If you’re a video creator, there are three reasons why it’s crucial to learn color correction. First, it will help you enhance your videos and make them look professional. Second, it will allow you to color-match several clips so they look more consistent. Finally, color correction can help you fix overexposed, underexposed, and washy footage — all three being the result of poor lighting conditions or wrong camera settings.

However, when you’re just getting started, you might not be ready to commit to purchasing expensive programs. Thankfully, there is free software you can use to practice.

For this article, we’ve reviewed 5 video editors for color correction. These editors include all the essential tools for both primary and secondary color correction, as well as other features to help you create a beautiful movie. And the best part is, they happen to be free.

Let’s get started.

VSDC Free Video Editor

VSDC is a free video editor for Windows PC. It works well for basic editing, as well as professional-level montage with effects. In addition to the video editing feature set, it includes add-ons like a video recorder, a screen recorder, and a voice recorder. VSDC offers both primary and secondary color correction tools.

When talking about color correction, creators usually refer to primary color correction and secondary color correction. Primary color correction implies “broad strokes,” or adjustments that affect the overall video aesthetics. Such adjustments include white balance, brightness and contrast levels, and color tone correction. In VSDC, you can perform primary color correction using the Lift, Gamma & Gain color wheels, black & white balance points, RGB and Hue & Saturation curves, as well as manual color controls (brightness, contrast, gamma, saturation, temperature, etc.).

This means that you can fix overexposed or underexposed videos, correct highlights, midtones, and shadows, and just quickly enhance the way your video looks. To analyze the color distribution and perform clip color match, you can use the dedicated Color scopes window.

For secondary color correction, which implies correcting isolated colors or scopes of color tones, you can use the built-in LUT editor. For example, you can adjust a specific color tone on the video by making it more saturated or less powerful — this works well for artifacts and skin tone correction. Also, you can entirely swap certain colors in the video or make them change dynamically.

VSDC has a Pro version if you’re interested in using tools like masking, video stabilizer, or motion tracking. However, if you’re only looking for video color correction software, all the features are free, and you’ll be able to export your footage in up to 4K quality without format or duration limits.

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Davinci Resolve

Davinci Resolve is an award-winning video color correction software. It will work for you if you intend to become a video editing professional, and if you own a powerful computer. While being the most sophisticated tool on the list, Davinci demands a lot of resources, and you should keep that in mind before considering this program.

Just like VSDC, Davinci Resolve is likely to take you a couple of days to get comfortable with, but as soon as you get the hang of it, you’ll probably want to look no further.

The primary color correction instrument in Davinci Resolve is a set of color wheels that help you work with highlights, midtones, and shadows: Lift, Gamma, Gain & Offset. You can also quickly adjust brightness (luma) and contrast levels in the video.

Two features that make Davinci unique are nodes and stills. Nodes allow you to encapsulate all the applied color correction operations within a node, save it and apply it to multiple clips as a whole. Stills allow you to use videos or images you like as a reference, copy their color distribution schemes, and apply them to your video. While clip color matching, you can use color scopes and compare the colors of your video and the screengrab used for reference.

If you have a powerful enough machine, and you’re serious about mastering color correction, Davinci Resolve is certainly worth trying. It works on both Windows and Mac OS, places no significant restrictions, or watermarks at the export, and allows you to save videos in up to 1080p.

Lightworks

Lightworks is another well-known NLE used by professional filmmakers. This video editor is lightweight, cross-platform (works on Windows, Mac, and Linux), and it has an excellent selection of intuitive tools for both color correction and color grading.

Even if you have zero to no experience, Lightworks makes primary color correction simple. One of its main tabs, named VFX, offers a choice of several tools: Balance, Main, RGB, HSV, and Curves. As a rule, you want to start by setting a white, black, and gray balance for your footage. From there, you can manually set up the saturation, gamma, contrast, brightness, and gain values. Finally, you can use the curves to work with color channels, and wheels to work with highlights, midtones, and shadows. To perform clip color matching and ensure that the light and balance are consistent across every clip, you can use different types of color scopes.

Additionally, the free version of Lightworks supports third-party LUTs and plugins. You can use them both for color correction and color grading purposes (if you’re curious about the difference between the two, scroll down to the end of the article).

Although Lightworks offers a fully functioning free version of its video editor, some features, including advanced color correction features, advanced scopes, and premium filters, are behind the paywall. The good news is that the paid version starts at $9.99 per month which is still more affordable than high-end video editing software like Adobe Premiere.

If you choose to stick with the free version of Lightworks, it will allow you to edit videos at zero cost with no watermarks at the export. The only significant limitation is a 720p resolution cap.

Hitfilm (formerly Hitfilm Express)

Hitfilm is widely known as a VFX editor. It brings an array of built-in special effects and a variety of add-on integration options. However, you can also use Hitfilm to perform color correction on your footage before playing with the special effects it has to offer.

The key color correction tools available in Hitfilm are curves, color scopes, presets, and Hue & RGB keys. With this program, you can perform all the essential correction steps, from gauging color component information with different scope types – to achieving a nearly cinema-level look with coloring presets.

One useful feature that makes Hitfilm stand out is the use of video masking for color correction. This means that you can apply color correction to a selected object or area by creating a new layer with a mask for it. This trick comes in handy when you need to correct the skin color tone of an actor or remove artifacts.

Hitfilm works on Windows 10, 11 and MacOS 10.15. The free version allows you to export videos in HD quality, use professional visual effects, and benefit from proxy files. Some advanced color correction features belong to the paid version of Hitfilm; it’s available on a subscription basis and starts at $7.5 per month.

iMovie

iMovie is an easy-to-use editor for Mac OS. It provides basic color correction tools that will work if you’re getting started and need to quickly adjust the look of your video without dealing with color wheels and RGB curves. iMovie comes preinstalled on Mac computers and it’s completely free.

Color correction tools in iMovie can be divided into two groups: automatic adjustment and manual adjustment. The automatic adjustment toolset allows you to enhance video colors based on the skin tone, use the white balance picker, and match color tones in several clips. This third option comes in handy if you’re merging multiple videos shot in dramatically different light conditions. iMovie helps fine-tune the contrast and brightness settings and match all videos to the clip of your choice.

Essentially, automatic color correction tools in iMovie improve the contrast and remove a color cast in the video to make it look more professional. Manual color correction tools allow you to adjust shadows, contrast values, highlights, color saturation, and temperature values using sliders.

While iMovie doesn’t include color wheels, curves, or LUTs, its automatic adjustment algorithm can be sufficient for basic-level color correction.

What’s the difference between color correction and color grading?

Although in both cases you get to work with the colors of the video, color correction and color grading are two different techniques. When you perform color correction, it typically means that you want to enhance the video by making it look more natural and vibrant. If you’re merging several pieces of footage shot in different lighting conditions, color correction also means color-matching clips and making sure they have the same level of brightness, contrast, and gamma.

Color grading is also aimed at enhancing your video, but this technique doesn’t mean just color balance adjustment. Instead, editors use color grading to create a certain mood and visual aesthetics, express their artistic vision, so that the colors in the video become a part of the story. Color grading often means using filters and changing color tones; it always comes after color correction.

Some great examples of unique, memorable color grading works are Melancholia (dramatic cool color tones), Sin City (black-and-white effect, plus color isolation used to create a resemblance with a comic book), Batman (dimmed colors, dark tones), and, of course, movies like La La Land, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Scott Pilgrim.

Which software is best for video color correction?

There’s no short answer to this question, and here is why. Technically speaking, color correction tools – such as color wheels, black-and-white balance pickers, HSL curves, and contrast, brightness & gamma controls – are either very similar or the same, regardless of the video editing software. As long as you understand the main principles of color correction, and how each of these tools works, you can perform it in any program.

So how do you choose a program for video color correction? For starters, you can narrow your search by looking at system requirements. For example, if your computer is low on RAM, you may need to eliminate Davinci Resolve because it requires a powerful machine to perform well; or if you’re a Mac user, you’ll have to eliminate VSDC because this video editing software only works on Windows PC.

Next, think of other tools or effects you might need for your projects. For example, if you’re planning to use special effects a lot, no video editing software beats Hitfilm. If you need elaborated audio editing tools, Lightworks might be an excellent choice.

Once you have 2-3 options left, go ahead and test the remaining programs. Only then will you be able to choose the software you’re comfortable with. And if you fail to find everything you need in a single program, it’s a common practice to use several solutions for video editing.

Intro

Worked on a project for a few hours or even days and ended up frustrated by a watermark from your video editor? We're familiar with that. Don't worry, next time you can avoid this issue. Choose a video editor that won't cause such a problem. Wondering where to find it? The answer is in this article! We have collected our top 10 best video editing software without watermarks.

Key Takeaways

For your easy navigation through the article use the small table of contents below.

1. What is a Watermark?
2. What Watermark is Used For?
3. Best Free Video Editing Software Without Watermark
• VSDC Free Video Editor
• Kapwing (Web-based)
• iMovie (Mac and iPhone)
• Kdenlive (Windows, Mac, and Linux)
• Lightworks (Windows, Mac, and Linux)
• Avid Media Composer First (Windows, Mac)
• Openshot (Windows, Mac, and Linux)
• Clipchamp (Web-based)
• Videopad (Windows, Mac)
• Davinci Resolve (Windows, Mac)
4. Honorable mentions
5. Conclusion

What is a Watermark?

Watermarks can come as an unexpected surprise to users who haven't fully read about the editor they've chosen. Well, jokes aside, what exactly is a watermark? It is a special logo, signature or other pattern widely used nowadays for copyright protection of digital content.

The term watermark dates back several centuries when such marks were applied to wet paper and were visible only when viewed against the light or when the paper was rewetted. So, despite the name, rest assured that no program will actually drench your project.

What Watermark is Used For?

This method was initially used to protect securities and documents from counterfeiting. Today, while still used in paper production, watermarks have also made a significant leap into the digital realm.

Actually, their purpose is primarily the same: copyright protection. But many companies use watermarks not only for legal security but also to enhance brand visibility and recognition. Some platforms also often embed watermarks on images or videos that can be downloaded. It serves both as a copyright claim and as subtle advertisement signaling that content originated from some particular service. Similarly, when video editors leave their watermarks on user content, it becomes a tool for brand extension. Viewers can easily identify where some video was edited. Additionally, you can use watermarks for your own benefit. More and more it is recommended to add your personal watermark to images and videos shared, for instance, on social media. This not only prevents unauthorized use but also helps in establishing your identity online.

Best Free Video Editing Software Without Watermark

Now let's dive into the most interesting part of our article where you learn what video editors to use in order to avoid unwanted watermarks and keep your videos advertisement-free.

VSDC Free Video Editor (Windows PC)

Number one in our ranking, both in features and performance, is VSDC Free Video Editor. It is a perfect option for users with Windows-based computers. Not only does it avoid adding watermarks, but it's also incredibly lightweight, making it ideal even for older PCs. It has no limitation on file size and duration, and you can export your files up to 8K.

It has a wide toolset, allowing you to easily split and merge files, rotate videos, crop borders, create slideshows, apply color correction, and more. For a cinematic look, you can enhance your footage with LUTs (Look-Up Tables). To create smooth transitions, effects like motion blur or zoom can be added. You can also apply filters such as glitch to set a specific style. If you're working with green or blue screen footage, the Chroma Key tool lets you replace the background with any image or video. For minimizing camera shake the stabilization tool is available.

Supporting all formats and codecs, VSDC saves time on conversions and ensures compatibility with any media, making it stand out among other editors.

It is available in both free and pro versions, but even in the free version it offers most of the features you need to create professional-quality content. Thanks to its user-friendly interface it is easy for beginners, but at the same time capable enough to meet the needs of professionals.

It is only a small number of all VSDC features. To find out more, go to the official website and best of all try this editor in action.

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Kapwing (Web-based)

Kapwing is an online video editor that's perfect for quick projects and collaborative work. It supports many video and audio formats through the use of FFmpeg and offers a wide range of tools for non-linear video editing.

Here you’ll find tools for trimming, resizing, adding text, applying filters and even incorporating subtitles. For amateur projects this number is more than enough, but for unlocking advanced features you’ll need paid options.

Besides, as it’s web-based, you can access your projects from anywhere without the need to install the software, that is why, this editor is ideal for teamwork.

iMovie (Mac and iPhone)

The iMovie application is a video editor for Mac OS X that can be used for capturing, editing and sharing videos. You can use it to edit movies, add effects and create titles and credits. It has an intuitive interface that is easy to navigate and menus that are all well-organized with different options.

The main features of iMovie include simple video and audio editing: users can crop, combine clips, add music and voice acting, apply effects and filters. In this editor you can create videos in the style of Hollywood trailers thanks to ready-made templates of iMovie with music, lyrics and titles.

Besides, this editor supports editing and exporting high-resolution videos, including 4K, and has iCloud integration that helps you easily synchronize projects and work on them on different devices.

For beginners iMovie provides helpful tutorials to quickly get you up to speed, while offering advanced features for those looking to elevate their video editing skills further.

Kdenlive (Windows, Mac, and Linux)

Kdenlive is a powerful video editing application with support for a variety of audio and video formats. This video editor has a wide range of features, including advanced editing tools, various effects and transitions, as well as powerful tools for color correction, audio postprocessing and adding subtitles.

One of the key features of Kdenlive is the support for nested sequences, which allow users to conveniently manage complex projects by combining editing elements into separate sequences.

Kdenlive also provides access to a variety of video analysis tools such as Histogram, Vectoroscope, RGB Parade, oscilloscope and audiometer, which is especially useful for accurate color correction and sound quality control. To improve performance when working with heavy projects, Kdenlive supports proxy editing, which allows you to edit videos in low resolution followed by high-quality rendering.

In addition, this editor offers free online resources, including templates and assets that help speed up the video creation process.

The latest versions of Kdenlive have introduced AI-based tools that automate some editing processes and simplify complex tasks.

Lightworks (Windows, Mac, and Linux)

Lightworks is known for its powerful editing tools and support for a wide range of formats and real time sync. It offers two versions: free and professional. The free version has a limited number of features including multicam editing, second monitor output, export to Vimeo and YouTube (H.264/MPEG-4) up to 720p.

It is possible here to edit without interruption thanks to its background rendering. Besides, it has an automatically configurable timeline and an opportunity to edit with proxy files, ensuring smooth performance without compromising on quality.

Professional version of Lightworks provides access to more advanced tools. It has features for working with 4K, as well as a wider selection of export formats. In addition, the professional version offers advanced features for color correction, sound and visual effects. Lightworks also supports plug-ins for integration with various third-party applications, making it a flexible tool for creating movies and television.

Other key features of Lightworks include support for teamwork, which allows multiple users to work on the project at the same time.

Avid Media Composer First (Windows, Mac)

Avid Media Composer First is a free version of a professional video editor designed for novice editors and enthusiasts. It supports working with 4K, HD and SD video formats, providing various project specifications. The program supports mono, stereo and dual mono audio, which allows you to flexibly control the sound in the project.

Media Composer First offers a set of video effects, including the main functions of Source Side Motion Effects, TimeWarp, stabilization and color correction. Tools such as HSL controls, hue shifting and brightness range adjustment are available for color correction. Users can also use classic caption tools and take advantage of multi-camera editing.

The app supports exporting videos directly to social platforms such as Facebook, YouTube and Vimeo.

However, Media Composer First has some limitations. You can work with a maximum of four video tracks and eight audio tracks. Besides, it is important to note that projects created in Media Composer First cannot be opened in the full version of Media Composer, and vice versa, projects from the full version cannot be used in the free version.

Openshot (Windows, Mac, and Linux)

Openshot is a cross-platform video editing software that supports a wide range of video, audio and image formats through the use of the FFmpeg library.

Integration with the desktop makes using the program convenient: file drag and drop functions, working with native file managers and window border management are supported. Openshot has an unlimited number of tracks and layers which can be used to overlay images, video and audio. It supports clip resizing, scaling, cropping, snapping, rotating and time trimming, offers compositing tools and templates for creating titles and subtitles and allows you to create 3D animated titles and effects using Blender.

Here you can also find digital video effects such as adjusting brightness, gamma, hue, applying a black and white filter and chroma key (blue/green screens).

Clipchamp (Web-based)

Clipchamp is an online video editor that provides powerful tools for creating, editing and sharing videos right in your browser. It offers a simple and intuitive interface, making it suitable for users of all levels, from beginners to professionals.

Clipchamp's main features include support for multiple formats, ready-made templates, basic functions such as slicing, cropping, rotating, resizing, and applying filters and effects. It allows exporting videos in various resolutions, including 720p, 1080p and 4K.

This editor allows you to add text, titles, graphic elements to personalize your content. It has a built-in library of stock video, images and audio, allowing users to quickly add quality content to their projects.

Clipchamp provides the ability to record screen and webcam video, which is useful for creating training videos and presentations. Users can add music tracks, sound effects and adjust the audio volume.

Finished videos can be quickly exported to YouTube, Vimeo, Google Drive and other platforms, as well as published to social networks such as Facebook and Instagram.

Videopad (Windows, Mac)

One of the main advantages of VideoPad is its ease of use, which makes video editing accessible even for beginners. The software is optimized for fast video rendering, even in high resolutions, such as 4K.

VideoPad's main features include the ability to add and edit multiple video and audio tracks simultaneously, which allows you to easily apply effects and manage multiple elements on the timeline. More than 50 visual effects and transitions are available in the editor, as well as color correction tools with which users can adjust video brightness, contrast and saturation and apply sepia or black and white effects. VideoPad allows you to edit 3D-videos and supports working with 360-degree video.

Here you can work with audio tracks, including cutting, overlaying and adding sound effects, record voice comments and add music tracks.

Finished projects can be exported to popular formats such as MP4, AVI, MOV and others. VideoPad also supports direct publishing to YouTube, Vimeo and other platforms.

Davinci Resolve (Windows, Mac)

DaVinci Resolve is one of the most powerful color correction tools. It includes a wide range of tools for adjusting the color of your footage, including curves, levels, hue, saturation and more.

It also has a broad set of tools for creating visual effects. You can use them to add effects such as motion blur, lens flare, etc.

For audio post-processing it offers lots of tools for audio mixing, mastering and editing.

The studio version of DaVinci Resolve supports multi-user collaboration and HDR grading.

Honorable mentions

All the video editors suggested in our article are feature-rich, and you're sure to enjoy using them. If you're just starting out, consider beginning with something simpler, then gradually move on to more advanced options as you strengthen your knowledge and experience.

Looking for even more options? You can try Shotcut (open source), HitFilm Express, Olive Editor (open source) or VN Video Editor (for macOS). All four video editors are free and have no watermark. Shotcut is a cross-platform editor that supports a wide range of formats and offers advanced features. HitFilm Express is known for its extensive visual effects tools and powerful editing suite. Olive Editor is a fast and intuitive editor under development that offers a simplified interface and professional-grade functionality. VN Video Editor is an easy-to-use software for macOS, perfect for quick edits without having to learn complex features.

Conclusion

In this article we have reviewed popular video editing software that offer different sets of features for processing. If you are a beginner, we advise you to try VSDC Video Editor. You won't have any difficulties with it, and tutorials available on the Internet will help you quickly understand how the program works. The set of tools in the free version will help you perform almost any task in a short time. If you prefer working in the browser, Kapwing and Clipchamp are both great options for non-professional use. And if you need a tool to start your professional journey as a filmmaker, consider Davinci Resolve, Avid or Lightworks.

The choice will depend on exactly what you need. Try different options to see which editor is right for you and meets your expectations and needs.

It has been another productive couple of months for the VSDC team, and we’re thrilled to announce the release of VSDC 7.2 – the new version of our video editing suite.

Although the majority of updates fall under the color correction toolset category, VSDC 7.2 also includes several long-awaited features, such as a new visual Echo filter, advanced animation for coordinate-based effects, multichannel audio effect controls, group file editing, and more.

Let’s review each part of this update in more detail.

Download VSDC Video Editor 7.2

Сolor correction toolset updates

As the number of color correction tools in the VSDC suite continued expanding earlier this year, it became apparent that we needed a single dedicated menu for all of them.

That’s why the first update we’d like to introduce is a new panel, named Color grading.

Color grading panel

Color grading is a new panel housing all the essential color correction controls:

• Basic color effects: Temp, Tint, Contrast, Brightness, Gamma, Saturation, Hue
• Lift, Gamma, Gain & Offset color wheels
• RGB curves and sliders
• HSL curves and sliders
• YUV curves and sliders
• Color twist settings (RGB color channel components)
• Optimized version of the LUT editor

The panel is designed to help you perform a full cycle of color grading in one place, without having to switch between different effect layers and tabs. If you’ve been using VSDC for some time, you’re probably familiar with most tools in the panel, except for the newly-added one, called Lift, Gamma & Gain.

Lift, Gamma & Gain

The Lift, Gamma, Gain (and Offset) wheels will help you apply professional-level color correction on videos and images. Lift allows you to correct dark tones in the video (shadows); Gamma allows you to correct midtones; Gain allows you to correct light tones, and Offset allows you to work with the entire image.

We suggest that you check our dedicated guide to working with the Lift, Gamma, Gain color wheels if you’d like to learn more about them.

Color grading effect

Finally, the new Color grading effect has been added to the Adjustments group of the Video effects menu. Essentially, this effect includes the same toolset as the new Color grading panel, however, since you’ll be able to add it to the timeline, it’s possible to control the starting and end point of the effect, its duration, as well as intensity.

Echo filter in sprite properties

Sprite properties have received a new option, called Echo filter. The Echo filter allows for making a beautiful visual echo effect by overlaying dimmed copies of past frames on the current one. Depending on the settings, you can achieve a long exposure look or a smearing effect.

The Echo filter becomes available only at the sprite level: to apply it, you need to convert a video into a sprite (Ctrl + P) and deactivate the “Use as container” option. Once applied, the filter allows for using the dynamic parameter change, so the effect can be increased or decreased over time.

Tracking animation for coordinate-based effects

Coordinate-based effects, such as Lens flare, Bokeh glare, and God rays, have received a point movement tracking feature. This means that you’ll be able to manually create a movement trajectory for the effect to follow.

Moreover, you’ll be able to bind other dynamic effects to the tracking point movement and create unique animations, perfect for video ads and intros. Below is an example of how it works with text effects. Notice how the text animation is perfectly synchronized with the movement of the Lens flare:

Multi-channel audio effect strength controls

The next update will bring joy to those who often work on music videos and take a precise approach to sound editing.

Audio effect settings now allow for adjusting strength for the right and left audio channels. In other words, you can control the intensity of audio effects for each channel and create a project with a unique sound.

This is an essential, long-awaited feature, and its next iteration is already in the works. For example, in the future, you’ll be able to also control audio effect strength for each channel over time.

Group file editing

Previously, VSDC users were able to select multiple media files on the timeline and perform the most basic actions, such as splitting, cutting, and color style application, to a group of files. Starting version 7.2, group file editing becomes more versatile.

Depending on the type of files you’ve selected on the timeline, VSDC allows for changing any parameters that are common for this group. For example, if you’ve selected several video files, you’ll be able to crop their borders or apply the same speed and audio settings. To make the feature more intuitive, non-common parameters that can’t be changed for the entire group will be highlighted in green:

The more files of different types you add to the group, the fewer common parameters they will have. For example, if you select multiple video, audio, and image files as a group, the only common parameters will be Object creation and Object duration settings.

Hardware acceleration mode for transition effects

To decrease processing times, we’ve added an option to activate hardware acceleration mode to all transition effects, as well as the Noise filter and Clipping mask effect.

Switching between processing modes is optional. Thus, users of the free version can activate the hardware mode to speed up preview processing times, and the users of the Pro version can take full advantage of hardware acceleration at the export level as well.

VSDC 7.2 is already out

Now that we’ve hopefully piqued your interest, it’s time to download the new version and test it for yourself. VSDC 7.2 is already available on our official website, and we can’t wait to hear what you think about it.

Got any questions? Message us on Meta or email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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The new version of VSDC includes two new video effects, expands the functionality of the LUT editor, and makes video editing more convenient by bringing an improved interface, optimized timeline, and custom shortcuts.

Let’s have a look at each update in more detail.

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Matrix effect (PRO)

The Matrix video effect has become available in the list of Special FX so that now you can replicate the raining code from the famous movie trilogy. As you would expect, the effect is fully customizable: you’ll be able to decide whether you want it to consist of alphabet letters or runes; how frequently the symbols should be changing, and how fast they should be falling. On top of that, you can work with the background and foreground ‘layers’ which adds depth to the effect.

Color twist effect

The Color twist effect from the Adjustments menu has been updated and included in the Basic effects window for easier access. As the name suggests, it allows you to adjust colors in the footage by working directly with the GRB color channels and changing tone values for each component. In many scenarios, the purpose of the Color Twist effect is similar to the LUT editor – however, the former option will be much easier to use for basic tasks. For example, you can quickly change cool color tones to warm color tones, create color inversion, and so on.

LUT editor upgrade

The LUT editor has become more versatile, as it now allows for performing color correction of the same object in stages. At each stage, you’ll be able to define a scope of color tones you’re working with and set the desired Hue, Saturation, and Lightness values for them. In other words, if you need to perform correction of several different color tones, there’s no need to use the same histogram – you can create a separate stage for each tone, which is way more convenient.

On top of that, it’s now possible to view color scopes and histograms for each separate scene or object. Finally, you’ll be able to apply fade-in transitions to LUTs and use adjustments for brightness, contrast, gamma, temperature, and saturation values.

Optimized GUI and timeline

In addition to the user interface enhancements, there’s been a series of minor functional improvements as well. For example, you can now quickly trim videos by grabbing side handlers and dragging them inwards.

To streamline the editing process, we’ve also added a storyboard and a simplified version of an audio waveform to the pop-up Cutting and splitting window. If you were looking for a more precise tool to edit videos to the beat in the free version, this might be the best solution for your needs.

Finally, the timeline has received 3 new scrolling modes to help you better control the playhead position when previewing a scene at an increased timeline scale.

Here are the names of the new timeline scrolling modes:

• Fixed smooth scrolling
• Adaptive smooth scrolling
• Scrolling from the timeline center

To switch between them, open the Options menu in the top right corner of the editor’s interface and proceed to Timeline options.

Custom shortcuts

The ability to create custom shortcuts is a long-awaited feature, and we’re excited to finally announce its release. Although VSDC has been supporting a list of commonly used shortcuts for a few years now, the freedom to create your own hotkey combinations will make the editing process more convenient for creators.

To get started, open the general settings, type the desired hotkey combination, and select the action you want to associate it with. If you change your mind, you can always restore the default shortcut scheme.

Subtitle markdown

Those using subtitles in videos can now take advantage of a markdown. Markdown is a feature that automatically creates markers for each subsequent line of subtitles that appears in the scene. To activate the markdown, upload the file with subtitles to the editor, select it on the timeline, and click Add markers in the Properties window. This way, you’ll be able to see each moment on the timeline when subtitles appear and align other objects if needed.

It’s time to download VSDC 7.1

Without further ado, we suggest that you download the latest version of VSDC and see all the updates with your own eyes. Got any questions? Email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or leave a comment under the release video on our channel.

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