A high-quality video will decorate a photographer’s portfolio, help display products from an online store in the best possible light, and, in general, be useful to anyone who will create a website.
You don’t even need to hire a professional editor to make your video. On the Internet, you can find a variety of video processing programs that will be accessible and understandable even for a beginner. In this article, we’ve rounded up the best video editing software that will be most relevant in 2025 – such as Lightworks, iMovie, VideoPad, and cloud retouch Video Maker.
Free Video editing software in 2025
1. Lightworks
2. Shotcut
3. iMovie
4. HitFilm Express
5. VSDC Free Video Editor
6. DaVinci Resolve
7. VideoPad
8. Openshot
9. Avidemux
10. Cloud retouch Video Maker
1. Lightworks
Suitable for: Hollywood quality commercials. “The Wolf of Wall Street,” “Pulp Fiction,” “Isle of the Damned” – Lightworks was used to create all these iconic Hollywood films. This video editing software is one of the most powerful in the industry. And fortunately, it is completely free to use. The free version includes autosave, multi-camera editing, image capture, color correction, special effects overlay, and the ability to share your project with other people. However, you can only export videos in MPEG-4 720p format.
Pros: Huge learning library, advanced features, autosave capability
Cons: Difficult to master, freezes on slower computers, limited video export in the free version.
Platforms: Windows, Mac, and Linux
Paid version: Lightworks Pro costs $ 24.99 per month, $ 174.99 per year, or $ 437.99 for a lifetime subscription.
2. Shotcut
Suitable for: 4K video.
A shortcut is a powerful video editing software that supports color grading, transitions, video capture, histograms and timelines, and 4K video creation. At first glance, Shotcut’s interface may seem overwhelming – but you get used to it faster than you think.
Pros: 4K support, flexible interface, a wide range of filters and effects
Cons: unusual interface, the limited number of tools
Platforms: Windows, Mac and Linux
Paid version: no
3. iMovie
Suitable for: Mac users.
Mac users have one of the best video editing software available by default – iMovie. You can edit audio, trim video, edit transitions, and split-screen with it. All this with a simple drag and drop. When you don’t have a laptop at hand, you can also work on your iPhone or iPad projects.
Pros: user-friendly interface, 4K video support
Cons: limited tools, only available to Apple users.
Platforms: Mac
Paid version: no.
4. HitFilm Express
Best for: Experienced video creators.
HitFilm Express video editing software offers one of the most comprehensive toolsets in the industry. These include the use of chroma key, 4K video creation, 3D object import, advanced video cropping and combining, layers, masks, and 360-degree video editing.
Pros: working with 3D objects, tracking, the ability to create your effects
Cons: slow export, requires a powerful computer
Platforms: Windows and Mac
Paid version: HitFilm Pro for $ 299
5. VSDC Free Video Editor
Suitable for: working with text and effects
VSDC is one of the top video editing software for Windows. The program is quite easy to use despite the far from an intuitive interface. VSDC even includes a virtual assistant to make your video editing process easier. This editor is especially good for creating presentations – it is convenient to add text, lines, graphics, filters and special effects.
Pros: 4K support, filters for audio and video.
Cons: complex interface, limited options, available only to Windows users
Platforms: Windows
Paid version: VSDC Pro for $ 19.99
6. DaVinci Resolve
Suitable for: professional color grading.
DaVinci Resolve is considered the best color program and is often used on high-budget films and TV shows. However, color correction is not the only strength of the program; the editor also offers the ability to edit from multiple cameras, face recognition and a wide range of special effects.
Pros: Powerful color grading tool, collaboration capability
Cons: long training, paid tutorials, slow work on weak computers
Platforms: Windows, Mac, and Linux
Paid version: DaVinci Resolve Studio for $ 299
7. VideoPad
Best for: Making videos on social media.
Social media promotion has become an absolute must for professionals from various backgrounds, from photographers and illustrators to models and entrepreneurs. Therefore, many people need a simple and intuitive video editing program. VideoPad is just an editor that allows you to apply effects and text, edit transitions and edit audio tracks with a simple drag and drop. Moreover, it is easy to export videos to Youtube, Facebook, Google Drive and mobile devices with VideoPad.
Pros: Intuitive interface, support for popular video formats, direct export to social networks.
Cons: Lack of advanced features, paid add-ons, can only be used for non-commercial videos.
Platforms: Windows and Mac
Paid version: Lifetime license costs from $ 60 to $ 99, monthly subscription – $ 5.50.
8. Openshot
Suitable for: Beginners.
Many people consider Openshot to be the more accessible version of iMovie – it can also be edited using drag and drop. It makes it easy to cut and paste videos, add transitions, overlay images, and more.
Pros: Drag-and-drop interface, a forum for users
Cons: Insufficient training materials and occasional lags in work.
Platforms: Windows, Mac and Linux
Paid version: No
9. Avidemux
Suitable for: fast video editing.
If you need editing at the most basic level, Avidemux video processing software is suitable for you. With it, you can quickly trim or merge videos and apply the desired filter and export the finished project in a convenient format. Due to its simplicity, the program takes up relatively little disk space. Important: Users report that the program frequently crashes – so remember to save the project every few minutes.
Pros: Ease of use
Cons: Interruptions, limited features
Platforms: Windows, Mac and Linux
Paid version: No
10. Cloud retouch Video Maker
Suitable for: basic installation.
The cloud retouch Video Maker video editing software is default to all cloudretouch users. Upload the necessary media files and texts, choose the appropriate theme and background, and the program will automatically create a video in the required resolution and timing. Such a video can be placed on the landing page of an online store to advertise a new product. Or place it in a photographer’s portfolio to dynamically showcase many works in one video. Or use it to attract visitors – after all, according to the study, sites with video are 53 times more likely to land on the first page of Google searches.
Pros: Suitable for any device, ready-made video templates, intuitive interface
Cons: Only the first four videos are free. After that, you will need to upgrade to one of the cloud retouch plans.
Platform: Any internet browser
Paid Version: As part of cloud retouch Premium Plans.
