Video editing is the necessary process by which we can cut scenes, rearrange them, add effects, and generally bring the video to our fingertips.
Here’s what are the best free and paid video editing apps for beginners and advanced.
In recent years the internet has been filled with aspiring YouTubers trying to unleash their talent. Anyone can now grab a camera or a cellphone, shoot a video, and upload it to an online video service.
Editing is almost always necessary, either to cut unnecessary scenes or to make the video more “interesting”. It’s no coincidence that there is a separate Oscar for online video editing.
Whether it’s a beginner just trying his luck or a professional, there are countless video editing apps out there that cover all tastes. Doing something as simple as adding subtitles to videos will require video editing software for it to be done properly.
As mentioned above, an average user is looking for very simple things from a video editing program. What interests him is that he is able to cut scenes he does not want or join two or more videos together.
At times he may need to put an audio file in his video, like a music cover, or add the contributors to the end captions.
In very extreme cases, it will also add some transition effects between scenes.
There are many free applications that make all this work easy and fast. There’s no real reason for a simple user to download a sophisticated business program like Adobe Premiere – with all the risks it has – when all it asks for is the above.
The following applications are completely free and make video editing easy.
Windows Movie Maker
Windows Movie Maker is a free video editing tool from Microsoft. In earlier versions of Windows, the program was bundled with the operating system.
Windows 10 is not officially supported, but we can still use it by downloading it from the Microsoft official site.
This is a very simple and easy to use program. It gives us the ability to shoot and edit videos, add sound, put different effects at the beginning and end of a scene, and more.
It remains a good choice for those who have become accustomed to Windows XP and can do just that.
Free Video Editor
This is one of the simplest and easiest programs for cutting and trimming scenes.
All we have to do is select the points we want to cut a video and tap on the toolbar scissors.
The program does not have many extra options, but it is ideal for those who want absolutely basic tools.
The installation must be careful because it will try to install third-party applications. Of course, if you have Unckecky installed, you don’t have to worry about anything.
Shotcut
Shotcut is an open-source program and has many more features than the above.
However, it remains simple and easy to use and supports multiple types of videos.
It’s a must for anyone who doesn’t want Windows Movie Maker but is looking for a program with more features than Free Video Editor.
Its great advantage is that it has versions for Windows, Mac, and Linux.
There are also several noteworthy free applications in this category that will satisfy even the most demanding.
Some of them are entirely free, others have paid versions, but all are aimed at users who want to take video editing more seriously.
HitFilm 4 Express
HitFilm 4 Express claims it can do everything from simple video editing to complex custom effects. It is an excellent product of professional standards.
To download it, it asks us to share it on some social media.
He will then ask us to sign up so that the link from which we can download the program will be sent to our e-mail.
Once we have it installed, we are now ready to start editing the video. For those familiar with such programs, it is quite easy to use.
This app is something like a combination of Adobe Premiere with Adobe After Effects since one can use it for many different tasks. It targets a wide range of users, from beginners to professionals.
If you like custom effects but don’t know where to start, HitFilm 4 Express is the perfect solution.
The program is available for Mac OSX 10.9 and up, and Windows 7 and up, only 64-bit. It also has a paid version with additional features.
DaVinci Resolve
DaVinci Resolve is a video editing program and is available for free. It comes in the category of professional tools, and there is a paid version that supports 4K resolutions, 3D tools, multiple graphics cards, and more.
To download it and be able to use it, we must first register.
This program specializes in color correction. It has even been used in Hollywood films for this purpose since it can automatically “match” colors from two different cameras.
It is easy to use for the connoisseurs, and it will not be too difficult for a beginner. It’s a great tool if you’re primarily interested in video editing.
The free version is supported on Windows and Mac, while the paid version is also supported on Linux, which is relatively uncommon in software, usually, Linux takes the lead in free applications.
Blender
Blender is an open-source program and one of the best free applications for video creation and editing.
Its strengths are 3D modeling and animation, but it does just as well in simple video editing.
Its only drawback is its complexity. You need to devote several hours to learn its functions. On his page, we can find detailed instructions on everything.
For those who are looking for a powerful professional tool that can do anything, Blender will not disappoint them.
The program has versions for Windows, Mac, and Linux.
Online video editing: FlexClip
Very well all these programs, but what happens when we edit video once a year?
In these cases, it’s worth resorting to online solutions. They are easy to use and do not need the installation.
One of those powerful yet easy online video editing services is FlexClip. Users of all levels can create and edit videos without difficulty. It offers over one million of stock choices (photos, videos, audio tracks).
With just a few clicks, we can cut videos, split them, rotate, add captions, transitions, voiceovers, and background music. The final work can be downloaded without a watermark and in different resolutions (480p, 720p, 1080p)
Motionbox
Motionbox is a video design platform that features an arsenal of tools that cuts down the effort of creating any visual content. It features a library of templates that can be used as-is or may serve as the foundation of your design. It also has a collection of fonts and multimedia files that include audio, images, and videos, most of which you may freely use for your project.
Motionbox is quite easy to use, thanks to its drag-and-drop interface that brings creativity out of its users. With features such as music visualizer, GIF editor, video auto subtitles, and video meme maker, it offers an unlimited possibility when it comes to design.
How often do you edit videos? What program do you use for video editing? Have you tried any of the above applications? Write to us in the comments about what is considered best and why.