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VirtualDub is a free video editing software for Windows PC designed for frame capture of video files only that can accomplish just any task for cleaning and trimming videos. The software is capable of changing the original audio of the video, cutting and splitting videos and extending the number of formats to work with.
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7 Best Free GoPro Editing Software Options. First up: Quik Desktop 1. Quik for Desktop (by GoPro) This is the software that you'll probably start with. And if you've never used video editing software before, this will probably be okay. Award-Winning Open-Source Video Editing Software. CREATE STUNNING VIDEOS! SIMPLE & FREE! Get started making beautiful videos today! Hand-crafted with and 100% FREE and open-source! Free & open-source forever (GPL version 3.0) Download v2.4.3. OpenShot™ is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify it under the terms of the GNU.
Video has become a common part of everyday life. People take videos on smartphones, upload them via YouTube, and share them on Facebook.
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You’d think, then, that free video editors would be common. Free video editors have become serious rivals to the alternative, paid programs in both capacity and scope of editing. However, the selection remains somewhat limited.
We present the absolute best free video editors available for Windows.
Keep in mind: The following software is only as effective as your know-how, and none of them are instantly intuitive. They do, however, provide as close to paid software functionality as you’ll be able to find online. We’ve also highlighted video quality enhancers7 Video Quality Enhancers to Improve Low Resolution on Your Videos7 Video Quality Enhancers to Improve Low Resolution on Your VideosIf you've ever wondered how to improve video quality, you're in luck. Here are the best video quality enhancers to use.Read More if yours needs a touch-up.
1. Lightworks
If you’re looking for a more serious editor, give Lightworks a look. This tool has been around since 1989 and has been used to edit many professional movies you’ve probably watched and enjoyed, like Pulp Fiction and Braveheart.
As you might expect, this professional-grade editor comes with a professional-grade learning curve. This is a non-linear editor, which means it is not based on a simple A-to-B video timeline. That makes advanced edits easier, but thoroughly confuses newbies. Add tons of effects and multi-cam editing and you’ve got one heck of a nut to crack. If you manage it, though, you’ll be able to create videos of higher quality than most other free editors.
Now with the release of Lightworks v14.0 we have created the complete video creative package so everyone can make video that stands out from the crowd. Whether you need to make video for social media, YouTube or for a 4K film project, Lightworks makes it all possible! — Lightwork
Along with providing users with all the basics they would desire from video editing software, Lightworks also provides a few extras like basic effects, titles, transitions, and color correction. Whether you’re a bare bones amateur or a bit more experienced, Lightworks will definitely meet your video editing needs.
The free version, unfortunately, comes with a few caveats, the most problematic being a lack of 1080p output. Free users can only output at 720p, which could be a major turn-off. If that doesn’t bother you, though, Lightworks is a solid choice.The free version of Lightworks will allow you access for seven days, at which time you’ll have to register officially through the Lightworks website in order to use. You can do all this early on by registering today.
2. HitFilm Express
HitFilm is a doozy. Touting on its main page that it’s the “most powerful, FREE editing and VFX software to date”, it sure doesn’t disappoint. For one, the software has plenty of beautiful examples for you to choose from directly on their web page.
Aside from providing a fantastic interface for laying out your clips and workflow, it also provides countless free video tutorials and visual effect possibilities by default.
Its UI is also largely reminiscent of more mainstream, paid video editing software, so you aren’t limited in what you can do and create within the window. The same applies feature-wise: color correction, clip cutting, VFX, and mask tracking are all within grasp with HitFilm Express 2017.
It also goes without saying that HitFilm Express is continually updated to provide users with new features and updates.
When you’re ready to make the leap to paid software, HitFilm Pro 2017 is also available for users at a one-time payment, meaning it carries no subscription cost, unlike many other paid video editors. You will have to register and share the software via social media before being able to download, but given how fantastic this software is that’s a small favor to ask!
3. DaVinci Resolve
DaVinci Resolve is as close to a free, professional video editor as possible. Keep in mind, this means it takes about as much practice, time, and dedication to learn as it would any other professional video editor. Once you can find your way around the software, however, you’ll never need another video editor.
There’s hardly a thing DaVinci Resolve isn’t able to do for you. But one thing it does fantastically is color grading. In fact, it’s renounced for being a standalone color correction software along with doing, well, everything else.
Revolutionary new tools for editing, color correction and professional audio post production, all in a single application! — Black Magic Design
It also allows SD, HD, and Ultra HD output, meaning you can start, edit, and create pseudo-studio productions — polished and finalized — all in one software. While the Studio versions will, of course, be designed for actual professional production settings, the alternative lite version will provide more than enough functionality to keep any beginner satisfied.
Similar to HitFilm Express, you’ll have to register with the website in order to download.
4. Shotcut
Comparatively speaking, Shotcut is designed for the amateur video editor or someone who needs to tie together or edit short clips to create a sensible final product. It’s as easy as dragging and dropping clips and editing them by cutting and adding transitions.
If you don’t require a large, professional grade video editor, but instead want to put together short clips with transitions, this program is exactly for you. Better yet, its slim data size allows users of all PC specs to use the software. You won’t need an ultra souped up PC in order to use Shotcut, and sometimes that can make all the difference.
Plenty of bells and whistles are great, but for specific purposes, they can border on clutter. With Shotcut, everything you’d need is laid out in front of you. If you require a simple video editor for simple purposes, look no further.
5. Avidemux
Avidemux is a free, open source video editor also available for Linux7 Free Open Source Video Editors for Linux7 Free Open Source Video Editors for LinuxVideo editing on Linux is constantly improving. A good selection of open source video editing software is now available to Linux users, and we've got seven of the best for you to check out.Read More and Mac OS X.
The software was originally released several years ago and has been updated consistently, with the latest coming in the month before this article’s publication.
This program represents a half-step between very serious software, like Lightworks, and a basic video editor like the infamous Windows Movie Maker. It supports nonlinear editing, you can add subtitles, and the software’s file format lets users save all the settings associated with a project, which you can then re-applied to another project. Scripting is available through the GUI or directly through a command line. Virtually all major video and audio formats are supported for input and most are supported for output, though WMV and QuickTime are absent.
You can grab Avidemux from the developer’s website, which includes a link to a wiki and forums that will help you become familiar with the software.
6. VSDC Free Video Editor
This appropriately titled editor is another solid choice for people who want a semi-professional option without having to pay a professional price tag. A nonlinear editor, VSDC allows for advanced editing techniques. The software also supports a very broad range of video and audio effects like color correction, blur reduction, and volume correction.
Though still confusing for the novice, the basic interface of VSDC is a bit easier to grasp than that of Lightworks, thanks to a front-end that mimics the Microsoft ribbon interface and has a more conventional workflow.
One nice extra that may elevate VSDC above the free version of Lightworks is video output support for 1080p at 30 FPS, which is much better than its competitor’s 720p limitation. The installer is also a rather compact 37MB, about half the size of Lightworks.
7. Blender
Blender is, I admit, a different breed of video editor. It’s for 3D, rather than 2D, editing. Despite that being the case, not mentioning Blender would be a serious error because of just how much 3D video editing functionality is packed into this free software. For one, check out what Blender has to offer.
It’s a complete education in a single program. From the first time you enter Blender, you’ll be given a somewhat complex UI. Blender isn’t your typical video editing software: aside from the possibility of creating a mixed reality short film like the one above, you can create, edit, animate, and light 3D animations.
Learning your way through BlenderGetting Started with Blender: 7 Fantastic Tutorials for NewbiesGetting Started with Blender: 7 Fantastic Tutorials for Newbies3D modeling is an excellent way to exercise creativity while keeping in touch with your technical side. Here are some awesome free tutorials.Read More can take a lot of time. After all, you’re not starting with a few clips you can trim and edit. You’re given very little when you first open the program and are expected to learn as you go.
Luckily, you’re not alone with Blender. The Blender community is huge, talented, and more than willing to create hours upon hours of tutorials, entirely in their spare time, in order to teach newcomers how to start the journey to master this fantastic piece of software.
That includes the official Blender Youtube channel, mind you, which not only provides tutorials for users but hours upon hours of talks and presentations as well. That’s on top of their official animations, which definitely give you something to strive for if 3D animation is your forthcoming forte.
I know, I cheated a little adding a 3D animation software to the list. There’s no doubt, however, that Blender ranks head and shoulder above the competition for its 3D video editing capabilities.
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Craft Your Masterpiece
Maybe you want to create a short film of jumbled video clips for family members, or you’re an up and coming film student seeking to craft your first magnum opus. Whatever the want, the software presented should more than meet your needs. Best of all, you won’t have to deal with sub-par video editing software.
If you need to upgrade your computer for this, check out the best laptops for video editingThe 4 Best Laptops for Video EditingThe 4 Best Laptops for Video EditingVideo editing can test even the best PCs. However, we have found the best laptops for editing video on the go.Read More. You should make sure you have a good camcorder for hobbyist useThe 7 Best Camcorders for Hobbyist VideographersThe 7 Best Camcorders for Hobbyist VideographersWant to film videos but don't want to rely on your smartphone storage or battery? You need a camcorder!Read More too. And don’t miss out on these free apps to split and merge video filesThe Top 5 Free Apps to Split or Merge Video FilesThe Top 5 Free Apps to Split or Merge Video FilesYou don't need a high-end video editor to split and merge video files. Here are the best apps you can use to do this simple job.Read More in a crunch!
Orignially written by Matt Smith on 28 May 2014.
Explore more about: Blender, Computer Animation, Video Editor.
Best Free Video Editing Software For Beginners
thanks for your sharing. i hate the hard steps. so for me, wonderfox hd video converter Factory pro is the best and simplest tool for video editing. and thanks again.
Great article - Thanks.
Am gonna try Shotcut.
These are not FREE. These are evaluation versions. That means 'not free'.
Don't list them as 'FREE' because they're not FREE. they're CRIPPLED.Why have you fired some editors like Resolve and ivsEdits LE?
They are more powerfull and better featured of all the software you have listed here:see there
http://www.blackmagicdesign.com and http://www.ivsEdits.comWhat is the best free video editing software?
https://www.slant.co/topics/2272/~free-video-editing-softwareVSDC is not free. I've download this app twice in the past month and each time I try to save my movie, i'm prompted to buy. Can't get any further with my project so have now given up trying.
if you look carefully, right there it also says continue. it has happened to me as well. it's free and pretty efficient. this list sucks tbh only vsdc is worth your time if you're looking for an efficient video editor.
This list is also from 2014....
VSDC Video editor program especially since the fifth version of out of competition
Since summer update, I'm a fan of VSDC Free Video Editor. I make all my presentations (often requiring trimming, merging, adding charts and videos in MP4, MOV, AVI as well as video effects) in this editor.
BTW the program is honestly free: no hidden adware during installation or paid export.
I recommend their 5-th version, it's a step ahead.I disagree. I tried it and cannot actually create a video without upgrading to the version you have to pay for.
You just click Continue and have you file exported.
I choose VideoShow ,video editor completely free
I used Gilisoft Video Editor - Easiest, Powerful, All-in-One Video Editing Software Anyone Can Use!
WMM is not a good editor.
The youtube editor is the shittiest I know of.Atleast try some editors before actually making a top list.
Beware. Just tried installing VSDC and it tried to install opencandy spyware.
VSDC is the best video editor I've ever had. I didn't have the adware problem though.
No malware, if download the program from official site videosoftdev.com
It at the moment fantastic, free video editor with great functionality.
Lightworks isn't free
Lightworks brings so many errors that orevent it to launch. Its a waste of time downloading such a huge file, that will then after fail to install, with numerous stages of errors
I was thinking of giving one of these a go, either lightworks or blender seems to be the way to go.They just make it sound scary with this steep learning curve business,that's the only thing putting me off.
I purchased corel prox3 a couple of years ago at first it was good then it kept crashing every time I went to render a movie.So then I tried the updated prox7 and the same thing,it started crashing when I would render a movie.It has been so frustrating as I have spent hours editing and making a movie then to have the whole thing not render Arhhhh.........
prox7 has a thing called smart package ,I thought I could just save the movie and render it on another video editing site,but all the overlays and effects won't transfer etc.
Some of these review sites will tell you that corel prox7 is a good programme,but if you look up all the people trying to get help from the programme you'll see the frustration.
happy editing everyone,good luck.I've been using VSDC for a few weeks now, and there seems to be a lot of little bugs that get in the way when I'm trying to use it. The most puzzling is that it won't let me create a video with a custom resolution of 1600x900, I can only do 1600x896 or 1600x904.
I installed LightWorks today, and it looks like it could be very good. I haven't had time to edit anything properly yet, so I don't know if it has all of the features that VSDC has.
896 and 904 are both numbers that are evenly divisible by 8 (the number of bits in a byte). This indicates a possible limitation or requirement of something in the processing technology or the digital data stream, such as a particular video format or codec.
I'm no video expert, but multiples of 8 come up quite frequently in computing.
An example would be a JPEG photo. Some software is capable of performing a 'lossless JPEG rotation', where a JPEG image is rotated and re-saved without losing any image quality. During such a rotation, the image dimensions will be adjusted to even multiples of 8 (if necessary), possibly resulting in a slight cropping of the image (which is usually imperceptible to the eye with modern high-resolution digital camera images). This cropping occurs because the rotation algorithm subdivides the image into 8x8 pixel blocks (Minimum Coded Units), and any extra pixel rows are discarded.
It is highly probable that certain video files are subject to these limitations as well. After all, a video is just a series of still images.While that kind of makes sense, it is a restriction that doesn't appear to be in any other video editing programme. I even recall using Windows Movie Maker for adding sound to a track that I'd already edited and rendered and that seemed to handle it just fine.
Either way, I had to move away from VSDC eventually. It would constantly crash when the it got to the end of the video, even during rendering. Half of the time it would fully render, then crash before saving to the file. I moved onto the paid Sony Movie Studio and it's allowed me to edit much faster.
When I was a kid I used to do a lot of stuff in Movie Maker, when Windows XP was around. Then everything changed when the Fire Nation attacked.
No, but seriously, I have Windows 7 on my laptop, and because I'm studying media and stuff, we have to edit videos too, (we learn final cut at college but im not a mac user at home) so I thought I would use WMM as a quick editing tool. And then I hated it.
Where did the timeline went!?? It was so easy to use, that even when I was a child I could learn it! I could cut very precisely, and have a library etc. but with the new look, it just loads very slow, I have to upload ALL my clips on the story board instead of a library to organize in folders and cut them there and then drag them on the proyect. Don't make me even talk about editing the music.
Just editing a very quick 2 minute video can be a pain for me.I then knew about Adobe Premiere but my free trial expired :(
So all my video editing shall be at school..for nowThanks for the recommendations! Perfect timing for some upcoming projects.
For a substantially more trustworthy download site for VSDC Free Video Converter -- and much more software -- than CNET's Download.com (since their acquisition by CBS, Inc.), one might look to Softpedia.com -- http://www.softpedia.com/get/Multimedia/Video/Encoders-Converter-DIVX-Related/VSDC-Free-Video-Converter.shtml .
Not only do Softpedia not 'wrap' any software they offer, but when the source providing it does, an explicit advisory is posted in red to warn the user. Also, whenever possible, Softpedia provide a clean (or 'lite') version of the software (such as Piriform's CCleaner, for example).
Just she'll out a few bucks and buy Adobe Premiere.
AV S Video Editor is excellent, give it a whirl, its so easy to use and does a great job. Its also free if you don't mind a watermark, and the full version is great value for money.
What about Videopad Video Editor? It has quite a few plugins, comes with 1080p output and seems pretty easy to use.
Videopad has a very limited trial, which then forces you to pay/upgrade before you can export videos again. Very nice and easy to use, yes, but for people that cant afford to buy programs they only use every once in a while, pointless.
Windows Movie Maker works for me. It was easy to use. I am thinking about Adobe premier though which cost but I think that might be an option.
Thanks Matt and Nash, I will try at first the free tools from this page, then in case I will look to some paid tools!
See you soon,
Alessandro
Another excellent and inexpensive editor is Adobe Premiere Elements, which you should be cable to purchase for less than$100. It's also a good starting point if you want to upgrade to the full version. A lot of Mac editors are starting to use Premiere following the demise of Final Cut 7!
I may upgrade to that if I ever get more serious about putting up YouTube videos...
So far as quality is concerned I think Avidemux is the best of the lot. Only problem with it is that it is slow, hasn't been updated in quite a while and uses mencoder rather than ffmpeg. I use ffmpeg based encoders like Handbrake or Video2Video for reducing the bit rate of very large files. These however are not very good for changing image size in which case I use Avidemux. Where I live electric power supply is not very stable and quite often I have had to restart the process from scratch. In this case I came up with my own solution. First I would take the original video file and rip it with mkvmergegui breaking it down into several parts., i.e a 6 gb file into 6 parts. Then convert each part with avidemux at the same settings. Once this is done I would then combine the 6 converted files with mkvmergegui to get a single file. Even if I have power loss during the process I would have to restart only a single 1 GB segment and not the whole 6 GB process. This has worked for me every time.
Greetings. According to the Softpedia site, Avidemux had a major update on 13 March 2014 (and a bug fix on the 24th) -- http://www.softpedia.com/get/Multimedia/Video/Video-Editors/AviDemux-test.shtml (changelog link also provided).
@AJNorth
Thank you for the update. I will most certainly try it out. Actually I don't do any editing in real sense. I just reduce the file size to manageable level for viewing on my tablet when I am making 6 hour one way train journeys twice a month. What I really liked about Avidemux is auto trimming and sharpen filters.
@ Sharon V
A very simple way is to use MkvToolNix. All you do is open your file in MkvMergeGui and rip it to an mkv file if not alraedy in mkv container. Then open this mkv file in MrvExtract Gui and check mark the component/s that you want extracted and you are done. Once in a while you may come across a stubborn one that won't extract properly. You could then try your luck with MP4Box of tXmuxer.
OpenShot is a great editor, simple and fairly powerful, and it's being actively developed. KDenLive is competent. PiTiVi I've used in the past... it's OK. AviDemux has a learning curve and the options for formats are confusing, but I've used it to transcode European home movies. Cinelerra I haven't tried. All are open source, no-adware. I run them mostly on my 4 year old Ubuntu E-Machines system with 2 GB ram.
Thankyou for this post. I've been using windows movie maker for years and am ready for something a bit more grown up. Lightworks is something I've seen before so I think I'll take the plunge!
Can any of these reverse a clip and change the speed
Yeah, I use lightworks for all my (semi-professional) video editing and it has all those features. It's a little bit of a learning curve though - took me bout a month to realise it's full potential. Also, I would recommend audacity for sound editing - it's free.
And what about Blender 3D? it's Open Source and it has a video compositor built in.
I would like a simple video editor that permits me to put a soundtrack on a video, in a loop. Which one is the best? Thanks so much and see you soon!
I think any of these would work...though I'm not aware of a specific loop feature, you can always just add the track to the video multiple times for the same effect.
iMovie is not a blessing if you don't use 'Apple approved' file formats. Same applies to Final Cut Pro.
All the above are OK for one (1) family holiday video and one (1) Christmas video. That is two (2) videos a year max. Beyond that they will drive you nuts in one way or another.
If you intend to do video even only once a month I urge you to buy something. Sony Vegas is frequently on Amazon and ebay for less that 20 UK pounds. It might save your life.
Finally, if you're going to do a lot of video on a PC and need to keep your sanity for other purposes you must take the time to learn how to use the software. We are all professional video viewers from the age of 3. If your video is even the slightest bit not as good as broadcast TV your children will instantly be able to tell you it is crap.
Oh - and get a very big hard drive and lot's and lot's of RAM on a 64bit system.
Excellent, easy in use prog which enables to perform professional video editing for free. Both professional video editor and amateur can use it because the prog has a wizard assistant. A 100 % advantage is that you can work with transparent videos. Previously I used After Effects option when I worked with videos from envato website, but now I can do it with a help of VSDC - excellent news!!!
I have been using WMM since its first iteration. Certainly, it has many flaws, crashes often - causing you to lose any unsaved changes - and is slow as hell, but it works well enough.
I would say the only major thing missing from WMM is the ability to zoom and crop. Overlaying text is limited to title cards, subtitles, or scrolling credits. However, there some legacy 'effects' which are completely useless (like the Hue Cycle effect, which cycles through the rainbow of hues once and stops).
For slideshows of photos, it is great. For editing anything longer than 5 minutes of footage at a time, it loads each clip very slowly (sometimes even slower than real-time -- being a 15 minute clip that takes 20 minutes to load into the program).
I would suggest that you SAVE after every change you make to the project, or you will lose your changes when it crashes. And it will crash. Multiple times. And then it will refuse to load the project until you have rebooted your PC.
However, i still use WMM. It is effective and - having tried using the other Editors listed in this article, WMM is the most intuitive and easiest to use. Most of the others have no tutorials or explanations, and knowing where or how to start is a problem if you have no pointers.
I've run into the slow loading issue too. It seems to be related to format. When I use .mp4s then always take forever to load in, but .avi loads almost instantly.
I agree with these comments. WMM is a good editor to learn the basics. Ifyou, after a dozen short movies, want a better one, invest in one of the more advanced, semi- professional packages like Cyberlink's PowerDirector, Pinnacle Studio, magic or Vegas. Just make sure to have a comprehensive format converter handy.
I am looking for a video editor that will allow me to separate audio and video files will any of these do that
You can use Audacity to get the audio from the video.
Sharon V
If all you are looking for is a tool that will extract audio from video files, then you might look into AoA Audio Extractor from AoAMedia. They have a free tool that will extract audio from just about any video file. I use it a lot especially to extract audio from YouTube videos that really have no video, just audio. It's free but they also offer a paid more advanced version. Hope that helps.ivsEdits LE can do it. it is free and you can download it here:
http://www.ivsEdits.com
Windows Movie Maker is pretty good.
However - IT IS VERY UNSTABLE. It constantly crashes (I tried on different systems) which makes it a serious pain to use. What a shame...I kind of agree on this. It hasn't crashed on me,, but there's always some niggling little bug. Like, on my PC, I always have to save a project, then re-open it, then export it to the final format. If I don't, it errors out saying that a file in the project is open elsewhere. And is always does that at the VERY END of the export process, which can take an hour for a large video.
Thank u so much for this post :D
Heres another https://www.videolan.org/vlmc/
I was just recently thinking about looking for free video editors. I think that VSDC and Lightworks looks good, but I think I'll try VSDC first, simply for the higher output resolution.
please try ivsEdits LE, it is the best featured free NLE available .