9 Best Free Video Editing Software for Beginners

Top Video Editors for Beginners in 2024

Author

Steven Van
October 07, 2023 • Estimated Reading Time: 10 minutes

In the digital age, video editing has transitioned from being a professional skill to a common hobby. With the advent of social media, more individuals are diving into video editing to enhance their online presence.

However, beginners often find themselves at a crossroads, unsure of which software to use. This guide unveils the best free video editing software tailored for beginners, easing the initial learning curve.

Table of Contents

In the subsequent sections, we'll delve into an overview of free video editing software, followed by a detailed review of selected software to help you make an informed decision.

How to Choose the Right Video Editing Software for You

Choosing the right video editing software is a pivotal step in the journey of every aspiring video editor. Here are some factors to consider:

  • Ease of Use: Look for intuitive interfaces and accessible tutorials.

  • Features: Essential features like cut, trim, and effects are necessary.

  • Support and Community: A helpful community and accessible support can be a game changer.

  • Compatibility: Ensure the software is compatible with your operating system.

Now, let’s delve into the specifics of some of the most user-friendly free video editing software for beginners.

Blackmagic Design

DaVinci Resolve is a highly professional video editing software that is revered in the film industry, known for its comprehensive set of editing tools and capabilities. It combines video editing, motion graphics, color grading, and audio production into a single platform, making it a robust choice for more advanced users.

Compatibility: Windows, macOS, Linux

Features

  • All-in-one Post-production: Offers a comprehensive post-production solution with a wide range of audio, video, and color-correcting tools​.

  • Professional Caliber: Used by the film industry for creating blockbuster movies and other high-quality video content​​.

  • Advanced Editing Tools: Includes cutting, keyframing, color grading, and audio tools that professionals seek​​.

  • Motion Graphics and Visual Effects: Rich set of tools for creating motion graphics and adding visual effects.

  • Multi-User Collaboration: Features multi-user collaboration, allowing team members to work on a project simultaneously​.

Pros

  • Professional Quality: Provides professional-quality editing capabilities, making it suitable for advanced editing projects​​.

  • No Cost: Free to use, offering a wealth of features at no cost​​.

  • Industry Recognition: Widely recognized and used in the film industry for high-quality video editing​​.

Cons

  • Steep Learning Curve: The software can be quite intense for beginners due to its advanced features and unique interface​.

  • Hardware Requirements: May require robust hardware to run smoothly, and some hardware extras can be expensive​​.

Apple

iMovie is a solid choice for Mac users, providing a good balance of features for both beginners and more advanced users.

Compatibility: macOS, iOS

Features

  • User-Friendly Interface: Clean and intuitive interface.

  • Templates and Themes: Variety of pre-set themes and templates.

  • Trailers and Storyboards: Ready-made templates for creating movie trailers.

  • Audio Editing: Basic audio editing tools and sound effect library.

  • Integration with other Apple apps and services.

Pros

  • Seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem.

  • Good balance of basic and advanced editing features.

  • Free with no watermark on exported videos​​.

Cons

  • Limited to Apple devices.

  • May lack some advanced features found in more professional software.

Opus Clip

OpusClip is a state-of-the-art video editing platform that's empowering individuals and brands to repurpose their long-form content into engaging, shareable short videos optimized for social media platforms like TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and Instagram Reels.

Compatibility: Online (Browser-based)

Features

  • AI-Powered Editing: OpusClip's Generative AI technology effortlessly transforms lengthy videos into concise, eye-catching shorts, highlighting crucial topics or exciting moments from your footage.

  • Auto Reframe: Automatically identifies and tracks moving subjects to ensure they remain in the frame, enhancing the visual appeal of your clips.

  • Team Collaboration: Work seamlessly with your team to edit and refine your video content, fostering a collaborative editing environment.

  • AI-Curation: Automatically identifies the golden nuggets in your video footage, saving you the time and effort of manual scanning.

Pros

  • User-Friendly: Known for its ease of use, enabling even novices to create high-quality, shareable videos with just a few clicks.

  • Time-Saver: The AI-driven capabilities significantly cut down the editing time, making video repurposing quick and hassle-free.

  • Highly Effective: Users have reported increased views and engagement on social media platforms due to the optimized short videos created with OpusClip.

Cons

  • While the AI does a fantastic job, there might be instances where manual editing could be required, which isn't OpusClip's strongest suit.

  • You only get 60 minutes of free upload minutes per month, otherwise the cheapest paid plan is $19 per month.

  • The free version has a watermark.

Clipchamp

Clipchamp is an online video editor by Microsoft that allows for quick edits and has a range of tools suitable for beginners.

Compatibility: Online (Browser-based)

Features

  • Basic Editing Tools: Cut, trim, speed control, and more.

  • Stock Library: Access to a library of stock footage.

  • Templates: A variety of templates for different project types.

  • Direct Sharing: Share edited videos directly on social media platforms.

  • Cloud-Based: All edits are saved in the cloud.

Pros

  • Easy to use with an intuitive interface.

  • No software download is required; edit videos directly in the browser.

  • Direct sharing to social media platforms facilitates quick posting.

Cons

  • Limited advanced editing features.

  • The free version has a watermark on exported videos.

5. Veed.io

Veed.io

Veed.io is an online video editor designed for simplicity and quick edits, making it suitable for beginners.

Compatibility: Online (Browser-based)

Features

  • Auto-Subtitling: Automatic transcription and subtitling tool.

  • Basic Editing Tools: Includes cut, trim, text overlays, and more.

  • Brand Customization: Customize videos with brand colors, fonts, and logos.

Pros

  • Extremely user-friendly with a straightforward interface.

  • No installation required; browser-based tool.

  • Free tier available for basic editing needs.

Cons

  • Limited advanced editing features.

  • May require a subscription for more advanced tools and features.

Kapwing

Kapwing is known for its collaborative editing features and a good range of editing tools.

Compatibility: Online (Browser-based)

Features

  • Real-Time Collaboration: Work with team members on a project in real time.

  • Customizable Templates: Wide range of templates that can be customized.

  • AI-Powered Tools: Utilize AI for smarter editing and better results.

  • Brand Customization: Customize videos with brand colors, fonts, and logos.

Pros

  • Real-time collaboration enhances workflow, especially for team projects.

  • AI-powered tools provide smart editing options.

  • An extensive template library aids in quicker project completion.

Cons

  • The free version limits video length to 4 minutes.

  • May require a subscription for more advanced features and additional resources.

CapCut

Capcut is a video editing tool by TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, that provides a range of tools for enhancing social media videos.

Compatibility: iOS, Android, Online (Browser-based)

Features

  • Basic Editing Tools: Cut, rewind, change speed, and more.

  • Effects and Filters: Variety of effects, filters, and beauty effects.

  • Music Library: Large library of songs with exclusive copyrights.

  • Video Upscaling and Stabilization: Improve video quality and stability.

Pros

  • User-friendly interface suitable for beginners.

  • Free to use with a good range of basic editing tools.

  • A huge library of video templates.

  • Mobile-friendly; edit videos on the go.

Cons

  • Limited advanced editing features.

  • Watermark clip added to end of videos.

InVideo is an online platform that allows users to create professional videos within minutes. With a vast library of pre-made templates and easy-to-use editing features, InVideo serves as a quick solution for individuals and businesses alike.

Compatibility: Online (Browser-based)

Features

  • Template-Driven: Wide range of pre-made templates.

  • Text to Video: Convert text into video effortlessly.

  • Automated Voice Overs: Ability to add automated voice overs to videos.

Pros

  • Intuitive interface suitable for both beginners and professionals.

  • Extensive library of video templates.

  • Ability to create videos quickly with minimal effort.

Cons

  • May lack advanced editing features found in other software.

WeVideo is a cloud-based collaborative video creation platform known for its ease of use and robust features. It caters to educators, students, and businesses, enabling them to create professional-quality videos and podcasts.

Compatibility: Online (Browser-based)

Features

  • Collaborative Editing: Multiple users can work on a project, albeit not simultaneously.

  • Educational Focus: Specially designed features for educators and students.

  • Cloud-Based: Access and edit your projects from anywhere.

Pros

  • Extremely user-friendly, suitable for beginners and professionals.

  • Great for educational purposes, enabling a collaborative learning environment.

  • Wide range of functionalities for creating movies and podcasts.

Cons

  • May lack advanced editing features found in other software.

Conclusion

If you're new to video editing, it might feel overwhelming at first. But don't worry! With the right tools, it becomes much easier and fun. This guide will show you some free video editing software that is easy to use and powerful. Whether you want to make simple social media clips or professional videos, there's a platform for you.

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