Are you an aspiring filmmaker or simply looking to edit some home videos? Look no further than the best free video editing software for Mac. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting, plenty of options are available that won’t break the bank.
In recent years, video editing has become increasingly popular among Mac users. With the rise of social media platforms like YouTube and Instagram, more and more people are looking for ways to create high-quality videos from their Mac devices. While many paid video editing software options are available, not everyone can afford to invest in them. Several free video editing software options offer features similar to those of their paid counterparts.
What is Video Editing Software
Video editing software has become essential for anyone interested in creating video content. From amateur videographers to professional filmmakers, video editing software offers a range of features and tools that can help bring your vision to life. But what exactly is video editing software, and how does it work?
Videos are no longer just a medium of entertainment but also an effective tool for communication and showcasing products or services. With the rise of social media platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok, everyone wants to create videos that stand out. This is where video editing software comes into play.
In simple terms, video editing software is a tool for modifying and enhancing raw footage captured from cameras or other sources. It allows you to trim unwanted clips, combine multiple clips into one cohesive piece, and add effects and transitions between shots.
Best Free Video Editing Software for Mac
In this article, we’ll look at some of the top free video editing programs for Mac, each with unique features and capabilities. From basic trimming and cutting to advanced color grading and special effects, these programs have everything you need to create high-quality videos without spending a dime. So grab your MacBook, and let’s get started!
iMovie
In 2023, iMovie remained one of the best video editing software in the market. Its user-friendly interface and powerful editing tools have made it a go-to platform for both beginners and professionals.
One key feature that sets iMovie apart from other video editing software is its simplicity. It offers an intuitive drag-and-drop interface that makes it easy for users to import their media files and begin editing right away. Moreover, iMovie also provides a variety of pre-made templates that can be used to create stunning videos in just a few clicks.
Aside from its ease of use, iMovie boasts a range of advanced features, such as color correction, green-screen effects, and audio mixing capabilities. These tools allow users to create high-quality videos with professional-grade visuals and sound quality.
Key Highlights:
- Cinematic Mode
- Extra-Special Effects
- iMovie for iOS and macOS
- Make Hollywood-style trailers
- Many video and audio editing tools
- Totally free
PowerDirector Essential
PowerDirector 365 for Mac is powerful video editing software designed to meet the needs of professionals and amateurs alike. This software has advanced features and tools, allowing users to create high-quality videos easily. PowerDirector 365 for Mac offers an intuitive user interface that makes it easy to navigate through the different options available. It also provides users various editing tools, including color correction, audio editing, motion graphics, and more.
One of the most significant advantages of PowerDirector 365 for Mac is its compatibility with macOS. This means it can be used on any Apple device running on macOS without encountering issues or compatibility problems. Additionally, this software comes with an array of templates and effects that can be easily customized to fit specific video projects’ needs.
PowerDirector 365 for Mac has taken video editing to the next level by introducing an AI-powered video and image background remover. This powerful feature allows users to remove unwanted backgrounds from their videos and images with just a few clicks. It is an efficient tool that saves the time and effort required to remove backgrounds manually.
The Mac’s AI-powered background remover in PowerDirector 365 is smart enough to detect the foreground object accurately, even if it has complex edges or moving parts. The advanced algorithms used in this feature can identify multiple objects in a single frame, making editing videos with multiple subjects easier. Additionally, users can choose from various removal modes like selection masks, chroma-keying, and more based on their preferences and requirements.
Key Highlights:
- AI Body Effects
- Chroma Key/Green Screen
- AI Motion Tracking
- Blending Modes
- Video & Title Masks
- Keyframe Controls
Movavi Video Editor
Movavi Video Editor is a powerful yet easy-to-use video editing software that offers a range of features to help you create professional-looking videos. With its intuitive interface, you can quickly import your footage, cut and trim it, add transitions, apply filters and effects, and export your final product in various formats.
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced video editor, Movavi Video Editor has something for everyone. It supports all popular video formats and works with 4K resolution footage. You can also add music to your videos by selecting from the built-in library or uploading your tracks.
One of Movavi Video Editor’s standout features is its ability to stabilize shaky footage. This handy tool automatically detects and corrects camera shake in your videos, making them smoother and more professional-looking.
Moreover, Movavi Video Editor offers various effects and filters to enhance your videos further. You can add transitions, titles, captions, stickers, and more!
Key Highlights
- Sound visualizer tool
- Crisp and clear audio
- Multiple audio effects
- Adjust colors
- Apply chroma key
Shotcut
Another great option is Shotcut, which offers a range of filters and effects and support for multiple audio and video formats. This open-source program allows users to fully customize their workflow and create high-quality videos from start to finish.
This cross-platform software supports various formats and resolutions, making it ideal for professionals who need more flexibility in their project work.
It offers a user-friendly interface, intuitive controls, and a range of advanced editing options that make it ideal for beginners and professionals alike. Moreover, Shotcut’s cross-platform compatibility allows users to utilize it on their Windows, Mac, or Linux systems.
With its state-of-the-art color grading capabilities, audio mixing tools, and visual effects, this software has become a go-to choice for professional filmmakers, YouTubers, and content creators worldwide.
One of Shotcut’s most impressive features is its vast range of filters and effects, which enable users to add creative touches to their videos. These include audio visualization effects, color grading tools, text overlays, and much more. Additionally, Shotcut supports multiple video formats, including 4K UHD resolution, making it an excellent tool for content creators who want to produce high-quality video content.
Key Highlights:
- Lottie and rawr JSON animations
- Support for 4K & 8K resolutions
- Multi-format timeline
- Webcam capture
- Large selection of customizable filters.
- Cross-platform support.
- Tone mapping HDR to SDR
- 10-bit video end-to-end
HitFilm
First up is HitFilm, a full-featured video editor perfect for beginners and professionals. It offers various features such as audio mixing, color correction tools, and visual effects and even supports 3D compositing. HitFilm Express has a user-friendly interface with tutorials that will help users navigate its many functionalities easily.
One of the standout features of HitFilm is its impressive visual effects capabilities. The software has over 800 customizable effects and presets, including explosions, fire, smoke, and lightning. It also allows users to create custom effects using compositing tools like green screen removal, keying, masking, and more. With HitFilm’s powerful VFX engine at your fingertips, you can bring your wildest creative ideas to life on-screen.
With its lightning speed, you can edit videos without any lag or waiting around. HitFilm empowers creators with all the necessary tools for editing, animation, and audio in one place.
The software is available for both Mac and Windows users. It’s perfect for beginners who want to learn the basics of video editing. If you need more advanced features, you can upgrade to the paid version, which starts at $7.99/m.
Whether you’re working on a short film or creating content for social media platforms like YouTube or TikTok, HitFilm has you covered. It’s perfect for beginners who want to enhance the quality of their videos without spending hours learning complicated editing techniques.
Key Highlights
- Drag-and-drop transitions
- Audio sync
- Built-in creative assets
- Motion tracking
- Color grading & correction
DaVinci Resolve Studio 18
DaVinci Resolve Studio 18 offers many features and tools to help users easily create professional-grade videos. The software is popular among video editors, content creators, and filmmakers due to its user-friendly interface and powerful editing capabilities.
If you’re looking for the best free video editing software, the DaVinci Resolve Studio Free version is perfect for basic home editing. But despite its high cost, it’s worth investing in the commercial version if you need professional features. The software may not be cheap, but its extensive features justify the price.
One of DaVinci Resolve Studio 18’s most significant advantages is offering its users lifetime deals. This means you can purchase the software once and use it for a lifetime without paying any additional fees or charges. This makes it a cost-effective option for those requiring professional-grade video editing tools.
With its state-of-the-art color grading capabilities, audio mixing tools, and visual effects, this software has become a go-to choice for professional filmmakers, YouTubers, and content creators worldwide. The software is available for Mac and Windows users, and the basic version is free.
Key Highlights:
- Supports Advanced Color Grading
- Intelligent Media Management
- Automatic Depth Map
- YouTube Chapter Markers
- Cinematic quality visual effects
Lightworks Video Editor
Lightworks is a leading free video editing software for Windows that offers beginner-friendly features and advanced editing capabilities. The program has an impressive library of video effects, production music, and stock footage to help you create stunning videos.
One of Lightworks’s standout features is its user-friendly interface, which makes it easy for beginners to navigate. However, this does not mean that it lacks functionality. The program boasts advanced tools like real-time effects and color correction, typically only in high-end professional software.
Moreover, Lightworks supports multiple video formats and resolutions up to 4K resolution. This allows users to work on any project without worrying about compatibility issues or limitations. Overall, if you’re looking for a reliable yet versatile video editing tool that won’t break the bank (or your computer), Lightworks is worth considering!
Lightworks is one of the best free video editing software available for Windows. It is especially great for newbies and anyone who needs to easily cut and edit video clips. Lightworks supports various export options that can help you share your videos online or save them in different formats like DVD or Blu-Ray disc.
Key Highlights
- Powerful Timeline
- Background processing
- Advanced Transitions
- Direct Access to Stock Music
- Audio EQ & Mixing
- Proxy Generation
OpenShot
One of the popular best free video editing software for Windows is OpenShot. It’s an open-source program that offers powerful features such as unlimited tracks, 3D animations, keyframes, and audio mixing. With its intuitive interface and easy-to-use tools, even beginners can start creating stunning videos in no time.
The Wondershare Filmora software makes producing impressive and intricate videos effortless. Its advanced functions are user-friendly, enabling anyone to use it. This software lets you promptly begin crafting and distributing videos with your family and friends, even if you need more experience. Generating remarkable narratives is now more straightforward and more assured with the Wondershare Filmora software.
Filmora offers a user-friendly interface that makes creating stunning videos easy. With drag-and-drop functionality, users can easily add effects, text overlays, and transitions to their footage without any experience in video editing. From basic color correction to advanced audio mixing capabilities, this software has everything you need to create high-quality videos that captivate your audience.
With its state-of-the-art color grading capabilities, audio mixing tools, and visual effects, this software has become a go-to choice for professional filmmakers, YouTubers, and content creators worldwide.
Key Highlights
- Cross-platform video editing software
- Video transitions with real-time previews
- 3D animated titles
- Unlimited tracks / layers
- Advanced Timeline
- Audio mixing and editing
Animoto
Animoto is an online video editor that allows users to create stunning, professional-looking videos in minutes. With its easy-to-use interface and powerful editing features, Animoto has become one of the most popular tools for creating high-quality videos for social media marketing campaigns, personal projects, or business presentations.
One of the key selling points of Animoto is its web-based platform. This means there’s no need to download software or worry about compatibility issues with your computer’s operating system. You only need an internet connection, and you can start creating amazing videos immediately.
Another great feature of Animoto is its vast library of pre-made templates and themes. Whether you’re looking to create a video for your small business or want to put together a memorable family vacation montage, plenty of options will help you get started quickly and easily.
What sets Animoto apart from other web-based video editors is its ability to deliver professional-grade results without editing experience. Their intuitive platform allows users of all skill levels to produce high-quality videos using simple drag-and-drop mechanics.
Key Highlights
- Time-saving templates
- Voice-over
- Cropping and trimming
- Video Resizer
- Free Stock Music
- Video templates
