30 Best Free Video Editing Software Programs in 2023
In a world dominated by visual content, a captivating video can help drive your brand’s success. But creating stunning video content is only possible with the help of editing software.
Most renowned video editing tools carry a high price tag, but there are some equally good options that don’t cost a penny. That’s great news for the starry-eyed entrepreneur!
Whether it’s Instagram Stories, Facebook ads, or YouTube product testimonials, using the best free video editing software will make your brand look slick and professional.
With the amount and quality of video editing software available, you don’t have to be Spielberg—or have his budget—to get epic results.
For this article, we’ve compiled the best free video editing software for 2023. Our list focuses on the most versatile video editing software that we could find. While each user has different needs, this guide will provide you with a good overview of what you can expect from each movie editor and how to get the best out of it.
We’ve divided our selection into the best free video editing software for desktop, mobile video editing apps, and video editors for Instagram. Ready to get started?
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Best free video editing software for desktop
The following is a list of free video editing software apps for desktop computers. Desktop applications typically have more editing power than mobile apps. You can use these video editors to produce longer-form content for YouTube or your website.
All of these video editors are either entirely free to use or have an excellent free version. And their use ranges from basic to advanced.
Available for Windows, Mac, and Linux
Blender, one of the best free video editing software on the market, is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux.
Blender is an open-source program that is entirely free to use. The tool was actually designed as a 3D animation suite, but it does come with a very good video editor app.
The editor allows you to perform basic actions like video cuts and splicing. You can also carry out more complex tasks like video masking. This makes it a very flexible video editor that caters to beginners and advanced users.
Some of Blender’s best features include:
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Live preview, luma waveform, chroma vectorscope, and histogram displays
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Audio mixing, syncing, scrubbing, and waveform visualization
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Up to 32 slots for adding video, images, audio, and effects
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Speed control, adjustment layers, transitions, keyframes, filters, and more
Pros: Perfect for advanced users who want sophisticated editing tools.
Cons: The sheer array of features makes the learning curve steeper. Most of the tutorials are focused on the 3D animation/modeling side.
Best for: More advanced projects that involve 3D animation.
Check out Blender user reviews
Available for Windows, Mac, and Linux
Lightworks is another great free video editing software.
Lightworks is one of the more powerful video editors on our list. It’s packed with tons of useful features to help you create high-quality footage. These include:
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High-precision video trimming
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Multicam support
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Export to 720p for YouTube
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4K support for a wide range of video formats
While most features are accessible in Lightworks’ free version, 4K video support for YouTube and Vimeo is only included in the paid version of the software, which costs around $25 a month.
Pros: Powerful video editor with various export options.
Cons: 4K video support only in the paid version. Some users may find Lightworks too advanced.
Best for: All-round desktop video editing.
Check out Lightworks user reviews
Available for Windows, Mac, and Linux
Shotcut is one of the best free video editing software for Windows, and it also works great on Mac and Linux PCs.
Shotcut is a fully open-source program, so you get access to all the features without needing a paid upgrade.
While this video editing software has great features and tutorial videos, some users may find the interface a little quirky. That’s because Shotcut was originally designed for Linux and its UX indicates that. But under the hood, it’s still a quality video editor.
Two of Shotcut’s most striking features are 4K HD resolution support and its timeline editing. Not many video editors offer 4K resolution support for free. Plus, Shotcut doesn’t require you to import your video into the editor: this can be a timesaver when dealing with large video files.
What’s more, Shotcut supports 1080p videos at 60 frames per second. You also get three lossless export formats to transfer videos without affecting their quality (the only downside is the huge file sizes).
Pros: Native timeline editing and 4K resolution support.
Cons: The quirky interface may be off-putting for some users.
Best for: 4K, HD, and 1080 video projects.
Check out Shotcut user reviews
Available for Windows, Mac, and Linux
DaVinci Resolve is arguably the most advanced video editor on the list. While it has many professional video features, its interfaces remain intuitive. Alongside video slicing and trimming, you can master audio and correct color. The app also gives you the option to add 2D and 3D titles to your video.
If you just want to trim and upload your videos, the rich feature set of DaVinci Resolve may be too extensive. However, if your video project is a little more advanced, the free version of this software is hard to beat.
DiVinci Resolve’s features include:
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Advanced trimming
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Multicam editing
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Color correction
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Audio mastering
Pros: Intuitive interfaces and incredible color correction.
Cons: Its wide array of features makes it a little overwhelming, and not all tutorials are free.
Best for: More advanced projects where you need to correct colors.
Check out DaVinci Resolve user reviews
Available for Windows, Mac, and Linux
OpenShot is entirely open source, making it one of the best video editing software in terms of accessibility.
OpenShot may remind Mac users a little of iMovie, with its easy-to-use drag-and-drop interface. However, OpenShot packs a lot more features, including unlimited layers and audio mixing.
This free editor strikes a nice balance between advanced features and a simple interface. It also shows real-time previews when you create transitions between clips.
OpenShot’s features include:
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Unlimited tracks/layers
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Clip resizing, scaling, trimming, snapping, rotation, and cutting video transitions with real-time previews
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Compositing, image overlays, watermarks
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Title templates, title creation, subtitles, 3D animated titles
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Advanced timeline (including drag and drop, scrolling, panning, zooming, and snapping)
Pros: Open source, unlimited layers.
Cons: Few video tutorials.
Best for: Great for users just getting started with video editing.
Check out OpenShot user reviews
Available for Windows, Mac, and Linux
Avidemux’s simple interface makes it one of the best editing software for beginners looking to make enticing video content. This program makes it a breeze to do basic editing, including:
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Simple cutting
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Encoding
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Filtering
If you are completely new to video editing, this might be a good place to start.
Pros: Very simple software; no need to read technical docs.
Cons: Not as many features as other video editors.
Best for: Basic editing tasks for beginners.
Check out Avidemux user reviews
Available for Windows and Mac
HitFilm Express is one of the best free 360 video editing software for Mac and PC users. It contains all the features you would expect from a basic editor: splicing, trimming, audio editing, and many more.
While some users may find HitFilm a little advanced, it’s still one of the best all-around video editors available. The free version of HitFilm includes over 180 special effects, with tutorials based on popular Hollywood movies like Star Wars. These make for a very interactive and engaging video editing experience.
Before you can download this software, Hitfilm asks you to share a status update on social media. However, this is a very small price to pay for such advanced software.
Hitfilm’s features include:
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Advanced cutting tools
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Keying for green-screen effects
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Audio and video filters
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Compositing tools
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Layers and masking
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3D video support
Pros: Truly professional video editor without the price tag.
Cons: It may take some time to learn the interface.
Best for: YouTuber vlogs (YouTube uploading is built in).
Check out HitFilm Express user reviews
Available for Windows and Mac
This online video editing tool is great for marketers, publishers, and agencies alike. Users praise InVideo for its amazing customer service, UX, and value for money. With support for intelligent frames, automated voice-overs, and much more, this desktop-compatible software is best in class for many different reasons.
The people behind InVideo add new high-quality templates regularly. The interface is quite simple and boasts amazing flexibility, making it ideal for both beginners and seasoned pros.
Invideo’s features include:
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Audio tools
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Brand/text overlay
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Collaboration
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Speed adjustment
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Split/merge
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HD resolution support
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Video stabilization
Pros: Awesome for creating quick presentation videos.
Cons: It is not an all-in-one, 360 video editor. You cannot add more than one audio file, etc.
Best for: Creating marketing videos or listicles for your blog.
Check out InVideo user reviews
Available for Mac
Good old iMovie comes baked into macOS. Like most native Mac apps, this video editor is very intuitive to use.
iMovie’s drag-and-drop interface makes it quick to move and edit video elements. Mac users can use this editing software as a playground for learning the basics of video editing.
iMovie’s features include:
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Library of pre-made transitions
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Video trimming
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Audio editing
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Split screen
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4K resolution support
Pros: Easy to learn.
Cons: Advanced users may find features a little limited; import and render times can be a bit slow.
Best for: Mac users getting started with video editing.
Check out iMovie user reviews
Available for Windows
One of the best free 360 video editing software only Available for Windows is VSDC. Its free version has a powerful set of features, including color correction and audio editing. Color blending lets you modify the look of the video to suit your brand image. Additionally, VSDC allows you to create varying shaped masks for blurring, hiding, or featuring specific elements in your footage.
If you’re looking for paid video editor recommendations, VSDC has a pro version for $19.99. It comes with all of the features present in the free version, plus image stabilization, voice-over support, and visual waveform. If you choose not to update to the pro version, you can get technical support for $9.99 per month or $14.99 per year.
Pros: Powerful features, including Instagram-like filters that save editing time.
Cons: Technical support is not free; supports Windows only.
Best for: Windows-based editing projects.
Check out VSDC user reviews
Available for Windows
Machete Video Editor Lite is the best free video editor for quick editing tasks on a Windows computer. Although the software doesn’t let you edit audio clips, you can remove audio tracks from your videos. Currently, Machete only supports AVI and WMV files.
Machete Video Editor Lite’s features include:
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Copy, cut, paste, and delete video file fragments
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Integrate one video into another of the same format
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Edit metadata (file tags) for all compatible media formats
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Extract the video stream as an individual file
The full version costs $19.95, and it allows you to edit audio and supports more file types.
Pros: Super simple to learn and use.
Cons: Windows only; does not support as many file types as other programs; no audio editing.
Best for: Simple video splicing.
Check out Machete user reviews
Available for Windows
VideoPad is one of the best video editing tools for taking your first steps into the world of multimedia video editing. It’s perfect for anyone starting to play around with video compositions, as it’s simple and easy to use. Advanced video editors may find it too basic, though.
VideoPad’s features include:
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Library of pre-made transitions
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Export movies in multiple resolutions
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3D video editing
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Reduce camera shakes
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Sound effects library
Pros: Robust features for directly exporting to YouTube and other social platforms.
Cons: Too simple for more advanced users.
Best for: Beginners getting started with video editing.
Check out VideoPad user reviews
Available for Windows
Freemake is a free video converter that helps you modify and convert videos, extract audio from video clips, and embed videos on websites. Fast and simple to use, the tool also lets you convert videos for playback on various mobile devices and gadgets.
The software can convert videos to more than 500 video file formats and supports multiple audio and image file formats for creating slideshows and video clips.
Freemake’s features include:
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Convert movies with subtitles
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Convert between 500+ formats
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Cut, join, and rotate clips
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4K resolution support
Pros: No specialist knowledge required.
Cons: New users have to wait three days to access some features.
Best for: Converting videos into different file formats.
Check out Freemake user reviews
Available for Windows
EaseUS is a simple and effective video editing tool, perfect for beginners and professionals alike.
It has features that help you make enticing videos to share on digital pages. You can trim MP3s, add effects, and even apply pre-made templates to your videos.
The EaseUS video editor can also be a handy special effects editor, allowing you to quickly add transitions, overlays, and filters to your clips for artistic purposes.
And because the free video editing software supports most audio, video, and image formats, you should have no problem importing and exporting files.
You’ll need the premium version of the software to remove the video watermark and access the widest selection of high-quality video services.
Features include:
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Access to various file formats, including MP3 and MP4
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Conversion files in the wrong format
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Excellent range of trimming, merging, rotating, mixing, and splitting features
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Plenty of special effects, filters, and overlays
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Templates to assist you in building your own videos from scratch
Pros: Ideal for adding special effects to your videos with minimal background knowledge.
Cons: Doesn’t have as many advanced features as other free video editors.
Best for: Adding filters and effects to your videos.
Check out EaseUS user reviews
Available for Windows
Windows Video Editor is the built-in editor for Windows offered by Microsoft. Convenient and straightforward, this tool is ideal for those in need of basic editing functionality. You’ll have access to a range of helpful tools for cropping, adding text or audio, and trimming content.
Already included with Windows 10 and up, this free video editor takes very little time to master. Within seconds, you’ll be adding new text and audio to your videos and experimenting with basic 3D effects. Features include:
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Auto-previewing to check the impact of your edits
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Animation tab for adding titles, credits, and music
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Easy-to-use file organization
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3D effects
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Auto-movie options for customizable video clip cuts
Pros: Auto-movie options; animation effects.
Cons: Windows only.
Best for: Hassle-free video editing on Windows PC.
Check out Windows Video Editor reviews
Available for Windows and Mac
Aimed at beginners and hobbyists, VideoProc Vlogger combines easy-to-use editing technology with fantastic versatility. This convenient tool is perfect for editing action-camera footage, with a range of advanced speed adjustment tools and presets. You can also access video-stabilization, time-lapse, and motion-simulation tools.
The learning center included with this video editing tool makes it quick and easy to figure out how different features work, so you can start designing great content—fast. You can even experiment with pan, zoom, and motion paths.
Some of the features you’ll discover include:
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30 LUTs for quick and easy color editing
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28 motion presets
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Audio extractor
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Advanced color correction
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Grain and noise removal
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Low light fix
Pros: Beginner-friendly interface; social media export options.
Cons: Lacks some advanced features.
Best for: Creating cinematic videos for fun, everyday moments.
Check out VideoProc Vlogger user reviews
Best free video editing software for mobile
These apps are for people who like to capture and share videos from their smartphones and edit videos on the go. While there are many great video editing apps out there, this list covers some of the best, most intuitive, and free-to-use video software for mobile devices.
Available for iOS and Android
Quik is a free video editing app by GoPro. It has auto-trim and auto-edit features that help you speed up the editing process. However, you can still edit your clips manually if you want more control.
It’s impressive what Quik can do automatically: it searches your video to find great moments and can even add transitions. If you really need a fast edit, this app is for you.
Pros: Auto editing features.
Cons: Some users may want more editing control.
Best for: Quick, individual video edits.
Check out Quik user reviews
Available for iOS and Android
Adobe Premiere Rush is a very popular Android and iPhone movie editor. Add music (your own or from the library included) and transitions, auto-correct the color, and you’re ready to share your video.
With its two modes, Freeform and Automatic, you can choose whether you retain editing control or let Adobe pick transitions and trim your clip automatically. Adobe users will be happy to know that this app syncs beautifully with other Adobe staples such as Lightroom.
Pros: Simple to use; Adobe Creative Cloud support.
Cons: Lacks a few basic functions, like the ability to rotate clips.
Best for: Basic mobile video editing.
Check out Adobe Premiere Rush user reviews
Available for iOS and Android
Horizon is a simple app that enables users to capture videos horizontally, no matter the position of their phone.
When we rush to capture a moment, we may forget to tilt the phone and capture the action horizontally. This app can help you solve that problem: all footage shot in the app is captured horizontally, no matter how you tilt your phone. Check out this demo to see how it works.
If you want to avoid vertically captured videos and make something quick, Horizon has you covered.
Pros: Very simple to use; never waste vertical content.
Cons: Android version is not as advanced as the iOS version; some in-app purchases may be necessary depending on your needs.
Best for: Always capturing film horizontally.
Check out Horizon user reviews
Available for iOS and Android
Promo is a great tool for creating gorgeous, professional videos, especially for social media posts and advertising. With a web and mobile version of the program, you can easily edit videos at your desk or on the go.
Features include:
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Audio tools
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Brand/text overlay
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Social sharing
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Speed adjustment
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Split/merge
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HD resolution
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Video capture
Pros: Super easy to use, very intuitive UX, and great automation.
Cons: It can be hard to position text and images in the mobile version due to the screen size.
Best for: A quick and simple way to create high-quality ads.
Check out Promo user reviews
Available for iOS and Android
Splice is one of the most popular free video editing apps available for iPhone and Android users. It’s simple to learn, due to its intuitive interface.
With Splice, you can add slow-motion effects, trim clips, and overlay multiple clips in just a few taps. Add some transitions and sounds from the large built-in library and your video is ready to share.
Splice’s powerful features let you:
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Control speed between transitions
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Add a custom outro, title slides, and text overlays
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Create slideshows with zoom and pan effects
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Animate clips with the Ken Burns effect
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Refine videos by adjusting saturation, contrast, and more
Pros: Simple and very easy to use.
Cons: Can be a bit glitchy.
Best for: When you need to edit a video quickly.
Check out Splice user reviews
Available for iOS and Android
One of the best free Android and iOS video editors, Vizmato makes it easy to create awesome videos and slideshows. The app allows you to clip, trim, and edit videos while also offering HD recording with instant video effects, themes, and filters applied. Built-in speed control allows you to speed up or slow down the effects on your footage. You can also add stickers and text to your video and insert custom background music while editing.
Another intriguing feature of this mobile editing app is the voice changer effects. With Vizmato’s editor, you can modulate your voice to sound like a ghost, chipmunk, baby, and more. This is ideal for recording voice-overs or telling lighthearted video stories. With one-tap export to social networks, you can instantly share videos with your followers on Instagram, Facebook, etc.
Pros: HD recording; instant video effects; voice changer.
Cons: Sometimes slow to render videos.
Best for: Creating share-worthy video content.
Check out Vizmato user reviews
Available for iOS and Android
AKASO GO is a convenient mobile video editing solution designed to give you more flexibility on the move.
With AKASO, you get a powerful editing suite that allows you to add effects like filters, transitions, and music to your videos.
You can also cut your clip to get the perfect moments and upload your creations to social media in seconds.
Features include:
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Comprehensive cutting and trimming features for clips
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Remote control video capture for your smartphone
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Professional editing with special effects and music
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Share your content on social media channels immediately
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Hundreds of great-looking stickers, animation, and caption texts
Pros: A fantastic app for editing videos on the go.
Cons: Slight learning curve for those not used to utilizing their smartphone for video capture and editing.
Best for: Creating action shots with your smartphone.
Check out ASAKO GO user reviews
Best free video editing apps for Instagram
We all love Instagram. But as an online entrepreneur, you know the importance of making your brand look professional on the app. So why not take your Instagram account to the next level with these video editing apps? All of the mobile video editing apps listed above work great for Instagram, too, but the video editing apps below have been designed specifically with the Instagram platform in mind.
Available for iOS and Android
Magisto is an award-winning AI video editor. Add your photos, video, music, and whatever else you want to include, and it will automatically edit and create your video. And the results are pretty impressive.
By choosing the type of story you want to tell, Magisto can save you lots of time, using its smart video editor to deliver you a professional video. It’s awesome for making quick Instagram posts. The app makes it look like you spent at least a couple of hours editing your work.
Pros: The AI results are truly impressive.
Cons: You sacrifice some editing control for speed.
Best for: Making quick, professional-looking videos.
Check out Magisto user reviews
Available for iOS
Boomerang Video Maker Loop, Available for iOS, helps you use your photos to create more engaging content. Upload a series of photos and Boomerang will turn them into a mini video. Thanks to compression-free export options, you can post high-quality videos to Instagram straight from the app.
Boomerang Video Maker Loop’s features include:
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Turn any video or Story into a boomerang
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Select loop length
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Remove watermark
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No distortion videos in social media platforms
Pros: Very easy to use and share content.
Cons: This is pretty much a one-feature app.
Best for: Turning photos into engaging video content.
Check out Boomerang Video Maker Loop user reviews
Available for iOS
Skyflow is great for time-lapse videos. It has several options, including HDR, motion blur, and light trails, choice of shooting format and resolution, and more. By condensing a lot of images into a short video, Skyflow can create interesting videos for your audience. Don’t be surprised if you get a stream of Instagram followers after posting a few time lapses on your IG page.
This app also does away with the need for tripods due to its impressive stabilization technology. This type of time-lapse video could work great to show how a product is made. After you’re done with your timelapse video, you can share it straight to Instagram. You can also shoot and export your time lapse with a 4K resolution.
Pros: Raw shooting and export; noise reduction for cleaner shots.
Cons: iOS only; may take a couple of attempts to get great results.
Best for: Shooting stunning time-lapse videos.
Check out Skyflow user reviews
Available for iOS and Android
There are times when you just want to post a video collage without making fancy edits. PicPlayPost is just the app for such moments. With the app, you can put together a collage in seconds to share travel videos, display how-to’s, and more.
PicPlayPost’s features include:
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Choose from nine frame video collages
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Add background soundtracks
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Import and add GIFs from Giphy
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Add a watermark with an image logo or text
Pros: Simple video editor without the unnecessary, confusing features.
Cons: Stitching multiple collages together requires an upgrade.
Best for: Creating gorgeous collages of your video footage.
Check out PicPlayPost user reviews
Available for iOS
While some native Apple apps fall short, Apple Clips is one of the good guys. This app covers most of your video editing needs for Instagram. You can stitch clips together and edit your timeline.
Two of the coolest features are the ability to edit your background and give your content a comic book feel. Another awesome feature is Live Titles: just record a video and Apple Clips will automatically add captions while you speak (in sync with your voice). Once done, go back and edit the titles to make sure they are correct.
Pros: Quick and easy to use; Live Titles feature.
Cons: iOS only.
Best for: Apple users looking to create quick, interactive video clips.
Check out Apple Clips user reviews
Available for iOS and Android
FilmoraGo is a solid video editing app without any watermarks or paid subscriptions. Add music, transitions, and trim video clips within the app.
You can easily add themes, text, and titles to your videos. There is a desktop version starting at $44.99 a year, but you can still get a lot of editing joy from the free mobile app.
Pros: Great for basic mobile video editing.
Cons: Not quite as good as the desktop version.
Best for: Adding text, themes, and overlays to customize your videos.
Check out FilmoraGo user reviews
Available for iOS and Android
Ideal for creators on the go, KineMaster is a free-to-use and wonderfully versatile editing tool. The app allows creators to shoot content, edit it, and upload everything from their phone or tablet in no time.
Unlike most mobile apps, which offer extremely pared-down feature sets, KineMaster is highly robust. You can splice, cut, crop, and combine videos easily. There are color filters and adjustments built in, as well as more than 2,500 downloadable effects.
KineMaster’s features include:
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Huge asset store full of extra effects and fonts
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Backup and sharing for video projects
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Reverse tool to make edits easy
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Edit and export 4K videos with 60 frames per second
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Eight blending options
Pros: Many fonts and effects; various blending options.
Cons: It can be a nuisance to import clips sometimes.
Best for: Creating professional-quality videos within minutes.
Check out KineMaster user reviews
Summary: 30 best free video editing software in 2023
Use the free video editing software in this list to start creating stunning videos today. Boost your ROI and maximize your ad spend by creating product videos and ads that present your brand in a visually appealing way.
So, let’s summarize and take a look at the video editing software that best suits your needs.
What video editing software is the best for beginners?
Avidemux, VideoPad
What video editing software is best for advanced projects with 3D animation?
Blender
What video editing software is best for 4K HD video projects?
Shotcut
What video editing software is best for Windows-based editing projects?
VSDC
What video editing software is best for Mac users getting started with video editing?
iMovie
What video editing software is best for video splicing?
Machete Lite
What video editing software is best for uploading vlogs to YouTube?
HitFilm Express
What video editing software is best if you need to correct colors?
DaVinci Resolve
What video editing software is the best to modify and convert videos, extract audio from video clips, and embed videos to websites?
Freemake
What mobile app is best when you need to edit a video quickly?
Splice, Quik, Adobe Premiere Rush
What mobile app is best for capturing videos horizontally?
Horizon
What Instagram video editing apps are the best for quick video edits?
Magisto, Apple Clips
What Instagram app is best for turning photos into video loops?
Boomerang Video Maker Loop
What Instagram video editing app is best for turning audio files into social shares?
Anchor Video Maker, Available for iOS and Android
What Instagram video app is the best for shooting time lapse?
Skyflow
What Instagram video app is the best for adding text, themes, and overlays to customize videos?
FilmoraGo
Summary: 30 best free video desktop and mobile video editors
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Blender
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Lightworks
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Shotcut
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DaVinci Resolve
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OpenShot
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Avidemux
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HitFilm Express
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InVideo
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iMovie
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VSDC Free Video Editor
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Machete Video Editor Lite
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VideoPad
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Freemake Video Converter
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EaseUS Video Editor
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Windows Video Editor
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VideoProc Vlogger
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GoPro Quik
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Adobe Premiere Rush
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Horizon
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Promo
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Splice
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Vizmato
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AKASO GO
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Magisto
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Boomerang Video Maker Loop
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Skyflow
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PicPlayPost
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Apple Clips
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FilmoraGo
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KineMaster
Take your desktop, mobile, and Instagram videos to the next level by using these video editors to quickly achieve professional results.
Happy editing!
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