1. Free Video Effects Software For Mac
2. Best Video Effects Software
3. Best Video Effects
4. Video Effects Software

Thanks to the sheer quality of the best video editing software you can get in 2019, a decent smartphone and a little creative spark are all you really need to become a movie-maker. These tools just keep getting better and better, meaning it's never been easier to capture and perfect high-quality video footage. But which is the right video editor for you?

• Another video editing software program for both Windows and Mac is VideoPad, from NCH Software. It's free for non-commercial use. It supports drag-and-drop, effects, transitions, 3D video editing, text and caption overlay, video stabilization, easy narration, free built-in sound effects, and color control.
• It is ranked the best video editing software program available in the current market. Camtasia has the ability to directly upload the professionally edited videos to YouTube, Facebook, Vimeo, and other websites.

In this buying guide, we've rounded up a selection of today's very best video editors. These tools make cutting, editing and perfecting really simple. The software we've picked out won't break the bank, but if you're really short on cash (or aren't ready to commit to a paid option just yet), lower down the page you'll find our list of the best free video editing software.

The video editors we've recommended in this buying guide are jam-packed full of features to turn your footage into celluloid gold. Whether you're using one of the best laptops for video editing or another device, we've picked the best options to suit you. You'll find the best video editing software for Windows PCs, Mac and Android machines. There are also brilliant choices for beginners and experienced video editors alike.

10 of the Best Free Video Editing Software for Mac Users in 2018 1) Kdenlive An open-source Mac video editing program, Kdenlive or KDE Non-linear video editor is based on MLT Framework which harps on flexibility and ease of use for users. Best Video Editing Software For Motion Graphics and Visual Effects Adobe After Effects Okay, I know that this is not strictly a video editor, however, I still wanted to include this on the list for people who are mainly looking to create graphics and visual effects for videos. Best Video Editing Software Mac of 2018: Free Edit Video on Mac Mojave, EI Capitan, Yosemite Get full reviews of best Video Editing software for Mac because of today; many people want best and intelligent software which can fulfill their expectations without the damaging system. HyperEngine-AV is a free video editing software for Mac used to capture, edit, organize process, and export video, audio, and text to create DVD quality movies and slide shows. It comes with twelve studio-quality effects from Arboretum's Hyperprism suite of audio processors.

The best video editing software: Paid-for

01. Adobe Premiere Pro CC

Platform: Windows and Mac Key features: Multi-cam editing, 3D editing Video tracks: Unlimited Free trial: Yes Best for: Professionals and enthusiasts

If you're a Windows user, Adobe Premiere Pro CC is the best video editor available right now. This one's a bit of a no-brainer: Premiere Pro is an all-singing all-dancing video editor from one of the biggest names in the industry, which is used by multitudes of creative professionals.

It's easy to see why it's so popular for Windows 10 users. It can handle an uncapped number of video tracks, which can be imported from pretty much any source you can think of (files, tapes, cameras of all standards.. even VR). The automatic sync is a gem when you have multi-angle shots, and it's hard to fault the fine-tuning tools that really make your video stand out from the crowd.

There's also an all-new free companion app – Adobe Premiere Rush – that makes it easy to work with footage captured on your phone. At time of writing, it was available on iOS, macOS and Windows.

You can subscribe to just Premiere Pro on its own, but if you use more than one of Adobe's apps, it'll be worth your while subscribing to Creative Cloud for a slightly higher monthly fee.

02. Final Cut Pro X

The best video editor you can get for your Mac

Platform: Mac Key features: Muti-cam editing, intelligent colour balancing Video tracks: Unlimited Free trial: 30-day Best for: Professionals and enthusiasts

Final Cut Pro X is our pick for the best video editing software for Mac. And, as you would suspect with Apple, the must-have editor is consummately easy to use and comes packed with enough features to warrant the (admittedly high) price tag. We like the grouping tools, effect options and the straightforward way you can add and edit audio. If you're already entwined in Apple's ecosystem, you'll appreciate how Final Cut cleverly coordinates with your Photos or iTunes collections.

03. Adobe Premiere Elements 2019

Platform: Windows and Mac Key features: Video stabilisation, face detection, automatic motion tracking Video tracks: Unlimited Free trial: Yes Best for: Professionals and enthusiasts

Adobe makes another entry in this list with Premiere Elements; a great choice for both beginners and experienced editors. It isn't as complex as the more heavyweight Premiere Pro video editor (listed at number one above), which is best suited to full-time video editing professionals. But Premiere Elements is still packed with excellent features, such as face detection, audio effects and bundled soundtracks. And it's friendly to use, too. Best internet browser for mac.

Whether you're an editing newbie or a pro, automated functions – such as motion tracking and smart toning – will make your life a lot easier. The same can be said of the video stabilisation option and simplicity of editing. Premiere Elements comes with all the video effects you’d expect in a consumer video editor: transitions, chroma-keying, opacity and so on. The media library is also intelligently organised, with smart searches making it easy to find finished and draft files.

04. Adobe Premiere Rush

All the Adobe goodness but on your mobile

Platform: Android, iOS Key features: In-app motion graphics, 4K support Free trial: Free starter plan Best for: Enthusiasts on mobile

Any PC-using video editor worth their salt has inevitably used Adobe software at some point. Adobe Premiere Rush takes all the best bits that Adobe has perfected over the years and transports it to the palm of your hand.

So what does it offer the editor on the go? A straightforward user interface that will be immediately familiar to users of Premiere Pro or Elements; four video tracks; three audio tracks; easy instant export to your social media accounts; in-app editing tools..the list goes on! It's no wonder that it recently went to the top of our best video editing apps countdown.

Yes, you can give it a good go for free with the Rush Starter Plan, but it's only enough to export three videos. Luckily, it doesn't cost a lot to grab the full version of the Adobe Premiere Rush app on iOS or Android. Best desktop sharing software for mac.

05. KineMaster

Best video editing software for Android..for pros

Platform: Android, iOS Key features: Instant preview, smart effects Free trial: Free app Best for: Beginners and lightweight professional use

If you think that trying to edit video on your smartphone or tablet is a pointless exercise, KineMaster will make you think again. Available for Android devices, iPhones and iPads, we've highlighted this option as the best video editing software for Android because it goes way above and beyond what you'd expect from a mobile app.

It packs the ability to edit multiple layers, add handwriting and text annotations, experiment with up to four audio tracks and precisely edit at a frame and sub-frame level. We could go on with a long list of features, but perhaps the best endorsement is the average review score from on both the App Store and Google Play. Plus, it's free, so it's probably worth just downloading this video editing app and giving it a try.

06. Corel VideoStudio Ultimate 2019

Best video editing software for beginners

Platform: Windows Key features: Real-time effects, colour correction Free trial: 30-day Best for: Beginners

Corel VideoStudio Ultimate offers a great way into video editing for novices. A well-designed interface means it's very easy to get going with straight away, but yet it doesn't lack in features. There's multi-cam editing, 4K video support, 360-degrees VR video support, a music library and loads of effects, to name but a few. Not bad at all for the price.

The more you use VideoStudio Ultimate, the more you'll notice and make use of its little features and flourishes. It's a great option for beginners, and still has plenty to offer more experienced video editors – although pros will probably want to opt for one of the standard video editing software options.

04. Filmora9

An easy to use tool with plenty of effects and resources included

Platform: Windows, Mac Key features: 4k support, built-in effects and titles Free trial: Free version available Best for: Enthusiasts

Wondershare's Filmora9 is a strong video editing tool for enthusiasts, or those just getting started with editing. The intuitive interface should make it easy to get started with, and there are built-in titles, effects and filters designed for budding YouTubers. There's also a library of royalty-free sound effects and music to give your videos impact – plus the ability to record your own media to include, directly within the tool.

If you're using the tool professionally, you'll probably want to opt for the more advanced FilmoraPro – explore the differences between the two tools here.

Price-wise, there are a few different options to choose from. If you're just starting out, the free version includes all the same features and tools as the paid tool, but all your videos will have a brand watermark on them. You can then choose between a 1-year plan, a lifetime plan for a one-off fee. Finally, there's a supercharged Unlimited plan, which throws in unlimited downloads from an stock library and new effects each month.

07. CyberLink PowerDirector 17 Ultra

Video editing software for experienced filmmakers

Platform: Windows Key features: Multi-cam editing, 360-degree video, motion tracking (and loads more) Free trial: 30-day Best for: Enthusiasts

CyberLink PowerDirector is a serious bit of software for serious video editors: this is excellent video editing software that delivers professional and high-quality features, without a Hollywood budget. Get cracking on the 100-track timeline and you'll soon find yourself making the most of multitudes of stabilisation and video correction tools, professional effects, multi-cam editing, motion tracking and surprisingly easy trimming.

There's 360-degree video editing as well, together with support for all the file standards and formats you can imagine. And if you're finding it all a bit of a struggle, then there are plenty of video tutorials to help to get you sorted.

08. Pinnacle Studio 22

An easy-to-use video editor if you're starting out

Platform: Windows Key features: Multi-camera capture and editing, color controls, stop motion animation Free trial: 30-day (money back guarantee) Best for: Beginners

Going for Pinnacle Studio 22 is well worth considering if you've never edited video before and want to delve in for the first time. The pricing is below the average of those above and you can always bail out if you find within the first 30 days that it's just not for you.

But honestly, we'd be surprised if you need to. For in the region of $60/£60, you get more than 1,500 effects, titles, and templates, 6-track HD video editing, handy colouring tools, a dedicated stop motion feature, time remapping and much more. And most features are an absolute doddle to use. So it feels like a genuine step up from free options, without splashing stupid money.

Of course it doesn't have the full suite of features that some others in this list offer, that's not what Studio 22 is all about. And if you try and like the Pinnacle interface and tools, you can always upgrade to one of the company's more comprehensive packages.

The best free video editing software

Amazingly, some of the best free video editing software is almost the same as that used by professionals working on big budget Hollywood productions. In most cases, there’s a paid-for version with more features (click back to page one to read our pick of the best paid video editing software), but the free versions we’re going to show you have the majority of the functionality intact. In the case of Lightworks, for example, the main restriction is the output format, but VSDC and the amazing DaVinci Resolve let you export your creations in a wide range of formats.

The range and power of the features available in these free video editing software tools is remarkable; if you have the talent there’s nothing to stop you putting together a technically accomplished production.

If your needs are simpler and you just want easy-to-use software that sits between Windows Movie Maker and a top-end professional package, then there’s a free video software download for you here.

09. DaVinci Resolve

Professional-quality colour correction and audio mastering

Platform: Windows, Mac, Linux Key features: Great colour-correction, Fairlight audio tools, compatible with Fairlight consoles, multi-user collaboration Good for: Specialised colour and audio editing

DaVinci Resolve is a free video editing tool used on big-budget film and TV productions. It has especially powerful for colour correction and audio capabilities, so if those are priorities then this could be the software for you.

As well as traditional colour features such as curve editors and primary colour wheels, there's also facial recognition and tracking, so you can adjust skin tones, eye and lip colour. For audio, DaVinci Resolve uses Fairlight, a suite of high-end editing tools that enable you to mix and master up to 1,000 channels.

It’s amazing that this software is available with nearly all the features present in the free version. If you’re looking for the best free video editing software for Windows or Mac, this could be it.

10. Lightworks

A Hollywood-grade editor with only a few restrictions

Platform: Windows, Linux, Mac OS X Key features: Almost any format imported natively; outputs directly to YouTube/Vimeo; multicam editing; project sharing for groups Good for: Slick-looking films

Lightworks is another professional video editing suite that's been used on major Hollywood productions including Shutter Island, Pulp Fiction, 28 Days Later, The Wolf of Wall Street and Mission Impossible. So it’s exciting that there’s a free version that makes it accessible to everyone.

Amazingly, in the free version you get nearly all the features. The main restriction for the free license version is the output formats – you can only export a web-compatible file at 720p. If you want to export a few projects into a different format fairly cheaply, you can buy a one-month licence for $24.99/£14.99.

Lightworks is undoubtedly some of the best free video editing software for Windows 10. The superbly designed timeline enables a high degree of control, so you can trim and mix together your audio and video clips exactly how you want them. It's a powerful piece of kit for a freebie, handling video capture and advanced editing with ease.

On the down-side, because it's a slimmed-down version of a professional suite, you may find that the interface isn't the easiest to navigate. But there are plenty of good tutorial videos to help you get you up and running – and you won't have to pay a penny, as long as your projects are non-commercial.

11. VSDC

Add special effects and text that will output in a range of formats

Platform: Windows Key features: Supports wide range of file formats, built-in DVD burner, chart tool, video stabiliser Good for: Presentations

If you’re making a presentation and want to add text, lines, charts and other special effects to it, VSDC is the free video editor for you. It includes Instagram-style filters, lots of special effects including colour correction and blurring, and there’s a mask tool so you can apply effects to part of the video (for obscuring faces, for example). There’s also a video stabiliser to help remove camera shake from footage taken with GoPros or drones, and a powerful chart tool for adding graphs to presentations.

The free version of VSDC will export to a range of different formats including AVI and MPG. If you’re unsure about formats, you can even tailor the output so that it works well on particular devices for playback. It supports most video formats, so you shouldn’t have any trouble importing your clips, and there’s a built-in DVD burner.

12. Hitfilm Express

Platform: Windows, Mac Key features: Over 180 visual effects; 2D and 3D effects compositing; MP4 H.264 export; good range of import formats

No list of the best free video editors would be complete without a mention of Hitfilm Express. It’s capable of producing feature films or music videos with 3D effects, but it’s also good for making videos for YouTube, as direct uploading is built in.

The free version of Hitfilm Express contains everything you need to make a professional-quality production, but in some cases you’ll benefit from expanding its capabilities by purchasing some of the add-on features. Add-on packs start from around $7/£6, so you can pay for only the features you need and tailor the software to your needs for a reasonable price.

13. Shotcut

This superb free tool offers powerful editing

Free Video Effects Software For Mac

Platform: Windows, Linux, Mac Key features: Support for wide range of formats; comprehensive video and audio editing; supports 4K resolutions; uses FFmpeg Good for: Basic video editing

Shotcut is the tool for you if you’ve outgrown Movie Maker and want to go to the next level, but don’t need the complexity of some of the other packages on this list. Its interface is uncomplicated and approachable, and you can even customise it to match your needs via dockable and undockable panels. It supports a huge range of formats ,so you’re unlikely to run into trouble in that department. Finally, there’s a rich assortment of filters and quite advanced special effects that are easy to manage and apply. This is one of the best free video editors that will do anything you'd need for the majority of projects.

14. Apple iMovie

Platform: Mac Key features: Supports 4K resolutions; effects and filters Good for: Basic video editing

We couldn't really end this list without at least a mention of Apple iMovie, the classic free video editing software for Mac. If you're a Mac owner, the program should already be pre-loaded on to your machine. But if you're an editing amateur, it shouldn't be overlooked – bloatware, this is not.

So what results can Apple iMovie achieve? Well, 'results' is the right word, as the finish and sheen you get from an iMovie-made video are much better than you'd expect from a freebie. It's really easy to make your footage sing and you'll be surprised how quick and straightforward it is to knock together a polished-looking (and sounding) edit.

If your laptop of choice is a recent MacBook Pro, then this is one of the programs that has fully functioning Touch Bar support. Although we'd like to see support for 360-degree video and multi-cam editing added to future iterations.

15. TikTok

The mobile sensation may be just what you're looking for

Platform: Android, iOS Key features: Simple sharing, customised videos Free trial: Free app Best for: Social media users

Best Video Effects Software

OK, so we know that this is a bit of a wildcard and of no interest to serious video editors. But you can't really ignore the world's 4th most downloaded app of 2018. And depending on what you're planning, TikTok might just be what you're looking for.

The elevator pitch for TikTok is that it's a cross between Snapchat and the dearly departed Vine. That is to say that it allows you to make short, social media sharing sized videos that can be personalised and customised. Starting life as a lip-syncing app, it's used by singers, comedians, YouTube stars and, most commonly, Chinese teenagers.

Again, you won't be creating the next Citizen Kane with TikTok, but the app's free on both iOS and Android so you can download it now to see what all the fuss is about.

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Apple computers have long been aimed at the creative professional, particularly when it comes to photo and video editing. Unfortunately, industry-leading packages like Adobe Premiere, After Effects, and Apple’s own Final Cut Pro aren’t cheap.

Fortunately, there’s a selection of capable free video editing apps for Mac to sink your teeth into. Some are made for beginners, while others will satisfy seasoned video editors with their impressive feature sets.

These are our favorite free video editors for Mac.

1. iMovie

Summary: A free, consumer-grade video editor. It’s well-optimized for Apple hardware and suitable for most personal projects.

iMovie is free for anyone who owns a Mac. Plus, the iOS version is free to all iPhone and iPad owners. The software is aimed at consumers who want to quickly create videos with footage stored in their Photos library. To facilitate this, iMovie uses a simplified timeline editor that doesn’t allow for multitrack editing.

Despite the linear editing and basic UI, iMovie is a highly optimized piece of software that can handle 4K video and green screen compositing. It also supports picture-in-picture video and slow-motion/fast-forward visual effects. iMovie can generate titles, drag-and-drop transitions, and motion graphics like 3D globes and travel maps.

The app comes with built-in music and sound effects that are ready to go. It can generate Hollywood-style trailers using footage that you supply. Additionally, the app allows you to export directly to YouTube and Vimeo at up to 4K resolution.

Download:iMovie (Free)

2. DaVinci Resolve

Summary: A powerful, professional-grade video editor that lacks the color grading tools the developers are famous for.

The Studio version of DaVinci Resolve costs nearly $1,000, but the basic version is completely free. Better still, it includes the same high-quality image processing abilities as the pricier version. You get a powerful video editor, some of the best color correction capabilities around, and even support for external hardware panels to enable faster editing.

There are limitations, of course. The main one is that Resolve can only output in SD, HD and Ultra HD, which is likely more than enough for most users. Also, the app places limits on some of the advanced grading and tracking tools. However, these restrictions are mainly in place to convince professional users to upgrade.

The app might have quite a learning curve, but DaVinci Resolve is one of the most powerful video editing suites on the planet and you get a lot for free. See our comparison of DaVinci Resolve and HitFilm ExpressHitFilm Express vs. DaVinci Resolve: The Free Video Editor BattleHitFilm Express vs. DaVinci Resolve: The Free Video Editor BattleWe pit HitFilm Express vs. DaVinci Resolve and compare to see which one wins the free video editor battle.Read More for more on how it stacks up.

Download:Da Vinci Resolve (Free)

3. OpenShot

Summary: A free and open source video editor with an impressive list of features. However, the interface is outdated and may put some users off.

OpenShot is a cross-platform open source tool that’s been around since 2008. It’s built with the aim of providing a stable, free, and accessible video editor. The project receives several major updates per year, in line with the expectations for an open source project with a small team.

OpenShot’s feature list has grown over the years to include great support for a variety of formats, keyframes for animation, and unlimited video/audio tracks. It also packs in transition and compositing support, titles, and a heap of extra features you’d expect from a modern video editor.

Past criticisms have panned OpenShot’s reliability, but it’s still worth a shot for free.

Download:OpenShot (Free)

4. Shotcut

Summary: A capable open source editor with an interface that’s superior to OpenShot.

Here’s another free, open source, cross-platform video editor. Shotcut’s feature list is just as impressive as OpenShot, but Shotcut features a great-looking interface. It more closely resembles a pro-tier application than a free one.

The app supports a wide range of video files and formats, including 4K, ProRes, and DNxHD. Shotcut also includes great support for working with audio, an impressive list of video effects (including compositing and transitions), and a flexible UI.

Of note are support for advanced features like 5.1 surround sound, three-way color correction, and a huge number of video and audio filters. There’s even a full set of official Shotcut video tutorials you can watch to get you up to speed with the editor.

Download:Shotcut (Free)

5. Blender

Summary: Not a purpose-built video editor, but it’s a powerful tool for free.

Blender is a free 3D modeling and compositing app used in some high-profile productions. Yet many don’t realize Blender is also a capable non-linear video editor, provided you’re willing to take the time to learn.

You can use Blender to cut and splice video, mix and sync audio, or apply adjustment layers, transitions, and filters. You probably won’t edit a whole film together in Blender, but for basic editing tasks it might suffice.

Blender isn’t the easiest system to learn, but underneath the hood is a powerful non-linear video editor. Check out Daniel Pocock’s quick guide to editing video in Blender and the official Blender video sequencer manual to learn more.

Download: Blender (Free)

6. Lightworks

Summary: A powerful editor with plenty of features, but some seriously restrictive output options make the free version feel more like a trial.

Lightworks is one of the most powerful apps on this list. I’d happily recommend it above all other packages if it wasn’t so restrictive for the free user. The free version includes video effects, multicam editing, and titling, as well as the usual multi-layered timeline approach you’d expect from a comprehensive editor.

Unfortunately, rendering (exporting your project) is limited to 1080p output on Vimeo, and 720p output to YouTube. You can also render to Lightworks Archives, but you lose H.264, MP4, or even DVD export options.

So while the toolkit is vast, Lightworks isn’t a very appealing free editor unless you’d like to thoroughly try it out for free and upgrade at a later time.

Download:Lightworks (Free, premium version available)

7. Avidemux

Summary: A capable freebie, but lacking in polish and features.

Best Video Effects

Avidemux made our list of the best Linux video editors7 Free Open Source Video Editors for Linux7 Free Open Source Video Editors for LinuxVideo editing on Linux is constantly improving. A good selection of open source video editing software is now available to Linux users, and we've got seven of the best for you to check out.Read More. Though it’s basic in nature, it works well for simple editing tasks. The app supports a wide variety of input and output formats. The project undergoes several updates a year, with development continuing at a steady pace.

Thankfully, the team maintains parity among all three major versions, so you won’t miss out on any features if you opt for the Mac package.

Avidemux is best reserved for simple tasks like cutting a video down to size, applying video or audio filters, and transcoding. If you’re willing to dig a little deeper, you’ll find a highly capable script editor to automate many of these common tasks.

Be sure to check out the Avidemux wiki for learning materials, and the Avidemux forum can help in case you get stuck.

Download:Avidemux (Free)

Mac Video Editing on a Budget

So which is the best video editor for you? iMovie is probably the best all-rounder. It’s free, easy to use, and carefully optimized for Apple hardware. There are plenty of features in it to satisfy beginners and mid-tier users. However, it lacks the raw power to compete with Final Cut or Premiere Pro.

Da Vinci Resolve, on the other hand, is surprisingly-feature rich. It offers multi-track editing and a huge number of professional-tier features to play with. Blender is open source and powerful, but is bogged down by complexity. Shotcut and Openshot are pretty evenly matched, so why not test drive them both? And if you’re looking for something specific to 4K video editing, check out VideoProc.

If you want a simple video conversion app instead of a full-fledged video editor, try these top macOS video convertersThe 7 Best Video Converter Apps for macOSThe 7 Best Video Converter Apps for macOSNeed a Mac video converter app? Here are the best options for easily converting any kind of video on macOS.Read More. And if you need to edit images as well as video, check out our lists of free and paid image editors for MacThe 8 Best Free and Paid Image Editors for MacThe 8 Best Free and Paid Image Editors for MacHere are the best free and paid Mac image editors, whether you're a professional professional or amateur shutterbug.Read More and free Mac photo editorsThe 8 Best Free and Paid Image Editors for MacThe 8 Best Free and Paid Image Editors for MacHere are the best free and paid Mac image editors, whether you're a professional professional or amateur shutterbug.Read More too.

Video Effects Software

Image credit: Gustavo Devito/Flickr

Explore more about: iMovie, Mac Apps, Video Editing, Video Editor.

1. For me, Video Editor MovieMator is the best! It helped me from easy to medium level. Now I use the Pro version to make more fantastic videos (has become my hobby).
   The interface of Video Editor MovieMator is the most intuitive and clear one among the 6 apps you talked about and it's perfect for beginners.
   iMovie doesn't accept some video formats, FinalCut and Premiere are not that easy to pick up. Compared with them, I would choose MovieMator which is easy, functional and can create films of high quality.

2. As privacy/security expert I have to warn against Filmora. a) the free download includes UNSTATED limitations and nowhere will the firm tell you what they are, nor have they responded to inquiries. b) the fine print states they monitor use of the software. They do not use the term meta data, but imply it so that they can better understand usage and make the product better. HOWEVER, they partner with the Red Chinese (Army - which owns 51% of all Chinese corporations), presumably coders, which means this software could have a back door used by Chinese Intelligence. Again, the firm declined to address this question. They understood I am a published author in my area of expertise, and still remained silent. I do not take that as a good sign that they actually care about the customer, but it does imply they don't want people to know the answers. They are either a badly run company, or something worse is afoot.

3. For Mac or Windows users, there is a free online service called Video Grabber. It always helps me edit video by adding basic effects. Its interface looks very elegant. If this is what you need, maybe it worth a shot to look at.

4. Nice list but most of them don't run as expected. Shotcut closes frequently, KDEnlive doesn't even open a window and gives an error message after start.

   Da Vinci is nice! Didn't know about the free option.

   Blender is stable, lightning fast and can be used for nearly everything in media business (Modelling, Rendering, making Games, making Movies and so on).

   One recommendation: Natron is a video compositor software like blender or da vinci. It's not just for video editing. Very promising open-source project!

5. Mac users should try Hitfilm Express. Great features, cross-platform (Mac & Win), and free.

6. Mac users should also try HitFilm Express. Great, cross platform (Mac & Win), free.

7. You can download the free

   IMOVE

   from:

   then updated it to the latest version automatically it will update and you will have
   the latest version of iMove free without having to pay the $14.99 usd

   • You just earned yourself a place in heaven

   • aww thanks

   • Doesn't work any more. The linked file is an updater which, when you launch it, says
     'ALERT: iMovie 9.0 or later is required to install this update.'

     dc

8. this article was written in 2012 ! So don't be a smart ass Dima when posting your remarks at the end of 2015

9. I own a mac but iMovie costs money to download, how can I get this for free?

   • Sure its free..

     you can download it at:

     And the updated it to the latest version..
     Works like a charm..

     Cheers .... :)

     • I'm having problems. After I download it and run it, it says 'Imovie 9.0 or later is required.'

       • Me too! Have you figured out a way to get it to run or update?

     • I'm having this problem too! Have you figured out a way for it to work or update?

10. None of these apps are actually on the app store except for iMovie
    ???

11. I HAD iMovie on my iMac, but after a hd crash, I reinstalled the latest version of the OS (OS X El Capitan) and if I want to reinstall iMovie I have to pay 15 euro :(

12. From where did you downloaded iMovie and what version of OS X you have (name or numeric version or both[better])?

13. iMovie is not free anymore and doesn't come with iLife. Hasn't been in 2 years. Wtf you are talking about.

14. Honestly, I've still yet to figure out how to get iMovie to do anything, but I haven't tested it in the past few months. I find that, for a VERY basic editor, QuickTime actually fulfills my needs, which is literally just syncing audio and footage. Just something to keep in mind for beginners looking for baby steps.

15. I didn't even realize that I had iMovie on my Mac. Thanks

16. my iMovie keeps on crashing..

17. iMovie is TERRRIBLLE. Do not get Apple made programs for your computer. Apple is making all their money from iPhones, so they've pretty much stopped making things. Adobe is pretty much taking over, so get their stuff. I updated my laptop and iMovie doesn't even exist anymore..

    • iMovie Agreed IT IS TERRIBLLE!!!

      • I bet you just don't know how to use it because its great!!

        • it's hard to get to know this program as the stupid, frigging thing crashes every time you open it. iMovie = FAIL

18. How come we have to pay for iMovie now? (just a random question) Just sometime ago I downloaded a free version?

19. I'm having problems uploading videos to iMovie . Any video I have on file is not an option, I was going to try loading the file to the iMovie selections but not sure that will resolve it….

20. Lightworks is just out for Mac users yay my windows is too slow for the program finally my mac can be put to good use.

21. I tried most of this software and I have to say that
    - iMovie isn't free
    - Blender is 3D modeling software so use it for video editing is a little bit hard
    - Kdenlive requires all KDE packages installed, and I prefer something other
    - Jahshaka is something from another reality, it's hard to learn
    - VLMC looks good and simple but it's PRE-ALPHA now, so it's buggy
    - I haven't try Avidemux because I can't find any working dmg
    My choise is VideoPad, it's simple and can do anything I want.
    Shame on you cause I spent whole day to test all this things

22. at first I was shocked thet you put imovie on number 1 . Then I realized this article was written in 2012 . Imovie 13 wasn't born yet :)

23. Great article! Saw the amount of work you put into this and thought I'd just say thanks man! Very helpful.

    • iMovie isn't free

24. iMovie should serve most of mac user well

    • Imovie ha sa lot of bugs. Impossible to share your movie on your pc.

    • Daniel do you love me?

25. iMovie for me is the best.

26. A pal was trying to get info related to this editors a couple weeks ago.will def forward him this link!!

27. Can't wait for Lightworks. The Windows version is nice.

28. Didnt know you could edit video in blender

    • I edit my wrist in a blender

29. OOOps ! ..for mac , sorry :)

    • its okay

    • Don't worry it's all good.

30. You forget Novacut , it's in dev ; kickstarter funded
    The cutting workflow is very good,
    works with ubuntu 12.04q

    in works : the multitrack sound and multicam,

    so it's a project to follow :D

31. I can't believe all these software are free! They look so professional , I'm starting to move from win to Mac so this kind of article are attractive and useful for me.

32. KDEmlive on Mac is a pain in the ***.

33. I don't have a mac but my uncle does and I remember us trying out loads of different video editors to compare them to the full priced equivalents (premiere pro, final cut pro, sony vegas) and I remember us trying out the first three. The limitations of iMovie may be a downfall for enthusiastic video buffs but for the novice it's great and also it's pre-installed, even better! Blender was also a pretty good one, as I recall you could import your 3D modelling into the video suite for some nifty animation. CineFX I think was probably our favourite, pretty easy to use and was like an advanced iMovie, loved every second of using it! hope this helps anyone :)

34. Mmm.. maybe I should try Jahshaka looks really cool.

35. I have Lightworks on my desktop and it really is nice, but my computer just isn't powerful enough to run it very well. I guess a lot of it has to do with only having 3gb of RAM, but the video card and processor aren't all that great either. Hopefully my new computer (which hasn't arrived yet) will be able to run it (and everything else) better.