In today’s digital age, we cannot deny the importance of content creation, video content happens to have an edge over any other type of content. You’re about to discover 5 best free video editing software for beginners. Whether you are an aspiring YouTuber, a social media influencer, or an individual passionate about capturing and sharing cherished moments, having access to dependable video editing software is very important. Despite the abundance of paid video editing software on the market, there are also free ones that can get you started and give you the same results…

Before we discuss and find out about the 5 best free video editing software for beginners, it is ideal if we understand the meaning and what we should edit our videos 1

What Is Video Editing

Video editing refers to the process of modifying and refining video footage after it has been recorded. It involves rearranging, trimming, adding, or removing elements from the video to create a final, polished product. Video editors use specialized software to accomplish this task.

Importance of Video Editing

Video editing is important in the world of content creation for several reasons, as mentioned below:

 Enhancing Visual Appeal:

• Video editing helps improve the overall look and feel of the video. It allows for adjustments in brightness, color, and contrast, making the visuals more appealing and professional.

 Removing Mistakes:

• Mistakes and bloopers are common during filming. Editing enables the removal of these errors, ensuring that the final video is seamless and error-free.

Creating a Storyline:

• Video editing permits the arrangement of shots in a logical and engaging sequence, helping to tell a compelling story. It enables the addition of transitions and effects to make the narrative more captivating.

Maintaining Viewer Engagement:

• Attention spans are short, and viewers quickly lose interest in poorly edited videos. Effective editing keeps viewers engaged by eliminating unnecessary or repetitive content.

Branding and Consistency:

• Video editing allows for the inclusion of logos, graphics, and consistent branding elements throughout the video. This reinforces brand identity and makes the content more recognizable.

5 Best Free Video Editing Software For Beginners

DaVinci Resolve 17

Description: DaVinci Resolve 17 stands out as a powerful video editor known for its professional-grade capabilities. Many studios in the industry rely on it, and it offers most core features for free, with some advanced functions available through a paid upgrade.

Interesting Features:

• Professional-Grade: Widely used by TV and film studios, it boasts industry-standard features.
• All-in-One: Combines video editing, color grading, VFX, and audio editing in a single interface.
• Rich Editing Views: Offers specialized views for editing, color grading, audio, and more.
• Multiple Applications: Includes applications for media browsing, cutting, and compositing.
• High-End Color Correction: Provides exceptional control over color grading, a hallmark of the DaVinci Resolve brand.

Setbacks:

• Steep Learning Curve: Its extensive features may overwhelm newcomers.
• Premium Features: Some advanced features are behind a paywall.
• System Demands: Requires substantial system resources for optimal performance.

Shotcut

Description: Shotcut is another open-source software that works seamlessly on major platforms – Windows, Mac, and Linux. It offers an array of features and an intuitive interface for those who seek flexibility.

Interesting Features:

• Cross-Platform: Works on Windows, Mac, and Linux.
• Multi-Track Editing: Supports multiple video and audio tracks for sophisticated projects.
• Extensive Transitions: Provides a vast selection of transitions for seamless video flow.
• Filter Gallery: Offers a library of filters to enhance your footage.
• Dedicated Views: Specialized views for different tasks such as editing, audio, effects, and color grading.

Setbacks:

• Learning Curve: More complex than some other options, making it better suited for those who are serious about video editing.
• Animated Titles: Adding animated titles requires the installation of an additional application called Blender.
• Memory Limitations: Can be resource-intensive, potentially limiting its performance on standard home PCs.

Windows 10 Free Video Editor

Description: If your laptop or PC is running on Windows 10, you already have a video editor at your fingertips. It’s so discreet that you might have missed it. Simply type “video editor” into your taskbar’s search field, and you’ll find it. This hidden gem is nestled within the Photos app, making it accessible without any additional downloads.

Interesting Features:

• In-Built: It comes pre-installed with your Windows 10, so no need for extra downloads.
• User-Friendly: Easy drag-and-drop interface for seamless video assembly.
• Basic Editing Tools: Offers essential video editing features like trimming, splitting, and text insertion.
• Audio Options: Allows you to add background music or custom audio and sync it with your video’s beat.

Setbacks:

• Limited Transitions: It lacks the ability to add transitions between clips, offering only hard cuts.
• No Tracks: You can’t create picture-in-picture effects or overlay one video onto another.
• Monetization Limitations: While it offers background music, you can’t monetize videos on YouTube using these tracks.
• Max Resolution: The highest export quality is limited to 1080P, which might not be sufficient for users with 4K cameras. 

OpenShot

Description: OpenShot is an open-source video editor, is a fantastic choice for users looking for a simple yet powerful tool. It’s compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux, making it accessible to a broad user base.

Interesting Features:

• Cross-Platform: Available on Windows, Mac, and Linux.
• User-Friendly: Features a straightforward drag-and-drop timeline for arranging clips.
• Multiple Tracks: Provides multiple tracks for layering different elements.
• Rich Transitions: Offers a wide array of transitions to enhance your videos.
• Filter Effects: Allows you to apply diverse effects to your media files.
• Customization: Permits keyframe adjustments and precise control over clip properties.

Setbacks:

• Animated Titles: To use animated titles, you need to install another application called Blender.
• Learning Curve: While simple, it might take some time for beginners to explore its full potential.

Kdenlive

• Description: Kdenlive is an open-source video editor that’s accessible on Windows, Mac, and Linux. With a user-friendly interface, it appeals to beginners and experienced editors alike.

Interesting Features:

• Cross-Platform: Compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux.
• Intuitive Interface: A familiar timeline layout makes it easy to get started.
• Versatile Tracks: Allows the use of multiple video and audio tracks.
• Compositions: Offers a variety of transitions to improve video flow.
• Effects: Boasts a vast catalogue of effects to enhance your footage.

Setbacks:

• Learning Curve: Has a learning curve due to its wide array of features and controls.
• Animated Titles: Like some other options, it requires Blender for animated titles.
• Resource-Intensive: This may require significant system resources, potentially causing performance issues on older PCs.

Remember to take your time to decide which software is good for you. There is nothing like “One-Cap-Fits-All “when it comes to choosing the right software for your editing. Choosing the right video editing software largely depends on your specific needs and skill level. If you are a beginner, you may want to try Windows 10 Free Video Editor and OpenShot both offer user-friendly experiences, and I’m convinced you’ll learn more if you start with any of the two. For those looking for advanced capabilities, you may try using Shotcut or Kdenlive.  Most professionals love to work with DaVinci Resolve 17.

The best video editor for you is the one that aligns with your goals and allows you to bring your creative visions to life. Explore many options, experiment, and watch your video editing skills improve gradually.

 Happy editing!#