Unlock Accessibility: Adding Subtitles and Captions in Final Cut Pro X

How to Add Subtitles/Captions in Final Cut Pro X?

Benjamin Arango

Oct 26, 2023• Proven solutions

Adding Final Cut Pro subtitles and captions is a great thing to expand your audience base, and thus the trend of adding captions and subtitles is becoming relevant day by day. There is a whole process to add Final Cut Pro captions and subtitles, which we are going to discuss below.

Let’s check if there is any difference between captions and subtitles used in FCPX. Even though both these texts tend to appear at the bottom of the video screen, they have different purposes.

As we all know, subtitles depict foreign languages other than the language shown in the actual video. So, they are used to appearing on-screen frequently as the speaker speaks.

On the other hand, the captions display every kind of audio information, including sound effects, music, and background noises (see how to remove background noise in FCPX here) . Every Caption represents that viewer hasn’t any audio clues and thus displays them over the video.

You may also want to see this: What Makes the Best Lower Thirds in Final Cut Pro X?

Part 1: How to Add Subtitles/Captions in Final Cut Pro X?

Before you study the steps required to add subtitles to Final Cut Pro, here are some quick facts about the format of captions supported by FCPX.

• ITT (iTunes Timed Text)

It is required to deliver the contents of Caption to the iTunes store.

• CEA-608 (SCC)

It is a standard caption format for web videos and broadcasts.

• SRT (SubRip)

It is a simple and popular format used in online videos.

Steps to Add Subtitles or Captions in FCPX

Step 1: Create Caption Roles

You need first to create caption roles to start adding captions to the timeline. Go to Modify > Edit Roles and then select Captions. Then, select CEA-608, choose your language, and hit the Apply button.

Step 2: Add Captions

Position the playhead to where you have to set the Caption in the timeline. You need to hit the Edit tab and then select Captions > Add Caption.

Select the drop-down menu across the language and select CEA-608.

Now, you can add captions in the preview window or the Captions Text given alongside.

Also, you can adjust the duration of the Caption by dragging it in the timeline.

Step 3: Export a Caption Role

Press Command + E or go to File > Export to open the Export preview window. Now, you can select the name and save your video in standard export options. Hit the Roles tab given at the top.

Then, click the small Captions icon to reveal the menu. Select the subtitles or captions to import alongside the Burn in Captions tab. Hit the OK button and proceed with export as usual.

Thus, similar steps are required even if you want to add subtitles.

Too many steps? Then try a beginner-friendly editing tool, Filmora!

Part 2: Free Subtitles Plugins for Final Cut Pro X

Let’s list some incredibly efficient and free subtitles tools that you can use for Final Cut Pro X.

• Veed

Veed is one of the best video editing tools if you are looking for something like automatic subtitles. You are only required to upload your audio or video into this online software and hit the Subtitles tab to get quick captions. Thus, you will only need to import those subtitles or captions and save your time from manual typing.

• Quick Caption

The Quick Caption is another free tool available in Mac App Store to automatically transcribe your audio or video clips. It quickly creates FCPXML and SRT format captions. It also records the ending and starting timestamp for every Caption for further reference. You also get the facility to customize these subtitles based on shadow, font, style, and face color in the Style Editor.

• Word Pop by Stupid Raisins

It is the go-to free plugin by Stupid Raisins to display the text in animated templates. It generally depicts different kinds of paragraph titles, which you can edit as per the subtitles. It is one of the ideal plugins to impart professionalism into your videos with catchy descriptions. There are lots of templates available to select among them. Also, the simple drag and drop feature won’t let you down in any scenario of adding subtitles or captions effectively.

Part 3: Tips for adding Subtitles/Captions in Final Cut Pro X

Given below are some quick tips to add Final Cut Pro captions or subtitles.

• Use YouTube

You can use the transcriptions feature of YouTube to import captions file into your footage quickly. It will also save lots of time typing the same text. You need to upload footage on YouTube as a private video and then download it as a .srt file. Now, you can use this file as a base to correct and adjust your captions.

• Exporting

Every Caption set must export individually in Final Cut Pro X. However; there is a shortcut to it using the Compressor feature. Send your captions to Compressor by clicking the File> Send to Compressor.

Some may wonder, what is Compressor exactly？ Click here to learn how to use the Compressor in FCPX.

• Use the keyboard shortcut keys

You can use various keyboard shortcut keys to add the subtitles and captions into the video quickly. There are shortcut keys available at each step of adding these captions or subtitles in Final Cut Pro X.

Click here for some best shortcuts we summarised for you!

Conclusion

So, this is all about adding Final Cut Pro subtitles and captions via the step-by-step guide. Captions and Subtitles are an excellent way to expand your audience base across all regions globally since it removes the limitations or boundaries set by one language.

Benjamin Arango

Benjamin Arango is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Benjamin Arango

Benjamin Arango

Oct 26, 2023• Proven solutions

Adding Final Cut Pro subtitles and captions is a great thing to expand your audience base, and thus the trend of adding captions and subtitles is becoming relevant day by day. There is a whole process to add Final Cut Pro captions and subtitles, which we are going to discuss below.

Let’s check if there is any difference between captions and subtitles used in FCPX. Even though both these texts tend to appear at the bottom of the video screen, they have different purposes.

As we all know, subtitles depict foreign languages other than the language shown in the actual video. So, they are used to appearing on-screen frequently as the speaker speaks.

On the other hand, the captions display every kind of audio information, including sound effects, music, and background noises (see how to remove background noise in FCPX here) . Every Caption represents that viewer hasn’t any audio clues and thus displays them over the video.

You may also want to see this: What Makes the Best Lower Thirds in Final Cut Pro X?

Part 1: How to Add Subtitles/Captions in Final Cut Pro X?

Before you study the steps required to add subtitles to Final Cut Pro, here are some quick facts about the format of captions supported by FCPX.

• ITT (iTunes Timed Text)

It is required to deliver the contents of Caption to the iTunes store.

• CEA-608 (SCC)

It is a standard caption format for web videos and broadcasts.

• SRT (SubRip)

It is a simple and popular format used in online videos.

Steps to Add Subtitles or Captions in FCPX

Step 1: Create Caption Roles

You need first to create caption roles to start adding captions to the timeline. Go to Modify > Edit Roles and then select Captions. Then, select CEA-608, choose your language, and hit the Apply button.

Step 2: Add Captions

Position the playhead to where you have to set the Caption in the timeline. You need to hit the Edit tab and then select Captions > Add Caption.

Select the drop-down menu across the language and select CEA-608.

Now, you can add captions in the preview window or the Captions Text given alongside.

Also, you can adjust the duration of the Caption by dragging it in the timeline.

Step 3: Export a Caption Role

Press Command + E or go to File > Export to open the Export preview window. Now, you can select the name and save your video in standard export options. Hit the Roles tab given at the top.

Then, click the small Captions icon to reveal the menu. Select the subtitles or captions to import alongside the Burn in Captions tab. Hit the OK button and proceed with export as usual.

Thus, similar steps are required even if you want to add subtitles.

Too many steps? Then try a beginner-friendly editing tool, Filmora!

Part 2: Free Subtitles Plugins for Final Cut Pro X

Let’s list some incredibly efficient and free subtitles tools that you can use for Final Cut Pro X.

• Veed

Veed is one of the best video editing tools if you are looking for something like automatic subtitles. You are only required to upload your audio or video into this online software and hit the Subtitles tab to get quick captions. Thus, you will only need to import those subtitles or captions and save your time from manual typing.

• Quick Caption

The Quick Caption is another free tool available in Mac App Store to automatically transcribe your audio or video clips. It quickly creates FCPXML and SRT format captions. It also records the ending and starting timestamp for every Caption for further reference. You also get the facility to customize these subtitles based on shadow, font, style, and face color in the Style Editor.

• Word Pop by Stupid Raisins

It is the go-to free plugin by Stupid Raisins to display the text in animated templates. It generally depicts different kinds of paragraph titles, which you can edit as per the subtitles. It is one of the ideal plugins to impart professionalism into your videos with catchy descriptions. There are lots of templates available to select among them. Also, the simple drag and drop feature won’t let you down in any scenario of adding subtitles or captions effectively.

Part 3: Tips for adding Subtitles/Captions in Final Cut Pro X

Given below are some quick tips to add Final Cut Pro captions or subtitles.

• Use YouTube

You can use the transcriptions feature of YouTube to import captions file into your footage quickly. It will also save lots of time typing the same text. You need to upload footage on YouTube as a private video and then download it as a .srt file. Now, you can use this file as a base to correct and adjust your captions.

• Exporting

Every Caption set must export individually in Final Cut Pro X. However; there is a shortcut to it using the Compressor feature. Send your captions to Compressor by clicking the File> Send to Compressor.

Some may wonder, what is Compressor exactly？ Click here to learn how to use the Compressor in FCPX.

• Use the keyboard shortcut keys

You can use various keyboard shortcut keys to add the subtitles and captions into the video quickly. There are shortcut keys available at each step of adding these captions or subtitles in Final Cut Pro X.

Click here for some best shortcuts we summarised for you!

Conclusion

So, this is all about adding Final Cut Pro subtitles and captions via the step-by-step guide. Captions and Subtitles are an excellent way to expand your audience base across all regions globally since it removes the limitations or boundaries set by one language.

Benjamin Arango

Benjamin Arango is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Benjamin Arango

Benjamin Arango

Oct 26, 2023• Proven solutions

Adding Final Cut Pro subtitles and captions is a great thing to expand your audience base, and thus the trend of adding captions and subtitles is becoming relevant day by day. There is a whole process to add Final Cut Pro captions and subtitles, which we are going to discuss below.

Let’s check if there is any difference between captions and subtitles used in FCPX. Even though both these texts tend to appear at the bottom of the video screen, they have different purposes.

As we all know, subtitles depict foreign languages other than the language shown in the actual video. So, they are used to appearing on-screen frequently as the speaker speaks.

On the other hand, the captions display every kind of audio information, including sound effects, music, and background noises (see how to remove background noise in FCPX here) . Every Caption represents that viewer hasn’t any audio clues and thus displays them over the video.

You may also want to see this: What Makes the Best Lower Thirds in Final Cut Pro X?

Part 1: How to Add Subtitles/Captions in Final Cut Pro X?

Before you study the steps required to add subtitles to Final Cut Pro, here are some quick facts about the format of captions supported by FCPX.

• ITT (iTunes Timed Text)

It is required to deliver the contents of Caption to the iTunes store.

• CEA-608 (SCC)

It is a standard caption format for web videos and broadcasts.

• SRT (SubRip)

It is a simple and popular format used in online videos.

Steps to Add Subtitles or Captions in FCPX

Step 1: Create Caption Roles

You need first to create caption roles to start adding captions to the timeline. Go to Modify > Edit Roles and then select Captions. Then, select CEA-608, choose your language, and hit the Apply button.

Step 2: Add Captions

Position the playhead to where you have to set the Caption in the timeline. You need to hit the Edit tab and then select Captions > Add Caption.

Select the drop-down menu across the language and select CEA-608.

Now, you can add captions in the preview window or the Captions Text given alongside.

Also, you can adjust the duration of the Caption by dragging it in the timeline.

Step 3: Export a Caption Role

Press Command + E or go to File > Export to open the Export preview window. Now, you can select the name and save your video in standard export options. Hit the Roles tab given at the top.

Then, click the small Captions icon to reveal the menu. Select the subtitles or captions to import alongside the Burn in Captions tab. Hit the OK button and proceed with export as usual.

Thus, similar steps are required even if you want to add subtitles.

Too many steps? Then try a beginner-friendly editing tool, Filmora!

Part 2: Free Subtitles Plugins for Final Cut Pro X

Let’s list some incredibly efficient and free subtitles tools that you can use for Final Cut Pro X.

• Veed

Veed is one of the best video editing tools if you are looking for something like automatic subtitles. You are only required to upload your audio or video into this online software and hit the Subtitles tab to get quick captions. Thus, you will only need to import those subtitles or captions and save your time from manual typing.

• Quick Caption

The Quick Caption is another free tool available in Mac App Store to automatically transcribe your audio or video clips. It quickly creates FCPXML and SRT format captions. It also records the ending and starting timestamp for every Caption for further reference. You also get the facility to customize these subtitles based on shadow, font, style, and face color in the Style Editor.

• Word Pop by Stupid Raisins

It is the go-to free plugin by Stupid Raisins to display the text in animated templates. It generally depicts different kinds of paragraph titles, which you can edit as per the subtitles. It is one of the ideal plugins to impart professionalism into your videos with catchy descriptions. There are lots of templates available to select among them. Also, the simple drag and drop feature won’t let you down in any scenario of adding subtitles or captions effectively.

Part 3: Tips for adding Subtitles/Captions in Final Cut Pro X

Given below are some quick tips to add Final Cut Pro captions or subtitles.

• Use YouTube

You can use the transcriptions feature of YouTube to import captions file into your footage quickly. It will also save lots of time typing the same text. You need to upload footage on YouTube as a private video and then download it as a .srt file. Now, you can use this file as a base to correct and adjust your captions.

• Exporting

Every Caption set must export individually in Final Cut Pro X. However; there is a shortcut to it using the Compressor feature. Send your captions to Compressor by clicking the File> Send to Compressor.

Some may wonder, what is Compressor exactly？ Click here to learn how to use the Compressor in FCPX.

• Use the keyboard shortcut keys

You can use various keyboard shortcut keys to add the subtitles and captions into the video quickly. There are shortcut keys available at each step of adding these captions or subtitles in Final Cut Pro X.

Click here for some best shortcuts we summarised for you!

Conclusion

So, this is all about adding Final Cut Pro subtitles and captions via the step-by-step guide. Captions and Subtitles are an excellent way to expand your audience base across all regions globally since it removes the limitations or boundaries set by one language.

Benjamin Arango

Benjamin Arango is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Benjamin Arango

Benjamin Arango

Oct 26, 2023• Proven solutions

Adding Final Cut Pro subtitles and captions is a great thing to expand your audience base, and thus the trend of adding captions and subtitles is becoming relevant day by day. There is a whole process to add Final Cut Pro captions and subtitles, which we are going to discuss below.

Let’s check if there is any difference between captions and subtitles used in FCPX. Even though both these texts tend to appear at the bottom of the video screen, they have different purposes.

As we all know, subtitles depict foreign languages other than the language shown in the actual video. So, they are used to appearing on-screen frequently as the speaker speaks.

On the other hand, the captions display every kind of audio information, including sound effects, music, and background noises (see how to remove background noise in FCPX here) . Every Caption represents that viewer hasn’t any audio clues and thus displays them over the video.

You may also want to see this: What Makes the Best Lower Thirds in Final Cut Pro X?

Part 1: How to Add Subtitles/Captions in Final Cut Pro X?

Before you study the steps required to add subtitles to Final Cut Pro, here are some quick facts about the format of captions supported by FCPX.

• ITT (iTunes Timed Text)

It is required to deliver the contents of Caption to the iTunes store.

• CEA-608 (SCC)

It is a standard caption format for web videos and broadcasts.

• SRT (SubRip)

It is a simple and popular format used in online videos.

Steps to Add Subtitles or Captions in FCPX

Step 1: Create Caption Roles

You need first to create caption roles to start adding captions to the timeline. Go to Modify > Edit Roles and then select Captions. Then, select CEA-608, choose your language, and hit the Apply button.

Step 2: Add Captions

Position the playhead to where you have to set the Caption in the timeline. You need to hit the Edit tab and then select Captions > Add Caption.

Select the drop-down menu across the language and select CEA-608.

Now, you can add captions in the preview window or the Captions Text given alongside.

Also, you can adjust the duration of the Caption by dragging it in the timeline.

Step 3: Export a Caption Role

Press Command + E or go to File > Export to open the Export preview window. Now, you can select the name and save your video in standard export options. Hit the Roles tab given at the top.

Then, click the small Captions icon to reveal the menu. Select the subtitles or captions to import alongside the Burn in Captions tab. Hit the OK button and proceed with export as usual.

Thus, similar steps are required even if you want to add subtitles.

Too many steps? Then try a beginner-friendly editing tool, Filmora!

Part 2: Free Subtitles Plugins for Final Cut Pro X

Let’s list some incredibly efficient and free subtitles tools that you can use for Final Cut Pro X.

• Veed

Veed is one of the best video editing tools if you are looking for something like automatic subtitles. You are only required to upload your audio or video into this online software and hit the Subtitles tab to get quick captions. Thus, you will only need to import those subtitles or captions and save your time from manual typing.

• Quick Caption

The Quick Caption is another free tool available in Mac App Store to automatically transcribe your audio or video clips. It quickly creates FCPXML and SRT format captions. It also records the ending and starting timestamp for every Caption for further reference. You also get the facility to customize these subtitles based on shadow, font, style, and face color in the Style Editor.

• Word Pop by Stupid Raisins

It is the go-to free plugin by Stupid Raisins to display the text in animated templates. It generally depicts different kinds of paragraph titles, which you can edit as per the subtitles. It is one of the ideal plugins to impart professionalism into your videos with catchy descriptions. There are lots of templates available to select among them. Also, the simple drag and drop feature won’t let you down in any scenario of adding subtitles or captions effectively.

Part 3: Tips for adding Subtitles/Captions in Final Cut Pro X

Given below are some quick tips to add Final Cut Pro captions or subtitles.

• Use YouTube

You can use the transcriptions feature of YouTube to import captions file into your footage quickly. It will also save lots of time typing the same text. You need to upload footage on YouTube as a private video and then download it as a .srt file. Now, you can use this file as a base to correct and adjust your captions.

• Exporting

Every Caption set must export individually in Final Cut Pro X. However; there is a shortcut to it using the Compressor feature. Send your captions to Compressor by clicking the File> Send to Compressor.

Some may wonder, what is Compressor exactly？ Click here to learn how to use the Compressor in FCPX.

• Use the keyboard shortcut keys

You can use various keyboard shortcut keys to add the subtitles and captions into the video quickly. There are shortcut keys available at each step of adding these captions or subtitles in Final Cut Pro X.

Click here for some best shortcuts we summarised for you!

Conclusion

So, this is all about adding Final Cut Pro subtitles and captions via the step-by-step guide. Captions and Subtitles are an excellent way to expand your audience base across all regions globally since it removes the limitations or boundaries set by one language.

Benjamin Arango

Benjamin Arango is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Benjamin Arango

Video Editing on Windows Made Easy: IMovie Alternative Options

Are you looking for an iMovie for Windows alternative? If so, that’s hardly surprising. Mac users are blessed with iMovie, a very handy video editing software. Unfortunately, like many Apple products, it’s unavailable on computers that run on Windows OS. But don’t worry. While there’s no iMovie for windows, there are plenty of alternatives. They will make you feel like you are actually using a Windows version of iMovie. This article will introduce you to the best ones.

1. Wondershare Filmora - Best Overall Video Editing Software
2. WeVideo - Best For Templates

• Ultimate Overview on 11 Best Alternatives to iMovie for Windows
• 11 Best Windows Version of iMovie

1. Wondershare Filmora - Enhanced Royalty-Free Stock Library
2. PowerDirector - Top Ranked Video Editor, PC Mag
3. APowerEdit - Easiest Way to Edit Videos
4. Typito - Video Editing Tool Equivalent of Canva
5. Shotcut - Best for Color Adjustments
6. AceThinker Video Master - All in one Video Tool
7. VideoPad Video Editor - Best for Social Media Work
8. Lightworks
9. Flexclip - Easy-to-Use Online Editor
10. WeVideo - Best for Templates
11. OpenShot - Best for Amateurs

• How to Edit a Video with an iMovie Alternative on Windows

Top 2 Picks for iMovie for Windows Alternative

As mentioned above, there’s a lot of video editing software you can use as an iMovie equivalent for Windows. However, they are not of equal quality. Expectedly, some of them are miles better than others. Therefore, it’s best to do your research before installing - or buying one. That allows you to select the best one for you and, thus, ensure your satisfaction.

Here’s a quick comparison of the top 3 iMovie alternatives for Windows:

Wondershare Filmora - Best Overall Video Editing Software

Paid | 4.7 • 693 Ratings

Wondershare Filmora has a slew of powerful video editing tools that let you express your creativity to its fullest. It allows you to make high-quality, impressive, and captivating videos easily.

Free Download For Win 7 or later(64-bit)

Free Download For macOS 10.14 or later

WeVideo - Best For Templates

Paid | 4.5 • 783 Ratings

WeVideo is a web-based video editor with customizable templates perfect for beginners and influencers. It has social media-friendly templates for very specific and popular categories like Unboxings and How-To Makeup.

Ultimate Overview on 11 Best Alternatives to iMovie for Windows

There’s a total of 12 best iMovie alternatives for Windows. Each one is different from the others, but they are all solid choices. Here’s a table showing information about each product:

Software	OS	Beginner Friendly (score/5)	AI Editing	Royalty-Free Stock Library	Free Trial	Cost-Effective (score/5)
Wondershare Filmora	Windows, Mac	4.5	√	√	√	4.7
PowerDirector	Windows, Mac	5	√	√	√	4.4
APowerEdit	Windows, Mac, Online	5	X	X	√	4.5
Typito	Windows, Mac	4.5	X	√	√	4.2
ShotCut	Windows, Mac, Linux	3.5	X	√	√	5
AceThinker Video Master	Windows	4	X	√	√	4
VideoPad Video Editor	Windows, Mac, Linux	4.4	X	√	√	4.1
LightWorks	Windows, Mac, Linux	4	√	√	√	4
FlexClip	Windows, Mac, Linux	4	√	√	√	4.5
WeVideo	Windows, Mac, Linux	4	X	√	√	4.5
OpenShot	Windows, Mac, Linux	4.5	√	X	√	4.5

11 Best Windows Version of iMovie

All of these 12 iMovie alternatives for Windows 10+ are good choices. However, they have differences, meaning one may be suited for you more than the others. Here’s more information about each one, including the pros and cons, ratings, supported OS, and even user reviews.

1. Wondershare Filmora - Enhanced Royalty-Free Stock Library

Wondershare Filmora is a powerful video editing tool. Its features allow you to showcase your creativity fully. This tool can make your homemade videos look professionally made.

Key Features

• Picture in Picture - Layer in multiple video clips
• Green Screen - Change the video background and add effects using this feature
• Split Screen - Show numerous videos at once with the split screen feature
• Color Match - Save time by applying color correction settings across multiple clips with one click
• Video Stabilizing - Eliminate Camera Shake
• Speech to Text - Convert voice to subtitles in one click
• Text to Speech - Add AI voiceover to liven up your video

Price

Filmora Costs $49.99 per year for individual users. Meanwhile, it costs $155.88 per year for businesses with one user.

Pros

• PCMag says Wondershare Filmora has an eye-soothing interface. It’s not intimidating for beginners. Furthermore, Filmora’s ergonomic design makes it an easy-to-use video editing tool
• Wondershare Filmora has AI editing tools not found on the pre-installed video editor on your Windows PC. As the name suggests, it uses artificial intelligence to apply changes to video clips. Some examples of things you can do with these tools are erasing the background or applying a color correction to all clips with a single mouse click
• Filmora has lots of effects and overlays you can choose from

Cons

• High RAM consumption that can slow down your PC

G2 Rating: 4.5 Stars

Supported OS: Windows , Mac , iPad

User Review

Wondershare Filmora is the video editing software that you need. It has a slew of powerful tools that help you make amazing videos. A TrustRadius Ratings and Review states, “I take advantage of it on a regular basis and make YouTube movies for my shoppers. Simple to create eye-catching movies.”

Takeaway

Wondershare Filmora is filled with AI editing tools that help users produce high-quality videos.

2. PowerDirector - Top Ranked Video Editor, PC Mag

PowerDirector is an iMovie alternative for Windows with a bunch of unique tools and features. Despite being simple and easy to use, it allows you to create Hollywood-level films and clips.

Key Features

• Easy 360-degree video editing
• Keyframing
• Chroma key
• AI Motion Tracking
• Picture in Picture

Price

PowerDirector’s premium subscription costs $4.08/month.

Pros

• User Friendly
• Simple but powerful plugins
• Has AI Editing Tools
• Thousands of built-in transitions, overlay effects, and templates

Cons

• You can’t access the Shutterstock and iStock built-in libraries without a Premium subscription

G2 Rating: 4.5 Stars

Supported OS: Windows , Mac

User Review

Powerdirector enables you to do world-class video editing; it supports 4k, 60 fps video editing! Additionally, it has lots of stickers, transitions, animations, and many more. A G2 reviewer says, “Go for it, guys! It is one of the best editing platforms in the market.”

Takeaway

PowerDirector’s advanced tools make it among the best iMovie alternatives for Windows 10/11.

3. APowerEdit - Easiest Way to Edit Videos

APowerEdit is a straightforward video editing tool with dozens of transitions, text effects, overlays, and filters.

Key Features

• Supports all common media formats
• Includes dynamic title captions
• Dozens of overlays, transitions, and filters
• Picture in Picture
• Quickly correct brightness, contrast, hue, and saturation

Price

APowerEdit is free software with a paid version that costs$29.95 per month.

Pros

• Easy to navigate due to its user-friendly design
• Lots of export options
• Dozens of editing tools

Cons

• Lacks advanced editing tools needed for bigger projects

Supported OS: Windows, Mac, Online

User Review

APowerEdit is a simple video editing software best for beginners and not-so-tech-savvy users. An AlternativeTo review says, “Apoweredit is super easy to use. It is suitable for beginners like me. Awesome software!”

Takeaway

APowerEdit is a nice tool to have for beginners. However, if you plan to make impressive short films or bigger projects, it is not the ideal software to use.

4. Typito - Video Editing Tool Equivalent of Canva

Typito is like Canva but for videos. It is a web-based video editing software with drag-and-drop features, stylish typography, images, and brand layouts.

Key Features

• Drag-and-drop interface for easy editing
• Features built for creating engaging social media posts.
• Resize video files fast
• Includes 200+ motion graphic templates

Price

Typito subscriptions start at $15 per month.

Pros

• Easy to use
• Multiple Export Options
• Has all the basic video editing tools

Cons

• Too basic for bigger projects
• The free version has a watermark

G2 Rating: 4.5 Stars

Supported OS: Windows , Mac , Linux

User Review

Typito is a web-based video editor and a simple, easy-to-use tool. It receives continuous updates, so it becomes better and better. A G2 review says , “In Typito, even if you are a “Free” user, you can still create a video that looks so professional as if you paid someone to do it for you.”

Takeaway

Typito’s solid selection of tools is enough for simple projects, and it’s one of the best iMovie alternatives for Windows for social media influencers. However, advanced users may find it a little lacking.

5. Shotcut - Best for Color Adjustments

ShotCut is a completely free iMovie alternative for Windows. This tool is an open-source, cross-platform, video-editing software.

Key Features

• Webcam Capture
• Keyframing
• Auto-Rotate
• Blending Modes
• Unlimited Undo and Redo options
• Powerful color correction tools

Price: Free

Pros

• Because ShotCut is an open-source program, it gets updated regularly by the community
• Completely free

Cons

• No social media integrations
• Not user-friendly

Supported OS: Windows , Mac , Linux

User Review

Shotcut is free video editing software with a toolkit that rivals paid ones. A G2 review states, “We don’t have to pay anything, and we can edit the professional type of videos. It has all the features which any paid software has.”

Takeaway

Do you not want to spend money? If so, Shotcut is the option for you. It also has the strength of being available on many platforms. And because Shotcut is an open-source program, it gets regular updates from the community. However, its interface is not the most beginner-friendly.

6. AceThinker Video Master - All in one Video Tool

AceThinker is a video editor, video converter, and video downloader in one package.

Key Features

• Built-in video player
• HD video converter
• Wide range of customization
• Supports popular video formats
• Basic video editing tools

Price

AceThinker Video Master’s pricing plans start from $29.95.

Pros

• Video converter, downloader, editor, and screen recorder in one
• User-friendly interface

Cons

• Lack of advanced video editing tools

G2 Rating: 5 Stars

Supported OS Windows , Mac

User Review

AceThinker Video Master is all about convenience. It provides you with a video editor, downloader, and converter in one package. An educator left a review on G2 ; they say, “This has saved me lost time, increased student engagement, and [it is] a wonderful training tool for other educators.”

Takeaway

Is the storage space in your Windows PC running out? If that’s the case, AceThinker Video Master is a fantastic tool for you. It’s essentially four video apps in one package. And it’s not too shabby as video editing software, either. Expectedly, it’s not the best choice for making short films for competitions and projects of similar or bigger scale.

7. VideoPad Video Editor - Best for Social Media Work

VideoPad Video Editor is among the most impressive iMovie alternatives for Windows. It has powerful tools that will help you create films that would wow the audience.

Key Features

• Over 50 Effects and Transitions
• Supports all video formats
• 3D Video Editing
• 360-degree video support
• Chroma key compositing
• Camera Stabilizer
• Speech-to-text feature

Price

VideoPad Home Edition costs $34.99, while the Master’s Edition costs $69.95.

Pros

• Has basic and advanced tools
• Direct upload to popular social media channels
• Fast video stream processor

Cons

• The interface is outdated
• The speech-to-text feature is unreliable
• The free version is full of annoying notifications

G2 Rating: 4 Stars

Supported OS: Windows , Mac

User Review

VideoPad is an easy-to-learn video editing software full of helpful tools. A G2 reviewer states, “This complete and powerful media editing tool offers a variety of possibilities and possibilities to optimize every clip to the fullest.”

Takeaway

VideoPad Video Editor has many free features you can use to improve your videos. Admittedly, there are problems with some of these features. Nevertheless, this tool is a solid choice for a Windows iMovie alternative.

8. Lightworks

Lightworks Pro is a video editor used to make some Oscar-winning films, and Lightworks is a free and less complicated version of it. However, Lightworks is still not that beginner-friendly. Therefore, it’s best to consider this as an iMovie alternative only if you are an intermediate user.

Key Features

• Advanced Color Correction
• Some advanced tools
• Tooltips to help you learn how to use the features
• Integration to Cloud services
• Keyframing
• Advanced audio controls
• Autosave

Price

Lightworks is free, but premium subscriptions for Lightworks Create costs $99.9, and Lightworks Pro costs $24.99.

Pros

• Includes Advanced tools
• You would not lose progress because of the autosave feature
• Good performance

Cons

• Not suited for beginners
• You can only export up to 720p using the free version

G2 Rating: 3.5 Stars

Supported OS Windows , Mac , Linux

User Review

A TrustRadius Ratings and Review says, “Lightworks is a great tool for a non-designer to use because it provides a number of tools and capabilities that can be quickly learned.” However, they note that Lightworks does not provide advanced video editors with all the tools they need. It’s best for intermediate users.

Takeaway

Lightworks is a fantastic alternative to iMovie for Windows 10+ users. However, it requires you to be quite knowledgeable about video editing tools. This editor has a slightly higher learning curve than others. But once you learn how to use Lightworks, creating quality videos would be super easy.

9. Flexclip - Easy-to-Use Online Editor

FlexClip is a free online editor. It is a good substitute for iMovie for Windows users, regardless if you are a beginner or a professional.

Key Features

• Dozens of useful tools like background remover and gif maker
• Voice and screen recorder
• Integration with social media platforms
• It supports all the popular video formats
• Allows you to export up to 1080p

Price

FlexClip is free, but premium subscriptions are available. Subscriptions start from $9.99 per month.

Pros

• Includes basic and advanced editing tools
• Easy to share your work on social media platforms
• Allows creation of high-quality videos

Cons

• Long loading time before you can use it

G2 Rating: 4.5 Stars

Supported OS: Windows , Mac , Linux

User Review

FlexClip being an online video editor means one thing; it does not use your PC’s processing power. It also delivers what it promises. A G2 reviewe r says, “I have used many video editing tools so far, but none is close to FlexClip when it comes to video editing.”

Takeaway

You can’t go wrong with FlexClip. It has powerful tools making it a great iMovie alternative for Windows. You don’t even have to install it; it’s an online tool. Unfortunately, that has some downsides. You need to wait for the website to finish loading before working because it scrolls down for each line that gets loaded.

10. WeVideo - Best for Templates

WeVideo includes social-media-friendly templates, making it a fantastic choice for editing popular video categories like How-to, Unboxings, and Makeup tutorials.

Key Features

• Color Correction
• Green Screen Editing Tool
• Has support for square videos (for Instagram) and vertical videos (for TikTok)
• Customizable templates plus dozens of pre-made ones

Price

Premium subscriptions start at $60 per year.

Pros

• Includes basic and advanced video editing tools
• Excellent customer support
• User-friendly

Cons

• The free version has lots of limitations
• Importing videos to the website takes a long time

G2 Rating: 4.4 Stars

Supported OS: Windows , Mac , Linux

User Review

Social media influencers and marketers need to check out WeVideo. A reviewer of this video editing tool on G2 said, “It’s got a handful of Templates that you can use to explore your creativity and inventiveness when creating your content.”

Takeaway

WeVideo is a solid alternative for iMovie for Windows 10/11, but only if you are willing to pay. The free version has lots of restrictions. For example, you can only export 5 minutes of content per month.

11. OpenShot - Best for Amateurs

OpenShot has a straightforward interface, making it beginner-friendly. It has some fantastic tools you’ll find helpful. There’s a catch with beginner-friendly editors, though. They don’t have the advanced features you can find on other video editors. You can say that for OpenShot.

Key Features

• 3D Animation
• Text Editor
• Keyframing
• Decent selection of templates and filters

Price: Free

Pros

• Beginner-friendly
• Includes a wide range of editing tools
• Lots of export options

Cons

• Lack of advanced tools like Picture-in-Picture or Chroma Key
• Very laggy to use sometimes

G2 Rating: 4.5 Stars

Supported OS: Windows , Mac , Linux

User Review

OpenShot is a great introductory software for video editing. Its simplicity, ergonomic design, and set of handy tools make it perfect for beginners. A G2 review states, “I do not have a degree in video editing, but the products from my Openshot edits were of high quality.”

Takeaway

Some tools are intimidating for beginners; there are many buttons, and you don’t know what each one does. That’s not a problem when using OpenShot. Its simple interface is easy to understand, making it the best tool for beginners.

How to Edit a Video with an iMovie Alternative on Windows

Knowing which are the best iMovie alternatives on Windows is not enough. Of course, you also need to learn how to use them. Here’s a guide on how to use Wondershare Filmora, the best overall iMovie alternative for Windows.

Step1 Launch Filmora. Then, if you want to, select the aspect ratio.

Step2 Click New Project, then wait for the video editor to load. Then, click Register to register the product.

Step3 Select the aspect ratio for the final cut. Click Project Settings from the File menu, then select your desired aspect ratio.

Step4 Import the files you want to edit. Click the Import button in the upper left corner of the video editor. Select Import Media Files, then navigate to the location on your hard drive where the footage you want to edit is stored. Select the files you want to use in your project, then click Import.

Step5 Drag and drop the files to the timeline. Please note that the last one you add will always be placed after the previous one. Thus, you need to drag the file on the timeline to put it in the desired position. Press Play to preview.

Step6 Apply visual effects, color correction, and other edits you want to make.

Step7 Click Export to publish your video. Don’t forget to select your desired file format and resolution.

Here’s a video tutorial on how to use Wondershare Filmora

image / video 16:9

Final Words

It’s a shame that iMovie is not available on Windows 10/11 computers. Thankfully, there are alternatives you can use. Wondershare Filmora is an outstanding one. It allows you to do what you can do using iMovie and more.

Free Download For Win 7 or later(64-bit)

Free Download For macOS 10.14 or later

• Wondershare Filmora - Enhanced Royalty-Free Stock Library
• PowerDirector - Top Ranked Video Editor, PC Mag
• APowerEdit - Easiest Way to Edit Videos
• Typito - Video Editing Tool Equivalent of Canva
• Shotcut - Best for Color Adjustments
• AceThinker Video Master - All in one Video Tool
• VideoPad Video Editor - Best for Social Media Work
• Lightworks
• Flexclip - Easy-to-Use Online Editor
• WeVideo - Best for Templates
• OpenShot - Best for Amateurs
• How to Edit a Video with an iMovie Alternative on Windows

Top 2 Picks for iMovie for Windows Alternative

As mentioned above, there’s a lot of video editing software you can use as an iMovie equivalent for Windows. However, they are not of equal quality. Expectedly, some of them are miles better than others. Therefore, it’s best to do your research before installing - or buying one. That allows you to select the best one for you and, thus, ensure your satisfaction.

Here’s a quick comparison of the top 3 iMovie alternatives for Windows:

Wondershare Filmora - Best Overall Video Editing Software

Paid | 4.7 • 693 Ratings

Wondershare Filmora has a slew of powerful video editing tools that let you express your creativity to its fullest. It allows you to make high-quality, impressive, and captivating videos easily.

Free Download For Win 7 or later(64-bit)

Free Download For macOS 10.14 or later

WeVideo - Best For Templates

Paid | 4.5 • 783 Ratings

WeVideo is a web-based video editor with customizable templates perfect for beginners and influencers. It has social media-friendly templates for very specific and popular categories like Unboxings and How-To Makeup.

Ultimate Overview on 11 Best Alternatives to iMovie for Windows

There’s a total of 12 best iMovie alternatives for Windows. Each one is different from the others, but they are all solid choices. Here’s a table showing information about each product:

Software	OS	Beginner Friendly (score/5)	AI Editing	Royalty-Free Stock Library	Free Trial	Cost-Effective (score/5)
Wondershare Filmora	Windows, Mac	4.5	√	√	√	4.7
PowerDirector	Windows, Mac	5	√	√	√	4.4
APowerEdit	Windows, Mac, Online	5	X	X	√	4.5
Typito	Windows, Mac	4.5	X	√	√	4.2
ShotCut	Windows, Mac, Linux	3.5	X	√	√	5
AceThinker Video Master	Windows	4	X	√	√	4
VideoPad Video Editor	Windows, Mac, Linux	4.4	X	√	√	4.1
LightWorks	Windows, Mac, Linux	4	√	√	√	4
FlexClip	Windows, Mac, Linux	4	√	√	√	4.5
WeVideo	Windows, Mac, Linux	4	X	√	√	4.5
OpenShot	Windows, Mac, Linux	4.5	√	X	√	4.5

11 Best Windows Version of iMovie

All of these 12 iMovie alternatives for Windows 10+ are good choices. However, they have differences, meaning one may be suited for you more than the others. Here’s more information about each one, including the pros and cons, ratings, supported OS, and even user reviews.

1. Wondershare Filmora - Enhanced Royalty-Free Stock Library

Wondershare Filmora is a powerful video editing tool. Its features allow you to showcase your creativity fully. This tool can make your homemade videos look professionally made.

Key Features

• Picture in Picture - Layer in multiple video clips
• Green Screen - Change the video background and add effects using this feature
• Split Screen - Show numerous videos at once with the split screen feature
• Color Match - Save time by applying color correction settings across multiple clips with one click
• Video Stabilizing - Eliminate Camera Shake
• Speech to Text - Convert voice to subtitles in one click
• Text to Speech - Add AI voiceover to liven up your video

Price

Filmora Costs $49.99 per year for individual users. Meanwhile, it costs $155.88 per year for businesses with one user.

Pros

• PCMag says Wondershare Filmora has an eye-soothing interface. It’s not intimidating for beginners. Furthermore, Filmora’s ergonomic design makes it an easy-to-use video editing tool
• Wondershare Filmora has AI editing tools not found on the pre-installed video editor on your Windows PC. As the name suggests, it uses artificial intelligence to apply changes to video clips. Some examples of things you can do with these tools are erasing the background or applying a color correction to all clips with a single mouse click
• Filmora has lots of effects and overlays you can choose from

Cons

• High RAM consumption that can slow down your PC

G2 Rating: 4.5 Stars

Supported OS: Windows , Mac , iPad

User Review

Wondershare Filmora is the video editing software that you need. It has a slew of powerful tools that help you make amazing videos. A TrustRadius Ratings and Review states, “I take advantage of it on a regular basis and make YouTube movies for my shoppers. Simple to create eye-catching movies.”

Takeaway

Wondershare Filmora is filled with AI editing tools that help users produce high-quality videos.

2. PowerDirector - Top Ranked Video Editor, PC Mag

PowerDirector is an iMovie alternative for Windows with a bunch of unique tools and features. Despite being simple and easy to use, it allows you to create Hollywood-level films and clips.

Key Features

• Easy 360-degree video editing
• Keyframing
• Chroma key
• AI Motion Tracking
• Picture in Picture

Price

PowerDirector’s premium subscription costs $4.08/month.

Pros

• User Friendly
• Simple but powerful plugins
• Has AI Editing Tools
• Thousands of built-in transitions, overlay effects, and templates

Cons

• You can’t access the Shutterstock and iStock built-in libraries without a Premium subscription

G2 Rating: 4.5 Stars

Supported OS: Windows , Mac

User Review

Powerdirector enables you to do world-class video editing; it supports 4k, 60 fps video editing! Additionally, it has lots of stickers, transitions, animations, and many more. A G2 reviewer says, “Go for it, guys! It is one of the best editing platforms in the market.”

Takeaway

PowerDirector’s advanced tools make it among the best iMovie alternatives for Windows 10/11.

3. APowerEdit - Easiest Way to Edit Videos

APowerEdit is a straightforward video editing tool with dozens of transitions, text effects, overlays, and filters.

Key Features

• Supports all common media formats
• Includes dynamic title captions
• Dozens of overlays, transitions, and filters
• Picture in Picture
• Quickly correct brightness, contrast, hue, and saturation

Price

APowerEdit is free software with a paid version that costs$29.95 per month.

Pros

• Easy to navigate due to its user-friendly design
• Lots of export options
• Dozens of editing tools

Cons

• Lacks advanced editing tools needed for bigger projects

Supported OS: Windows, Mac, Online

User Review

APowerEdit is a simple video editing software best for beginners and not-so-tech-savvy users. An AlternativeTo review says, “Apoweredit is super easy to use. It is suitable for beginners like me. Awesome software!”

Takeaway

APowerEdit is a nice tool to have for beginners. However, if you plan to make impressive short films or bigger projects, it is not the ideal software to use.

4. Typito - Video Editing Tool Equivalent of Canva

Typito is like Canva but for videos. It is a web-based video editing software with drag-and-drop features, stylish typography, images, and brand layouts.

Key Features

• Drag-and-drop interface for easy editing
• Features built for creating engaging social media posts.
• Resize video files fast
• Includes 200+ motion graphic templates

Price

Typito subscriptions start at $15 per month.

Pros

• Easy to use
• Multiple Export Options
• Has all the basic video editing tools

Cons

• Too basic for bigger projects
• The free version has a watermark

G2 Rating: 4.5 Stars

Supported OS: Windows , Mac , Linux

User Review

Typito is a web-based video editor and a simple, easy-to-use tool. It receives continuous updates, so it becomes better and better. A G2 review says , “In Typito, even if you are a “Free” user, you can still create a video that looks so professional as if you paid someone to do it for you.”

Takeaway

Typito’s solid selection of tools is enough for simple projects, and it’s one of the best iMovie alternatives for Windows for social media influencers. However, advanced users may find it a little lacking.

5. Shotcut - Best for Color Adjustments

ShotCut is a completely free iMovie alternative for Windows. This tool is an open-source, cross-platform, video-editing software.

Key Features

• Webcam Capture
• Keyframing
• Auto-Rotate
• Blending Modes
• Unlimited Undo and Redo options
• Powerful color correction tools

Price: Free

Pros

• Because ShotCut is an open-source program, it gets updated regularly by the community
• Completely free

Cons

• No social media integrations
• Not user-friendly

Supported OS: Windows , Mac , Linux

User Review

Shotcut is free video editing software with a toolkit that rivals paid ones. A G2 review states, “We don’t have to pay anything, and we can edit the professional type of videos. It has all the features which any paid software has.”

Takeaway

Do you not want to spend money? If so, Shotcut is the option for you. It also has the strength of being available on many platforms. And because Shotcut is an open-source program, it gets regular updates from the community. However, its interface is not the most beginner-friendly.

6. AceThinker Video Master - All in one Video Tool

AceThinker is a video editor, video converter, and video downloader in one package.

Key Features

• Built-in video player
• HD video converter
• Wide range of customization
• Supports popular video formats
• Basic video editing tools

Price

AceThinker Video Master’s pricing plans start from $29.95.

Pros

• Video converter, downloader, editor, and screen recorder in one
• User-friendly interface

Cons

• Lack of advanced video editing tools

G2 Rating: 5 Stars

Supported OS Windows , Mac

User Review

AceThinker Video Master is all about convenience. It provides you with a video editor, downloader, and converter in one package. An educator left a review on G2 ; they say, “This has saved me lost time, increased student engagement, and [it is] a wonderful training tool for other educators.”

Takeaway

Is the storage space in your Windows PC running out? If that’s the case, AceThinker Video Master is a fantastic tool for you. It’s essentially four video apps in one package. And it’s not too shabby as video editing software, either. Expectedly, it’s not the best choice for making short films for competitions and projects of similar or bigger scale.

7. VideoPad Video Editor - Best for Social Media Work

VideoPad Video Editor is among the most impressive iMovie alternatives for Windows. It has powerful tools that will help you create films that would wow the audience.

Key Features

• Over 50 Effects and Transitions
• Supports all video formats
• 3D Video Editing
• 360-degree video support
• Chroma key compositing
• Camera Stabilizer
• Speech-to-text feature

Price

VideoPad Home Edition costs $34.99, while the Master’s Edition costs $69.95.

Pros

• Has basic and advanced tools
• Direct upload to popular social media channels
• Fast video stream processor

Cons

• The interface is outdated
• The speech-to-text feature is unreliable
• The free version is full of annoying notifications

G2 Rating: 4 Stars

Supported OS: Windows , Mac

User Review

VideoPad is an easy-to-learn video editing software full of helpful tools. A G2 reviewer states, “This complete and powerful media editing tool offers a variety of possibilities and possibilities to optimize every clip to the fullest.”

Takeaway

VideoPad Video Editor has many free features you can use to improve your videos. Admittedly, there are problems with some of these features. Nevertheless, this tool is a solid choice for a Windows iMovie alternative.

8. Lightworks

Lightworks Pro is a video editor used to make some Oscar-winning films, and Lightworks is a free and less complicated version of it. However, Lightworks is still not that beginner-friendly. Therefore, it’s best to consider this as an iMovie alternative only if you are an intermediate user.

Key Features

• Advanced Color Correction
• Some advanced tools
• Tooltips to help you learn how to use the features
• Integration to Cloud services
• Keyframing
• Advanced audio controls
• Autosave

Price

Lightworks is free, but premium subscriptions for Lightworks Create costs $99.9, and Lightworks Pro costs $24.99.

Pros

• Includes Advanced tools
• You would not lose progress because of the autosave feature
• Good performance

Cons

• Not suited for beginners
• You can only export up to 720p using the free version

G2 Rating: 3.5 Stars

Supported OS Windows , Mac , Linux

User Review

A TrustRadius Ratings and Review says, “Lightworks is a great tool for a non-designer to use because it provides a number of tools and capabilities that can be quickly learned.” However, they note that Lightworks does not provide advanced video editors with all the tools they need. It’s best for intermediate users.

Takeaway

Lightworks is a fantastic alternative to iMovie for Windows 10+ users. However, it requires you to be quite knowledgeable about video editing tools. This editor has a slightly higher learning curve than others. But once you learn how to use Lightworks, creating quality videos would be super easy.

9. Flexclip - Easy-to-Use Online Editor

FlexClip is a free online editor. It is a good substitute for iMovie for Windows users, regardless if you are a beginner or a professional.

Key Features

• Dozens of useful tools like background remover and gif maker
• Voice and screen recorder
• Integration with social media platforms
• It supports all the popular video formats
• Allows you to export up to 1080p

Price

FlexClip is free, but premium subscriptions are available. Subscriptions start from $9.99 per month.

Pros

• Includes basic and advanced editing tools
• Easy to share your work on social media platforms
• Allows creation of high-quality videos

Cons

• Long loading time before you can use it

G2 Rating: 4.5 Stars

Supported OS: Windows , Mac , Linux

User Review

FlexClip being an online video editor means one thing; it does not use your PC’s processing power. It also delivers what it promises. A G2 reviewe r says, “I have used many video editing tools so far, but none is close to FlexClip when it comes to video editing.”

Takeaway

You can’t go wrong with FlexClip. It has powerful tools making it a great iMovie alternative for Windows. You don’t even have to install it; it’s an online tool. Unfortunately, that has some downsides. You need to wait for the website to finish loading before working because it scrolls down for each line that gets loaded.

10. WeVideo - Best for Templates

WeVideo includes social-media-friendly templates, making it a fantastic choice for editing popular video categories like How-to, Unboxings, and Makeup tutorials.

Key Features

• Color Correction
• Green Screen Editing Tool
• Has support for square videos (for Instagram) and vertical videos (for TikTok)
• Customizable templates plus dozens of pre-made ones

Price

Premium subscriptions start at $60 per year.

Pros

• Includes basic and advanced video editing tools
• Excellent customer support
• User-friendly

Cons

• The free version has lots of limitations
• Importing videos to the website takes a long time

G2 Rating: 4.4 Stars

Supported OS: Windows , Mac , Linux

User Review

Social media influencers and marketers need to check out WeVideo. A reviewer of this video editing tool on G2 said, “It’s got a handful of Templates that you can use to explore your creativity and inventiveness when creating your content.”

Takeaway

WeVideo is a solid alternative for iMovie for Windows 10/11, but only if you are willing to pay. The free version has lots of restrictions. For example, you can only export 5 minutes of content per month.

11. OpenShot - Best for Amateurs

OpenShot has a straightforward interface, making it beginner-friendly. It has some fantastic tools you’ll find helpful. There’s a catch with beginner-friendly editors, though. They don’t have the advanced features you can find on other video editors. You can say that for OpenShot.

Key Features

• 3D Animation
• Text Editor
• Keyframing
• Decent selection of templates and filters

Price: Free

Pros

• Beginner-friendly
• Includes a wide range of editing tools
• Lots of export options

Cons

• Lack of advanced tools like Picture-in-Picture or Chroma Key
• Very laggy to use sometimes

G2 Rating: 4.5 Stars

Supported OS: Windows , Mac , Linux

User Review

OpenShot is a great introductory software for video editing. Its simplicity, ergonomic design, and set of handy tools make it perfect for beginners. A G2 review states, “I do not have a degree in video editing, but the products from my Openshot edits were of high quality.”

Takeaway

Some tools are intimidating for beginners; there are many buttons, and you don’t know what each one does. That’s not a problem when using OpenShot. Its simple interface is easy to understand, making it the best tool for beginners.

How to Edit a Video with an iMovie Alternative on Windows

Knowing which are the best iMovie alternatives on Windows is not enough. Of course, you also need to learn how to use them. Here’s a guide on how to use Wondershare Filmora, the best overall iMovie alternative for Windows.

Step1 Launch Filmora. Then, if you want to, select the aspect ratio.

Step2 Click New Project, then wait for the video editor to load. Then, click Register to register the product.

Step3 Select the aspect ratio for the final cut. Click Project Settings from the File menu, then select your desired aspect ratio.

Step4 Import the files you want to edit. Click the Import button in the upper left corner of the video editor. Select Import Media Files, then navigate to the location on your hard drive where the footage you want to edit is stored. Select the files you want to use in your project, then click Import.

Step5 Drag and drop the files to the timeline. Please note that the last one you add will always be placed after the previous one. Thus, you need to drag the file on the timeline to put it in the desired position. Press Play to preview.

Step6 Apply visual effects, color correction, and other edits you want to make.

Step7 Click Export to publish your video. Don’t forget to select your desired file format and resolution.

Here’s a video tutorial on how to use Wondershare Filmora

image / video 16:9

Final Words

It’s a shame that iMovie is not available on Windows 10/11 computers. Thankfully, there are alternatives you can use. Wondershare Filmora is an outstanding one. It allows you to do what you can do using iMovie and more.

Free Download For Win 7 or later(64-bit)

Free Download For macOS 10.14 or later

The Most Popular Text Motion Tracking Software [2023 Update]

Best Text Motion Tracking Software

Ollie Mattison

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

Have you ever been mesmerized by a video with text or emoji’s moving together with objects? That effect is produced using motion tracking and isn’t very complicated. Today, we will introduce some text motion tracking software (free & paid) tools that allow you to pin text to video with minimum effort. There will also be detailed tutorials on how to utilize each tool. Let’s get started.

Best Text Motion Tracking Software [+Howtos]

Note: The list below is in no particular order.

1. Filmora

Pricing: Free (watermark) /starts at $49.99/year

Operating System: Windows & Mac

The newly released Wondershare Filmora X version has added the motion tracking features, which allows you to track moving objects in a video clip, and attach images, texts, elements and videos to follow the movement path.

How to Use Filmora Video Editor To Do Text Motion Tracking?

• Import the video footage to the timeline and then click the Motion Track icon in the tool bar to enable the Motion Tracking option.

• In the preview window, drag and adjust the tracking box to select a moving object as the target.

• Click the Start Tracking menu to start the moton tracking render, and Filmora video editor will compute the moving path automatically
• Now, go to the Titles tab and drag a subtitle, titles, lower 3rd, or callout to the track just above the motion-tracked video. Customize your texts, adjust its size, position, etc. in the preview window.

• Next, double click the video footage to enter the Motion Track option. Select the title as a follower. Playback the video, and you will see the text will move accordingly.

Below is a step by step video tutorial about how to use the motion tracking feature in Filmora. Keep watching.

2. Premiere Pro CC

Pricing: 14-day trial, minimum $20.99/month

Operating System: Windows, Mac

Adobe Premiere Pro is an industry-leading video editor. Premiere Pro CC has all the editing tools a pro video editor needs.

There is no automatic tracking feature in Premiere Pro to pin text to video. Therefore, you need to manually position your text and add keyframes frame by frame. But the overall effort required and the final result isn’t much different from traditional editors.

How To Do Text Motion Tracking In Premiere Pro CC? [Main Steps]

• Import your video to the timeline
• Add text by Pressing ‘T’ on your keyboard and clicking on the preview window (your footage)
• Change the position & duration of the text layer on the timeline according to the position & duration of motion tracking
• Make sure you’re on the frame you want to start tracking from
• Click on your text layer → then go to effects controls
• Change the position of the text to the point you want to track → click on the stopwatch icon to add a keyframe
• Move a few frames forward → adjust the position again → add another keyframe
• Don’t put the keyframes too close or too farther apart
• Play through to check it out → adjust the position and number of keyframes if any issues arise

The whole process is relatively easy, although tedious. But the process becomes very complicated when you have more dynamic motion in your clip

3. After Effects

Pricing: 7-day trial, $20.99/month (individual)

Operating System: Windows & Mac

Adobe After Effects is an editor that focuses on animation & creative composition. This app has been developed as a companion to Premiere Pro for creating short & flashy motion graphics and visual effects for projects.

Motion tracking in After Effects can be done using the Point Tracker, which has one-point and up to four-point tracking. Other tracking options include the built-in 3D Camera Tracker that lets you reverse engineer a scene and the spline tracker that enables you to track masks on an object. There is also Mocha AE, a planar tracker from BorisFX. The Point Tracker is the most flexible and versatile in After Effects. We’ll use it to pin text to video.

How To Do Text Motion Tracking In After Effects? [Main Steps]

• Create a new composition/open an old one and make sure your clip is imported
• Create a null object by right-clicking on the window (screenshot below)
• Select your clip → click on tracker → click on track motion
• Two square boxes will appear
• Move the squares to the point you want to track (make sure to select an object with relatively high contrast for easier tracking)
• Position the smaller square on the object you want to track
• Make the second box is big enough (not too big) so that the tracked object stays within this square in the next frame
• Click on the analyze forward button (screenshot above)
• If the square box fails to track the object at any frame, reposition it and move on
• Make sure motion target is set to null object (e.g., Null 1)
• Now add the text
• While clicking on the pick whip tool of the text layer, drag it to the null object
• Play through to check the result
• You can manually change the position of the text in any frame by adjusting its position and adding a keyframe

We’re done. As we stated above, other types of trackers are also available for you to experiment with. The overall tracking functionality is much better than Premiere Pro.

4. Sony Vegas Pro

Pricing: 30-day trial, minimum $19.99/month

Operating System: Windows

Sony Vegas Pro is a non-linear video editor with the so-called “power of Artificial Intelligence.” It is one of the few editors out there that has acquired popularity among professionals and amateurs alike.

Text motion tracking in Vegas Pro is done using Bézier Masking FX (new update introduces a separate tab for motion tracking). The tracking process is automatic. Keyframes are created automatically frame by frame. It isn’t perfect, but it gets the job done in most cases. When it fails to track objects correctly, you can manually edit the keyframes.

How To Do Text Motion Tracking In Sony Vegas Pro? [Main Steps]

• Import your video
• Click on your video → go to the starting point of text motion tracking
• Click on Bézier Masking → drag the default one to your video
• A new options tab will appear & a square box with a circle (tracking box) will appear in the preview window
• Go to General options → set blend to 1,000
• Go to Mask 1 → Tracking → options → set the precision to high → set keyframe interval between 1 & 5
• Position the black dot of the tracking box to the point you want to track
• Click on start below the keyframe interval option
• After processing is complete → go to tools → extensions → add text to motion track → click on ok in the text position tab
• Enter your text, edit it if you want
• Play through to check the result

Conclusion:

As we’ve seen above, all the editors have some kind of automatic tracking feature, Premiere Pro being the only manual exception. All of them do a reasonably good job when it comes to pinning text to video. Professionals would be more satisfied with the added versatility and control in After Effects. Filmora, Filmora, Vegas Pro and Premiere Pro, on the other hand, are better suited for amateurs.

Ollie Mattison

Ollie Mattison is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Ollie Mattison

Ollie Mattison

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

Have you ever been mesmerized by a video with text or emoji’s moving together with objects? That effect is produced using motion tracking and isn’t very complicated. Today, we will introduce some text motion tracking software (free & paid) tools that allow you to pin text to video with minimum effort. There will also be detailed tutorials on how to utilize each tool. Let’s get started.

Best Text Motion Tracking Software [+Howtos]

Note: The list below is in no particular order.

1. Filmora

Pricing: Free (watermark) /starts at $49.99/year

Operating System: Windows & Mac

The newly released Wondershare Filmora X version has added the motion tracking features, which allows you to track moving objects in a video clip, and attach images, texts, elements and videos to follow the movement path.

How to Use Filmora Video Editor To Do Text Motion Tracking?

• Import the video footage to the timeline and then click the Motion Track icon in the tool bar to enable the Motion Tracking option.

• In the preview window, drag and adjust the tracking box to select a moving object as the target.

• Click the Start Tracking menu to start the moton tracking render, and Filmora video editor will compute the moving path automatically
• Now, go to the Titles tab and drag a subtitle, titles, lower 3rd, or callout to the track just above the motion-tracked video. Customize your texts, adjust its size, position, etc. in the preview window.

• Next, double click the video footage to enter the Motion Track option. Select the title as a follower. Playback the video, and you will see the text will move accordingly.

Below is a step by step video tutorial about how to use the motion tracking feature in Filmora. Keep watching.

2. Premiere Pro CC

Pricing: 14-day trial, minimum $20.99/month

Operating System: Windows, Mac

Adobe Premiere Pro is an industry-leading video editor. Premiere Pro CC has all the editing tools a pro video editor needs.

There is no automatic tracking feature in Premiere Pro to pin text to video. Therefore, you need to manually position your text and add keyframes frame by frame. But the overall effort required and the final result isn’t much different from traditional editors.

How To Do Text Motion Tracking In Premiere Pro CC? [Main Steps]

• Import your video to the timeline
• Add text by Pressing ‘T’ on your keyboard and clicking on the preview window (your footage)
• Change the position & duration of the text layer on the timeline according to the position & duration of motion tracking
• Make sure you’re on the frame you want to start tracking from
• Click on your text layer → then go to effects controls
• Change the position of the text to the point you want to track → click on the stopwatch icon to add a keyframe
• Move a few frames forward → adjust the position again → add another keyframe
• Don’t put the keyframes too close or too farther apart
• Play through to check it out → adjust the position and number of keyframes if any issues arise

The whole process is relatively easy, although tedious. But the process becomes very complicated when you have more dynamic motion in your clip

3. After Effects

Pricing: 7-day trial, $20.99/month (individual)

Operating System: Windows & Mac

Adobe After Effects is an editor that focuses on animation & creative composition. This app has been developed as a companion to Premiere Pro for creating short & flashy motion graphics and visual effects for projects.

Motion tracking in After Effects can be done using the Point Tracker, which has one-point and up to four-point tracking. Other tracking options include the built-in 3D Camera Tracker that lets you reverse engineer a scene and the spline tracker that enables you to track masks on an object. There is also Mocha AE, a planar tracker from BorisFX. The Point Tracker is the most flexible and versatile in After Effects. We’ll use it to pin text to video.

How To Do Text Motion Tracking In After Effects? [Main Steps]

• Create a new composition/open an old one and make sure your clip is imported
• Create a null object by right-clicking on the window (screenshot below)
• Select your clip → click on tracker → click on track motion
• Two square boxes will appear
• Move the squares to the point you want to track (make sure to select an object with relatively high contrast for easier tracking)
• Position the smaller square on the object you want to track
• Make the second box is big enough (not too big) so that the tracked object stays within this square in the next frame
• Click on the analyze forward button (screenshot above)
• If the square box fails to track the object at any frame, reposition it and move on
• Make sure motion target is set to null object (e.g., Null 1)
• Now add the text
• While clicking on the pick whip tool of the text layer, drag it to the null object
• Play through to check the result
• You can manually change the position of the text in any frame by adjusting its position and adding a keyframe

We’re done. As we stated above, other types of trackers are also available for you to experiment with. The overall tracking functionality is much better than Premiere Pro.

4. Sony Vegas Pro

Pricing: 30-day trial, minimum $19.99/month

Operating System: Windows

Sony Vegas Pro is a non-linear video editor with the so-called “power of Artificial Intelligence.” It is one of the few editors out there that has acquired popularity among professionals and amateurs alike.

Text motion tracking in Vegas Pro is done using Bézier Masking FX (new update introduces a separate tab for motion tracking). The tracking process is automatic. Keyframes are created automatically frame by frame. It isn’t perfect, but it gets the job done in most cases. When it fails to track objects correctly, you can manually edit the keyframes.

How To Do Text Motion Tracking In Sony Vegas Pro? [Main Steps]

• Import your video
• Click on your video → go to the starting point of text motion tracking
• Click on Bézier Masking → drag the default one to your video
• A new options tab will appear & a square box with a circle (tracking box) will appear in the preview window
• Go to General options → set blend to 1,000
• Go to Mask 1 → Tracking → options → set the precision to high → set keyframe interval between 1 & 5
• Position the black dot of the tracking box to the point you want to track
• Click on start below the keyframe interval option
• After processing is complete → go to tools → extensions → add text to motion track → click on ok in the text position tab
• Enter your text, edit it if you want
• Play through to check the result

Conclusion:

As we’ve seen above, all the editors have some kind of automatic tracking feature, Premiere Pro being the only manual exception. All of them do a reasonably good job when it comes to pinning text to video. Professionals would be more satisfied with the added versatility and control in After Effects. Filmora, Filmora, Vegas Pro and Premiere Pro, on the other hand, are better suited for amateurs.

Ollie Mattison

Ollie Mattison is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Ollie Mattison

Ollie Mattison

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

Have you ever been mesmerized by a video with text or emoji’s moving together with objects? That effect is produced using motion tracking and isn’t very complicated. Today, we will introduce some text motion tracking software (free & paid) tools that allow you to pin text to video with minimum effort. There will also be detailed tutorials on how to utilize each tool. Let’s get started.

Best Text Motion Tracking Software [+Howtos]

Note: The list below is in no particular order.

1. Filmora

Pricing: Free (watermark) /starts at $49.99/year

Operating System: Windows & Mac

The newly released Wondershare Filmora X version has added the motion tracking features, which allows you to track moving objects in a video clip, and attach images, texts, elements and videos to follow the movement path.

How to Use Filmora Video Editor To Do Text Motion Tracking?

• Import the video footage to the timeline and then click the Motion Track icon in the tool bar to enable the Motion Tracking option.

• In the preview window, drag and adjust the tracking box to select a moving object as the target.

• Click the Start Tracking menu to start the moton tracking render, and Filmora video editor will compute the moving path automatically
• Now, go to the Titles tab and drag a subtitle, titles, lower 3rd, or callout to the track just above the motion-tracked video. Customize your texts, adjust its size, position, etc. in the preview window.

• Next, double click the video footage to enter the Motion Track option. Select the title as a follower. Playback the video, and you will see the text will move accordingly.

Below is a step by step video tutorial about how to use the motion tracking feature in Filmora. Keep watching.

2. Premiere Pro CC

Pricing: 14-day trial, minimum $20.99/month

Operating System: Windows, Mac

Adobe Premiere Pro is an industry-leading video editor. Premiere Pro CC has all the editing tools a pro video editor needs.

There is no automatic tracking feature in Premiere Pro to pin text to video. Therefore, you need to manually position your text and add keyframes frame by frame. But the overall effort required and the final result isn’t much different from traditional editors.

How To Do Text Motion Tracking In Premiere Pro CC? [Main Steps]

• Import your video to the timeline
• Add text by Pressing ‘T’ on your keyboard and clicking on the preview window (your footage)
• Change the position & duration of the text layer on the timeline according to the position & duration of motion tracking
• Make sure you’re on the frame you want to start tracking from
• Click on your text layer → then go to effects controls
• Change the position of the text to the point you want to track → click on the stopwatch icon to add a keyframe
• Move a few frames forward → adjust the position again → add another keyframe
• Don’t put the keyframes too close or too farther apart
• Play through to check it out → adjust the position and number of keyframes if any issues arise

The whole process is relatively easy, although tedious. But the process becomes very complicated when you have more dynamic motion in your clip

3. After Effects

Pricing: 7-day trial, $20.99/month (individual)

Operating System: Windows & Mac

Adobe After Effects is an editor that focuses on animation & creative composition. This app has been developed as a companion to Premiere Pro for creating short & flashy motion graphics and visual effects for projects.

Motion tracking in After Effects can be done using the Point Tracker, which has one-point and up to four-point tracking. Other tracking options include the built-in 3D Camera Tracker that lets you reverse engineer a scene and the spline tracker that enables you to track masks on an object. There is also Mocha AE, a planar tracker from BorisFX. The Point Tracker is the most flexible and versatile in After Effects. We’ll use it to pin text to video.

How To Do Text Motion Tracking In After Effects? [Main Steps]

• Create a new composition/open an old one and make sure your clip is imported
• Create a null object by right-clicking on the window (screenshot below)
• Select your clip → click on tracker → click on track motion
• Two square boxes will appear
• Move the squares to the point you want to track (make sure to select an object with relatively high contrast for easier tracking)
• Position the smaller square on the object you want to track
• Make the second box is big enough (not too big) so that the tracked object stays within this square in the next frame
• Click on the analyze forward button (screenshot above)
• If the square box fails to track the object at any frame, reposition it and move on
• Make sure motion target is set to null object (e.g., Null 1)
• Now add the text
• While clicking on the pick whip tool of the text layer, drag it to the null object
• Play through to check the result
• You can manually change the position of the text in any frame by adjusting its position and adding a keyframe

We’re done. As we stated above, other types of trackers are also available for you to experiment with. The overall tracking functionality is much better than Premiere Pro.

4. Sony Vegas Pro

Pricing: 30-day trial, minimum $19.99/month

Operating System: Windows

Sony Vegas Pro is a non-linear video editor with the so-called “power of Artificial Intelligence.” It is one of the few editors out there that has acquired popularity among professionals and amateurs alike.

Text motion tracking in Vegas Pro is done using Bézier Masking FX (new update introduces a separate tab for motion tracking). The tracking process is automatic. Keyframes are created automatically frame by frame. It isn’t perfect, but it gets the job done in most cases. When it fails to track objects correctly, you can manually edit the keyframes.

How To Do Text Motion Tracking In Sony Vegas Pro? [Main Steps]

• Import your video
• Click on your video → go to the starting point of text motion tracking
• Click on Bézier Masking → drag the default one to your video
• A new options tab will appear & a square box with a circle (tracking box) will appear in the preview window
• Go to General options → set blend to 1,000
• Go to Mask 1 → Tracking → options → set the precision to high → set keyframe interval between 1 & 5
• Position the black dot of the tracking box to the point you want to track
• Click on start below the keyframe interval option
• After processing is complete → go to tools → extensions → add text to motion track → click on ok in the text position tab
• Enter your text, edit it if you want
• Play through to check the result

Conclusion:

As we’ve seen above, all the editors have some kind of automatic tracking feature, Premiere Pro being the only manual exception. All of them do a reasonably good job when it comes to pinning text to video. Professionals would be more satisfied with the added versatility and control in After Effects. Filmora, Filmora, Vegas Pro and Premiere Pro, on the other hand, are better suited for amateurs.

Ollie Mattison

Ollie Mattison is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Ollie Mattison

Ollie Mattison

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

Have you ever been mesmerized by a video with text or emoji’s moving together with objects? That effect is produced using motion tracking and isn’t very complicated. Today, we will introduce some text motion tracking software (free & paid) tools that allow you to pin text to video with minimum effort. There will also be detailed tutorials on how to utilize each tool. Let’s get started.

Best Text Motion Tracking Software [+Howtos]

Note: The list below is in no particular order.

1. Filmora

Pricing: Free (watermark) /starts at $49.99/year

Operating System: Windows & Mac

The newly released Wondershare Filmora X version has added the motion tracking features, which allows you to track moving objects in a video clip, and attach images, texts, elements and videos to follow the movement path.

How to Use Filmora Video Editor To Do Text Motion Tracking?

• Import the video footage to the timeline and then click the Motion Track icon in the tool bar to enable the Motion Tracking option.

• In the preview window, drag and adjust the tracking box to select a moving object as the target.

• Click the Start Tracking menu to start the moton tracking render, and Filmora video editor will compute the moving path automatically
• Now, go to the Titles tab and drag a subtitle, titles, lower 3rd, or callout to the track just above the motion-tracked video. Customize your texts, adjust its size, position, etc. in the preview window.

• Next, double click the video footage to enter the Motion Track option. Select the title as a follower. Playback the video, and you will see the text will move accordingly.

Below is a step by step video tutorial about how to use the motion tracking feature in Filmora. Keep watching.

2. Premiere Pro CC

Pricing: 14-day trial, minimum $20.99/month

Operating System: Windows, Mac

Adobe Premiere Pro is an industry-leading video editor. Premiere Pro CC has all the editing tools a pro video editor needs.

There is no automatic tracking feature in Premiere Pro to pin text to video. Therefore, you need to manually position your text and add keyframes frame by frame. But the overall effort required and the final result isn’t much different from traditional editors.

How To Do Text Motion Tracking In Premiere Pro CC? [Main Steps]

• Import your video to the timeline
• Add text by Pressing ‘T’ on your keyboard and clicking on the preview window (your footage)
• Change the position & duration of the text layer on the timeline according to the position & duration of motion tracking
• Make sure you’re on the frame you want to start tracking from
• Click on your text layer → then go to effects controls
• Change the position of the text to the point you want to track → click on the stopwatch icon to add a keyframe
• Move a few frames forward → adjust the position again → add another keyframe
• Don’t put the keyframes too close or too farther apart
• Play through to check it out → adjust the position and number of keyframes if any issues arise

The whole process is relatively easy, although tedious. But the process becomes very complicated when you have more dynamic motion in your clip

3. After Effects

Pricing: 7-day trial, $20.99/month (individual)

Operating System: Windows & Mac

Adobe After Effects is an editor that focuses on animation & creative composition. This app has been developed as a companion to Premiere Pro for creating short & flashy motion graphics and visual effects for projects.

Motion tracking in After Effects can be done using the Point Tracker, which has one-point and up to four-point tracking. Other tracking options include the built-in 3D Camera Tracker that lets you reverse engineer a scene and the spline tracker that enables you to track masks on an object. There is also Mocha AE, a planar tracker from BorisFX. The Point Tracker is the most flexible and versatile in After Effects. We’ll use it to pin text to video.

How To Do Text Motion Tracking In After Effects? [Main Steps]

• Create a new composition/open an old one and make sure your clip is imported
• Create a null object by right-clicking on the window (screenshot below)
• Select your clip → click on tracker → click on track motion
• Two square boxes will appear
• Move the squares to the point you want to track (make sure to select an object with relatively high contrast for easier tracking)
• Position the smaller square on the object you want to track
• Make the second box is big enough (not too big) so that the tracked object stays within this square in the next frame
• Click on the analyze forward button (screenshot above)
• If the square box fails to track the object at any frame, reposition it and move on
• Make sure motion target is set to null object (e.g., Null 1)
• Now add the text
• While clicking on the pick whip tool of the text layer, drag it to the null object
• Play through to check the result
• You can manually change the position of the text in any frame by adjusting its position and adding a keyframe

We’re done. As we stated above, other types of trackers are also available for you to experiment with. The overall tracking functionality is much better than Premiere Pro.

4. Sony Vegas Pro

Pricing: 30-day trial, minimum $19.99/month

Operating System: Windows

Sony Vegas Pro is a non-linear video editor with the so-called “power of Artificial Intelligence.” It is one of the few editors out there that has acquired popularity among professionals and amateurs alike.

Text motion tracking in Vegas Pro is done using Bézier Masking FX (new update introduces a separate tab for motion tracking). The tracking process is automatic. Keyframes are created automatically frame by frame. It isn’t perfect, but it gets the job done in most cases. When it fails to track objects correctly, you can manually edit the keyframes.

How To Do Text Motion Tracking In Sony Vegas Pro? [Main Steps]

• Import your video
• Click on your video → go to the starting point of text motion tracking
• Click on Bézier Masking → drag the default one to your video
• A new options tab will appear & a square box with a circle (tracking box) will appear in the preview window
• Go to General options → set blend to 1,000
• Go to Mask 1 → Tracking → options → set the precision to high → set keyframe interval between 1 & 5
• Position the black dot of the tracking box to the point you want to track
• Click on start below the keyframe interval option
• After processing is complete → go to tools → extensions → add text to motion track → click on ok in the text position tab
• Enter your text, edit it if you want
• Play through to check the result

Conclusion:

As we’ve seen above, all the editors have some kind of automatic tracking feature, Premiere Pro being the only manual exception. All of them do a reasonably good job when it comes to pinning text to video. Professionals would be more satisfied with the added versatility and control in After Effects. Filmora, Filmora, Vegas Pro and Premiere Pro, on the other hand, are better suited for amateurs.

Ollie Mattison

Ollie Mattison is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Ollie Mattison

Easy and Free Video Editing Options for New Creators

Best Video Editor for Beginners on Windows and Mac

Wondershare Filmora is one of the most popular video editing software among YouTubers , download and have a try.

Try It Free Try It Free

Video content creation is becoming the trend because it retains human attention longer than images or writings do. As a beginner who is not so familiar with video editors, getting free video editing software for beginners might prove difficult.

In this article, you will learn the best free video editing software for beginners, its features, and its pros and cons. Also, you’ll learn some extra tips that will make your video editing seamless.

In this article

01 Best Free Desktop Video Editing Software for Beginners in 2024

02 Best Free Online Video Editors for Beginners in 2024

03 Best Free Video Editing Apps for Beginners on iPhone and Android

04 What to Look for in Choosing the Best Video editors As Beginners

Part 1: Best Free Desktop Video Editing Software for Beginners in 2024

1. Apple iMovie

Apple iMovie is a free video editing software for beginners; it comes pre-installed on Mac devices. It is known for having a simple interface that makes it user-friendly.

Supported on: Mac

Apple iMovie Main Features are:

• Chromakeying: With iMovie, you can change the background of a video from blue/ green to an image of your favorite place.
• Sound Integration: iMovie lets you record voiceovers, add music from iTunes and add special sound effects.
• Video tools: Add filters, titles, animations, and photos to the video.
• Speed control: fast track and add slow-mo effects to the video.

Pros

• It supports 4K videos.
• Professional standards.
• Chromakeying feature.

Cons

• It does not support Multicam and 360 video editing.
• Exported files take up a lot of space.
• Available for Mac and iOS users only.

2. Microsoft Photo App

Microsoft Photos app is a free photo and video editor for beginners. It was created to replace the Windows movie maker. Many might not know about the existence of the app and its ability to edit videos and photos.

Go to the search bar and type photos, and then select the Photos app to bring a menu where you can create albums, edit photos and videos. To edit videos, click on video projects to create a video from scratch or create video automatically.

Supported on: Windows 8, Windows 10, Windows 11

Microsoft Photos app main features for video editing are;

• Motion graphics, 3D effects, and animations.
• It allows the addition of background music or audio from the computer.
• It allows the addition of title cards and text backgrounds.
• Change of photo or video durations and speed

Pros

• It is free and readily installed in Windows 8 and above
• Easy to use
• Face detection
• Album collection and arrangement

Cons

• No essential video editing tools like transitioning and layering
• You can’t use it professionally.
• Does not allow video preview before exporting

3. VSDC Free Video Editor

VSDC is a free video editing software for beginners that can edit 4K UHD, 3D, and VR 360 videos. VSDC is one of the best video editors for beginners to edit complex videos. VSDC has a busy interface, making it less user-friendly than the other free video editing software for beginners.

Supported on: Windows

VSDC’s video editor has;

• Non-linear video editing tools
• Social media support features; VSDC has Instagram-like filters and lets you share edited videos directly to your social media.
• Audio Effects; The 360 editor has many audio effects like equalizer, audio delay, and volume correction.
• Video editing tools; VSDC has color-correction tools and tools to hide and replace unwanted elements. You can also transform videos with their subpixel resolution.
• Numerous 3D templates you can choose from.

Pros

• It supports many audio and video formats.
• 4K and HD exports

Cons

• Reduces video quality after editing
• Professional tools like stabilization, beat syncing, and motion graphics are only available in the pro version.

Part 2: Best Free Online Video Editors for Beginners in 2024

1. Clipchamp

Clipchamp is an online free video editor for beginners. Clipchamp can create social media videos, ads videos, presentations, and other short videos. It has a unique feature that allows teams to collaborate and edit videos projects.

Clipchamp has basic video editing features like:

• Text-to-speech feature; This feature allows you to add text that will become voiceovers in the video. You can choose the gender and nationality of the voice.
• Thousand of templates to choose from
• Video transitioning and layering.

Pros

• It allows auto-captioning capabilities on the mobile app.
• Video compression
• Allows Screen recording
• It can convert videos to WMV, which you can use in PowerPoint presentations.

Cons

• Not available on Android devices
• It uses selective browsers like Chrome and Microsoft Edge.
• It is not optimized for touchpad screens.
• The best quality video requires registration for the premium version.

2. Hippo Video

Hippo Video is one of the best video editors for beginners free online. You can use it on Mac, Windows, Android, iPhones, and iPads. Hippo is an all-in-one platform to create, record, edit, and share videos across different social media platforms.

Hippo video can;

• Create GIFs from videos.
• Trim, cut, and add emojis and tags to a video.
• Hide or blur unwanted objects in the video.

Pros

• It has other marketing features like email marketing, campaign management, and social media sharing.
• It can be added as a chrome extension to be used for screen capturing and recording.

Cons

• Watermarked in free version
• Limited video quality download in free version
• Long load time for video in between uploads.

3. Kapwing

Kapwing is an online free video editing software for beginners. The video editor is made for creators to create, edit and subtitle video content. Kapwing can convert MP4 videos to any file format as well as save the edited file in the cloud.

Primary Features

• It supports text overlay and drag-and-drop function
• Cut, resize, merge, split and trim videos.
• Supports HD resolution
• Lots of editable social media templates
• Convert video to any form (GIF, JPG, MP4)

Pros

• It does not add its watermark; instead, you can add your logo to create the video. Kapwingis
• Auto-generated subtitles.
• Background removal function
• It backs up videos on the cloud.

Cons

• It cannot export a video longer than 60 minutes
• On-site technical glitches
• To export files above 250MB or 7 minutes, you have to upgrade to the premium version.
• Only available online

4. Online Video Cutter/ 123 apps video editor

Online Video Cutter is an online-based video editor used to edit videos. It is used primarily for trimming videos to desirable sizes. Online video cutter is one of 123 apps to edit and convert different file formats. The video editor can trim, crop, rotate and resize videos.

With Online Video Cutter, you can;

• Frame the video or change the frame proportions of the videos.
• Change the angle of a video up to 270 degrees; this comes in handy when you want to change a video’s view from landscape to portrait.
• Flip, resize, change volume and add texts and images to your video.
• Trim, equalize, and record sounds to be added to the video.

Pros

• Supports all video format
• Privacy is guaranteed as you are the only one with access to the video.
• It works well in most browsers.
• It does not require sign up before use
• Converts files to any format
• Can upload files larger than 4GB in size

Cons

• It takes up a lot of time to upload files
• Decreases the video quality
• Cannot upload a file of more than 700MB in the free version

5. FlexClip

Flexclip is an online video creator and editor with essential editing tools. Flexclip has numerous templates and presets that let you create videos in a short time. You can create your video from scratch, templates, and previously saved videos.

Main Feature

• Audio effects: you can record voices and add background music to the video.
• Video tools: trim, merge, compress and convert videos.
• Customization: you can add your logo or watermark to the video.
• Allows video transition and GIF production
• Allows you to increase video brightness and add filters to video.

Pros

• It has more than 4 million pictures and pictures to add to videos.
• Allows preview of videos before exporting.
• It supports different video resolutions.
• Templates for various events are available.

Cons

• Limited video resolution download in free version
• The free version can only create a 1-minute video and hold 12 projects.

Part 3: Best Free Video Editing Apps for Beginners on iPhone and Android

1. CapCut

Cap C ut is a free video editing software for beginners suitable for TikTok content creators. It was formerly known as Viamaker. Cap cut is easy to use for beginners, and it can create spectacular videos automatically by cutting, reordering, and merging recorded videos.

Supported on: Android and iOS

Cap cut allows you to:

• Split, merge, and reverse videos.
• Control the video speed
• Add filter, special effects, stickers, and texts to videos.
• Overlay and add sounds to the videos

Pros

• You can export directly to Tiktok.
• It has a vast music library, including copyrighted songs.
• Exported videos are of high quality.

Cons

• It does not support Multicam and 360 video editing.
• Effectiveness depends on the phone’s processor and features.
• Limited editing features.
• Video cannot exceed 15 minutes.
• You can only add a music track per video.

2. Quik

Quik is a free video editor for beginners produced by the makers of GoPro. Quik is an auto-video maker that puts together pictures, videos, and music with a few selections.

Supported on: Android and iOS

Main features

• Auto-video: Quik will create a video with transitions and soundtrack when you select several pictures and videos.
• Video editing tools: you can adjust the brightness, add texts and stickers, and add filters to a video.
• Adjust video speed: you can add slo-mo and freeze effects to the video.
• It allows direct sharing to social media pages.

Pros

• Allows HD video download
• Video styles template for new users.
• Unlimited cloud backup.
• Changes video ratio to suit different social media

Cons

• Limited editing features in the free version.
• Not suitable for videos longer than 60 seconds
• Limited font styles

Part 4: What to Look for in Choosing the Best Video editors As Beginners

When trying to choose a video editor as a beginner, you should look out for:

What video editor has the most commonly used editing tools and intuitive interface

Some essential video editing tools should be available in a video editor. These include Video tools (cropping, rotating, merging, cutting, and splitting of videos), effects and animations, audio effects, the addition of texts, and other features necessary to the purpose of the video you are editing.

Templates for different occasions to create videos quickly

As a beginner video editor, you might not be creative enough to edit professional videos. Video editors that have ready-made templates will come in handy when you want to create a video quickly.

Ready-made templates give a guide to a beginner video editor to create professional-looking videos.

Tutorials and Supports

The best video editors for beginners are user-friendly, and they provide free tutorials to guide new users on their video editing journey. Some video editing software targets digital marketers and video content creators, so they release tutorial videos every week to help them improve their skills.

Are you a creator, influencer, or marketer, and you need to join the trend of creating video content that converts. Check out the list to know which free video editing software best suits your niche.

These are beginner-friendly video editing software that you can use to create professional-looking video content. Watch tutorials and get to work. The more videos you edit, the better you get at it.

Try It Free Try It Free

Video content creation is becoming the trend because it retains human attention longer than images or writings do. As a beginner who is not so familiar with video editors, getting free video editing software for beginners might prove difficult.

In this article, you will learn the best free video editing software for beginners, its features, and its pros and cons. Also, you’ll learn some extra tips that will make your video editing seamless.

In this article

01 Best Free Desktop Video Editing Software for Beginners in 2024

02 Best Free Online Video Editors for Beginners in 2024

03 Best Free Video Editing Apps for Beginners on iPhone and Android

04 What to Look for in Choosing the Best Video editors As Beginners

Part 1: Best Free Desktop Video Editing Software for Beginners in 2024

1. Apple iMovie

Apple iMovie is a free video editing software for beginners; it comes pre-installed on Mac devices. It is known for having a simple interface that makes it user-friendly.

Supported on: Mac

Apple iMovie Main Features are:

• Chromakeying: With iMovie, you can change the background of a video from blue/ green to an image of your favorite place.
• Sound Integration: iMovie lets you record voiceovers, add music from iTunes and add special sound effects.
• Video tools: Add filters, titles, animations, and photos to the video.
• Speed control: fast track and add slow-mo effects to the video.

Pros

• It supports 4K videos.
• Professional standards.
• Chromakeying feature.

Cons

• It does not support Multicam and 360 video editing.
• Exported files take up a lot of space.
• Available for Mac and iOS users only.

2. Microsoft Photo App

Microsoft Photos app is a free photo and video editor for beginners. It was created to replace the Windows movie maker. Many might not know about the existence of the app and its ability to edit videos and photos.

Go to the search bar and type photos, and then select the Photos app to bring a menu where you can create albums, edit photos and videos. To edit videos, click on video projects to create a video from scratch or create video automatically.

Supported on: Windows 8, Windows 10, Windows 11

Microsoft Photos app main features for video editing are;

• Motion graphics, 3D effects, and animations.
• It allows the addition of background music or audio from the computer.
• It allows the addition of title cards and text backgrounds.
• Change of photo or video durations and speed

Pros

• It is free and readily installed in Windows 8 and above
• Easy to use
• Face detection
• Album collection and arrangement

Cons

• No essential video editing tools like transitioning and layering
• You can’t use it professionally.
• Does not allow video preview before exporting

3. VSDC Free Video Editor

VSDC is a free video editing software for beginners that can edit 4K UHD, 3D, and VR 360 videos. VSDC is one of the best video editors for beginners to edit complex videos. VSDC has a busy interface, making it less user-friendly than the other free video editing software for beginners.

Supported on: Windows

VSDC’s video editor has;

• Non-linear video editing tools
• Social media support features; VSDC has Instagram-like filters and lets you share edited videos directly to your social media.
• Audio Effects; The 360 editor has many audio effects like equalizer, audio delay, and volume correction.
• Video editing tools; VSDC has color-correction tools and tools to hide and replace unwanted elements. You can also transform videos with their subpixel resolution.
• Numerous 3D templates you can choose from.

Pros

• It supports many audio and video formats.
• 4K and HD exports

Cons

• Reduces video quality after editing
• Professional tools like stabilization, beat syncing, and motion graphics are only available in the pro version.

Part 2: Best Free Online Video Editors for Beginners in 2024

1. Clipchamp

Clipchamp is an online free video editor for beginners. Clipchamp can create social media videos, ads videos, presentations, and other short videos. It has a unique feature that allows teams to collaborate and edit videos projects.

Clipchamp has basic video editing features like:

• Text-to-speech feature; This feature allows you to add text that will become voiceovers in the video. You can choose the gender and nationality of the voice.
• Thousand of templates to choose from
• Video transitioning and layering.

Pros

• It allows auto-captioning capabilities on the mobile app.
• Video compression
• Allows Screen recording
• It can convert videos to WMV, which you can use in PowerPoint presentations.

Cons

• Not available on Android devices
• It uses selective browsers like Chrome and Microsoft Edge.
• It is not optimized for touchpad screens.
• The best quality video requires registration for the premium version.

2. Hippo Video

Hippo Video is one of the best video editors for beginners free online. You can use it on Mac, Windows, Android, iPhones, and iPads. Hippo is an all-in-one platform to create, record, edit, and share videos across different social media platforms.

Hippo video can;

• Create GIFs from videos.
• Trim, cut, and add emojis and tags to a video.
• Hide or blur unwanted objects in the video.

Pros

• It has other marketing features like email marketing, campaign management, and social media sharing.
• It can be added as a chrome extension to be used for screen capturing and recording.

Cons

• Watermarked in free version
• Limited video quality download in free version
• Long load time for video in between uploads.

3. Kapwing

Kapwing is an online free video editing software for beginners. The video editor is made for creators to create, edit and subtitle video content. Kapwing can convert MP4 videos to any file format as well as save the edited file in the cloud.

Primary Features

• It supports text overlay and drag-and-drop function
• Cut, resize, merge, split and trim videos.
• Supports HD resolution
• Lots of editable social media templates
• Convert video to any form (GIF, JPG, MP4)

Pros

• It does not add its watermark; instead, you can add your logo to create the video. Kapwingis
• Auto-generated subtitles.
• Background removal function
• It backs up videos on the cloud.

Cons

• It cannot export a video longer than 60 minutes
• On-site technical glitches
• To export files above 250MB or 7 minutes, you have to upgrade to the premium version.
• Only available online

4. Online Video Cutter/ 123 apps video editor

Online Video Cutter is an online-based video editor used to edit videos. It is used primarily for trimming videos to desirable sizes. Online video cutter is one of 123 apps to edit and convert different file formats. The video editor can trim, crop, rotate and resize videos.

With Online Video Cutter, you can;

• Frame the video or change the frame proportions of the videos.
• Change the angle of a video up to 270 degrees; this comes in handy when you want to change a video’s view from landscape to portrait.
• Flip, resize, change volume and add texts and images to your video.
• Trim, equalize, and record sounds to be added to the video.

Pros

• Supports all video format
• Privacy is guaranteed as you are the only one with access to the video.
• It works well in most browsers.
• It does not require sign up before use
• Converts files to any format
• Can upload files larger than 4GB in size

Cons

• It takes up a lot of time to upload files
• Decreases the video quality
• Cannot upload a file of more than 700MB in the free version

5. FlexClip

Flexclip is an online video creator and editor with essential editing tools. Flexclip has numerous templates and presets that let you create videos in a short time. You can create your video from scratch, templates, and previously saved videos.

Main Feature

• Audio effects: you can record voices and add background music to the video.
• Video tools: trim, merge, compress and convert videos.
• Customization: you can add your logo or watermark to the video.
• Allows video transition and GIF production
• Allows you to increase video brightness and add filters to video.

Pros

• It has more than 4 million pictures and pictures to add to videos.
• Allows preview of videos before exporting.
• It supports different video resolutions.
• Templates for various events are available.

Cons

• Limited video resolution download in free version
• The free version can only create a 1-minute video and hold 12 projects.

Part 3: Best Free Video Editing Apps for Beginners on iPhone and Android

1. CapCut

Cap C ut is a free video editing software for beginners suitable for TikTok content creators. It was formerly known as Viamaker. Cap cut is easy to use for beginners, and it can create spectacular videos automatically by cutting, reordering, and merging recorded videos.

Supported on: Android and iOS

Cap cut allows you to:

• Split, merge, and reverse videos.
• Control the video speed
• Add filter, special effects, stickers, and texts to videos.
• Overlay and add sounds to the videos

Pros

• You can export directly to Tiktok.
• It has a vast music library, including copyrighted songs.
• Exported videos are of high quality.

Cons

• It does not support Multicam and 360 video editing.
• Effectiveness depends on the phone’s processor and features.
• Limited editing features.
• Video cannot exceed 15 minutes.
• You can only add a music track per video.

2. Quik

Quik is a free video editor for beginners produced by the makers of GoPro. Quik is an auto-video maker that puts together pictures, videos, and music with a few selections.

Supported on: Android and iOS

Main features

• Auto-video: Quik will create a video with transitions and soundtrack when you select several pictures and videos.
• Video editing tools: you can adjust the brightness, add texts and stickers, and add filters to a video.
• Adjust video speed: you can add slo-mo and freeze effects to the video.
• It allows direct sharing to social media pages.

Pros

• Allows HD video download
• Video styles template for new users.
• Unlimited cloud backup.
• Changes video ratio to suit different social media

Cons

• Limited editing features in the free version.
• Not suitable for videos longer than 60 seconds
• Limited font styles

Part 4: What to Look for in Choosing the Best Video editors As Beginners

When trying to choose a video editor as a beginner, you should look out for:

What video editor has the most commonly used editing tools and intuitive interface

Some essential video editing tools should be available in a video editor. These include Video tools (cropping, rotating, merging, cutting, and splitting of videos), effects and animations, audio effects, the addition of texts, and other features necessary to the purpose of the video you are editing.

Templates for different occasions to create videos quickly

As a beginner video editor, you might not be creative enough to edit professional videos. Video editors that have ready-made templates will come in handy when you want to create a video quickly.

Ready-made templates give a guide to a beginner video editor to create professional-looking videos.

Tutorials and Supports

The best video editors for beginners are user-friendly, and they provide free tutorials to guide new users on their video editing journey. Some video editing software targets digital marketers and video content creators, so they release tutorial videos every week to help them improve their skills.

Are you a creator, influencer, or marketer, and you need to join the trend of creating video content that converts. Check out the list to know which free video editing software best suits your niche.

These are beginner-friendly video editing software that you can use to create professional-looking video content. Watch tutorials and get to work. The more videos you edit, the better you get at it.

Try It Free Try It Free

Video content creation is becoming the trend because it retains human attention longer than images or writings do. As a beginner who is not so familiar with video editors, getting free video editing software for beginners might prove difficult.

In this article, you will learn the best free video editing software for beginners, its features, and its pros and cons. Also, you’ll learn some extra tips that will make your video editing seamless.

In this article

01 Best Free Desktop Video Editing Software for Beginners in 2024

02 Best Free Online Video Editors for Beginners in 2024

03 Best Free Video Editing Apps for Beginners on iPhone and Android

04 What to Look for in Choosing the Best Video editors As Beginners

Part 1: Best Free Desktop Video Editing Software for Beginners in 2024

1. Apple iMovie

Apple iMovie is a free video editing software for beginners; it comes pre-installed on Mac devices. It is known for having a simple interface that makes it user-friendly.

Supported on: Mac

Apple iMovie Main Features are:

• Chromakeying: With iMovie, you can change the background of a video from blue/ green to an image of your favorite place.
• Sound Integration: iMovie lets you record voiceovers, add music from iTunes and add special sound effects.
• Video tools: Add filters, titles, animations, and photos to the video.
• Speed control: fast track and add slow-mo effects to the video.

Pros

• It supports 4K videos.
• Professional standards.
• Chromakeying feature.

Cons

• It does not support Multicam and 360 video editing.
• Exported files take up a lot of space.
• Available for Mac and iOS users only.

2. Microsoft Photo App

Microsoft Photos app is a free photo and video editor for beginners. It was created to replace the Windows movie maker. Many might not know about the existence of the app and its ability to edit videos and photos.

Go to the search bar and type photos, and then select the Photos app to bring a menu where you can create albums, edit photos and videos. To edit videos, click on video projects to create a video from scratch or create video automatically.

Supported on: Windows 8, Windows 10, Windows 11

Microsoft Photos app main features for video editing are;

• Motion graphics, 3D effects, and animations.
• It allows the addition of background music or audio from the computer.
• It allows the addition of title cards and text backgrounds.
• Change of photo or video durations and speed

Pros

• It is free and readily installed in Windows 8 and above
• Easy to use
• Face detection
• Album collection and arrangement

Cons

• No essential video editing tools like transitioning and layering
• You can’t use it professionally.
• Does not allow video preview before exporting

3. VSDC Free Video Editor

VSDC is a free video editing software for beginners that can edit 4K UHD, 3D, and VR 360 videos. VSDC is one of the best video editors for beginners to edit complex videos. VSDC has a busy interface, making it less user-friendly than the other free video editing software for beginners.

Supported on: Windows

VSDC’s video editor has;

• Non-linear video editing tools
• Social media support features; VSDC has Instagram-like filters and lets you share edited videos directly to your social media.
• Audio Effects; The 360 editor has many audio effects like equalizer, audio delay, and volume correction.
• Video editing tools; VSDC has color-correction tools and tools to hide and replace unwanted elements. You can also transform videos with their subpixel resolution.
• Numerous 3D templates you can choose from.

Pros

• It supports many audio and video formats.
• 4K and HD exports

Cons

• Reduces video quality after editing
• Professional tools like stabilization, beat syncing, and motion graphics are only available in the pro version.

Part 2: Best Free Online Video Editors for Beginners in 2024

1. Clipchamp

Clipchamp is an online free video editor for beginners. Clipchamp can create social media videos, ads videos, presentations, and other short videos. It has a unique feature that allows teams to collaborate and edit videos projects.

Clipchamp has basic video editing features like:

• Text-to-speech feature; This feature allows you to add text that will become voiceovers in the video. You can choose the gender and nationality of the voice.
• Thousand of templates to choose from
• Video transitioning and layering.

Pros

• It allows auto-captioning capabilities on the mobile app.
• Video compression
• Allows Screen recording
• It can convert videos to WMV, which you can use in PowerPoint presentations.

Cons

• Not available on Android devices
• It uses selective browsers like Chrome and Microsoft Edge.
• It is not optimized for touchpad screens.
• The best quality video requires registration for the premium version.

2. Hippo Video

Hippo Video is one of the best video editors for beginners free online. You can use it on Mac, Windows, Android, iPhones, and iPads. Hippo is an all-in-one platform to create, record, edit, and share videos across different social media platforms.

Hippo video can;

• Create GIFs from videos.
• Trim, cut, and add emojis and tags to a video.
• Hide or blur unwanted objects in the video.

Pros

• It has other marketing features like email marketing, campaign management, and social media sharing.
• It can be added as a chrome extension to be used for screen capturing and recording.

Cons

• Watermarked in free version
• Limited video quality download in free version
• Long load time for video in between uploads.

3. Kapwing

Kapwing is an online free video editing software for beginners. The video editor is made for creators to create, edit and subtitle video content. Kapwing can convert MP4 videos to any file format as well as save the edited file in the cloud.

Primary Features

• It supports text overlay and drag-and-drop function
• Cut, resize, merge, split and trim videos.
• Supports HD resolution
• Lots of editable social media templates
• Convert video to any form (GIF, JPG, MP4)

Pros

• It does not add its watermark; instead, you can add your logo to create the video. Kapwingis
• Auto-generated subtitles.
• Background removal function
• It backs up videos on the cloud.

Cons

• It cannot export a video longer than 60 minutes
• On-site technical glitches
• To export files above 250MB or 7 minutes, you have to upgrade to the premium version.
• Only available online

4. Online Video Cutter/ 123 apps video editor

Online Video Cutter is an online-based video editor used to edit videos. It is used primarily for trimming videos to desirable sizes. Online video cutter is one of 123 apps to edit and convert different file formats. The video editor can trim, crop, rotate and resize videos.

With Online Video Cutter, you can;

• Frame the video or change the frame proportions of the videos.
• Change the angle of a video up to 270 degrees; this comes in handy when you want to change a video’s view from landscape to portrait.
• Flip, resize, change volume and add texts and images to your video.
• Trim, equalize, and record sounds to be added to the video.

Pros

• Supports all video format
• Privacy is guaranteed as you are the only one with access to the video.
• It works well in most browsers.
• It does not require sign up before use
• Converts files to any format
• Can upload files larger than 4GB in size

Cons

• It takes up a lot of time to upload files
• Decreases the video quality
• Cannot upload a file of more than 700MB in the free version

5. FlexClip

Flexclip is an online video creator and editor with essential editing tools. Flexclip has numerous templates and presets that let you create videos in a short time. You can create your video from scratch, templates, and previously saved videos.

Main Feature

• Audio effects: you can record voices and add background music to the video.
• Video tools: trim, merge, compress and convert videos.
• Customization: you can add your logo or watermark to the video.
• Allows video transition and GIF production
• Allows you to increase video brightness and add filters to video.

Pros

• It has more than 4 million pictures and pictures to add to videos.
• Allows preview of videos before exporting.
• It supports different video resolutions.
• Templates for various events are available.

Cons

• Limited video resolution download in free version
• The free version can only create a 1-minute video and hold 12 projects.

Part 3: Best Free Video Editing Apps for Beginners on iPhone and Android

1. CapCut

Cap C ut is a free video editing software for beginners suitable for TikTok content creators. It was formerly known as Viamaker. Cap cut is easy to use for beginners, and it can create spectacular videos automatically by cutting, reordering, and merging recorded videos.

Supported on: Android and iOS

Cap cut allows you to:

• Split, merge, and reverse videos.
• Control the video speed
• Add filter, special effects, stickers, and texts to videos.
• Overlay and add sounds to the videos

Pros

• You can export directly to Tiktok.
• It has a vast music library, including copyrighted songs.
• Exported videos are of high quality.

Cons

• It does not support Multicam and 360 video editing.
• Effectiveness depends on the phone’s processor and features.
• Limited editing features.
• Video cannot exceed 15 minutes.
• You can only add a music track per video.

2. Quik

Quik is a free video editor for beginners produced by the makers of GoPro. Quik is an auto-video maker that puts together pictures, videos, and music with a few selections.

Supported on: Android and iOS

Main features

• Auto-video: Quik will create a video with transitions and soundtrack when you select several pictures and videos.
• Video editing tools: you can adjust the brightness, add texts and stickers, and add filters to a video.
• Adjust video speed: you can add slo-mo and freeze effects to the video.
• It allows direct sharing to social media pages.

Pros

• Allows HD video download
• Video styles template for new users.
• Unlimited cloud backup.
• Changes video ratio to suit different social media

Cons

• Limited editing features in the free version.
• Not suitable for videos longer than 60 seconds
• Limited font styles

Part 4: What to Look for in Choosing the Best Video editors As Beginners

When trying to choose a video editor as a beginner, you should look out for:

What video editor has the most commonly used editing tools and intuitive interface

Some essential video editing tools should be available in a video editor. These include Video tools (cropping, rotating, merging, cutting, and splitting of videos), effects and animations, audio effects, the addition of texts, and other features necessary to the purpose of the video you are editing.

Templates for different occasions to create videos quickly

As a beginner video editor, you might not be creative enough to edit professional videos. Video editors that have ready-made templates will come in handy when you want to create a video quickly.

Ready-made templates give a guide to a beginner video editor to create professional-looking videos.

Tutorials and Supports

The best video editors for beginners are user-friendly, and they provide free tutorials to guide new users on their video editing journey. Some video editing software targets digital marketers and video content creators, so they release tutorial videos every week to help them improve their skills.

Are you a creator, influencer, or marketer, and you need to join the trend of creating video content that converts. Check out the list to know which free video editing software best suits your niche.

These are beginner-friendly video editing software that you can use to create professional-looking video content. Watch tutorials and get to work. The more videos you edit, the better you get at it.

Try It Free Try It Free

Video content creation is becoming the trend because it retains human attention longer than images or writings do. As a beginner who is not so familiar with video editors, getting free video editing software for beginners might prove difficult.

In this article, you will learn the best free video editing software for beginners, its features, and its pros and cons. Also, you’ll learn some extra tips that will make your video editing seamless.

In this article

01 Best Free Desktop Video Editing Software for Beginners in 2024

02 Best Free Online Video Editors for Beginners in 2024

03 Best Free Video Editing Apps for Beginners on iPhone and Android

04 What to Look for in Choosing the Best Video editors As Beginners

Part 1: Best Free Desktop Video Editing Software for Beginners in 2024

1. Apple iMovie

Apple iMovie is a free video editing software for beginners; it comes pre-installed on Mac devices. It is known for having a simple interface that makes it user-friendly.

Supported on: Mac

Apple iMovie Main Features are:

• Chromakeying: With iMovie, you can change the background of a video from blue/ green to an image of your favorite place.
• Sound Integration: iMovie lets you record voiceovers, add music from iTunes and add special sound effects.
• Video tools: Add filters, titles, animations, and photos to the video.
• Speed control: fast track and add slow-mo effects to the video.

Pros

• It supports 4K videos.
• Professional standards.
• Chromakeying feature.

Cons

• It does not support Multicam and 360 video editing.
• Exported files take up a lot of space.
• Available for Mac and iOS users only.

2. Microsoft Photo App

Microsoft Photos app is a free photo and video editor for beginners. It was created to replace the Windows movie maker. Many might not know about the existence of the app and its ability to edit videos and photos.

Go to the search bar and type photos, and then select the Photos app to bring a menu where you can create albums, edit photos and videos. To edit videos, click on video projects to create a video from scratch or create video automatically.

Supported on: Windows 8, Windows 10, Windows 11

Microsoft Photos app main features for video editing are;

• Motion graphics, 3D effects, and animations.
• It allows the addition of background music or audio from the computer.
• It allows the addition of title cards and text backgrounds.
• Change of photo or video durations and speed

Pros

• It is free and readily installed in Windows 8 and above
• Easy to use
• Face detection
• Album collection and arrangement

Cons

• No essential video editing tools like transitioning and layering
• You can’t use it professionally.
• Does not allow video preview before exporting

3. VSDC Free Video Editor

VSDC is a free video editing software for beginners that can edit 4K UHD, 3D, and VR 360 videos. VSDC is one of the best video editors for beginners to edit complex videos. VSDC has a busy interface, making it less user-friendly than the other free video editing software for beginners.

Supported on: Windows

VSDC’s video editor has;

• Non-linear video editing tools
• Social media support features; VSDC has Instagram-like filters and lets you share edited videos directly to your social media.
• Audio Effects; The 360 editor has many audio effects like equalizer, audio delay, and volume correction.
• Video editing tools; VSDC has color-correction tools and tools to hide and replace unwanted elements. You can also transform videos with their subpixel resolution.
• Numerous 3D templates you can choose from.

Pros

• It supports many audio and video formats.
• 4K and HD exports

Cons

• Reduces video quality after editing
• Professional tools like stabilization, beat syncing, and motion graphics are only available in the pro version.

Part 2: Best Free Online Video Editors for Beginners in 2024

1. Clipchamp

Clipchamp is an online free video editor for beginners. Clipchamp can create social media videos, ads videos, presentations, and other short videos. It has a unique feature that allows teams to collaborate and edit videos projects.

Clipchamp has basic video editing features like:

• Text-to-speech feature; This feature allows you to add text that will become voiceovers in the video. You can choose the gender and nationality of the voice.
• Thousand of templates to choose from
• Video transitioning and layering.

Pros

• It allows auto-captioning capabilities on the mobile app.
• Video compression
• Allows Screen recording
• It can convert videos to WMV, which you can use in PowerPoint presentations.

Cons

• Not available on Android devices
• It uses selective browsers like Chrome and Microsoft Edge.
• It is not optimized for touchpad screens.
• The best quality video requires registration for the premium version.

2. Hippo Video

Hippo Video is one of the best video editors for beginners free online. You can use it on Mac, Windows, Android, iPhones, and iPads. Hippo is an all-in-one platform to create, record, edit, and share videos across different social media platforms.

Hippo video can;

• Create GIFs from videos.
• Trim, cut, and add emojis and tags to a video.
• Hide or blur unwanted objects in the video.

Pros

• It has other marketing features like email marketing, campaign management, and social media sharing.
• It can be added as a chrome extension to be used for screen capturing and recording.

Cons

• Watermarked in free version
• Limited video quality download in free version
• Long load time for video in between uploads.

3. Kapwing

Kapwing is an online free video editing software for beginners. The video editor is made for creators to create, edit and subtitle video content. Kapwing can convert MP4 videos to any file format as well as save the edited file in the cloud.

Primary Features

• It supports text overlay and drag-and-drop function
• Cut, resize, merge, split and trim videos.
• Supports HD resolution
• Lots of editable social media templates
• Convert video to any form (GIF, JPG, MP4)

Pros

• It does not add its watermark; instead, you can add your logo to create the video. Kapwingis
• Auto-generated subtitles.
• Background removal function
• It backs up videos on the cloud.

Cons

• It cannot export a video longer than 60 minutes
• On-site technical glitches
• To export files above 250MB or 7 minutes, you have to upgrade to the premium version.
• Only available online

4. Online Video Cutter/ 123 apps video editor

Online Video Cutter is an online-based video editor used to edit videos. It is used primarily for trimming videos to desirable sizes. Online video cutter is one of 123 apps to edit and convert different file formats. The video editor can trim, crop, rotate and resize videos.

With Online Video Cutter, you can;

• Frame the video or change the frame proportions of the videos.
• Change the angle of a video up to 270 degrees; this comes in handy when you want to change a video’s view from landscape to portrait.
• Flip, resize, change volume and add texts and images to your video.
• Trim, equalize, and record sounds to be added to the video.

Pros

• Supports all video format
• Privacy is guaranteed as you are the only one with access to the video.
• It works well in most browsers.
• It does not require sign up before use
• Converts files to any format
• Can upload files larger than 4GB in size

Cons

• It takes up a lot of time to upload files
• Decreases the video quality
• Cannot upload a file of more than 700MB in the free version

5. FlexClip

Flexclip is an online video creator and editor with essential editing tools. Flexclip has numerous templates and presets that let you create videos in a short time. You can create your video from scratch, templates, and previously saved videos.

Main Feature

• Audio effects: you can record voices and add background music to the video.
• Video tools: trim, merge, compress and convert videos.
• Customization: you can add your logo or watermark to the video.
• Allows video transition and GIF production
• Allows you to increase video brightness and add filters to video.

Pros

• It has more than 4 million pictures and pictures to add to videos.
• Allows preview of videos before exporting.
• It supports different video resolutions.
• Templates for various events are available.

Cons

• Limited video resolution download in free version
• The free version can only create a 1-minute video and hold 12 projects.

Part 3: Best Free Video Editing Apps for Beginners on iPhone and Android

1. CapCut

Cap C ut is a free video editing software for beginners suitable for TikTok content creators. It was formerly known as Viamaker. Cap cut is easy to use for beginners, and it can create spectacular videos automatically by cutting, reordering, and merging recorded videos.

Supported on: Android and iOS

Cap cut allows you to:

• Split, merge, and reverse videos.
• Control the video speed
• Add filter, special effects, stickers, and texts to videos.
• Overlay and add sounds to the videos

Pros

• You can export directly to Tiktok.
• It has a vast music library, including copyrighted songs.
• Exported videos are of high quality.

Cons

• It does not support Multicam and 360 video editing.
• Effectiveness depends on the phone’s processor and features.
• Limited editing features.
• Video cannot exceed 15 minutes.
• You can only add a music track per video.

2. Quik

Quik is a free video editor for beginners produced by the makers of GoPro. Quik is an auto-video maker that puts together pictures, videos, and music with a few selections.

Supported on: Android and iOS

Main features

• Auto-video: Quik will create a video with transitions and soundtrack when you select several pictures and videos.
• Video editing tools: you can adjust the brightness, add texts and stickers, and add filters to a video.
• Adjust video speed: you can add slo-mo and freeze effects to the video.
• It allows direct sharing to social media pages.

Pros

• Allows HD video download
• Video styles template for new users.
• Unlimited cloud backup.
• Changes video ratio to suit different social media

Cons

• Limited editing features in the free version.
• Not suitable for videos longer than 60 seconds
• Limited font styles

Part 4: What to Look for in Choosing the Best Video editors As Beginners

When trying to choose a video editor as a beginner, you should look out for:

What video editor has the most commonly used editing tools and intuitive interface

Some essential video editing tools should be available in a video editor. These include Video tools (cropping, rotating, merging, cutting, and splitting of videos), effects and animations, audio effects, the addition of texts, and other features necessary to the purpose of the video you are editing.

Templates for different occasions to create videos quickly

As a beginner video editor, you might not be creative enough to edit professional videos. Video editors that have ready-made templates will come in handy when you want to create a video quickly.

Ready-made templates give a guide to a beginner video editor to create professional-looking videos.

Tutorials and Supports

The best video editors for beginners are user-friendly, and they provide free tutorials to guide new users on their video editing journey. Some video editing software targets digital marketers and video content creators, so they release tutorial videos every week to help them improve their skills.

Are you a creator, influencer, or marketer, and you need to join the trend of creating video content that converts. Check out the list to know which free video editing software best suits your niche.

These are beginner-friendly video editing software that you can use to create professional-looking video content. Watch tutorials and get to work. The more videos you edit, the better you get at it.

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