Best Free Video Editing Software
Let's face it...
Photography today isn't just about photography. Instead, more and more photographers are venturing into the world of videography as well.
That's thanks to modern cameras - from smartphones to DSLRs to mirrorless systems - the offer superb video capabilities.
The question is, after you take your videos, what is the best free video editing software to create the final product?
The list I've put together below is comprised of free and inexpensive software that will help you create beautiful videos, no matter if you're a beginner or a pro.
Best Video Editing Software: Kizoa
At the top of my list is Kizoa, a video-maker that's been around for the better part of a decade.
There's a lot to love about this program, but most of all is the price - after the free trial, you can sign up for an account for as little as $30.
Better still, you pay just a one-time fee for access to Kizoa - there's no annual fees like Adobe charges!
And for $30, you get access to an incredible suite of tools.
For example, you can add texts, transitions, and music to your videos. You can add special effects as well.
Kizoa even has a selection of pre-made templates that you can customize to your liking. That means that even if you've never created a video before in your life, you can get started with a professionally-designed template that will help you get high-quality results.
Something else that's nice about Kizoa is that it's a cloud-based platform, so you don't have to worry about it being compatible with your computer. That also means that you can access your videos from anywhere that you have an internet connection.
Additionally, the free Kizoa iOS app gives you the power to create incredible videos right from your smartphone or other devices.
In other words, Kizoa is the height of functionality, ease of use, and price.
But don't take my word for it - see just how easy it is to create a video by checking out the video above.
Learn More:
- Learn Beginner Videography Techniques in This Tutorial for Photographers
- Why Videography is Important for Every Photographer
Apple iMovie
One of the top free movie editors available today is Apple's venerable iMovie.
Mac users have turned to iMovie for years to make quick videos that combine raw video footage, photos, texts, transitions, music, and so forth.
And while it's not as powerful and doesn't have nearly as many tools as programs like Kizoa or Final Cut Pro, it has more than enough editing tools to help you turn your footage into an enjoyable, professional-looking final product.
Recent updates to iMovie have made it more functional, especially with the addition of 4K video processing, and the easy-to-navigate layout of the program is hard to beat.
Also hard to beat is the free price tag!
Of course, iMovie is only available on Apple devices, but with the iMovie app, you can at least edit on the go on your Apple mobile device.
Adobe Premiere Elements
When most people think of Adobe video editing software, they probably think of Premiere Pro.
And while both of those programs are very good, they are also both quite expensive.
But their little brother - Adobe Premiere Elements - has plenty to offer budding videographers, and for a much smaller price tag.
While the price tag for Premiere Elements is well above the likes of Kizoa and iMovie, at $100, it's a steal compared to Premiere Pro's $240 yearly cost.
You can create video collages and audio remixes, add adjustment layers to perfect the look and feel of the videos you create, and remove unwanted artifacts like haze to get crystal clear footage.
Better still, the program is available for Mac and PC, though unlike Kizoa, you have to actually download the software to your computer.
Nevertheless, Premiere Elements is incredibly easy to use and offers some of the most sophisticated features of all the video editing software this list.
Learn More:
Corel Video Studio Ultimate 2018
If you're a PC user and want a capable movie-making program, Corel Video Studio Ultimate 2018 is a solid choice.
Corel Video Studio has more than 2,000 customizable effects and filters that allow you to create a truly custom-looking video.
Handy features that enable you to correct color and minimize the effects of shaky videos further your ability to fine-tune your videos for a polished look.
Like the other programs on this list, you can perform very basic edits as well, including adding texts, transitions, and music.
Corel also makes it easy to set custom paths so you can zoom in on specific areas of the frame or pan across a scene. The program also supports traditional HD videos as well as 4K video and even 360-videos.
On the downside, it's not a cloud-based platform, so you either have to download the software to your computer or utilize a CD. Corel Video Studio is also only available for PC users.
Hitfilm Express
A lesser-known video editing option is Hitfilm Express, a program that's available for both Mac and Windows-based computers.
The free version of this program is stripped-down from Hitfilm Pro, but it still offers quite a powerful suite of tools that will assist you in making video gold.
The basic editor has features like cutting tools, video and audio filters, and the ability to use layers and masks.
You can also add music, transitions, and so forth with ease.
Additional features are available for an added fee as well, so as your capabilities as a videographer grown, the platform can grow with you.
The problem, of course, is that the more add-ons you need, the more expensive the investment becomes. Another issue is that Hitfilm Express requires a ton of power, so its technical requirements might preclude some users from utilizing it.
That said, the free price tag is tough to beat!