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Creating professional-quality videos is no longer a task solely for the filmmaking industry. Thanks to the widespread availability of high-quality video-making software, anyone with an idea and a bit of creativity can produce videos that look and feel professional. However, finding a video maker that is both affordable and functional can be time-consuming and frustrating. In this article, we will provide you with a comprehensive guide on the top 7 free video makers, along with their pros and cons.
Video Tutorial:
What is a Video Maker?
A Video Maker is any software that helps you create videos by providing tools to edit, compose, and produce them. Video makers can be incredibly user-friendly and cater to those who have no technical or artistic backgrounds, making it as easy as possible to produce videos. Additionally, they can be more professional and provide a wide range of features, helping skilled users push the edge of professional video production. Video editing software usually includes a broad range of tools that help to modify the video, from basic cutting and splicing to special effects and filters. Video makers can also come with options to export the final product for different platforms, including social media or streaming services such as Vimeo or YouTube.
Top 7 Free Video Makers
1. OpenShot Video Editor
OpenShot Video Editor is a feature-rich open-source software capable of producing professional-looking videos while being user-friendly. It provides an easy-to-use interface that enables users to create videos with minimal effort or experience. OpenShot offers great functionality due to its built-in powerful audio and video editing tools and special effects that help you enhance your videos’ quality.
Pros:
- Open-Source, meaning it’s freely accessible.
- Exhibits a clean, easy-to-navigate user interface that promotes user experience.
- The software provides 3D titles and effects that give your videos a professional look.
Cons:
- Crashes occur could occasionally during the editing process leading to loss of output.
- Exporting your videos may take longer than other software tools.
2. DaVinci Resolve
DaVinci Resolve is an advanced video editing software created for professionals. It has been the industry gold standard for many years and is capable of producing professional-quality videos used in bigger productions. The software provides a huge range of editing tools, color correction tools that are hard to find in any other video editing tool, special effects, and audio editing.
Pros:
- DaVinci Resolve is available in both paid and free versions, offering flexibility to users.
- It has a wide range of editing tools and a great user interface.
- Collaboration made possible across various users in real-time through its cloud-based network.
Cons:
- The software tends to crash more often, limiting productivity.
- It may have a steeper learning curve for beginners compared to most user-friendly video makers.
3. VSDC Free Video Editor
VSDC Free Video Editor is a great user-friendly software that offers a variety of video editing tools, including masks, special effects, color correction, and filters. It provides users with excellent video making capabilities that are free from watermarks and ads in any productivity level.
Pros:
- Free version with no ads or watermarks.
- VSDC has a collapsible interface making it more user-friendly.
- Offers a range of editing tools that can help make your videos look professional.
Cons:
- The software only comes in a Windows version.
- Processors with a low specification may struggle running the software.
4. Blender
Blender is free software initially developed for creating 3D models, animations, and drawings but can be used to create professional videos too. Blender is an open-source software that has a wide range of editing tools, including animation and special effects plus features that can cover most of the functionality that special video editing software has.
Pros:
- Free software with no restrictions on usage and commercial use.
- There is a large community that can assist should you require any assistance.
- Supports multiple video formats, including high dynamic range (HDR).
Cons:
- The software user interface is not as intuitive and user-friendly as others.
- Not as beginner-friendly as other video editors.
5. Lightworks
Lightworks is a software designed for professionals, capable of producing professional video quality that big production companies use. It is used in many Oscar-nominated movies and Hollywood blockbusters, and its free version makes it accessible for beginners and students. Lightworks has a range of features including video effects, color grading, and audio editing, thus making video editing tasks more effortless.
Pros:
- The free version does not add watermarks or ads for free users.
- Lightworks has an intuitive user interface.
- It supports a variety of video formats, including 4K.
Cons:
- The Free version’s export options are limited.
- The free version allows for exporting only up to 720p resolution.
6. Shotcut
Shotcut is a free, open-source, and cross-platform video editing software with a vast range of available features. Shotcut supports a wide range of video file formats and codecs and provides great video quality and efficient productive workflow at a faster processing speed.
Pros:
- It is open-source and free to use.
- Great for creating work with a varied output such as YouTube or social media content.
- It has a range of editing tools that can help make your videos look professional.
Cons:
- It may take a while to become accustomed to the interface.
- It is not the best option for creating long-format professional-quality videos.
7. HitFilm Express
HitFilm Express is a free video editing and visual effects software that offers a wide range of features, including text tools, animation, 3D compositing, and color grading. It has great accessibility features and is also available to use on Mac or Windows. With amazing features such as 360-degree video editing, HitFilm Express is an incredibly powerful video maker that is accessible to all levels of users.
Pros:
- HitFilm offers users the ability to create an unlimited number of video tracks.
- It is easy to use and beginner-friendly.
- Provides vloggers and YouTube content creators with effects directly imported from YouTube.
Cons:
- As a free version, HitFilm is limited by rendering capabilities in 4K with a watermark added in some of the export styles.
- The advanced features and modules are available on the paid version only.
Comprehensive Comparison of Each Software
| Video Maker | Free Trial | Price | Ease-of-use | Value-for-Money |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OpenShot Video Editor | No Free Trial | Free and Open-Source | Very Easy to Use | Excellent |
| DaVinci Resolve | Free Version Available | Free and Paid versions | Moderate Ease-of-Use | Excellent |
| VSDC Free Video Editor | No Free Trial | Free | Very Easy to Use | Excellent |
| Blender | No Free Trial | Free and Open-Source | Moderate Ease-of-Use | Excellent (for 3D animators) |
| Lightworks | Free Version Available | Free and Paid Versions | Easy to Use | Value for Money |
| Shotcut | No Free Trial | Free and Open-Source | Moderate Ease of Use | Value for Money |
| HitFilm Express | No Free Trial | Free and Paid Versions | Easy to Use | Value for Money |
Our Thoughts on Each Video Maker
Selecting a video maker depends on several criteria, such as budget, ease-of-use, and the features a specific video maker offers. DaVinci Resolve is the most capable software in our list, but if you’re on a tight budget, OpenShot Video Editor and VSDC Free Video Editor are great options. Blender excels at video creation features that require 3D modeling, and automation for video creation might benefit — especially if 3D design is within your expertise.
FAQ’s – Helpful Tips and Strategies
Q1: What is the Best Free Video Editing Software for Beginners?
A: We recommend OpenShot Video Editor for beginners who are new to video editing and want to start creating videos. It’s straightforward to use and provides an impressive range of features for free.
Q2: Is Free Video Editing Software as Good as Paid Versions?
A: The answer is dependent on the software and your specific video editing needs. There are several good free video editing software options that provide a range of capabilities up to professional capacities, including OpenShot Video Editor, VSDC Free Video Editor and DaVinci Resolve.
Q3: What is the Best Free Video Editing Software for YouTube?
A: We suggest using HitFilm Express to create YouTube videos as it offers an excellent range of features that are YouTube optimized.
Q4: Can You Add Music to a Video Using Free Video Editing Software?
A: Yes! Most of the software mentioned above comes with basic audio editing tools that allow users to mix sound, add music and even mute audio from the original footage.
Q5: What is the Best Video Editing Software for Windows?
A: We recommend OpenShot Video Editor, which is available for Windows and offers a great interface and features, ideal for basic to medium-level video editing needs, and VSDC Free Video Editor for its high-end video editing tools.
Final Thoughts
Creating videos is an increasingly essential and accessible skill, and the evolution of free video editing software has enabled anyone to produce a quality video. Whatever your needs, budget, or experience, the above list provides a range of quality video editing software options to suit all kinds of uses. When selecting your ideal video editing software, choose one that provides you a balance of features, usability, and customization to match your vision while keeping within budget limitations.