Videos are becoming increasingly important as part of a content strategy in e-commerce. High-quality recordings can help increase engagement with a website or channel, and consequently, influence sales. To offer professional and engaging videos, the entrepreneur or vlogger must tackle the process of editing the recorded material. In this article, we'll suggest which good video editing programs are worth considering.
The best video editing software included in this list can be used by beginners and professionals alike. Our selection focuses on tools that offer maximum functionality and flexibility. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of what to expect from a video editing application and how to get the most out of it.
12 best free video editing programs
Below, we'll detail video editing software that offers a fairly intuitive interface and the ability to add visual effects and text overlays. These programs will give even complex content a completely new look and a more accessible format for viewers. Check out our recommended video editing apps.
OpenShot Video Editor – a functional application for editing videos
OpenShot video editing software is a simple video editing tool that offers many advanced features. It allows you to add 3D effects, color filters, and audio mixing , for example . Clip resizing, scaling, shortening, dragging, rotating, and trimming video transitions are all done with real-time previews. OpenShot video editing software is ideal for users who are just starting out in video editing.
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Advantages of editing videos with OpenShot:
- a balance between advanced features for editing videos and a simple interface,
- many effects, overlays, compositions,
- timeline editing,
- best for beginner users.
Avidemux – a very simple program for editing videos
Avidemux is one of the best video editing programs for beginners. Its interface is very intuitive, making video editing a breeze. This tool can help with basic tasks like trimming, applying filters, and encoding video. It's a great choice if you're just getting into video editing – it's a basic video editing app.
Summary of advantages:
- very simple and intuitive operation,
- Polish language version available,
- no need to familiarize yourself with the technical specifications of the program,
- perfect to start your adventure with film editing.
Kdenlive – user-friendly interface, intuitive operation
This is a very easy-to-use video editing program that helps with basic video editing. It's ideal for quick and specific projects that don't require many advanced features . It supports most popular video formats and allows for the application of basic effects (e.g., changing colors or adding titles).
Summary of advantages:
- a very easy-to-use program for creating videos,
- many possibilities available for free,
- the program is suitable for non-linear editing of several video and audio tracks.
HitFilm Express – professional vlogging for YouTube
This is one of the more professional video editing programs on this list. It includes all the video-making features you'd expect from a basic editor (cutting, trimming, and audio editing), and more. The free package includes over 180 special effects. The free software is also a great tool for editing videos and then using them on social media and in vlogs.
Summary of the advantages of HitFilm Express:
- a professional program offering access to interactive tutorials,
- video and audio filters,
- 3D support,
- video composition tools for YouTube.
iMovie – a program for editing films in Polish
The free iMovie program is an integral part of every iOS/MacOS system, making it suitable for Mac and other Apple devices. A major advantage of this tool is its Polish language version and its highly intuitive drag-and-drop interface. Users of smartphones, tablets, laptops, and desktop computers running Apple software can quickly and easily edit videos, even in 4K resolution.
iMovie video editing software – summary of advantages:
- Polish language version,
- library of ready-made transitions,
- 4K format editing,
- easy to use.
Pinnacle Studio 25 – a good video editing program for semi-professionals
This is a video editor for Windows 10 designed for semi-professional users. It allows you to add over 1500 templates and various effects to your videos, some of which can be motion-tracked . Despite its wide range of features, the user interface is simple. It supports HD, 4K, and 8K video recording.
Summary of advantages:
- semi-professional video editing program with professional tools,
- over 1500 different effects,
- modern and clear interface.
Lightworks – a popular free program with paid extensions
Lightworks is a popular video editing program for professionals running Windows, Mac, and Linux. It's available in English. The free version's numerous features make it perfectly adequate for beginner video creators without any additional costs. However, for those who find the limited features of the free program insufficient, the Pro version costs around $25 per month. This isn't a fortune for such a comprehensive tool, allowing you to create professional-quality videos.
The program stands out for its wide range of supported video formats, but 4K for YouTube and Vimeo is only available in the paid version of the software. Lightworks offers many excellent tutorials to make getting started faster and easier, although it's still recommended for those with some experience creating videos.
Summary of advantages:
- an advanced program with many functions in the free version,
- a multitude of add-ons, effects and applications,
- in the paid version, the ability to share videos on multiple platforms: Facebook, YouTube, Vimeo etc.
VSDC Free Video Editor – professional yet easy to use
VSDC Free Video Editor is a comprehensive video editing tool for Windows. Its free version offers comparable quality to paid alternatives, but you can upgrade it with additional features to make video editing even more professional. The application supports a wide variety of formats.
The editor includes all the basic cutting tools and customization options you need for video editing. You can even record your own desktop. Of course, you can also add special effects or convert your clip for playback on Apple devices, Xbox, PlayStation, or DVD players. This is an excellent option for a free video editing program.
Summary of advantages:
- support for many different formats,
- special effects and a multitude of other editing functions,
- free use (for non-commercial purposes),
- vibration removal – allows for video stabilization,
- editing videos on the timeline.
Shotcut – versatile in every way
Shotcut is one of the video editing programs worth considering. The free download offers access to all features without the need for a paid upgrade. The app's capabilities are vast. The program supports a wide range of video formats and has a large collection of tutorial videos. Support for 4K resolution and timeline video editing are also noteworthy. Shotcut also doesn't require importing video into the editor. This saves a significant amount of time, especially when working with large files. The simple interface is presented in a unique style, yet it has many fans.
Summary of advantages:
- is available in Polish,
- the most important functions are included in the free version of the program,
- the program supports 4K format,
- video editing on the timeline,
- an additional set of tools for editing audio files.
DaVinci Resolve – a powerful tool with many possibilities
DaVinci Resolve is the most advanced video editing program on this list. It offers a wide range of professional video editing capabilities while offering an intuitive user interface. Besides trimming videos online, you can also mix audio and enhance colors. You can also integrate 2D and 3D graphics. DaVinci Resolve easily handles video resolutions up to 8K. However, it's worth noting that this tool has specific hardware requirements and may not run on older computers.
Summary of DaVinci Resolve benefits:
- lots of different functions,
- support for many formats (including 8K),
- color and sound correction,
- available in a free but limited version.
Filmora X Video Editor – Best for Vloggers and YouTubers
This is one of the best video editing tools for Windows 10. It's impressively easy to use while offering a wealth of advanced features. With over 800 templates for transitions, overlays, elements, and filters, Filmora X is an editor designed for users who want to create creative videos quickly and easily. The app can also be used as a slideshow.
The program offers access to a library of free music, various aspect ratios, and the ability to upload videos to social media ( YouTube , Facebook, and Instagram ). A great advantage of Filmora X is that thanks to its perpetual license (without time limits), you can enjoy free updates with new features every few months. This means you don't have to spend money on a new version of the app every year.
Summary of advantages:
- easy to create creative videos,
- convenient video processing,
- many different templates and video effects,
- the best app for vloggers and YouTubers,
- lifetime license with free updates.
PowerDirector – professional video editing software for mobile devices
Cyberlink's PowerDirector is prosumer software, meaning it offers the features of a professional video editing program but is designed for home use. Compatible with iOS and Android, it's perfect for editing videos on smartphones. It allows for both simple video editing and the addition of special effects, as well as 4K resolution support.
Summary of advantages:
- editing videos on your smartphone,
- configurable interface,
- 4K support,
- Paid program at an affordable price – the starter version with extensions costs only PLN 30.
Here's a list of the best video editing tools (both free and with paid extensions). Some are aimed at users with experience with video editing. If you've never edited videos before or only have basic knowledge, choose a beginner-friendly tool. We've also included them in this ranking.
Frequently asked questions about video editing software
This article is a comprehensive ranking of the 12 best video editing and editing programs. It presents both free and paid (pro) tools that help you create compelling videos—essential in today's content strategies, e-commerce, and vlogging.
This list was created with a diverse audience in mind. It includes tools of varying complexity, making them suitable for both beginners and advanced professional editors.
The list of recommended free programs (or those with rich free base versions) includes: OpenShot, Avidemux, Kdenlive, HitFilm Express, Lightworks, VSDC Free Video Editor, Shotcut and the powerful and professional DaVinci Resolve.
For beginner creators, the article suggests OpenShot is the ideal solution. It has a very intuitive interface, runs smoothly, and allows for simple basic operations: trimming clips, adding transitions, overlaying text, and mixing audio.
For those working on Mac computers (or iOS devices), iMovie is a highlight. This free and highly optimized program from Apple makes editing fast and intuitive.
Yes. The list includes the PowerDirector application, which acts as a mobile studio and allows for quick and convenient editing of materials from mobile devices, wherever you are.
Summary
The above article covers the following topics:
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A compilation of the most interesting free video editing and editing tools for beginners and professionals.
