Best Video-Editing Software for Beginners

Do you enjoy creating videos? Do you need to edit video content for yourself or others? Whether you're sharing videos from your road trips with your friends, creating a video blog on some topic, or just sharing your thoughts via video on Facebook or YouTube, you need video-editing software that is simple to use and will get the job done for you. Our list of the best video-editing software for beginners will help you choose the right program for your needs.

Our top picks for good video-editing software for beginners range from free programs to those that require a monthly subscription or one-time purchase. Use this comparison table to quickly examine features and prices.

We use affiliate links to some of the programs mentioned on this page. When you click an affiliate link and make a purchase, we receive commissions. If you want to support our portal, you can use the links. Otherwise, you can find the recommended products using a search engine.

Price: free trial, $54.95 one-year license, $74.95 lifetime license

OS: Windows, macOS

PCMag rating: 4 out of 5

Movavi Video Editor lets you easily create and edit great-looking videos – no prior experience required. This is a terrific program for beginners, no prior skills are required to master the program's easy-to-use drag and drop operations. As intuitive as it is easy to use, Movavi Video Editor also includes many advanced features, including an audio editing tool, filters, transitions, and file sharing. Movavi Video Editor is available for both Windows PCs and Macs. There's also a free trial version available, so you can test the software before purchasing.

Key features

• User-friendly interface with tabbed controls

• Includes large collection of video samples, backgrounds, and audio clips

• Montage Wizard automatically turns your footage into a themed movie

Pros

• Easily converts vertically shot videos to horizontal widescreen format

• Works on both Windows and Mac

• Exports movies into all popular video file formats

Cons

• In the trial version, you can only save videos with watermarks

#ComissionsEarned

Price: $55.95

OS: Windows

PCMag rating: 3.5 out of 5

Nero Video is an easy video-editing software for beginners that lets them edit videos like professionals. Ready-to-use templates make it easy to create great-looking projects from your existing video content. Nero's Express Mode lets you edit your videos faster and easier than with other programs. Drag-and-drop your video clips and special effects into the program's drop zone to create a 1-Click Video Story. The software includes more than a thousand film templates and special effects and offers multi-track editing in HD, 4K, and 8K resolutions.

Key features

• Drag-and-drop video editing

• Express Mode for faster editing

• Easily transfer videos from mobile devices, external hard drives, and camcorders

Pros

• 1-Click Video Story creation

• Green screen and other professional effects

• HD, 4K, and 8K support

Cons

• No direct sharing to social networks

• Nontraditional interface

Download Nero Video

Price: free

OS: Windows, macOS, Linux

G2 rating: 4.4 out of 5, 27 reviews

OpenShot is a free open-source video-editing program available for Windows, Mac, and Linux computers. The software lets you create professional-looking movies from your videos, photographs, and music files, complete with special effects and transitions. OpenShot also includes chroma key green-screen effects, as well as 3D animated title sequences. The movies you create can be exported to YouTube and other social media, as well as DVD and all major video formats.

Key features

• Keyframe animations

• Essential editing features like cut, resize, trim, snap, and rotate

• Transitions, titles, animations, and more

Pros

• 100% free, open-source software

• Export to many devices or straight to DVD

• Many advanced features like chroma key, transitions, and more

Cons

• Some advanced features take time to learn

• Can be slow editing larger videos, especially on lower-end computers

Download OpenShot

Price: free

OS: macOS, iOS, iPadOS

Capterra rating: 4.5 out of 5, 215 reviews

iMovie is a popular free video-editing program for Apple users. It's available as software for Mac computers and an app for iPads and iPhones. This is the easiest video-editing software for Mac users and includes a variety of filters, studio-style titles, and visual and sound effects. You can also use iMovie for voiceover recording – and, even though it's free, there are no watermarks on the videos you create. For many Apple users, this is the only video-editing program to use.

Key features

• Magic Movie lets you create stylish videos with just a few taps

• Storyboards with premade templates guide you through the movie-making process

• Intuitive editing and great-looking special effects

Pros

• Works across all Apple devices

• Short learning curve

• Makes it easy to create basic videos

Cons

• Not available for Windows PCs

• Few advanced features

Download iMovie

Price: free Community version, $15/month Creator, $79/month Premium

OS: Web-based

Capterra rating: 4.6 out of 5, 122 reviews

Lumen5 is a web-based video-editing service designed for social media marketing. The program lets you easily transform text from blog posts and other sources into attention-grabbing videos for sharing on social media. Just drag and drop or copy and paste your text into Lumen5, choose a template, and the program automatically creates a great-looking video, complete with music.

Key features

• Drag-and-drop interface

• Content library millions of stock photos, videos, and audio files

• Customize videos with your logo, watermark, and other images

Pros

• Strong social media integration

• AI-powered technology for easy content creation

• Operates on any computer or device via your web browser

Cons

• No image or sound editing

• Limitations on free and lower-priced versions

Go to Lumen5

Price: free

OS: Windows, macOS, Linux

Capterra rating: 4.6 out of 5, 685 reviews

Blender is a free open-source video-editing program that focuses on all forms of 3D creation, including modeling, rigging, animation, simulation, and rendering. The program also includes a video editor that lets you perform basic tasks such as cutting and splicing, as well as video masking, color grading, and more advanced actions.

Key features

• Production-ready VFX

• Camera and object tracking

• 2D and 3D drawing

Pros

• Powerful 3D modeling and rendering

• Complete 3D animation toolkit

• Built-in audio mixer

Cons

• Focus is on 3D modeling, not video editing

• Steep learning curve

Download Blender

Price: free trial, $69.99

OS: Windows, macOS

PCMag rating: 3.5 out of 5

Adobe^® Premiere^® Elements is Adobe's beginning-level video-editing program but with many pro-level features. It's easy to use and integrates well with other Adobe products, including Photoshop^® Elements. Adobe Sensei AI technology helps to automate the creative process, then you can customize your videos with multiple tracks and keyframe-based editing. Includes a large number of transitions and special effects, including animated overlays. You can even match the length of your background music to the video length and clean up grainy, poor-quality videos. Use Premiere^® Elements to create photo slideshows with music, animated social media posts, video collages, and other video-based projects.

Key features

• AutoReframe crops to different aspect ratios

• Guided Edits automate both basic and advanced projects

• Built-in background music tracks

Pros

• Clear and simple interface

• Large number of video effects

• Integrates with Photoshop^® Elements and other Adobe products

Cons

• Rendering can be slow

• No VR or 3D editing

Download Adobe^® Premiere^® Elements

Price: free

OS: Windows, macOS

Capterra rating: 4.4 out of 5, 14 reviews

HitFilm Express might be the best free video-editing software for beginners. The program includes more than 400 effects and presets to help create great-looking videos. Editing is made easy with color-coded tracks and a customizable workspace. Paid add-ons enable color grading, chroma key, and other specialized visual effects. Exports to 4K formats with no watermarks.

Key features

• Intuitive interface

• Professional editing tools

• Motion-tracking and animation tools

Pros

• Unlimited audio and video tracks

• Built-in audio mixer

• Professional effects and features

Cons

• Nontraditional interface

• Many features available only with paid upgrade packages

Download HitFilm Express

Price: free trial, $3.49/month

OS: Windows

CNET rating: 4.5 out of 5

As the name implies, MAGIX Video Easy makes it easy to create professional videos. The program's intuitive interface and step-by-step wizards help beginners turn content from any source into a great-looking video, complete with titles, transitions, and special effects. You can easily add your own narration or background music and export to DVD, Blu-ray disc, YouTube, and other media.

Key features

• Automatic color correction tool fixes poor lighting and color

• Slow-mo and time-lapse effects

• Includes title templates, transitions, and zoom effects

Pros

• Intuitive user interface

• Step-by-step wizards

• YouTube and social media sharing options

Cons

• Lacks advanced features

• Pricey for what it offers

Download MAGIX Video Easy

Price: free with in-app purchases

OS: Android, iOS, iPadOS

Apple App Store rating: 4.3 out of 5, 317 reviews

Google Play rating: 4.2 out of 5, 4.9 million downloads

KineMaster is a mobile video-editing app for both Android and Apple devices. It has a well-designed interface and a number of robust editing features. Choose from videos and photos stored on your phone or tablet, pick a subject, add effects and transitions, then save your project. You can view completed videos on your device or upload to Facebook, YouTube, and other social media – no computer necessary!

Key features

• Designed specifically for mobile devices

• Simple user interface for beginners

• Basic editing tools (text, rotations, trimming, etc.) plus effects and transitions

Pros

• 4K video editing

• Large collection of music, fonts, stickers, etc.

• Direct upload to YouTube and social media platforms

Cons

• Remove watermark only with in-app purchase

• Users say that some updates make the app harder to use

Get KineMaster

Price: $59.95 Studio, $99.95 Studio Plus, $129.95 Studio Ultimate

OS: Windows

Capterra rating: 4.7 out of 5, 14 reviews

Pinnacle Studio is a higher-end video-editing software that is easy for beginners to use and still offers professional features for more advanced users. Entry-level features include timeline and storyboard editing, quick start project templates, and hundreds of titles and special effects. More advanced features include color grading, multi-camera editing, split-screen video, and custom motion title graphics. Pinnacle Studio Plus and Studio Ultimate add even more professional features, including motion tracking, 360 video editing, and a customizable workspace with 24-track capability.

Key features

• Professional-level effects (in more expensive versions)

• 360-degree video editing

• Split-screen video

Pros

• Features for both beginning and advanced users

• Huge library of filters, titles, graphics, and overlays

• Advanced audio editing with royalty-free music library

Cons

• Many professional features only available in Studio Plus or Studio Ultimate

• Expensive

Download Pinnacle Studio

Price: free trial, $60 Home Edition, $99 Master's Edition

OS: Windows, macOS, iOS, iPadOS

Capterra rating: 4.2 out of 5, 89 reviews

NCH's VideoPad Video Editor is an entry-level video-editing program available for both Windows and Mac platforms, as well as Apple iOS and iPadOS devices. It includes more than 50 effects and transitions as well as a full-featured audio editor for superior sound. Completed videos can be exported in HD, 2K, and 4K resolution to DVD, mobile devices, YouTube, and other social media.

Key features

• Over 50 visual effects and transitions

• 3D and 360-degree video editing

• Save to file, disc, or social media

Pros

• Cross-platform compatibility

• Built-in tools for YouTube beginners

• Ideal for social media sharing

Cons

• Lacks advanced features

• Dated interface

Download VideoPad Video Editor

Price: $9.99/month Premium, $19.99/month Professional, $69.99/month Business

OS: web-based

G2 rating: 3.9 out of 5 stars, 36 reviews

Designed especially for business users, Magisto makes it easy to create video ads for website and social media use. Powered by artificial intelligence, Magisto includes a video editor, omnichannel distribution, and business analytics. Choose from a large number of predesigned templates to create engaging video content.

Key features

• AI-powered video creation and editing

• Omnichannel distribution

• Business analytics

Pros

• Web-based editor works with any computer or connected device

• Large template library

• Good for creating advertisements

Cons

• Can't edit videos once created

• Some features only available with higher-priced subscriptions

Download Magisto

Price: free

OS: Windows

PCMag rating: 4 out of 5

Microsoft Photos is built into all versions of Microsoft Windows, including Windows 10 and Windows 11. In addition to its photo display and editing capabilities, it includes basic features for video editing. It's easy to use, even on touchscreen devices, with everything you need for basic touchup, editing, and sharing.

Key features

• Intuitive interface optimized for touch screen

• Face and object detection

• Automatic album creation

Pros

• Built-in software doesn’t require installation

• Add text, transitions, and soundtracks

• Integrates with Microsoft OneDrive

Cons

• No before-and-after view

• Lacks advanced features

Download Microsoft Photos

Price: free

OS: Windows, macOS, Linux

TechRadar rating: 4 out of 5

Shotcut is a free, open-source, cross-platform video editor for PCs, Macs, and Linux. Customize the interface with a variety of task-specific dockable panels. The program supports all major audio and video formats and codecs. You can also capture videos from webcams. Shotcut also includes professional audio editing features, including audio filters and multitrack audio mixing, as well as pro-level video effects and transitions.

Key features

• Supports all major audio and video formats, including 60 fps 4K

• Pro-level audio and video editing

• Webcam capture and audio capture

Pros

• Intuitive and customizable interface

• Works across all three major platforms

• Many useful UI features with appeal to both beginning and advanced users

Cons

• System requirements are steep

• May be too technical for beginners

Download Shotcut