

You never know what you're going to get with the best free video editing software out there, and if you've looked through the entries on this page, you'll see that some tools are available for some platforms, but not others. The best amateur free video editing software However, there is a brilliant set of features built in to help you learn, including around 40 videos to teach you the basics. It is still easy to navigate but feels a bit clunkier. The interface has changed, and is no longer reminiscent of Adobe's Premiere Pro, but is darker and more imposing. The Pro version unlocks everything at $15.99/£15.99 a month, and the Creator version unlocks fewer features at $9.99/£9.99 a month.

If you're willing to pay, you can get rid of the watermarks. This isn't unusual, of course, but it does mean pros won't view this software as the viable option it once was, and Da Vinci Resolve is the only real free option for professional videographers. A huge amount of the effects are now watermarked if you are on the free version, across transitions, animation, colour grading and more. The rebrand to Hitfilm includes the introduction of two subscription tiers that, as you'd expect, mean the free version isn't quite all-singing, all dancing, and no-longer a genuine alternative to other paid-for tools. But things have changed somewhat and this software has fallen down our list from number two. The best basic free video editing softwareĪnother good choice for professional video editors is Hitfilm (previously Hitfilm Express), which, before the recent update, we would have described as the Swiss Army knife of free video editing software. To learn more, see our full DaVinci Resolve review. If that's you, we'd suggest instead looking at entries 4 to 8 on our list.

That said, while that interface is quite straightforward to use for anyone with editing experience, it would be quite a challenge for beginners to learn. All that meant that we didn’t need to ‘do an Adobe’ by jumping around loads of programs to get our perfect video we could do it all within the one interface. We also loved its smart video stabilisation tool, for when you’ve got a shaky shot, and the built-in audio mixing, VFX and title-card-building modes also functioned brilliantly. In our review, we found its colour grading options to be second to none, giving us the ability to fully control the look of our videos. Despite being free, this is a feature-packed powerhouse and really gives paid tools a run for their money in terms of versatility and usefulness. DaVinci Resolve is made by Blackmagic Design, which also makes a popular family of video cameras, so you know it’s designed for filmmakers.
