Are you looking for a free, full-featured video editing software to bring your ideas to life?
Whether it's video marketing, YouTube video editing, or simply a creative hobby, it's possible to edit quality videos for free.
Here is a selection of 11 free video editing programs. Whether you use Windows, Mac, Linux, or your smartphone, you'll find everything you need in this list.
The tools in this article were selected by our team and are not sponsored. Discover how to sponsor your tool.
DaVinci Resolve
This professional-quality solution combines several tools in one, allowing you to do editing, color grading, and audio post-production.
Although there is a more complete paid version, the free plan is already very feature-rich.
Capcut
Capcut is the video editing software from TikTok's parent company. Used by hundreds of millions of aspiring content creators, it is one of the most widely used online video editors in the world.
Capcut is available for free, although a paid version complements its offering with additional features.
If you’re looking for free software to edit videos for social media from your smartphone or computer, try Capcut without hesitation.
Also read: 8 programs to create your motion design
Quik
Created by camera maker GoPro, Quik is a very simple video editing app available on iOS and Android.
Quickly upload videos recorded on your smartphone to edit and assemble them as you wish, with ease. It also allows basic photo retouching and the creation of slideshows from images.
Videoleap
Videoleap is another very user-friendly and comprehensive free mobile editing app.
Unlike Quik, it has a more fully featured paid version (some features are therefore locked in the free plan).
iMovie
Mac, iPhone, or iPad users can turn to iMovie. Although less feature-rich than Apple’s paid Final Cut Pro X, it offers the main functionalities expected of such a tool.
One of its notable strengths is its cross-device capability: for example, it lets you start an edit on a smartphone and continue it on a Mac.
Avidemux
Avidemux is a completely free video editing program that, while unassuming, proves to be both comprehensive and accessible.
It supports most video file formats from AVI to MP4 and including ASF.
Need music to accompany your video? Discover our selection of royalty-free & free music sites.
OpenShot
Originally released on Linux and now available for Windows and Mac, Openshot is one of the best free programs for video editing.
This open-source solution has a simple interface yet offers very rich functionality.
HitFilm Express
HitFilm Express is a free, very comprehensive solution for video editing and for creating all kinds of special effects.
It is therefore an advanced piece of software, despite its rather streamlined interface, enabling the creation of professional-quality films complete with visual effects.
Media Composer | First
Media Composer is a professional video editing tool renowned in the film and television industry.
It also has a free version, accessible to everyone (even beginners). While far less feature-rich than the paid version, Media Composer | First remains an excellent choice.
Shotcut
Shotcut is a video editing program for Windows, Mac and Linux, accessible to beginners and more experienced creators alike.
Flexible, it lets you edit video in several different ways to suit all skill levels.
VSDC Video Editor Free
VSDC offers a free, fairly user-friendly video editor with plenty of guidance.
It offers a multitude of possibilities, although you’ll need to look past its somewhat dated interface to get the most out of it.
Need professional footage for your edit? Discover our selection of the best royalty-free video sites.
Our tip for choosing video editing software
These free tools will let your creativity shine and help you edit videos exactly how you want. Choose the one whose features match your project. For example, DaVinci Resolve is excellent for color grading videos in addition to editing.
However, depending on your editing skills and needs, these free programs can be limited or less user-friendly. You may therefore want to consider higher-end (paid) solutions such as Adobe Premiere, Final Cut Pro X, Magix Video Deluxe, Wondershare Filmora, or Pinnacle Studio.
You can also Entrust your video editing to a freelancer for a professional result. Submit a project for free to receive quotes. It's commitment-free!
