If you want to avoid such restrictions, one alternative is to take out a free trial for full, paid-for software.

For example, your video may be imprinted with watermarks and the range of export formats may be limited. If you are new to editing, also try our video editing for beginners guide.įinally, be aware that free software always comes with some limitations. Plus of course, you'll want software that works on your chosen device for that reason, we've included tools for Windows, Linux, Mac, iOS and Android below. For those purposes, you'll want tools with interfaces that are easier to use, so check out other entries on our list. So it's not the best choice for amateurs, hobbyists or semi-pro video editors (such as graphic designers or marketing folk who do a bit of video editing as part of their work). That also, however, makes it pretty complex to use. That's because its packed with sophisticated features such as colour grading and smart video stabilisation, which makes it suitable for high-end content, including full-blown TV and movies. For example, the first entry on our list, DaVinci Resolve, is the best free video editing software for professional work. But what do we mean by 'best', exactly? Well, that largely depends what you want to edit.

Free video editor for beginners