20 Recommended Video Editing Software | Beginner’s Guide to Free Editing Software

Before selecting the right editing software, it’s important to consider your needs and habits. The following factors can help you find the most suitable option:

• Purpose: Are you creating YouTube tutorials, marketing short videos, or personal vlogs?
• Interface: For beginners, intuitive and easy-to-use is more important than complex features.
• Budget: Do you prefer free video editing software, or are you willing to upgrade to a professional version?
• Platform: Will you mainly edit on a computer, or do you prefer editing videos on your phone?
• Export needs: Must support social media ratios (9:16, 1:1) and formats (MP4, MOV, WEBM).

If you’re new to video editing, it’s recommended to start with free or online versions and gradually move on to professional tools.

Desktop Editors

Adobe Premiere Pro

One of the most professional video editing programs, supporting multi-track editing, color grading, AI audio repair, and automatic transitions. Includes AI tools such as Text-Based Editing, Auto Color, and Enhance Speech. Ideal for YouTubers and professional creators.

DaVinci Resolve

A comprehensive and free professional video editor that combines editing, color grading, effects, and audio post-production in one platform. The interface is clearly divided: beginners can use the “Cut” page, while advanced users can refine on the “Edit” and “Color” pages. Its powerful color tools and stable performance make it both professional and user-friendly.

Final Cut Pro (Mac)

A top-tier Mac desktop editor optimized for Apple silicon. It handles high-resolution, complex projects smoothly, integrating editing, sound, effects, and color correction. New AI features include Magnetic Mask (auto background removal) and Transcribe to Captions (speech-to-text), plus smart asset management and HDR color control—making it a favorite among pro creators.

Filmora

Supports trimming, merging, cropping, multi-track editing, picture-in-picture, color correction, and green screen. Built-in AI tools—Text-to-Video, Auto Cut, and Remover—automatically generate videos from text or remove unwanted objects. It supports 4K export and social formats, ideal for vlogs, brand videos, and social media content.

VEGAS Pro

A professional Windows editor featuring the new Core Engine for smoother playback and color grading. The redesigned interface makes timeline editing and color control more intuitive, with a new Unified Explorer for media management. It supports Windows on ARM and multiple export formats—perfect for YouTube, business, and film production.

HitFilm Express

Developed by FXhome, HitFilm combines editing and VFX in one tool, ideal for creators who also want to composite effects. The free version includes multi-track editing, compositing, and effects such as particles, green screen, and 3D tracking. Intuitive design enables end-to-end editing and compositing. Some premium features require upgrading, but it’s still excellent value.

Avid Media Composer

The industry standard for film and television editing. It supports efficient multi-camera editing (4–9 screens), waveform grouping, and mixed frame rates. Built-in advanced effects, color, and audio post tools ensure stability and collaboration for long-form productions.

Lightworks

Known for stability and precise timeline control, Lightworks runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux. It supports high-resolution projects, multi-track editing, audio mixing, and real-time effects. The free version exports at 720p, but its steep learning curve may challenge beginners.

Mobile Editing Apps

CapCut

A cross-platform tool for both desktop and mobile, featuring AI text-to-video, auto captions, keyframe animation, and multi-track editing. Offers rich stickers, filters, and music, exporting for YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok. Great for fast-paced social content creation.

VN

A completely free, watermark-free app for both desktop and mobile users. Supports multi-track timelines, masking, blend modes, keyframe animation, and speed curves. Outputs up to 4K/60fps, with ratio presets for social platforms—simple yet powerful for creators.

InShot

A feature-rich app for mobile users, supporting trim, merge, speed control, captions, and filters, plus 4K/60fps output, auto captions, and background removal. Offers quick ratio presets and direct uploads to YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok.

KineMaster

Supports layers, keyframes, chroma key, and 4K/60fps output. Includes an asset store with stickers, music, and transitions. The latest version (7.8.12, October 15, 2025) adds KineMaster Video GPT (auto storyboard generation via ChatGPT) and new text styling options.

LumaFusion (iOS)

A professional-grade iPhone/iPad editor with up to six audio/video tracks and 4K HDR output. Includes color correction, keyframes, LUT import, and multi-track mixing—delivering near-desktop quality editing on mobile.

YouCut

Simple and intuitive, YouCut handles quick edits with ratio presets (1:1, 16:9, 3:2) for TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts. Offers music, text, and transitions. Free and beginner-friendly.

Splice

A mobile app with desktop-level capability for iPhone/iPad—trim, color correction, filters, and effects. Includes a 6,000+ royalty-free music library and multi-track audio. Supports direct uploads to YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok.

Online Editors

Canva Video

Features drag-and-drop editing with thousands of templates and free assets. Enables team collaboration and cross-device editing—ideal for marketing, education, or social clips.

Clipchamp (Microsoft)

Integrated with OneDrive and Windows 11, supports screen recording, captions, templates, and AI voiceovers. Free 1080p export. Requires a Microsoft account for project continuity.

FlexClip

Browser-based and cloud-supported with a Chinese interface. Includes AI tools such as script generation, subtitle recognition, and image creation. Ideal for marketing and social videos; free plan exports 480p.

Animoto

A cloud-based editor with drag-and-drop templates for quick marketing and educational videos. Simple and rich in templates, though less flexible for advanced edits. Free version includes a watermark.

WeVideo

Supports education accounts and cloud-based projects. Offers multi-track timelines, green screen, auto captions, and stock assets. Great for schools and small businesses.

AI technology is transforming video creation. With “text-to-video,” users can input a short script and let AI produce videos automatically—speeding up production and lowering the entry barrier for beginners.

• Marketing and ad videos
• Educational and data-visualization videos

If you prefer focusing on creativity rather than editing details, GenApe’s AI Video Generator is the ideal tool. It’s an AI-powered online video creation platform that automatically produces videos with natural pacing from text or image inputs.

GenApe Highlights:

• Generates videos from text or scripts—no manual editing needed.
• Offers diverse templates for branding, education, and social content.
• Accessible across platforms—no download required.

Q1: What are the best free video editors?

DaVinci Resolve is one of the most popular free editors with color grading, audio mixing, and effects; HitFilm supports multi-track editing and VFX. For online or social editing, Canva Video and FlexClip are great options.

Q2: Who are online editors best for?

Perfect for students, marketers, or users who prefer not to install software—supports collaboration and cloud storage.

Q3: Does Windows have a built-in video editor?

Yes, you can use Clipchamp or the built-in Photos editor for basic editing.

Q4: How is AI video generation different from traditional editing?

AI editing is faster and more automated, while manual editing allows precise control over visuals and effects.

Q5: Which software is best for beginners?

Start with CapCut or VN . If you want to save time, use GenApe AI Video Generator directly.