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12 best video editing software (free & pro) in 2025

June 4, 2025

12 best video editing software (free & pro) in 2025

Discover 12 video editing software—from free no-watermark and photo to video software to versatile digital media tools—create pro level videos in 2025.

Video

Editing

June 4, 2025

12 best video editing software (free & pro) in 2025

Discover 12 video editing software—from free no-watermark and photo to video software to versatile digital media tools—create pro level videos in 2025.

June 4, 2025

Video

Editing

In this article

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This makes the editing process so much faster. I wish I knew about Descript a year ago.
Matt D., Copywriter

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What type of content do you primarily create?

Videos

Podcasts

Social media clips

Transcriptions

Start editing audio & video

This makes the editing process so much faster. I wish I knew about Descript a year ago.
Matt D., Copywriter

What type of content do you primarily create?

Videos

Podcasts

Social media clips

Transcriptions

Whether you're creating a documentary film or crafting marketing content, video editing software is your secret weapon. And there are a lot of options out there, ranging from intuitive tools for complete beginners to full-featured workstations for seasoned filmmakers.

To help you navigate through the myriad of options available, this guide reviews the 12 best video editing solutions for every skill level. 

And for beginners, we’ll also go through the key principles of video editing and offer insights on enhancing your content.

Tool Best for Price
  Video creators and podcasters   Free. Paid plans start at $12/month  
  Professional video editors   $20.99/month  
  Prosumers and professionals   $299  
  Beginners   Free  
  Professional editors and VFX artists   $295  
  Hobbyists   Free  
  Semi-professional editors   $9.99/month, or $159.99 flat fee  
  Casual users   Free  
  Social media managers   $29/month  
  Beginner animators   $12.50/month  
  Small businesses and marketers   $30/month  
  Home users   $55.95  

Specs

Reasons to buy

Descript is an all-in-one video editor but that doesn’t mean you’ll login to an overwhelming dashboard. Its unique UX virtually eliminates the learning curve and friction video creators often face when trying to learn video editing solutions to quicken their workflow. It also serves as video recording software if you want to capture video directly from your screen, camera, or a remote interview, and audio recording software for recording voiceovers and podcasts. 

The best part: If you can type, you can edit in Descript. That’s because the text transcript and the actual footage are magically linked—slice out a word, and you’ve sliced out that part of the video. Spend less time hunting down filler words, too: Our AI can remove every “um” and “uh” in a snap. And if you lost your place mid-sentence, no teleprompter needed—Descript’s Eye Contact feature keeps your gaze right on the camera. Now you can nail a polished, engaging video that looks like you recorded in a pro studio, even if you actually did it from your kitchen.

With these features, Descript goes beyond the basics of video editing: 

Get full-featured video editing with the power of AI. Try Descript today.

Specs:

Compatibility: macOS 10.15 (or later) and Windows 10.

Price: Only available by subscription. You can get it for $20.99 per month with an annual commitment or $239.88 if you pay for a year upfront (that works out to $19.99 per month)

Features: Timeline-based editing, Lumetri color tools, VR support, integration with Adobe Creative Cloud, proxy workflow. 

Who it’s best for: Professional-level video editors.

Pros: Nonlinear editing interface, flexible dashboard, good organization and collaboration tools, fast speed and rendering, unlimited multicam angles.

Cons: Interface may be intimidating for beginners, additional applications may be needed for some techniques, no sound effect samples included.

Reasons to buy

Adobe Premiere Pro is the go-to choice for serious video editing at a decent price point. As part of Adobe Creative Cloud, it pairs seamlessly with other Adobe tools like Photoshop and Lightroom. With Adobe Premiere Pro, you're investing in speedy rendering, top-notch stabilization, and unlimited multicam angles, perfect for advanced editors.

Be aware, this isn't casual software. Its extensive features may overwhelm you if you’re a beginner. However, if you're a pro looking for advanced editing capabilities, Adobe Premiere Pro delivers. Plus, it’s a subscription-based product, so you reap the benefits of regular updates and improvements without a heavy upfront cost.

Specs

Reasons to buy

Final Cut Pro stands out for its magnetic, trackless timeline that offers video editors a highly flexible and easy-to-use interface. If you're big on organization, Final Cut Pro comes with excellent tools for managing libraries, rating content, tagging, and even auto-analysis for faces and scenes. This helps you save a ton of time when you're sifting through footage.

The software also excels in speed and performance, which is ideal for professionals who need to get the job done fast. With support for 360-degree footage and multicam editing, the program gives you all the tools you need in one place. No need to switch between multiple apps.

Specs

Compatibility: Works on all Mac devices. Requires macOS v10.15.6 (Catalina) or later, iOS 16.0 or later, or iPadOS 16.0 or later. 

Price: Completely free for iMac, Macbook, iPad, and iPhone users. 

Features: User-friendly, drag-and-drop interface, pre-set themes and templates, 4K resolution support, trailer creation feature.

Who it’s best for: Beginners and casual users looking for a simple, user-friendly editing process, mostly for personal use.

Pros: Simple interface, color matching and audio tools, great movie templates.

Cons: Limited to two video tracks, missing advanced controls, no support for tagging, multicam, or motion tracking.

Reasons to buy

If you're new to video editing or just want something simple that works, iMovie is for you. The software comes free with most Macs and offers an intuitive user dashboard. Unlike more complex video editing software, iMovie makes the editing process simple without compromising quality features like color matching and great audio tools. 

However, if you're after multiple video tracks or advanced features like motion tracking, you may want to explore more advanced options. iMovie shines for straightforward projects. But for more ambitious editing needs, consider upgrading to tools like Adobe Premiere Pro. 

Specs

Compatibility: Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Price: The standard version is free. The premium version, DaVinci Resolve Studio 17, has features like Dolby Vision audio tools and neural engine, and costs $295. 

Features: Advanced color correction and grading, Fairlight audio post-production suite, multi-user collaboration.

Who it’s best for: Professional editors, colorists, and VFX artists in high-end film and TV production. 

Pros: Extensive editing tools, clear interface, precise control, includes motion graphics and audio editing.

Cons: Resource-intensive, steeper learning curve.

Reasons to buy

DaVinci Resolve is a popular software among professional editors for its advanced color correction and visual effects capabilities. The software also showcases its speed with fast render performance. 

That said, prepare your system to work hard. This tool demands a lot of resources. When you have a computer that can handle it, learning DaVinci Resolve is a worthy time investment if you're looking to create blockbuster movies. For those who don't need the full suite of advanced features, the free version is an exceptionally powerful alternative.

Specs

Reasons to buy

If your budget is tight but you're keen on video editing, Shotcut makes a compelling case. It’s a free open-source tool that comes loaded with a surprising set of features like chroma keying and many different filter effects. While it may lack the finesse of commercial applications, Shotcut still offers a plenty of output formats.

But Shotcut is not for those who want an out-of-the-box easy-to-use solution. You'll need to invest some time to get familiar with its less intuitive editing dashboard. Still, the learning curve is a small price to pay for the kind of power you get without shelling out a dime.

The software runs smoothly on multiple operating systems, from Windows to macOS to Linux. With Shotcut, your budget limitations don’t have to hold back your creativity.

Specs

Reasons to buy

If you're on a budget but still want powerful video editing capabilities, Lightworks is worth considering. The software brings a blend of basic and advanced features that cater to both newbies and seasoned editors. It's also compatible with multiple operating systems, so you can work on your projects regardless of your device.

While the platform does boast a range of features, it also comes with a steep learning curve. Still, with an active user forum and a history in the movie industry, Lightworks has proven itself to be a capable tool for video editing.

Specs

Compatibility: Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows 10.

Price: Free.

Features: Basic drag-and-drop editing, simple transitions and effects, timeline narration, direct upload to YouTube. 

Who it’s best for: Casual users and beginners who want to make simple videos.

Pros: Extremely easy to use, video stabilization features, variety of transition options, auto preview for effects.

Cons: No contrast or saturation adjustments, limited customizability of effects.

Reasons to buy

Windows Movie Maker is your go-to if you're a Windows user seeking a hassle-free video editing experience. It's beginner-friendly to the core and offers essential features like video stabilization, a variety of transitions, and the ability to add voice overs. You also get auto-preview for effects and convenient sharing options.

However, the software does have its limits. You won’t find advanced features like contrast or saturation adjustments. The effects aren't customizable, so what you see is what you get. Still, if you're new to video editing or simply want to create something presentable without getting bogged down in technicalities, Movie Maker gets the job done. 

While it’s not a heavyweight compared to more advanced software, it’s a perfect starting point for video-editing novices.

Specs

Reasons to buy

If you're tired of slogging through piles of video clips and want a fresh, automated approach to video editing, Lumen5 is an online video editor that offers a viable solution. Its key selling point is its ability to convert text into engaging video content, which saves would-be video editors a lot of time. This makes it an ideal tool for businesses or individuals who frequently need videos but lack the technical know-how.

The service is web-based, meaning you can access it from virtually any device. Another cool standout feature is its extensive library of royalty-free media and popular themes, which help give you a head start in the video creation process.

Specs

Compatibility: Web-based.

Price: Starts at $12.50 per month.

Features: Drag-and-drop interface for creating animated videos, voiceover recording, pre-designed templates and characters, HD and Full HD video support.

Who it's best for: Content creators, marketers, and educators who want to create animated videos, infographics, and presentations without needing detailed animation skills.

Pros: Intuitive user interface that's easy to navigate, rich features like animated 2D characters and auto-subtitling, robust customer support for troubleshooting and guidance.

Cons: Prone to lag due to its online-only nature, occasional playback glitches can disrupt the editing process, voiceover feature needs improvement.

Reasons to buy

If you're looking for a simple yet powerful video-making tool, Animaker is a top choice. Its user-friendly, web-based platform lets you create unique 2D animated videos without any design expertise. 

While there are some downsides like lag and playback glitches, the pros, including strong customer support, overwhelmingly make it worth your consideration. If animation is your go-to medium, consider using Animaker to make the editing process easier. 

Specs

Compatibility: Browser-based. 

Price: Free version available. Paid plans start at $15/month when billed annually.

Features: Intuitive user interface, text-to-video creation, AI assistance, extensive media library. 

Who it's best for: Small businesses, marketers, and media agencies needing to transform content into video formats quickly.

Pros: Quick and straightforward workflow, extensive library of stock music, videos, and images.

Cons: Pricey subscription plans, some unintuitive editing features, resolution capped at 1080p for paid plans.

Reasons to buy 

In the world of video editing apps, InVideo is a solid tool for those looking to produce eye-catching content, particularly for social media channels like TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram. It doesn’t matter if you’re a Mac or Windows user, InVideo's browser-based solution works on both. 

It's not just the visual effects that are good. The software comes with real-time audio editing features, and options for transitions, color correction, and overlays. While it may lack the color grading and motion graphics you'd find in Filmora or After Effects, InVideo offers essential editing capabilities that serve most users well.

Specs

Compatibility: Windows 7, 8, 10, and 11.

Price: One time fee of $55.95.

Features: Video management features, multitrack timeline editing in HD, 4K, and 8K, effect and transition library, disc authoring, support for edge-to-edge video, and PiP effects. 

Who it’s best for: Home users or beginners wanting to create and manage video projects or slideshows with basic editing and export features.

Pros: Affordable compared to competitors; supports a wide range of file formats; including H.265 and 8K; burns DVD, Blu-ray, and AVCHD.

Cons: Slow export rendering, outdated dashboard elements.

Reasons to buy

Nero Video offers real-time video effects and overlays with a customizable workflow with drag-and-drop capabilities. It also offers tutorials to ease the learning curve, making it accessible for users transitioning from apps like iMovie. 

While it might not offer free versions like some video editing software, its list price packs a punch in terms of value. And unlike other basic video editors, Nero Video even provides advanced features like subtitles, motion graphics, and multicam editing.

If you're looking to produce high-quality video content without the Hollywood budget, Nero Video offers an impressive array of editing capabilities that meet and often exceed those of its pricier competitors.

If you’re serious about editing, remember that video work can tax your computer’s resources. Look for software that supports GPU acceleration or proxy editing if you’re working on an older or less powerful machine—your system will thank you. If you’re a beginner, look for software with an intuitive interface, straightforward drag-and-drop features, and basic video editing tools like iMovie or Filmora. These usually come with pre-designed templates and easy-to-follow tutorials that ease the learning curve.

For those focused on YouTube videos or more advanced projects, software like Descript or Adobe Premiere Pro offers a wider range of high-quality editing tools. It’s important to always check compatibility with your operating system and see if there's a free version you can try before buying. 

Note the range of video formats supported, and if you’re planning on screen recording, make sure that function exists. If you’re interested in making video on the go, ensure that the software has a complementary video editing app for iOS or Android. 

Want to join the thousands of creators already using Descript’s video editing app? Take a tour of the dashboard today.

Plenty of creators pick Descript because it speeds up editing with AI—chopping out dead space, cleaning up audio, and automatically captioning your footage. That means you can spend less time fiddling with cuts, and more time actually creating videos your audience will love.

If you want a simple but powerful workspace for editing, Descript is a solid choice. It’s accessible enough for beginners—thanks to transcription-based editing—and offers advanced features like multicam support, green screen, and AI-powered enhancements. This makes it ideal for complete newbies and seasoned editors alike.

A Mac can feel like a slick editing suite out of the box—seamless updates, built-in apps, and tidy design. On a PC, you’re free to swap parts and experiment with more software. The real question: Which system do you already have and does that editor run well on it? That’s what matters most.

AI can handle the fiddly stuff—things like auto-captioning, background removal, and even suggesting the best clips. It’s not here to replace creativity; it’s here to save you from the parts of the job you’d rather not do manually. If you’re juggling deadlines or just want higher efficiency, look for a video editor that includes AI-driven features.

Yes. Descript provides a free plan that lets you edit videos with core features like text-based editing, screen recording, and limited transcription hours. It’s a good starting point, especially for trying out basic projects or exploring the interface before upgrading.

Vivian Tejeda

Vivian is a content marketer who loves writing, creativity, and is obsessed with the art of storytelling. Her free time is taken up by learning golf, reading books, and touching grass.

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