Free video editing in 2023: Unlock Your Creativity without Breaking the Bank

In today's digital world creativity reigns supreme. It offers endless possibilities for individuals and brands to captivate audiences and leave a lasting impression. With social media platforms at the forefront of communication and product consumption, the demand for making videos is stronger than ever before.

When it comes to free video editors, the sheer number of options available on the web can be overwhelming. Some video software is renowned but comes with a hefty price tag. Others are free but may lack quality or have limitations in functionality.

To save you time and effort, we’ve tested the best free video editing tools popular in 2023. Join us as we unveil our results and navigate the world of video editing with confidence.

VSDC Free Video Editor

VSDC Free Video Editor tops the list of the best free editors in 2023. VSDC seems to be an ultimate solution for Windows PC users in search of a reliable and feature-packed video editing software. This powerful tool offers a wide range of editing capabilities, from basic tasks like trimming videos, adding text, and removing soundtracks, to more advanced techniques such as color correction, special effects and text animation.

VSDC Free Video Editor has excellent basic editing tools. You may think: 'Come on, basic’s so boring!' But that's not the case at all. Basic doesn’t always mean uncreative, especially when it comes to numerous tasks you can complete with VSDC’s cutting and splitting tool.

After filming a video, once you stop your camera, it is common to have a large amount of footage. In fact, searching for key moments and milestone frames is an essential part of almost every video editing project. First of all, you may want to remove the unnecessary episodes, and here VSDC gives a helping hand. Furthermore, if you want to add emotional impact and interweave the said key moments into the semantic framework of your film, you may refer to popular artistic techniques, such as J-cuts, L-cuts, cross-fades and cross-dissolves. All of them (and not to forget about dynamic transitions) can be replicated in VSDC for free.

In today's digital world, high-quality video content is not limited to professional videographers, but is also expected from amateur filmmakers, social media specialists and YouTubers. Text intros and tips are crucial elements in creating a polished and engaging final product. With VSDC's comprehensive toolkit for text animation, users can easily create dynamic and visually appealing text effects like glitch, neon, video in text, or get inspired by some ideas they may want to replicate - absolutely free.

Thinking to add a touch of drama, emotion or suspense to your video? Give a try to VSDC free slow mo. Whether you're creating a blockbuster film or a simple home video, the slow motion effect is a powerful tool in the VSDC's arsenal to transform ordinary footage into a captivating work of art.

Color correction plays a pivotal role in video post-production. In response to this, VSDC provides access to a plethora of customizable video effects, transitions, and color filters.VSDC users may enhance the visual aesthetics of their footage manually thanks to color wheels and RGB curves, transparency-based overlays and quick filters. Whereas the built-in LUT editor empowers them to apply pre-made LUTs or create personal custom templates, giving videos a professional touch.

As the metaverse and virtual reality continue to shape the future of digital media, the demand for innovative and captivating visuals is high. Green screen technology (Chroma Key) has become a popular and essential tool in video editing. With the ability to seamlessly replace green backgrounds with any image or video, Chroma Key has transformed the post-production process, allowing creators to push the boundaries of visual storytelling. VSDC offers two Chroma Key options: VSDC free green screen within YUV color space and the premium HSL option.

After all, VSDC Free Video Editor is a powerful tool with a comprehensive toolkit. Once users become familiar with the free version’s interface, menu structure and workflow, they may want to go further and boost their editing skills in VSDC’s premium version. Rather than searching for a new editing tool, users upgrade to VSDC Pro to unlock professional toolkits and advanced VFX within the same software product. Motion tracking, multicam editing, HSL Chroma Key, masking tools, blending modes, AI Art Generator, video stabilization and other professional features come together with hardware acceleration to ensure speedy rendering of your heaviest (and most creative!) projects.

Surprisingly lightweight, VSDC (both free and pro) runs smoothly even on computers with limited RAM and effortlessly opens footage from any device without requiring format conversions.

DaVinci Resolve

DaVinci Resolve from Blackmagic is widely recognized as one of the best free video editing software options available today. The program offers a wide range of features, including advanced video editing tools, a powerful FX system and professional-grade audio features that allow users to bring their unique vision to life. The best part is that it's completely free. That's right, there are no hidden costs or limitations. You can easily download DaVinci Resolve for Mac, Linux or Windows without having to pay anything to Blackmagic.

For those seeking even more, there is an option to upgrade to Resolve Studio for a fee of $295. This solution grants you a perpetual license and free future upgrades. Notably, Resolve Studio also includes Fusion, a remarkable VFX software that serves as an excellent alternative to Adobe After Effects, particularly favored by designers.

While the complexity of DaVinci Resolve may seem daunting, it remains a must-try software for anyone committed to the art of video editing.

Lightworks

Another decent solution from the list of the best free video editors in 2023 is Lightworks.

It is an excellent free video editing software that offers a wide range of editing tools. With its advanced editing capabilities, users can experiment with different cuts, transitions, FXs and filters to create a dynamic and engaging final product. However, if you require more advanced features, you will need to upgrade to the paid version for additional benefits.

Lightworks Pro has upgraded its FX engine to support OpenFX, which allows for a wider range of visual effects plugins. The software also includes NewBlue's Titler Pro for 2D/3D titling and motion graphics and Essentials video tools for footage correction and sharpening.

Movavi

Movavi Video Editor is a user-friendly video editing software designed for both beginners and advanced users. It offers a powerful toolset, including pro-features like video stabilization, color correction, and special effects.

Movavi Video Editor is available in both trial and premium versions. The trial version offers basic video editing tools, including trimming and cutting, as well as some special effects and filters. Nevertheless, Movavi’s freemium solution does have certain limitations to be aware of. These include restrictions on maximum video resolution, limited export options, a relatively smaller FX library, and a watermark on final projects.

Movavi Video Editor has a simple and intuitive interface, making it easy to use even for those who are new to video editing. It supports a wide range of video file formats, including popular formats like MP4, AVI, and MOV. Note, the program offers powerful AI features, including AI background removal, AI noise removal and AI upscaling which can save you valuable time and effort.

Hitfilm

Hitfilm (formerly known as Hitfilm Express) used to be a popular choice for professional video editors, offering a range of features and capabilities. The rebranding of Hitfilm introduces two subscription tiers, which means the free version is no longer as comprehensive compared to other paid tools. Many effects are now watermarked on the free version.

Nevertheless the free plan has some exciting options to offer. 120+ visual effects, including 360° video effects, blurs, keying, and transitions give users a wide range of options to enhance their videos.

You can access the full suite of HitFilm's features by paying for the Pro version, which costs $12.99 per month, or the Creator version, which costs $7.99 per month and unlocks fewer features.

Wrapping up

Availability of free video editors makes it possible to produce professional-looking films, tutorials, vlogs, and other video content without having to spend a fortune on expensive programs.

Normally, creating a quality video is a complex process. A truly exceptional video content takes more than just correct footage, a good video editor and time to put it all together. It also requires unique editing ideas that will make your video stand out from the rest. Our YouTube channel offers a range of tutorials that can help you discover fresh VFX tips and techniques. Give them a try and watch as your creative visions take shape before your eyes.