I remember when I began video editing; it seemed like all these tools came at me at once. The real challenge was knowing which to begin with, and literally, I had to wonder which of the software would be easier to learn yet would present great results. Using trial and error, I found great video editing tools suitable for beginners. Here, in this tutorial, I take you through my choices of the best 10 video editing software that I've used for editing, without a significant loss of quality, to get started right away. It's a good starting point, especially for new users who have no experience and no files under their belt. In addition, it's great for anyone who simply wants to just use a user-friendly editing tool.
PowerDirector:
Among the first tools I used upon starting editing was PowerDirector. It's also one of the easiest tools to get along with you, and as a beginner, it's surprisingly easy to start editing using it, thanks to its clean and intuitive user interface. I most love how it tries to balance simplicity with pro features. From basic to advanced transitions, PowerDirector has everything. Added to that is availability on desktop, and mobile apps-it's quite versatile.
Filmora:
Another great recommendation for beginners is Filmora. Its drag-and-drop interface was pretty intuitive to me, and my speed in editing had a massive boost when I was a beginner. Preset templates, transitions, and music from Filmora remarkably helped in creating professional videos with much less effort. Even it has more advanced features, like green screen editing, that you will definitely find soon.
iMovie:
For the user of Apple, iMovie would be the best one. I loved using it on my Mac, as it was free with the computer, so I started using it right away after setting up the system. The ease with which iMovie has is its strongest point but simultaneously produces a product of the type desired. I was able to work from a short YouTube video up to bigger projects and kept up with the timeline editor pretty well.
Adobe Premiere Rush:
Adobe Premiere Rush shines as that good balance between ease of use and power. The interface feels so familiar, yet at the same time is a nod to Adobe's broader suite of applications, yet still very user-friendly.
It's perfect for a video editor on the go, and going between the mobile and desktop is seamless.
HitFilm Express:
The only thing that appears eye-catching is the name HitFilm Express, which sounds like a serious movie title. Literally what was amazing is how straightforward it was to use. The free editing tool, packed with VFX of this standard, makes your videos pop. For a beginner who just wants to get started simply and then experiment with more complex edits once they find their footing.
OpenShot:
The first time I ever met OpenShot was a little shocking, really because this free, open-source program is almost a piece of cake to work with. It's free and offers a good number of features for beginners. Helpful because it has an easy-to-understand interface and the possibility of layering several video clips and audio tracks. It's very simple but gives you enough tools to keep learning what to do.
Shotcut:
Shotcut is another free, open-source editor I'd recommend to any newcomer. As such, it took me time to get accustomed, but the learning curve is absolutely worthwhile. Really, once I got accustomed to its layout, I could do some really advanced editing without spending money on expensive software. Shotcut supports all sorts of file formats; what really brought life into my videos was its myriad of filters and transitions.
Lightworks:
Well, if I am looking for some next level of skill in editing, it would be Lightworks. It is a professional editor with free installs as well and is good enough for beginners. Its interface looks intimidating at first but is FULL of tutorials to get you up and running quickly. What is most impressive is that I was able to generate quality video, enough to post on YouTube or similar networks, without any need to upgrade at a very high cost.
VSDC Free Video Editor:
After learning enough skills, I needed to move forward, and for this purpose, I used another tool that is VSDC Free Video Editor. It is free and full of features that handle everything, from simple cuts to more advanced effects like color correction and motion tracking. It's much more complex than most of the tools I have listed above but can be very much a great option for the one who would like to get forward on his/her level from really basic editing.
Kdenlive:
Kdenlive. This one is free and open-source, and I would recommend people who are interested in using a bit more powerful free editor. It is an excellent editor for beginners who can start very simply but grow into all the complicated editing features you might need. For me at least, the learning curve wasn't too intense at first, but I ended up really loving the interface and made some pretty cool videos in the end.
Conclusion: Which One Fits the Bill for You?
For someone who is about to start video editing and having a need to choose one, I would say at least it depends upon your desires and the hours you would like to spend learning. If you don't have much time, you can directly start the editing work with iMovie or Filmora. And if you would like to have some sort of fun, to try to take on the challenge and witness some serious-level editing skills being done, you may use HitFilm Express or Lightworks.
Hopefully, this guide has helped you find the best video editing tool to start with. Try them all, see which ones you like best, and which ones fit in the best with your style. Let me know in the comments which one you worked with, or which one you might have questions about to get started!