Best Free Video Editors for Windows 2022 – Windows Central

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free video editors for windows
Windows Central
2022

Best Overall: DaVinci Resolve 17

Did you know that DaVinci Resolve 17 is actually free? As difficult as it may seem, this is a free, full-featured version of professional video editing software from Blackmagic Design. There is still the paid “full” version of Studio, but for anyone looking for a free video editor, it’s hard to find anything else like it. For the most part, the free version will provide everything you need.

For one, it’s platform independent, so you can use it on Mac and Linux as well as Windows, although it can be picky about its hardware support. This mostly extends to the GPU, which is important since Resolve 17 makes full use of GPU acceleration.

Along with all the editing tools you can fall back on, Resolve 17 also offers comprehensive color grading and built-in audio tools. Color grading is one of its strengths and is welcome especially for free users.

Learning DaVinci Resolve 17 completely will take time and commitment, but it’s also fairly easy to pick up and get started with simple modifications. Just make sure you have a good enough pool of hardware resources, because Resolve can certainly gobble it up. But if you want to get serious about video editing without financial commitment, this is the software for you.

Kdenlive is living proof that open source software can compete with the best. Built by the team behind the KDE community more commonly associated with Linux, Kdenlive is also available on Mac and Windows, completely free and packed with features. And since this is FOSS, free really means free (although you should definitely donate if you’re using it to support development).

Kdenlive works well on a wider range of hardware than Davinci Resolve, while still being able to offer a feature set aimed at more advanced video editors. Naturally, the better your hardware, the better your experience, but beginners on a budget are certainly not held back from fully utilizing the software.

It has its flaws, its resource demanding, coupled with a steeper learning curve than some comparable apps. But the layout is easy to understand, and it doesn’t take too much effort to understand the main functions and how to make your first changes. And if you want to take it a step further, there’s built-in scripting support to really tailor Kdenlive to your needs.

“Wait a second, Microsoft doesn’t make a video editor!” In fact, it is, and it’s built right into Windows 10 and 11. It’s not going to edit the next blockbuster, but if you just need a few quick basic tweaks, that’s fine.

The main advantage is that it costs you nothing and is quite light. Some included features let you crop and adjust footage, add special effects and text, and save everything, so it’s ready to share with the world. It’s about getting the job done quickly.

The flip side is that the functionality is… well, basic. You have cool effects, text and other additions to the video, but that’s about it. If you want your videos to stand out and stand out, you’ll need a dedicated video editing suite. But for social video and absolute beginners who need the basics, give it a try.

Adobe is best known for its all-powerful Premiere Pro video editor, but Adobe Rush is something a little more toned down and a perfect place for beginners to cut their teeth. It requires an Adobe account, which may be off-putting to some, but the software itself is excellent.

While advanced editors will find a better home elsewhere, you might be surprised at how much you can do. It’s capable of adding titles and transitions, for example, and it’s particularly appealing to those who post a lot of social video content. Adobe Rush also works like most modern cloud apps, in that it automatically saves your work as you progress. We like that.

The user interface is intuitive and follows the same basic pattern as most popular video editors. It’s a shame that syncing with the mobile version is locked behind a paywall, but if you like the free version enough, it might just be money well spent.

OpenShot is another advanced video editor that is completely free to download and use. You can grab a copy on Windows, Mac, and Linux, allowing you to use the same software on different devices. It’s also a joy to use thanks to the user interface and the ability to switch between simple and advanced modes.

It’s a bit slower compared to commercial software, as you might say is to be expected. Still, if you’re not going to do it all with countless files rendered daily, OpenShot should be good enough and a perfect step between true beginner software and more advanced edits.

At the end of the line

The fact that you can get a full-featured, professional-grade video editor like DaVinci Resolve for free is mind-blowing. Resolve is used by true professionals doing high-budget video work, and you can get most of the same experience on your Windows PC without spending a dime.

If you might be looking to take your video editing further in the future, learning Resolve is also potentially a useful career tool, and Blackmagic has a ton of learning resources available on its website, also for free.

The fact that it’s not the only high-quality video editor available for free on Windows is just icing on the cake. We’re actually pretty spoiled for good free video editors on Windows, and that’s not a bad thing.

Credits — The team that worked on this guide

Richard Devin Richard Devine is an editor at Windows Central. A former project manager and lifelong tech junkie, he joined Mobile Nations in 2011 and has been found on Android Central and iMore as well as Windows Central. Currently, you’ll find it covering all sorts of hardware and games.

Rich Edmonds is a Windows Central staff reviewer, which means he tests more software and hardware than he cares to remember. Joining Mobile Nations in 2010, you can usually find him in a PC box tinkering around when not in front of a screen battling Grammarly for using British words. Hit it up on Twitter: @RichEdmonds.

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