Ask any successful content creator, and they’ll tell you there’s no single best video editor for YouTube.

For some, the built-in YouTube Studio editor might be sufficient. It allows you to cut out unwanted pieces of footage, add music and text. If that’s all you need – great! Your search is over. However, if you want to use more sophisticated effects, transitions, and overlays, you’ll need a more powerful piece of software.

In this article, we’ll review 5 beginner-friendly video editors for YouTube that happen to be completely free.

Let’s dive right in.

VSDC – free video editor for YouTube creators on PC

VSDC is a free video editor for Windows PC. It’s lightweight, intuitive, and feature-rich. VSDC requires 2GB RAM, and its installation file is less than 80 Mb, so it’s a great option for those struggling to find software with low system requirements.

Although the program interface might seem tricky at first, there’s plenty of tutorials both in text and video format, so you’ll quickly get the hang of it.

One of the biggest advantages of VSDC is the ability to easily open videos in any format, regardless of the recording device. Furthermore, this editor handles 120fps and allows you to export footage using the newest H.265/HEVC codec (if you haven’t heard of it, H.265 is designed to preserve high video quality after maximum file compression). For these reasons, VSDC is officially recommended by the GoPro team and a few popular drone YouTubers, including Quadcopter 101.

Now, speaking of the feature set, VSDC brings editing tools some paid programs wouldn’t be ashamed of. Apart from the basic montage toolset, color correction, and animated text, there’s an array of effects you can apply to your footage and customize. For example, you'll be able to make the picture-in-picture, split-screen, gradual zoom, video-in-text, news ticker, and plenty of other effects commonly used for YouTube videos.

Once you’ve finished your project, you can upload it directly to your YouTube channel without having to save the video to your PC first. If you want to save the video for other social media platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or Vimeo, there are pre-configured export profiles that will apply the required parameters to your video.

Finally, VSDC boasts a powerful screen recorder you can access right from the program interface, which is a big advantage. The recorder lets you use several capturing devices simultaneously, grab external video via HDMI, and record 2D and 3D games in high quality.

Download VSDC Free Video Editor from the official website

iMovie – free video editor for Mac

iMovie makes an excellent free video editor for YouTube creators using Mac computers or iPads, especially at the beginning of the blogging journey. As a matter of fact, even after becoming relatively popular, many YouTubers continue using iMovie for editing, according to the Influencer Equipment database. Because why not? It’s free, it delivers great results, and it’s pre-installed on most Apple devices by default.

If you think you must only use a fancy expensive piece of video editing software to stand out on YouTube, you're wrong. What really matters is your content quality, creativity, and consistency.

iMovie has a minimalistic intuitive interface, and most operations are performed via a simple drag-n-drop motion. Known for being meticulous about design, Apple made sure to create an extended library featuring backdrop themes and title templates you can use in a video. Templates come in especially handy if you're working on a series of videos or slideshows and you want to apply the same style to every episode.

Just like VSDC, iMovie allows you to remove a green or blue background from your footage. You can also add a soundtrack to your video, fine-tune title animations, and use more than 200 different video effects including popular ones, like picture-in-picture, slow motion, fast-forward, fade transitions, zoom, freeze frames, and others.

The best part about this video editor? Perhaps, the Apple product ecosystem. As a video creator, you can benefit from it in many ways. For example, you can use pre-uploaded royalty-free audio tracks, import songs from your iTunes, fetch any media file from your iCloud, or even start editing on your tablet and continue on your Mac or vice versa.

Download iMovie from the Apple App Store

Kdenlive – free video editor for YouTubers on Linux

Kdenlive is a free open-source video editor. For many Linux users, it’s a go-to option because compared to many other open-source video editors, it’s very lightweight, rather stable, and it works well with 4K footage (of course, given that you have a decent CPU).

For beginners and intermediate-level users, Kdenlive has everything to put a video together and make it look more aesthetic. The program allows you to use multiple video and audio tracks, overlay files, add titles, transitions, and custom effects.

Two things make Kdenlive stand out, compared to many other video editors: proxies and ripple editing. Proxies or “proxy files” are file copies reduced in size and quality that allow you to speed up previewing and editing. This means that the software “replaces” the original files with the copies to save resources during the preview, and uses the original files during export, so there’s no impact on the resulting project quality.

The Ripple delete feature allows you to cut out footage from multiple layers simultaneously and merge the remaining pieces within a single Ctrl+X click.

Although Kdenlive is cross-platform software, its Windows solution has received a significant amount of criticism, and therefore, our recommendation is addressed to Linux users only.

Download Kdenlive for Linux

Davinci Resolve – professional color grading for PC, Mac, and Linux

Davinci Resolve is a free cross-platform video editor for those who want to achieve Hollywood-level video post-production. Resolve has a premium version (that comes with a hefty price tag!), but it targets professional filmmakers, so for the sake of this review, it’s irrelevant.

Recommended by indie filmmakers and professional videographers alike, Resolve can be a great video editor for YouTube creators who have a more serious approach to color grading. For example, if your long-term goal is to do video editing for a living, Davinci Resolve is definitely worth your attention. It will help you achieve breathtaking results, but to benefit from it, you need to understand the color theory and be passionate about it enough to invest time into this software.

Even those with experience may expect a steep learning curve because the program interface is rather overwhelming. Luckily, there are dozens of tutorials and even online courses available for those willing to master Davinci Resolve.

The basic editing toolset of Davinci includes a multi-track timeline, convenient cutting and trimming tools, audio editing features, lots of transition effects, speed settings, and titles. Truth be told, if you work with large volumes of footage and you need to trim a lot, Resolve is incomparably convenient. It brings a real-time timeline zooming feature that guarantees a more precise cut, and a long list of hotkeys you can use when applying repetitive actions. At the export level, the software allows you to upload your project directly to YouTube (or Vimeo) in 1080p resolution.

One thing to be aware of before you jump to download the installation file is the system requirements which can be a dealbreaker for low-end computer owners. Your machine must have at least 8GB of system RAM, at least 4GB of graphics RAM, and enough storage space. The installation file alone weighs 780MB.

Download Davinci Resolve from the official website

Lightworks

Like Davinci Resolve, Lightworks is a professional league player that has been in the market since 1989. This tool is a pioneer in the world of non-linear video editing, and according to the developer’s website, this software has brought multiple Oscar-winning Hollywood movies to life.

Lightworks runs on Windows, Mac, and Linux and brings 3 subscription plans: Free, Create ($9,99 per month), and Pro ($23 per month). For an average user, the free plan has everything to create a good-looking video: its key limitation is the maximum 720p export resolution.

The program brings a clean interface including a multi-track timeline (although you need to add new video tracks manually each time) and three dedicated tabs for video editing, audio editing, and visual effects. Additionally, the main screen includes a file log and a source preview window that allows you to preview files before adding them to the scene. What’s really convenient about it is the ability to add the desired piece of the footage directly to the timeline, already cut out from the source file.

The VFX tab includes all the popular visual effects and a vast selection of color grading tools. You also get a convenient audio editing toolset with keyframes, a set of templates for titles and transitions, cloud storage access, and the local backup feature.

Now, if you’re switching from tools like Movie Maker or iMovie, getting started with Lightworks might be slightly challenging. Luckily, you can find a plethora of helpful video tutorials on YouTube as well as beginner’s guides on the official website. Lightworks is compatible with all the common video formats and employs proxy files to go easy on your computer. The biggest drawback of the free version appears to be a 720p export limitation. However, given that many watch YouTube videos on their smartphones, it doesn’t have to be a deal-breaker.

Get Lightworks from the official website

Why you should choose free video editors for YouTube over paid solutions

You probably want to know what video editing software most YouTubers use; however, the answer might not be helpful if you’re on a budget. The most frequently mentioned software is Adobe Premiere (starts at $19.99/mo, that is if you purchase an annual subscription). The second most common answer is Final Cut Pro (Mac only, one-time $299 payment) and Sony Vegas (Windows only, starts at $400).

But guess what? A lot of those bloggers you’re following on YouTube started their careers as a hobby using free video editors. In fact, many still use freeware for their channels, and that's noteworthy. Why? Because there’s no correlation between the price tag of the software you’re using and the success of your channel.

There's no need to break your piggy bank to purchase a video editor for your brand-new YouTube channel. No matter how much your software costs, no amount of post-production can turn low-quality footage into a masterpiece. Focus on production instead. If you're willing to invest, consider upgrading your hardware! A decent source of light and a microphone are already half the battle, as you probably won't have to sweat the color balance and the audio settings afterward.

What makes a good video editor for YouTube beginners anyway?

It all comes down to your skills and needs. For instance, if you're planning to publish game walkthroughs, you might need a built-in screen recorder (VSDC and Lightworks have it). If reaction videos are your thing, look for an intuitive picture-in-picture tool. If you tend to shoot long pieces before uploading them to the editor, make sure the splitting tool is intuitive.

Bottom line? You might want to try at least a couple of video editors before making the final decision. The tools we’ve included in the list are reliable and genuinely free – meaning there will be no watermarks or other unpleasant surprises after export. For someone who’s getting started, this should be enough to get that YouTube channel rolling with content. You can always switch between tools as you grow!

If you’ve been with VSDC for a while, you might have noticed the changes we’ve been gradually implementing to the interface for the past couple of years. Our end goal is to provide a more intuitive, feature-rich workspace for video creators. This time, we’re thrilled to introduce two more innovations: a new effect library format and group object editing. In addition to that, VSDC has received two new transition effects and Bezier curves – the unparalleled technology that allows for modeling smoother animation.

Without further ado, let’s have a better look at the new features.

Paint Brush transition (free)

The Paint Brush transition is a popular effect that imitates brush strokes gradually covering your footage with a coat of paint, or revealing the next scene from under a coat of paint – depending on the direction you select.

The Paint Brush transition comes with the free version of VSDC 6.8 and brings a set of customization tools, such as the ability to change the brush movement direction, stroke angle, brush width, and opacity level. Keep in mind that you can apply this effect to objects too, including titles, shapes, and images. To see more examples, read our dedicated tutorial.

Shattered Glass transition (Pro)

Unlike Paint Brush, the Shattered Glass effect is only available in the Pro version because, by default, it requires hardware acceleration (which is a premium feature) to be activated. As the name suggests, this transition creates an illusion of shattering glass and helps you achieve a strong dramatic effect.

As always, it is within your power to make the effect look exactly the way you want. Using the Properties window, you can adjust the shape and the number of shattered pieces, the type of fracturing, the impact point, and even the impact force – all with high precision.To learn more, read a detailed guide to working with the Shattered Glass effect.

Bezier curve editing

Used in major professional video editing platforms, Bezier curves have become a part of the VSDC toolset. For those unfamiliar with the term, this unique technology allows for easily controlling animation velocity over time and creating smoother transitions. In other words, rather than having the same speed for the duration of the entire animation or transition, you’re now able to adjust the curve and change speed at any selected point.

Furthermore, Bezier curves overhaul the free shape tool, so you can create more complex shapes with less effort.

Group object editing

The following update is designed for those working with a large number of files. Starting version 6.8, group object editing becomes available in VSDC. This means you can select multiple objects on the timeline and change their parameters simultaneously working with them as a group.

Notice that if the objects are of the same type – say, two text objects or a duplicated effect – you can change any parameter in the selected group. However, if the objects in the group are of different types, you can only change common settings or basic settings – the latter case is true if you’re working with shapes, images, and videos.

Effect templates window

Finally, the video effect library has received a major facelift and now can be accessed from the new Templates window. Compared to the old version of the Video effects menu, its key advantage is that the templates can be manually rearranged by the creators. For example, you’ll be able to group effects to your own convenience and drag them from the library directly to the scene.

As a bonus, some effects in the new library have received new templates, and we’re planning to continue their expansion. Plus, you’ll be able to create your own templates and add them to the library for faster, more convenient access. To see new templates, hit the Update button in the bottom left corner.

It's time to download VSDC 6.8

Excited about the new version? Then go ahead and download VSDC 6.8 from our official website. Should you have any questions, feel free to email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or send us a direct message on Facebook.

The winter holiday season is an exciting time for many reasons. If you are a VSDC user, one of these reasons is a traditional Christmas update of the program. This year, we’re thrilled to release VSDC 6.9 boasting three brand new features: LUT editor, time remapping, and God rays effect.

However, what’s even more exciting is that VSDC Video Editor is now available in four new languages: Hindi, Turkish, Urdu, and Farsi.

Let’s go over the details below.

LUT editor

Of all the new features, the LUT editor is arguably one of the most exciting ones. In the past couple of years, we’ve gradually introduced LUT support and added 10 built-in LUTs available directly in the Basic effects window. Starting version 6.9, VSDC expands its functionality and enables you to do the following:

- create your own LUTs and save them as templates

- edit existing LUTs, including LUTs imported from 3^rd-party resources

- export custom LUTs and use them in other photo or video editors

To make LUT editing possible, we’ve added a pop-up LUT editor working on the basis of an HSL histogram. By adjusting the Hue, Saturation, and Lightness values on the histogram, you’ll be able to change the LUT parameters and see the result in the preview window right away.

As long as you’re using LUTs within VSDC, the feature is completely free. However, to export LUTs from VSDC, you’ll need to have the VSDC Pro subscription.

Time remapping

Another long-awaited feature that has become available in VSDC 6.9 Pro is time remapping for moving objects. Time remapping allows you to have control of the movement speed and direction for animated objects: images, icons, text titles, and so on. The effect looks quite impressive and comes in especially handy for video intros, like the one below:

From a technical standpoint, time remapping is implemented through keyframes added to the object movement graph. You can use those keyframes to isolate any section of the graph and slow down, speed up, or even reverse the object movement for that section. Combined with rotation, motion tracking, or transition effects, time remapping can help you create a more robust object animation.

God rays effect

The group of nature-inspired video effects has received a new dramatic effect, named God rays. In nature, God rays are shaped by direct light piercing through the gaps in clouds. Because of their volume, these rays often resemble light torches or columns coming straight from the sky – hence the name of the illusion.

VSDC allows you to apply the God rays effect to any object, including videos, images, or text. Depending on the object you’ve applied it to, the light will pierce through the gaps in the hypothetical atmosphere or the object’s shape. Like all VSDC effects, this one is highly customizable, so you’ll be able to adjust the strength, brightness, and length of the light rays.

Movement map editing for motion tracking

Another important update has been added to the motion tracking module to enable movement path adjustment. Essentially, you can now convert the movement map to a curve and access the tracking points forming object movement trajectory.

From this level, it’s easy to adjust and smoothen the movement map. For example, you’ll be able to control the level of tracking precision by changing the number of tracking points and using the versatility of Bezier curves.

VSDC interface localized to new languages

Last but not least, VSDC Video Editor is now available in four new languages:

• Hindi
• Turkish
• Urdu
• Farsi

Although we are still working on the website localization, the program interface has been already translated, so when you install the new version of the editor, you’ll be able to select the preferred language right away.

Localizing VSDC to these languages was one of the most long-awaited updates of the year, and we’re excited to finally announce it. We’ve always strived for providing a non-linear editing tool that easily overcomes boundaries, be it a creator’s budget or PC processing power. With the release of version 6.9, we hope to overcome one more boundary and let more creators from all over the world benefit from VSDC.

It’s time to download VSDC 6.9

While working on this release, we’ve dedicated a lot of attention to the software performance improvement as well. Namely, the program now has better control of the memory consumption, video resizing has been optimized with hardware acceleration, and the Templates window has received built-in filters.

If you want to read the full list of VSDC 6.9 updates, enhancements, and bug fixes, you can proceed to the dedicated list of changes. If you prefer skipping straight to practice, download the new version and enjoy the new features. Should you have any questions, email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or send a message through our Discord channel.

Happy holidays from the VSDC team!

Of all effects, there are two categories the VSDC community gets especially excited about: transition effects and text effects. It happens so that the new version brings updates to both categories. In addition, there are new workspace customization possibilities, including optimized file management and the long-awaited markers.

The best part? Most updates are available in the free version. Let’s review them one by one.

Paper burn effect (Pro version)

The paper burn transition effect creates a realistic illusion of a burning piece of paper that reveals the following scene. You can apply it to videos, however, it looks even more impressive when applied to a still image.

Like all effects in VSDC, the paper burn transition is fully customizable. You can adjust the color, size, direction, and intensity of the flame. As an alternative template for this transition, you can select freezing.

The cherry on top? If you activate time inversion for this transition, the effect gets reversed. For instance, instead of a burning piece of paper, you’ll get a piece of paper that is restored from being burnt.

Flow transformation effect (Pro version)

Those who frequently use the Glitch effect, are likely to be excited about the new transition effect called Flow transformation. With this option, the transition from one scene to another is achieved through a fractal-driven image distortion that varies depending on the template you select.

For example, you can create an effect of an object not just being distorted, but falling into a thousand pieces. With the time inversion, you can imitate the opposite process as well: when an object is being put back together from a thousand pieces.

The effect contains 4 main template types with variations. Those who like to experiment will be able to upload their own distortion patterns, customize the distortion, and create a custom transition.

Animated text effects

Finally, VSDC 6.7 includes three animated text effects: Recoloring, Shift position, and Glyph FX. Designed to help you get full control of how text symbols appear in the scene, they enable you to create Hollywood-level intros, scene openings, and captions.

The Recoloring effect allows for changing the color or the level of opacity of text symbols. For instance, by making the letters on the screen appear one after another (switch from being transparent to being non-transparent), you can easily create the popular Typewriter effect, or its inverted “Undo typing” version.

The Shift position effect allows for making text symbols move from one location to another on the screen. The Glyph FX effect allows for changing the appearance attributes of text symbols, such as their size, skew angle, or rotation.

You can apply these effects separately or combine them in a single composition. For example, if you want text symbols to change their color and location at the same time, you can apply Recoloring and Shift position to the same text object.

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VSDC Editor brings a more convenient workspace for creators

In addition to the new effects, the new version of VSDC includes markers and a few additional ways to organize your editing workspace. For example, there are 3 new workspace configurations designed for those who deal with a large number of project files, those who focus on color correction, and those who already enjoy the default editing space but want it to be a bit more organized.

And that’s not all! The Object explorer now includes a search field, so you can quickly find files or groups of files in the project. The Resource window has been redesigned as well. Starting the new version, it enables you to select multiple files simultaneously, export files in groups, and delete those files you’re not using.

Remember to download VSDC 8.2 from our official website, and feel free to email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you have any questions.