Free Video Editing Software 2024 [Price/Tools/Quality/Output]
Summary: Some video editor for PC is claimed to be free but the truth is not. Most free video editing software for PC charges you for some powerful functions like batch editing and 3D effect, or sets the free trial very short. But we don’t exclude the fact that some video editing software for PC is truly kind and absolutely free in a long period. So if you want to edit video free and fast with the most advanced tools, learn about the features of each PC video editing software and identify the most helpful one based on your needs.
- • Offer diversified aspect ratio for display
- • Accept file or folder import like video, audio and image
- • Enable you to add text, filters, transitions, overlays and elements, mosaic
- • Allow you to rotate, split, crop, zoom in/out and edit your files in other ways
- • Output files in various formats of high quality
Everyone desires to edit videos free on their computer, but there’s no such thing as a free lunch. The same goes for free video editing software for PC. Although many programs are claimed to be free, do you believe that? Today, in order to prevent you from being tricked by some promotion or websites, I am going to uncover the truth about each free video editing software. So make sure the program you choose to edit video is really free. Don’t be tricked.
1. Video Editor (highly recommended)
- Available: Windows 7/8/10/XP/Vista
- Price: $69.95/lifetime; $39.95/year; $19.95/month
- Free version: last for 30 days
- Tools: speed up/down, reverse, rotate, delete, crop, split, zoom, mosaic, freeze frame, greenscreen cutout, record voiceover, set duration, subtitle language, etc.
- Quality: no quality loss
- Tools: 347 sound effects, 47 filters, 54 overlays, 59 transitions and 98 elements
- Export channels: RecCloud, BiliBili, YouKu, YouTube, Vimeo, Facebook, Google Drive, Dropbox
Attention: Video Editor is the best video editing desktop. It offers you a free trial within 30 days which is far more than the privilege provided by other free video editing software for PC.
2. DVDFab Video Converter
- Available: Windows, Mac
- Price: $44.9/year, $69/lifetime
- Free version: 30 days
- Tools: add credit/text/image; adjust video properties/playback speed; crop/trim, etc.
- Quality: lossless
- Export channels: YouTube, Facebook, Vimeo
- Support batch video editing
Attention: This free video editing software is very simple to use. Besides editing videos, it stands out by the function to convert video formats. During video editing PC, you can also convert MKV to MP4 or other mainstream video formats.
3. Lightworks Video Editor for PC
- Available: Windows/Mac/Linux
- Price: $24.99/month, $174.99/year, $437.99/Forever
- Free version: only last for 7 days and limited in supported video formats
- Export channels: YouTube, Vimeo
- Quality: SD/HD or 4K
- Tools: trim/combine, color correction, blur, masks
- Con: too professional to use for beginners
Attention: Lightworks is not toally free video editing software for PC. You can use it to edit videos free within just 7 days. In addition, it is not recommended as beginner video editing software.
4. Movie Maker 10
- Available: an App in Microsoft Store
- Price: $14.99/month for advanced features like motion, overlay, full HD output
- Free version: free video editing software for PC with limited functions (see below)
- Export channels: YouTube, Vimeo, Facebook
- Quality: Full HD
- Tools: text, caption, background music, overlay, rotate, crop, transitions, trim, split, join, etc.
- Ease of use: best begiiner video editing software
Attention: there is a limit on Movie Maker 10 free video editing software for PC, when you trim, split, join videos and add transitions or motion, etc.
|
Version of Movie Maker 10 |
Free |
Paid |
|
Trim, split, join |
Yes, with normal project |
Yes, normal project + quick tools |
|
Output video quality |
720p |
720p, Full HD |
|
Add background music, text |
yes |
yes |
|
Add overlay |
limited |
unlimited |
|
Photo transitions |
30 |
30 |
|
Video transitions |
4 |
30 |
|
Motion fast/slow |
no |
yes |
5. VSDC Video Editor for PC
- Available: Windows XP/Vista/7/8
- VSDC Pro: 154.93 HKD/month; $19.99/month
- Free version: limit video size
- Tools: cut, merge, zoom, remove green background, voiceover, image coreection, transitions
- Export channels: YouTube, Facebook, Vimeo
- Quality: HD
- Speed: empowered by hardware acceleration
Attention is an affordable video editing software for PC instead if a totally free video editing software for PC.
6. HitFlim Express
- Available: Windows and Mac
- Price: USD70/month
- Free version: no detailed time limit on its official website
- Tools: overlay, trim, split, slice, slide, ripple, roll, snap
- Interface: too bright; have to pay if you want to switch to the dark interface
- Con: Not a beginner video editing software
Attention: There is no specific instructions on how to use this partly free video editing software for PC. If you are a beginner, continue to read and avoid this professional video editor.
7. DaVinci Resolve 16
- Available: Windows, Mac, Linux
- Price: $299/year
- Free version: a limit on 4K UHD resolution
- Export channels: YouTube, Vimeo
- Tools: 8K editing, visual effects, audio post production, color correction
- Quality: 4K UHD can be achieved with money
Attention: DaVinci Resolve has many versions among which 16 is the newest one. With the free video video editing software for PC, you may miss the high resolution of 4K.
8. Blender Video Editor for PC
- Available: Windows, Mac, Linux
- Price: purchase $20/month; subscribe $9.99/month
- Free version: supported but no hint about the time limit
- Functions: 3D creation, layout, color, font and size customization
- Export channel: YouTube
- Ease of use: needs some skills for video editing PC
- Con: exist some bugs needing improvement
Attention: This free video editing software for PC supports 3D creation which is not included in all video editors. So if you want to add 3D effects to your videos, learn how to use Blender.
9. VideoPad
- Available: Windows and Mac
- Price: $39.95 for one-time user
- Free trial: no detailed time period on its website
- Video source: DV camcorder, VHS, GoPro, Webcam in popular formats
- Tools: light, color, text, transitions, images
- Export channel: YouTube
- Ease of use: beginner video editing software
- Con: may exist some virus
Attention: Would you like to edit video easily? Try VideoPad free video editing software for PC. This video editing computer is very suitable for beginner. If you want to experience all its functions, $39.95 is needed.
10. iMovie
- Available: Mac and iOS
- Price: $19.99 for Mac; $9.99 for iOS
- Free trial: with watermark
- Tools: trim/crop/rotate, add close-ups, enhance audio, remove sound
- Export channel: YouTube
- Con: Not perfect since someone complains about this video editor for PC on Quora
Attention: iMovie is very known in the field of video editing which charges differently on desktop and iPhone. You can spend the least money and achieve you goal.
11. Machete Lite
- Available: Windows 10/8/7/XP/Vista
- Price: $19.95 for one-time payment
- Free trial: 14 days
- Tools: slice, delete unwanted fragments, copy, move, mix, remove audio/video tracks
- Export: YouTube
- Supported video formats: only AVI and WMV
- Speed: edit video in a few minutes without quality loss
Attention: Although Machete Lite video editing software for PC provides free service, but it only lasts for 14 days. Take time to edit your files with this video editing software for PC.
12. Freemake Video Editor for PC
- Available: Windows
- Price: $19/one-month
- Free trial: no time limit for reference
- Tools: cut, rotate, flip, merge, transitions, background music
- Export channel: YouTube,
- Con: not updated for a long time
Attention：Freemake free video editing software for PC supports many video formats like AVI, MP4, WMV, FLV, MKV, 3GP, and MPEG. But with slow pace with the times, it may fail to meet your high demand for video editing computer.
13. ShotCut
- Available: Windows, Mac as well as Linux
- Price: no detailed price on its official website
- Free trial: no definite time period
- Tools: deinterlace, rotate, reverse, color correction, filter, audio mix
- Export: Vimeo, Facebook, YouTube
- Pro: Support batch encoding
Attention: It is very glad to see ShotCut support batch editing, but I guess it is beyind the responsibility of free video editing software for PC. So you have to pay if you want to edit videos in batches.
14. Avidemux
- Available: Windows, Mac, Linux
- Price: not provided by vendor
- Free trial: offered
- Tools: split, cut, join, rotate, color, subtitle, etc.
- Ease of use: beginner video editing software
Attention: Avidemux free video editing software for PC supports video formats of AVI, MPEG, MP4, ASF, WMA, etc. It is easy to use but no price tag prior your download. Maybe you will be charged when some special functions are needed to edit a video.
15. OpenShot Video Editor for PC
- Available: Windows, Mac, Linux
- Price: OpenShot Studio hides its price
- Free trial: yes
- Functions: trim/slice video, offer animation and keyframes
- Add: layer, watermark, background video, audio tracks, 3D effects, titles
- Remove: video background
- Adjust: color, brightness, playback speed
- Language: 70+
- Easy to use for beginners: Yes
Attention: Similar to Avidemux or other programs, OpenShot is also claimed to be a free video editing software for PC. It offers many tools to customize a video.
16. Conclusion
Till now, are you still looking for free video editing software for PC? Do you still believe there are free service from any video editor for PC? Although there isn’t a program to help you free all the time, you can still find some video editing software for PC free for a long time, such as Video Editor. With so many tools provided, it is professional and easy-to-use as the best beginner video editing software. For more details about how to use it, have a review of how to edit a video.