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17 FREE Alternatives to Final Cut Pro for Windows in 2024
Apple debuted its first editing software, Final Cut Pro, in 1999. Final Cut Pro was a game-changer for the industry, with its non-traditional, non-linear editing style. Initially, it was intended for hobbyists and independent filmmakers, but it has also been used to edit big-budget films like X-Men Origins: Wolverine, 500 Days of Summer, and The Social Network - which won an Oscar for Best Editing.
However, you can’t get Final Cut Pro for Windows, and you can’t get Final Cut Pro for free. We’ve compiled a list of the best free alternatives to Final Cut Pro for Windows for those who want a high-quality editor without the high price.
Keep reading to find out which Final Cut Pro alternative is the optimal choice for your video editing requirements.
- Snapshot of the Top 3 Free Alternatives to Final Cut Pro for Windows
- How to Choose the Best Free Alternative to Final Cut Pro for Windows
- How We Test the Free Alternatives to Final Cut Pro for Windows on This List
- 17 FREE Alternatives to Final Cut Pro for Windows in 2024
- Best Free Alternatives to Final Cut Pro for Windows Comparison Chart
- How to Get a Free Alternative to Final Cut Pro for Windows
- Download the Best Alternative to Final Cut Pro for Windows for Free
- Free Alternatives to Final Cut Pro for Windows FAQ
Snapshot of the Top 3 Free Alternatives to Final Cut Pro for Windows
1. PowerDirector Essential - Best Overall
PowerDirector is the best alternative to Final Cut Pro for free. PowerDirector offers even more advanced features to edit videos but is much easier to learn for beginners. Detailed Review >
Download this Final Cut Pro alternative for Windows.
2. Blender - Best for Animation
An open-source alternative to Final Cut Pro for Windows, Mac, and Linux that specializes in animation tools and motion effects. Detailed Review >
3. Lightworks Free - Best For Control Over Effects
Lightworks Free is a professional alternative to Final Cut Pro for free. It has simple and advanced settings to cover a wide range of users. Detailed Review >
How to Choose the Best Free Alternative to Final Cut Pro for Windows
Despite its reputation and efficiency, Final Cut Pro might not suit everyone's preferences or requirements when they edit videos. We’ve done our best to compile a list of viable options so you can enjoy Final Cut Pro for free using your Windows PC. However, not all Final Cut Pro alternatives are the same, and your decision will be influenced by individual preferences and specific project requirements. Here are some factors for consideration:
Ease of Use: Final Cut Pro for Windows should be user-friendly for all skill levels, with simple yet powerful tools. You’ll find the Final Cut Pro alternatives on this list ranging from beginner-friendly to expert-only. Staying within your own skill level will guarantee a better user experience when you edit videos.
Features: The list of tools you need to edit videos will look different from someone else’s. Write down the features you can’t live without in an alternative to Final Cut Pro for free, such as audio editing, color correction, and multi-cam support. Then you can make an informed decision and find the Final Cut Pro alternative best suited for your needs.
Support and User Community: Access to extensive online resources can elevate a user's experience and productivity. You’ll also want an alternative to Final Cut Pro for free to have excellent customer service. User reviews on sites such as G2, Capterra, or Trustpilot are a good place to find out if a product’s customer service is helpful or nonexistent.
How We Test the Free Alternatives to Final Cut Pro for Windows on This List
To provide an accurate and fair comparison, we follow the same tests and research procedures on all the alternatives to Final Cut Pro for Windows we use to edit videos. Here are the steps we take to bring you the best options, so you can enjoy Final Cut Pro for free.
User Experience: We put a big emphasis on the overall user experience of each product. Just because an alternative to Final Cut Pro for Windows is aimed at beginners, it doesn’t mean it has a pleasing or intuitive user interface. On the flip side, not all professional-level software are difficult to use. When using a Final Cut Pro alternative to edit videos, we check out the following in regards to user experience:
- Overall Look - Is the UI going to be pleasing to stare at for hours on end? Is it customizable? Does it look outdated or cluttered?
- Intuitiveness: How easy is it to find the tools we need? Are features hidden behind several layers of menus?
- Ease of Use: Can effects and features be applied with one click, or do you need to manually tweak a bunch of settings? Are there explanations and tutorials that are easy to find next to tools? Does it provide Guided Edits?
Features: How many features does the software have overall? Does it only provide the basics to edit videos, or go above and beyond with advanced or unique tools? Since this article is specifically for Final Cut Pro alternatives, we also compare the feature set to that of Final Cut Pro. Does it offer more features than Final Cut Pro for free? Or do you get what you pay for?
Official Website: There are many important aspects to choosing an alternative to Final Cut Pro for free that can’t be ascertained by testing the product itself. We research the website of each video editor to discover the following:
- Customer Service: Does it even exist, and how easy is it to get a hold of?
- Tutorials: Are there user manuals, tutorials, YouTube videos, etc. that are easily available in case you need them?
- Pricing: If there are paid versions of the software, what is included in the alternative to Final Cut Pro for free, and what is held back? How much will it cost if you eventually want to upgrade?
- System Requirements: How much space is required for the Final Cut Pro alternative to run properly? Do you need to purchase additional hardware?
Reviews: We look at both user reviews and recognized industry publications to see what others are saying about the Final Cut Pro for Windows alternative. Are our findings in line or way off the mark? Maybe everything worked fine in our test, but users are reporting frequent crashes and freezing. We take all of this into consideration to help bring you accurate results. We also include an outside reviewer rating in our rankings of the Final Cut Pro for Windows alternatives to further eliminate bias.
17 FREE Alternatives to Final Cut Pro for Windows in 2024
1. PowerDirector Essential - Best Overall
Compatibility: Windows, Mac
PCMag Rating: 5/5 Excellent
Advanced Features: 5/5
Price: Free
*Premium subscription available for $4.08/month
Key Features:
- AI Tools: Sky replacement, motion tracking, object detection, body effects, and more
- Animated Titles: Use automatic presets or the title designer to tweak colors, borders, shadows, 3D effects, and animation styles
- Green Screen Effects: Use chroma key to change your world - with or without a green screen
- Mask Designer: Remove unwanted objects, blend clips, or enhance footage
Who It’s For
PowerDirector is the best alternative to Final Cut Pro for Windows PC. Both are PCMag winners for Best Editing Software in 2024, but PowerDirector landed the top spot, with Final Cut Pro coming in 3rd. And while Final Cut Pro is quite expensive, PowerDirector offers an alternative to Final Cut Pro for free - PowerDirector Essential. It has access to almost all of the amazing features offered in its affordable premium version. Also, PowerDirector is much easier to use, making it a great Final Cut Pro for Windows alternative for beginners.
Why We Picked It
The software offers all the professional tools to edit videos of Final Cut Pro for free, like 360-degree editing, motion tracking, multicam editing, motion graphics, and much more. Because of regular updates, PowerDirector added these effects long before they were adopted by Final Cut Pro.
There is a huge stock library with videos, photos, sound effects, and music, as well as hundreds of transitions, stickers, titles, and effects. PowerDirector is also a much faster Final Cut Pro alternative, rendering video 4 times faster than the Apple software.
Bottom Line
PowerDirector has a streamlined user interface that seasoned Final Cut Pro users will find familiar, plus an intuitive workflow and best-in-class tools to edit videos to rival any professional alternative to Final Cut Pro for Windows. The software is beginner-friendly and easy to use. Best yet, it allows you to download an alternative to Final Cut Pro for free.
Download the #1 alternative to Final Cut Pro for free by clicking the link below.
2. Blender - Best for Animation
Image from Blender Artists.
Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Linux
G2 Rating: 4.6/5
Advanced Features: 5/5
Price: Free
Key Features:
- Powerful Curves-Based Hair System: Includes 26 built-in hair assets to create any kind of realistic hair or fur
- Cycles Render Engine: CPU and GPU rendering with support for HDR lighting and VR
- Motion Tracking: Auto and manual tracking with real-time preview
Who It’s For
Blender is an open-source Final Cut Pro alternative emphasizing advanced motion graphics and animation. It has even more special effects and compositing tools than Final Cut Pro for free. It has excellent animation support including onion skinning, modeling, and sculpting.
Why We Picked It
This alternative to Final Cut Pro for Windows and Linux has tools for particle simulation, 2D/3D drawing, keyframing, and much more. It also has basic tools to edit videos so animators and VFX artists can complete their films without additional software.
Bottom Line
Blender is a good Final Cut Pro for Windows alternative if you find you need some advanced VFX tools, but don’t want to hire outside help. If you don’t regularly need animation and visual effects tools, Blender probably won’t be your go-to alternative to Final Cut Pro for free.
3. Lightworks Free - Best for Control Over Effects
Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Linux
Capterra Rating: 4.2/5
Advanced Features: 5/5
Price: Free
*Premium subscriptions available for $9.99/month for Creator and $23.99/month for Pro
Key Features:
- Three/Four Point Editing: Make advanced edits like trim-slip, slide, ripple, roll, and more
- Motion Graphics: Hundreds of pre-made graphics are built in
- Video Mask Effects: Draw and create masks including ellipses, squares, and complex shapes
Who It’s For
Lightworks has been used to edit videos into Oscar-winning films for decades. Lightworks Free is the free, beginner-friendly version of the Hollywood classic. Though not as powerful, Lightworks Free comes with plenty of features to make it a good alternative to Final Cut Pro for Windows. The visual effects tools are easy to find and can be edited with precision detail, allowing you to get the same professional results as Final Cut Pro for free.
Why We Picked It
For those of us in a hurry, Lightworks Free has background processing, so you can import, export, and render complex effects while you work. And you never have to worry about sudden computer failure with Lightworks Free’s instant auto-saving feature. Edit videos on multiple video, audio, and effects tracks, then add titles, effects, and transitions. With Lightworks, you can get the same advanced transitions library in Final Cut Pro for free, but not the advanced titles which are only available in the paid versions.
Bottom Line
Lightworks Free supports all popular input formats but only exports up to 720p, which means professional or commercial projects will need to upgrade. We’ve mentioned in the past that Lightworks has a learning curve and that even seasoned editors will have trouble navigating the nontraditional interface. However, a brand new version has just been released with many layout and workflow improvements, bringing it higher on our list of alternatives to Final Cut Pro for free.
4. Avid Media Composer First - Best for Budding Professionals
Image from Avid.
Compatibility: Windows, Mac
G2 Rating: 4.1/5
Advanced Features: 5/5
Price: Free
*Premium subscriptions available for $23.99/month for Media Composer or $49.99/month for Media Composer Ultimate
Key Features:
- Color Correction: Presets, HSL controls, hue offsets, luma range
- Bulk Edit: Save time by applying the same edits/effects to multiple clips at once
- Video Stabilization: Fix shaky video
Who It’s For
Avid Media Composer First is the free version of Avid Media Composer - Hollywood’s most popular film and TV editing program. It is a good alternative to Final Cut Pro for free because it is surprisingly robust for a free offering, containing many of the pro-level tools you would find in the paid versions. Avid labeled Media Composer First ideal for “aspiring video professionals.” It is the perfect learning tool for budding video editors who need a Final Cut Pro for Windows alternative and want to become proficient on Avid.
Why We Picked It
Edit videos on up to 4 video tracks and 8 audio tracks with 5 bins per project and publish directly to YouTube and Vimeo. Avid Media Composer First offers many of the same tools you’d find in Final Cut Pro for free. It has a large number of color-correcting tools like HSL controls, hue offset, and luma range. This Final Cut Pro for Windows alternative offers audio tools like audio ducking and punch-in, as well as 4-way multicam editing.
Bottom Line
Professionals will find the offerings on Avid Media Composer First too limited, and beginners will find it very difficult to learn, which is why we recommend it for future professional editors willing to put in the time. If you don’t fall into that category, try PowerDirector Essential. It is an alternative to Final Cut Pro for free that is robust enough for pros and easy enough for beginners.
5. DaVinci Resolve - Best for Post-Production
Compatibility: Windows, Mac
PCMag Rating: 4/5
Advanced Features: 5/5
Price: Free
*DaVinci Resolve Studio available for $295
Key Features:
- Professional Edit Overlay: Insert, overwrite, replace, fit to fill, place on top, append at end, and ripple overwrite
- Transitions & Effects Libraries: 30 transitions and 65+ effects, including blurs, flares, and warps
- Shot Match: Automatically color correct by matching the color of any clip
Who It’s For
DaVinci Resolve feels like paid software because it is packed with the same tools to edit videos used by colorists, editors, VFX artists, and sound engineers on major studio films and television shows. This is a great alternative to Final Cut Pro for Windows because it offers more post-production solutions than Final Cut Pro for free.
Why We Picked It
This Final Cut Pro for Windows video editor has features like motion graphics, advanced audio tools, VFX and title-card building modes, and image restoration. You can edit videos on up to 2,000 tracks at a time, and to keep the interface from becoming overwhelming, DaVinci Resolve is divided into “Pages,” giving you a dedicated workspace for different tasks. The color grading tools are outstanding and better than what you’d find in Final Cut Pro for free.
Bottom Line
DaVinci Resolve is a one-stop shop for post-production. However, it requires a powerful computer to operate properly - possibly more than an editing enthusiast would have at home. Like Avid Media Composer First, DaVinci Resolve has a steep learning curve, but amazingly professional tools, and is a great choice for professionals looking for an alternative to Final Cut Pro for free.
6. VideoProc Vlogger - Best for Action Cam Footage
Compatibility: Windows, Mac
One Hour Professor Rating: 4.7/5
Advanced Features: 4/5
Price: Free
Key Features:
- Voice Overs: Record narration and change the pitch of your voice in 3 different ways
- Split Screen & Picture-in-Picture Effects: Overlay or grid videos in a variety of styles
- Blend Modes: Over 20 presets for layering clips
Who It’s For
VideoProc Vlogger is one of the best alternatives to Final Cut Pro for free for drone and action camera enthusiasts. It has advanced motion tools that imitate a variety of camera movements and speed ramping to change the speed and direction of your clips. It can clean up action footage by removing noise and grain caused by low light, stabilizing shaky footage, and removing the fish-eye effect caused by wide-angle lenses.
Why We Picked It
This is a beginner-friendly alternative to Final Cut Pro for Windows that also offers advanced features. It offers color grading and color correction with 3D LUTs and filters, as well as HSL and brightness adjustments. VideoProc Vlogger includes audio editing tools such as 3 audio analysis modes to help you edit videos to the beat.
Bottom Line
VideoProc Vlogger is an ideal alternative to Final Cut Pro for free if you like to edit videos with motion and speed effects. However, in our testing we found it rendered very slowly. Our top Final Cut Pro alternative, PowerDirector, has some of the fastest rendering times of any video editing software and matches VideoProc Vlogger in terms of beginner-friendliness and advanced tools.
7. HitFilm - Best for Visual Effects
Compatibility: Windows, Mac
TechRadar Rating: 4/5
Advanced Features: 4.5/5
Price: Free
*Premium subscriptions available for $7.99/month for Creator and $12.99/month for Pro
Key Features:
- Transitions: Professional, drag-and-drop transitions to get you from scene to scene
- Stock Assets: Videos, music, sound effects, and templates
- Text Tools: Add subtitles or customize 3D titles
Who It’s For
If you love making sci-fi, superhero, and action videos with lots of visual effects but need a version of Final Cut Pro for Windows, HitFilm is for you. With the tools that HitFilm offers, you can animate images and characters, use waveforms for audio element visualization, import 3D models, and apply behavioral effects to your videos. This alternative to Final Cut Pro for Windows has unlimited audio and video tracks, so you don’t have to put an end to your creativity.
Why We Picked It
You can edit videos with distortion effects that come in 4 categories: Heat, Energy, Smoke, and Fluid. HitFilm has 3D muzzle flashes for any kind of weapon, and a library of sci-fi effects like lasers and star fields. This alternative to Final Cut Pro for free also has a puppet tool that adds natural motion to graphics, shapes, and text.
Bottom Line
HitFilm is packed with effects, but using the most impressive ones will add a watermark to your videos. It also requires a lot of hard drive space and has a similar learning curve to Final Cut Pro, but tutorials are available on the interface. It won’t suit professional users looking to use Final Cut Pro for free, but it won’t suit beginners either. We recommend it for intermediate users, such as YouTubers and editing enthusiasts. If you need an alternative to Final Cut Pro for Windows but want something more lightweight and beginner-friendly, then try PowerDirector Essential.
8. Luxea Video Editor - Best for Recording
Image from PCMag.
Compatibility: Windows
TechRadar Rating: 4/5
Advanced Features: 4/5
Price: Free
*Premium subscription available for $29.99/year or $79.99 for a Lifetime License
Key Features:
- Blend Modes: Includes 25 blend modes with adjustable opacity
- Overlay Effects: Add overlays such as snow, light leaks, and even countdown timers on top of, before, or after your videos
- Movement Behaviors: Choose unique behaviors to animate clips and transitions
Who It’s For
Luxea Video Editor from ACDSee is a simpler alternative to Final Cut Pro for Windows. We recommend it for both beginners and intermediate users. It’s a great tool for vloggers or YouTubers who want a quick way to record and edit videos in one software. Luxea Video Editor comes with a free screen recorder that includes targeted screen recording and mouse click effects, which is useful if you need to edit videos for online tutorials. It also captures webcam footage, creates MP4s in real time, and lets you record audio for voiceovers and narration.
Why We Picked It
Luxea offers some similar VFX features to Final Cut Pro for free. With this Final Cut Pro alternative, you can edit videos with chroma key green screen effects, video effect filters like emboss and mirror, and employ pre-made custom animations. It also has unlimited tracks for audio, video, and images.
Bottom Line
Luxea has more tools than you’d expect for an alternative to Final Cut Pro for free. While it won’t work for professionals, it is a good fit for beginners and more advanced hobbyists. We love that you can use all of the features found in the paid versions, but of course, there is a catch. The free version does not have a watermark, but it does include a short intro and outro on all exported videos.
9. Shotcut - Best Format Support
Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Linux
TechRadar Rating: 4/5
Advanced Features: 4/5
Price: Free
Key Features:
- Notes Panel: Helpful feature to keep editing notes or VO scripts handy
- Blending Modes: Track compositing features such as overlay, dodge, burn, saturate, etc.
- Audio Filters: Many built-in filters including reverb, pitch, balance, and delay
Who It’s For
Shotcut is a free, open-source, cross-platform alternative to Final Cut Pro for Windows. Shotcut uses FFmpeg to support hundreds of audio and video formats. It also has a good selection of device and transport options, including screen and webcam capture.
Why We Picked It
If you want to edit videos with green-screen effects, this alternative to Final Cut Pro for free has both simple and advanced chroma key options. There’s even a key spill effect to clean up edges. Shotcut offers unlimited undo and redo options. It has multi-track audio mixing and color wheels for color correction and grading. Other features include keyframing, transitions, and blur effects. However, none of these features are as intuitive as they are in some of our other alternatives to Final Cut Pro for free, such as PowerDirector or HitFilm.
Bottom Line
The interface is not as clean and user-friendly as some alternatives to Final Cut Pro for Windows, but it is very customizable. Shotcut contains lots of output formats but lacks built-in sharing to popular sites. And although it is primarily for beginners, there is a bit of a learning curve, which is why we placed it behind the similarly-rated Luxea Video Editor.
10. VSDC Free Video Editor - Best for Presentations
Compatibility: Windows
Trustpilot Rating: 3.7/5
Advanced Features: 4/5
Price: Free
*Premium version is $19.99
Key Features:
- Powerful Chroma Key: Remove any color, not just green
- Blending Modes: Blend colors with adjustable parameters, or apply a pre-made filter
- HK & HD Export: Get similar quality to Final Cut Pro for free
Who It’s For
If you need an alternative to Final Cut Pro for free to create business presentations, then VSDC Free Video Editor could be for you. We found it easy to create charts, remove backgrounds, and add split-screen and picture-in-picture effects.
Why We Picked It
VSDC has a good number of advanced tools for an alternative to Final Cut Pro for free, like motion tracking, video stabilization, and 360-degree editing. It also comes equipped with a screen recorder and project templates for family video greeting cards.
Bottom Line
The problems with VSDC stem from its interface and workflow. The interface is cluttered, yet many tools are hidden and hard to find. So although this is meant to be beginner-friendly, it may take some time to get used to the clunky workflow. If you are looking for an alternative to Final Cut Pro for free with a pleasing interface, try Openshot or PowerDirector.
11. Magix Movie Studio - Best for Editing Audio
Image from Magix Tutorials
Compatibility: Windows
TechRadar Rating: 4/5
Advanced Features: 3.5/5
Price: 30-day free trial, then $69.99 for Movie Studio, $99.99 for Platinum, and $129.99 for Suite
Key Features:
- Favorites & Intelligent Searches: Find your favorite filters and effects quickly by labeling favorites
- Speed Adjustment Tools: Slow and fast motion effects
- Multicam Editing: Edit videos from 4 cameras
Who It’s For
Magix Movie Studio is an alternative to Final Cut Pro for Windows with some fun audio tools. It comes with filters for different environments, a compressor filter, echo effects, and distortions. There’s also a mixer where you can make precise audio edits or use presets for a quicker approach.
Why We Picked It
Edit videos with all the necessary tools, plus over 900 effects, transitions, and titles. Most features have automatic and manual settings to cover every comfort level. We like that this alternative to Final Cut Pro for Windows recently added social media-friendly templates and auto reframing for videos taken on a smartphone.
Bottom Line
This is a worthy alternative to Final Cut Pro for Windows users, especially beginners. There are tools that more seasoned editors will enjoy, however, its reverse track order will throw off anyone used to other software. Many of Magix Movie Studio’s tools are reserved for its Platinum and Suite versions and not the affordable Movie Studio. And unlike our other alternatives to Final Cut Pro for free, there’s no dedicated free version, only a free trial.
12. Kapwing - Best Online Option
Compatibility: Web Browser
G2 Rating: 4.4/5
Advanced Features: 3/5
Price: Free
*Premium subscription available for $16/month
Key Features:
- Customizable Templates: Easily searchable templates for any platform or theme
- Meme Generator: Create memes from images and videos in a few clicks
- Audio Waveforms: Add a visualized sound wave to your music videos
Who It’s For
Kapwing is a browser-based alternative to Final Cut Pro for free. There is nothing to download; simply visit the site and edit videos right away. If you want to save your videos, sign in automatically using Google or Facebook. Adding assets is easy. Upload your videos, or drag and drop them onto the site. You can also paste a video URL or upload videos and images directly from Google Drive or Google Photos. We found Kapwing to be one of the best Final Cut Pro for Windows options for beginners.
Why We Picked It
It’s also an excellent alternative to Final Cut Pro for free if you frequently edit videos with captions. This Final Cut Pro alternative has accurate, auto-generated subtitles, auto-translation, and text-to-speech. Other tools include green screen effects, team collaboration tools, and cloud storage.
Bottom Line
Kapwing is a beginner-friendly alternative to Final Cut Pro for free. We like it for creating social media posts, but not for big film projects. The version of Final Cut Pro for free only allows videos under 7 minutes anyway, but we wouldn’t even use the paid version for anything much longer than that. Free videos are also watermarked and limited to 720p.
13. VideoPad - Best for Beginners
Compatibility: Windows, Mac
G2 Rating: 4.1/5
Advanced Features: 3/5
Price: Free
*Premium versions available for $99 for Home Edition and $159 for Master’s Edition
Key Features:
- 3D & 360-Degree Editing: Export and edit videos with 3D and 360-degree footage
- Audio Effects: Pure Digital audio effects such as choral, distortion, and echo
- Transitions & Visual Effects: 50+ drag-and-drop effects are applied and tweaked in a few clicks
Who It’s For
VideoPad is a beginner-friendly alternative to Final Cut Pro for Windows. It comes with a Video Maker Wizard with professional templates you can use to make quickly and easily create videos. This Final Cut Pro alternative has drag-and-drop tools and effects to streamline the editing process.
Why We Picked It
Beyond the basics, VideoPad has stereoscopic 2D to 3D conversion, camera shake reduction, voice-over, transitions, and sound effects. We like this alternative to Final Cut Pro for free for its social-media-friendly tools, such as optimization for search engines and direct uploads to YouTube and Facebook.
Bottom Line
VideoPad is best used for home videos, as it has very basic tools, and the free version is for non-commercial use only. While it is a good Final Cut Pro alternative for beginners and home users to edit videos, it lacks advanced features and has an outdated interface. For a beginner-friendly alternative to Final Cut Pro for Windows with more advanced features, try PowerDirector.
14. Adobe Premiere Elements - Best for Organizing Media
Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Linux
PCMag Rating: 3.5/5
Advanced Features: 3.5/5
Price: 30-day free trial, then $99.99
Key Features:
- Reduce Noise Effect: Automatically fix grainy footage
- Stop-Motion Video Maker: Create stop-motion from a series of still photos or videos
- Video Compressor: Use a simple slider to reduce file size for easy sharing
Who It’s For
Adobe Premiere Elements is a pared-down version of Adobe Premiere Pro, and an excellent alternative to Final Cut Pro for Windows. We like this product for users with lots of media they need to organize. Premiere Elements uses facial recognition to automatically tag your clips by the people in them. You can also tag by a chosen subject, event, date, or place.
Why We Picked It
You can edit videos with all the tasks you’d expect from an alternative to Final Cut Pro for Windows, such as noise reduction, multi-track editing, keyframing, transitions, and titles. Premiere Elements has AI-powered tools, like auto reframing and automatically matching music length to your video.
Bottom Line
This alternative to Final Cut Pro for Windows is a more beginner-friendly version of a Hollywood classic, making it akin to Avid Media Composer, Lightworks, and DaVinci Resolve. However, unlike those Final Cut Pro alternatives, Premiere Elements is actually beginner friendly. But what it gains in ease of use, it loses in features, missing tools like multi-cam and 360-degree editing. It’s also not completely free like the others but only offers a free trial. For these reasons, we moved it to #14 on our updated list. A better option is PowerDirector Essential - a beginner-friendly alternative to Final Cut Pro for free, packed with advanced features.
15. OpenShot - Best for Intermediate Users
Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Linux
TechRadar Rating: 3/5
Advanced Features: 4/5
Price: Free
Key Features:
- Chroma Key: Remove backgrounds and create bluescreen/greenscreen effects
- Audio Waveforms: Display waveforms on the timeline or even include as part of your video
- Time Mapping: Manually animate speed and direction of video clips
Who It’s For
OpenShot is a free and open-source alternative to Final Cut Pro for Windows and Linux. We think it is a good alternative to Final Cut Pro for free, especially for intermediate video editors. Like PowerDirector, it is beginner-friendly yet filled with pro-level tools. It has built-in templates for beginners, advanced timeline features, time effects, and unlimited layering options for more skilled editors.
Why We Picked It
If you want to edit videos with advanced features like Final Cut Pro for free, OpenShot will deliver. Features such as Bezier curves, scaling and snapping, and a range of color adjustment tools can be found in this alternative to Final Cut Pro for Windows.
Bottom Line
We found some features did not work well, and the software got buggy at times. That’s why we think OpenShot may not be a good fit for professionals working on tight deadlines. But for beginner to intermediate editors who need an alternative to Final Cut Pro for Windows or Linux, OpenShot is a solid fit.
16. Clipchamp - Best Templates
Compatibility: Windows, Web Browser
TechRadar Rating: 4/5
Advanced Features: 3/5
Price: Free
*Premium version available for $11.99/month or $119.99/year
Key Features:
- Screen & Webcam Recorder: Capture webcam footage and record your screen with or without audio
- AI Voiceovers: Automatic text-to-speech generator
- Video Overlay: Use blend modes to adjust the opacity of overlays
Who It’s For
Beginners and busy content creators will love Clipchamp as an alternative to Final Cut Pro for free. Recently purchased by Microsoft, ClipChamp is available to download by Windows users but is also an online tool for anyone with an Edge or Chrome browser. Clipchamp’s best quality is its professionally-designed and fully customizable video templates including YouTube intros/outros, gameplay videos, memes, Instagram Reels, TikToks, and Facebook ads.
Why We Picked It
It comes with video, photo, and audio stock missing in Final Cut Pro for free. There’s a large library of transitions, filters, effects, and graphic elements. The premium version is a good alternative to Final Cut Pro for Windows for influencers because it offers branding kits and content backup.
Bottom Line
The free version of Clipchamp has unlimited watermark-free exports up to 1080p, and plenty of tools to edit videos from start to finish. However, both the free and paid versions aren’t Final Cut Pro alternatives for professionals and are best kept to short social media posts. Its many one-click features offer little control. A better alternative to Final Cut Pro for free is PowerDirector. It offers automatic and manual features to cover a broader range of users.
17. Movavi Video Editor - Best for Vlogging
Compatibility: Windows, Mac
PCMag Rating: 4/5
Advanced Features: 3/5
Price: 7-day free trial, then $54.95 for one year, or $79.95 for a lifetime license
Key Features:
- AI Background Removal: Instantly swap backgrounds without a green screen
- Noise Removal: Remove wind, car sounds, and other unwanted noises with AI
- Picture-in-Picture: Create a broadcast-style effect with video overlay
Who It’s For
Movavi Video Editor is a great alternative to Final Cut Pro for Windows users. It is a fun, quick, and easy way to edit videos for YouTube or social media. It has a simple interface and allows users to create a finished product in 20 minutes. Add pizzazz to your videos with ready-made intros, animated titles, thematic stickers, and transitions with sound, then upload directly to your favorite site with pre-selected aspect ratios, including vertical video support.
Why We Picked It
There are also some advanced tools to edit videos like chroma key, motion tracking, video stabilization, slow motion, and reverse. We found Movavi had zero learning curve but still offered a built-in training module for support, making this a much easier alternative to Final Cut Pro for Windows.
Bottom Line
Because Movavi Video Editor is so quick and easy to use, it lacks a lot of features found in other video editing software, such as advanced trim modes and clip pre-trimming that users would expect in a Final Cut Pro alternative. We moved it to the bottom of our updated list because it is not a true alternative to Final Cut Pro for free, as it only offers a short 7-day trial.
Best Free Alternatives to Final Cut Pro for Windows Comparison Chart
| Software | OS | Beginner-friendly | Comparison to Final Cut Pro | Regular Updates | User Interface | Free Download |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PowerDirector Essential | Windows, Mac | Yes | All the advanced features of Final Cut Pro for free, with quicker updates and rendering times, and much easier to use and learn | Yes, monthly | Intuitive, streamlined | |
| Blender | Windows, Mac, Linux | No | More VFX and animation tools than Final Cut Pro for free | Yes, 3x a year | Customizable | Download |
| Lightworks Free | Windows, Mac, Linux | No | Same great features as Final Cut Pro for free, but the same large learning curve. Only outputs to 720p | Minimum | Fixed layout for short projects or fully customizable for bigger projects | Download |
| Avid Media Composer First | Windows, Mac | No | An alternative to Final Cut Pro for Windows with slightly fewer offerings, and just as hard to learn | Minimum | Streamlined, customizable | Download |
| DaVinci Resolve | Windows, Mac | No | More post-production options than Final Cut Pro for free | Annually | Divided into pages | Download |
| VideoProc Vlogger | Windows, Mac | Yes | More beginner-friendly, but lacks pro-level features | Yes | Intuitive, clean | Download |
| HitFilm | Windows, Mac | No | Far more visual and special effects than Final Cut Pro for free, but fewer basic editing features. Takes up more room on your computer | Yes | Sleek and modern | Download |
| Luxea Video Editor | Windows | Yes | Easier to use and more recording features than Final Cut Pro for free, but not as professional overall | Yes | Intuitive, simple | Download |
| Shotcut | Windows, Mac, Linux | No | An alternative to Final Cut Pro for free that is not as robust, but slightly quicker and easier to learn. | Yes, regularly by the community | Messy, customizable | Download |
| VSDC Free Video Editor | Windows | No | An alternative to Final Cut Pro for Windows with lower system requirements. It is more beginner-friendly than Final Cut, but crashes and is not as reliable | Annually | Messy | Download |
| Magix Movie Studio | Windows | Yes | An alternative to Final Cut Pro for Windows with a good amount of features for hobbyists and content creators, but not professionals. It’s more beginner-friendly than Final Cut. | Annually | Customizable | Download |
| Kapwing | Web Browser | Yes | Simpler, with more themed templates than Final Cut Pro for free. Way fewer advanced features | Yes, regularly | Simple | Download |
| VideoPad | Windows, Mac | Yes | Not as feature-rich, but a beginner-friendly alternative to Final Cut Pro for Windows. | Yes, regularly | Outdated | Download |
| Adobe Premiere Elements | Windows, Mac | Yes | An alternative to Final Cut Pro for Windows that is not as feature-rich but easier-to-use. | Annually | Simple, clean | Download |
| OpenShot | Windows, Mac, Linux | Yes | An alternative to Final Cut Pro for Windows with similar features, but buggy and not as reliable | Yes, regularly | Simple, clean | Download |
| Clipchamp | Windows, Web Browser | Yes | An alternative to Final Cut Pro for free for quick social media posts and includes professionally-designed themed templates. Not for professional use or big video projects | Yes, regularly | Streamlined | Download |
| Movavi Video Editor | Windows, Mac | Yes | An alternative to Final Cut Pro for Windows that lacks some of the features of Final Cut Pro and has slower rendering times, but is easier to use and learn | Annually | Simple, clean | Download |
PowerDirector Essential
vs
OS
Windows, Mac
-
Beginner-friendly
Yes
-
Comparison to Final Cut Pro
All the advanced features of Final Cut Pro for free, with quicker updates and rendering times, and much easier to use and learn
-
Regular Updates
Yes, monthly
-
User Interface
Intuitive, streamlined
-
How to Get a Free Alternative to Final Cut Pro for Windows
Since you cannot download Final Cut Pro for Windows, here is a step-by-step guide to downloading PowerDirector Essential - the #1 alternative to Final Cut Pro for free:
- Click here to go to the PowerDirector Essential site.
- Click on Free Download, and select your Operating System.
- Go to Downloads on your computer and click on the CL Downloader to start the guided installation process.
PowerDirector Essential will begin downloading automatically. - Once installed, click here to watch a quick and easy guide to get you started.
Download PowerDirector Essential today and start creating videos just like Final Cut Pro for free!
Download the Best Alternative to Final Cut Pro for Windows for Free
Final Cut Pro is the software of choice among professional editors who require nonlinear video editing. It offers a wide selection of professional editing tools and effects.
However, it has a complicated interface, there is no version of Final Cut Pro for Windows, and some applications require additional apps, such as After Effects. With Final Cut Pro, you also don't get sound effect samples or searchability in the import dialog. Finally, you can’t get Final Cut Pro for free and it has a steep learning curve.
PowerDirector Essential is the software we recommend as the best alternative to Final Cut Pro for Windows and even Mac users. It provides all the features found in Final Cut Pro for free. It is also great for beginners, with plenty of tutorials, guided edits, and a user-friendly interface.
Download Final Cut Pro for Windows by clicking the link below. Then edit videos into high-quality, professional content with PowerDirector, the best alternative to Final Cut Pro for free.
Free Alternatives to Final Cut Pro for Windows FAQ
1. What is Final Cut Pro?
Final Cut Pro is a non-linear video editing software created by Apple for Mac computers. It debuted in April 1999 as a way for hobbyists, independent filmmakers, and documentarians to edit videos.
Over the next few years, it started to gain favor with Hollywood and was used to edit some big blockbusters. However, in June 2011, it was re-released as Final Cut Pro X causing Hollywood to turn its back on the software and the search for Final Cut Pro alternatives began.
For 10 years, Final Cut Pro X tried to regain favor with professional editors, but to no avail. In November 2020, it was released again as Final Cut Pro with a complete redesign.
Final Cut Pro remains a go-to for content creators. However, it is exclusively designed for Mac users and has a high price point, leaving a considerable number of creators seeking alternative options.
2. What features should I look for in a Final Cut Pro alternative?
The top ten features you should look for in a Final Cut Pro alternative are
- Titles and transitions
- Good format support
- Direct uploads to social media
- Fast rendering speeds
- Effects and filters
- New features added regularly
- Chroma key
- Motion tracking
- Multicam editing
- Audio tools
If you’re looking for an alternative to Final Cut Pro for free with all of this and more, try PowerDirector Essential.
3. Is Final Cut Pro free?
We recommend PowerDirector Essential if you need an alternative to Final Cut Pro for free since the Apple video editor does not offer a free version, only a 90-day free trial.
4. How much is Final Cut Pro?
Final Cut Pro costs a one-time fee of $300. You cannot get Final Cut Pro for free.
5. Is Final Cut Pro worth it?
We recommend PowerDirector as the best alternative to Final Cut Pro for Windows and Mac users who don’t want to spend too much on a video editor.
Whether Final Cut Pro is worth it depends on your skill level and needs. If you have a Mac and are a professional video editor, then yes, Final Cut Pro might be worth it.
However, consumers and hobbyists have plenty of options for Final Cut Pro alternatives available on both Mac and Windows and at different price points.
6. Can you get Final Cut Pro for Windows?
o, you can’t download Final Cut Pro for Windows. PowerDirector Essential is the best alternative to Final Cut Pro for Windows, and also happens to be completely free.
7. What computer is best for Final Cut Pro?
The minimum system requirement for Final Cut Pro is macOS 11.5.1 or later, with at least 4GB of RAM and 4.5GB of available disc space. Unlike iMovie, which can be used on Macs, iPads, and iPhones, Final Cut Pro is only available for desktops. You can’t get Final Cut Pro for Windows PC.
8. How to get Final Cut Pro for free?
Since you cannot get Final Cut Pro for free, here is a step-by-step guide to downloading the #1 Final Cut Pro alternative, PowerDirector Essential:
PowerDirector Essential will begin downloading automatically.
9. Is Final Cut Pro only for Mac?
Yes. You can’t get Final Cut Pro for Windows PC, nor can you get it on iOS.
10. How much is Final Cut Pro for PC?
PowerDirector is the best option if you want to download Final Cut Pro for Windows. It has a free version that is free to use as long as you’d like, or you can upgrade for $4.08 per month.
11. How do I download Final Cut Pro for Windows 11?
To download Final Cut Pro for Windows, visit the PowerDirector Site and click either Free Download or Buy Now, depending on your preference. Then follow the onscreen prompts.
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- Best Editor for Windows and macOS
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