Video editing is a popular hobby and profession for many people(me included!), but not everyone can afford to pay for expensive video editing software. Fortunately, there are several free video editors available that can provide a great editing experience for free. In this article, we’ll go through some of the best free video editors available and their pros and cons.
Kdenlive
Kdenlive is a powerful and user-friendly video editor project started around 2002 that is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux. It has a simple and intuitive interface and comes with a bunch of features such as many visual and audio effects, color correction, and keyframe animations.
Pros:
-Simple and intuitive interface
-Lots of features
-Good overall performance
Cons:
-Slow updates
-May be complex for starters
Shotcut
Shotcut is a popular open-source video editor that is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux. It has a user-friendly interface and supports a wide range of video formats, including 4K. It’s also available in over 70 languages, which is a plus for people who don’t speak more than one language.
Pros:
-User-friendly interface
-Wide range of video format support
-Available in over 70 languages
Cons:
-Limited built-in effects and transitions
OpenShot
OpenShot is a video editor that is available for Windows, Mac, Linux and ChromeOS. The project started around 2008 and is known for its simple intuitive interface. It has 3D animations, and curve-based keyframe animations, etc.
Pros:
-Simple and intuitive interface
-3D animations
-Chrome OS support
Cons:
-Limited audio editing capabilities
DaVinci Resolve
DaVinci Resolve is a powerful video editing software that is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux. Although it has a paid version, it also offers a free version that provides an impressive set of features. This video editor is known for its professional-grade features such as fusion, fairlight and many audio editing features.
Pros:
-Professional-grade features
-Wide range of video format support
-Free version offers an impressive set of features
Cons:
-Steep learning curve for beginners
-May require a powerful computer to run smoothly
-Free version is limited
VSDC Free Video Editor
VSDC Free Video Editor is a powerful video editor that is available for Windows only. It comes with support for 3D effects, 360 degree videos and has features such as motion tracking and support for VirtualDub plugins.
Pros:
-360 degree video editing
-Expandable with plugins
Cons:
-Difficult for beginners
-Windows only
In conclusion, if you wish to get started with video editing, there are many free options you can pick from. Each editor has its pros and cons, but they all have support for “universal” things, and will be enough for most of your needs as a beginner.
