DaVinci Resolve is widely regarded as the best free video editor overall, offering professional-grade tools for editing, color correction, visual effects, and audio post-production—free of charge and without watermarks. It supports Windows, macOS, and Linux, and is used by professionals for feature films and YouTube content alike.

For beginners, Clipchamp (web-based, free with Microsoft) and Movavi Video Editor are highly recommended for their intuitive interfaces and ease of use. OpenShot and Shotcut are excellent open-source options with strong cross-platform support and no hidden costs.

On mobile, CapCut stands out as the best free AI-powered video editor, with auto-captioning, script-to-video, and trending templates. VN Video Editor is a strong alternative for free, no-watermark editing on Android and iOS.

For online editing without downloads, Clipfly and Adobe Express offer free, no-watermark options with drag-and-drop simplicity. Invideo is powerful but requires a paid plan to remove watermarks.

Key Considerations:

  • No watermarks: DaVinci Resolve, Clipchamp, Clipfly, Shotcut, OpenShot, VN, and Movavi (free version).

  • Best for AI features: CapCut (mobile), Invideo (web).

  • Best for professionals: DaVinci Resolve.

  • Best for simplicity: iMovie (Apple), Clipchamp (Windows), or Movavi.

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InVideo
invideo.io › make › online-video-editor
Free Online Video Editor | Invideo
Invideo AI is an affordable alternative to economize your video editing process. As the best free video editor, Invideo AI is an all-in-one platform that eliminates the need for multiple tools or expensive laptops to create professional-quality ...
Rating: 4.7 ​ - ​ 530 votes
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TechRadar
techradar.com › pro
Best free video editing software of 2025: Fully tested and free to use on PC and Mac | TechRadar
Canva Video
Great for slideshows and social media clips · Operating system: Web, Windows, Mac, iOS, Android | Key features: Drag-and-drop interface, animations, screen recorder | Best for: Social media content creators, marketers
Price   $120.00
Discussions

Any good free video editing software recommendations?
As for a free editor you can’t go wrong with Black Magic’s DaVinci Resolve. More on reddit.com
🌐 r/VIDEOENGINEERING
23
11
August 31, 2023
Best Free and Lightweight Video Editor?
easy to run video editor but one that isn't lacking in features Pick one or the other. More on reddit.com
🌐 r/freesoftware
5
7
May 21, 2019
What's the best free video editor for Windows?

VirtualDub. But it depends on what you want to do.

More on reddit.com
🌐 r/windows
18
40
March 3, 2012
Whats the best free video editing software
Absolutely 100% Davinci Resolve for me. I have been editing my videos for the last 6 months and learned so much. I'm just now starting to get into the fusion page which is going to make my videos even more awesome. There's a bit of a learning curve to be sure. But it being free and open source means that you can improve on it yourself with the help of Chat GPT and plugins! If you need any more evidence, feel free to check out my channel. It's also Dandelion Monk, and you can clearly see the progression of my editing skills since I started. More on reddit.com
🌐 r/NewTubers
156
73
November 28, 2024
People also ask

Which is the best online video editor for beginners?

Invideo AI is an affordable alternative to economize your video editing process. As the best free video editor, Invideo AI is an all-in-one platform that eliminates the need for multiple tools or expensive laptops to create professional-quality videos.

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invideo.io
invideo.io › make › online-video-editor
Free Online Video Editor | Invideo
Is invideo a free online video editor?

Invideo is the easiest online video editor to use it is free to use. However, you will need a paid plan to export videos without the watermark.

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invideo.io
invideo.io › make › online-video-editor
Free Online Video Editor | Invideo
What is the best free video editing app for Instagram Reels?
CapCut is a top choice for free editing. It offers a comprehensive suite of features, including filters, transitions, and music integration, all without watermarks.
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optinmonster.com
optinmonster.com › home › 7 best editing software for instagram reels (free and paid)
15 Best Instagram Video Editing Tools Compared (Free and Paid)

non-linear video editing application

OpenShot Video Editor is a free and open-source video editor for Windows, macOS, Linux, and ChromeOS. The project started in August 2008 by Jonathan Thomas, with the objective of providing a stable, … Wikipedia
Factsheet
OpenShot Video Editor
Original author Jonathan Thomas
Developers OpenShot Studios, LLC
Factsheet
OpenShot Video Editor
Original author Jonathan Thomas
Developers OpenShot Studios, LLC
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OpenShot
openshot.org
OpenShot Video Editor | Free, Open, and Award-Winning Video Editor for Linux, Mac, and Windows!
OpenShot is an award-winning free and open-source video editor for Linux, Mac, and Windows. Create videos with exciting video effects, titles, audio tracks, and animations.
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Zapier
zapier.com › app picks › best apps
The best free video editing software in 2025
October 21, 2024 - ... Upload directly to social platforms including YouTube and TikTok, with support for chapters, thumbnails, and titles ... DaVinci Resolve isn't just the best free video editor on this list—it's one of the best video editors out there.
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Adobe Express
adobe.com › express › feature › video › editor
Free Online Video Editor | Adobe Express
... Begin a new project by selecting the video type you want to create or upload your own media and start from scratch. Browse thousands of free, fully customizable video templates in Adobe Express and select one that suits your visual style.
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OptinMonster
optinmonster.com › home › 7 best editing software for instagram reels (free and paid)
15 Best Instagram Video Editing Tools Compared (Free and Paid)
1 month ago - Pricing: Free version available Starts at $4.99/month · VN Video Editor has held its ground as one of the best free options for creators who want more advanced control without paying for a subscription.
Find elsewhere
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Canva
canva.com › home › video editor
Free Online Video Editor & Maker | Canva (Drag-and-drop)
3 days ago - Yes, Canva’s video editor has AI-powered tools like Highlights, which identifies your videos’ best moments in seconds, Enhance Voice, which removes background noise from voice recordings, and Magic Video, which creates social-ready clips in seconds by styling, cutting, and sequencing clips for you. You can also generate videos with a simple text prompt using Magic Media. ... Yes, you can edit videos on Canva’s free ...
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/videoengineering › any good free video editing software recommendations?
r/VIDEOENGINEERING on Reddit: Any good free video editing software recommendations?
August 31, 2023 -

hi :) i used to reaalllyyyy enjoy making and editing videos when i was younger, because my old school district used to pay for wevideo. when i transferred districts, they nixed my account because i was no longer a student there. also, i am graduated now, so i'd have to fend for myself regardless now anyway.

i have imovie on my macbook air, but it doesn't really do it for me, yknow? are there any good free softwares anyone would recommend? it's not for anything professional, just for a silly goofy hobby :)

take care!!

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Shotcut
shotcut.org
Shotcut - Home
Dan wanted to create a new editor based on MLT and he chose to reuse the Shotcut name since he liked it so much. He wanted to make something to exercise the new cross-platform capabilities of MLT especially in conjunction with the WebVfx and Movit plugins. ... Shotcut is a free, open source, cross-platform video editor for Windows, Mac and Linux.
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Movavi
movavi.com › home › learning portal › best free video editing software of 2026 we've tested [top 12]
Best Free Video Editing Software of 2026 We've Tested [TOP 12]
December 3, 2025 - You need fine control over color grading and effects. You don’t want to upload your content to a web app (privacy concerns). Difficulty level: 2/10 (very easy). The interface is straightforward and forgiving. ... FREE ClipChamp Is SECRETLY The BEST Video Editor!
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Oberlo
oberlo.com › blog › best-free-video-editing-software
32 Best Free Video Editing Software Programs in 2024
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. ... Shotcut ranks as one of the best free video editing software available for Windows, and it also performs well on Mac and Linux PCs.
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diyvideoeditor
diyvideoeditor.com › the diy video editor › video editing software reviews › best video editing software 2025 reviewed and compared
Best Video Editing Software 2025 Reviewed and Compared
September 24, 2025 - If you are looking for best prosumer product at a reasonable price then Magix Video Pro X is my choice and you can read about it here: Magix Video Pro X review. Finally if you are looking for a great video editor for Mac then take a look at ...
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Google Play
play.google.com › store › apps › details
YouTube Create - Apps on Google Play
Take your videos to the next level with YouTube Create, the official editing app from YouTube. Add filters & effects, royalty-free music, voiceover, auto-captions and more to easily make amazing videos that will captivate your audience — all ...
Rating: 3.5 ​ - ​ 18.2K votes
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Quora
quora.com › Can-you-recommend-a-free-and-user-friendly-video-editing-program-that-can-produce-professional-results
Can you recommend a free and user-friendly video editing program that can produce professional results? - Quora
Answer (1 of 2): It depends on what you mean by professional results, but virtually editing programs (and there are many dozens to choose from) produce output that will be of sufficient quality for professional use. In fact, nobody watching something you’ve edited will know which program ...
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Asclique
asclique.com › home › best free video editing software for beginners and creators
Best Free Video Editing Software for Beginners and Creators
October 13, 2025 - Platform: Windows, macOS, Linux Best for: Beginners who want professional-grade editing · DaVinci Resolve is a powerful video editing tool. While it’s known for its professional colour grading, it’s also beginner-friendly for simple editing ...
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Clipfly
clipfly.ai › home › video editor › video editor
Free Online Video Editor: Simple, Fast, No Watermark | Clipfly
Edit videos like a pro with Clipfly's free online AI video editor. Effortlessly make professional-quality videos for personal and business purposes with no watermark!
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Uptodown
en.uptodown.com › android › video editing apps
Best free video editors for Android
Cut moments, merge shots, add royalty-free music, filters, transitions, and text designed for social media, all from your smartphone. Whether you're shooting vertically for TikTok or Reels, or just want to polish your personal videos, here you'll find editors with templates, effects, and tools to create something impressive in just minutes.
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App Store
apps.apple.com › us › app › edits-video-editor › id6738967378
Edits: Video Editor App - App Store
2 weeks ago - Make videos you’re proud to share with Edits, the new video creation app from Instagram. Edits is a free video editor that makes it easy for creators to turn their ideas into videos, right on their phone. It has all the tools you need to support your creation process, all in one place.
Rating: 4.8 ​ - ​ 31.9K votes
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Quora
quora.com › What-is-the-best-video-editing-software-I-could-get-for-free-and-without-a-watermark
What is the best video editing software I could get for free and without a watermark? - Quora
Answer (1 of 10): From my personal experience, the best software is not even strictly a video editing program. Blender is, first and foremost, a 3D editing program. However, among its many features, it also has a node-based compositor (chroma key, color correction, rotoscoping, etc.), a motion ...
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Adobe
adobe.com › products › premiere › app.html
Free Video Editing App | Adobe Premiere on iPhone
Choose from hundreds of thousands of images, videos, stickers, fonts, and more to make your videos pop — or explore new ideas with generative AI right at your fingertips. ... Achieve studio-grade sound with powerful AI audio tools for crystal-clear voiceovers. And use your own voice to create amazing and perfectly timed sound effects. https://main--cc--adobecom.aem.page/cc-shared/fragments/products/premiere/pr-mobile · Yes, Premiere on iPhone is a free, standalone video editing mobile app.