For beginners seeking free video editing software without watermarks, the top choices in 2026 are:

DaVinci Resolve – Best overall for growth. Offers Hollywood-grade tools (editing, color, VFX, audio) in a free version with no watermark. Ideal for those willing to learn its steep but powerful interface. Runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Microsoft Clipchamp – Best for ease of use and Windows integration. Browser-based, with no watermarks and 1080p exports. Features templates, AI auto-captions, and stock assets. Requires an internet connection.

Apple iMovie – Best for Apple users. Free on macOS, iOS, and iPadOS with a polished, intuitive interface. Supports 4K export and seamless device handoff. Limited to Apple ecosystem.

CapCut – Best for social media creators (TikTok, Reels). Free, no watermark, with AI tools like auto-captions, background removal, and smart reframing. Available on Windows, macOS, mobile, and web.

OpenShot – Best open-source option. Simple timeline, unlimited tracks, and Blender 3D title support. Lightweight and beginner-friendly, though can lag on complex projects.

Shotcut – Best for flexibility and low hardware needs. Open-source, supports 4K/8K, and offers advanced features like chroma key and keyframing. Interface is less guided but stable.

All options listed are free, no watermarks, and suitable for beginners. Choose based on platform and workflow preference.

🌐
TechRadar
techradar.com › pro
Best free video editing software of 2025: Fully tested and free to use on PC and Mac | TechRadar
August 21, 2025 - However, a Windows desktop app is also available, and it's easily one of the best free video editing software for lightweight projects. When we reviewed this tool, we discovered an incredibly simple free video editor that's especially suitable for creating social media clips and shorter content. It takes more than a few UI design cues from Canva, which that’s no bad thing, and it's largely built for beginners and anyone who needs to crank out a lot of fresh video content fast.
🌐
Reddit
reddit.com › r/videoengineering › good "simple" free editing software?
r/VIDEOENGINEERING on Reddit: Good "simple" free editing software?
December 31, 2024 -

I'm not a proffessional video editor, I am not trying to do any complicatd edits. All I am trying to do is cut videos.

I was doing that with capcut, but then they started watermarking anything I clipped so I had to quit on that.

All I need is a bare bones timeline tool that lets me see what I'm clipping, and gives me the clip without putting a watermark on it.

People recommend Da Vinci but that seems like overkill for what I am trying to do.

🌐
Adobe Express
adobe.com › express › feature › video › editor
Free Online Video Editor | Adobe Express
The Adobe Express free video editor helps you easily create your own professional and custom videos in minutes, no design skills needed.
🌐
Zapier
zapier.com › app picks › best apps
The best free video editing software in 2025
October 21, 2024 - Basic edits are easily taken care of from a simple drag-and-drop interface, with performance that's on par with Clipchamp in the browser. The real standout feature, though, is 4K video downloads, with no watermark on the free plan. For the full suite of features, you'll need to pay $9.99/month. ... As an Apple user, it's hard to ignore iMovie. The beginner-friendly video editor has pretty much everything you need to put simple videos together.
🌐
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.
🌐
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 - The program itself started off in life firmly aimed at the “beginner” crowd but over the years constant development has resulted in a fully fledged “semi-pro” piece of software offering a range of new A.I. driven features ... The Movavi Video Editor has undergone significant development progress over the past few years and as a fully featured, easy to use video editor is certainly giving Filmora a run for its money.
Find elsewhere
🌐
Microsoft Store
apps.microsoft.com › detail › 9mvfq4lmz6c9
Movie Maker - Video Editor - Free download and install on Windows | Microsoft Store
1 month ago - Video Editor - Movie Maker for Windows 10 & 11. The fastest way to make video for YouTube, TikTok, or Instagram - no experience needed. Trusted by millions of users worldwide. Create stunning videos and slideshows with Full HD export and NO ...
🌐
Creative Bloq
creativebloq.com › photography › video editing software
Best free video editing software: cut clips for zero cost | Creative Bloq
June 14, 2025 - DaVinci Resolve 19 is our pick as the best free video editing software overall, offering a professional-grade suite of tools. Read more below ... VideoProc Vlogger is a beginner-friendly program with a user-friendly interface, yet boasts a ...
🌐
Blackmagic Design
blackmagicdesign.com › products › davinciresolve › edit
DaVinci Resolve – Edit | Blackmagic Design
Professional video editing, color correction, visual effects and audio post production all in a single application. Free and paid versions for Mac, Windows and Linux.
🌐
Lightworks
lwks.com
Lightworks - Easy to Use Pro Video Editing Software
It's perfect for producing high-quality videos that stand out from the crowd. Perfect for Lightworks beginners. Streamlined editing and a focused toolset offer a great way to get started. Free now and forever. ... Our best-in-class editing timeline is the beating heart of Lightworks.
🌐
CyberLink
cyberlink.com › home › blog › video editing
14 Best Free Video Editing Software for Windows PC in 2026
1 day ago - PowerDirector is the best free video editor for Windows. According to reviews from Movavi and G2, the software's interface is user-friendly and easy to master. Its intuitive tools and AI features are ideal for beginners, yet it still offers ...
🌐
CyberLink
cyberlink.com › home › blog › video editing
Top 12 FREE Video Editing Software with NO Watermark [2026]
1 day ago - Motion effects such as the Ken Burns effect, tilt, roll, pan, zoom, etc. ... If you own a GoPro or drone, then VideoProc Vlogger is the best free video editing software with no watermark for you.
🌐
Flixier
flixier.com
Powerful Online Video Editor | Easy, Fast and Free | Flixier
We believe Flixier is the perfect video editor for beginners, the powerful timeline lets you quickly arrange or stack videos in order and you can use our ready made transitions, motion titles and calls to action to add a professional look to ...
Rating: 4.5 ​ - ​ 334 votes
🌐
Digital Photography Review
dpreview.com › forums › photography and techniques › digital video talk
What’s the Best Video Editing Software for Beginners? | DPReview Forums
September 27, 2024 - DaVinci Resolve is a great video editing software for beginners. It has a free version with many features. You can start with simple edits and learn advanced tools as you improve. It’s a good long-term choice, but it needs a powerful computer to run smoothly.
🌐
ShortsNinja
shortsninja.com › home › blog › best free video editing software for beginners: 5 top picks
Best free video editing software for beginners: 5 top picks
November 27, 2025 - Unlike many web-based editors that restrict quality or add branding, Clipchamp's free plan generously offers watermark-free exports in crisp 1080p resolution. This makes it a standout option among the best free video editing software for beginners who prioritize ease of use and quick results.
🌐
Kapwing
kapwing.com › video-editor
Online Video Editor — Fast, No-Download Editing
Edit videos online with Kapwing’s free browser-based editor – no downloads needed. Featuring an advanced AI generator, auto-subtitles, translation, and simple drag-and-drop editing.
Rating: 4.8 ​ - ​ 6.61K votes
🌐
Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org › wiki › List_of_video_editing_software
List of video editing software - Wikipedia
November 28, 2025 - Can perform other non-linear video editing function such as montage or compositing · Can do the trimming or cropping without transcoding · The software listed in this section is either free software or open source, and may or may not be commercial.
🌐
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 you used...