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In a period in which it is increasingly easier to judge a book by its cover, it is evident that the image is invaluable. And videos are a very important tool for increasing conversions and maximizing your store’s return on investment.
Whether it’s Instagram Stories, Facebook Ads or YouTube Ads, the right software will make a difference and give your brand a sleek and professional look.
Fortunately, with the quantity and quality of video editing programs available, you don’t need to be Spielberg (nor have his budget) to get incredible results.
In this article we will find out which are the best video editing programs that can be found online. We will list the 20 best free apps, focusing on the most versatile software we could find.
Our selection includes the best free video editing software, divided by: computer video editing programs, video editing apps for android and iOS, Instagram video editing app. Ready to get started?
Lights, camera, action!
Best free programs to edit video from computer
Have you ever wondered how to cut and edit videos for free? Here is a list of the best video editing programs you can use from your computer. Computer apps typically offer much more functionality than smartphone apps and are better suited to slightly longer videos. Check out these programs, choose the one or ones that best suit your needs and create video content for YouTube or your site.
All of the following video editors are entirely free or have a high-quality free version, and the list includes basic and more advanced versions.
1. Blender
Blender is one of the best video editing programs available for Windows, Mac and Linux.
Blender is an entirely free open source program. It was actually designed to be a 3D animation suite, but it offers a really useful video editor. In fact, the features offered by Blender should be sufficient to satisfy most of your needs.
The editor allows you to perform basic actions, such as joining and trimming videos, and more complex actions such as applying a mask. This versatility makes it a perfect video editor for novice and experienced users.
The Blender video editor includes the following features:
- Preview, luminance waveform graph (Luma Waveform), chroma vectorscope and histogram.
- Audio mixing, synchronization, scrubbing and waveform display.
- Up to 32 slots for adding video, images, audio and effects.
- Speed control, adjustment layers, transitions, frames, filters and more.
Pros: Perfect for advanced users who aren’t put off by the myriad of features available.
Cons: The wide range of features makes the learning curve slightly steeper. Most of the tutorials are about 3D modeling and animation, and resources for video editing are quite limited.
Perfect for: More advanced projects that may include 3D animation.
2. Lightworks
Lightworks is another one of the best video editing programs. It is available for Windows, Mac and Linux.
Lightworks is one of the most powerful video editors on this list. It offers some incredibly useful features, and the free version should be more than enough for most users. If not, you can always choose to upgrade to the paid version.
The free version of this program includes the following features:
- High-precision video cropping.
- Multicam support.
- Export files in 720p for Youtube.
- Wide range of supported video formats.
While most of the features are included in the free version, it is possible to have 4K video support for YouTube and Vimeo only in the paid version of the program. Compared to Blender, however, Lightwoks has several video tutorials that help you install and make the most of the software. Take a look at the packages offered and choose the option that suits you best.
Pros: Powerful video editor with several advanced features.
Cons: 4K video support only with paid version. Some users may find Lightworks too advanced.
Perfect for: Comprehensive computer video editing.
3. Shotcut
Shotcut, one of the best free video editing programs, is available for Windows, Mac and Linux.
Shotcut , like Blender, is an entirely open source program, which means that once downloaded you will have access to all the features without the need for a paid upgrade.
This program supports a wide range of video formats, and offers a fantastic collection of tutorials. Despite the great features included in this video editor, some users may find the interface slightly extravagant. The software was originally designed for Linux, and it’s obvious. Nevertheless, it remains a program to edit videos of excellent quality!
Two of the most striking features are 4K HD resolution compatibility and timeline editing. In fact, there are few free versions of software that offer 4K resolution support. Plus, with Shotcut there’s no need to import the video into the editor, which can really save you time, especially when you’re dealing with large videos.
Pros: native timeline timeline editing and 4K resolution support.
Cons: wacky interface that risks putting off some users.
Perfect for: 4K, HD video projects.
4. Movie Maker 10
The nostalgic friends of Windows will remember it well: Movie Maker is the program that has marked countless days for billions of users around the world. While the older versions brought with them several bugs that made them difficult to use, Movie Maker 10 changes the rules of the game.
The advantage of this pc video editing software is that it offers a lot of basic functions – simple cuts, transitions, animations – with no video length limits and no watermark or branded watermark.
Pros : Lots of unlimited features and watermarks. Allows you to work with HD video.
Cons : Only available for Windows.
Perfect for : Users with intermediate video editing skills who don’t need too much advanced functionality.
5. Animoto
Online video editor available on all browsers.
Animoto is an online video editing tool designed to facilitate the creation of multimedia elements capable of bringing results to any type of business. The platform, in fact, is equipped with pre-set templates, templates, stock photos and videos, audio … all elements to create a video from scratch in a simple way.
The interface is intuitive and the use of Animoto is extremely simple thanks to the drag & drop system. In practice, just drag the files we need into the workspace to compose our video.
Animoto is a scalable solution: it presents a free plan where it is possible to export videos up to 720p with the Animoto watermark; alternatively we find the professional and team plans to access more advanced features and remove the overlay watermark.
Pros : simple interface, presence of a royalty free multimedia content library
Cons : The free version doesn’t allow exporting HD videos
Perfect for : those looking for a free solution to start a video marketing strategy on their social channels.
6. VSDC Free Video Editor
VSDC is a great video editing program, available only for Windows.
VSDC is a video editing program available only for Windows users. The free version includes a wide range of features, including color correction and audio editing.
The paid version costs $ 19.99 and includes image stabilization, voice over support, and visual waveform. If you choose not to upgrade to the pro version, technical support costs $ 9.99 for one month or $ 14.99 for one year.
Pros: Relatively easy to use with several powerful features.
Cons: paid technical support; available only for Windows.
Perfect for: Windows editing projects.
7. VideoPad
Only available for Windows.
VideoPad is the perfect tool for those who are beginners but do not want to throw themselves into too simple tools with precompiled templates. This video editing software is free and has all the basic features you could want from a tool of this type.
The real gem of this program is that it also supports 3D video editing (a very rare gem to find in completely free tools!). It also allows, once editing is finished, to export the file and share it directly on the main social accounts.
VideoPad is a scalable solution: in fact, if you want advanced features and unlimited libraries, you can buy the PRO version.
Pros : Free 3D video editing, direct social sharing.
Cons : does not have advanced features in the basic version.
Perfect for : those who want to enter the world of video editing and are looking for a basic solution to start with.
8. Machete Video Editor Lite
Only available for Windows.
Machete Lite is one of the simpler video editing programs on this list, and is perfect for fast and light editing. With the free version it is not possible to edit the audio, you can only remove the track completely. Also, please note that the free version only supports files in AVI and MWV formats. The paid version costs $ 19.95, allows you to edit audio, and supports multiple file types.
Pros: Extremely easy to use.
Cons: Windows only; does not support a large amount of files like other programs: you cannot edit the audio (in the free version).
Perfect for: editing videos easily and without too many pretensions
9. Kapwing
Online video editing tool available on all browsers.
Kawping is a very simple online video editing tool to use thanks to its beginner-proof interface. It has a free and a paid version. With the free plan you can export videos for a maximum duration of 7 minutes and no more than 3 hours each month.
Each video created is kept for two days, a fairly short time in which it is possible to edit the content created. In the free version, however, the videos do not have watermarks and it is possible to share them directly on the connected social accounts.
Pros : Watermark-free video, intuitive interface.
Cons : in the free version, storage and duration limits of exported videos.
Perfect for : Those looking for a complete, easy-to-use solution for creating micro social content.
10. Avidemux
Available for Windows, Mac and Linux.
Avidemux is a perfect video editing program for beginners, because its interface is really intuitive and easy to use.
This software can help you with basic editing actions, such as:
- Cut video
- Encoding
- Add filters
If this is your first time editing a video, this might be a good place to start!
Pros: very simple software, no technical instructions are needed.
Cons: Less functionality than other video editors.
Perfect for: basic editing tasks.
11. Lumen5
Fully online video editing tool available on all browsers.
Lumen5 is a truly complete online video editing tool. In its free version it allows you to export videos up to 720p (attention, with watermark), allows you to create professional storyboards and offers very special editing functions such as artificial intelligence that transforms the storyboard into video.
In the free version it is possible to export a maximum of 5 videos per month with no limit of duration. It is a scalable solution thanks to the presence of paid PRO plans. Many big brands like SemRush have chosen this tool in the full version to make their videos.
Pros : Allows you to produce quality content in a short time.
Cons : the free version has watermarks and has a monthly limit.
Perfect for : editing videos quickly and getting a professional result.
12. HitFilm Express
Available for Mac and Windows.
HitFilm Express is one of the most professional video editing programs on this list. It offers all the features you would expect to find in a basic video editor (video trimming, audio editing, etc.) and many more. Some users may find HitFilm slightly advanced, but it is arguably one of the most comprehensive video editing software on the market. The free version also includes more than 180 special effects.
The tutorials are mostly based on Hollywood movies like Star Wars, and are interactive and engaging!
Before you can download this software, you need to share a status on HitFilm on social media, which is a very small price to pay, to be able to take advantage of such advanced software! HitFilm also includes a store from which you will be able to purchase add-ons, but this is beyond the goals of most users, since the features available with the free version should be more than enough.
Features include:
- Advanced cutting tools
- Typing for green screen effects
- Filters for audio and video
- Composition tools
- Layers and masking
- 3D video support
Pros: Extremely professional and free video editor .
Cons: It may take some time to learn how to use the interface.
Perfect for: Youtuber’s vlog – Youtube upload is integrated.
13. DaVinci Resolve
Available for Windows, Mac and Linux.
DaVinci Resolve is probably the most advanced video editing software on the list. Despite the many professional features, the interface is really intuitive. Besides the ability to trim and edit videos, you can also burn audio and color correct. You can also add 2D and 3D titles to your video. If you just need to trim and upload your videos, DaVinci Resolve’s wide range of features might be a little too much. On the other hand, if your video project is slightly more advanced, you will hardly find anything that surpasses the free version of this software.
Features include:
- Advanced cut
- Multicam editing
- Color correction
- Audio mastering
Pros: intuitive interface and great color correction.
Cons: The wide range of features may be overkill, and not all tutorials are free.
Perfect for: More advanced projects where color correction is required.
14. Photo from Microsoft
Only available on Windows.
Reading the name, the last thing that would come to mind is that a program called “Photos” can help us edit videos. On Windows, however, it is reality.
Microsoft Photos is an editing program that provides the user with the basic functions to create home videos. For business or more advanced needs, this program may not be the most suitable answer.
Pros : simple to use.
Cons : basic video editing functions. Present only on Windows.
Perfect for: making movies such as vlogs or travel without too many pretensions and special effects.
15. Openshot
Available for Windows, Mac and Linux.
Openshot is a fully open source program. Some Mac users compare it to iMovie, due to its simple interface with drag and drop operation. Openshot instead has many more features than iMovie, including unlimited layers and audio mixing. This free video editing software perfectly balances advanced features and intuitive interface. Also you can see live previews when you create transitions between different clips.
Features include:
- Unlimited tracks and layers
- Clip resizing, trimming, rotating and video transitions with real-time previews
- Composition, image overlay, watermarks
- Title templates, 3D animated title, title and subtitle creation (with effects)
- Advanced timeline (includes drag, scroll, zoom and adjust)
Pros: open source, unlimited layers.
Cons: few video tutorials.
Perfect for: novice video editing users.
16. Icecream Video Editor
Only available on Windows.
IceCream is not a brand new to editors and their version of the video editing software could not be missing. The free version of IceCream includes all the functions expected from a tool of this type: crop, photo slideshow, import of multimedia elements (photos, audio and video).
Also, you can select the quality of the output video. The program has no limitations on either the length of the movie or the weight. In any case, there is a paid PRO version that includes more advanced features.
Pros : Videos created have no weight or duration limits.
Cons : the functions it presents are basic .
Perfect for : Easily editing videos of any format.
17. iMovie
Available on Mac.
Good old iMovie for Mac operating systems concludes this list. Like most Mac native apps, this video editor is really intuitive. The interface works with the drag and drop drag system, and is perfect for learning the basics of video editing. Once you are an expert, you may need new features and decide to switch to another of the software featured in this article.
Features include:
- Pre-made video transition library
- Cutting videos
- Audio editing
- Split screen in two
- 4K resolution support
Pros: easy to use.
Cons: the features offered may be scarce for more advanced users; importing and exporting files can be a bit slow.
Perfect for: Mac users who are new to video editing.
18. Kdenlive
Available for Windows, MacOS and Linux.
Kdenlive – acronym for KDE Non-Linear Video Editor – is a rather advanced video editing software considering that it is a completely free tool.
Among its features, we find multi-track editing; audio-video analysis tools; automatic backup, low resolution editing to make the program lighter and able to run on different devices; an online resource library and much more.
Pros : advanced features, full program.
Cons : For beginners, the learning curve is quite steep.
Perfect for : professional editing.
19. ClipChamp
Online video editor available on Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge (Chromium update).
ClipChamp is a really great video editing tool. Easy to use, it features ready-to-use templates to produce quality social content. In particular we can find:
- YouTube videos;
- Editor for Facebook Ads ads;
- Video ads for Instagram Ads.
Clearly, these features make it a perfect tool for those who are beginners but still do not want to give up a professional result for their content. In the free basic version there are no limits on the number of videos but the maximum exportable quality is 480p.
Pros : many features and preset templates.
Cons : maximum quality exportable in the free 480p version.
Perfect for : Those looking for a scalable solution but want to have access to all the basic features for a long trial period and then purchase the professional plans.
Best free video editing programs for smartphones
These video editing apps are perfect if you are always ready to record and share videos with your smartphone, and if you are looking for an app to edit your videos wherever you are! Just a quick search on any store to find dozens and dozens of video editing apps. In this list we offer what we believe are some of the best and most intuitive free video editing apps for free.
20. KineMaster
KineMaster is a video editing app available on iOS and Android.
Despite its presence only on smartphones, with KineMaster it is possible to edit and export videos up to 4K with 60 fps. Impressive if you think that not all video editing software we saw in the previous chapter offer this opportunity in their free version!
Pros : 4K video processing.
Cons : managing multiple layers from smartphones can be complex.
Perfect for : Editing high quality video on the road.
21. Splice
Splice is one of the best video editing apps out there, available only on iOS.
Splice is one of the most popular video editing apps among iPhone or iPad owners. Made by the creators of GoPro, the app is very simple to use, thanks to its intuitive interface. You can easily edit and trim videos, add transitions and sounds thanks to the built-in library and share your videos on your favorite platforms!
Pros: easy to use and intuitive.
Cons: only available for iOS.
Best for: Avoid wasting time and edit a video quickly.
22. Quik
Available on iOS and Android.
Quik is another video editing app from the creators of GoPro. It is quite similar to Splice, but leaves the user less autonomy. It has automatic trimming and editing features that speed up the video editing process, but if you want more control you can still edit the clips manually.
Quik’s automatic actions are truly remarkable – it can analyze your videos to find the best moments, and it can even add transactions. If you are looking for really fast video editing, this is the app for you. Plus, unlike Splice, it’s also available for Android users!
Pros: automatic editing features.
Cons: Some users may want more control.
Best for: Quick and individual video editing.
23. Adobe Premiere Rush
Available on iOS and Android.
Adobe Premiere Rush is a very popular video editing app. It connects directly to the Adobe Premier Pro product, but also works as a standalone app. You can add music (from your smartphone or the included library) and transitions, correct the color, and you are ready to share your videos!
Adobe users will be happy to know that this app is seamlessly integrated with other Adobe components, such as Lightroom and also has a desktop version (paid)
Pros: Easy to use, Adobe Creative Cloud support.
Cons: The free version has limited functionality.
Best for: Basic mobile video editing.
24. Horizon
Available on iOS and Android.
Horizon is a simple app, which allows users to record video in a horizontal position, regardless of the orientation of their smartphone. Sometimes if we have to catch something on the fly we forget to turn the phone horizontally. This app helps you to solve this problem! Even if the phone is tilted, the video will always be recorded horizontally. Check out this demo to understand how it works. Avoid vertically captured videos and shoot quick videos in the Horizon app.
Pros: very simple to use; you will not waste vertically recorded content.
Cons: the Android version is less advanced than the iOS one; some in-app purchases may be required, depending on your needs.
Best for: Recording videos horizontally.
25. VideoShow
VideoShow is a video editing app available on Android and iOS.
A fun app to use and that supports you in video editing with basic functions: themes, effects, filters, zoom, blur, meme, emoji, sound effects …
The dubbing function is very nice: in practice, it allows you to record an audio track with your own voice to be inserted into the video to make it – I quote – even more interesting .
Pros : intuitive, many advanced functions too.
Cons : in the free version, the videos have a watermark.
Perfect for : video editing without the need for advanced features.
26. PowerDirector
PowerDirector is an app available for Android and iOS.
A really powerful and versatile app for video editing: we are talking about PowerDirector produced by CyberLink Corp, a famous software house famous above all for its tools dedicated to the world of video making.
Among the functions available from mobile, we find:
- Multitrack management;
- 4K video;
- Video stabilizer to optimize blurry footage;
- Basic editing tools (crop, rotation and division of frames …);
- Record audio directly from your mobile device.
Pros : 4K video management.
Cons : in the free version, it has a watermark.
Perfect for : Taking professional videos using a smartphone.
Best video editing apps for Instagram
We are all huge Instagram fans. If you are an ecommerce owner, however, you know how important it is to give your brand a professional look.
Take your Instagram Stories to the next level with these video editing apps. By the way, all the apps we talked about earlier are also good for Instagram. The difference is that the ones we’re going to introduce you here have been designed specifically for Instagram.
Magisto
Available on iOS and Android.
Magisto is an award-winning video editor. Add photos, videos, music and whatever you want and the app will automatically create and edit your video. The results are truly amazing. Choose the type of story you want to tell and Magisto will save you a lot of time by delivering your professional video directly. It’s the perfect app for your Instagram posts, and your followers will think you’ve spent at least two hours creating your story.
Pros: The results are amazing.
Cons: You give up control for speed.
Best for: Fast, professional video editing.
Boomerang
Available on iOS and Android.
Boomerang, available on iOS and Android , is an app created by Instagram that allows you to use your photos to create more interactive content. Take a burst of 10 (or less) photos, and Boomerang will turn it into a mini video. Thanks to native support, you can post the video on Instagram directly from the app.
Pros: very easy to use, easy to share content.
Cons: Basically it’s a one-function app.
Best for: Turning your photos into interactive video content.
Anchor Video Maker
Available on iOS and Android.
Anchor Video Maker is perfect for creating much more interactive audio content. Don’t let those audio files go to waste! Sometimes the best videos come from pieces of audio. This app automatically transcribes your audio files and podcasts into Instagram-perfect videos. Check out this article , in English, try the demo, watch the tutorial, and click on the link to download the app.
Pros: Easy sharing of audio files.
Cons: Automatic transcription needs review, and may not support all languages.
Best for: sharing audio files on social media.
Hyperlapse
Only available on iOS.
Hyperlapse is the perfect app for timelapse videos. In fact, this app was created by Instagram, which makes it perfect for social sharing. By condensing a large amount of time into a short video, Hyperlapse can create engaging videos for your followers. This app also doesn’t need a tripod, thanks to its incredible image stabilization technology.
This type of timelapse video can be perfect for showing, for example, how a certain product is created. When you’re done recording your video, you can share it directly on Instagram. Also, you can increase the speed of the timelapse up to 12 times.
Pros: Thanks to image stabilization there is no need for a tripod.
Cons: only available on iOS only; it may take a couple of tries to get perfect results.
Best for: Shooting stunning timelapses.
Apple Clips
Only available on iOS.
While some native Apple apps are lacking, Apple Clips is one of the best. This app responds to most of the video editing needs needed for Instagram. You can merge multiple clips together and edit the timeline.
Two of the coolest features are the ability to change the background and turn your content into a comic, and the Live Titles feature – just record a video and Apple Clips will add subtitles automatically, synchronized with your voice. When you’re done, you can edit the text and make sure it’s correct. Attention, subtitles may not be available in all languages.
Pros: easy to use; real-time subtitles.
Cons: iOS only .
Best for: iOS users who want fast, interactive, Instagram-friendly video editing software.
FilmoraGo
Available on iOS and Android.
Last but not least , we have FilmoraGo . FilmoraGo is a reliable video editing app, with no watermark or paid subscriptions. Add music, transitions and trim your video clips, right from the app. You can easily add themes, text and subtitles to your videos. There is also a paid computer version, but you can safely enjoy loads of editing features from the free app too!
Pros: Great for basic smartphone video editing.
Cons: Less complete than the computer version.
Best for: Adding text, timing and layers to personalize your videos.
Conclusion
What are you waiting for? Start using the free video editing software you discovered from this list and create great videos today! Increase your return on investment and maximize your advertising investment by creating videos for your products and ads that feature your brand so it’s visually appealing.
Take your Instagram stories and YouTube videos to the next level with these video editing programs, and get professional results fast.