Video is undoubtedly one of the most valuable tools at the disposal of content creators and business leaders. 91% of consumers report that they would like to see more video content from their favorite brands, and professionals across nearly every industry are taking steps to meet the demands of their audience. With the rise of the internet and an ever-expanding roster of technology solutions available to creators, video production is becoming more convenient and accessible than ever before.
When setting out to produce high-quality video content, it is important to carefully consider which video editing platform might best suit the needs of your brand or project. Several free and low-cost video editing solutions are available to aspiring creators, but not all programs are created equal. Let’s look at some of the most popular free video editing software solutions available today and discuss the pros and cons of each of these products.
Video Editing Software: The Basics
Creating video content is a multi-step process that requires a combination of creativity and tech-savvy. The first step in creating video content is writing or planning your video. Whether your content is scripted or unscripted, you must pre-determine what you intend to capture on camera. You can use audio and video recording technology to film your desired content from there.
After filming, it’s time to edit your video. Editing can not only mean the difference between a bad video and a good one, but it can also set great content apart from the good. Editing software can remove any unwanted video or audio from your project and add high-impact video and sound effects. Effective editing strategies will boost engagement with your video content and contribute to increased watch times and click-through rates.
Gone are the days of manually cutting clips out of a strip of physical film. Today’s video creators can instead rely upon advanced software solutions to elevate their content with easy and effective editing techniques and enhancements. Many of these software solutions support professional use and require a one-time purchase or sign-up for an ongoing subscription. However, some free video editing software products offer similar functionality to these professional tools without the hefty financial burden.
What to Look for in a Free Video Editor
Some free and online video editing platforms are challenging to work with or offer limited features and functions. Comparison shopping is critical when selecting video editing software, and users should carefully consider all available options. Users will want to select a video editing software that offers:
- Wide-ranging platform availability
- Broad device compatibility
- Robust visual and audio effect options
- Audio editing capabilities
- Export/sharing options
- Ease of use
- Accessibility options
- Ample cloud/storage space
It is also essential to select a software platform that is compatible with your specific device. For example, you will want to ensure that your operating system and hardware requirements are suitable for use with your intended software. Additionally, some editing software solutions only offer users a limited feature set for free users. These lite versions might not offer the amount of storage space required by up-and-coming content creators. Final videos on these platforms may also display watermarks or other graphics that a user can only remove if they upgrade their subscription. As a result, it’s important to find out exactly which features and functions come with a basic, free subscription.
All About the Top 10 Free Video Editors
Below is a list of 10 popular free video editing platforms. This list is not exhaustive; other tools are available to users on the internet and in app stores. However, these software platforms have strong reputations and offer many features and functions that creators need to produce high-quality, engaging content.
#1: DaVinci Resolve
DaVinci Resolve is an extremely high-quality free option for experienced video editors. It features robust editing tools and capabilities, including multi-cam editing, motion graphics and an extensive library of visual effects. DaVinci Resolve is popular for film and TV editing because of its high-resolution capabilities and advanced color correction features. This solution does have a relatively steep learning curve, so it may not be suitable for total beginners. However, those with prior video editing experience will likely appreciate DaVinci Resolve’s professional-grade tools and all-in-one nature.
#2: Lightworks
Lightworks also offers professional-grade video editing solutions. Experienced film editors use this platform in a wide range of industries. It offers multi-cam capabilities, visual effects options and advanced sound mixing tools. Lightworks boasts an easy-to-use interface and relatively fast rendering speeds. However, the free version of this platform limits users to 720p downloads, which may not be adequate for all media projects.
#3: Shotcut
Shotcut is an open-source video editing software compatible with several operating systems, including Windows and Mackintosh. This editing platform supports projects with 4k resolutions, and its intuitive interface makes it an ideal solution for beginners. The platform offers audio and video filters and tools like “chroma keying” or image layering. Shotcut also offers limited free media content like music, images, and more.
#4 VSDC Free Editor
This editing platform is only compatible with Windows at this time, but it offers an easily navigable interface for users of all experience levels. Also, this video editor boasts keyframe animation, masking, and color-correcting tools and supports 4k video projects. It’s worth noting that VSDC Free Editor can be somewhat resource-intensive and may not be quite as streamlined as some other platforms.
#5 OpenShot
OpenShot is widely appreciated for being user-friendly for Linux users. It offers unlimited tracks and transitions for video projects, 3D animated titles and other visual effects. OpenShot is best for simple video projects, as the platform sometimes struggles to keep up with more complex editing projects.
#6 VideoPad
VideoPad offers similar functionality to the free editors listed above. It features an easy-to-use drag-and-drop timeline, so users can conveniently trim and edit portions of their projects. VideoPad also offers video stabilization capabilities and an integrated sound effects library, so users can further enhance the quality of their content. VideoPad’s export options are limited for free users, so users can only export in 720p unless they upgrade their subscription.
#7 Kdenlive
Kdenlive is an open-source, cross-platform editing software compatible with various operating systems and devices. It boasts automatic audio syncing capabilities and several tools that users can employ to edit and refine their video content precisely. Despite its multi-track video editing interface, Kdenlive tends to be less user-friendly than other platforms and may be less polished overall than other solutions on the market.
#8 Blender
Blender is primarily for 3D modeling and animation. Users can take advantage of Blender’s editing capabilities to tackle projects like keyframe animation and compositing, and the platform also offers a number of visual effects. Some warn that Blender has a steep learning curve and, therefore, may not be the best choice for those relatively new to video editing. However, individuals with experience – particularly experience in animation – may find this solution robust enough to meet their needs.
#9 HitFilm Express
HitFilm Express is an excellent option for users searching for advanced features and tools. HitFilm Express offers enhanced visual effects options like 3D text and particles and over 800 other effects and presets. It boasts an intuitive, user-friendly interface, so beginners can easily navigate the platform. HitFilm Express offers multi-cam and 360° editing capabilities, but these features are not available to free users and require a paid subscription.
#10 Apple iMovie
Many iOS users are already familiar with iMovie and its video editing capabilities. Its interface is user-friendly for Mac users but may not be the best option for users whose devices or platforms run on other operating systems. iMovie features an easy-to-use drag-and-drop interface and can integrate seamlessly with a user’s Apple Music library for easier audio uploads. iMovie does offer a limited number of effects and transitions, but this feature set is not quite as robust as the effects offered by some other platforms. It’s also important to note that users must be running the most recent version of iOS to take full advantage of the iMovie platform.
Other Considerations: What About Accessibility?
As you can see, there is no shortage of options for those seeking a cost-effective video editing solution. In addition to the features and capabilities we have already explored, users may also want to consider the accessibility offerings of the various video editors they are considering. Adding captions to video content boosts accessibility and improves viewer engagement rates overall. In fact, research suggests that a viewer is more likely to watch a video in its entirety if it includes captions.
Some video editing software solutions feature built-in captioning capabilities, so creators can easily add captions to their content during editing. DaVinci Resolve, for example, allows users to add individual captions manually within the editing platform. Other platforms, like Shotcut, allow users to upload pre-existing captioning files (SRT files) directly to the editor before exporting the final project.
If you’re interested in adding accurate captions to an upcoming video project and want to save time by uploading an SRT file, Verbit can help you generate a comprehensive caption file for your project. Verbit’s platform integrates seamlessly with several video editing and media hosting platforms, making it easy to caption your content during the editing process and beyond. If you’d like to learn more about how Verbit is helping content creators boost accessibility and produce more engaging media, reach out today to speak to a member of our team.