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21 Best Free Video Editing Software With No Watermark 2023

Last Updated on Sep. 29, 2023 – by David Morgan
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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 Logo

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.

VideoProc Vlogger Logo

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 >

OpenShot Logo

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

Pros
  • Beginner-Friendly Navigation: The UI is clean, modern, and intuitive with guided edits 
  • Easy-to-Use Features: AI-Assist tools, guided edits, templates, and ready-made effects
  • Continual Updates: Updated monthly with trending design packs and enhancements 
Cons
  • Watermarked Free Version: Need to pay for a subscription to remove the watermark 

Compatibility: Windows, Mac

PCMag Rating: 5/5

Beginner-Friendly Tools: 5/5

Price: Free
*Premium subscription available for $4.08/month

Key Features:

  1. Ready-to-Use Transitions & Titles: Choose from thousands of presets and just drag and drop your favorite ones
  2. Easy Green Screen Editing: Create cinematic visual effects in just a few clicks
  3. Video & Title Masks: Create custom masks and design unique titles, images, graphics, or videos.
  4. 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:

21 Best Free Video Editing Software With No Watermark 2023

1. VideoProc Vlogger - Best for Action Cam Footage

VideoProc Vlogger Interface

Image from Capterra.

Pros
  • Lightweight: Use this free video editing software with no watermark on almost any desktop or laptop 
  • Advanced Motion Tools: Includes pro action camera features that are usually found in paid software
  • Beginner-Friendly: Simple download/setup process, self-explanatory tools, plenty of documentation, and beginner supports
Cons
  • Slow Rendering: May take a while to see effects in real time 
  • Weak Design Features: Not the best free video editing software with no watermark for designing posts as it lacks templates and design assets

Compatibility: Windows, Mac

GetApp Rating: 4.5/5

Beginner-Friendly Tools: 4.5/5

Price: Free

Key Features:

  1. Motion Effects: Add motion to videos and photos such as the Ken Burns effect, tilt, roll, pan, zoom, etc.
  2. Transitions: Over 60 presets to choose from 
  3. 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

OpenShot Interface
Pros
  • Includes Advanced Tools: Unlimited editing tracks, keyframes, 3D animations, etc.
  • Beginner-Friendly: The easiest and most intuitive of all the open-source free video editing software with no watermark
Cons
  • Buggy: Issues with stability
  • Not for Professionals: Some features don’t produce polished results; graphics and animations are outdated

Compatibility: Mac, Windows, Linux

Capterra Rating: 4.3/5

Beginner-Friendly Tools: 4.5/5

Price: Free

Key Features:

  1. Compositing: Blend multiple layers, add video overlays/watermarks
  2. Speed Adjustment: Use keyframes to manually animate the speed and direction of your clip 
  3. 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

Shotcut Interface
Pros
  • User-Friendly Interface: Customizable dockable and undockable panels and intuitive navigation
  • Wide Format Support: This free video editing software with no watermark supports hundreds of audio and video formats thanks to FFmpeg
Cons
  • Lacks Export Presets: Missing export presets for various social media platforms
  • Learning Curve: Intermediate-level software that will take beginners time to learn

Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Linux

G2 Rating: 4.2/5

Beginner-Friendly Tools: 4.5/5

Price: Free

Key Features:

  1. Capture Tools: Webcam capture and voice-over recording are supported 
  2. Comprehensive Audio Tools: Audio scopes, filters, mixing/fading tools, effects, and more
  3. 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

VideoPad Video Editor Interface
Pros
  • Beginner-Friendly: Includes a user-friendly interface suitable for beginners
  • Wide Format Support: This free video editing software with no watermark supports over 60 video formats, plus all popular image and audio formats
Cons
  • Few Advanced Tools: Missing professional features such as multicam editing and motion tracking 
  • Annoying Notifications in Free Version: You will constantly be asked to verify if you are using it for non-commercial purposes only 

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:

  1. Video Maker Wizard: Library of professional video templates including intros and outros
  2. Video Stabilization: Camera shake reduction for action footage
  3. 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

Lightworks Interface
Pros
  • Timeline Time Savers: Proxy workflows, background processing, instant autosave, keyboard shortcuts, and drag-and-drop editing
  • Custom Workspace Layout: Edit and organize tab layouts and create custom layout templates with this free video editing software with no watermark 
Cons
  • Slight Learning Curve: May be challenging for beginners to navigate
  • Low-Quality Exports: Only supports 720p exports in the free version

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:

  1. Motion Graphics: Hundreds of customizable, pre-built graphics and titles
  2. Filters and LUTs: Automatically give your footage a whole new look 
  3. 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

Adobe Premiere Rush Interface
Pros
  • On-the-Go Editor: This free video editing software with no watermark automatically saves edits to the cloud so you can edit videos back-and-forth on mobile and desktop 
  • Direct Social Media Uploads: Post directly to all popular social media sites in the correct aspect ratios
Cons
  • Not Updated Regularly: Hasn’t been updated since December 2021
  • Some Tools Mobile-Only: There’s an odd disconnect between features available on desktop and mobile

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:

  1. Customizable Titles: Create polished titles with built-in templates
  2. Audio Editing: Record voiceover and apply audio ducking 
  3. 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

ActivePresenter Interface
Pros
  • Impressive Presentation Features: Screen recording, annotations, cursor paths, drop-down menus, quizzes, PowerPoint integration, and more
  • Multiple Output Formats: Export projects in a variety of popular video formats, or into Microsoft Office for further editing 
Cons
  • High CPU Usage: Uses a lot of computer power/resources and can make your computer run slowly
  • Limited Free Version: This free video editing software with no watermark only includes basic screen recording and editing 

Compatibility: Windows, Mac

G2 Rating: 4.5/5

Beginner-Friendly Tools: 4/5

Price: Free
*$199 for Standard or $399 for Pro

Key Features:

  1. Speed Adjustments: Create slow motion or fast motion effects and insert freeze frames
  2. Transitions & Animations: Dozens of transitions and animated effects to add to your video presentations
  3. 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

Icecream Video Editor Interface
Pros
  • Lightweight: For use on old computers or laptops
  • User-Friendly: Quick and easy to use 
Cons
  • No Advanced Features: Only very basic tools to edit videos
  • Time Limit for Unwatermarked Videos: Free version watermarks any videos over 5 minutes or 10 scenes

Compatibility: Windows

Capterra Rating: 4.4/5

Beginner-Friendly Tools: 4/5

Price: Free
*Pro version is available for $29.95

Key Features:

  1. Stickers: A huge library of stickers and graphics to personalize social media posts
  2. Speed Adjustments: Slow down or speed up an entire video or only a part by 0.25 to x4 
  3. 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

kdenlive Interface
Pros
  • Flexible Interface: Create custom interface layouts with various dark and light themes and assign keyboard shortcuts to match your workflow
  • Advanced Features: More pro-level tools than most free video editors
Cons
  • Not Beginner-Friendly: Better for intermediate to advanced-level editors
  • Usability Issues on Windows/Mac: Works best on Linux; Windows/Mac users may experience stability issues and a more complicated UI 

Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Linux

AlternativeTo Rating: 3.8/5

Beginner-Friendly Tools: 4/5

Price: Free

Key Features:

  1. Automatic Backup: Projects are automatically backed up every few minutes, and older versions are saved 
  2. Audio & Video Scopes: Balance your footage by tweaking waveforms, audio meters, histograms, RGB parade, and more
  3. 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

VSDC Interface
Pros
  • Fast & Stable: Optimized for single and multi-core PCs
  • Wide Selection of Output Options: Save to your desktop, the web, a mobile device, or disc; choose from a variety of resolutions and formats; direct uploads to Instagram, Facebook and YouTube
Cons
  • Free Version Lacks Some Essential Features: Motion tracking, stabilization, video masking, voiceover recording, and multi-color chroma key are some examples of tools only found in the paid version 
  • Unintuitive Interface: Slightly outdated, tools can be hard to find, and it changes with each update so even long-time users have to re-learn where things are

Compatibility: Windows

TrustPilot Rating: 3.7/5

Beginner-Friendly Tools: 4/5

Price: Free
*Premium version is $19.99

Key Features:

  1. Green Screen Effect: Accurately remove a green screen background 
  2. Non-Linear Editor: Create video composites, picture-in-picture effects, and split screens 
  3. 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

HitFilm Interface
Pros
  • Plug-In Support: Add even more advanced visual effects with plug-ins such as Foundry 3D Camera Tracker, Mocha HitFilm, and Boris 3D Objects
  • Robust Free Version: Tons of tools, visual effects, and a handful of stock assets available for free
Cons
  • Slight Learning Curve: Will take a little time to learn
  • High System Requirements: Requires a powerful computer with plenty of space

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:

  1. Artlist Stock: Access to royalty-free background music and sound effects (10 songs and 25 SFX included in the free version)
  2. Lighting & Lens Flares: Add cinematic glows, 3D light leaks, and more to your videos
  3. 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

Canva Interface
Pros
  • Easily Accessible: Online, desktop, and mobile versions available
  • User-Friendly: Drag-and-drop editing, easily searchable templates and design assets
Cons
  • Few Video Editing Tools: Just the basics for quick social media videos, not suitable for professional or long-form video editing 
  • Best Assets Moving Behind Paywall: Continually moving more and more features out of the free version; resize tool for different aspect ratios and background remover are Pro only

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:

  1. Robust Text Tools: Pre-made titles, font/color combinations, create heading/subheading/body of text, etc.
  2. Drawing Tools: Customize the color, size, and opacity for pen, marker, and highlighter brushes
  3. 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

Clipchamp Interface
Pros
  • Unlimited Free Exports: Watermark-free and up to 1080p
  • Beginner-Friendly Templates: Beginners can create stunning social media content quickly 
Cons
  • Does Not Support Safari: Only works on Microsoft Edge or Chrome browser 
  • No Advanced Features: Lacks multicam editing, motion tracking, 3D or 360-degree editing, no support for 4K

Compatibility: Web Browser

TechRadar Rating: 4/5

Beginner-Friendly Tools: 3.5/5

Price: Free
*Premium version available for $11.99/month

Key Features:

  1. AI Voiceovers: Text-to-speech in over 400 unique voices and 170 languages
  2. Layer Editing: Choose a new background or add a colored video overlay and adjust opacity
  3. 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

Blender Interface
Pros
  • Multi-Functional: Modeling, sculpting, animation, VFX, drawing, editing, and more
  • Helpful Community: Lots of resources such as tutorials, FAQs, and support forums 
Cons
  • Not for Simple Video Editing: Not a suitable option if you don’t need complicated VFX or animation tools 
  • Steep Learning Curve: Overwhelming for beginners

Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Linux

G2 Rating: 4.5/5

Beginner-Friendly Tools: 3/5

Price: Free

Key Features:

  1. Audio Mixing: Syncing, scrubbing, and waveform visualization 
  2. Rigging Tools: Pose your models with skeleton and automatic skinning, mirror tools, and more
  3. 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

iMovie Interface
Pros
  • User-Friendly: Straightforward video editing for beginners 
  • Edit Across Apple Devices: Pick up where you left off and edit videos on your iPad, iPhone, or Mac
Cons
  • Irregular Updates: Sometimes it goes years without a major update
  • Missing Advanced Tools: No multicam, 3D, 360-degree editing, no motion tracking, and only 2 video tracks

Compatibility: Mac

G2 Rating: 4.3/5

Beginner-Friendly Tools: 3/5

Price: Free

Key Features:

  1. Autocorrect: Enhance lighting and color of clips with one click 
  2. Smart Soundtracks: Over 100 background tracks that will fit the length of your video
  3. 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

Avidemux Interface
Pros
  • Wide Format Support: Uses codecs to support a wide variety of formats 
  • Video Converter: Excellent for encoding and converting video 
Cons
  • Lacks Advanced Features: Only basic editing tools
  • Outdated Interface: Unintuitive and old-school UI

Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Linux

Capterra Rating: 4.2/5

Beginner-Friendly Tools: 3/5

Price: Free

Key Features:

  1. Basic Video Editing Tools: Rotate, flip, join, cut, copy, and delete clips
  2. Color Correction: Adjust contrast, brightness, and saturation, and adjust red/green/blue 
  3. 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

Avid Media Composer First Interface

Image from Avid.

Pros
  • Great Resources for Budding Filmmakers: Media Composer for Students program offers free license and access to online training, plus pro tips and industry insights available on the website  
  • Same Tools Used by Hollywood Pros: Slightly smaller core set of tools available in Media Composer
Cons
  • Steep Learning Curve: Even though it is meant for beginners, it takes a long time to learn  
  • High System Requirements: Requires an Avid-qualified computer to function and lots of available space

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:

  1. Multicam Editing: 4-way split display
  2. Bulk Edits: Apply the same edits to multiple clips at once 
  3. 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

DaVinci Resolve Interface
Pros
  • Professional Free Video Editing Software With No Watermark: Includes highly advanced tools suitable for professional editing
  • Integrates Easily With Other Programs: You can use third-party title or motion graphics templates, and even move footage back and forth from DaVinci to other professional video editors
Cons
  • Steep Learning Curve: Need a good knowledge of video editing to use this program 
  • High System Requirements: Requires a powerful computer and works best with additional hardware

Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Linux

PCMag Rating: 4/5

Beginner-Friendly Tools: 3/5

Price: Free
*DaVinci Resolve Studio is available for $295

Key Features:

  1. Powerful Motion Tracking: Apply graphics to surfaces that warp or change such as t-shirts or flags
  2. Powerful Effects: Over 100 GPU-accelerated video effects 
  3. 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

MiniTool Movie Maker Interface

Image from Softonic.

Pros
  • Regular Updates: Adds new resources and fixes bugs every few months
  • Batch Processing: Apply changes to all your clips or selected clips simultaneously with no lag 
Cons
  • Little Creative Freedom: Generic tools and templates that can’t be customized
  • Some Tools are Unnecessarily Difficult: Timeline marker, clip arranging, and fading to name a few

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:

  1. Motion Effects: 30+ motion options such as pan down, zoom in left, etc.
  2. Animated Elements: Add a fun sticker and set the duration and animation speed 
  3. 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

Machete Video Editor Lite Interface

Image from Softonic.

Pros
  • Simple Video Slicer: An extremely easy tool for splitting/trimming video
  • Lossless Video Editor: Files remain at original quality after editing 
Cons
  • Limited Format Support: Free version only supports AVI and WMV
  • Few Tools: Only the most basic editing tools are included; it lacks creative features and visual effects

Compatibility: Windows

Capterra Rating: 3.3/5

Beginner-Friendly Tools: 2.5/5

Price: Free
*Premium version available for $19.95

Key Features:

  1. Edit Video Metadata: Add/edit file tags for videos in supported formats
  2. Remove Audio: Delete audio tracks from videos
  3. 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

Windows Video Editor Interface
Pros
  • Convenient: Comes already installed on Windows 10 and later devices
  • User-Friendly: Simple interface and beginner-friendly tools
Cons
  • Possibly Being Phased Out: Microsoft bought Clipchamp to replace Windows Movie Maker; Windows Video Editor is now considered Legacy and will probably stop receiving updates
  • No Playhead in Video Timeline: Playhead only appears in the preview window, making it more complicated than necessary to move/trim clips

Compatibility: Windows

TechRadar Rating: 2/5

Beginner-Friendly Tools: 3/5

Price: Free

Key Features:

  1. Text Tools: Choose a pre-made title card or create customizable texts and add to videos 
  2. Sync to the Beat: Choose background music from the library then automatically cut footage to the beat 
  3. 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
Free Download
Secure Download
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:

  1. Download PowerDirector for Windows or Mac by clicking the link below and open the program on your laptop or desktop computer.

  2. 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.
  3. Drag your video clips and any audio or photo files to the timeline in your desired order.
  4. Trim or split your video clips as needed.
  5. 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.

    PowerDirector Interface - trim

    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. 

    PowerDirector Interface - Split
  6. 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.
  7. 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.

    PowerDirector Interface - transition
  8. 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.
  9. 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.

    PowerDirector Interface - Text
  10. 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.

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

  1. Text
  2. Transitions
  3. Filters
  4. Color correction
  5. Cut/trim tools
  6. Audio effects
  7. AI tools
  8. Royalty-Free stock libraries
  9. Support for numerous file formats
  10. 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:

  1. Kapwing
  2. VEED.io
  3. Clipchamp
  4. MovieMaker Online
  5. 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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