18 Best Easy-to-Use Video Editing Software for Beginners

Whether you want to create high-quality content for video-sharing websites, social media, marketing purposes, or educational projects, starting with the best video editing software for beginners is an essential first step. If you're new to making videos, the prospect of finding the best video editing software for beginners may feel overwhelming.

This guide will take an in-depth look at easy-to-use video editing software. If you are in a hurry, the best video editing software for beginners is PowerDirector. When it comes to producing high-quality videos with ease, there's no better editing software. Give it a try and see for yourself.

• Snapshot of Our Top 3 Easy-to-Use Video Editing Software for Beginners
• How to Choose the Best Easy-to-Use Video Editing Software for Beginners
• How We Test the Best Easy-to-Use Video Editing Software for Beginners
• Best Easy-to-Use Video Editing Software for Beginners Comparison Chart
• The Best Easy-to-Use Video Editing Software for Beginners - Ranked
• What is the Best Easy-to-Use Video Editing Software for Beginners?
• Best Easy-to-Use Video Editing Software for Beginners FAQ

Snapshot of Our Top 3 Easy-to-Use Video Editing Software for Beginners

How to Choose the Best Easy-to-Use Video Editing Software for Beginners

Here are a few simple things you need to consider when choosing the best video editing software for beginners: 

Compatibility: Even the best video editing software for beginners won't allow you to edit videos unless it supports your recording device and operating system.

Features: Before selecting the best video editing software for beginners, consider your needs carefully. Many beginners make the mistake of thinking they have to forgo functionality for simplicity. However, the best video editing software for beginners should offer every feature you need and allow you to work with all formats.

Support: The best video editing software for beginners should come with materials to help you learn video editing such as online tutorials, YouTube how-to videos, user forums, or blogs.

Affordability: The best video editing software for beginners will have a price tag that fits your budget.

How We Test the Best Easy-to-Use Video Editing Software for Beginners

We test a lot of video editing software to choose the best options for beginners to learn video editing. Here are some steps we take to ensure we bring you the best video editing software for beginners available today.

Evaluate Interface and Workflow

The best video editing software for beginners should have a clean and uncluttered interface. When we test products, we are looking for clear labeling and an intuitive layout. We give extra points for drag-and-drop functionality, which makes it easy for first-timers to learn video editing.

Test the Learning Curve

A low learning curve is one of the most important aspects of the best video editing software for beginners to learn video editing. Therefore, we edit videos using the same key editing tools on all software and record how long it takes to get comfortable using these tools. We also check if the products have a basic toolset, or include advanced features. Having advanced features does not mean a software is only for pros, but we want to make sure the features are easy to use and have automatic options available.

Look for Contextual Help

We check if the easy-to-use video editing software offers helpful tooltips, tutorials, guided edits, or readily available documentation to answer questions and guide users.

Compare Value

The best video editing software for beginners come in varying price points. We look at cost vs the features to decide which easy-to-use video editing software gives you the most bang for your buck.

Best Easy-to-Use Video Editing Software for Beginners Comparison Chart

The Best Easy-to-Use Video Editing Software for Beginners - Ranked

1. PowerDirector

Best For: Video editors of any skill level, offering users easy, one-click AI tools and powerful manual adjustments

PowerDirector is a feature-packed, award-winning, easy-to-use video editing software. It's PC Mag's #1 choice for Best Video Editing Software and TechRadar's Top 3 Video Editing Software for Windows and Mac. In terms of consumer-friendliness, professional editing features, and compatibility with new technologies and formats, PowerDirector is our choice for the best video editing software for beginners.

We've chosen PowerDirector because it is the best video editing software for beginners and editing enthusiasts, due to its exceptional balance of user-friendliness and advanced features. It offers an intuitive design, welcoming both beginners and experienced editors and tooltips to guide you through each feature.

With an extensive library of customizable templates, Hollywood-style visual effects, and one-click tools, PowerDirector is simply the best video editing software for beginners, pros, and everyone in between. Advanced AI features, such as sky replacement and motion tracking, streamline complex tasks with a single click. Regular additions of fresh design assets keep your videos engaging. Easily share your creations on platforms like YouTube and Vimeo. You can also access ample resources to learn video editing and master this powerful tool. You can find hundreds of tutorials on the Official PowerDirector YouTube Channel, there's a blog filled with great how-to articles, and the CyberLink Learning Center is perfect if you want to learn video editing.

PowerDirector is our choice for the best video editing software for beginners, and it's easy to see why. Designed with simplicity in mind, PowerDirector combines powerful editing tools, an easy-to-use interface, and fast rendering speed. As a result, PCMag named it “Best for Tons of Tools and Ease of Use.”

Key Features:

• Thousands of titles, templates, and effects
• A huge arsenal of one-click AI effects
• Seasonal and trending content packs
• Direct upload to popular platforms

Compatibility: Windows, Mac

PCMag Rating: 5/5

Beginner-Friendly Tools: 5/5

Price: Free
*Premium subscription available for $4.58/month

Click the link below to download PowerDirector and see how quickly you can turn your video clips into cinematic works of art with the best video editing software for beginners.

Check out these related topics for video editing:

• 23 Best Free Video Editing Software for Windows PC
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• 9 Hottest YouTube Trends You Can't Ignore

2. Corel VideoStudio Ultimate

Best For: Face effects

VideoStudio Ultimate from Corel is the best video editing software for beginners and anyone interested in adding unique Face Effects to their videos. Tools that are usually reserved for photo editing software, such as face width, skin smoothing, skin tone, and brightness, are available to use on videos with VideoStudio's motion tracking technology. 

We found VideoStudio Ultimate to be one of the best video editing software for beginners because it has Instant Project templates and a FastFlick feature that creates movies in minutes. It also allows beginners to edit videos with advanced features such as color grading, multicam editing, and video masking tools. This easy-to-use video editing software has fun title templates you can easily customize by mixing and matching fonts, colors, and even animations.

VideoStudio Ultimate has been steadily improving in both speed and performance over the past few updates. It has also added new title motions and effects that were a joy to test. VideoStudio Ultimate has a lot in common with the best video editing software for beginners, PowerDirector. They are both fun and easy video makers filled with advanced tools, however, PowerDirector wins out in the performance, quality, and accuracy of its tools, leaving VideoStudio at #2 on our list.

Key Features:

• Capture individual frames for stop-motion animation
• Create animated GIFs from video clips or image sequences
• Edit videos with 360-degree footage

Compatibility: Windows

PCMag Rating: 4/5

Beginner-Friendly Tools: 5/5

Price: $79.99 for Video Studio Pro, $99.99 for Video Studio Ultimate

3. VideoProc Vlogger

Image from ghacks.net

Best For: Speed adjustments

We found VideoProc Vlogger to be one of the best video editing software for beginners to edit videos with slow and fast motion effects. You can apply speed effects to an entire clip or just a small portion. VideoProc comes with complicated-sounding speed tools such as speed ramping, time-lapse, and flexible Bezier curves that remain beginner-friendly. 

This easy-to-use video editing software also comes packed with motion effects, including 28 motion presets, motion crop, pan, and zoom. With these tools, beginners can create effects such as tilt, roll, and dolly with a few clicks. VideoProc Vlogger offers compatibility with an extensive array of video and audio formats, ensuring versatility in your editing projects. It empowers beginners to access and utilize advanced effects effortlessly, making it one of the best video editing software for beginners.

VideoProc Vlogger is similar to the best video editing software for beginners - PowerDirector - in that both strike a remarkable balance between user-friendliness and advanced capabilities. However, PowerDirector has social-media-friendly templates and design elements that VideoProc Vlogger lacks. It’s also missing some pro-level functionality, such as support for 3D or collaboration tools.

Key Features:

• Remove fish-eye distortion
• Easily remove and replace backgrounds
• Combine multiple video layers for a cool effect

Compatibility: Windows, Mac

Creative Bloq Rating: 4/5

Beginner-Friendly Tools: 4.5/5

Price: Free

4. WeVideo

Best For: Templates

WeVideo is a web-based easy-to-use video editing software. We think it belongs on our list of the best video editing software for beginners because it comes loaded with customizable video templates in a range of themes and social-media-friendly aspect ratios. It is an excellent option for educators, who can make interactive instructional videos for both the classroom and distance learning, without needing to learn video editing. There’s even an Assignment Ideas Library, with ready-made videos you can easily customize.

This easy video maker comes with over 50 transitions, animated effects, and a GIF creator. There are 30 effects that beginners can apply to videos with a single click and pre-made eye-catching motion titles. Brand kits and royalty-free stock libraries are offered for Professional or Business users.

Even though WeVideo is one of many template-based options on our list of the best video editing software for beginners, it stands out for catering to a wider variety of needs than just social media posts. WeVideo is one of the best video editing software for beginners who are educators, students, business owners, content creators, and more. This wide reach and an uptick in positive user reviews over recent months have earned WeVideo the #4 spot on our list, up from #9. However, we only recommend this easy-to-use video editing software if you can spring for at least the Unlimited version. The free version is really only a free trial, and the Power version has restricting export limits. Many users complained that they spent hours making the perfect video, only to find out at export that they did not have enough publishing time remaining. In our opinion, the $3 a month difference is worth it for the unlimited exports, unlimited storage, and better export quality (from 720p to 4K Ultra HD).

Key Features:

• Capture and record your computer screen
• Remove and replace a green screen background
• Create memes using images or video clips

Compatibility: Web Browser

G2 Rating: 4.3/5

Beginner-Friendly Tools: 4/5

Price: Free
*Premium subscriptions available for $4.99/month for Power, $7.99/month for Unlimited, $19.99/month for Professional, and $36.99/month for Business

5. OpenShot

Best For: Open-source video editing

Most open-source software is created by professionals for professionals. We found they are usually overly complicated with cluttered and outdated interfaces. Not so with OpenShot. OpenShot is one of the best video editing software for beginners because it was made with beginners in mind and empowers users to personalize the interface, tailoring it to their individual preferences. This level of customization enhances the overall editing experience, making it intuitive and efficient.

Video clips can be adjusted by scaling, trimming, rotating, snapping, resizing, and more. This easy-to-use video editing software will help you learn video editing with advanced tools such as compositing, time-mapping, and precise frame-by-frame editing. It also offers a comprehensive suite of tools and features without any associated costs, ensuring accessibility to all users. It's one of the best video editing software for beginners and doesn't require users to invest in premium versions or subscriptions.

We've chosen OpenShot as the foremost option for those seeking open-source video editing solutions because it is a powerful software with a wide range of tools, yet it remains an easy video maker. While OpenShot is one of the best video editing software for beginners, a few tools have added steps that seem overly cumbersome. Other tools, such as 3D animations and 3D titles, are only available if you download another open-source video editor, Blender. 

Key Features:

• Provides a wide variety of transitions
• Unlimited video tracks for endless creativity
• Precise control over video and audio properties with keyframes

Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Linux

Capterra Rating: 4.3/5

Beginner-Friendly Tools: 4/5

Price: Free

6. iMovie

Best For: Instant movies

Apple iMovie is an easy-to-use video editing software only available for Mac users. iMovie is one of the best video editing software for beginners because of the Magic Movie feature. It makes an instant movie out of your selected media files - complete with titles, transitions, and music. 

It’s a nonlinear easy video maker, which means you can edit videos, music, and graphics in any order without changing your original files. This easy-to-use video editing software can crop videos, cut audio/video clips, and improve audio quality. You can also add text, video, and graphic overlays. iMovie simplifies the organization and management of your video files with its built-in file management system. This feature enhances the overall user experience by keeping your projects well-organized.

iMovie is pre-installed on Macs and iPhones, making it exceptionally accessible and cost-effective. Although it is one of the best video editing software for beginners, iMovie lacks advanced features, such as audio-video sync, multicam, 360-degree editing, and motion tracking capability. That is why we moved it behind OpenShot in our updated list, as it has more advanced features.

Key Features:

• Reduce or eliminate unwanted background noise
• Adjust and enhance colors and tones
• Manipulate depth of field on videos shot in Cinematic Mode

Compatibility: Mac

Tom’s Guide Rating: 4/5

Beginner-Friendly Tools: 4/5

Price: Free

7. VideoPad

Best For: Creating social media videos

VideoPad is one of the best video editing software for beginners because it has features to streamline your social publishing workflow. It has direct video upload to Facebook and YouTube, and you can add/edit metadata, such as the title tags and description. VideoPad also has video optimization for search engines.We've distinguished VideoPad as an ideal choice for crafting social media videos because it offers pre-designed templates that simplify the video creation process. These templates can be easily customized to suit your specific needs, making it effortless to produce engaging social media content.

High-value features you get with the software include stereoscopic 2D to 3D conversion, camera shake reduction, and exporting in multiple resolutions. It also has a comprehensive set of audio editing features, allowing users to edit and apply effects with pure digital audio tools. VideoPad has excellent export options to burn, upload, save, or share your files.

While it is one of the best video editing software for beginners, VideoPad is somewhat outdated and lacks some advanced features such as multi-camera editing. Also, most learning materials for VideoPad are a few years old, so you can't rely on them if you're new to editing. 

Key Features:

• Record and add voiceover to videos
• Adjust video playback speed
• Edit videos with 3D and 360-degree footage

Compatibility: Windows, Mac

G2 Rating: 4.1/5

Beginner-Friendly Tools: 4/5

Price: Free
*Premium versions available for $80 for Home, $139 for Masters, or $7.72/month for Masters with ongoing updates

8. Movavi Video Editor

Best For: Simple edits

Movavi Video Editor is one of the best video editing software for beginners because it boasts a user-friendly interface that simplifies the editing process, making it accessible to users looking for straightforward editing solutions. The software offers a range of pre-set effects that can be automatically applied to videos with a single click, further enhancing its ease of use. The combination of AI tools and a drag-and-drop interface make Movavi a very easy-to-use video editing software.

You can also navigate each frame to make accurate edits. In addition, this easy video maker offers a wide selection of titles and effects and comes with video stabilization, AI background removal, and an AI denoise tool. It boasts pro-quality color correction that makes it easy for beginners to get the look and feel they desire.

Movavi Video Editor has added quite a few tools since our last review, including a revamped timeline for even easier editing. It has also added some more advanced tools like motion tracking and overlay effects with blending modes. However, it renders very slowly, especially compared to the best video editing software for beginners, PowerDirector, which has the fastest rendering times of any editing program.

Key Features:

• Overlay videos with Picture-in-Picture
• Directly share and export videos in popular formats
• Remove and replace any color background with chroma key

Compatibility: Windows, Mac

PCMag Rating: 4/5

Beginner-Friendly Tools: 4/5

Price: $19.95/month, $178.95/year, or $222.95 for a Lifetime License

9. Kapwing

Best For: Subtitles

Kapwing stands out as one of the best video editing software for beginners and those seeking streamlined subtitle integration in their video editing process. Its user-friendly online platform simplifies video editing tasks, especially for beginners looking for efficient subtitle solutions. Kapwing's noteworthy feature is its ability to automatically generate precise AI subtitles from video speech, making it a standout choice for inclusive and accessible video creation.

It’s also one of the best video editing software for beginners because of its wide range of customizable templates. Templates include intros and end screens for YouTube, green screen templates, lower thirds, ads, and many more. The inclusion of AI tools makes it easy for inexperienced editors to edit videos with added production value.

Kapwing comes with tons of drag-and-drop design elements, AI tools, and templates, making it one of the best video editing software for beginners. It recently added a text-based editor, which transcribes your video so you can edit as you would a text document - deleting words and phrases. It’s an ideal tool for those who don’t know how to edit videos using a traditional editing timeline.

However, you’ll have to pay a high monthly fee if you want access to all of Kapwing’s tools without limits or watermarks. PowerDirector is a better option, as it is much more affordable.

Key Features:

• Generates waveforms using AI
• Auto resize tools for popular platforms
• AI video generator creates videos from a text prompt

Compatibility: Web Browser

Product Hunt Rating: 3.3/5

Beginner-Friendly Tools: 4.5/5

Price: Free

*Premium subscriptions available for $16/month for Pro and $50/month for Business

10. Adobe Premiere Elements

Best For: Organizing media

Adobe Premiere Elements is a cross-platform, easy-to-use video editing software. It is one of the best video editing software for beginners because of the Organizer feature which automatically tags your video files using facial recognition and Smart Tags. Smart Tags organize your photos and videos by subject (like Beach or Birthday) so they are easily searchable. It also auto-curates your media to help you find the best quality images and clips for each project.

This easy video maker offers features such as Auto-Reframe, Smart-Trim, and the ability to pull high-quality photos from your video footage. While Adobe Premiere Elements may lack advanced editing techniques, it offers an array of creative tools, such as artistic filters and stop-motion animation features, making it an ideal choice for home movies and straightforward editing needs.

Though there is an “Expert” mode, it is essential to understand Premiere Elements is not for professional results. It is ideal for home movies and very little more. This is not the best video editing software for beginners who want to eventually move into intermediate or advanced editing. For those users, we recommend PowerDirector, which allows beginners to learn video editing with many of the same creative and organizational features found in Premiere Elements but offers manual tools and pro-level functionality for those who are ready for an upgrade - all at a lower cost.

Key Features:

• Artistic effects to change the look of your video in an instant
• Video stabilization for shaky footage
• Noise reduction tool eliminates background noise

Compatibility: Windows, Mac

PCMag Rating: 3.5/5

Beginner-Friendly Tools: 4/5

Price: $99.99

11. Icecream Video Editor

Best For: Short videos

Icecream Video Editor is one of the best video editing software for beginners, especially for users focusing on short video content. It has everything you need for a quick, stylized video sure to get Likes. With this easy-to-use video editing software, you can merge video, audio, and images on a single, storyboard-style timeline. You can also use most of the tools for free without watermarks, as long as your video is under 5 minutes or 10 scenes.

This easy video maker will create an instant slideshow from your uploaded images. Choose the Random feature and watch as it automatically adds motion effects and transitions. Add your own background music, adjust the volume, add fades, and add audio effects. It has low system requirements, ensuring that even outdated devices can handle the software and quick sharing capabilities that enable effortless cloud uploads and link sharing with friends and family.

While Icecream Video Editor primarily offers basic editing tools, it shines with a vast library of stickers, graphics, and over 20 transitions, catering to users seeking to create short, stylized videos, perfect for platforms like TikTok. While it is great for first-time editors, it’s not the best way to learn video editing, because it lacks any advanced tools and doesn’t use a traditional editing timeline.

Key Features:

• A huge library of stickers and graphics
• Over 20 transitions to choose from
• Adjust position, size, and speed of animated title presets

Compatibility: Windows

G2 Rating: 4.3/5

Beginner-Friendly Tools: 3/5

Price: Free

*Pro version is available for $29.95/year

12. Magix Movie Studio

Image from Magix Tutorials

Best For: Quick edits

Magix Movie Studio makes the cut as one of the best video editing software for beginners because it offers tools like Split, Remove Beginning, and Split Movie for one-click solutions to simple edits. The updated interface allows users to select objects directly in the preview window, without finding them in the timeline. You can also zoom in and out directly from the preview. Export your finished product to YouTube and Vimeo quickly, with direct upload and fast rendering speeds.

This easy-to-use video editing software comes with intuitive color correction tools you can apply automatically or manually, depending on your editing expertise. It also has a one-of-a-kind multi-format timeline so you can freely arrange video, audio, and photo media files on each track

While most of the tools make for quick and easy editing, the trim tool does not. Since this is probably the most-used tool by both first-timers and advanced users, it is very frustrating that they have made it so incredibly complicated. Even though it offers more features, we have placed Magix behind Icecream Video Editor on our list of best video editing software for beginners, because Icecream doesn’t have any complicated tools that would put off new users.

Key Features:

• Combine multiple videos or images in one frame with split-screen tools
• Stabilize shaky footage for smoother playback
• Enables precise editing at the individual frame level

Compatibility: Windows

PCMag Rating: 3/5

Beginner-Friendly Tools: 4/5

Price: $69.99 for Movie Studio, $99.99 for Platinum or $129.99 for Suite 

13. Clipchamp

Best For: TikTok

Clipchamp secures its place among the best video editing software for beginners focusing on platforms like TikTok. With its social media integration, users can effortlessly share videos directly to various social media platforms. The software comes equipped with user-friendly templates, making it easy for beginners to craft short videos, such as TikToks or Reels. It offers flexibility, allowing users to edit pre-recorded footage, record from their screens, or use a webcam directly.

This easy-to-use video editing software comes with pre-made stock assets and a library of filters, transitions, GIFs, and effects. Clipchamp is fairly self-explanatory, but first-time users in need of assistance can learn video editing through the site’s online training center.

Although Clipchamp is now included with Windows 11, it is not entirely free, like Windows Movie Maker (now defunct), or Windows Video Editor (now a Legacy software). The best tools require a subscription, however, the free version has unlimited watermark-free exports up to 1080p, so novices can get a feel for the software before making a monetary commitment. We do not recommend it for intermediate to advanced users, or for editing videos longer than 60 seconds.

Key Features:

• Creates layered effects by stacking multiple videos
• Ensures the safety of video projects with content backup
• Generates AI voiceovers from text

Compatibility: Windows, Web Browser

PCMag Rating: 3.5/5

Beginner-Friendly Tools: 3.5/5

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

14. EaseUS Video Editor

Best For: Filters

EaseUS Video Editor makes it to our list of the best video editing software for beginners, primarily because of its user-friendly interface that welcomes those with zero editing experience. The software excels in simplicity, offering a range of creative filters that can be applied with just one click, including options like old film, sketch, and mosaic. Its interface features a pared-down selection of features with easily accessible large icons, making navigation a breeze.

This easy-to-use video editing software has AI-powered features and drag-and-drop tools, so you can edit videos quickly. There are basic tools such as trim, split, and rotate, and audio editing tools to record VO and mix sound levels. Adjust brightness, contrast, hue, and playback speeds with ease using sliders.

The free version of EaseUS is intended only as a free trial and doesn’t include any effects, filters, or transitions, and exports are low-quality with an added watermark. The paid version is on par with similar software, but we recommend subscribing for a year instead of a month (the annual cost is less than 2 months’ worth of monthly payments). We had trouble researching if others also felt this was one of the best video editing software for beginners, as there were few reviews and all were several years old.

Key Features:

• Adjustment tools for changing playback speed
• Layered effects with video overlay
• Converts text into speech or vice versa

Compatibility: Windows

TechRadar Rating: 4/5

Beginner-Friendly Tools: 3/5

Price: Free
*Premium subscriptions available for $29.95/month, $49.95/year, or $79.95 for a lifetime license

15. Animoto

Best For: Daily vloggers

Animoto stands out as a template-based online easy video maker, making it one of the best video editing software for beginners, particularly daily vloggers. The software offers an abundance of YouTube-friendly video templates that users can easily customize within minutes. Animoto simplifies the process by allowing users to save branding assets on the site and quickly incorporate them into any template. The platform also offers resizing options for videos, catering to various platforms effortlessly. If you need to crank out content daily and don’t mind a lack of creative control, it’s a good choice.

Vloggers will also love the screen recording and webcam recording tools, which are both included in the free version. You can also record your screen and webcam simultaneously in the Professional or Teams tiers. And speaking of teams, there are video review and collaboration tools for those who edit videos with others.

Animoto is certainly one of the best video editing software for beginners due to thousands of pre-made templates to jump-start videos. However, even the Professional version only has basic tools, yet costs almost double that of professional editing software. We prefer PowerDirector, an easy-to-use video editing software with more features, yet costs much less. PowerDirector also has templates and one-click tools but offers the chance to customize these features if you need more creative freedom.

Key Features:

• Stock library with videos, photos, and music
• Eye-catching effects in over 40 professional fonts.
• Record, upload, and edit voice-overs

Compatibility: Web Browser

TechRadar Rating: 3/5

Beginner-Friendly Tools: 3.5/5

Price: Free
*Premium subscriptions available for $8/month for Basic, $15/month for Professional, and $39/month for Professional Plus

16. MiniTool Movie Maker

Best For: Batch processing

MiniTool MovieMaker is one of the best video editing software for beginners and users in a hurry. All of the tools in this easy video maker can be applied to multiple video clips or images at once, such as transitions, effects, motion, or color correction. This easy video maker supports a wide range of video formats, offering flexibility in editing.

MiniTool Movie Maker has a large library of templates you can use to make instant movies. Other features include flip, rotate, reverse, trim, split, and resize video, and a good amount of text and sticker options to add flair to your clips.

The free version impressively allows for exporting watermark-free high-definition videos, making it a suitable choice for novice users. However, customization options are limited, which means your projects will look generic and similar to everyone else. If you like a little more creative control, we recommend the best video editing software for beginners, PowerDirector, as it comes with fully customizable templates and effects.

Key Features:

• Adjust and enhance the color and tone of videos
• Extract audio from video files
• Change the playback speed of videos

Compatibility: Windows

SourceForge Rating: 3/5

Beginner-Friendly Tools: 3.5/5

Price: Free
*Premium subscriptions available for $12.99/month or $59.99/year

17. Nero Video

Best For: Slideshows

Nero Video is an easy-to-use video editing software with an automated slideshow maker. This 1-click tool analyzes your music choice, then automatically cuts your slideshow to the beat. It also comes with more than 1,000 movie templates so you can automatically theme your slideshow to match the occasion.   

We think Nero Video is one of the best video editing software for beginners because it has an Express Mode, which presents an extremely bare-bones interface, and a Live Guide, which explains every aspect of video editing to new users. This user-friendly software excels in efficiently running on low-end computers, making it accessible to a wider audience. It offers both Express and Advanced interfaces, catering to different user preferences and skill levels.

Nero Video is an easy video maker for those with zero experience to edit videos from start to finish. However, PowerDirector - our choice for the best video editing software for beginners - has a completely free version with a similar set of features, leaving us to wonder if paying for Nero is worth it.  

Key Features:

• 1-click black bar removal
• Picture-in-picture effects for overlaying one video onto another
• Tilt-shift effects that make the subjects in your videos appear miniature

Compatibility: Windows

PCMag Rating: 3/5

Beginner-Friendly Tools: 3/5

Price: $55.95

18. Windows Video Editor

Best For: Windows Photos users

Windows Video Editor is an easy-to-use video editing software included as Legacy software for Windows. Video Editor is entirely free, and one of the best video editing software for beginners to learn video editing before moving on to a more comprehensive tool. It’s also very convenient for anyone who already stores their photos and videos in Windows Photos.

This easy video maker has an Auto Movie option allowing you to quickly put together a completed video in no time at all. Video Editor has basic track editing tools, such as trimming, adjusting audio, and splitting clips. In addition, you can add music, text, motion, and 3D effects to your videos.

Since our last review of Windows Video Editor, it has been removed as the built-in option for Microsoft. That distinction now belongs to #13 on our list of best video editing software for beginners, ClipChamp. However, users can still access it in Settings (as Photos Legacy App). Since Windows Video Editor may be removed altogether in the near future, we recommend saving all of your video projects to your desktop, just in case.

Key Features:

• Customizable titles and credits
• Drawing tool for adding hand-drawn annotations or illustrations to videos
• Fade-in and fade-out effects for video and audio.

Compatibility: Windows

TechRadar Rating: 2/5

Beginner-Friendly Tools: 3/5

Price: Free

What is the Best Easy-to-Use Video Editing Software for Beginners?

PowerDirector is the best video editing software for beginners because it offers easy-to-use features like an express project template and direct uploading to social media. PowerDirector has a large selection of titles, transitions, effects, and more that you can easily drag and drop into place. In addition, the software offers tons of templates, guided edits, tutorials, and blogs to support you as you learn video editing.

PowerDirector outshines the other software on our list of best video editing software for beginners regarding advanced editing features. Beginners won't have to abandon their editing software for something more advanced once they outgrow it.

Download PowerDirector today by clicking the link below and learn video editing with the best video editing software for beginners.