If you’re looking for the best video editing software without the price tag – you’re in luck. There are a TON of powerful, free video editing software for PC & Mac!
With so many free video editors, it’s super easy to level up your video creation without needing to splurge on expensive video editing software like Adobe Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro X.
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There’s DaVinci Resolve, HitFilm, iMovie, OpenShot, Kdenlive, VSDC & ShotCut, just to name a few.
We’ve tested all of the free video editors that will give you HIGH quality results. That means full featured video editing programs with no watermarks or critical editing limitations.
So after the usual testing, we narrowed it down to just TWO top free video editing programs:
- Best Free Video Editing Software #1: CapCut
- Best Free Video Editing Software #2: DaVinci Resolve
- Honorable Mention
All of these options DO have paid versions as well, but that’s not what we’ll be covering in this guide. The free versions of these software are amazing, none are heavily restricted or have watermarks.
Seriously – this year, the free options are better and more powerful than ever!
Whether you’re a complete beginner or a professional editor, there are awesome free editing software options for you.
Make sure you stick around until the end to hear what I think is the best free video editing software for Mac & PC right now!
Let’s dive in.
Best Free Video Editing Software #1: CapCut
CapCut is an amazing free video editor that works on Mac and Windows.
It also has Android and iOS versions, and there’s a web-based version which makes it a great cross platform video editor.
This means you can use this one video editing tool across all of your devices.
You can learn the one interface and video editing workflow and carry that through onto all devices which is really powerful.
CapCut Features
The overall interface and editing experience is super intuitive, fluid and fast. You can jump in, edit down your footage, add in effects and color grade really quickly and easily.
Here are some of the standout features:
- Awesome color correction tools
- TONS of effects & transitions that can easily be applied to video clips
- Really cool & powerful AI tools
One of the AI tools you’ll find in CapCut is the title generator. This will automatically transcribe your video and add captions to your video. So if you want to add captions to your video, this is an insanely easy way to do it!
Another amazing AI tool is the background removal tool. This means you can remove your background without needing to use a green screen – you literally just click a button.
PRO TIP: Check out our complete CapCut Video Editing Tutorial.
CapCut Downsides
There are a couple of downsides when it comes to CapCut.
Banned In Some Countries
First of all, it is banned in a few countries. It’s made by the same company that owns TikTok (ByteDance), so there are some countries that have restricted access to both apps.
For us, this isn’t a huge deal but it’s something worth knowing so you can make that decision for yourself.
Features Being Restricted
Another thing to mention is that recently we’ve been starting to see more tools be transitioned to the paid version of CapCut.
Up until very recently, there really wasn’t much of a reason to get the paid version because you had access to everything in the free version. But that may change in the future.
So currently it’s still one of the best free video editing software out there but we’ll have to see how far they go with restricting features on the free app.
Overall, CapCut is an awesome option. If you’re looking for something more professional with advanced features and controls, the next option is going to be for you.
Best Free Video Editing Software #2: DaVinci Resolve
DaVinci Resolve isn’t just your average video editing software.
It’s literally a professional FREE video editing program that’s used to edit Hollywood movies.
DaVinci Resolve rivals even paid video editing software.
The level of features and tools you get access to for free is insane!
It works on Mac, Windows and there’s a Linux version as well.
DaVinci Resolve Features
The overall interface and editing experience is a lot more advanced than something like CapCut. But that’s not surprising because these two apps are for totally different audiences.
Where CapCut is suited to simple & fast edits, DaVinci Resolve is for professional video editing.
Some of our favorite features are:
- Professional audio tools
- Next level color grading and color correction tools
It blows our minds that you get access to this stuff for free!
There is a paid version that unlocks more features, controls and some new AI tools. But for most users, the free version will be more than enough.
PRO TIP: Learn exactly how to use this software in our complete DaVinci Resolve Video Editing Tutorial.
DaVinci Resolve Downsides
The only real downside of this video editing software is that it won’t run well on an older or lower spec computer. It’s a processor heavy program, so you’ll need a decent computer for it to run well.
Another thing to be aware of is that DaVinci Resolve will be a lot harder for beginners to jump into. Yes, it’s do-able but the learning curve will be much steeper than with something like CapCut.
Honorable Mention
Now there is another free video editor that we thought was definitely worth a mention in this guide, and that’s VN Video Editor.
We’re huge fans of this software. It’s very similar to CapCut.
There’s a Mac, Android and iOS version as well as a work around to get it working on Windows (they take you through how to do this on their website).
Like CapCut, it’s got a really easy to use and intuitive interface.
There’s a bunch of effects and transitions – not as many as CapCut but still a solid amount.
So if CapCut isn’t a fit for you (maybe you don’t want to install it or you’re anti-TikTok), then VN Video Editor would be our top suggestion for you.
And in case we do see CapCut adding a bunch of its core features into the paid version, then VN Video Editor would be the best free video editing tool in this category.
Best Free Video Editing Software Right Now?
So, which is the best free video editor right now?
CapCut is an awesome option for beginner through to intermediate users.
DaVinci Resolve is really professional video editing software so it’d be better suited to intermediate or advanced users.
But it also comes down to what type of content you’re creating.
If we need to make something quick and short – we’ll jump into CapCut.
If we’re creating a more involved, longer form piece of content – that’s where DaVinci Resolve is hands down our top pick.
That’s why we think there’s no real ‘best video editing software’. They’re all just tools to help you edit videos.
So the best one for you will come down to your requirements, skill level and whichever tool has the least amount of drawbacks or hassles or restrictions.
Now you know the best free video editing software in 2023. Whether you’re after a Mac or Windows video editor, all of these free video editors are great options.
If you want to level up your video editing the best way to do it is with an effective process.
Download a copy of our complete video editing process, The Primal Video Method, where we take you through step-by-step the most efficient method to edit videos.
Want to see what free options there are for your smartphone? Check out our Best Free Video Editing Apps In 2023 roundup.
FAQ
What is the best free video editing software?
The best free video editing software will come down to your particular needs and skill level. If you’re after fairly basic video editing tools and an easy to use interface, CapCut is a great option. If you want advanced features and professional tools, that’s where DaVinci Resolve is an amazing choice.
What is the easiest software to edit videos?
CapCut is an incredibly easy to use and intuitive free video editing software. If you want to edit videos quickly and easily, that would be our top recommendation.
How can I edit my YouTube video for free?
You can edit YouTube videos for free using one of these free video editing software options. Depending on your specific needs, our top recommendations are CapCut and DaVinci Resolve. Check out the full review above to find out which one is right for you.
Recommended Gear & Resources
Check out an up-to-date list of all the gear, software & tools we use and recommend right now at Primal Video on our resources page here!
