Top 10 free video-editing software without watermark in 2021

VSDC is 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. VSDC is a good choice if you’re looking for free video editing software with no watermark.

Compatibility:

It 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.

Key Features:

• Support for a wide range of file formats
• Includes editing features commonly found in larger, more robust video editors
• Has a video capture feature for recording screen video

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

Shotcut is a handy free editing software with no watermark. It’s an open-source video editor that works on Windows, Mac, and Linux. A community of interested developers provides regular updates. The simple interface is easy to understand for a beginner while also including advanced features for more experienced editors. The use of native timeline editing eliminates the need for importing files. Shotcut supports all popular video formats, including MP4, MOV, AVI, and FLV.

Compatibility:

Available for Windows 7 and up, MacOS 10.12 and up, and Linux versions.

Key Features:

• Open source code means constant updates
• Can export single frames as images
• Supports 4K and high framerates

Pros:

• A simple interface makes it easy to get started
• A good option for editing hobbyist sports videos
• Good tech support from the company and an active user community

Cons:

• Layout and interface are not intuitive
• No support for external subtitle files
• No color grading options

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.

Key Features:

• Cross-platform editing
• Unlimited tracks
• Ability to create animations using keyframes

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

Another option for free video-editing software without a watermark is DaVinci Resolve. Its excellent color grading tools have made it a favorite for professional editors and color graders. The software is not easy to learn, but it also isn’t intended for beginners. It stands out on this list as being the most robust, full-featured editor. If you’re comfortable using Adobe Premiere Pro, you’ll find the layout familiar.

Compatibility:

Windows 10 64-bit, Mac 10.15, and later

Key Features:

• Excellent color grading tools
• Made for professional use
• Can be used as an all-in-one post-production
• Full-featured solution

Pros:

• Excellent color correction and grading tools
• Full-featured, all in one editing package
• Professional-level software

Cons:

• Challenging to learn for beginners
• Creating motion graphics is tedious compared to other software
• Doesn’t integrate well with other editing tools

Mac users will be familiar with iMovie as it ships with the operating system. This free video editor with no trial period 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 create good-looking videos for social media and the web quickly.

Compatibility:

MacOS only.

Key Features:

• Automated editing
• Supports 4K video
• Video stabilization and effects

Pros:

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

Cons:

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

Blender is unique among this list, as it is primarily known as a 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.

Key Features:

• 3D modeling and animation
• Effects editor uses keyframes
• Includes color grading tools such as luma waveform, chroma vectorscope, and histogram

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

VideoProc uses GPU acceleration to make it one of the fastest editors out there. It’s designed to be easy to use, making it a good choice for those new to video editing or people who don’t need a full-featured, complicated pro-level editing solution. In addition to standard video editing capabilities, it can also record your screen or webcam. This makes it a good option for those needing to create video presentations.

Compatibility:

Windows versions 7 to 10, macOS Snow Leopard to OS 10.15 (Catalina).

Key Features:

• GPU acceleration for fast rendering and encoding
• Video stabilization and fisheye correction
• Can handle 4K files

Pros:

• Includes a screen recorder and webcam recorder
• The intuitive interface is easy to understand for beginners
• Robust video compression tool

Cons:

• Limited features compared to other options on this list
• The free version is a trial, requires upgrading to the paid version
• No timeline for joining clips together

Icecream is a beginner-friendly basic video editor. It has the ability to trim video clips, add images, and make basic adjustments, such as crop, flip, and rotate images and videos.

The timeline makes it easy to see the progress of your edit, and the included transition effects help give your video a polished look. Icecream also includes an option to change the aspect ratio from standard video sizes, meaning you can export square videos for Instagram or other social media platforms.

Compatibility:

Windows 7 through 10.

Key Features:

• Easy to use
• Good for quick video cutting
• Supports background music, or multiple audio tracks

Pros:

• Includes basic video effects and tools
• Has the ability to add background audio
• Beginner-friendly

Cons:

• Not equipped for anything beyond basic video editing
• Only has a Windows version
• Can be a bit buggy and prone to crashing

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 beginners 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.

Key Features:

• Supports a wide range of video and audio formats
• Multicamera editing options
• Includes Boris FX plugin for advanced video effects

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

VideoGrabber is a cloud-based simple video editor combined with a tool to capture and download video from popular websites like YouTube, Vimeo, and Facebook.

The browser-based software works on nearly any computer with an internet connection. The software also includes a converter tool that will turn video files into audio-only files or change a video from one file type to another. There is also a download option, which is helpful for areas with unreliable internet connections.

Compatibility:

It requires an internet connection and a web browser. Download version works with Windows.

Key Features:

• No download required
• Can rip videos from various websites
• Robust file conversion tool

Pros:

• Works on Chromebooks since it’s browser-based
• The browser-based editor is good for beginners
• Includes a screen recorder tool

Cons:

• Video download tool raises copyright and IP theft questions
• Too simple for anything but the most basic edits
• The product website has limited information