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21 Best Free Video Editing Software With No Watermark 2023
If you’ve ever edited videos using free software, you’ve probably experienced this scenario:
You’ve added the finishing touches to your video and are about to export it - when you realize the final video will include a watermark.
Many free video editors include watermarks as an advertising tactic. They want viewers to know what program the creator used, encouraging potential customers to download their product.
However, watermarks can take away from your video’s quality and professionalism.
That’s why we’ve put together a list of the best free video editing software with no watermark. Continue reading to see our top choices and learn how to edit videos for free.
- Snapshot of Our Top 3 Free Video Editors
- PowerDirector - Best Overall Free Video Editor
- 21 Best Free Video Editing Software With No Watermark 2023
- Best Free Video Editors Comparison Chart
- How to Edit Videos for Beginners
- Download the Best Video Editing Software for Free
- Free Video Editing Software With No Watermark FAQ
Snapshot of Our Top 3 Free Video Editors
1. PowerDirector - Best Overall
PowerDirector is the best free video editor due to its comprehensive set of AI-driven tools, beginner-friendly interface, and ready-made video effects that make it ideal for any amateur or experienced video editor to jump right in. Detailed Review >
Note! Only when you subscribe to PowerDirector can you export videos without a watermark.
Download and install PowerDirector for free today and edit videos like a pro.
2. VideoProc Vlogger - Best for Action Cam Footage
VideoProc Vlogger is a free video editing software with no watermark that lets you edit videos from action cam or drone footage. It is beginner-friendly with advanced motion and color tools. Detailed Review >
3. OpenShot - Best for Intermediate Editors
OpenShot is an open-source free video editing software with no watermark. It is easy enough for beginners, with some advanced functionality for editors with a little more know-how. Detailed Review >
PowerDirector - Best Overall Free Video Editor
Compatibility: Windows, Mac
PCMag Rating: 5/5
Beginner-Friendly Tools: 5/5
Price: Free
*Premium subscription available for $4.08/month
Key Features:
- Ready-to-Use Transitions & Titles: Choose from thousands of presets and just drag and drop your favorite ones
- Easy Green Screen Editing: Create cinematic visual effects in just a few clicks
- Video & Title Masks: Create custom masks and design unique titles, images, graphics, or videos.
- Royalty-Free Stock Content: Access millions of videos, images, and music right in the app
Who It’s For
PowerDirector is a comprehensive free video editor with all the tools, features, and special effects you need to craft a studio-quality video from your desktop or laptop computer. This program goes above and beyond other free video editing software, delivering top-level editing tools and fast rendering speeds within a user-friendly interface.
Why We Picked It
PowerDirector has a straightforward design, allowing even beginner editors to create Hollywood-Level films easily. This free video editor also includes a wide range of AI-powered effects, including object detection, motion tracking, sky replacement, and more, taking the hard work and time out of editing your films.
Bottom Line
Once you finish perfecting your videos with PowerDirector, you can upgrade to the paid version and export your video without watermarks. Altogether, PowerDirector’s impressive range of features and easy navigation make it the best free video editor.
Download and install PowerDirector for free below to try this dynamic editing program for yourself.
Check out these related topics for video editing:
- The Best Free Video Editing Software for Windows PC in 2023
- The Best Video Editing Software for Macs in 2023 [Inc. M1/M2]
- 9 Hottest YouTube Trends You Can't Ignore in 2023 (Updated)
21 Best Free Video Editing Software With No Watermark 2023
1. VideoProc Vlogger - Best for Action Cam Footage
Image from Capterra.
Compatibility: Windows, Mac
GetApp Rating: 4.5/5
Beginner-Friendly Tools: 4.5/5
Price: Free
Key Features:
- Motion Effects: Add motion to videos and photos such as the Ken Burns effect, tilt, roll, pan, zoom, etc.
- Transitions: Over 60 presets to choose from
- Audio Editing: Adjust volume, fade in/out, apply effects, change your voice, analyze beats, and equalize sound
Who It’s For
If you own a GoPro or drone, then VideoProc Vlogger is the best free video editing software with no watermark for you. Easily edit videos from travel or action footage with VideoProc’s advanced speed adjustment tools, video stabilization, and motion simulations. This free video editing software with no watermark can remove the fisheye effect that is caused by using a wide-angle lens and removes noise/grain that comes with shooting in low light.
Why We Picked It
We chose VideoProc Vlogger as one of the best free video editing software with no watermark because it is easy to use, yet has advanced motion and color tools. It includes over 20 one-click speed presets, and flexible Bezier curves to create complicated-looking speed changes. You can adjust HSL color values and apply 3D LUTs and color filters.
Bottom Line
VideoProc Vlogger is a perfect free video editor if you need to edit videos from action cam footage. It is a completely free video editing software with no watermark that is easy to use with some pretty advanced features, which is why it moved to #1 on our updated list. However, it lacks many general editing tools, so if you don’t use an action camera, this may not be the best free video editor for you. For instance, it lacks the design capabilities you’d find in a program like PowerDirector or Canva.
2. OpenShot - Best for Intermediate Editors
Compatibility: Mac, Windows, Linux
Capterra Rating: 4.3/5
Beginner-Friendly Tools: 4.5/5
Price: Free
Key Features:
- Compositing: Blend multiple layers, add video overlays/watermarks
- Speed Adjustment: Use keyframes to manually animate the speed and direction of your clip
- Background Removal: Blue-screen, green-screen, and multi-color chroma key
Who It’s For
OpenShot is a powerful free video editing software with no watermark that you can use to create professional-level videos. This free video editor features a wide range of editing tools that the pros use every day, such as keyframes, chroma-key effects, transitions, text tools, and more. Because OpenShot is both beginner-friendly and full of tools, we think it’s one of the best free video editing software with no watermark for intermediate editors.
Why We Picked It
It has a very flexible interface and offers both simple and advanced view options(the simple view hides many of the tools that might seem overwhelming for a beginner). This free video editing software with no watermark is also open-source, meaning you can edit the source code if desired.
Bottom Line
The biggest issue we faced when reviewing OpenShot was the constant bugs that caused our computer to lag. That’s why we don’t recommend this free video editing software with no watermark for professionals, who could get frustrated during long editing sessions and who may be editing on a deadline. OpenShot is easier to use than most other open-source options, such as Shotcut, Kdenlive, and Blender, but the others beat OpenShot in the number of advanced editing tools available.
3. Shotcut - Best for Green Screen Effects
Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Linux
G2 Rating: 4.2/5
Beginner-Friendly Tools: 4.5/5
Price: Free
Key Features:
- Capture Tools: Webcam capture and voice-over recording are supported
- Comprehensive Audio Tools: Audio scopes, filters, mixing/fading tools, effects, and more
- Motion Tracking: Add graphics and text to moving objects/people
Who It’s For
Shotcut has some fantastic green screen options not typically found in free video editing software with no watermark. With Shotcut, you can get green screen effects with any color background, and there’s a key spill effect to clean up edges. The program offers both simple and advanced chroma key options to cover everyone from beginners to pros.
Why We Picked It
This free video editing software with no watermark is highly customizable. Shotcut is open-source and supports a wide range of file formats and resolutions, including 4K and 8K. The program includes various editing tools for color correction, transitions, blur effects, and more.
Bottom Line
Shotcut has a few quirks that may not suit beginners. For example, there are no export presets, so you’ll need to know exactly what specs you want in your final video before exporting. We also discovered in our test that this free video editing software with no watermark had some sub-par features, specifically the voice-over tool. For a free video editor that seldom fails, try PowerDirector.
4. VideoPad Video Editor - Best for First-Time Editors
Compatibility: Windows, Mac
G2 Rating: 4.1/5
Beginner-Friendly Tools: 4.5/5
Price: Free
*Premium versions available for $129 for Home Edition and $195 for Master’s Edition
Key Features:
- Video Maker Wizard: Library of professional video templates including intros and outros
- Video Stabilization: Camera shake reduction for action footage
- Audio Editing: Audio effects, a free sound effect library, and voice-over recording
Who It’s For
If you’ve never touched an editing program in your life, VideoPad Video Editor is an excellent place to begin. This free video editing software with no watermark features an intuitive, beginner-friendly interface that is easy to navigate. It also includes all the essential editing tools you’ll need for basic projects, including transitions, filters, visual effects, text, and overlays.
Why We Picked It
This free video editing software with no watermark has a few advanced tools, such as chroma key, 3D, and 360-degree editing. The program supports most popular formats and is most suitable for editing home movies or casual videos (if you want to use it for commercial purposes, you need to purchase a license).
Bottom Line
If you’re looking to achieve professional-level results, you’ll need a different program, such as PowerDirector. Additionally, the Mac version lacks features compared to the PC version. However, if you’re simply looking for free video editing software with no watermark to make a few changes to video clips, VideoPad will fit the bill.
5. Lightworks - Best Versatile Editor
Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Linux
TechRadar Rating: 4/5
Beginner-Friendly Tools: 4.5/5
Price: Free
*Premium subscriptions available for $9.99/month for Lightworks Create and $23.99/month for Lightworks Pro
Key Features:
- Motion Graphics: Hundreds of customizable, pre-built graphics and titles
- Filters and LUTs: Automatically give your footage a whole new look
- EQ Presets: Clean up your audio with pre-built presets and filters
Who It’s For
Lightworks is a free video editing software with no watermark that provides comprehensive tools for creating high-quality videos. We found this free video editor to be incredibly versatile, including a range of powerful tools not available in many other free programs. It offers tools for amateurs and professionals alike, as well as helpful features like background processing and instant autosave.
Why We Picked It
With this free video editing software with no watermark, you can use keyframe editing features, apply color corrections, and much more. It has a comprehensive range of sound controls, with tooltips that explain each component (these can be turned off as you get more comfortable with the program).
Bottom Line
Whether you’re creating a YouTube video or producing a Hollywood film, Lightworks can provide the features necessary to achieve your goals. However, if you’re brand-new to video editing, you may find the program’s interface confusing to navigate. This free video editing software with no watermark only supports 720p exports, so you may lose some of your video’s definition when you save it. If you want a user-friendly interface and high-quality exports, try PowerDirector.
6. Adobe Premiere Rush - Best Gateway for Premiere Pro
Compatibility: Windows, Mac
TechRadar Rating: 4/5
Beginner-Friendly Tools: 4.5/5
Price: Free
*Premium subscription available for $9.99/month as part of Adobe Creative Cloud Express
Key Features:
- Customizable Titles: Create polished titles with built-in templates
- Audio Editing: Record voiceover and apply audio ducking
- Color Correction: Use one-click presets or manual tools to make precise color adjustments
Who It’s For
Adobe Premiere Rush is the beginner-friendly version of Adobe’s Premiere Pro for vloggers and content creators. It’s also a good free video editing software with no watermark for anyone who wants to start learning Premiere Pro but doesn’t currently have the budget or skill set. And if you already have a Creative Cloud subscription, Premiere Rush is a quick and easy way to edit videos before adding them to Premiere Pro for more professional touches. Your footage is saved in the cloud and easily transferable between programs.
Why We Picked It
The free video editing software with no watermark has unlimited exports and access to free stock music. The monthly subscription includes Photoshop Express and the graphic design tool Adobe Express, making it a great suite of tools for social media. It also features tutorials specifically for making high-impact posts, plus guided edits and tooltips for first-time users.
Bottom Line
Adobe Premiere Rush is one of the best free video editing software with no watermark for beginners or social media influencers. However, this free video editor does not seem to be one of Adobe’s top priorities. For instance, most of the other Adobe programs have had new 2023 versions released, but Premiere Rush hasn’t been updated since the end of 2021. Adobe is also pushing it harder as a mobile app and has more features on those versions over desktop editions.
7. ActivePresenter - Best for Instructional Videos
Compatibility: Windows, Mac
G2 Rating: 4.5/5
Beginner-Friendly Tools: 4/5
Price: Free
*$199 for Standard or $399 for Pro
Key Features:
- Speed Adjustments: Create slow motion or fast motion effects and insert freeze frames
- Transitions & Animations: Dozens of transitions and animated effects to add to your video presentations
- Audio Editing: Fade in/out, reduce background noise, and normalize audio
Who It’s For
ActivePresenter is a free video editing software with no watermark for creating presentations and tutorial videos. It can record your screen, webcam, microphone, and speakers simultaneously. Record your full screen, a window, or a selected area, and use a wide selection of annotation tools to further highlight and explain. With this free video editor, you can import PowerPoint presentations, write equations and formulas, add charts and graphs, and create interactive quizzes.
Why We Picked It
Edit videos with special effects like green screen/chroma key, blur, and zoom/pan. This free video editing software with no watermark has impressive tools to enhance screen recordings such as a spotlight and cursor tools. You can export presentations in a variety of formats, including popular video formats (MP4, AVI, WMV, WebM, and MKV), eLearning specifications (SCORM and xAPI), HTML5, and even to Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, and PowerPoint).
Bottom Line
We were impressed with the number of tools ActivePresenter has for creating presentations, tutorials, screen recordings, quizzes, and other teachable materials. The free video editing software with no watermark can capture your screen, webcam, and audio and edit it with basic tools, however, most of the advanced features are only in the expensive paid versions. It also has a learning curve, as there are few automatic options to make it easier for beginners.
8. Icecream Video Editor - Best for Short Videos
Compatibility: Windows
Capterra Rating: 4.4/5
Beginner-Friendly Tools: 4/5
Price: Free
*Pro version is available for $29.95
Key Features:
- Stickers: A huge library of stickers and graphics to personalize social media posts
- Speed Adjustments: Slow down or speed up an entire video or only a part by 0.25 to x4
- Titles: Add text using one of the free video editor’s style presets, then adjust position, size and motion speed
Who It’s For
If you need a free video editor to edit videos for TikTok or Instagram Reels, try Icecream Video Editor. This product is lightweight, easy to use, and has a clean user interface. It has all the tools you need to create a video quickly, and with little effort. And as long as your video is under 5 minutes, this is one of the best free video editing software with no watermark you can get.
Why We Picked It
You can merge video, audio, and images on a single timeline. We liked using this free video editing software with no watermark to create quick video slideshows. There’s a “Random” feature that will take your static images and add transitions and motion effects with the click of a button.
Bottom Line
Icecream Video Editor is one of the best free video editing software with no watermark - as long as your video is under 5 minutes and contains fewer than 10 scenes. Longer videos will need to upgrade to the Pro version to remove the watermark. While we like it as a free tool for making Reels, we don’t recommend paying for the Pro version, because it’s not worth it. It lacks advanced features you can find in other free video editors on our list. If you are willing to spend some money on a good Pro video editor, we recommend PowerDirector.
9. Kdenlive - Best for Linux
Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Linux
AlternativeTo Rating: 3.8/5
Beginner-Friendly Tools: 4/5
Price: Free
Key Features:
- Automatic Backup: Projects are automatically backed up every few minutes, and older versions are saved
- Audio & Video Scopes: Balance your footage by tweaking waveforms, audio meters, histograms, RGB parade, and more
- Keyframes: Change parameters of effects over time
Who It’s For
Kdenlive stands for KDE Non-Linear Video Editor. It is an open-source and completely free video editing software with no watermark. It is a good free video editor for Linux users because it was created first and foremost for the KDE desktop and runs on many Linux versions. It is also more feature-rich than other open-source, Linux-compatible options Shotcut and Openshot.
Why We Picked It
This free video editing software with no watermark has advanced features found in paid professional software such as Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro. The text editor offers customizations down to the smallest detail and has animation effects like crawl and roll. Kdenlive is based on the FFmpeg library, which means it can handle almost any audio or video format without conversion.
Bottom Line
This is one of the best free video editing software with no watermark for professionals on a budget. Kdenlive offers the same functionality as expensive software. However, advanced tools often come with advanced learning curves, and this free video editor is no exception. It’s also a much better choice for GNU/Linux users than those using a Mac or Windows PC because it will offer better performance and ease of use.
10. VSDC Free Video Editor - Best for CPU
Compatibility: Windows
TrustPilot Rating: 3.7/5
Beginner-Friendly Tools: 4/5
Price: Free
*Premium version is $19.99
Key Features:
- Green Screen Effect: Accurately remove a green screen background
- Non-Linear Editor: Create video composites, picture-in-picture effects, and split screens
- 360-Degree Video Editing: Edit videos for 360-degree VR
Who It’s For
VSDC is a relatively simple free video editing software with no watermark ideal for beginners and casual editors. This free video editor is extremely light on computer resources and even works properly on outdated PCs. It uses hardware acceleration to lower the CPU and increase editing speed.
Why We Picked It
If you’ve never worked with a free video editor before, you should have no problem diving into the program’s features. However, it may take some time to find everything, since this free video editing software with no watermark features a wide range of editing tools, such as animated text, chroma key editing, picture-in-picture, and more.
Bottom Line
VSDC’s free version lacks some of its most valuable features, such as video stabilization and motion tracking. If you’re planning to do any higher-level editing, you’ll need to pay for the upgrade or try another program like PowerDirector or Kdenlive. Additionally, the interface on this free video editing software with no watermark is a little outdated, resembling early-2000s software.
11. HitFilm - Best for Visual Effects
Compatibility: Windows, Mac
TechRadar Rating: 4/5
Beginner-Friendly Tools: 3.5/5
Price: Free
*Premium subscriptions available for $7.99/month for Creator and $12.99/month for Pro
Key Features:
- Artlist Stock: Access to royalty-free background music and sound effects (10 songs and 25 SFX included in the free version)
- Lighting & Lens Flares: Add cinematic glows, 3D light leaks, and more to your videos
- Professional Compositing: Combine multiple video and digital layers
Who It’s For
HitFilm is the best free video editing software with no watermark for anyone interested in VFX. The free version includes 127 visual effects, with over 300 available in the Pro edition. Future VFX artists and independent filmmakers can edit videos with professional tools like color correction, blending modes, 3D titles, motion tracking, green-screen effects, and much more.
Why We Picked It
Besides visual effects, this free video editor has all the basic tools needed to edit videos from start to finish. Cut, trim, split, and crop footage, then finish with drag-and-drop transitions, audio editing, and text tools. This free video editing software with no watermark has unlimited exports in HD. Your exports will only be watermarked if you import and render 3D models.
Bottom Line
HitFilm is the best free video editing software with no watermark for intermediate editors, or beginners interested in learning VFX. It will take a little time to learn, so if you are a beginner who doesn’t need tons of VFX, HitFilm may not be the free video editor for you. If you are a VFX professional looking for free video editing software with no watermark, try Blender or DaVinci Resolve.
12. Canva Free - Best for Templates
Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Web Browser
PCMag Rating: 4.5/5
Beginner-Friendly Tools: 3/5
Price: Free
*Pro version available for $119/year
Key Features:
- Robust Text Tools: Pre-made titles, font/color combinations, create heading/subheading/body of text, etc.
- Drawing Tools: Customize the color, size, and opacity for pen, marker, and highlighter brushes
- Stickers/Graphics: Large selection of animated and static icons, charts, graphs, stickers, etc. for every mood and occasion
Who It’s For
Video editing software is probably not what comes to mind when you think of popular graphic design software Canva. However, Canva has free video editing software with no watermark that has all the basic tools you need to edit videos for social media, YouTube, or personal use. Canva is known for its professionally designed templates, and the free version is no different. You can browse and customize 250,000 beginner-friendly templates and create a video in mere minutes.
Why We Picked It
With this simple free video editing software with no watermark, you can trim, split, and resize clips, add text and graphics, and finish with a music track. Canva offers a free stock library, and although it is much smaller than the library available to Pro users, it is more than enough to find what you need to finish your project.
Bottom Line
We think this free video editing software with no watermark is perfect for beginners to quickly make professional-looking social media posts. If you need to edit longer videos or require professional video editing tools, Canva won’t cut it. Instead, try one of the more comprehensive options on our list, such as PowerDirector or VideoPad.
13. Clipchamp - Best for Social Media
Compatibility: Web Browser
TechRadar Rating: 4/5
Beginner-Friendly Tools: 3.5/5
Price: Free
*Premium version available for $11.99/month
Key Features:
- AI Voiceovers: Text-to-speech in over 400 unique voices and 170 languages
- Layer Editing: Choose a new background or add a colored video overlay and adjust opacity
- Audio Editing: Use multiple audio tracks to adjust, add, extract, or replace audio
Who It’s For
Clipchamp is one of the best free video editing software with no watermark available online. It is another template-based program aimed specifically at influencers and content creators. It features tons of fully customizable templates for every popular social media video or ad.
Why We Picked It
With this free video editing software with no watermark, you can adjust colors, add backgrounds, and create your own logo or watermark. It also has free access to video, photo, and audio stock assets, as well as filters, transitions, and effects.
Bottom Line
The video templates in Clipchamp are short and intended for social media use only. If you are looking for free video editing software with no watermark to edit anything longer than a TikTok video, look elsewhere. Also, content creators who want access to branding kits will have to pay for an upgrade. While both Canva and Clipchamp are template-based, we found Canva’s free stock and template options to be more robust, and its tools more intuitive.
14. Blender - Best for 3D Video Editing
Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Linux
G2 Rating: 4.5/5
Beginner-Friendly Tools: 3/5
Price: Free
Key Features:
- Audio Mixing: Syncing, scrubbing, and waveform visualization
- Rigging Tools: Pose your models with skeleton and automatic skinning, mirror tools, and more
- Motion Tracking: Auto and manual tracking with powerful camera reconstruction
Who It’s For
If you’re looking for the best free video editing software with no watermark that excels in 3D editing, we recommend Blender. This free video editor offers top-quality modeling, rendering, and sculpting tools for 3D videos, allowing you to create 3D animations from scratch.
Why We Picked It
Blender is a good fit for beginners interested in 3D editing or VFX professionals on a budget. This free video editing software with no watermark includes a wide range of simulations, such as smoke and fire, fluids, hair, and particles, that you can instantly add to your films.
Bottom Line
Blender is challenging to master. It also doesn’t include many tools to edit videos beyond the basics, so you may need to turn to another free video editing software with no watermark to add the finishing touches to your film.
15. iMovie - Best for iPhone Footage
Compatibility: Mac
G2 Rating: 4.3/5
Beginner-Friendly Tools: 3/5
Price: Free
Key Features:
- Autocorrect: Enhance lighting and color of clips with one click
- Smart Soundtracks: Over 100 background tracks that will fit the length of your video
- Themes: 14 themed templates that add titles and transitions automatically
Who It’s For
iMovie is a free video editing software with no watermark that comes on all Mac computers. We think it is best for editing iPhone footage since you can easily share videos between Apple devices and even edit back and forth from your desktop, iPhone, or iPad. iMovie has Cinematic Control, which adjusts the strength of the Cinematic Mode effect, and allows you to shift focus between different subjects. Pretty cool, but only available for footage taken on an iPhone 13.
Why We Picked It
We like this free video editing software with no watermark for beginners because the limited toolset makes it easy to find what you need, and the program is relatively easy to figure out. It’s also free and already installed on Apple products, so it makes a good jumping-off point for new editors.
Bottom Line
This free video editing software with no watermark was revolutionary when it first arrived on the scene over 20 years ago. However, as more free video editors have flooded the market, iMovie has fallen way behind. The program hasn’t had a major update in years, and its much-anticipated new Magic Movie and Trailer features were only released on the mobile version. If regular updates and trending features are something you desire, try our choice for the #1 free video editor PowerDirector. It is improved monthly to bring you the very latest technology and editing tools.
16. Avidemux - Best Video Converter
Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Linux
Capterra Rating: 4.2/5
Beginner-Friendly Tools: 3/5
Price: Free
Key Features:
- Basic Video Editing Tools: Rotate, flip, join, cut, copy, and delete clips
- Color Correction: Adjust contrast, brightness, and saturation, and adjust red/green/blue
- Subtitle Processor: Built-in subtitle tools
Who It’s For
Avidemux is an open-source, free video editing software with no watermark for beginners. It has a very basic set of video editing features but offers excellent tools to convert, encode, and decode files. Avidemux can save files in almost any video or audio format, including TrueHD and multi-threaded videos. It also has a wide array of export options.
Why We Picked It
This free video editing software with no watermark has automation features that save you time. It has a Joblist queue to organize videos for bulk processing and powerful scripting capabilities. Other features include adding logos and borders to videos and sharpening videos.
Bottom Line
Avidemux is pretty light on features and doesn’t include any AI-powered effects or stock assets. But, it is one of the best free video editing software with no watermark for converting video files. If you want an open-source, free video editor, but want more advanced features, try Shotcut or Kdenlive.
17. Avid Media Composer First - Best for Future Filmmakers
Image from Avid.
Compatibility: Windows, Mac
G2 Rating: 4.1/5
Beginner-Friendly Tools: 3/5
Price: Free
*Premium versions available for $23.99/month for Media Composer and $49.99/month for Media Composer Ultimate
Key Features:
- Multicam Editing: 4-way split display
- Bulk Edits: Apply the same edits to multiple clips at once
- Audio Editing: Includes audio ducking and punch-in
Who It’s For
If you are a beginner interested in becoming a professional editor or filmmaker, you have to try Avid Media Composer First. It is an easier-to-use version of Avid Media Composer, which is used by industry professionals to edit major motion pictures and television. It’s an entirely free video editing software with no watermark with access to pro-level visual effects and audio tools.
Why We Picked It
This free video editing software with no watermark has 4 video tracks and 8 audio tracks. It has a robust set of color correction tools and wide format support. Other notable features include a TimeWarp effect, a titler tool, and video stabilization.
Bottom Line
Is Avid Media Composer First a good choice for beginners who want to become pros? Yes. Is it beginner-friendly? No. This free video editing software with no watermark will take time to learn, so we only recommend it for those serious about learning the craft. It also requires a powerful computer and has a complex installation process. Canva earned a higher spot on our list of free video editors because you can edit a video right away without downloading software, and it is easy to use.
18. DaVinci Resolve - Best for Experienced Users
Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Linux
PCMag Rating: 4/5
Beginner-Friendly Tools: 3/5
Price: Free
*DaVinci Resolve Studio is available for $295
Key Features:
- Powerful Motion Tracking: Apply graphics to surfaces that warp or change such as t-shirts or flags
- Powerful Effects: Over 100 GPU-accelerated video effects
- Direct Uploads: Quick exports directly to TikTok, YouTube, Vimeo, Dropbox, and Twitter
Who It’s For
DaVinci Resolve is one of the most advanced free video editing software with no watermark on the market. This program offers features suitable for experienced editors, such as HDR color grading tools, AI magic masking effects, motion blur effects, temporal and spatial noise reduction, and more.
Why We Picked It
If you’re familiar with these tools, you’ll be able to create a TV-worthy film production using this free video editing software with no watermark alone. It is completely free to use and an easier version of the popular DaVinci Resolve Studio. But if you haven’t mastered advanced editing tools, you’ll probably find this free video editing software with no watermark overwhelming and complicated.
Bottom Line
DaVinci Resolve is one of the best free video editing software with no watermark for professionals. We think even beginners looking to learn advanced editing would do well to put in the time with this free video editor. Its expansive toolset is why we placed it above the similarly-rated MiniTool Movie Maker even though the latter is much easier to use (if you are wondering why they both received a 3 for Beginner-Friendly Tools, it’s because DaVinci has hundreds of features, but many are not beginner-friendly, however, MiniTool has few features but they are all beginner-friendly, thus evening out the score).
19. MiniTool Movie Maker - Best for Creating Instant Movies
Image from Softonic.
Compatibility: Windows
Make Tech Easier Rating: 4/5
Beginner-Friendly Tools: 3/5
Price: Free
*Premium subscriptions available for $12.99/month, $35.99/year, or $59.99 for a Lifetime License
Key Features:
- Motion Effects: 30+ motion options such as pan down, zoom in left, etc.
- Animated Elements: Add a fun sticker and set the duration and animation speed
- Transitions: Choose a transition from the library, set the duration and mode (i.e. Overlap, Prefix, or Postfix)
Who It’s For
If you want to create a movie in minutes with no prior editing experience, look no further than MiniTool Movie Maker. This is a free video editing software with no watermark, ads, or viruses and comes with a large library of generic, but easy-to-use templates to simplify the editing process. Choose a template and quickly combine, split, and trim video clips, then finish your project with photos, sound effects, and music.
Why We Picked It
Some of the features found in this free video editing software with no watermark include batch processing, speed adjustment, and motion effects.
Bottom Line
MiniTool Movie Maker is a quick way for beginners to produce stylized films in minutes. However, this free video editing software with no watermark lacks customization and offers no advanced features. Also, after your first 3 videos, you can only make videos for up to 2 minutes using the free version. If you want a free video editor with more tools and more control over edits, try PowerDirector. PowerDirector is also beginner-friendly with templates and an automatic movie tool, but it is also feature-rich and offers more detailed and custom editing.
20. Machete Video Editor Lite - Best for Slicing Video Files
Image from Softonic.
Compatibility: Windows
Capterra Rating: 3.3/5
Beginner-Friendly Tools: 2.5/5
Price: Free
*Premium version available for $19.95
Key Features:
- Edit Video Metadata: Add/edit file tags for videos in supported formats
- Remove Audio: Delete audio tracks from videos
- Create Images from Video: Save a video frame as a bitmap, PNG, or JPEG
Who It’s For
Machete Video Editor Lite is a free video editor designed for quick and easy video slicing. It is the best free video editing software with no watermark for beginners who only need to trim/split/join clips. You can also copy, cut, paste, and delete video files, and merge videos that have the same format.
Why We Picked It
You can extract and save video streams as separate files using this free video editing software with no watermark. Machete is a lossless video editor, so your videos remain at the same quality, even after trimming or cropping. The program fully supports Windows Clipboard, which automatically saves your editing progress.
Bottom Line
Machete Video Editor Lite is a lightweight, quick, and simple way to trim, split, and join video clips. But if you need any other video editing functions, it won’t suffice. There are free video editing software with no watermarks that have better tools and wider format support than even the premium version of Machete has to offer.
21. Windows Video Editor - Best for Windows Photos Users
Compatibility: Windows
TechRadar Rating: 2/5
Beginner-Friendly Tools: 3/5
Price: Free
Key Features:
- Text Tools: Choose a pre-made title card or create customizable texts and add to videos
- Sync to the Beat: Choose background music from the library then automatically cut footage to the beat
- Motion Effects: Add pan and zoom to footage and images
Who It’s For
Windows Video Editor is free video editing software with no watermark included on PCs with Windows 10 and up. It comes slightly hidden inside the Windows Photos app, so if you are already using this app to organize and edit your photos, using it to edit videos is a no-brainer.
Why We Picked It
Though not feature-rich, this free video editing software with no watermark has the basics that beginners will need to edit simple videos. There’s an Auto Movie option, allowing new users to quickly create a video with little editing knowledge or effort. There are also customizable titles and fun 3D effects you can drag and drop on your video.
Bottom Line
We found Windows Video Editor has fewer tools than many other free video editing software with no watermark, and the tools it does have don’t work as well. We only recommend this tool if you are new to editing and it is already installed on your Windows device.
Best Free Video Editors Comparison Chart
| Software | OS | Beginner-friendly | Editing Interfaces | Advanced Features | 3D & 360-Degree Editing | Free Download |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PowerDirector | Windows, Mac | Yes | Storyboard, Timeline and Slideshow interfaces; drag-and-drop navigation | Yes | Yes | |
| VideoProc Vlogger | Windows, Mac | Yes | Video timeline editing with drag-and-drop navigation | Yes | No | Download |
| OpenShot | Windows, Mac, Linux | Yes | Customizable timeline interface | Minimal | 3D only | Download |
| Shotcut | Windows, Mac, Linux | Yes | 6 Customizable interfaces | Yes | 360-degree only | Download |
| VideoPad Video Editor | Windows, Mac | Yes | Storyboard and Timeline modes | Minimal | Yes | Download |
| Lightworks | Windows, Mac, Linux | No | Customizable timeline interface; drag-and-drop navigation | Yes | No | Download |
| Adobe Premiere Rush | Windows, Mac | Yes | Storyboard and Timeline modes | Minimal | No | Download |
| ActivePresenter | Windows, Mac | Yes | Customizable, click sequence timeline | Yes | No | Download |
| Icecream Video Editor | Windows | Yes | Single Storyboard interface | No | No | Download |
| Kdenlive | Windows, Mac, Linux | No | Customizable, multitrack timeline | Yes | No | Download |
| VSDC Free Video Editor | Windows | Yes | Non-linear editing interface | No | 360-degree only | Download |
| HitFilm | Windows, Mac | No | Video timeline editing with drag-and-drop navigation | Yes | Yes | Download |
| Canva Free | Windows, Mac, Web Browser | Yes | Video timeline editing with drag-and-drop navigation | No | No | Download |
| Clipchamp | Web Browser | Yes | Video timeline editing with drag-and-drop navigation | No | No | Download |
| Blender | Windows, Mac, Linux | No | Completely customizable layout with Python scripting | Yes | Yes | Download |
| iMovie | Mac | Yes | Video timeline editing with drag-and-drop navigation | No | No | Download |
| Avidemux | Windows, Mac, Linux | Yes | Single video timeline | No | No | Download |
| Avid Media Composer First | Windows, Mac | No | Edit, Color, Effects and Audio workspaces | Yes | Yes | Download |
| DaVinci Resolve | Windows | Yes | Drag-and-drop onto templates | No | No | Download |
| MiniTool Movie Maker | Windows | Yes | Single video timeline | No | No | Download |
| Machete Video Editor Lite | Windows, Mac, Linux | No | Traditional track layout and customizable dual-monitor design | Yes | Yes | Download |
| Windows Video Editor | Windows | Yes | Video timeline editing with drag-and-drop navigation | No | 3D only | Found on Windows 10 and later |
PowerDirector
vs
OS
Windows, Mac
-
Beginner-friendly
Yes
-
Editing Interfaces
Storyboard, Timeline and Slideshow interfaces; drag-and-drop navigation
-
Advanced Features
Yes
-
3D & 360-Degree Editing
Yes
-
How to Edit Videos for Beginners
Here are the steps you can follow to edit videos with the #1 free video editor PowerDirector:
- Download PowerDirector for Windows or Mac by clicking the link below and open the program on your laptop or desktop computer.
- Select an Aspect Ratio, then click New Project. Click the Import Media Folder near the top left corner, then upload the video files you would like to edit.
- Drag your video clips and any audio or photo files to the timeline in your desired order.
- Trim or split your video clips as needed.
- Add transitions between your cut clips by navigating to the Transition Room. You can do so by clicking the icon resembling a lightning bolt on the left-hand side of the screen.
- Add a title near the beginning of your video by navigating to the Title Room. This icon looks like a T and is located on the left-hand side of the screen.
- Add sound effects or turn your footage into a music video by navigating to the Media Library Window, which is the icon that resembles a music note.
To trim your clips, move the Timeline Playhead to the position on the timeline where you would like to make the cut. Then click the Trim icon above the timeline to start/end the clip at that position.
To split your clips, move the Playhead where you want to make the split and click the Split icon. Splitting clips allows you to add transitions between them, remove unnecessary portions, and place media files between them.
Once in the Transition Room, you can click and drag transitions to the timeline between your desired clips. Then, you can preview the transitions by clicking Play in the Preview window.
Once in the Title Room, click and drag one of the title templates to the title track on the timeline. Be sure to place the template directly above the spot in the footage where you would like the title to appear. Then, click the Designer button and customize the text.
You can preview different background music and sound clip options in this window. Once you find one you like, simply drag it to the audio track portion of the timeline. Be sure to place the starting point directly above the position you would like the audio to begin in your video.
For more information on video editing for beginners, check out How to Edit Videos for Beginners.
Download the Best Video Editing Software for Free
Finding free video editing software with no watermark on your video content can be challenging. Thankfully, all of the options on our list present suitable solutions to this problem.
These free video editors include a wide range of editing tools and features to create high-quality finished videos. Once you’re done editing, you can export your footage exactly how it appears in the editor.
While all of these programs are free video editing software with no watermarks, PowerDirector is the best free video editor. This program is straightforward yet features the professional editing tools advanced editors use to create amazing videos. You can make PowerDirector your go-to editing program and never need to try another free video editor again.
Start making professional-level video content today by clicking the button below.
Free Video Editing Software With No Watermark FAQ
1. What is a watermark?
A watermark is an image or text overlay placed on a digital asset. Typically, watermarks are transparent, allowing viewers to see the image or video underneath.
2. Does free Movavi have a watermark?
Yes, Movavi adds a watermark to videos produced using its trial version.
3. Does free Filmora have a watermark?
Yes, when you use the free version of Filmora, your final video will have a watermark.
4. What is the best free video editor for beginners?
PowerDirector is the best free editing software for beginners. The program uses an easy-to-navigate interface and intuitive tools that even beginners can master with ease.
5. Which video editors don’t have a limited trial time?
None of the free video editing software with no watermark on our list has a limited trial time.
However, most of these programs also have a paid version with more features.
6. What features should I look for in a free video editor?
The top ten features you should look for in a free video editor are
- Text
- Transitions
- Filters
- Color correction
- Cut/trim tools
- Audio effects
- AI tools
- Royalty-Free stock libraries
- Support for numerous file formats
- Direct upload to social media
If you’re looking for a free video editor that checks all of these boxes, we recommend PowerDirector.
7. How can I edit a video like a pro for free?
You can edit a video like a professional for free with PowerDirector. PowerDirector offers a free-forever version of its award-winning software and a 30-day free trial of all of its premium features. It is full of professional-level tools that remain easy to use for beginners.
8. What do most Youtubers use to edit their videos?
YouTubers use PowerDirector to edit their videos. PowerDirector has tools for any skill level and comes with YouTube templates, YouTube-friendly aspect ratios, and direct upload to YouTube. It also saves them time and money, with AI-powered tools and an affordable price.
9. Does Google have a free video editor?
Google does not have native video editing software. However, PowerDirector is available from Google Play and will work on Chromebooks.
10. What is the best free online video editor?
The top free online video editors are:
- Kapwing
- VEED.io
- Clipchamp
- MovieMaker Online
- WeVideo
11. Is Lightworks free without watermark?
Lightworks is one of the best free video editing software with no watermark and can be found at #5 on our list.
12. Does OpenShot have no watermark?
OpenShot is free video editing software with no watermark. It is open-source and all of its tools and features are 100% free. You can find out more about OpenShot by navigating to the #2 spot on our list.
13. Does iMovie have a watermark?
iMovie is always completely free for Mac users and does not place a watermark on exported content. iMovie is #15 on our list of free video editing software with no watermark.
14. How much does 1 million views on YouTube pay?
Forbes estimates the top YouTubers make about $5 for 1,000 views, which means $5,000 per 1 million views.
YouTubers make $18 for 1,000 ad views. However, not all views are “ad views” because most people skip the ads. The estimation assumes less than ⅓ of viewers will actually watch an ad in its entirety.
Other factors are also at play, including ad quality, video length, and even the country where you live. These factors can bring that number anywhere from $1,000 - $6,000 per 1 million views.
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- Best Editor for iOS and Android
- Best Editor for Windows and macOS
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