PowerDirector
Best Video Editing Software for Creators [2021]
- Intuitive user interface with advance editing features
- 100's of stunning effects, titles and transitions
- Edit and upload to any platform or device
Welcome to the CyberLink Member Zone. A 1-stop shop to get offers, support and services exclusively for you.
Not a member yet? Register now
Forget your password?
These days, creating great video content is the key to grabbing people’s attention and growing your brand.
But building compelling, eye-catching videos takes the right free video-editing software – tools that make it fast and easy to create captivating, share-ready clips that will get your brand noticed and kickstart the conversation.
So, how do you find the free video editor with effects that will drive the best results?
With numerous options and features available, testing each editor on your own is nearly impossible.
That’s why we’ve assembled a helpful guide of the top free video editors out there – an in-depth look at the best editing software for transforming that next testimonial, product review, interview, or tutorial into striking visual content that turns heads and puts you ahead of the competition.
Many popular video-editing platforms offer free, easy-to-use downloads with basic video editing features and functionality. These allow you to cut, adjust and add effects to videos without paying monthly subscription fees.
Here’s a closer look at free video editing services and what each may offer your unique brand.
Best overall free video editor
CyberLink’s intuitive PowerDirector Essential offers premium video editing with a nearly limitless array of user-friendly features, making it an excellent choice for novices and editing pros alike.
PowerDirector provides a level of precision not available in most other video editing and includes a wide array of higher-level effects. For an editor that is easy to use, it has some very powerful features boasting:
PowerDirector’s free video-editing features and special-effects functionality also make it a viable, cost-saving After Effects alternative, particularly for one-offs and small-scale projects.
Important features:
PowerDirector’s free download makes it easy for beginners to edit, correct, and customize footage – as well as to add and adjust special effects wherever needed. And because it works so well with PhotoDirector – CyberLink’s comprehensive image editing tool – you can add edited graphics, photos, and even animated items to your production in a snap.
As free video editors go, it’s hard to top this tool’s extensive editing and customization potential. Additional features like product updates, unlimited image and music access, and customer support are available with a small monthly subscription fee.
Availability: Windows
Best software for 3D animation projects
While primarily a 3D animation program, Blender provides free and flexible video-editing tools for completing basic and advanced editing projects.
Blender’s free video-editing-with-effects software allows anything from cutting and splicing to more intermediate tasks like video masking and special-effects integration.
Important features:
Blender offers powerful video-editing and object-tracking capabilities, making it a viable option for seasoned editors.
Availability: Mac, Windows, and Linux
Best free open source video-editing software
OpenShot’s free video editor is a solid option for beginners because of a straightforward design and user-friendly interface. Though not as packed with as many features or tools as others on this list, it still allows for creating high-quality videos with some effects. What it has in simplicity, it lacks in range of capabilities.
Important features:
Availability: Mac, Windows, and Linux
Best free for more advanced editors
HitFilm Express goes beyond the basics to provide an all-in-one video-editing experience.
From a full suite of advanced editing tools to more than 820 available effects, this free video-editing software offers everything you’ll need to create professional-caliber videos that will outshine the competition but this program may seem overwhelming at first.
Important features:
NOTE: While HitFilm is free, it may take a while to master its professional-level interface.
Availability: Mac and Windows
Good video-editing program for basic effects
VSDC’s free video-editing-with-effects program comes with fewer features than its paid version. However, it still offers a good video editing suite great for making crisp, compelling videos.
VSDC’s free edition is limited but includes green-screening and masking tools for creating special effects. For those dishing out for the paid edition, extras like post-production effects, direct social publishing, and video stabilizing are also thrown into the mix.
Important features:
Availability: Windows
Good video editor for sharing videos in real-time
Lightworks makes our best free video-editing list mainly for its easy-to-navigate interface and many powerful editing features, including the versatile real-time project-sharing function.
Lightworks also comes with extensive tutorials that make it easy to learn.
Important features:
Additional tools like 4K video support are only available by upgrading to Lightworks’ paid version.
Availability: Mac, Windows, and Linux
Best open source video editor for audio editing
Last but not least is Shotcut, a free, open-source video editor highly regarded for its wide-ranging video and audio editing options.
Initially created for Linux, Shotcut supports video editing across various formats, such as ProRes, 4K, FFmpeg, and more. Users also enjoy Shotcut for its advanced audio filtering options.
Important features:
Availability: Mac, Windows, and Linux
Choosing the best free video editing software for your brand depends on your unique editing skill set, needs, and marketing goals. When evaluating free video editors like CyberLink PowerDirector, it’s essential to consider each program’s user interface, compatibility, editing features, special effects capability, and customization potential.
The easiest free video editing software is one requiring the least amount of research, practice, and video editing expertise to achieve your editing goals. An easy-to-use free video editor must include intuitive tools, resources, and support to enable professional-quality content creation as quickly as possible.
Because many Youtubers need to quickly create and post shareable content, most turn to powerful video-editing platforms like CyberLink PowerDirector, Adobe After Effects, and iMovie to edit and refine their videos. Fast, intuitive video editors make it easy to prepare YouTube-bound videos for publishing.
How Can I Edit Videos on My Computer for Free?Great videos do more than engage your audience. They drive meaningful, lasting connections with your brand, reinforcing your message while maximizing your marketing ROI.
At CyberLink, we provide cutting-edge video-editing tools and technology that will skyrocket your business. With the latest video-editing solutions, resources, and expertise, we make it easy to create sharp, crisp, compelling videos that tell your story and position your brand for long-term success.
Learn what you’ve been missing. Download your free CyberLink video editing software today.
If you're an aspiring editor looking to create cool videos, head on over to our complete guide on video editing effects. We've also got other great articles in our blog that'll introduce you to all the tools you need to enhance your portfolio.