Want to edit your videos without paying for Adobe Premiere Pro? You don't need to. Some of the best video editing software around costs nothing, and a couple of these programs are good enough for professional work.
Below are the ten free video editors I'd point a friend towards, for Windows, Mac and Linux. I've been honest about the catch with each one, because there usually is one. Some free editors limit how sharp your finished video can be, some are only free for home use, and some need a fairly powerful computer. It's better to know that before you spend an evening learning one.
The short answer: if your computer can handle it, download DaVinci Resolve. If it's an older or slower machine, go for Shotcut.
Free video editors compared
| Software | Best for | Works on | Things to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| DaVinci Resolve | Serious editing and colour work | Windows, Mac, Linux | Needs a decent graphics card and takes time to learn |
| Shotcut | All-round editing on any computer | Windows, Mac, Linux | Layout takes a little getting used to |
| Kdenlive | Multi-track editing | Windows, Mac, Linux | Lots of options, so it can feel busy |
| OpenShot | Complete beginners | Windows, Mac, Linux | Can slow down on long or 4K projects |
| iMovie | Mac, iPhone and iPad owners | Mac, iPhone, iPad | Apple only, and only two video layers |
| Blender | Animation and effects | Windows, Mac, Linux | A huge program if you only want to edit |
| VSDC Free Video Editor | Lots of effects on Windows | Windows | Windows only, and some extras are paid |
| Lightworks | Trying a professional editor | Windows, Mac, Linux | Free version exports at 720p at most |
| VideoPad | Quick, simple edits | Windows, Mac | Free for personal, non-commercial use only |
| Avidemux | Trimming and converting clips | Windows, Mac, Linux | Not a full editor |
1. DaVinci Resolve My pick
DaVinci Resolve is the one I'd recommend to anyone who wants to get properly into video editing. It started life as high-end colour grading software for film and TV, and the free version still gives you most of what the professionals use: editing, colour correction, Fusion for visual effects and Fairlight for audio, all in one program. There's no watermark and no time limit, and you can export at up to 4K Ultra HD.
It isn't the easiest place to start. There's a lot on the screen, and it runs best with a decent graphics card. The good news is that there are thousands of free tutorials on YouTube to get you going.
If you outgrow the free version, you can buy DaVinci Resolve Studio outright for a one-off payment of around £230 to £250 from UK retailers, so there's no need to pay every month. Compared with a Premiere Pro subscription, that's very good value. Blackmagic now offers a monthly option too, if you'd rather spread the cost.
- Good for: editing, colour grading, audio mixing, visual effects, multi-camera editing
- Works on: Windows, macOS, Linux
2. Shotcut
Shotcut is free, open source and runs happily on older computers. It opens almost any video format without you having to convert it first, which saves a lot of hassle if your clips come from a mix of cameras and phones. You get a proper timeline, filters, transitions, keyframes for animating effects, and decent audio tools.
The layout feels a bit odd at first, because you switch panels on from the toolbar rather than seeing everything at once. Give it an hour and it makes sense.
- Good for: everyday editing, mixed video formats, older computers
- Works on: Windows, macOS, Linux
3. Kdenlive
Kdenlive started out on Linux, but there are Windows and Mac versions too. It's open source and completely free, with a multi-track timeline, plenty of effects and transitions, and ready-made export settings for YouTube and other sites. It can also make lightweight copies of your clips to edit with, known as proxy clips, which keeps things smooth on a slower computer.
There are a lot of menus and settings, so it can feel busy to begin with.
- Good for: multi-track projects, YouTube videos, Linux users
- Works on: Windows, macOS, Linux
4. OpenShot Video Editor
OpenShot is about as simple as a proper video editor gets. You drag your clips onto the timeline, add titles and transitions, and export. It's a good first editor for children, or for anyone who just wants to put some holiday clips together without learning a lot first.
It can feel slow with long projects or lots of 4K footage, so it's better suited to shorter videos.
- Good for: beginners, family videos, simple projects
- Works on: Windows, macOS, Linux
5. iMovie
If you have a Mac, iPhone or iPad, iMovie is free from the App Store and may already be installed. It's tidy and easy to use, with themes, titles, simple colour adjustments and green screen effects. You can start a project on your phone and finish it on your Mac.
It's Apple only, and you can only put one extra video layer on top of your main clip, so more complicated edits aren't possible. Apple's next step up is Final Cut Pro, which is a paid app.
- Good for: quick edits, family videos, editing on the go
- Works on: macOS, iPhone, iPad
6. Blender
Blender is best known as free 3D animation software, but it also has a capable video editor built in, called the Video Sequencer. It makes the most sense if you already use Blender for animation or effects, because you can do the whole job in one program.
If you only want to edit video, it's a lot of software to learn for one small part of it.
- Good for: animation, visual effects, combining 3D with video
- Works on: Windows, macOS, Linux
7. VSDC Free Video Editor
VSDC has more effects than most free editors, including masks, blending modes, colour correction and plenty of transitions. It works a little differently from other editors, because you place clips and objects on a scene rather than on a simple timeline, so expect to spend some time finding your way round.
It's Windows only, and a few features, such as hardware acceleration for faster exports, are kept for the paid Pro version.
- Good for: effects-heavy edits, Windows users
- Works on: Windows
8. Lightworks
Lightworks has been used to edit Hollywood films, and the free version gives you the same fast, precise editing tools, including multi-camera editing.
The catch is export quality. The free version only exports videos at up to 720p, which is lower than most phones record. That's fine for learning or quick uploads, but for 1080p or 4K files you'll need a paid Create or Pro licence.
- Good for: learning a professional editor, multi-camera editing
- Works on: Windows, macOS, Linux
9. VideoPad
VideoPad from NCH Software is quick to learn, with drag and drop editing, a good choice of transitions and effects, and easy uploading when you're done.
The free version is only for personal, non-commercial use, so it isn't the one to choose for a monetised YouTube channel or business videos. Expect a few reminders about upgrading to the paid version, too.
- Good for: simple home projects
- Works on: Windows, macOS
10. Avidemux
Avidemux isn't a full video editor, but it's very good at a few simple jobs: cutting the start and end off a clip, removing a section you don't want, and converting a video to a different format. It can often do this without re-encoding the video, so it's quick and the quality doesn't drop.
There's no multi-track timeline, titles or transitions, so use it alongside one of the editors above rather than instead of one.
- Good for: trimming clips, cutting out sections, converting formats
- Works on: Windows, macOS, Linux
Which free video editor should you choose?
If you've never edited a video before, start with OpenShot, or iMovie if you're on a Mac. You'll have something finished the same day.
If you want to learn video editing properly, go straight to DaVinci Resolve. It takes longer to get comfortable with, but you won't outgrow it.
If your computer is older, Shotcut and Kdenlive both run well on modest hardware. And if you only need to trim a clip or change its format, Avidemux will do it in seconds.
If you don't mind paying for something that's very easy to pick up, have a look at PowerDirector 365 from CyberLink. It's a subscription, but it's one of the quickest editors to learn.
Free video editing software FAQs
Which free video editors don't add a watermark?
DaVinci Resolve, Shotcut, Kdenlive, OpenShot, iMovie, Blender and Avidemux are all free with no watermark on your videos.
What's the best free video editor for beginners?
OpenShot on Windows or Linux, and iMovie on a Mac. Both let you drag clips onto a timeline and export without needing to learn much first.
Can I use free video editors for YouTube?
Yes. DaVinci Resolve, Shotcut and Kdenlive are all popular with YouTubers. Just check the licence if your channel makes money, as VideoPad's free version is for non-commercial use only, and remember Lightworks Free exports at 720p at most.
What's the best free video editor for an older PC?
Shotcut and Kdenlive both run well on older computers, especially if you use their proxy clip settings. DaVinci Resolve is the most demanding on this list.
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