Best free video-editing software for Windows

Avidemux is a simple video editor with an easy-to-understand video editor. If you’re brand new to video editing or only need to trim a video to length, this is an acceptable option. But the lack of an editing timeline and layers make it less than desirable for more complex editing tasks. However, the audio mixing features and video encoding capabilities are impressive.

Compatibility:

Available versions include win32 for Windows XP and win64 for later versions. Linux and Mac OS versions are also available.

Pros:

• Supports a max resolution of 8192x8192
• Simple interface
• Easy to use

Cons:

• The lack of many video editing features
• No editing timeline
• Lacks built-in transition effects

The next option on our list of video editing software is a freeware for Windows 7 called Openshot. Originally built as an open-source project for Linux, Openshot is now available on Windows. Designed to be easy to use, it’s a good choice for those new to video editing.

The full set of features give you the tools to improve your videos as your skills improve. Included effects include the ability to create 3D animated titles and effects, time-warping effects, and video effects like inverting colors, adjusting levels, and removing backgrounds. Unlimited video and audio tracks allow you to create complex, multilayered videos.

Compatibility

32-bit versions of Windows 7, 8 10. Also compatible with macOS, Chrome OS, and Linux.

Pros:

• Easy to get started
• Unlimited tracks
• Supports animations

Cons:

• Title options are basic
• Timeline tracks don’t separate audio and video and can get messy
• Some features can be confusing to use

VSDC is one of the best free video editing software for Windows 10. It’s a powerful nonlinear video-editing suite intended for light professional use.

The user interface can be customized to create your own preferred editing workspace. It comes with an advanced set of editing features, including color correction, visual effects, motion tracking, filters, masking, chroma key, and blending tools. Export options include presets for various social media platforms. The freeware version is powerful, and a paid version unlocks additional features.

Compatibility

Works on Microsoft Windows versions from XP SP3 through Windows 10. VSDC does not offer an Apple-compatible version.

It requires a minimum of 1.5GHz processor, 1 GB RAM, Microsoft DirectX 9.0c, and 300MB of free space.

Pros:

• Powerful and advanced video-editing tools
• Export profiles make it easy to create videos for various social media platforms
• Supports a broad range of file formats

Cons:

• Not user-friendly — features are hidden in menu panels, some options aren’t obvious
• Previews are choppy due to not using proxy files
• Prone to freezing or crashing

Originally built as an open-source project for Linux, KdenLive is now also available for Windows and Mac. Aimed at the hobbyist, this editor has a DVD authoring and menu creation function and a robust titling tool. When combined with the built-in audio processing capabilities, KdenLive can be used as a complete video creation studio, which is rare for free software.

Compatibility

Originally built for Linux, it still performs best on that platform. Windows 10 will support the latest version, but be aware that there are known issues, and you will need to check the documentation for the workaround or wait for the next stable build.

Pros:

• Has a built-in DVD authoring tool
• Has enough features and tools to support intermediate editing
• Easy to use

Cons:

• Windows version has known issues
• Requires a lot of memory to run well
• Limited output file formats

Mac users will be familiar with iMovie, as it ships with the operating system. This free video editor is aimed at novice video makers, so it’s easy to use. The interface mimics more full-featured pro-level editing software, making it a good training ground for anyone intending to get deeper into video creation and editing. With titles, transitions, and effects, plus an easy-to-use timeline editor, iMovie makes it possible to quickly create good-looking videos for social media and the web.

Compatibility

MacOS only.

Pros:

• Easy to use
• Full-featured
• YouTube optimized export options

Cons:

• Mac only
• Clip splitting can be imprecise
• Limited audio editing option

Lightworks is a professional-level video editor that has been used in some well-known Hollywood films, making it one of the higher-profile apps on this list. It has the features and capabilities to produce pro-level video, but some of those features are only available in the paid version.

This editor is ideal for anyone new to video editing who is looking to grow their skills and needs an app that can grow with them. Despite being pro-level software, it is still intuitive enough for a beginner to use without feeling completely overwhelmed, thanks to a library of video tutorials. Unlike many free video editors, Lightworks can export videos up to 4K.

Compatibility

Windows 7, 8, 10; Linux 18.04 and higher; Mac OS X 10.11 and higher.

Pros:

• All paid version features are available in the free version
• Pro-level software
• Drag and drop interface

Cons:

• The free version has limited output options
• The interface isn’t as easy to use as other free editors
• Workflow can take some getting used to

Fastreel is a web-based video editor by Movavi that doesn’t require any software to be installed on your computer. The interface has options for creating slideshows from images, making videos from scratch, or modifying existing videos.

Video files tend to be large, but social media prefers smaller file sizes. To solve this problem, Fastreel created a video compression tool to shrink your video file size while still making it look good. The online-only editor also has templates to quickly and easily create various types of videos, like birthday greetings, advertisements, and intro and outro clips.

Compatibility

Browser-based software requires a strong internet connection and up to date internet browser.

Pros:

• Easy to use with advanced options
• Browser-based, no download required
• Includes built-in customizable templates

Cons:

• The file size is limited to 500MB
• Requires an internet connection to work
• Watermark on free version videos

VideoPad is one of the best free video editing software for Windows 7. It’s a full-featured video editor that has an intuitive user interface, which means it’s easy to get started editing videos, even if you’ve never used the program before.

The workflow makes publishing to social media easy, making this a good choice for influencers and people who post a lot of videos on social media. The paid version unlocks more features when you’re ready to move up from the free version. With more than 50 effects and transitions, you’ll be able to create interesting videos for sharing with family or posting to social media. This full-featured app can create 360 videos and 3D video and include options to burn videos to DVD and Blu-ray.

Compatibility

Works with Windows XP, 7, 8, 10.

Pros:

• Wide range of video and transition effects
• Fast processing
• Ability to create effects templates to use on multiple projects

Cons:

• Unattractive interface design
• Animation is not supported
• The lack of some features that can be found in other programs

Movie Maker is a handy built-in video-editing software for Windows computers packed with basic editing features. Originally bundled with Windows Essentials 2012, Movie Maker is no longer available from Microsoft, suggesting using their Photos app to edit videos instead. The Microsoft website also warns that sites offering free Movie Maker downloads aren’t actually the correct software and may contain malware or viruses.

Compatibility

Windows XP, Vista, 7,8,8.1,10.

Pros:

• Included with older Windows systems
• Made for beginner video editors
• Drag and drop functionality

Cons:

• Known for frequent crashes
• No longer available for download
• Offers only a single video and audio track for each project

Blender is unique among this list as the only 3D creation app. It is intended primarily as a 3D graphics and animation tool, although it does support video-editing functions.

From professional visual digital effects artists to students, a large community of users actively contribute to message boards and documentation, making it easy for new users to find solutions to any roadblocks they encounter. For editors who need a camera tracking tool to add VFX, pro users highly regard Blender. If you’re making videos using animation and motion graphics, then this is your best option.

Compatibility

Windows 10, Mac OS 10.13, and higher.

Pros:

• Built-in render engine
• Excellent for 3D graphics creation
• Supports 8K video

Cons:

• Setting up layers to use Blender with After Effects can be troublesome
• Learning to draw in 3D is a difficult skill to learn
• While excellent at animation and VFX, it’s not great as a regular video editor