The best free Video editing Software for Beginners in 2025
There are many free video editing software options available (if you are on a budget or a creator who is starting).These can range from quite basic tools to professional-grade software, for Windows, Mac, Linux and even web applications.
These free video editing software editors allow you to get great content with their powerful features such as advanced editing, templates, and effects. Even better, many have helpful communities and tutorials to help you learn to use them.
Top Free Video Editing Software for Beginners
Here is a list of the best free video editing software for beginners in 2025:
Best Free Video Editing Software
- DaVinci Resolve : Powerful free editor with professional features.
- Animaker : Easy-to-use for animation and video creation.
- Adobe Premiere Rush : Quick edits with pro features.
- iMovie : Simple, free editor for Mac users.
- Lumen5 : Great for turning text into video quickly.
- CapCut : Easy-to-use with great features and depth
Paid but Popular Video Editors
- Nero Video : Offers powerful features for editing and organizing.
- Filmora : Easy to learn with great effects.
- InVideo : Focused on online video creation, great for beginners.
- Adobe Premiere Pro : Industry standard with all the professional tools.
- Apple Final Cut Pro : Powerful editor for Mac users with advanced features
How to Find the Best Free Video Editing Software
Other free video editors are catered to beginners, leading you through the process, while some are more complex and have room for you to grow. Every editor on this list allows you to trim clips and export videos at 1080p without a watermark, ideal for sharing on platforms like YouTube.
To identify the top ones, I focused on:
Editing Tools: The editing tool must be easy to use. Some automatically edit your footage, though others give you REALLLLL control of what to do with it – splitting clips, green screen effects, etc.
Free User Access: I considered editors that let you use exports at 1080p without a watermark or limits on the number of exports as well as optional premium features for additional effects and tools.
Performance and Speed: Editors will be seamless across devices, with speedy video previews, and plenty of export options. Web-based editors should emulate the desktop app experience for uninterrupted productivity.
Learning Resources and Support: Having excellent tutorials, support documents, and active communities accelerates the learning process. Other more uncomplicated tools would have a better user interface and assistive tools within the application to help the user navigate better.
Additional Features: A few of the editors provide additional options such as audio mastering, visual effects, stock footage, and cloud storage. These are not necessarily indispensable, but these additional options make your editing much more enjoyable.
An Overview of the Top Free Video Editing Software
| Platforms | Best for | Standout feature | Free plan limitations | |
| DaVinci Resolve | Windows, Mac | Professional-level video editing features | A whole suite of tools, including two editing interfaces, audio mastering, effects, and delivery | 4K video exports at 60 frames per second in 8-bit color; limits on effects and other features |
| Animaker | Web, Windows | Animation and social media videos | Easy drag-and-drop interface with templates | Watermarked videos, limited resolution (720p), fewer assets |
| Adobe Premiere Rush | Windows, Mac | Quickly editing clips together for publishing | Select your clips, click create, and Rush will create a video for you | 1080p video exports at 60 frames per second; some limits on in-app features |
| iMovie | Mac, iPhone, iPad | Mac users in need of a simple yet capable editor | Tight integration with iCloud Photo Library and Apple’s broader ecosystem | Only supports a 16:9 aspect ratio |
| Lumen5 | Web | Turning text into videos | AI-driven video creation from text | Watermarked videos, limited resolution (720p), 5-minute video length limit |
| CapCut | Windows, Mac, Web | Simple “prosumer” editing that’s accessible on Mac and Windows | Drag-and-drop editing with more advanced features only a click away | 8K video exports at 60 frames per second in HEVC, H.264, and Apple ProRes 422 |
Top Professional Free Video Editing Software for Windows and Mac
1. DaVinci Resolve
Pros of DaVinci Resolve:
- Complete video editing application free of cost
- There are so much resources that guide you in the learning process
- Upload directly to social media platforms such as YouTube, Instagram and TikTok, with the ability to add chapters, thumbnails, and headings.
Cons of DaVinci Resolve:
- Requires some time to invest in it to really appreciate the potential.
- Can be too much for simple editing.
DaVinci Resolve is considered one of the leading video editing software free of cost. A beginner or professional can find almost everything it needs. “It is produced by Blackmagic Design, and there are numerous tutorials on how to use the application and other related content produced by users.”
Though the free version does not allow 10-bit video export or some advanced effects, it does have powerful editing features, including multi-camera editing, audio mastering, and color grading. You could use it for simple edits or learn more advanced features like Fusion for effects and Fairlight for extensive audio mixing.
Direct uploading can be done from the editor to those sites, and it takes care of video description, title, chapters, and thumbnails. Export options include H.64, HEVC, ProRes, etc.
Limitations: There is no 10-bit export and very limited effects, and 4K is limited to 60fps in the free version.
Want to know more about DaVinci Resolve? This video is just for you.
2. Animaker: The Best Free Video Editing Software for Beginners
Pros of Animaker:
- Animaker’s drag-and-drop design makes it easy for anyone to create animations, even if you have no experience.
- It offers many ready to use templates for different types of videos, so you can start quickly.
- Animaker has tools for adding cool animations, effects, and character movements to make your videos more fun and engaging.
- It offers reasonably priced plans, making it a good choice for both individuals and businesses.
Cons of Animaker:
- Watermarks and fewer features.
- Video export can take time, especially for complex videos.
Animaker is the easiest tool to make high-quality animated videos very quickly. In this stunning application, users will be able to drag and drop components, choose different types of premade templates, and customize animations according to their requirements.
Animaker is capable of running on different devices, enabling you to access your projects from anywhere and everywhere. And for the creation of super high-quality video exports, HD options are available, with 4K requiring a premium subscription.
Animaker is not ideal for the more advanced user needing almost complex animations or full creative control, although it is so simple and easy to use. But for making quick, engaging and fun animations and videos for social media, marketing, or presentations, it certainly works a treat.
Limitations: Animaker has limitations in terms of advanced features, customization, and export options for free users.
Want to know more about Animaker? This video is just for you.
3. Adobe Premiere Rush
Pros of Adobe Premiere Rush:
- This is an easy interface for beginners or quick fixes.
- Windows/Mac and mobile devices (phones and tablets running on iOS/Android) will allow cross working.
- Multi-track support allows users to edit videos, add audio, and create effects.
- You can safely store and access all the projects across devices through Adobe Cloud.
- Simple tools for some noise reduction and audio balancing are available.
Cons of Adobe Premiere Rush:
- No advanced tools like those found in Premiere Pro.
- After the free version, paid premium plans are compulsory for further usage.
- This software can lag on much older devices.
- Less number of export formats than pro tools.
- Few advanced effects. Hardly any proper transformations.
Adobe Premiere Rush helps edit videoclips in an easy way with an automatic arrangement clip-wise as you define their order. Adjust video tracks or add music and sound effects to the additional audio track and export.
Link it to your YouTube or Facebook account for direct uploads up to 1080p at 60fps, and there is an export option for Instagram as well, although it also needs to be done manually on your smartphone. But to get 4K uploads or Auto Reframe, you’ll need to cough up a $9.99/month subscription. It might soon prove insufficient for serious creators, but it’s still terrific for rapid edits and beginners.
Adobe Premiere Rush free version limitations: 1080p video export at 60 frames per second and no access to Adobe’s Auto Reframe feature.
Want to know more about Adobe Premiere Rush? This video is just for you
4. iMovie (Mac, iPhone, iPad)
Pros of iMovie:
- Easy to understand for any beginner
- It is free of charge on macOS and iOS devices.
- Basic editing capabilities like trim, split, and add transitions or titles.
- Export to 4K so that high-quality videos can be created.
Cons of iMovie
- It is available on only Apple devices, making it less cross-platform compatible.
- No multi-track audio editing makes complex audio work more difficult.
- 360-degree or VR video editing does not support.
iMovie is the easiest video editing software for Apple users. It enables them to carry out simple video editing tasks. It is so easy to use for first-timers that it can be integrated into Apple’s ecosystem to provide seamless editing across iOS, iPadOS, and macOS platforms for drag-and-drop footage, slicing, trimming, and quick previewing footage.
iMovie is not as advanced as Final Cut Pro but has powerful features like chroma keying, video stabilization, and filters.
It has very nice transitions, titles, and motion graphics. It’s good for basic edits, but it’s got no support for any vertical videos and really only plays with a 16:9 aspect ratio.
iMovie free version limitations: 16:9 widescreen format only
Want to know more about iMovie? This video is just for you
5. Lumen5: The Best Free Video Editing Software
Pros of Lumen5:
- Simple interface for drag-and-drop that makes it suitable for everyone under the sun.
- AI-driven tool to transform text into audio/video so it saves much time.
- Fully customizable text, colors, and branding options.
- Very much suitable for video creation for social sites as Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram.
Cons of Lumen5:
- Block various characteristics behind paid subscriptions.
- Export quality may be supported in lower percentages by a free plan.
- The free version of the exported video carries watermarks.
Lumen5 is the easiest and greatest video creation tool. It helps change the text into video quickly. Using drag-and-drop interfaces, it’s very user-friendly, extremely tool for anyone creating videos without experience in editing.
The platform has ready-made templates, customizable text, colors, and branding to help create unique videos.
Lumen5 also opens the door to a huge library of royalty-free images, video clips, and music that will also enhance content. It doesn’t take installation instead, it is a cloud-based platform; projects can be opened by any device.
Lumen5 free version limitations: The free version of Lumen5 has watermarks, lower export quality, limited features, and fewer customization options.
Want to know more about Lumen5? This video is just for you
6. CapCut (Windows, Mac, Web)
Pros of CaCut:
- Fast trimming, chopping, and editing videos.
- Free edition does not add watermarks.
- Various resolutions for exporting files.
Cons of CapCut:
- It has only limited advanced editing features.
- Hardly a few features get worked on due to the internet connection.
CapCut is a user-friendly application for straightforward easy and fast video editing. It has a simplified interface which is best for beginners. Cuts, trims, and effects are the most significant features found in CapCut applications along with various different formats to support different types of video formats.
You can import video files into several different resolutions. This factor about CapCut will make it easy on the wallet, as it does not stick a watermark on its free version, much to the delight of many content creators.
CapCut free version limitation: The free version of CapCut has limited features and slower performance with large files.
Want to know more about CapCut? This video is just for you
Paid but Popular Video Editors
1. Nero Video
Nero Video is a simple and free video editing software with many features. It also allows you to cut, trim and add effects or transitions to your videos easily.
You can create multilayer audio, video, and images with the help of a multi-track timeline, making it a very flexible tool. The software works with a wide variety of video formats and has facilities to create DVDs and Blu-ray Discs with custom menus.
Standout Features: Low pricing
Pricing: One-time payment of $39.95
2. Filmora
Filmora is highly user-friendly video editing software best suited for beginners and intermediates. It features drag-and-drop editing, a wide variety of effects, transitions, and filters.
Some functionality includes multi-track editing, green-screen support, split-screen, motion tracking, and audio editing. It will work with many different video formats and exports directly into places such as YouTube and social media.
Standout features: Title tool; mobile and screen editing; “Easy Mode”
Pricing: Starts at $68.98 for a lifetime license
3. InVideo
With InVideo, online video-making becomes easy and editing becomes easy, even for absolute beginners. This means getting to those easily-used, time-saving ready-made templates to create videos within a drag-and-drop interface. Add texts, music, images, and transitions to videos. Built-in library of stock/footage/images/audio to enliven videos.
Besides, also features text to speech and customize video dimensions for social media. Marketing video, social media video, quick video edits will be perfect content made by InVideo.
Standout Features: No Watermark, 4000+ templates, and 8Mn+ iStock Images & Videos
Pricing: $15/Month for the Business plan, and $30/Month for the Unlimited Plan.
4. Adobe Premiere Pro
Adobe Premiere Pro is an extreme level of editing feature offered by any video editing software and is used in the work of cinema, television, or online content. It provides features for editing, color correction, audio mixing, and visual effects.
It also has a flexible timeline, allowing users to edit-specific video, audio, and images by layering them together for detailed editing. Moreover, it supports a wide range of formats, as well, encouraging integration with other Adobe Creative Cloud applications like After Effects or Photoshop. Premiere Pro is most suitable for professionals and the very advanced users searching for full control over their video projects.
Standout Features: Multi-cam and coloring options; title tool; easy integration with Adobe Products; straightforward interface
Pricing: $19.99/month
5. Apple Final Cut Pro
The Final Cut Pro by Apple is an editing software which has been designed for users using Mac. It is equipped with sophisticated editing tools, which can make an edit using multi-camera, 360-degree video support, and many more features for powerful color grading.
The magnetic timeline in Final Cut Pro organizes videos with ease for your end. Final Cut Pro supports high-quality video formats including those like 4K or HDR. Further more, it gets complete harmony with other Apple Software and Hardware.
An ideal editing tool for all professional filmmakers, TV producers, and digital content creators in need of a fast operating application.
Standout Features: Magnetic Timeline; Touch Bar support
Pricing: One-time payment of $299.99
There are so many different types of free video editing software available depending on needs and skills. On the other hand, free editors like DaVinci Resolve, Animaker, Adobe Premiere Rush, iMovie, Lumen5, and CapCut are very powerful easy entries into video editing for the beginner or low budget individual.
If you want something more advanced, then there are really professional editors like Nero Video, Filmora, InVideo, Adobe Premiere Pro, and Apple Final Cut Pro, that deliver a lot more sophisticated tools, effects, and options for elaborate projects. Indeed, whatever video editing needs you have, there is always a tool to help you create great content.
