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7 Best Free MP4 Editors for Windows and Mac in 2022
MP4 is the most common video file type, and a great way to store large files in a compact, user-friendly way. MP4 files are the best choice for streaming or online video formatting - they sustain a clear, sharp image even after being highly compressed. If you are a content creator, chances are you use MP4 files every day.
But did you know that not all editing software programs support MP4 video editing?
To help you through the search process, we’ve curated a list of the seven best MP4 video editors. We’ve also created a how-to guide to help you perform a range of actions with MP4 files, including how to edit and export MP4 files.
Continue reading to learn more about the best MP4 video editors on the market.
- Top 3 Free MP4 Editors for Windows and Mac Snapshot
- What is an MP4?
- 7 Best Free MP4 Editors for Windows and Mac in 2022
- PowerDirector - Best Overall
- iMovie - Best Mac Editor for Beginners
- Windows Video Editor - Best Windows Editor for Beginners
- Adobe Premiere Pro - Best for Professionals
- Final Cut Pro - Best Mac Editor for Professionals
- OpenShot - Best Open-Source Editor
- VSDC Free Video Editor - Best for Social Media
- Best MP4 Editors Comparison Chart
- How to Edit MP4 Videos
- Download the Best Free MP4 Editor for Windows and Mac
- MP4 Editor FAQs
Top 3 Free MP4 Editors for Windows and Mac Snapshot
1. PowerDirector - Best Overall
PowerDirector is the best overall MP4 editor on our list. Perform quick, basic edits or apply advanced special effects to your MP4s, all in a beginner-friendly package and free download. More Info >
2. iMovie - Best Mac Editor for Beginners
iMovie comes free and pre-installed on all Mac computers, making it an easy and accessible choice for an MP4 video editor. Quickly turn your MP4s into movies with pre-made templates and the new Magic Movie mode. More Info >
3. Windows Video Editor - Best Windows Editor for Beginners
Windows Video Editor is an MP4 editor on Windows devices. It provides a quick and easy way for Windows users to edit their MP4 files into great content. More Info >
What is an MP4?
A MPEG-4, or MP4 is one of the most common formats that people use to store video and audio files. An MP4 is a file with the .mp4 file extension on the end and is a compressed version of a larger, high-quality video file. It is one of the most popular formats for downloading and streaming videos.
7 Best Free MP4 Editors for Windows and Mac in 2022
1. PowerDirector - Best Overall
Compatibility: Windows, Mac
Overall Rating: 10/10
Beginner-Friendly Editing Tools: 10/10
Key Features:
- Built-in 8,000,000+ stock libraries provided by Shutterstock and iStock by Getty Images
- Chroma Key
- Video collage and multicam designers
- Video effects like glitch, film, and pop art
If you’re on the hunt for a user-friendly, affordable MP4 editor with professional-level tools and filters, PowerDirector is your best bet. PowerDirector is a video editing program that provides a vast array of features to help you cut, edit, and convert MP4 videos like a pro.
If you need to perform a quick edit, you’ll love PowerDirector’s easy-to-use MP4 editing tools that allow you to trim, join, crop, pan, zoom, convert, and more in just a few seconds. PowerDirector also includes an extensive selection of titles and transitions, motion graphics, stickers, and video templates that you can easily add to your videos. Take your editing a step further with PowerDirector’s artificial intelligence tools, including sky replacement and object detection.
PowerDirector is the best MP4 video editor because it offers pro tools while remaining beginner-friendly. It supports MP4 files without diminishing the quality and allows you to export and upload directly to your favorite social media platforms.
Overall, PowerDirector is the best MP4 editor on the market. Download it for free below today.
2. iMovie - Best Mac Editor for Beginners
Compatibility: Mac
Overall Rating: 9/10
Beginner-Friendly Editing Tools: 8/10
Key Features:
- 13 Fun video filters
- Split-screen and picture-in-picture
- 100 smart soundtracks adjust to video length
- Customizable titles
iMovie is the free, built-in MP4 video editor that comes with all Apple desktop and laptop devices. This program allows you to perform base-level edits on MP4 files and features a clean, user-friendly interface that even the newest editors can easily navigate.
While iMovie doesn’t include many advanced editing features, you can add transitions, easily trim clips, add subtitles to your footage, record voice-overs, and even stabilize shaky video footage. iMovie also comes with Cinematic Mode, allowing you to adjust the depth-of-field in your footage, and add or delete focus points.
If you already have a Mac device and just want to perform a few quick edits, iMovie is one of your best free MP4 video editors. However, you may want to look further if you need more advanced tools to make your YouTube or home videos look professional.
3. Windows Video Editor - Best Windows Editor for Beginners
Compatibility: Windows
Overall Rating: 8/10
Beginner-Friendly Editing Tools: 8/10
Key Features:
- Customizable titles and credits
- Auto movie options
- Transition overlays
- Fade effects
Windows Video Editor (formerly Windows Movie Maker) is the Windows equivalent of iMovie and comes built-in on Windows 10 and up.
This MP4 video editor focuses on easy-to-use creative tools for video creation and editing. Use music, text, motion, and 3D effects to tell your story. Video Editor has basic track editing tools, such as trimming, adjusting audio, and splitting clips. It also offers a good collection of filters and themes to apply to your MP4s. You can then export your video in an MP4 format to maintain the benefits of this file type and easily share on social media.
Windows’ original video editor, Movie Maker, did not live up to expectations and was discontinued. Video Editor has been somewhat hidden inside Windows photo app, and most people don’t even realize it’s there. It is not very robust, but does offer a quick, free, and easy way to manipulate MP4 files.
4. Adobe Premiere Pro - Best for Professionals
Compatibility: Windows, Mac
Overall Rating: 7/10
Beginner-Friendly Editing Tools: 9/10
Key Features:
- Animated titles and graphics
- Drag-and-drop templates
- Keyframes
- Multicam editing
Adobe Premiere Pro is an advanced editing program that supports various file types, including MP4. This professional-level MP4 editor lets you convert, edit, trim, and export MP4 files through its lightning-fast interface.
Premiere Pro includes numerous advanced editing features such as VR editing, motion graphics templates, neural filters, and chroma key. Use Premiere Pro’s all-in-one color adjustment tools to color match any scene or create a unique look. There are also extensive AI-driven audio tools like auto-ducking and auto-match, which will automatically equalize your sound mix.
While Adobe Premiere Pro is one of the pricier MP4 editors and has a steep learning curve for beginners, it will be worth the cost and effort if you do a lot of advanced, pro-level MP4 editing.
5. Final Cut Pro - Best Mac Editor for Professionals
Compatibility: Mac
Overall Rating: 7/10
Beginner-Friendly Editing Tools: 8/10
Key Features:
- Customizable 2D and 3D titles
- Multicam editing
- Magnetic timeline
- Media organizational tools
Final Cut Pro is Apple’s advanced editing software. Unlike iMovie, Final Cut Pro is not free, but it does contain more professional-level video editing tools. This program supports MP4 editing, converting, and exporting with a clean, intuitive interface.
The software includes a range of impressive editing features, such as 360-degree editing, AI object tracking, and cinematic editing modes. Create, edit, and deliver closed captions, and sync video and separate audio instantly with audio waveform matching. Final Cut Pro also employs Smart Conform to fix the orientation and aspect ratio of your files.
Final Cut Pro is an MP4 video editor ideal for intermediate to advanced editors because of its learning curve and high price tag.
6. OpenShot - Best Open-Source Editor
Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Linux
Overall Rating: 6/10
Beginner-Friendly Editing Tools: 7/10
Key Features:
- Curve-based keyframe animations
- Unlimited tracks and layers
- 3D animations
- Time-mapping
OpenShot is a free, cross-platform, open-source MP4 video editor. OpenShot uses integration with the user’s desktop to easily drag and drop MP4 files onto the interface. OpenShot has all you need for basic MP4 video editing, including resizing, scaling, trimming, snapping, rotation, and cutting.
There are over 400 transitions that are easily adjustable with keyframes, and 40 adjustable vector title templates. Turn any text and graphics into animated 3D effects and make them fade, slice, bounce, and more. This MP4 editor also has digital video effects like chroma key to change backgrounds and remove objects.
OpenShot is a quick and easy MP4 editor with a sleek and customizable interface. OpenShot is good for beginners but lacks features more advanced MP4 editors will want.
7. VSDC Free Video Editor - Best for Social Media
Compatibility: Windows
Overall Rating: 6/10
Beginner-Friendly Editing Tools: 6/10
Key Features:
- Powerful Chroma Key tool
- 360-degree editing
- Built-in video capturing
- Color correction
VSDC Free Video Editor is a multimedia freeware tool for editing video, improving audio, screen recording, and more. It supports MP4s and all popular video and audio formats.
This lightweight MP4 editor has the lowest system requirements possible and even works on old and outdated PCs. VSDC Free Video Editor has a large selection of trendy filters, transitions, and effects, perfect for social media. VSDC allows for editing of multiple layers, as well as split-screen and picture-in-picture effects.
If VSDC Free Video Editor lacks the tools you need, you can update to the Pro version. However, even the Pro version is missing some features like multicam editing and a background music library.
VSDC has a cluttered interface and clunky workflow, so although this software is for beginners, it can be very difficult to find the tools you need for quick edits.
Best MP4 Editors Comparison Chart
| Software | PowerDirector 365 | iMovie | Windows Video Editor | Adobe Premiere Pro | Final Cut Pro | OpenShot | VSDC Free Video Editor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows, Mac | Mac | Windows | Windows, Mac | Mac | Windows, Mac,Linux | Windows |
| Cost | Free Version available; $5.83 per month | Pre-installed on Mac devices | Pre-installed on Windows devices | Free trial; $31.49 per month | Free trial; $299 | Free | Free |
| Beginner-Friendly | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Titles & Templates | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Advanced Features | Yes | Some | No | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| AI Tools | Sky replacement, object segmentation, speech enhancement, wind removal | None | None | Yes | Object tracker, auto-crop for social media, Simon Says extension | None | None |
| Built-In Stock Library | 8,000,000+ royalty-free videos, photos, and music tracks | Music and sound effect library | No | At an extra cost | At an extra cost | No | No |
| Free Download | Download | Download | Download | Download | Download | Download |
PowerDirector 365
vs
OS
Windows, Mac
-
Cost
Free Version available; $5.83 per month
-
Beginner-Friendly
Yes
-
Titles & Templates
Yes
-
Advanced Features
Yes
-
AI Tools
Sky replacement, object segmentation, speech enhancement, wind removal
-
Built-In Stock Library
8,000,000+ royalty-free videos, photos, and music tracks
-
How to Edit MP4 Videos
Here is a step-by-step guide for using the best overall MP4 editor, PowerDirector, to cut MP4 videos on Windows and Mac computers. Download it for free below and follow along:
- Import your footage into the PowerDirector Media Library, then drag your clips to the Timeline.
- Use the Spacebar to start and stop playing your clips. When you get to the location where you would like to make a cut, click the Split button above the timeline.
- Click the trimmed video clip you would like to remove, press Delete and select the removal option you want to use.
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to join MP4 Video clips on Mac and Windows:
- Import the clips you want to merge into the PowerDirector Media Library, then drag your clips to the Timeline.
- Click, hold, and drag clips to rearrange them in the timeline.
Placing multiple clips in the same PowerDirector timeline will automatically join them into a seamless video once you export your project.
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to export your edited footage in the MP4 file format. This will preserve its quality and small file size:
- Click Produce at the top of the page to begin saving your video project.
- Specify the file type. You can customize other settings on this page as well.
- Click Start at the bottom of the screen to begin exporting.
For more information on merging clips with PowerDirector, click here.
Download the Best Free MP4 Editor for Windows and Mac
Using the best MP4 editor, you can easily learn how to edit MP4 footage and create professional-level videos. We recommend PowerDirector as the top MP4 video editor because of its support for most file types, user-friendliness, vast selection of features, built-in stock libraries, and overall comprehensive editing suite of tools.
PowerDirector successfully bridges the gap between amateur and professional video editing. Even beginners can easily turn their MP4s into works of art with advanced tools like masks, motion controls, compositing effects, frame-by-frame motion tracking, and chroma key.
Download the best MP4 editor for free today and see why PC Mag reviewed as PowerDirector the Best Editing Software of 2022.
MP4 Editor FAQs
1. What are the Best Free MP4 Editors for Androids and iPhones in 2022?
- PowerDirector App
- iMovie
- Splice
- Quik
- Kinemaster
For more information on the above apps, check out Best Free Video Editing Apps on iPhone and Android in 2022.
2. How Do I Trim MP4 Videos to Be Shorter?
You can trim your MP4 videos once you import them into PowerDirector.
One way to trim videos is to drag the edges of your video clip in the timeline to cut off the beginning or end of the clip.
You can also move the timeline playhead to the location you would like to cut and then click Split above the timeline.
3. How Do I Convert YouTube Videos Into MP4?
You can use several online programs to download YouTube videos in MP4 format. Typically, these programs are easy to use - you just paste the YouTube video link and specify the file type you would like to convert it to. Then click “Convert,” and the program will deliver you an MP4 file of the YouTube video.
4. How Do I Add Music to MP4 Video?
PowerDirector makes it easy to add music and sound effects to your MP4 video project. You can either import your own audio files or choose from PowerDirector’s stock background tracks and music options.
Once you find the audio source you would like to use, just drag the file to the timeline. You can then adjust the length and position of the audio in relation to your video footage. The audio will play over your video footage wherever the two media types overlap.
5. How Do I Add Text to MP4 Video?
You can easily add text and titles to your MP4 video clips using PowerDirector.
Here’s how to add text:
- Import your video footage into PowerDirector and drag it to your timeline.
- Open the Title Room which is the “T” icon on the left side.
- Choose a title preset and drag it to the timeline.
- Double click on the text in the timeline to open Title Designer.
- Within Title Designer you can edit your text. Click OK when you have made your changes.
Continue this process to add text throughout your video. You can change the duration of each title by dragging the beginning or end of the clip.
6. What Features Should I Look For in an MP4 Video Editor?
The best MP4 video editor includes a wide range of professional and advanced features to suit all your editing needs. These high-quality programs also allow you to convert and export videos in various file types.
- Trim, join, and slice tools
- Text and titles
- Transitions and video effects
- Motion graphics
- Video stickers
- Color correction tools
- Audio tools
- Video templates
- AI editing tools
- Royalty-free stock libraries
If you are looking for an MP4 video editor that ticks all these boxes, we recommend PowerDirector.
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