommend it now. Especially because of the level of tools you get access to in DaVinci Resolve for completely free.

We just love the innovation, growth and direction we’re seeing from DaVinci Resolve.

And that’s not to say that Adobe Premiere Pro is a bad option. It’s still super powerful video editing software.

Especially if you use tools like Photoshop or After Effects and already have an Adobe subscription – it definitely makes sense to continue using Adobe Premiere Pro as your video editing software.

But right now, DaVinci Resolve has such a compelling offer. You get access to an entire suite of editing software that works together super smoothly – and it’s a completely free video editor.

Even if you do want to jump on the Studio Version, it’s a one-time fee rather than an ongoing subscription.

It might seem crazy that our top picks are both free editing software but we think it’s awesome that the FREE video editing software has overtaken the PAID video editing software in this roundup.

As you can tell, CapCut and DaVinci Resolve will cater to the needs of most people that are making videos.

So, which of these free Windows video editors is right for you?

If you want to create amazing videos really quickly without needing to learn how to use professional grade software, CapCut is an amazing option. You still have access to a ton of awesome effects and controls to help you create incredible videos.

If you’re looking for more advanced features or you want to learn pro-grade software and have access to an entire suite of tools, it’s gonna be really hard to go past Da Vinci Resolve.

The best video editing software for you will come down to your skillset, the types of videos you’re creating, and what features work best for you.

Video editing software are just tools to edit videos. So your goal should be to find the one that’s easiest for YOU to get the job done. Choose the one that allows you to be as creative as you can, without being limited by the software.

As promised, it’s time to share our top three video editing tips that will help you edit faster in any video editing application. 

Our Top 3 Video Editing Tips 

1. Cut Down Your Content First

It can be tempting to jump straight into the editing software and begin adding a ton of effects and color grades to your footage to make it look good. But this really slows down your workflow. If you add these effects before editing down your footage, your computer has a lot more to process! 

Focus on building out your story and cutting down your footage first. Then go through and make it look awesome by adding effects and color grades afterwards.  

2. Use Stock Footage 

You don’t need to go out and film everything from scratch! There are amazing resources and libraries full of stock footage that you can easily download and add to your projects. 

Plus, stock footage makes your videos more engaging meaning that viewers are more likely to watch them for longer. Storyblocks and Artgrid are great resources for finding quality stock footage.

3. Learn Keyboard Shortcuts 

This is probably the fastest way you can speed up your editing. Knowing the shortcuts mean you can press one key on the keyboard rather than moving your mouse around to find a tiny little icon on the screen. 

In some cases, pressing the one keyboard shortcut button will save you from performing three or four actions using a mouse. 

To find the keyboard shortcuts for your particular program, go to the help section inside your software or do a quick Google search. You’ll be able to find a full list of all the editing shortcuts that will cut down your editing time! 

There you have it, our complete guide to the best video editing software for Windows PC in 2023. If you found this guide useful, feel free to share it on social media or with someone you know who might like to learn more about the best video editor for Windows.  

No matter which video editing software you go with, the fastest and most effective method for editing videos is by following a clear process. Check our complete video editing process in this guide – The ULTIMATE Process for Editing Videos Faster.

FAQ

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Recommended Tutorials:

• CapCut Video Editing Tutorial
• DaVinci Resolve Video Editing Tutorial

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Recommended Gear & Resources

Check out an up-to-date list of all the gear, software & tools we use and recommend right now at Primal Video on our resources page here!

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