Best Free Video Editing Software for Windows: Videos are trendy in today’s digital landscape. Whether you’re editing videos for YouTube, Vimeo, TikTok, or Instagram Reels, content creation is something everyone is getting into. You may be excited to start video editing but find yourself daunted by the wide range of Windows video editors to choose from. Save time on the right software. No need to worry – we’ve taken care of the research and compiled a list of the top free video editing software for Windows.
Snapshot of Our Top 3 Free Video Editing Software for Windows PC
1. PowerDirector Essential – Best Overall
PowerDirector is a user-friendly video editing software catering to beginners and professionals. It is compatible with Windows and is available for free. This video editor is designed to be user-friendly and intuitive, allowing you to learn and start editing videos quickly. With its drag-and-drop effects and AI-assist tools, you can edit videos effortlessly on both PC and Mac.
2. Promeo – Best For Templated Video Ads for Social Media
Promeo is a top choice for Windows users who want to edit videos for social media. It’s a fantastic free video editing software. Quickly expand your brand’s reach with this user-friendly Windows video editor. With its template-based, 3-step process, you can create an impactful ad in seconds.
3. DaVinci Resolve – Best for Experts
DaVinci Resolve is a top choice among professional video editors looking for free video editing software on Windows. This PC video editor is perfect for video editors. This PC video editor is a convenient solution for all your post-production requirements.
How to Choose a Free Video Editing Software for Windows PC
Avoid the hassle of learning to edit videos on a Windows video editor for a PC that may not be suitable for your needs or projects. Here are some things to consider when selecting free video editing software for Windows.
Your Experience Level
Our list of free video editing software for Windows caters to a wide range of users, from beginners to experts. If you’re new to video editing, using a Windows video editor designed for beginners is essential. Look for one that offers templates and guided edits to help you get started. If you consider yourself an experienced user, opt for a PC video editor with advanced tools and manual controls for greater precision.
System Requirements
Find video editing software compatible with your Windows PC and has sufficient RAM and CPU power to ensure smooth video editing.
Format Support and Video Resolution
Does the video editing software you offer for Windows support the format of your camera? Does it support compatibility with your webcam, external mic, or video capture card? Check the maximum resolution supported by your PC video editor, including the free version. If you’ve invested in a 4K camera, it’s natural that you’d want to avoid uploading a video downgraded to 780p.
Tools and Features
There is a wide range of free video editing software available for Windows, each with unique features tailored to various types of video projects, ranging from social media posts to feature films. Make a list of the essential features for you and ensure that your Windows video editor meets your requirements.
How We Test the Free Video Editing Software for Windows PC
What makes our opinion trustworthy when finding the best free video editing software for Windows? Here’s a breakdown of how we test and rank the Windows video editors on this list.
Product Testing
Initially, we evaluate the Windows video editors. We use all the software’s essential editing tools for fair comparison. We evaluate user-friendliness, compatibility with different formats, range of features, precision of tools and effects, and other factors.
Compare Versions
We analyze the paid versions of free video editing software for Windows to determine their offerings at different price points. It helps us identify the Windows video editors that provide the best value for your money.
Publisher Reviews
We carefully analyze reviews from top critics to ensure our findings accurately assess each PC video editor. We rank our products by considering the most common rating out of 5 from the publisher reviews to ensure fairness and eliminate bias.
User Reviews
We analyze user reviews to gather feedback on the free video editing software for Windows. We take note of the most frequently mentioned advantages and disadvantages.
The Best Free Video Editing Software for Windows PC in 2024
1. PowerDirector Essential
PowerDirector is a top-notch video editing software for Windows that caters to users of all skill levels. Its user-friendly interface provides a seamless experience and offers a wide range of AI tools for quick and effortless editing. Additionally, it allows for precise manual adjustments, giving users complete control over their editing process. Even beginners can start editing videos right away with PowerDirector’s user-friendly tools. You’ll have access to various effects, transitions, and titles. For more experienced editors, there are plenty of options for customization, allowing for a high level of creative control. This video editor is ideal for PC and Mac users who create content for platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and video podcasts. It offers advanced AI features such as speech enhancement, speech-to-text, object detection, and body effects.
PowerDirector remains a top choice due to its consistent enhancements and updates. They have made updates since our last review, including the addition of generative AI tools and a redesigned launcher that provides shortcuts to the most frequently used features. PowerDirector has consistently been recognized as a top choice by PC Magazine and highly recommended by TechRadar Pro. This video editor for Windows offers a range of intuitive tools that make video editing a breeze, allowing you to quickly transform your videos into professional-quality creations.
Price: Premium features available for free for 30 days, then $4.58/month
2. Promeo
Promeo is a top-notch video editing software for Windows that is perfect for content creators. It’s free and easy to use, making it an excellent choice for those looking for a user-friendly editing experience. Both beginners and experienced influencers will appreciate the simplicity of Promeo’s 3-step method for creating top-notch videos and motion graphics. Choose a template, personalize it, and then easily share it. These templates are conveniently categorized into different types, such as Reels, Stories, Videos, Posts, and more. Choose from various options to customize your template, including animated stickers, stock images, color filters, motion titles, and background music.
Promeo offers a competent free version with a vast library of 1 million stock videos and 2 million images. If you choose to upgrade, the premium version is priced at a very reasonable rate. After our previous test, this PC video editor has introduced a new generative AI feature that allows users to create custom backgrounds easily. It is perfect for marketing and e-commerce, enabling you to showcase your products/subjects in any setting.
Price: Premium subscription available for $2.50/month
3. DaVinci Resolve
Even professional editors may find DaVinci Resolve frustrating because it needs specific ready-made tools commonly found in other Windows video editors as export presets. Nevertheless, we discovered that this PC, Mac and Linux video editor is consistently improving, with each new version becoming more user-friendly. If you’re into video editing, you should check out this free video editing software for Windows instead of spending money on professional software like Adobe Premiere Pro or Avid.
Price: Premium version available for $295
4. Blender
Blender is the ideal free video editing software for Windows, Mac, and Linux if you’re an animator, illustrator, or VFX artist. During our testing, we discovered that this PC video editor stands out in 3D rendering. It utilizes the Cycles engine to achieve incredibly realistic shading, lighting, textures, and more. Blender offers a wide range of modeling, sculpting, and rigging tools not commonly found in other free Windows video editors.
Blender is one of the best free video editing software for Windows. It continues to improve with each version, bringing it closer to professional VFX software. The recent release of version 4.0 is no exception, adding highly advanced color and shading tools. Unlike standard video editing software, specialized 3D software comes with a hefty price tag. Blender, on the other hand, is a free software that has gained a dedicated following of grateful users. Nevertheless, this Windows video editor can be quite challenging to learn, so if you’re looking for a simple way to cut and combine clips, consider other options.
Price: Free
5. VideoProc Vlogger
VideoProc Vlogger is a video editing software designed for Windows users who are new to editing, enjoy hobbies, and love adventure. It’s perfect for those who frequently edit videos from action cameras or GoPros. This video editor can correct the fish-eye distortion commonly caused by wide-lens cameras on both Mac and Windows. Additionally, it offers a range of speed adjustment tools, including over 20 presets, time-lapse capabilities, and motion simulation for tilt, roll, and dolly effects.
VideoProc Vlogger has a user-friendly interface packed with impressive VFX and motion tools. This free video editing software for Windows is simpler than DaVinci Resolve or Blender. However, it does not have the 3D capability or collaboration tools that advanced users might require. It’s an ideal tool for vloggers, particularly those focusing on sports or travel.
Price: Free
6. Kapwing
Kapwing is a convenient video editing software for Windows that provides auto-translation, text-to-speech, and a subtitle generator. It’s easy to use and accessible through your browser. With these tools, you can add captions to your posts with the click of a button, making them more accessible and growing your audience. We enjoyed the option to use catchy title presets for captions, which added a more attractive touch. Other notable tools include screen recording, transitions, green screen effects, and video templates.
Like Promeo, Kapwing has recently added generative AI tools to its arsenal. It includes a video generator and the ability to turn articles and documents into videos with a few clicks. We also appreciated the collaboration tools that allow team members to edit simultaneously, much like Google Docs. The price of this video editor for PC is the primary concern. This Windows video editor’s paid version is pricier than other consumer-level options. However, we found the free version quite restrictive regarding available tools and the number of times you can use each tool. This video editing software for Windows has export limits that may be considered restrictive, such as a maximum resolution of 720p.
Price: Premium subscriptions available for $16/month for Pro and $50/month for Business
7. Lightworks
Lightworks is a video editing software perfect for Windows users who want to dive into advanced video editing without the hassle of a steep learning curve. It has a universal timeline with drag-and-drop functionality for beginners or advanced editing for pros. This video editor is compatible with PC, Mac, and Linux. It can handle footage of any size, frame rate, and quality. It also provides valuable tools for professional workflows, including background processing, instant autosave, and automatic QC.
We want to update our previous statement about Lightworks being the top free video editing software for Windows. It is suitable for users of all levels, including beginners. Lightworks, once famous for being the video editor used by Martin Scorcese, has now rebranded itself as a user-friendly tool for content creators. Users can now personalize the interface with the new Custom Layout Creation feature. The free version is designed for new users and has limited features. However, it only allows exports up to 720p.
Price: Free
8. Animoto
Animoto is one of the best free video editing software for Windows users with no design or video editing experience. Create professional-looking videos in no time with our extensive collection of pre-designed templates. Drag and drop your images and videos from your computer or cloud storage. You can also use the convenient built-in screen recorder or select from Animoto’s extensive Getty Images library. This video editor for Windows offers preset aspect ratios for landscape, square, and vertical videos, making adapting your content for different platforms effortless.
Animoto is a great video editor for PC that is perfect for creating social media posts and ads and capturing events. However, better choices for creating long-form or plot-driven YouTube videos may exist. While we like it for those with little design know-how, most reviews complained of needing more creative control, an issue we also encountered in our test. The video editing software for Windows is now watermarked and has an export limit of 720p. Additionally, the prices of the paid versions have increased significantly since our last writing.
Price: Get access to premium subscriptions at affordable rates: $15/month for Basic, $24/month for Professional, and $65/month for Professional Plus.
9. OpenShot
OpenShot is a video editing software available for free on Windows, Mac, and Linux. It provides beginners with access to advanced video editing tools. This software is incredibly user-friendly, making it a breeze to navigate. Despite its simplicity, it offers the same features and functionality as a professional video editor for PC. It is an excellent choice for those looking to improve their video editing skills. The timeline feature is designed to be user-friendly, allowing you to drag and drop elements quickly. You can take advantage of the advanced editing options as you become more skilled.
Our research indicates that OpenShot is highly praised by users for its user-friendly interface and free features. It also includes a partnership with Blender, a popular Windows video editor, allowing users to quickly add 3D titles and animations to their videos. However, many users have reported experiencing frequent lags and longer video export times. While it’s not the best free video editing software for Windows if you have a tight turnaround, it’s worth trying if you can wait for your finished videos.
Price: Free
10. Shotcut
Shotcut is a fantastic choice for Windows users who want to enhance their video editing skills. It provides a wide range of advanced effects and filters that can assist you in creating top-notch content. Getting started may require some initial time investment, but the rewards are well worth it once fully operational. This video editor is compatible with PC, Mac, and Linux. It supports various video and audio formats, making it convenient for users. It also offers a multi-format timeline, allowing users to easily combine formats and resolutions (including 4K and 8K) in their projects.
If you’ve outgrown essential free video editing software for Windows but need more time to be ready for a professional-level video editor, Shotcut is a significant next step. There may be better choices for beginners, as some tools assume prior knowledge. Additionally, it does not include any time-saving features such as templates or the ability to upload to popular sites directly.
Price: Free
11. VideoPad
This video editing software for Windows offers a range of basic and advanced tools in a user-friendly platform. VideoPad provides a diverse range of transitions, video templates, audio tools, and export options for your convenience. Additionally, it offers AI speech-to-text functionality for automatic subtitles, video stabilization, and plugin support for users seeking more advanced effects.
Our tests have shown that this video editor for PC provides all the necessary tools for editing videos, even for those with limited expertise.VideoPad offers a range of essential features you would expect from free video editing software for Windows without going too far beyond that. It’s a good starting point, but you may want to upgrade as you progress.
Price: Premium versions available for $80 for Home Edition and $139 for Master’s Edition
12. HitFilm
This Windows video editor includes one of the biggest free VFX toolkits on the market, including color adjustments, keying effects, lens flares, and light swords. While it’s not professional VFX software like Blender or DaVinci Resolve, it was perfect for content creators looking to edit videos for their gameplay channels. This PC video editor allows seamless uploads to YouTube and includes a wide range of free sound effects (25 in the Free version, 100 in the Creator version, and 200 in the Pro version) and intro templates. It’s possible to include webcam footage in your gameplay, customize the shape and borders of your picture-in-picture effect, and adjust the opacity of your backgrounds.
We are concerned about the need for updates to this free video editing software for Windows in recent years. Despite being a video editor focusing on VFX for PC, HitFilm is falling behind in keeping up with modern tools and technology.
Price: Premium subscriptions available for $7.99/month for Creator and $12.99 /month for Pro
13. VSDC Free Video Editor
VSDC Free Video Editor is a top choice for Windows users with older PCs or laptops looking for free video editing software. This Windows video editor has incredibly low system requirements, allowing for smooth editing and fast exporting thanks to hardware acceleration. However, being lightweight doesn’t imply being basic. VSDC has many tools, including multicam editing, text animation, green screen effects, and advanced color correction. It provides highly accurate edits with subpixel precision.
The free video editing software for Windows needs valuable tools such as video stabilization, multi-color chroma key, and motion tracking. However, the paid version is quite affordable. In our previous review, we noted that this PC video editor had a user interface that was difficult to navigate, with numerous tools tucked away in menus. Recently, VSDC Free Video Editor received an update that improved navigation, making it more user-friendly and intuitive.
Price: Premium subscription available for $19.99/year
14. WeVideo
WeVideo is a top choice for Windows users looking for free video editing software. Thanks to its convenient built-in screen recorder, it is beneficial for creating webinars, how-tos, and training videos. Quickly capture your screen using your browser and effortlessly export it to popular platforms like YouTube and Google Drive. Additionally, you can save your file and utilize a free video editor for PC to enhance its quality. Effortlessly edit recordings, include voiceovers and music, generate captivating motion titles, and explore a vast library of over 1 million stock media assets.
This PC video editor offers screen recording, GIF creation, and voice recording. The paid option is ideal for content creators, while the free version is limited. It only allows for exports at 480p resolution and restricts users to just 5 minutes of content per month.
Price: Get access to our premium subscriptions starting at just $4.99 per month for Power, $7.99 per month for Unlimited, $19.99 per month for Professional, and $36.99 for Business.
15. Avid Media Composer First
Avid Media Composer First is a free version of Avid Media Composer, a widely-used program in the film industry for video editing. While this Windows video editor is designed for beginners, learning can still be challenging. However, we suggest it for aspiring professionals willing to invest the time to master it. The free version offers a simplified selection of features compared to the paid versions. However, the essential tools provided are top-notch, such as trim tools, audio editing, and color correction. This video editing software for Windows offers additional features such as video stabilization, bulk editing, and multicam editing.
Avid Media Composer is widely recognized as a top video editor for PCs. However, Avid Media Composer First may need more appeal, targeting a specific user base. It may not be suitable for professionals, but it strikes a good balance for those new to editing and looking to pursue it as a career. When these users are ready to upgrade, they can afford the paid versions.
Price: Get premium subscriptions for Avid Media Composer at $23.99/month and Avid Media Composer Ultimate at $49.99/month.
Final Words
Dozens of free Windows video editors are on the market today, but not all offer the same features and high-quality results. We hope we’ve assisted you in finding a suitable video editor for your PC.
FAQ
Which free video editing software is the most effective for Mac?
The top free Mac video editing software are
- PowerDirector Essential
- VideoPad
- iMovie
- VideoProc Vlogger
- Kapwing
What is the finest video editing program for novices?
For beginners, PowerDirector is the finest video editor for PC and Mac. It provides dozens of tutorials and the most user-friendly interface to assist novices in learning the techniques. Additionally, it is loaded with AI-powered tools that enable novices to apply intricate-appearing effects to videos with a single click effortlessly.
