Many have asked what free editing software is great for beginners making videos for YouTube or another video site. So coming up, I’ll guide you the top five best free video editors for beginners, all of which, once downloaded, can be used offline without an internet connection.
5. Avidemux
Starting off our list at number five is Avidemux. It’s a lightweight video editor that runs smoothly even on some older computers. I would not recommend this for large projects; it’s more suited for small editing tasks like putting together clips from a social gathering or something similar. You won’t be making the next blockbuster movie with this. For its intended purpose, it does a great job and supports many file types including AVI, MPEG, and MP4. It’s available on Windows, Linux, and Mac.
4. Apple’s iMovie
Coming in at number four is Apple’s iMovie for macOS and iOS. With the latest versions, it now supports the editing of 4K video clips imported from a GoPro, smartphones, and other devices. The user interface is the cleanest and easiest to navigate of any editor on this list. You can export your finished project directly to several platforms including Facebook and YouTube. It’s not the most powerful of video editors, but it does work well for minor projects. If you’re on a Mac, you should check out iMovie.
3. VideoPad Video Editor
In at the third spot is VideoPad Video Editor. These top three I show you are more powerful than the fourth and fifth picks and could be in any order depending on which one you feel more comfortable working with. VideoPad is great for new users and has a user interface that is easy to navigate. It has a lot of the audio and video features that you would find in the expensive video editors, including transitions and visual effects. It even includes zoom effects. It’s available for Windows and Mac. On Windows, VideoPad offers both a free and paid version. For most people, the free version will be all that they need. To get it for free, make sure to click the link where it says “Download the Free Version Here.” For macOS, you can get it in the Mac App Store for free and offers in-app purchases.
2. Lightworks
In at the runner-up spot, number two is Lightworks. Lightworks has been used to help produce big-time movies such as Pulp Fiction and The Wolf of Wall Street. It’s been around for about 25 years and is the most powerful video editor on this list. Some of the key features are GPU accelerated real-time effects, video capture, and professional-level color correction. Lightworks would have easily been number one on this list, but the free version has limitations. You can only export .MP4 files with resolutions up to 720p, and the free license must be renewed every 7 days, which I’m sure for a lot of you could be very annoying. Other than that, on this list, it is the most fully-featured video editor and it’s available for download on Windows, Linux, and Mac.
1. Shotcut
Coming in at number one for the best free video editing software is Shotcut. Shotcut is a free and open-source video editor with powerful features and includes support for a wide range of formats. Shotcut is available on Windows, Linux, and Mac. What is great about it and why I have it number one on this list is because it has a professional feel with tons of features, including 4K support, which are all included without restrictions that can cost extra in other video editors. In fact, Shotcut is completely free; they don’t even offer a paid version.
