23 Best Free Video Editing Software for Windows PC in 2023

In today's digital landscape, videos reign supreme. Whether it's creating videos for YouTube or Vimeo or crafting snappy clips for TikTok or Instagram Reels, everyone is dabbling in content creation.

Perhaps you're eager to jump into video editing but feel overwhelmed by the vast array of editing software options available. The last thing you want to do is invest time in the wrong software.

Not to worry - we've done the legwork for you and have compiled a list of the best free video editing software currently on the market.

With this guide, you can start honing your editing skills without spending a dime. We'll delve into each option's key features, pros and cons, and recommended skill level, as well as provide guidance on selecting a video editor for your PC. Plus, we've answered some of the most asked questions about video editors.

• Snapshot of Our Top 3 Free Video Editing Software
• How to Choose a Free Video Editing Software
• How We Test the Free Video Editing Software on This List
• 23 Best Free Video Editing Software for Windows PC in 2023
• Best Free Video Editing Software Comparison Chart
• How to Edit a Video on Windows PC
• Download the Best Video Editing Software for Free
• Free Video Editing Software FAQ

Snapshot of Our Top 3 Free Video Editing Software

How to Choose a Free Video Editing Software

You don’t want to waste time learning to edit videos on software that isn’t the right fit for you or your projects. Below are several factors that you should consider before choosing which free video editing software is most suitable for you.

Your Experience Level

The free video editing software on our list covers everyone from first-time editors to experienced professionals. If you are a beginner, make sure you edit videos with software that is beginner-friendly with plenty of templates and guided edits. If you are a more advanced user, choose a video editor for PC with more professional tools and manual controls for more precise edits.

System Requirements

Obviously you need a video editor for PC that works with your OS, but you should check the system requirements to make sure your PC has enough RAM and CPU to not only download the software but also edit video without causing lag or freezing. If you have an old PC, don’t worry - there are some free video editing software on our list with very low system requirements.

Format Support and Video Resolution

Does your free video editing software support the format your camera shoots? Will it work with your webcam, external mic, or video capture card? Also, check the max resolution your video editor for PC will support. If you spent good money on a 4K camera, you won’t want to upload a video that’s been downgraded to 780p.

Tools and Features

Free video editing software come with vastly different feature sets. Maybe you film a lot of action footage and need a video stabilizer. Maybe you are a gamer who needs green screen effects, an animator who needs visual effects tools, or an influencer who likes to edit videos with fun filters and stickers. Whatever your specific need, make sure it’s available in the free version of the video editor for PC you choose.

How We Test the Free Video Editing Software on This List

You might be wondering why you should trust our opinion to find the best free video editing software. Below we explain how we test and rank our products.

Product Testing

First, we test the products ourselves. We edit videos with the same basic editing tools on all the free video editing software so we can compare apples with apples. Then we check the key features and tools unique to the software.

Compare Versions

If the free video editing software has paid versions, we compare them to see what is included at each price point.

Publisher Reviews

We read reviews written by the best critics in the business to make sure our findings reveal an accurate picture of the product. To remove bias, we take the most common rating out of 5 from the publisher reviews to rank our products. When there are multiple products with the same ranking, we use our testing to decide the order.

User Reviews

It can be hard for seasoned editors to get into the mind of a first-time user. We scan user reviews to find out what consumers are saying about the products and the most common pros and cons.

23 Best Free Video Editing Software for Windows PC in 2023

1. PowerDirector Essential - Best Overall

Key Features:

• Royalty-Free Stock Library: A collection of video and audio clips licensed for use without requiring the user to pay royalties or licensing fees.
• Compositing Tools: Enable users to combine multiple video or image layers to create complex visual effects.
• AI Motion Tracking: Uses artificial intelligence to track and follow an object or person in a video.
• Color Grading and Correction Tools: Used to adjust the color and tone of a video to improve its overall look and feel.

Compatibility: Windows, Mac

PCMag Rating: 5/5

Price: Free
*Premium features available for free for 30 days, then $4.33/month

Who It’s For

PowerDirector ranks as our best free video editing software overall because it is an excellent choice to edit videos for all skill levels. We found its interface to be intuitive and the design straightforward which makes it easy for beginners to edit videos. At the same time, its robust advanced features and hardware acceleration will satisfy even the most experienced video editors.

Why We Picked It

Dive right in and edit videos with its easy-to-use tools, effects, transitions, and titles without paying for advanced features or needing any prior video editing experience. The free version of this video editor for PC will suit all your everyday video editing needs.

Bottom Line

PowerDirector is a long-time winner of the prestigious PC Magazine Editors' Choice award and is highly recommended by TechRadar Pro. This free video editing software includes professional and AI-powered tools to turn your videos into studio-quality masterpieces.

Download our pick for the best free video editing software by clicking the link below.

2. DaVinci Resolve - Best for Experts

Key Features:

• High-Quality Visual Effects: Provides a range of visual effect tools allowing video creators to enhance their video content with professional-looking visual effects.
• AI-Based Magic Mask: This feature uses artificial intelligence to automatically identify and isolate objects in a video clip.
• Multicam Editing: Allows users to edit footage from multiple cameras simultaneously
• Dual Timelines: Allows users to work on two timelines simultaneously, making it easier to edit videos with complex timelines or multiple video tracks.

Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Linux

TechRadar Rating: 4.5/5

Price: Free
*Premium version available for $295 for DaVinci Resolve Studio

Who It’s For

DaVinci Resolve is one of the most advanced free video editing software on this list. While it can be overwhelming and intimidating for those without previous editing experience, if you have a deep understanding of how to edit videos and need a powerful program, Resolve is your best option.

Why We Picked It

Overall, DaVinci Resolve is a clean, intuitive program that you would never guess is free. This video editor for PC, Mac, and Linux offers a wide range of advanced features, including intelligent color-correction tools that let you edit skin tones, eye color, and lip color at the touch of a button.

Bottom Line

If you’re creating a feature documentary, narrative film, TV commercial, or show, you should definitely try DaVinci Resolve over expensive professional software like Adobe Premiere Pro or Avid. However, if you’re only looking to cut together home movies or social media posts, this is not the free video editing software for you. For influencers and beginners, we recommend our top choice PowerDirector.

3. Blender - Best for Animation

Key Features:

• Masking tools: Masking tools allow users to create a mask around an object in their video, which can then be used to isolate the object for special effects or color correction.
• Advanced Motion Graphics: Provides users with the ability to add dynamic and complex visual effects to their videos, such as particle effects, 3D animation, and dynamic typography.
• Modeling and Sculpting: Create 3D models and sculptures within the video editing software.
• Audio adjustment tools: Enables users to adjust the audio of their videos, including volume, equalization, and noise reduction.

Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Linux

G2 Rating: 4.5/5

Price: Free

Who It’s For

Blender is an open-source free video editing software for animators, illustrators, and VFX artists. It comes with a plethora of compositing, 3D, and animation tools. Blender’s pro-level effects tools make Blender a popular video editor for PC for intermediate and advanced users to edit videos without paying for expensive software like After Effects.

Why We Picked It

This free video editing software includes wide-ranging effects capabilities like motion tracking, particle simulation, onion skinning, and 3D painting tools. The ability to add plug-ins means you can constantly enhance your experience and find exactly what you need for any project.

Bottom Line

Blender has everything you could need to make amazing motion graphics, animations, and custom VFX, as well as basic editing tools. However, it has a very steep learning curve and is not for beginners. We placed it below DaVinci Resolve, because while Blender is specifically for animation or effects, DaVinci covers all post-production and video editing needs.

4. Animoto - Best for a Quick Turnaround

Key Features:

• Screen Recording: Screen recording is a feature that allows users to capture their computer screen, enabling them to create video tutorials, software demos, or gameplay videos.
• Trim/Crop Videos: Trimming and cropping tools enable users to remove unwanted portions of their video footage or adjust the framing of their shots, giving them greater control over the final look and feel of their videos.
• 40+ Professional Fonts: A collection of professional fonts is included with the software, providing users with a wide range of typography options to use in their videos, such as title screens, lower thirds, and captions.

Compatibility: Web Browser

Capterra Rating: 4.3/5

Price: Free
*Premium subscriptions available for $8/month for Basic, $15/month for Professional, and $39/month for Professional Plus

Who It’s For

Animoto is a cloud-based free video editing software for content creators or small businesses that have a tight turnaround to release content. This video editor for PC and Mac has hundreds of time-saving templates you can quickly customize with your own media, or choose from Animoto’s stock libraries.

Why We Picked It

This free video editing software makes it easy for beginners and those with no design or video editing experience to edit videos. All of Animoto’s templates are ready for easy upload and adhere to social media best practices. The paid versions include helpful features such as brand kits and team collaboration tools.

Bottom Line

Animoto is a good choice for social media posts, ads, and events, but not for long-form or plot-driven YouTube videos. While we like it for those with little design know-how, most of the reviews we found complained of the lack of creative control, an issue we also came across in our test. We also found issues with poor customer service. We recommend PowerDirector Essential for anyone who likes to use templates as a jumping-off point for their own creativity.

5. WeVideo - Best for Templates

Key Features:

• Screen Recorder: This feature enables users to capture their computer screen, allowing them to create video tutorials, demonstrations, or gameplay videos directly within the software.
• 50 Transitions: The software includes a collection of 50 transitions that can be used to add dynamic effects to video footage, such as crossfades, wipes, and fades.
• Animated Effects: Animated effects provide users with the ability to add dynamic and engaging animations to their videos, such as text animations, motion graphics, and visual effects.
• Meme Maker: Create custom memes by adding text and images to video footage, making it easy to create engaging and shareable content for social media platforms.

Compatibility: Web Browser

G2 Rating: 4.3/5

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

Who It’s For

WeVideo is a web-based free video editing software. WeVideo comes with tons of social-media-friendly video templates for anything from new home listings to back-to-school nights. We think these customizable templates are perfect for beginners or busy influencers.

Why We Picked It

Customize the templates with your own photos and videos or use the WeVideo stock library. The library of this video editor for PC even includes green screen footage you can use to change the background of a scene. There are 30 effects you can apply with one click, however, unlike PowerDirector, WeVideo allows little control over effects.

Bottom Line

While the paid version of WeVideo is a great option for content creators, the free version is unrealistic for anyone who regularly edits videos, as it is limited to 5 minutes of exported content a month at a max of 480p. For this reason, we placed it behind the very similar and equally rated Animoto, which has a more robust free version.

6. Shotcut - Best for Intermediate Users

Key Features:

• Wide Format Support: Supports a wide range of video formats, allowing for compatibility with various types of video footage.
• Audio Mixing: Provides tools for adjusting and mixing audio tracks, enabling control over the volume, balance, and effects.
• Color Correction and Grading: Offers features for adjusting and enhancing the colors and overall look of videos, allowing for precise color correction and creative grading.
• 360-Degree Video Filters: Includes filters specifically designed for 360-degree videos, allowing for applying effects and adjustments to immersive video footage.

Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Linux

G2 Rating: 4.2/5

Price: Free

Who It’s For

If you’re not a professional but looking to move beyond basic free video editing software, then we recommend Shotcut as an excellent option. With a typical drag-and-drop audio and video file manager, plus the ability to export 4k video, anyone with some experience should find it easy to edit videos with this video editor for PC.

Why We Picked It

Shotcut offers advanced effects and filters that will help you produce a high-quality video for free. This program is open source, so once you download it, you will have access to all its features and can customize the interface to your liking. It may take a little bit of time to get started but it’s worth the effort once you’re up and running.

Bottom Line

Shotcut is an excellent next step if you have moved on from a basic-level free video editing software like Movie Maker Online, but are not ready to make the jump to a pro-level video editor for PC like Avid or DaVinci.

7. Avidemux - Best for Beginners Using Linux

Key Features:

• Excellent encoding options: Offers a range of encoding options, allowing users to customize video output according to their preferences and requirements.
• Sharpening and de-noising filters: Provides filters to enhance video quality by sharpening the image and reducing noise.

Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Linux

TechRadar Rating: 4/5

Price: Free

Who It’s For

Avidemux is suitable for those who need to encode or configure a video for a particular speaker setup, and for those who need a simple video editor.

Why We Picked It

Avidemux is a free, easy-to-use video editor that allows users to make quick edits and cuts. Its best feature is its array of export options that give users total control over audio and video encoding.

Bottom Line

Avidemux is a good option for those who need a simple video editor and encoding tool, but it lacks advanced features and a timeline.

8. VideoPad - Best for Beginners

Key Features:

• Over 60 Supported Video Formats: The software supports a wide range of video formats, ensuring compatibility with various video sources.
• 3D and 360-Degree Editing: Provides tools and features specifically designed for editing 3D and 360-degree videos, allowing for immersive and engaging video editing experiences.
• Audio Effects: Offers a variety of audio effects and filters to enhance the sound quality and add creative audio elements to videos.
• Chroma Key: Includes chroma key functionality, allowing for the removal or replacement of a specific color (usually green or blue) in a video, commonly used for creating green screen effects.

Compatibility: Windows, Mac

G2 Rating: 4.1/5

Price: Free
*Premium versions available for $70 for Home Edition and $129 for Master’s Edition

Who It’s For

If you are just starting your video editing journey and want a very basic free video editing software, VideoPad is a good option. Where PowerDirector is loaded with features, this video editor for PC is comparatively scaled back. It is a great place to start but eventually, you may outgrow it and want to upgrade.

Why We Picked It

Beginner video editors will be able to familiarize themselves with its editing tools without spending anything. This free video editing software features a variety of pre-made transitions and sound effects, along with a few advanced features such as camera shake reduction tools, within a familiar and easy-to-learn platform.

Bottom Line

This video editor for PC offers everything you need to edit videos without much expertise. It performs most of the fundamental functions you can expect in free video editing software but doesn’t go too far beyond that. We placed it above the other 3-Star options, Vegas Pro and VSDC because VideoPad is easier to use.

Please note that VideoPad as a free video editing software is available for non-commercial use only.

9. VideoProc Vlogger - Best for Action Cam Footage

Key Features:

• Audio Extractor: Allows users to extract audio tracks from videos, providing the ability to separate and work with audio separately.
• Remove noise/grain: Provides tools to reduce or eliminate unwanted noise or grain from video footage, resulting in cleaner and clearer visuals.
• Advanced Color Correction: Offers advanced color correction tools, enabling precise adjustments and enhancements to the colors and tones of videos.
• Fisheye Removal: Includes functionality to correct the fisheye distortion often present in videos captured with fisheye lenses, resulting in a more natural and distortion-free visual output.

Compatibility: Windows, Mac

KommandoTech Rating: 4/5

Price: Free

Who It’s For

VideoProc Vlogger is free video editing software that is aimed at beginners, hobbyists, and content creators who need advanced motion and speed effect tools. We think it is a great choice for editing action camera or GoPro footage. It has advanced speed adjustment tools and over 20 speed presets. This video editor for PC also comes with a video stabilizer, time-lapse tools, and motion simulation for applying tilt, roll, and dolly effects.

Why We Picked It

Even though it has some pretty advanced effects, this free video editing software is beginner-friendly. It also has a learning center with helpful blogs and user guides, and a support center to answer any questions.

Bottom Line

VideoProc Vlogger is an easy-to-use video editor for PC for beginners with some advanced speed effects. However, professionals will find it lacking in overall video editing tools. If you have action camera footage you need to edit, we recommend our top choice PowerDirector, which has a dedicated Action Camera Center and a full range of basic editing tools. 

10. HitFilm Express - Best for VFX

Key Features:

• 4K Export: Enables users to export videos in 4K resolution, delivering high-quality output suitable for high-resolution displays.
• Motion Tracking: Includes motion tracking capabilities, allowing users to track and apply effects or adjustments to moving objects within a video.
• 3D Simulations: Provides tools for creating and incorporating 3D simulations into videos, adding depth and visual interest to the footage.
• Displacement and Distortion: Offers features for applying displacement and distortion effects to video clips, allowing for creative and artistic manipulations of the visuals.

Compatibility: Windows, Mac

TechRadar Rating: 4/5

Price: Free
*Premium subscriptions available for $7.99/month for Creator and $12.99 /month for Pro

Who It’s For

We found HitFilm to be the best video editor for PC for independent filmmakers to edit videos with Hollywood-style visual effects. The software includes one of the biggest free VFX toolkits on the market. This free video editing software includes color adjustments, keying effects, lens flares, and light swords.

Why We Picked It

It offers all the basic features that editing enthusiasts will need in free video editing software. And for being a non-professional video editor for PC, it offers a few surprising features like Unified 3D Space and a puppet tool.

Bottom Line

Unfortunately, this free video editing software can be difficult to use, so prepare to invest time learning the software. Many of HitFilm’s advanced visual effects are saved for paid subscribers, which is why we placed it behind the completely free VideoProc Vlogger.

11. Magix Movie Studio - Best for Video Collages

Key Features:

• Direct Upload to Social Media: Facilitates seamless sharing of edited videos directly to popular social media platforms, streamlining the process of sharing content with online audiences.
• 900+ Effects and Transitions: Provides a vast library of effects and transitions, offering users a wide range of creative options to enhance their videos.
• Deep Color Correction: Offers advanced color correction tools, allowing for precise adjustments and enhancements to the color grading and tonal balance of video footage.
• Layer Masks: Includes the ability to work with layer masks, enabling users to apply selective edits or adjustments to specific areas of the video, providing greater control over the editing process.

Compatibility: Windows

TechRadar Rating: 4/5

Price: 30-day free trial, then $69.99 for Movie Studio, $99.99 for Platinum, and $129 for Suite

Who It’s For

Magix Movie Studio is a free video editing software for those interested in making video collages. We liked using the video collage templates with extra-large manipulation tools where we could make precise adjustments to a clip’s rotation and size.

Why We Picked It

Like our top choice, PowerDirector, Magix Movie Studio offers tools for both beginners and professionals to edit videos. Storyboard Mode offers one-click solutions such as Remove Beginning or Split Movie, while more experienced editors can use frame-by-frame editing and utilize manual tools.

Bottom Line

Magix Movie Studio does not have a dedicated free version, only a free trial, placing it below HitFilm and VideoProc Vlogger. Also, many users have complained of frequent crashing and of projects not carrying over to updated versions.

12. Movavi Video Editor - Best for Vlogging

Key Features:

• Background Rendering: Allows users to continue working on other tasks or editing activities while the software performs rendering tasks in the background, enhancing workflow efficiency.
• Video Stabilization: Provides tools to reduce or eliminate camera shake or instability from video footage, resulting in smoother and more professional-looking videos.
• Stylized Filters: Offers a selection of stylized filters or effects that users can apply to their videos, adding creative visual elements and enhancing the overall look and feel.
• Voice Over: Includes functionality to record and add voice-over narration to videos, enabling users to enhance their videos with spoken commentary or audio explanations.

Compatibility: Windows, Mac

PCMag Rating: 4/5

Price: 7-day free trial, then 54.95/year

Who It’s For

Movavi Video Editor is a free video editing software and a great way to edit videos for social media. With this easy-to-use editor, you can have a finished product in 20 minutes. Easily make YouTube videos with ready-made intros, animated titles, transitions, sound effects, thematic stickers, and social-media-friendly aspect ratios.

Why We Picked It

There are also some advanced video editing tools like chroma key, motion tracking, and time effects. Even though there is no learning curve, this video editor for PC still offers a built-in training module for added support.

Bottom Line

Because Movavi Video Editor is so quick and easy to use, it sacrifices a lot of features found in other editing software, and there is a lack of control over effects. Also, it only offers a 7-day free trial, making it the least accessible free version on our list.

13. Windows Video Editor - Best for Slideshows

Key Features:

• 3D Effects: Provides a collection of 3D effects that users can apply to their videos, adding depth and visual interest to the footage.
• Auto Movie Options: Offers automated movie creation options, allowing users to quickly generate videos with pre-set themes, transitions, and effects.
• Fade Effects: Includes various fade effects that users can use to smoothly transition between video clips or apply artistic fade-in or fade-out effects.
• Customizable Titles: Enables users to create and customize titles for their videos, adding text overlays with various fonts, styles, and animations.

Compatibility: Windows

TechRadar Rating: 4/5

Price: Free

Who It’s For

Windows Video Editor is free video editing software that comes built-in on PCs with Windows 10 or later. This free video editing software is a quick and easy way to edit videos, especially for Windows users who regularly use the native photo app. It has all the tools needed to bring your photos to life with a fun slideshow. You can add motion to photos and sync your show to the beat of your background music.

Why We Picked It

It comes with pre-designed animations, a good collection of filters and themes, and the ability to edit videos with music. This video editor for PC comes with all the basic track editing tools, such as splitting, trimming, adding text, and adjusting audio.

Bottom Line

Windows Video Editor is very simple to use, but has no advanced features and wouldn’t suffice for anything more than a short, simple video or photo slideshow. That is the reason we ranked it below Magix and Movavi, even though they lack free versions.

14. EaseUS Video Editor - Best for First-Time Users

Key Features:

• Cut and Merge Video: Allows users to trim or remove unwanted portions of video clips and merge multiple video files into a single composition.
• Video Overlay: Provides the capability to overlay additional video elements, such as logos, graphics, or other videos, on top of the main video footage.
• Text-Speech Exchange: Offers functionality to convert text into speech, allowing users to add voice-over narration or dialogue to their videos.
• Voice Over: Enables users to record and add their own voice-over narration or audio commentary to the video, enhancing the storytelling or explanatory elements.

Compatibility: Windows

TechRadar Rating: 4/5

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

Who It’s For

EaseUS Video Editor is an incredibly simple free video editing software for those with zero editing experience. It features a large preview window, with large icons that detail the pared-down editing tools and features.

Why We Picked It

With this video editor for PC, you can use basic tools such as trim, split, and rotate. We liked that it allowed us to easily mix audio and that the free version had no limit on video length.

Bottom Line

While we like the free version of EaseUS Video Editor for brand-new editors to get their feet wet, it is too basic for any serious video editing and does not include the effects and transitions found in the premium versions. We placed it last amongst the free video editing software that scored a publisher rating of 4 because the paid versions offer few tools.

15. VSDC Free Video Editor - Best for Presentations

Key Features:

• Motion Tracking: Offers tools for tracking and following the movement of objects or elements within a video, allowing users to apply effects or annotations that stay connected to the tracked objects.
• Video Stabilization: Provides functionality to reduce or eliminate camera shake or instability from video footage, resulting in smoother and more professional-looking videos.
• Chroma Key: Enables users to remove a specific color or range of colors from a video, allowing them to replace the background or overlay the video onto a different scene or environment.
• Voice Over: Allows users to record and add their own voice-over narration or audio commentary to the video, enhancing the storytelling or explanatory elements.

Compatibility: Windows

Trustpilot Rating: 3.9/5

Price: Free
*Premium version is $19.99

Who It’s For

If you are looking for a good solution to edit videos for business presentations, then VSDC Free Video Editor is a great option. It is a relatively easy-to-use software with all the basic tools you will need to create engaging video content. Plus it makes it easy to work with charts and create videos for specific multimedia devices.

Why We Picked It

This video editor for PC offers advanced editing features, such as color blending and masked effects, that you wouldn't expect from a free video editing software of its kind. It also offers precise edits with subpixel accuracy.

Bottom Line

Though VSDC Free Video Editor is more suitable for creating presentations, the casual video editor will find its features sufficient to make fun videos. However, the unpolished interface is confusing to navigate, and many tools are hidden behind submenus.

16. Kapwing - Best for Subtitles

Key Features:

• Color Adjustment
• Change Video Speed
• Cloud Storage
• Clean Audio Tool

Compatibility: Web Browser

Product Hunt Rating: 3.6/5

Price: Free
*Premium subscription available for $16/month

Who It’s For

Kapwing is a browser-based free video editing software that is perfect for anyone who frequently adds captions to videos. Accurate, auto-generated subtitles save creators tons of time and help increase views. We also found you can also copy and paste any URL into Kapwing and it will add subtitles, making it a helpful tool for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community to understand videos that were made without subtitles. In addition, Kapwing offers an auto-translation tool and text-to-speech.

Why We Picked It

The free version allows you to record your screen and add transitions and effects such as chroma key. This video editor for PC also includes free stock templates, team collaboration tools, and a meme generator.

Bottom Line

Kapwing is an easy-to-use free video editing software with some excellent captioning and audio tools. However, long-time users have noticed that the free version is slowly getting harder and harder to use, as more tools move behind a paywall. It can also be tricky to figure out which tools are free, leaving many with the predicament of spending hours on a project, only to find out they have to pay an expensive monthly fee just to download it. PowerDirector Essential has a much more affordable premium version (4 times cheaper!), so if you decide to spring for advanced features, you don’t have to change your lifestyle to afford it.

17. Lightworks - Best for Advanced Users

Key Features:

• Instant Autosave
• Background Processing
• Motion Graphics
• Filters and LUTs

Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Linux

G2 Rating: 3.5/5

Price: Free
*Premium subscriptions available for $9.99/month for Lightworks Create and $24.99/month for Lightworks Pro

Who It’s For

We found Lightworks to be the best free video editing software for intermediate to advanced users. While DaVinci Resolve is too intimidating for intermediate users, Lightworks is more inviting. So if you're looking to take your first step into professional editing, look no further.

Why We Picked It

Lightworks has been around for years, and the professional edition of this video editor for PC was used to edit box office hits like Pulp Fiction, 28 Days Later, and Congo. If you're willing to put in the work to learn this free video editing software, it's a great choice.

Bottom Line

One thing to note is that the free version of Lightworks only allows videos to be exported in up to 720p, while Pro can export in a broader range of formats and resolutions. Pro also includes some additional features and plug-ins.

18. Avid Media Composer First - Best for Budding Professionals

Key Features:

• Video Stabilization
• Time Code Tool
• Bulk Edit
• Multicam Editing

Compatibility: Windows, Mac

Tom's Guide Rating: 3.5/5

Price: Free
*Premium subscriptions available for $23.99/month for Avid Media Composer and $49.99 for Avid Media Composer Ultimate

Who It’s For

Avid Media Composer First is surprisingly robust for free video editing software, containing many of the pro-level tools you find in paid versions. It is the free version of Avid Media Composer, which is a popular program Hollywood professionals use to edit videos. Budding pros would do well to learn the ropes on this free, slimmed-down version before upgrading to professional software.

Why We Picked It

With this free video editing software, you can edit video on up to 4 video tracks and 8 audio tracks with 5 bins per project. It has a large amount of color-correcting tools and direct uploads to YouTube and Vimeo.

Bottom Line

Although Avid Media Composer First offers very professional tools completely free, it is too limited for professionals and too challenging for beginners. We placed it below Lightworks because Avid has a steeper learning curve, but above Movie Maker Online, which lacks any advanced features. 

19. Movie Maker Online - Best for Speed

Key Features:

• Transitions
• Speed Adjustment and Reverse Effect
• Chroma Key
• Blur Tool

Compatibility: Web Browser

TechRadar Rating: 3.5/5

Price: Free

Who It’s For

Based on our review, Movie Maker Online is the most accessible online tool to edit videos for free. If you don’t currently have a video editor for PC and need to quickly edit videos in a pinch, Movie Maker Online is a great solution. Simply go to the site, drag and drop your video clips, and start editing. No downloading software, no registering, no sign-up.

Why We Picked It

Movie Maker Online is also completely free and includes a library of text options, backgrounds, royalty-free music, and images.

Bottom Line

Movie Maker is also the best option for low-performance laptops, as it doesn't have a RAM requirement or needs a specific operating system to run. The downsides are that Movie Maker Online completely lacks advanced editing tools, and you can’t edit videos without an internet connection.

20. Adobe Premiere Elements - Best for Organizing Media

Key Features:

• Auto Reframe
• Video Stabilization
• Noise Reduction Tool
• Video-to-Photo Tool

Compatibility: Windows, Mac

PCMag Rating: 3.5/5

Price: 30-day free trial, then $99.99

Who It’s For

Adobe Premiere Elements is an easy-to-use, free video editing software. It comes with Organizer, a separate app that uses facial recognition to automatically tag your files. This video editor for PC also helps you select and organize the clips you want to edit.

Why We Picked It

It is a beginner-friendly yet scaled-down version of Premiere Pro, the popular professional video editor for PC. Premiere Elements allows you to edit videos in three modes: Quick, Guided, and Expert (though “Expert” is still not for professionals, but consumers who have graduated from the Guided module).

Bottom Line

Premiere Elements is great for home movies but lacks the advanced tools needed for any serious projects. Similar to Avid Media Composer First, Premiere Elements is ideal for beginners who want to get comfortable with an Adobe product before moving up to Premiere Pro.

21. OpenShot - Best for Beginners With Advanced Features

Key Features:

• Time Effects
• 3D Animations
• Title Editor
• Background Removal

Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Linux

TechRadar Rating: 3/5

Price: Free

Who It’s For

OpenShot is a free video editing software that gives beginners access to more advanced video editing tools and a little more room to grow. Beginners will find the built-in templates, real-time previews, and advanced timeline features helpful to learn the ropes of video editing, while intermediate users will appreciate the unlimited layering options on this video editor for PC.

Why We Picked It

This free video editing software is open source, so anyone can use and adapt the program to meet their needs. A recent update has added some much-needed tools, such as video stabilization and motion tracking.

Bottom Line

Both OpenShot and VideoPad received a 3 out of 5 rating and both are beginner-friendly. OpenShot edges out VideoPad by providing more advanced features. However, we would not recommend OpenShot for professionals as we found some features don’t work as expected and may frustrate those who edit videos on a tight deadline.

22. VEGAS Pro – Best for Color Adjustments

Key Features:

• 3D Editing
• Motion Tracking
• AI-Powered Video Upscaling
• Audio Editing Tools

Compatibility: Windows

TechRadar Rating: 3/5

Price: 30-day free trial, then $12.99/month for VEGAS Edit, $19.99/month for VEGAS Pro, and $29.99/month for VEGAS Post

Who It’s For

VEGAS Pro is a free video editing software with excellent color correction and color grading tools. You can apply color effects using LUTs, and adjust dark areas, mid-tones, and brightness with color wheels. There’s also a curve graph where hue, saturation, and lighting can be adjusted with a slider.

Why We Picked It

We also like this video editor for PC for its Notes feature, where teammates can leave virtual color-coded notes on specific areas of an edit and link them with a timecode. It also has speed adjustment tools, although they can be challenging to use.

Bottom Line

VEGAS Pro is a robust video editor for PC, however, it features an unintuitive interface, and doesn’t offer tutorials for beginners. It also doesn’t have a free-forever version, only a free trial.

23. MiniTool Movie Maker - Best for Instant Movies

Key Features:

• Batch Processing
• Resize Video
• Flip/Rotate Video
• Stickers

Compatibility: Windows

Source Forge Rating: 2.5/5

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

Who It’s For

MiniTool Movie Maker is a video editor for PC with tons of one-click options for beginners to use to create instant movies. It also comes with a large library of templates you can quickly customize by slotting in your videos and photos.

Why We Picked It

This free video editing software goes beyond the basics and offers motion effects, speed adjustments, color correction, and an audio extractor.

Bottom Line

MiniTool Movie Maker is quick and very easy to use. However, it lacks customization options. If you are a beginner who likes to flex a little more creativity, try PowerDirector, which allows you to edit videos with both manual and automatic options.

Best Free Video Editing Software Comparison Chart

How to Edit a Video on Windows PC

Up next we’ll show you how to make some basic edits using our recommended choice for best free video editing software, PowerDirector. Download it for free by clicking the button below and follow along.

1. Import your media files by selecting Import Media Folder and choosing the correct folder on your desktop. Then, click Select Folder.

2. Once your files are in the media library, start putting your video together by adding images, videos, or music to the appropriate timeline. To add a video file to the video timeline, select it in the Media Library and then drag and drop it to the video timeline.
3. You can split and trim clips using the Video Timeline Slider. Move the slider where you want to split the clip, then click the cutter icon. For a more in-depth look at splitting and trimming clips, click here.

4. To add transitions to your video, go to the Transition Room then click and drag a transition in between two clips.


For more information on adding transitions, click here.

5. To add title text to your video, click on the Title Room, then click and drag a template to the title track on the video timeline. Click the Designer button then enter the text you want to use.


Click here for a more in-depth look at adding text and titles to your video.

6. To add music, go to the Media Library Window and select Media Content, then Background Music. Choose the appropriate music track and drag it to the audio track section on the editing timeline.


Check out a tutorial on adding and editing music here.

7. Once you’re done making all edits, you’re ready to produce and save the video. Click Produce to export your video. Select the format you want and an output folder where the video file will be saved. Then hit Start.

Download the Best Video Editing Software for Free

Dozens of free video editing software options exist on the market today, but not all of them offer the same features and high-quality results. With the help of this guide, hopefully, you’ve been able to narrow down your search for a video editor for PC. And since these programs are free, you can try all the ones that suit your needs and level of expertise.

If you are still unsure which software to try, download our top pick for the best overall editor, PowerDirector. It is the only free video editing software on this list that works well for novice, intermediate, and advanced editors. It’s the perfect program to develop your skills.

Download PowerDirector by clicking the link below and become an expert-level video editor in no time.