12 Best Free Video Editing Software for Windows PC in 2022
12 Best Free Video Editing Software for Windows PC in 2022
How to Choose a Free Video Editing Software
You don’t want to waste time learning to edit videos on software that isn’t the right fit for you or your projects. Below are several factors that you should consider before choosing which free video editing software is most suitable for you.
Your Experience Level
The free video editing software on our list covers everyone from first-time editors to experienced professionals. If you are a beginner, make sure you edit videos with software that is beginner-friendly with plenty of templates and guided-edits. If you are a more advanced user, choose software that has more professional tools and manual controls for more precise edits.
System Requirements
Obviously you need a video editor for PC that works with your OS, but be sure to check the system requirements to make sure your PC has enough RAM and CPU to not only download the software but also edit video without causing lag or freezing. If you have an old PC, don’t worry - there are some free video editing software on our list with very low system requirements.
Format Support and Video Resolution
Does your free video editing software support the format your camera shoots? Will it work with your webcam, external mic, or video capture card? Also, check the max resolution your video editor for PC will support. If you spent good money on a 4K camera, you won’t want to upload a video that’s been downgraded to 780p.
Tools and Features
Free video editing software come with vastly different feature sets. Maybe you film a lot of action footage and need a video stabilizer. Maybe you are a gamer who needs green screen effects, an animator who needs visual effects tools, or an influencer who likes to edit videos with fun filters and stickers. Whatever your specific need, make sure it’s available in the free version of the video editor for PC you choose.
How We Test the Free Video Editing Software on This List
You might be wondering why you should trust our opinion to find the best free video editing software. Below we explain how we test and rank our products.
Product Testing
First, we test the products ourselves. We edit videos with the same basic editing tools on all software so we can compare apples with apples. Then we check the key features and tools unique to the software.
Compare Versions
If the free video editing software has paid versions, we compare them to see what is included at each price point.
Publisher Reviews
We read reviews written by the best critics in the business to make sure our findings reveal an accurate picture of the product. To remove bias, we take the most common rating out of 5 from the publisher reviews to rank our products. When there are multiple products with the same ranking, we use our testing to decide the order.
User Reviews
It can be hard for seasoned editors to get into the mind of a first-time user. We scan user reviews to find out what consumers are saying about the products and the most common pros and cons.
21 Best Free Video Editing Software for Windows PC in 2022
1. PowerDirector Essential - Best Overall
Compatibility: Windows, Mac
PCMag Rating: 4.5/5
Price: Free
*Premium features available for free for 30 days, then $4.08/month
Key Features:
- Royalty-Free Stock Library
- Compositing Tools
- AI Motion Tracking
- Color Grading and Correction Tools
PowerDirector ranks as our best free video editing software overall because it is an excellent choice to edit videos for all skill levels. We found its interface to be intuitive and the design straightforward which makes it easy for beginners to edit videos, while its robust advanced features and hardware acceleration will satisfy even the most experienced video editors.
Dive right in and edit videos with its easy-to-use tools, effects, transitions, and titles without paying for advanced features or needing any prior video editing experience. The free version of this video editor for PC will suit all your everyday video editing needs.
PowerDirector is a long-time winner of the prestigious PC Magazine Editors' Choice award and is highly recommended by TechRadar Pro. It includes professional and AI-powered tools to turn your videos into studio-quality masterpieces.
Download our pick for the best free video editing software by clicking the link below.
2. Blender - Best for Animation
Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Linux
G2 Rating: 4.5/5
Price: Free
Key Features:
- Masking tools
- Advanced Motion Graphics
- Modeling and Sculpting
- Audio adjustment tools
Blender is an open-source free video editing software with a plethora of compositing, 3D, and animation tools. It includes wide-ranging effects capabilities like motion tracking, particle simulation, onion skinning, and 3D painting tools.
These pro-level effects tools make Blender a popular video editor for PC for intermediate and advanced users to edit videos without paying for expensive software like After Effects.
Blender has everything you could need to make amazing motion graphics, animations, and custom VFX, as well as basic editing tools. However, it has a very steep learning curve and is not for beginners.
3. HitFilm Express - Best for VFX
Compatibility: Windows, Mac
G2 Rating: 4.4/5
Price: Free
*Premium subscriptions available for $7.50/month for Creator and $12.50/month for Pro
Key Features:
- 4K Export
- Motion Tracking
- 3D Simulations
- Displacement and Distortion
We found HitFilm to be one of the best options to edit videos with Hollywood-style visual effects. The software includes one of the biggest free VFX toolkits on the market. This free video editing software includes color adjustments, keying effects, lens flares, and light swords.
It offers all the basic features that editing enthusiasts will need in free video editing software. And for being a non-professional free video editing software, it offers a few surprising features like Unified 3D Space and a puppet tool.
Unfortunately, this video editor for PC can be difficult to use, so be prepared to invest time learning the software. While both Blender and HitFilm offer advanced visual effects, all of Blender’s tools and effects are free. HitFilm offers some for free, but many are saved for paid subscribers.
4. WeVideo - Best for Templates
Compatibility: Web Browser
G2 Rating: 4.4/5
Price: Free
*Premium subscriptions available for
$4.99/month for Power, $7.99/month for Unlimited, $19.99/month for
Professional, and $36.99/month for Business
Key Features:
- Screen Recorder
- 50 Transitions
- Animated Effects
- Meme Maker
WeVideo is a web-based free video editing software. WeVideo comes with tons of social-media-friendly video templates for anything from new home listings to back-to-school nights. We think these customizable templates are perfect for beginners or busy influencers.
Customize the templates with your own photos and videos or use the WeVideo stock library. The library of this video editor for PC even includes green screen footage you can use to change the background of a scene. There are 30 effects you can apply with one click, however, unlike our top 3 picks, WeVideo allows little control over effects.
While the paid version of WeVideo is a great option for content creators, the free version is unrealistic for anyone who regularly edits videos, as it is limited to 5 minutes of exported content a month at a max of 480p. We recommend PowerDirector as a more robust free video editing software for influencers on a budget.
5. Avidemux - Best Video Converter
Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Linux
Capterra Rating: 4.1/5
Price: Free
- Denoise Tool
- Rotate/Flip Video
- Audio Filters
- Subtitles
Avidemux is an open-source, free video editing software. We like Avidemux for its video encoding and conversion tools, which allow you to convert and save video or audio to a wide range of formats. There’s also wide format support for encoding or decoding video, including TrueHD audio and multi-threaded video.
With Avidemux, it is easy to locate the tools you need. It has all the basic features you need to edit videos, such as joining, cutting, copying, and deleting clips, and some simple audio tools.
Although it is easy to find features, many of the tools take some getting used to. Also, Avidemux comes with no creative or trending tools like stickers, filters, or AI-powered tools to edit videos with a unique flair.
6. DaVinci Resolve - Best for Experts
Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Linux
PCMag Rating: 4/5
Price: Free
*Premium version available for $295 for DaVinci Resolve Studio
Key Features:
- High-Quality Visual Effects
- AI-Based Magic Mask
- Multicam Editing
- Dual Timelines
DaVinci Resolve is one of the most advanced free video editing software on this list. While it can be overwhelming and intimidating for those without previous editing experience, if you have a deep understanding of how to edit videos and need a powerful program, Resolve is your best option.
Overall DaVinci Resolve is a clean, intuitive program that you would never guess is free. It offers a wide range of advanced features, including intelligent color-correction tools that let you edit skin tones, eye color, and lip color at the touch of a button.
If you’re creating a feature documentary, narrative film, TV commercial, or show, you should definitely try DaVinci Resolve over expensive professional software like Adobe Premiere Pro or Avid. However, if you’re only looking to cut together home movies or social media posts, this is not the video editor for PC for you. For influencers and beginners, we recommend PowerDirector or WeVideo.
7. VideoProc Vlogger - Best for Action Cam Footage
Compatibility: Windows, Mac
KommandoTech Rating: 4/5
Price: Free
Key Features:
- Audio Extractor
- Remove noise/grain
- Advanced Color Correction
- Fisheye Removal
VideoProc Vlogger is free video editing software that we think is a great choice for editing action camera or GoPro footage. It has advanced speed adjustment tools and over 20 speed presets. This video editor for PC also comes with a video stabilizer, time-lapse tools, and motion simulation for applying tilt, roll, and dolly effects.
Even though it has some pretty advanced effects, this free video editing software is beginner-friendly. It also has a learning center with helpful blogs and user guides, and a support center to answer any questions.
VideoProc Vlogger is aimed at beginners, hobbyists, and content creators who need advanced motion and speed effect tools. However, professionals will find it lacking in overall video editing tools which is why it falls under DaVinci Resolve on our list.
8. Magix Movie Studio - Best for Video Collages
Compatibility: Windows
TechRadar Rating: 4/5
Price: 30-day free trial, then $69.99 for Movie Studio, $99.99 for Platinum, and $129 for Suite
Key Features:
- Direct Upload to Social Media
- 900+ Effects and Transitions
- Deep Color Correction
- Layer Masks
Magix Movie Studio is a free video editing software and video collage maker. We liked using the video collage templates with extra-large manipulation tools where we could make precise adjustments to a clip’s rotation and size.
Like our top choice, PowerDirector, Magix Movie Studio offers tools for both beginners and professionals to edit videos. Storyboard Mode offers one-click solutions such as Remove Beginning or Split Movie, while more experienced editors can use frame-by-frame editing and utilize manual tools.
Magix Movie Studio only offers a free trial, placing it below the entirely free VideoProc Vlogger. Also, many users have complained of frequent crashing and projects not carrying over to updated versions.
9. Windows Video Editor - Best for Slideshows
Compatibility: Windows
TechRadar Rating: 4/5
Price: Free
Key Features:
- 3D Effects
- Auto Movie Options
- Fade Effects
- Customizable Titles
Windows Video Editor is free video editing software that comes built-in on PCs with Windows 10 or later. It has all the tools needed to bring your photos to life with a fun slideshow. You can add motion to photos and sync your show to the beat of your background music.
It comes with pre-designed animations, a good collection of filters and themes, and the ability to edit videos with music. This video editor for PC comes with all the basic track editing tools, such as splitting, trimming, adding text, and adjusting audio.
This free video editing software is a quick and easy way to edit videos, especially for Windows users who regularly use the native photo app. Windows Video Editor is very simple to use, but has no advanced features and wouldn’t suffice for anything more than a short, simple video or photo slideshow. That is the reason we ranked it under the more expensive Magix Movie Studio.
10. EaseUS Video Editor - Best for First-Time Users
Compatibility: Windows
TechRadar Rating: 4/5
Price: Free
*Premium subscriptions available for $29.95/month, $49.95/year, or $79.95 for a lifetime license
Key Features:
- Cut and Merge video
- Video Overlay
- Text-Speech Exchange
- Voice Over
EaseUS Video Editor is an incredibly simple free video editing software for those with zero editing experience. It features a large preview window, with large icons that detail the pared-down editing tools and features.
With this video editor for PC, you can use basic tools such as trim, split, and rotate. We liked that it allowed us to easily mix audio and that the free version had no limit on video length.
While we like the free version of EaseUS Video Editor for brand-new editors to get their feet wet, it is too basic for any serious video editing and does not include the effects and transitions found in the premium versions. We placed it last amongst the free video editing software that scored a publisher rating of 4 because the paid versions are very expensive and offer few tools.
11. Lightworks - Best for Advanced Users
Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Linux
TechRadar Rating: 3.5/5
Price: Free
*Premium subscriptions available for $9.99/month for Lightworks Create and $24.99/month for Lightworks Pro
Key Features:
- Instant Autosave
- Background Processing
- Motion Graphics
- Filters and LUTs
We found Lightworks to be the best free video editing software for intermediate to advanced users. While DaVinci Resolve is too intimidating for intermediate users, Lightworks is more inviting. So if you're looking to take your first step into professional editing, look no further.
Lightworks has been around for years, and the professional edition of this video editor for PC was used to edit box office hits like Pulp Fiction, 28 Days Later, and Congo. If you're willing to put in the work to learn this free video editing software, it's a great choice.
One thing to note is that the free version of Lightworks only allows videos to be exported in up to 720p, while Pro can export in a broader range of formats and resolutions. Pro also includes some additional features and plug-ins.
12. Shotcut - Best for Intermediate Users
Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Linux
PCMag Rating: 3.5/5
Price: Free
Key Features:
- Wide Format Support
- Audio Mixing
- Color Correction and Grading
- 360-degree Video Filters
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