15 Best Free Video Editing Software for Mac [Incl. M1/M2] 2024

The best free video editing software for Mac lets you create pro-level videos without breaking the bank. 

Maybe this is your first time trying to edit a video on Mac, and you're not ready to invest in expensive software. Or perhaps you want to create professional-looking videos without paying for pricey programs like Premiere Pro.

There are a number of fantastic free Mac video editor's available today. But beware, many free choices can be hit-or-miss; some only offer the most basic of features, while others let you edit videos with the same tools found in expensive, pro-level programs.

With that in mind, we have crafted a list of the best free video editing software for Mac. Learn the pros and cons of each to help you determine which option is the best free video editor for Mac for your needs.

• Snapshot of the Top 3 Free Video Editing Software for Mac
• How to Choose the Best Free Video Editing Software for Mac
• How We Test the Free Video Editing Software for Mac on This List
• 15 Best Free Video Editing Software for Mac [Incl. M1/M2] 2024
• Best Free Video Editing Software for Mac Comparison Chart
• How to Edit Videos on Mac for Free
• Download the Best Video Editing Software for Mac for Free
• Free Video Editing Software for Mac FAQ

Snapshot of the Top 3 Free Video Editing Software for Mac

How to Choose the Best Free Video Editing Software for Mac

How can you find the best free video editing software for Mac for your needs? Here are a few essential things to look for:

Compatibility - The best free video editor for Mac will support your operating system and export in the video, image, and audio formats you need.

Skill Level - The best free video editing software for Mac will be appropriate for your skill level. Getting a professional-level program when you have never edited before can cause a lot of trouble and waste valuable time. Instead, look for the best free video editing software for Mac that caters to beginners. These free Mac video editors will have an intuitive user interface, AI-powered tools, and plenty of one-click presets.

Features - The best free video editor for Mac will include all the features you use on a regular basis. For example, a chroma key tool if you use green screen effects, or a video stabilizer if you film lots of action footage.

As you read through our list of best free video editing software for Mac, keep these things in mind to help find your ideal choice.

How We Test the Free Video Editing Software for Mac on This List

Why should you trust us to provide an impartial list of the best free video editing software for Mac? Read below to see the process we go through to test free Mac video editors and how we rank them.

Test Similar Features - With so many free Mac video editors to go through, we need to choose a few basic tools as a control to compare apples with apples. We edit videos with the same core functions on each free video editing software for Mac: importing video clips, arranging them on the timeline, trimming, adding transitions, adding text and background music, and exporting.

Test Unique Features - Now it’s time to see what makes each free video editing software for Mac stand out from the others. We test and compare all the other features such as effects, color correction, audio editing, etc. 

Check Outside Reviews - Once we've formed our own opinions on the free Mac video editors, we check outside reviews to see if our findings line up. This helps eliminate any user errors on our end by causing us to re-test tools that had major discrepencies. We also include phrases in our reviews like “users reported” to show things we may not have seen but that are a common problem for others.

Rank the Software - Now that we have our group of the best free video editing software for Mac, it's time to rank them. First, we assign a score for “Beginner-Friendly Tools.” This number is based on both the number of features and the user-friendliness of the tools. Second, we include an outside review rating in our rankings to eliminate impartiality. And finally, we look at our testing notes and compare quality, format support, ease of use, bang for buck, customer support, and more.

15 Best Free Video Editing Software for Mac [Incl. M1/M2] 2024

1. PowerDirector Essential

Best For: Users of any skill level who want to edit videos on Mac with ease

Key Features: 

• Remove objects, blend clips, and create unique visual effects with a Mask Designer
• Edit videos on Mac quickly with thousands of customizable video templates
• Apply fun and striking visual effects to moving people with AI body effects
• Add captions and subtitles automatically with AI Speech to Text 

Compatibility: Mac, Windows

PCMag Rating: 5/5

Beginner-Friendly Tools: 5/5

Price: Free
*Premium subscription available for $4.58/month

Why We Picked It 

No matter your experience level, you won't have any issues using the best free video editing software for Mac, PowerDirector. It's designed to be simple enough for beginners yet powerful enough for professionals. Its wide range of editing tools includes a video collage designer, speed controls, chroma key, and a title designer. 

If you want to edit videos on Mac, you'll find PowerDirector has everything you need, from audio editing tools to color correction. It features thousands of drag-and-drop effects, so you can produce pro-level content in a few simple clicks. 

Bottom Line

PowerDirector offers more features in its free version than other free Mac video editors plus a 30-day free trial of its premium features, and a very affordable paid version. This allows the software to advance with you as your editing skills and budget grow. It also has advanced features for intermediate/professional users while staying beginner-friendly for new editors. For these reasons, we think PowerDirector is the best free video editing software for Mac. 

Download PowerDirector - PC Mag Editor's Choice for the Best Video Editing Software - for free by clicking the link below, and edit a video on Mac today.

2. VideoProc Vlogger

Best For: Action cam footage

Key Features: 

• Choose from a library of over 60 transitions  
• Change speed manually or apply one of 20 speed presets
• Remove extraneous sounds with background noise removal 

Compatibility: Windows, Mac

Capterra Rating: 4.4/5

Beginner-Friendly Tools: 4.5/5

Price: Free

Why We Picked It 

VideoProc Vlogger is the best free video editing software for Mac if you often shoot with an action camera or drone. It has fisheye removal to correct the lens aberrations that are a side effect of using a wide-angle lens. It is beginner-friendly, yet filled with advanced motion and color correction tools.

Bottom Line

This free video editor for Mac is an excellent choice for anyone with a travel vlog since it has amazing tools for GoPro, drones, and other action-style footage . However, VideoProc Vlogger has slow rendering and lacks editing features needed by professionals and advanced users. 

3. VideoPad

Best For: Beginners 

Key Features: 

• Create title text animations in seconds using templates
• Add slow motion and fast motion effects to videos
• Remove the background of your video without a green screen

Compatibility: Mac, Windows

Capterra Rating: 4.3/5

Beginner-Friendly Tools: 4.5/5

Price: Free

*Premium versions available for $70 for Home and $129 for Master's

Why We Picked It 

VideoPad is one of the best free video editing software for Mac for beginners because it offers some pro-level tools that are easy to use. It has advanced Pure Digital tools for audio editing, 360-degree and 3D editing, video stabilization, and green screen effects. 

Bottom Line

VideoPad is one of the best free video editing software for Mac because, like our top choice PowerDirector, it offers some advanced tools in a beginner-friendly package. It is second on our list of the best free video editing software for Mac because it offers fewer features than PowerDirector, and its free Mac video editor is not available for commercial use. 

4. Shotcut

Best For: Intermediate editors

Key Features: 

• Mix and match frame rates and resolutions in the same video
• Balance, fade, mix, and more with a full suite of audio editing tools
• Create composites with a variety of blending modes

Compatibility: Mac, Windows, Linux

G2 Rating: 4.2/5

Beginner-Friendly Tools: 4/5

Price: Free

Why We Picked It 

Shotcut is one of the best free video editing software for Mac for editors who have moved on from base-level software like iMovie. The program is open source, so once you download it, you will have access to all its features and you can customize the interface to your liking. In addition, this free video editor for Mac has unlimited undo and redo for edits, including a history view. 

Bottom Line

Shotcut is the best free video editing software for Macs for intermediate editors who want professional features without a professional price tag. However, the program can lag and freeze when dealing with large files. It also has a slight learning curve, so beginners who edit videos on Mac should stick with one of our top 3 options.

5. iMovie

Best For: Basic video editing for beginners  

Key Features: 

• Utilize split-screen & picture-in-picture effects for a broadcast feel 
• Remove your video's background and choose from a library of replacements
• Find 100 smart music tracks that automatically fit your video length

Compatibility: Mac

App Store Rating: 4/5

Beginner-Friendly Tools: 4/5

Price: Free

Why We Picked It 

iMovie is a convenient choice to edit videos on Mac since it comes pre-installed. It includes a set of easy-to-use audio and editing tools that can produce polished videos for free. This is one of the best free video editing software for Mac for iPhone footage, since it supports adjusting the focus on videos taken in Cinematic mode.

Bottom Line

If you have never tried to edit videos on Mac before, this is one of the best free video editing software for Mac you could try. However, if you do have editing experience, iMovie lacks the advanced features and tools you can find in other free Mac video editors, such as PowerDirector. 

6. Kapwing

Best For: Automatic subtitles 

Key Features: 

• Add visual sound waves with an AI audio waveform generator 
• Change the aspect ratio, add padding, and show safe zones for popular platforms 
• Edit videos with fun effects like freeze frame, glitch, or TV static 

Compatibility: Web Browser

Product Hunt Rating: 3.4/5

Beginner-Friendly Tools: 4.5/5

Price: Free

*Premium subscription available for $16/month

Why We Picked It 

This is the best free video editor for Mac for adding automatic captions and subtitles to videos. It includes AI-generated speech-to-text, an auto-translator, and text-to-speech tools. With this free Mac video editor, you can edit videos quickly using beautifully-designed templates including intros and end screens for YouTube, green screen templates, lower thirds, ads, and many more.   

Bottom Line

Kapwing is one of the best free video editors for Macs for beginners to edit videos, with AI tools and templates. Sadly, the free version is watermarked and has restrictions on video length and resolution (only videos under 7 mins, and only export up to 720p). The paid version is expensive and has far fewer advanced tools than more reasonably-priced professional software. 

7. Animoto

Best For: Fast and easy video creation with templates 

Key Features: 

• Record, upload, and edit voice-over
• Save your logo, colors, and fonts in a Brand Kit for repeated use
• Go from vertical to square to landscape in a few clicks

Compatibility: Web Browser

Capterra Rating: 4.3/5

Beginner-Friendly Tools: 3.5/5

Price: Free

*Premium subscriptions available for $15/ month for Basic, $24/ month for Professional, and $65/m onth for Professional Plus 

Why We Picked It 

Animoto is a cloud-based free video editor for Mac with free and paid versions. This program is the best free video editor for Mac for busy influencers who need to churn out a lot of content quickly. Animoto has hundreds of time-saving templates that adhere to social media best practices. 

Bottom Line

Choose Animoto as your free video editor for Mac if you don't have the time and/or skills to make creative decisions on your social media videos. It is not the best free video editing software for Mac for long-form or narrative videos, nor is it for anyone who likes creative control over videos. 

8. DaVinci Resolve

Best For: Visual effects for beginners

Key Features: 

• Attach graphics to a moving object with motion tracking 
• Edit videos on Mac with high-quality light leaks and lens flares
• Add subtitles or create 3D titles with advanced text tools 

Compatibility: Mac, Windows

TechRadar Rating: 4/5

Beginner-Friendly Tools: 3.5/5

Price: Free

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

Why We Picked It 

If you enjoy editing with effects, but also need a free video editor for Mac with basic editing tools, HitFilm is your one-stop-shop. It comes with everything you need to edit videos on Mac from start to finish, such as transitions, stock music, audio tools, and presets for social media. Future VFX artists and hobbyists will love trying out over 180 editing effects, including compositing and 3D tools. 

Bottom Line

If you are interested in learning how to edit videos on Mac with visual effects as a profession, HitFilm makes a great starting software. However, its not the best free video editor for Mac for beginners who don't need VFX-heavy software, and it's not advanced enough for professional editors. 

9. HitFilm

Best For: Converting video

Key Features: 

• Tweak contrast, brightness, and saturation, and adjust red/green/blue 
• Add subtitles with a built-In subtitle processor 
• Use a Joblist queue to automate videos for bulk processing 

Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Linux

Capterra Rating: 4.2/5

Beginner-Friendly Tools: 3/5

Price: Free  

Why We Picked It 

This free video editor for Mac has all the basic tools you need to edit videos like rotate, flip, join, cut, copy, and delete. It also has a wide array of export options. We think it is one of the best free video editing software for Mac because it can convert and save video or audio in almost any format.

Bottom Line

This free video editing software for Mac is strong, capable, and beloved by long-time users. However, even though Avidemux is a pretty bare-bones software, we found it can still take time to get used to. It is also pretty outdated and doesn't come with many trending tools like stickers, filters, or AI-powered tools. 

10. Avidemux

Best For: Industry professionals 

Key Features: 

• Utilize drag and drop or traditional three point editing tools to arrange and adjust clips 
• Automatically match the color, contrast, and brightness of any clip with Shot Match
• Build simple titles from scratch, or use a professionally-designed title template

Compatibility: Mac, Windows, Linux

PCMag Rating: 4/5

Beginner-Friendly Tools: 3/5

Price: Free

*DaVinci Resolve Studio available for $295

Why We Picked It 

DaVinci Resolve is one of the best free video editing software for Mac because of its high-quality, pro-level tools and features. Professionals will love the software's organization and timeline management tools. It offers a wide range of advanced features, including intelligent color correction, motion graphics, and visual effects.

Bottom Line

This free video editor for Mac is not for beginners as it is designed for industry professionals. If you are thinking of buying Adobe Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro for professional jobs, you should give DaVinci Resolve a try first. It could save you hundreds of dollars and potentially better fit your editing style. 

11. Lightworks

Best For: Aspiring professionals 

Key Features: 

• Edit videos on Mac with multi-point and asymmetric trimming, slide, ripple, roll, etc. 
• Choose from 100s of pro-level pre-set transitions  
• Mix audio with clip-based audio leveling with midi control 

Compatibility: Mac, Windows, Linux

G2 Rating: 3.5/5

Beginner-Friendly Tools: 3.5/5

Price: Free

*Premium subscriptions available for $9.99/month for Create and $23.99/month for Pro

Why We Picked It 

With this free video editing software for Mac, you can import just about any common type of media file. It has increased performance with optimized proxy files from HD, 4K, and 8K media. Plus, you can edit videos directly from your cloud storage.

Bottom Line

We think Lightworks is one of the best free video editing software for Mac for intermediate to advanced users. It is easier to use than DaVinci Resolve or Avid Media Composer First, but much harder than most free editing apps for Mac. It's one of the best free video editors for Mac for anyone with dreams of being a professional editor, as you can learn advanced software at no cost, but upgrade when you are ready. 

12. OpenShot

Best For: Beginners 

Key Features: 

• Split audio from video, display waveforms, and render waveforms as part of your video 
• Manually animate the speed and direction of your clip with keyframes
• Choose from 40+ customizable vector title templates 

Compatibility: Mac, Windows, Linux

Creative Bloq Rating: 3/5

Beginner-Friendly Tools: 3.5/5

Price: Free

Why We Picked It 

OpenShot is free video editing software for Mac that simplifies advanced features you would see in more expensive programs. Beginners will find the built-in templates, real-time previews, and advanced timeline features helpful in learning the ropes of editing, while intermediate users will appreciate the unlimited layering options this free video editor for Mac has to offer.

Bottom Line

OpenShot is lightweight, easy to use, and has some advanced features. However, it does not have the professional quality of other free Mac video editors such as PowerDirector, DaVinci Resolve, and HitFilm. Also, this free video editing software for Mac is prone to freezing and some effects don't work properly. 

13. Movie Maker Online

Best For: First-time editors

Key Features: 

• Change the look of your video with filters
• Combine video clips, photos, and music into an animated slideshow
• Blur a whole video, the background, or just the text

Compatibility: Web Browser

TechRadar Rating: 3.5/5

Beginner-Friendly Tools: 3/5

Price: Free

Why We Picked It

If you have never tried to edit videos on Mac before, Movie Maker Online is the best free video editor for Mac for you. It is a good way to learn basic video editing without paying a dime. There is no learning curve, no download, and no signup, which means you can simply visit the site and start editing right away. You can also try out some fun effects like greyscale, mirror, slow-motion, and reverse.  

Bottom Line

Edit videos on Mac with Movie Maker Online if you want a completely free and simple tool. However, it lacks advanced features, and it has a very unconventional layout. The timeline is vertical and takes some getting used to if you've used other free video editing software for Mac before. 

14. Blender

Best For: Animation 

Key Features: 

• Create realistic hair, fur, or grass with a curves-based hair system 
• Vector Displacement Maps and brushes create complex shapes more easily
• Create realistic simulations such as smoke, fire, fluid, and cloth

Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Linux

PCMag Rating: 4/5

Beginner-Friendly Tools: 2/5

Price: Free

Why We Picked It 

This free video editor for Mac is the best free video editing software for Mac for animators or editors interested in 3D. Blender has advanced tools like 3D painting, modeling, sculpting, onion skinning, and more at no cost. Blender also has some basic editing tools, so you don't have to switch to another program to finish your video. 

Bottom Line

Blender offers complex animation and VFX tools and is not the best free video editor for Mac f or the faint of heart. Beginners who are interested in animation as a career should put in the hours to learn, but those interested solely in VFX may do better with HitFilm. Blender's abundance of professional features is what put it on our list of best free video editing software for Mac, but its high learning curve and narrow focus keep it at the bottom of that list. 

15. Avid Media Composer First

Best For: Learning Avid Media Composer

Key Features: 

• Enjoy multicam editing with a 4-way split in the free version, and up to a 9-way split in paid versions 
• Edit audio with audio ducking and punch-in tools 
• Use motion effects such as time warp and stabilization 

Compatibility: Mac, Windows

Tom's Guide Rating: 3.5/5

Beginner-Friendly Tools: 2/5

Price: Free

*Premium subscriptions available for $23.99/month for Media Composer and $49.99/month for Ultimate

Why We Picked It 

Avid Media Composer First is the best free video editor for Mac for professional and advanced editors who want to learn Avid to further their careers. It's a slightly pared-back and slightly easier free video editing software for Mac that won't cost you a dime. With Media Composer First, you can use green-screen effects, stabilize footage, add transitions, adjust speed, mix audio, and much more. 

Bottom Line

We know there are advanced editors out there who are stuck working on independent and low-budget films. Hollywood films and TV shows keep passing them by, simply because they want an editor proficient on Avid. Avid Media Composer First makes learning the Avid system a much easier prospect. However, this free video editing software for Mac still has a steep learning curve, even for advanced editors used to other software. 

Best Free Video Editing Software for Mac Comparison Chart

How to Edit Videos on Mac for Free

To learn how to use the best free video editing software for Mac, download PowerDirector by clicking the link below and then follow along.

1. Open PowerDirector, choose an Aspect Ratio for your video, and select New Project.
2. Drag and drop your video files onto the Folder icon. They will be added to the Media Content library 
3. Drag your clips to the Video Timeline in the correct order.

4. Select Save Project to save your video.

Now that you know how to set up a video project, we will dive into some basics for how to edit videos on Mac.

How to Trim a Clip

1. Click on a video clip and then click the Scissor icon. Drag the yellow sliders to mark your in and out positions, then click OK. Everything outside of your sliders will be deleted.

How to Split a Clip

1. Move the slider where you want the clip to split in two, then click the Split icon (cutter icon).

2. If there is a portion of the clip you don’t wish to keep, select it, then hit Delete. If you aren’t planning to drag another clip in the center, choose Remove and Fill Gap.

How to Add Transitions Between Clips

1. Open the Transition Room (looks like a lightning bolt) from the left-hand menu.
2. Click on a transition to view it in the Preview Window. When you have found the one you like, drag it between two video clips.

How to Add Text

1. Click on the letter T icon from the menu on the left to open the Title Room.
2. Preview the fonts. When you find one you want to use, drag it to a video track under your clip on the timeline.

3. Click on the title in the timeline, then click the Designer button above the timeline.

4. Type your text and make changes in the Title Designer.

Here you can change the text’s color, add shadows, bold, italicize, and more.


5. Click OK to save your title.

How to Add Music

1. Click Media Content along the top and choose Background Music.
2. Scroll over and hit the Download button of your chosen track.

3. Once it downloads, drag it to the Audio Track on the timeline.

How to Produce Your Video

1. Click the Export tab from the very top of the screen.
2. Click the Local tab and choose a video format. If you wish to upload directly to YouTube or Vimeo, click the Online tab.

3. Select the Output Folder where your video will be saved.
4. Click the Start button to produce and save your video.

For more information on how to edit videos on Mac with PowerDirector, click here.

Download the Best Video Editing Software for Mac for Free

Dozens of free Mac video editors exist on the market today, but not all of them offer the same features and high-quality results. We think PowerDirector is the best free video editing software for Mac because it not only has advanced, pro-quality features, but it is easy to use, intuitive, and has an affordable paid version.

PowerDirector is always up-to-date with the latest technology and trending design packs that are added monthly. This free video editing software for Mac appeals to every skill level. 

Click the link below to try out PowerDirector today and edit videos on Mac with ease.