Mac users who only need a simple video editor will find that Apple iMovie is the best free video editing software, because of its strong integration with. Best Free Video Editing Software for Mac. Cyberlink PowerDirector Essential - Best free video editing software overall. Free version: PowerDirector Essential is a free editing suite with. DaVinci Resolve. The Best Video Editor on Mac for 2021. PowerDirector 365: The Best Choice for You. When it comes to straight-forward, simple video editing platforms, Cyberlink’s PowerDirector is at the top of the list. This program offers a comprehensive collection of incredibly powerful tools designed for editors of all skill levels. Dec 03, 2021 Best Free Video Editing Software for Mac and iOS If you are a macOS or iOS user, Apple iMovie is the best free video editing software to use and one of the most popular video editing apps. IMovie a user-friendly tool for video editing with support for 4k resolutions with a wide range of features.
- Best Free Video Editing Apps For Macbook 2019
- Free Video Editing
- Best Macbook For Video Editing
- Best Video Editing Apps For Windows
What Is the Best Mac for Video Editing?
Best Free Video Editing Software for Mac. Starting with free software for editing on Mac, there are a lot of great options available right now, but after rigorous testing, these 3 have come out on top: iMovie; VN Video Editor; DaVinci Resolve; iMovie. IMovie is one of the most popular options when it comes to Mac video editing software.
- The best video editing software for Mac is, ultimately, the one that does what you need to do in a way that you enjoy working. There’s lots of Mac video editing software, and much of it is free. Take time, try out as many applications as you can and choose the best one for you.
- 10 Best Video Editing Software (Windows & Mac) for 2021: Paid 1. Adobe Premier Pro. Developed by one of the experts in the software industry, Adobe Premier Pro is by far the best video editing software for Windows available currently. With its extensive collaboration features and 3D editing capabilities, it takes the lead as the best video.
Macs are known for their ability to handle multimedia projects, such as photo and video production, without having to install separate software. However, with access to third-party editing software such as Final Cut Pro and Adobe Premiere Pro, Mac users are able to edit their projects to the highest degree.
Whether its an influencer editing a video for their YouTube channel, or a professional video editor putting together a short film, finding the best fitting computer is an important part of the creative process. The user can’t find the perfect computer unless they know what they want. Listed below are the variables to take into consideration when trying to find a Mac that is most compatible for the user.
Portability
Whether it’s editing, organizing, or posting videos, being able to have an accessible and compact computer with optimal storage is important. Mac took these needs into consideration and designed products that complemented the needs of their consumers on the go. Regardless of whether mobility is essential for your projects, it always pays to keep close tabs on your storage and keep harddrives free of old, unnecessary files — or back up things you need to keep and free local storage for works in progress. Combining a portable video editing station with a file-cleaning application like CleanMyMac X will help keep your machine running smooth on the go.
MacBook Pro
Starting at $1,299 the MacBook Pro takes performance and portability to a new level. The high-performance processors, memory, and advanced graphics make the MacBook Pro an ideal portable work station for those who edit feature-length material or similarly complex projects and need a reliable laptop to accommodate their busy lifestyle. The MacBook Pro comes with:
- 4-, 9-, and 18-core Intel processors;
- Up to 32GB of memory for running multiple apps;
- Retina display with True Tone technology;
- Touch Bar and Touch ID, allowing users to flip between programs, giving them more control over their productivity.
Users have their choice of a 13-inch (3lbs) or 15-inch (4lbs) model, both allowing them to utilize a large screen to better impact their editing, without having to carry around the extra weight. The MacBook Pro also gives users the ability to create shortcuts that are saved to the control strip, which increases the work pace.
MacBook Air
Weighing only 2.75 lbs and being 15.6mm thin, the MacBook Air is the lightest of its kind, making it the best for portability. Aside from it being perfect packing size, the compact laptop comes in three colors — space gray, gold, and silver — and is created from 100% recycled aluminum, making it the “greenest” Mac to date. Starting at $1,099, the MacBook Air has:
- 13.3-inch high-resolution retina display;
- True Tone technology;
- Touch ID for better security;
- Force Touch trackpad;
- Up to 16GB memory;
- Eighth-generation Intel Core i5 processor;
- Up to 12 hours of battery life.
The MacBook Pro is user-friendly with easy to operate programs, allowing you to do things like edit videos with iMovie, designed for easy sharing and uploading. With a lower price point and compact size, the MacBook Pro might be ideal for social media influencers or anyone else beginning a career in video editing.
Performance
![Editing Editing](https://www.macworld.co.uk/cmsdata/slideshow/3697211/best_free_cheap_mac_video_editors_davinci_resolve.jpg)
Even though laptops are wonderful for everyday use, professionals sometimes prefer to use desktop computers for larger video editing projects. The more memory a computer has, the better it can perform, which is a key component of high-end video production editing. And just like with all computers, it’s important to perform maintenance on your MacBook to ensure it’s running at full capacity.
iMac Pro
The iMac Pro is an all-in-one that was designed to turn the biggest ideas into the greatest works. One of the benefits of the iMac Pro is that it can handle multiple video and audio editing programs at once — an important feature for professional editors. The iMac Pro features:
- 8-,10-,14-,or 18-core Xeon processor;
- Turbo Boost up to 4.5GHz, meaning that you can render images, edit up to 8K video, manipulate photos, and create real-time audio effects much faster than before;
- Up to 42MB cache;
- 8GB or 16GB high bandwidth memory;
- 3D rendering and special effects support.
The computer has four channels of memory that can now accommodate up to 256GB. This means that video editors can create multiple test environments for cross-platform development, all while keeping multiple apps open at the same time.
The iMac Pro starts at $4,999 and goes up from there depending on features and options. However, that much memory, graphic quality, and video editing abilities, makes it worth every penny.
Mac Pro
As of Fall 2019, the Mac Pro boasts the best performance and expansion yet. This computer is specifically designed with maximum performance in mind. The Mac Pro will have:
- Up to 140GB/s memory bandwidth;
- Six-channel memory system;
- 28-core processor.
Similar to the iMac Pro, the Mac Pro will have the capability to execute tasks like animating 3D film assets, compositing 8K scenes, and building lifelike gaming environments while running other applications without worry. Video editing can be quick to take up storage space with back-ups, old projects, extra programs, and applications. Therefore, users may need help keeping on top of drive management and eliminate junk files by making sure to digitally clean up Mac. For that, there is a good cleaner app called CleanMyMac X, which cleans up all system junk files just in several clicks. Here is how it works.
- Download CleanMyMac X for free and launch it
- Select System Junk tab
- Click Scan, and then Clean.
Affordability
Best Video Editor Software For Mac
Price shouldn’t be the determining factor when setting yourself up for success. Even though some of the best Macs for video editing are costly, there are also options that are less pricey that still will allow video editors to work successfully.
iMac
Much like the iMac Pro, the original iMac allows for speed and high-end performance — except at half the cost. The iMac is an all-in-one that comes in a 21.5-inch Retina 4K or 27-inch Retina 5K display, allowing 1 billion colors to be shown off with more precision. This makes it an ideal computer for video editors since it has a similar power at half the cost of higher-end models. Starting at $1,099 the iMac has a 4-,6-, and 8-core processor with turbo speeds up to 5.0GHz. The iMac also has:
- Four USB 3.0 ports;
- Ultrafast three-stream Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.2 wireless technology;
- Built-in apps such as Safari, Siri, Facetime, and more.
Mac Mini
Starting at $799, the Mac Mini is a new eighth-generation 4- and 6-core processor with up to 64GB of memory. The Mac Mini has the same connectivity as the iMac and also can run many programs at once. The Apple T2 security chip consolidates several controllers into one. It includes room for an ethernet cord, HDMI 2.0, and has two USB 3.0 ports. It boasts high-performance memory and can connect to more SSD memory quickly to save multiple program and project files.
Mac Alternatives
Unless you’re a professional, spending money on a laptop or desktop computer isn’t always necessary in order to make successful video edits. Other Mac products such as the ones listed below are an alternative not only for video editing but for your wallet as well.
iPhone 11 Pro
With a retail value starting at $999, the newest iPhone 11 Pro has a triple camera system that adds more capability to the phone, without it being too complex. To name a few features of the iPhone:
- Ultra-wide, wide, and telephoto camera;
- 4K video with extended dynamic range and cinematic video stabilization;
- Real-time processing;
- Audio zoom;
- Smart HDR;
- 458 pixels per inch;
- Ability to charge up to 50% in about 30 minutes with fast charge.
The beneficial qualities of this cell phone allow the user to create and edit YouTube videos all in the palm of their hand. This Mac product would be most ideal for influencers or video amateurs.
iPad Pro
The iPad Pro is the perfect product for the social media influencer that wants a small Mac product that’s still big enough to make edits and visualize the final product with a clear image. Being one of the less expensive Mac products, the iPad Pro starts at just $799 for their 11-inch display. The iPad Pro also includes 4K video recording and can capture 7-megapixel photos along with a portrait mode and auto image stabilization. There is an Apple pencil that comes with the iPad Pro, allowing the user to have more control over brainstorming and editing.
No matter the level of video editing expertise, there is a Mac product that is perfect for each user’s needs. Knowing the difference between each product and being aware is just as important as the video-editing process itself. Take advantage of CleanMyMac X to keep your video editing machine running at full speed.
- CREATE STUNNING VIDEOS!
Hand-crafted with and 100% FREE and open-source! Free & open-source forever (GPL version 3.0)
We designed OpenShot Video Editor to be an easy to use, quick to learn, and surprisingly powerful video editor. Take a quick look at some of our most popular features and capabilities.
Cross-Platform
OpenShot is a cross-platform video editor, with support for Linux, Mac, and Windows. Get started and download our installer today.
Trim & Slice
Quickly trim down your videos, and find those perfect moments. OpenShot has many easy ways to cut your video.
Animation & Keyframes
Using our powerful animation framework, you can fade, slide, bounce, and animate anything in your video project.
Unlimited Tracks
Add as many layers as you need for watermarks, background videos, audio tracks, and more.
Video Effects
Mac Movie Maker
Using our video effects engine, remove the background from your video, invert the colors, adjust brightness, and more.
Best Free Video Editing Apps For Macbook 2019
Audio Waveforms
Visualize your audio files as waveforms, and even output the waveforms as part of your video.
Title Editor
Adding titles to your video has never been easier. Use one of our templates, or make your own.
3D Animations
Render beautiful 3D animated titles and effects, such as snow, lens flares, or flying text.
Slow Motion & Time Effects
Control the power of time, reversing, slowing down, and speeding up video. Use a preset or animate the playback speed and direction.
Edit Video
Free Video Editor
Drag and drop video, audio, or images from your file manager into OpenShot. It's that easy to get started video editing.
70+ Languages
OpenShot is available in many different languages, and can be translated online with LaunchPad.
Simple User Interface
Best Mac Video Editor Software
We have designed OpenShot to be the easiest and friendliest video editing software ever! Give it a try and see for yourself.
Content creation has exploded in recent years, and it’s become even easier to create videos that can be shared for a portfolio, a project and many more uses. This is where our pick of free video editing software suites come in.
There are many free video editors that come with straightforward features to create these videos, but it may be a challenge to sift through the ones that bring the best benefits when trying to get the job done on your desktop or laptop.
There used to be a time where we could load up Windows Movie Maker or iMovie on our computers, and quickly create a video to share between friends on a chat app such as MSN Messenger.
The five we’ve curated will be able to edit the videos you’ve taken into a format that will be perfect for the service you’re planning on uploading it to, especially if you're using a laptop picked from our list of best video editing laptops.
With a new Microsoft Surface or Apple's MacBook Pro 14-inch (2021) for example, you may be looking for a new video editor to take advantage of the M1 chip if you’ve bought one. In this case, there’s plenty below to choose from to see which one fits your workflow.
- Our pick of the best YouTube downloaders for 2021
Today's top 3 best video editors
These first three options aren't free, but they are the best video editing services you can get. Most people tend to go for Adobe Premiere Pro as it's the best overall video editor and is available for a modest subscription.
1. Adobe Premiere Pro is the very best video editor in 2021Premiere Pro offers outstanding value for money. It's the industry-standard video editing program for pros, but really easy to use and get the hang of. So if you're serious about your videos, you should seriously consider going for Premiere Pro.
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1. Adobe Premiere Pro is the very best video editor in 2021
1. Adobe Premiere Pro is the very best video editor in 2021
Premiere Pro offers outstanding value for money. It's the industry-standard video editing program for pros, but really easy to use and get the hang of. So if you're serious about your videos, you should seriously consider going for Premiere Pro.
2. CyberLink PowerDirector - a powerful editor at great valuePremiere Pro offers outstanding value for money. It's the industry-standard video editing program for pros, but really easy to use and get the hang of. So if you're serious about your videos, you should seriously consider going for Premiere Pro.
CyberLink is a terrific choice if you like the idea of premium video editors, but still want to keep costs low - less than $4/£5 a month! For that, you still get a feature-packed tool that caters to beginners, intermediates and pros alike. We particularly like its clever Magic Movie Wizard mode.
Free Video Editing
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2. CyberLink PowerDirector - a powerful editor at great value
2. CyberLink PowerDirector - a powerful editor at great value
CyberLink is a terrific choice if you like the idea of premium video editors, but still want to keep costs low - less than $4/£5 a month! For that, you still get a feature-packed tool that caters to beginners, intermediates and pros alike. We particularly like its clever Magic Movie Wizard mode.
3. Apple Final Cut Pro X - top honors for Mac usersCyberLink is a terrific choice if you like the idea of premium video editors, but still want to keep costs low - less than $4/£5 a month! For that, you still get a feature-packed tool that caters to beginners, intermediates and pros alike. We particularly like its clever Magic Movie Wizard mode.
It may be aimed squarely at the professional end of the market, but Apple Final Cut Pro X is not needlessly complicated and its 'trackless' timeline is super intuitive. You pay for it upfront rather than monthly, so it's likely to work out very affordable in the long run if you're in video editing for keeps.
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3. Apple Final Cut Pro X - top honors for Mac users
3. Apple Final Cut Pro X - top honors for Mac users
It may be aimed squarely at the professional end of the market, but Apple Final Cut Pro X is not needlessly complicated and its 'trackless' timeline is super intuitive. You pay for it upfront rather than monthly, so it's likely to work out very affordable in the long run if you're in video editing for keeps.
It may be aimed squarely at the professional end of the market, but Apple Final Cut Pro X is not needlessly complicated and its 'trackless' timeline is super intuitive. You pay for it upfront rather than monthly, so it's likely to work out very affordable in the long run if you're in video editing for keeps.
The best free video editing software in 2021
The best free software you can download today
Best Macbook For Video Editing
Specifications
Reasons to buy
+Powerful features and effects+Highly customizable interface +Multi-track editing
Reasons to avoid
-Steeper learning curve than some -Only exports in MPEG format
Lightworksis the best free option for anyone who wants to create professional-quality movies and videos without paying a penny. While it still can't be considered a match for a program like Adobe Premiere Elements, it supports multitrack video and is a non-linear editor, so the quality of your footage won’t be reduced while being processed.
With Lightworks, you’ll find all sorts of high-end features that are normally only available with expensive packages such as Final Cut Pro. These include the ability to import and render footage in the background, and to preview video effects in real-time.
The one downside is that learning how to use Lightworks can take some time as the interface is fairly complex. You can drag various editing windows around to create an almost infinite number of layout variations and set custom keyboard shortcuts to speed up your editing jobs.
You can download and install Lightworks for free on Windows, Mac, and Linux devices. If at a later date, you decide you want to invest in an improved experience, you can upgrade to Lightworks Pro. With this upgraded version, you’ll be able to export your projects in different formats, create 3D masterpieces and upload straight to YouTube.
Read our full Lightworks review
Free software for amateurs and experts alike
Specifications
Reasons to buy
+Professional-grade tools+Extendable (for a fee)+Excellent online tutorials
Reasons to avoid
Like Lightworks, Hitfilm Express is free-to-use video editing sofware that aims to make a professional editing experience available to everyone. With this software package, it’s easy to adjust color balance, trim clips, and export your projects in different video formats.
But the Hitfilm Express feature set goes way beyond that. You can also use this free video editor to set green screen chroma keys, create custom video masks, and take your footage to the next level with a range of 3D compositional tools. Although first-time users may find it a little confusing, the HitFilm Express user-interface will be familiar to anyone who’s worked with an advanced video editor before.
There are only two small downsides to this video editor. The first is that it’s technically demanding, so you’ll need a PC or Mac with a powerful processor to run it. And, secondly, the installation process is unnecessarily complex. To get access to the Hitfilm Express software, you’ll need to share a link to its developer, FXhome, on social media.
Read our full Hitfilm Express review
Refreshingly clean looking free editing software
Specifications
Reasons to buy
+Great selection of filters and effects +Supports direct streaming+Makes it easy to import media
Reasons to avoid
Shotcut started life as a free video editor on Linux and was ported over to Windows and Mac machines after it had already been around for a few years. This development journey has resulted in a slightly odd-looking user interface, but Shotcut is still one of the best free video editors you can download now.
Some aspects of the Shotcut system are easy and intuitive, such as the process of dragging media files to import them into your project. However, there’s no doubt that there’s a steeper learning curve with this video editor than most. For example, you’ll have to configure your display by adding the modules you need.
But once you get the hang of Shotcut, you’ll discover why this free video editor has amassed such a large following. The best Shotcut feature is a large selection of filters that can be applied to audio and video content. Once added, you can layer and customize filters to achieve the precise effect you’re looking for.
An online video editing tool that you can use anywhere
Specifications
Operating system: Windows, macOS, Linux (in browser)
Reasons to buy
+Works on any computer+Include royalty-free content
Reasons to avoid
Nostalgic in its name to some, Movie Maker Online is a video editor that runs in your browser. To edit a video, you simply need to upload it to an unusual vertical project timeline where you can crop clips and add filters or transition effects.
Other free video editors listed here are software packages that can be installed and run locally. However, these aren’t the only types of free video editor available. There are also many great browser-based tools too, and Movie Maker Online is one of these.
The big advantage of an online editor is that you can access it from any desktop device, and there’s no need to worry about content storage. Another big bonus is that your computer specs don’t matter as much, the age of your hardware doesn’t matter when using an online video editor as everything happens in the cloud.
If you want to enhance your video or movie with music or still images, Movie Maker Online gives you access to a large archive of royalty-free images that can be inserted into your project timeline with a single click.
Free software with multi-monitor support
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
VSDC Video Editor used to be known as one of the clunkier free video editing programs. Thankfully, the latest edition of the software has a dramatically improved interface with a fresh-looking dark theme and the ability to detach individual windows, ideal for editing with more than one monitor.
Best Video Editing Apps For Windows
Like Lightworks, VSDC is a non-linear video editor that’s able to compete with more expensive video editing packages. It comes in both free and premium editions, and there are pleasingly few prompts for free users to subscribe. The only serious annoyance is that the free variant lacks multiple color chroma key tools and can’t be used for resolutions above 1080p.
VSDC supports plenty of useful video editing functions including animations, sprites, transitions, watermarking, blending, overlaying, and masking. Another awesome feature is a free video stabilization tool, which is excellent if you need to improve the quality of shaky clips captured on smartphones.
Other free options to try:
Adobe Spark
If you need to trim a video and don't mind the watermark, Adobe Spark can get the job done quickly and easily online. The basic version is free to use, but you'll need a premium account to remove the watermark and perform more advanced editing tasks.
If you need to trim a video and don't mind the watermark, Adobe Spark can get the job done quickly and easily online. The basic version is free to use, but you'll need a premium account to remove the watermark and perform more advanced editing tasks.
EZGif
When you need to crop a video to a specific aspect ratio, this simple online tool could be just what you need. It's not suitable for very large files, but you can set the dimensions, select from a list of presets, and position the crop area yourself.
When you need to crop a video to a specific aspect ratio, this simple online tool could be just what you need. It's not suitable for very large files, but you can set the dimensions, select from a list of presets, and position the crop area yourself.
Video editors FAQ
Should I pay for a premium video editor?
To state the blindingly obvious, premium video editors tend to have advantages that free ones don’t. Those advantages tend to come in the form of resources: resources to develop apps that squeeze the most performance out of high-end hardware, resources to develop better effects, resources to fix show-stopping bugs, resources to make sure the app works on the latest hardware, resources to polish the interface and create help files and how-tos and all the other things you’d expect from professional software. But of course, that comes at a price – $300ish for Final Cut Pro X, for example.
If you’re a pro, time is money so you spend money to save time, whether that’s the time it takes to render your footage or the time you can’t afford to spend shouting 'WHY GOD, WHY?' when the app doesn’t do exactly what you want or crashes mid-edit.
Free apps are aimed at a more forgiving and less demanding kind of user. That’s not to say they can’t do great things. They can. But they often take a hand-holding approach that focuses on the basics and doesn’t give you access to the fine detail. They might take a good-enough approach to performance rather than a “Steven Spielberg needs this NOW!” no-compromise approach, and their effects may be simpler than the pro ones.