13 Best Easy-to-Use Video Editing Software for Beginners [2023]

Whether you want to create high-quality content for video-sharing websites, social media, marketing purposes, or educational projects, starting with the best video editing software for beginners is an essential first step. 

An easy-to-use video editing software will allow you to tell your story without spending months learning how to use the program. It should have all the features you need and make it easy to find them. If you're new to making videos, the prospect of finding the right program to learn video editing may feel overwhelming. 

This guide will take an in-depth look at the best video editing software for beginners. If you are in a hurry, the top spot goes to PowerDirector. When it comes to producing high-quality videos with ease, there's no better editing software. Give it a try and see for yourself.

• Top 3 Easy-to-Use Video Editing Software for Beginners Snapshot
• How to Choose the Best Easy-to-Use Video Editing Software
• 13 Best Easy-to-Use Video Editing Software for Beginners [2023]
1. PowerDirector - Best Overall
2. Corel VideoStudio Ultimate - Best for Face Effects
3. VideoProc Vlogger - Best for Speed Adjustments
4. iMovie - Best for Instant Movies
5. OpenShot - Best Open-Source Video Editor
6. VideoPad - Best for Social Media
7. Movavi Video Editor - Best for Simple Edits
8. Magix Movie Studio - Best for Quick Edits
9. WeVideo - Best for Templates
10. Adobe Premiere Elements - Best for Organizing Media
11. EaseUS Video Editor - Best for Filters
12. MiniTool Movie Maker - Best for Batch Processing
13. Windows Video Editor - Best for Windows Photos Users
• Best Easy-to-Use Video Editing Software for Beginners Comparison Chart
• How to Edit a Video Using PowerDirector
• Download the Best Easy-to-Use Video Editing Software for Free
• Best Easy-to-Use Video Editing Software for Beginners FAQ

Top 3 Easy-to-Use Video Editing Software for Beginners Snapshot

1. PowerDirector - Best Overall

PowerDirector is the best video editing software for beginners because of its ease of use, tutorials, guided edits, and massive library of drag-and-drop templates. It also has many advanced features and settings, so you don’t have to switch software as your editing skills advance. Detailed Review >

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2. Corel VideoStudio Ultimate - Best for Face Effects

Corel VideoStudio Ultimate is an easy-to-use video editing software with advanced features and instant project templates.

3. VideoProc Vlogger - Best for Speed Adjustments

VideoProc Vlogger is one of the best video editing software for beginners because it offers advanced tools for action camera footage, yet remains an easy video maker.

How to Choose the Best Easy-to-Use Video Editing Software

Here are a few simple things you need to consider when choosing the best video editing software for beginners: 

Compatibility: Supports your recording device and operating system.

Features: Before selecting an easy-to-use video editing software, consider your needs carefully. For example, if you want to create how-to guides, you probably need an editor with voice-over and great text features. Many newcomers to video editing make the mistake of thinking they have to forgo functionality for simplicity. However, the best video editing software for beginners should offer every feature you need and allow you to work with all formats, including 4K, HDR, and 360-degree video.

Support: The best video editing software for beginners should come with materials to help you learn video editing such as online tutorials, YouTube how-to videos, user forums, or blogs to help guide you.

Affordability: Its price tag should fit your budget.

Beginner-Friendly: You also need a product that is easy to use. With complex software, the learning curve could make it time-consuming and frustrating to learn video editing - it could also be quite expensive. 

13 Best Easy-to-Use Video Editing Software for Beginners [2023]

1. PowerDirector - Best Overall

Compatibility: Windows, Mac

PCMag Rating: 5/5

Beginner-Friendly Tools: 5/5

Price: Free
*Premium subscription available for $4.33/month

Key Features:

• Title templates
• Pop-up designers to help make video creation easier
• Chroma key for simple green-screen effects
• Share directly to social media

PowerDirector is a feature-packed, award-winning, easy-to-use video editing software. It’s PC Mag Editor’s Choice for 2022 and Tech Radar’s Top 2 Video Editing Software of 2022. In terms of consumer-friendliness, professional editing features, and compatibility with new technologies and formats, PowerDirector is our choice for the best video editing software for beginners.

With a wide range of professional features, PowerDirector doesn’t fall under the category of beginner software. However, the program’s user interface is highly intuitive. You’ll be able to jump in and start editing right away – even if you have little to no experience with video production. If you are worried about needing help, there are plenty of learning materials. 

You can find hundreds of tutorials on the Official PowerDirector YouTube Channel, there’s a blog filled with great how-to articles, and the CyberLink Learning Center is perfect if you want to learn video editing.

PowerDirector is the best video editing software for beginners because it has many features that make even complex processes easily accessible. For example, when you launch PowerDirector, you will be given a choice of 4 different modes - Full Mode, Storyboard Mode, Slideshow Creator, and Auto Mode. Both the Storyboard Mode and Auto Mode are great for first-time editors. The Storyboard Mode allows you to drag and drop clips together, add audio clips, and apply effects and transitions. Auto Mode uses the Magic Movie Wizard to help you make your first movie from scratch in just a few simple steps. 

This easy video maker also features libraries of fonts, stock media, transitions, premade motion graphics, and complete project templates that can give you a great jumpstart on any project. You also have access to express project templates, which speed up editing and video production.

Tools like the Video Collage Designer make creating split-screens possible in just a few clicks. Designed with simplicity in mind, PowerDirector combines powerful editing tools, an easy-to-use interface, and fast rendering speed. As a result, it is the best video editing software for beginners.

Click the link below to download PowerDirector and see how quickly you can turn your video clips into cinematic works of art with the best video editing software for beginners.

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2. Corel VideoStudio Ultimate - Best for Face Effects

Compatibility: Windows

PCMag Rating: 4/5

Beginner-Friendly Tools: 4.7/5

Price: $79.99 for Video Studio Pro, $99.99 for Video Studio Ultimate

Key Features:

• Stop-Motion animator
• GIF creator
• 360-Degree editing
• Royalty-free music and sound effects libraries

VideoStudio Ultimate from Corel is an easy-to-use video editing software that offers Face Effects as one of its main editing modules (the others are Edit, Effect, Color, and Lens Correction). Tools that are usually reserved for photo editing software, such as face width, skin smoothing, skin tone, and brightness, are available to use on videos with VideoStudio’s motion tracking technology. There’s also an Eye Size tool unique to VideoStudio that allows users to apply a bulging eye effect. 

We found VideoStudio Ultimate to be one of the best video editing software for beginners because it has advanced features such as color grading, multi-cam editing, and video masking tools that new editors can use to elevate their projects. There are also Instant Project templates and a FastFlick feature that creates movies in minutes. 

In our test, some of Video Studio Ultimate’s tools did not work as expected, such as the new AR stickers. It has many of the same advanced features as PowerDirector, however, none work quite as well, which is why it is #2 on our list of best video editing software for beginners. 

3. VideoProc Vlogger - Best for Speed Adjustments

Image from ghacks.net

Compatibility: Windows, Mac

KommandoTech Rating: 4/5

Beginner-Friendly Tools: 4.5/5

Price: Free

Key Features:

• Fish-eye removal
• Green screen
• Blend mode
• Audio tools

We found VideoProc Vlogger to be one of the best video editing software for beginners to use to apply cool slow and fast motion effects to their videos. You can apply speed effects to an entire clip or just a small portion. VideoProc comes with complicated-sounding speed tools such as speed ramping, time-lapse, and flexible Bezier curves that actually remain beginner-friendly. 

This easy-to-use video editing software also comes packed with motion effects, including 28 motion presets, motion crop, pan, and zoom. With these tools, beginners can create effects such as tilt, roll, and dolly with a few clicks. It also comes with a range of filters and LUTS for quick color editing. 

VideoProc Vlogger is similar to our top choice for best video editing software for beginners - PowerDirector - in that both allow beginners to learn video editing with some advanced, yet easy-to-use features. However, VideoProc is really only for action camera users or vloggers, and not for anyone creating social media posts or marketing videos. PowerDirector has social-media-friendly templates, including YouTube intros, and plenty of design elements that VideoProc Vlogger lacks. 

4. iMovie - Best for Instant Movies

Compatibility: Mac

PCMag Rating: 4.5/5

Beginner-Friendly Tools: 4/5

Price: Free

Key Features:

• Autosave function
• Reduce background noise
• Color correction
• Cinematic Mode

Apple iMovie is an easy-to-use video editing software only available for Mac users. We recommend this software over others on this list because of the range of basic video editing features and sharing options. iMovie is one of the best video editing software for beginners because of the new Magic Movie feature. It makes an instant movie out of your selected media files - complete with titles, transitions, and music. 

It’s a nonlinear easy video maker, which means you can edit and cut videos, music, and graphics without changing your original files and in any order. You can use the software to crop videos, cut audio/video clips, and improve audio quality. You can also add text, video, and graphic overlays. 

With iMovie, you can export directly to your computer or upload to Facebook and YouTube.

On the downside, iMovie lacks advanced video editing features, such as audio-video sync, multi-cam, 360-degree editing, and motion tracking capability. That is why it is behind PowerDirector, VideoStudio Ultimate, and VideoProc Vlogger, as they all have advanced features.

5. OpenShot - Best Open-Source Video Editor

Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Linux

Capterra Rating: 4.2/5

Beginner-Friendly Tools: 4/5

Price: Free

Key Features:

• 70+ languages supported
• Transitions
• Unlimited video tracks
• Keyframes

Most open-source software is created by professionals for professionals. We found they are usually overly complicated with cluttered and outdated interfaces. Not so with OpenShot. OpenShot is one of the best video editing software for beginners because it was created to be an easy video maker and has a pleasing and intuitive interface.  

Video clips can be adjusted in by scaling, trimming, rotation, snapping, resizing, and more. This easy video maker will help you learn video editing with advanced tools such as compositing, time-mapping, and precise frame-by-frame editing. 

While OpenShot is beginner-friendly, a few tools have added steps that seem overly cumbersome. For instance, once a title has been customized and added to the timeline, it can’t be edited without starting the process over. Other tools, such as 3D animations and 3D titles, are only available if you download another open-source video editor, Blender. However, this is completely free software, so some sacrifices are to be expected. 

6. VideoPad - Best for Social Media

Compatibility: Windows, Mac

G2 Rating: 4.1/5

Beginner-Friendly Tools: 4/5

Price: Free
*Premium versions available for $70 for Home, $129 for Masters or $7.16/month for Masters with ongoing updates

Key Features:

• Voiceover
• Speed adjustment tools
• Sound effects library
• 3D and 360-degree editing

VideoPad is a relatively basic video desktop application for Mac and Windows computers. 

It is one of the best video editing software for beginners because it has features to streamline your social publishing workflow. For example, it has direct video upload to Facebook and YouTube, and you can quickly complete your video’s metadata, such as the title tags and description— without using YouTube’s publishing tools. VideoPad also has video optimization for search engines.

You can also use the Video Maker Wizard to create videos with professional templates easily. High-value features you get with the software include stereoscopic 2D to 3D conversion, camera shake reduction, and exporting in multiple resolutions. 

While it is one of the best video editing software for beginners, VideoPad is somewhat outdated and lacks some advanced features such as multi-camera editing. Also, most learning materials for VideoPad are a few years old, so you can’t rely on them if you’re new to editing. We should also note that the free and Home versions are for non-commercial use only, so if you plan to monetize videos with YouTube you’ll need to pay for the Masters version. 

7. Movavi Video Editor - Best for Simple Edits

Compatibility: Windows, Mac

PCMag Rating: 4/5

Beginner-Friendly Tools: 4/5

Price: $54.95/year or $74.95 for a lifetime license; $94.95 for the Video Suite

Key Features:

• Picture-in-Picture
• Built-in library of sounds, music, intros, and videos
• Direct sharing and exporting to popular formats
• Chroma key

Movavi Video Editor is an easy-to-use video editing software you can use to create a video from existing clips. We found the platform to be one of the best video editing software for beginners because it is straightforward, and you can trim the in and out points of clips by dragging the edges. It also has a drag-and-drop interface to make applying effects incredibly simple. 

The software automates most of its effects, such as fading or panning, which you can access in the Tools section. You can also navigate each frame to make accurate edits. In addition, this easy video maker offers a wide selection of titles and effects and comes with video stabilization, AI background removal, and an AI denoise tool.  

The Movavi Video Editor is straightforward but lacks some advanced tools such as multi-cam, 360-degree, and 3D editing. Also, converting media files and screen recording functions are only available if you purchase the Video Suite. And while our choice for the best video editing software for beginners, PowerDirector, has the fastest rendering times of any editing program, Movavi renders very slowly.

8. Magix Movie Studio - Best for Quick Edits

Image from Magix Tutorials

Compatibility: Windows

TechRadar Rating: 4/5

Beginner-Friendly Tools: 4/4

Price: $69.99 for Movie Studio, $99.99 for Platinum or $129.99 for Suite 
*Annual subscriptions also available for $2.99, $3.99, or $4.99 per month

Key Features:

• Split-Screen
• Over 900 effects, transitions, and titles
• Image stabilization
• Frame-by-Frame editing

Magix Movie Studio makes the cut as one of the best video editing software for beginners because it offers tools like Split, Remove Beginning, and Split Movie for one-click solutions to simple edits. Then export your finished product to YouTube and Vimeo quickly, with direct upload and fast rendering speeds. 

This easy-to-use video editing software comes with intuitive color correction tools you can apply automatically or manually, depending on your editing expertise. It also has a one-of-a-kind multi-format timeline so you can freely arrange video, audio, and photo media files on each track. Magix Movie Studio has millions of royalty-free stock assets, but they are only available to subscribers. 

While most of the tools make for quick and easy editing, the trim tool is not. Since this is probably the most-used tool by both first-timers and advanced users, it is very frustrating that they have made it so incredibly complicated. For this reason, we’ve placed Magix Movie Studio below Movavi Video Editor, which has the same rating.

9. WeVideo - Best for Templates

Compatibility: Web Browser

TrustPilot Rating: 3.9/5

Beginner-Friendly Tools: 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
• Green screen
• Trim/Merge
• Meme Maker

WeVideo is a web-based easy-to-use video editing software. We think it belongs on our list of the best video editing software for beginners because it comes loaded with video templates in social-media-friendly aspect ratios in a wide range of themes. These templates are customizable, and perfect for those with little editing or design experience to create clickable videos in categories like Real Estate, Tutorial, and Celebrations. 

This easy video maker comes with over 50 transitions, animated effects, and a GIF creator. There are 30 effects that beginners can apply to videos with a single click. Brand kits and royalty-free stock libraries are offered for Professional or Business users. 

The free version of WeVideo is far too limiting and should only be considered a free trial. However, the paid versions are expensive, especially since many of the tools that come standard on other programs are only reserved for the expensive Professional and Business versions of WeVideo. If you are an influencer or small business owner who posts ads and marketing materials to social media daily, then WeVideo is a worthy investment. For all others, we recommend PowerDirector as the best video editing software for beginners.   

10. Adobe Premiere Elements - Best for Organizing Media

Compatibility: Windows, Mac

TechRadar Rating: 3.5/5

Beginner-Friendly Tools: 4/5

Price: $99.99

Key Features:

• Guided edits for advanced projects
• Video stabilization
• Noise reduction tool
• Match music length to video

Adobe Premiere Elements is a cross-platform, easy-to-use video editing software. Premiere Elements is available in three modes: Quick, Guided, and Expert. It is one of the best video editing software for beginners because of Organizer, a separate app that automatically tags your video files using facial recognition. This software also helps you select and organize the clips you want to edit. 

While editing, the program creates a low-resolution version of your clips to save time, but you can render your project at any time to see the full-resolution result. In addition, this easy video maker offers features such as Auto-Reframe, Smart-Trim, and the ability to pull high-quality photos from your video footage. The release of Premiere Elements 2022 added artistic filters and a stop-motion animation feature. 

Though there is an “Expert” mode, it is essential to understand Premiere Elements is not for professional results. It is ideal for home movies and very little more. This is not the best video editing software for beginners who want to eventually move into intermediate or advanced editing. 

11. EaseUS Video Editor - Best for Filters

Compatibility: Windows

TechRadar Rating: 4/5

Beginner-Friendly Tools: 3/5

Price: Free
*Premium subscriptions available for $29.95/month, $49.95/year, or $79.95 for a lifetime license

Key Features:

• Speed adjustment
• Video overlay
• Text-Speech exchange
• Voice over

EaseUS Video Editor is one of the best video editing software for beginners because it is incredibly easy to use for those with zero editing experience. It has a library of creative filters that can be applied with one click, such as old film, sketch, and mosaic. 

The user interface features a pared-down selection of features with large icons that are easy to find. Trim, cut, split, merge, and add transitions with this easy video maker. EaseUS also has some audio editing tools so you can import music and mix sound levels. 

The free version of EaseUS is intended only as a free trial and doesn’t include any effects, filters, or transitions. The price to utilize all of the tools is steep, especially when you compare its feature set with the other best video editing software for beginners on our list. It offers few tools outside of the most basic, and will not grow with you as you become a more proficient video editor. 

12. MiniTool Movie Maker - Best for Batch Processing

Compatibility: Windows

TechRadar Rating: 3.5/5

Beginner-Friendly Tools: 3.5/5

Price: Free
*Premium subscriptions available for $12.99/month or $59.99/year

Key Features:

• Batch processing
• Color correction
• Audio extractor
• Speed adjustment

MiniTool MovieMaker is one of the best video editing software for beginners and users in a hurry. All of the tools in this easy video maker can be applied to multiple video clips or images at once, such as transitions, effects, motion, or color correction. 

It has a large library of templates you can use to slot in videos and photos and make instant movies. Other features include flip, rotate, reverse, trim, split, and resize video, and a good amount of text and sticker options to add flair to your clips. 

Customization options are limited with this easy-to-use video editing software. Little customization means your projects will look generic and similar to everyone else. If you like a little more creative control, we recommend PowerDirector as it comes with fully customizable templates and effects. 

13. Windows Video Editor - Best for Windows Photos Users

Compatibility: Windows

TechRadar Rating: 2/5

Beginner-Friendly Tools: 3/5

Price: Free

Key Features:

• Customizable titles and credits
• Draw feature
• Transition overlays
• Fade effects

Windows Video Editor (which replaced Windows Movie Maker) is an easy-to-use video editing software included with Windows 10 and up. We’ve included it in our list of best video editing software for beginners despite low ratings from critics. This is because Video Editor is entirely free, already included on most Windows devices, and therefore a good way for beginners to learn video editing before moving on to a more comprehensive tool. It’s also very convenient for anyone who already stores their photos and videos in Windows Photos.

This easy video maker has an Auto Movie option allowing you to quickly put together a completed video in no time at all. Video Editor has basic track editing tools, such as trimming, adjusting audio, and splitting clips. In addition, you can add music, text, motion, and 3D effects to your videos. It also offers a good collection of filters and themes.

Windows Video Editor has been somewhat hidden inside the Windows Photo App, and most people don’t even realize it’s there. It is a quick and easy way to add flair to personal videos, but Windows Video Editor won't cut it for anyone making YouTube videos, Facebook ads, or marketing videos. 

Best Easy-to-Use Video Editing Software for Beginners Comparison Chart

How to Edit a Video Using PowerDirector

Here is a step-by-step guide to learn video editing with PowerDirector, the best video editing software for beginners.

Download PowerDirector for free below by clicking the button then follow along:

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1. Launch PowerDirector and then select Full Mode.
2. Import your photos and videos into PowerDirector.
3. Select a video in the Media Library and drag it to the Video Timeline.

4. Save your video project by selecting Save Project from the File Menu. 

Continue to save your project as you go along, especially after big edits.

Now that you know the basics of starting a video project with the #1 best video editing software for beginners, we will show you how to Split and Trim Clips, and add Transitions, Text, and Music. Finally, we will show you how to Produce your video and upload it directly to YouTube.

How to Split a Clip

Splitting a clip will allow you to remove a section in the middle of your video.

1. Move the Video Timeline Slider to the position where you want to split the clip, and then click the Split Icon, which looks like a cutter knife.
2. Once you’ve split the clip, select the portion that you don’t want and then click the Delete key on your keyboard to remove it from the video timeline.
3. Select the Remove and Fill Gap option when prompted so that the video clip fills in the space on the video timeline.

How to Trim a Clip

Trimming is for cutting off excess at the beginning or end of a clip. 

1. Select the video clip and then click on the Trim Icon (which looks like scissors) above the video timeline.
2. Drag the Mark In and Mark Out position sliders to your preferred positions and then click OK to finish trimming

Now that you have added and trimmed your first video clip, add the next video clip by dragging it behind the first clip on the timeline. 

How to Add Transitions Between Clips

1. Find the Transition Room from the vertical menu on the left. The Transition Room icon looks like a lightning bolt. 
2. Select a transition to preview it. When you find one you like, click and drag it between two video clips.

If you add a transition you don’t like, simply highlight it and hit Delete to remove it. 

How to Add Title Text

1. Find the Title Room from the vertical menu on the left. The Title Room icon looks like the letter T. 
2. Find the font you like, then click and drag a title text template to the Title Track on the video timeline.

3. Select the added title template and then click the Designer Button above the video timeline.

4. In the Title Designer, type your text. 
5. Select the text, click on the Character Presets option on the left, and then select a preset to modify the text.

6. Click OK to close the Title Designer and save your changes.

How to Add Music

1. Go to the Media Library window and then select Background Music from the Media Content drop-down menu.
2. Preview and then click the Download button to download the background music track you want to use.
3. When it is finished downloading, drag it to the Background Music Track on the video timeline.

How to Produce Your Video

Once you are done editing, it is time to render (produce) your video project as a new video file. 

1. Click on the Produce tab to export your video.
2. On the Standard 2D tab, select your preferred video format. We suggest going with the H.264 AVC option (with the MP4 file extension), as it is one of the most popular and accepted formats.

3. Select an Output Folder where the new video file will be saved.
4. Click the Start button to produce the file.

How to Upload Directly to YouTube

1. In the Produce Module, click the Online tab.
2. Select the YouTube option and then enter the video title, description, and other information.

3. Click the Start button to render your video and then upload it to YouTube.

Click here to find more helpful tutorials for editing videos with PowerDirector, the best video editing software for beginners.

Download the Best Easy-to-Use Video Editing Software for Free

Developers of editing programs are increasingly focused on providing easy-to-use video editing software. You no longer have to learn video editing on a complex product. You also don't have to settle for an outdated program.

PowerDirector is the best video editing software for beginners because it streamlines the content creation process while offering easy-to-use features like an express project template and direct uploading to social media. PowerDirector has a large selection of titles, transitions, effects, and more that you can easily drag and drop into place. In addition, the software offers tons of templates, guided edits, tutorials, and blogs to support you as you learn video editing. It also has optimal system compatibility and importing/exporting flexibility. 

PowerDirector outshines the other software on our list of best video editing software for beginners regarding advanced editing features. Beginners won't have to abandon their editing software for something more advanced once they outgrow it. PowerDirector will grow with you, offering different modes like Full or Auto for all skill levels. And all features are automatic or fully customizable, depending on user preference. 

Download PowerDirector today by clicking the link below and learn video editing with the best video editing software for beginners.

PowerDirector App

The best full-featured video editor

Free Download