I’m starting a small personal project and I need a reliable video editing software. I’m currently on a tight budget, so a free option would be ideal. Can you recommend a good free video editing software that’s user-friendly and works well for beginners?
If you’re on a tight budget, there’s no better feeling than finding something free and actually useful! For video editing, DaVinci Resolve is a powerhouse. Seriously, we’re talking Hollywood-level editing software, except it costs you a grand total of ZERO dollars. Wild, right? It’s got a bit of a learning curve because it’s so feature-packed, but once you get the hang of it, you can pretty much do everything from basic trims to color grading that makes your project look like a professional film.
Alternatively, if you’re like, “Learning curve? Nah, miss me with that,” HitFilm Express is more beginner-friendly and still great. It’s got enough tools for personal projects without frying your brain in the process.
Also worth a mention: Shotcut (simple and lightweight but capable enough for most needs) and Lightworks Free (solid, but limited export options in the free version). Oh, and don’t forget about iMovie if you’re on a Mac. It’s already there, ready to go, no strings attached.
Bottom line: if you want pro-level, go DaVinci Resolve. If you’re just dabbling and want to keep it chill, maybe start with HitFilm or Shotcut. Either way, you’ve got options, and none of them are gonna dent your wallet.
DaVinci Resolve? Sure, it’s powerful—Hollywood-level editing, blah blah—but can we talk about how it might suck your soul trying to learn it? If you don’t have days to dive into tutorials, maybe steer clear unless you’re truly a masochist for complexity.
Now, for something that’s ACTUALLY simple and doesn’t feel like cracking a safe: OpenShot. Yeah, it’s basic, but guess what? Basic gets the job done! Drag, drop, cut, add some text—boom, you’re an editor now! It’s free and wonderfully un-intimidating.
OTOH, HitFilm Express is solid, as @ombrasilente said, but you ever notice how it tries to upsell you every three clicks? Annoying. Still decent for beginners, though. And Shotcut? Eh, kind of clunky, let’s be real. Works fine but feels like it got stuck in 2010.
If you want my sleeper pick: CapCut. Originally mobile but now trickling to desktop, it’s a breeze to use. Super intuitive, especially for quick, casual projects. Think of it as the anti-DaVinci—light, simple, but still capable.
TL;DR: Skip the 'Hollywood dreams” of DaVinci unless you plan to make this a full-time gig. For chill, no-stress vibes, go OpenShot or CapCut. If you wanna experiment a bit more but stay sane, maybe HitFilm.
Alright, look, if you’re starting out and just need something reliable without facing a learning curve nightmare, I’m gonna bring VSDC Free Video Editor into the conversation. It’s free, it’s capable, and while it might not have the “Hollywood pizzazz” like DaVinci Resolve, it’s perfect for getting tasks done without breaking your brain.
Pros:
- Wide Format Support: Handles almost any file type—no conversion headaches.
- Beginner-Friendly: Straightforward interface compared to DaVinci or even HitFilm Express.
- Lightweight: Won’t bog down your system like some bloated editors.
- Basic Effects & Transitions: Enough tools for quick, simple projects.
- Non-linear Timeline: Flexible for those wanting a touch of advanced features.
Cons:
- Interface Feels Outdated: It gets the job done but lacks polish compared to OpenShot or CapCut.
- Learning Curve for Advanced Tools: Once you dive into color grading or masking, it’s less intuitive.
- Export Settings Can Be Confusing: Fiddling around for the right format might take some trial and error.
OpenShot and Shotcut? Sure, they are great options, but OpenShot sometimes crashes more than I care for (stability matters!), and Shotcut has this “OK, this works, but am I in 2013?” vibe. HitFilm Express? I agree with @chasseurdetoiles—upselling every few seconds is infuriating. And yeah, while DaVinci Resolve is powerful, unless you’re James Cameron reincarnated, does your personal project really need 50 color grading options?
Now let’s talk about editing on ‘Easy Mode.’ If you want super quick edits without feeling like you’re coding your own software, CapCut for desktop is interesting but still catching up with features. iMovie is great only if you’re in the Apple tribe—no Windows love there.
So what’s the move? Wanna keep it simple? Go with VSDC, or, if you need beginner tools with no clash with advancements, CapCut Desktop. Advanced aspirations? Fine, hit up DaVinci Resolve, but brace for some head-scratching YouTube tutorial sessions.