Chromebooks are lightweight, affordable laptops that run on Google’s Chrome OS operating system. They are designed primarily for web browsing, document editing, and light tasks - not intensive video editing. However, sometimes, you may need to trim a video clip, add simple effects or transitions, or combine multiple videos.
While Chromebooks aren’t powerhouses for video production, some capable video editors can handle basic editing within the constraints of a Chromebook. This article presents the top 8 free video editors for Chromebooks.
In this article
Part 1. Top 8 Free Video Editors for Chromebooks
The video editors on this list are either freemium apps with a free basic version or free trial versions that allow you to test their full capabilities for a limited time. These are built to run as video editors on Chromebooks. They might either have an App version or be available as a web-based app.
These video editors strike a balance between functionality and simplicity of use. They offer core editing features like trimming, splitting, merging clips, adding titles, transitions, filters, and primary motion effects. At the same time, their interfaces are intuitive and easy to navigate.
Here’s a quick table that compares the eight tools to be presented here:
| App | Key Features | Pros | Cons |
| Invideo | 4000+ video templates; 9M+ premium media; Flexible timeline; AI-powered editing |
Fast customer support; Simple AI features; Great templates |
Browser version not optimized; Difficulty adding multiple sounds |
| Clipchamp | Core editing tools Seen & webcam recording; Green Screen; Auto captions |
Lightweight; Usable free version; Social media integration |
Limited color correction; Hard for beginners |
| Shortcut | Audio filters; Cross-fade transitions; Frame-accurate seeking; 4.8K support |
Simple interface; Free and open-source; Low-spec device compatibility |
Limited features; Not for heavy-duty editing |
| Kapwing | AI-generated video; Customizable captions; Smart cut Resize canvas |
Easy to use; Useful free features; AI subtitles |
Limited export size; Font changes during rendering |
| CapCut | Cutting; Speed adjustments; Reversals; 4K video repair |
Runs well on Chromebooks; Easy Learning Curve: Cloud services |
Not enough for professional editing; Many paywalls in the free version |
| Flixier | Real-time collaboration; Stock media libraries; Fast cloud rendering |
Web-based; Fast server response |
Basic editing complex; Limited storage and export time |
| Kinemaster | Multi-layer support; Video effects; Transitions; Real-time preview |
Advanced editing features; Multiple layers; Vast library |
Some features require premium; Limited mobile screen real estate |
| WeVideo | Animated text; Green screen; Motion titles; Screen recording |
Team collaboration; Extensive templates; User-friendly |
Limited editing features for professional settings; The free version has limited features |
Invideo AI
Invideo AI is an online video editor that uses artificial intelligence to make video creation easy. It provides over 4000 pre-made video templates, millions of stock videos/images/music, and customizable features. With its drag-and-drop interface, anyone can quickly assemble professional videos in their web browser.
Key Features
- Thousands of video templates
InVideo AI has up to 4000+ video templates tailored for various industries and purposes. The Customizable templates fit different styles and needs, from marketing videos to social media content.
- Millions of premium media
InVideo provides access to millions of high-quality stock videos, images, and music tracks. What’s more, you can upload and use your media alongside the premium content.
- AI-powered editing
InVideo AI automates editing by generating captions, transitions, effects, and more. It improves video flow and engagement in seconds.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| The InVideo team has responsive customer support via chat and email The automated processes can save time on repetitive tasks The templates cater to a wide range of video types and needs |
The web version can experience slow loading times, especially for large video files The audio editing tools are not as advanced as the other tools on the list |
Rating
In the video, AI enjoys a 4.6/5 rating on the popular review site Capterra.
Clipchamp
Clipchamp is a web-based video editor for Chromebooks designed for fast, simple editing. Its key features include trimming clips, adding text/transitions/filters, and one-click captioning in over 80 languages. Clipchamp is lightweight yet robust, enabling users to easily create polished videos without extensive training.
Key Features
- Core editing tools
Clipchamp has all the essential tools you need for trimming, splitting, merging, and rearranging clips. It also offers basic audio editing, such as volume adjustment and background noise removal.
- Green screen
Clipchamp has Chroma key functionality to replace your backgrounds with custom images or videos. The adjustable green screen effects allow for more professional results. You can also preview them in real time to see the changes you made.
- Auto captions
The one-click captioning offers support for up to 80 languages. The captions are editable as well, adding to their accuracy and customization.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Clipchamp uses low system resources. It provides smooth performance on Chromebooks. The fast-loading times are great for low-spec devices The free version is enough for complete basic editing projects |
Some features have a steep learning curve There’s a distinct lack of tutorials compared to other video editors |
Rating
Clicpchamp has a 4.3/5 rating via Capterra.
Shotcut
Shotcut is a free, open-source video editor packed with editing tools. It supports all major video/audio formats, image types, and 4K resolutions. Despite its advanced capabilities, Shotcut has a clean interface suited for beginners and pros alike. It runs smoothly on Chromebooks.
Key Features
- Audio filters
Shotcut has loads of tools to enhance voice clarity, reduce noise, and balance sound levels. It also provides real time audio monitoring and adjustments.
- Cross-fade transitions
The tool provides smooth transition effects between clips to enhance the audio flow. The drag-and-drop function allows easy application during editing.
- 4.8K support
Shotcut is capable of creating videos up to 8K resolution without significant performance drops. It can efficiently handle large files with ease.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Shotcut has a clean and simple interface for quick and intuitive editing The tool is completely free without any hidden costs The lightweight footprint won’t strain your system resources |
The tool only offers basic animation and motion graphics capabilities It’s not as suitable for complex projects compared to other video editors |
Rating
Shotcut holds a 4.4/5 rating via Capterra.
Kapwing
Kapwing is an online platform for teams to edit videos collaboratively. Thus, it serves as a video editor for Chromebooks. Its AI tools can automatically generate subtitles, remove backgrounds, clean audio, and more. The Kapwing Chromebook app provides a user-friendly way to quickly create multi-language videos with AI’s editing powers.
Key Features
- AI-generated video
Kapwing is equipped with automated editing and subtitle generation. It also offers background removal and audio enhancement for streamlined editing.
- Customizable captions
You can customize the subtitle font, color, size, and positioning. It also supports many languages and styles to suit your preferences.
- Smart Cut
Kapwing uses advanced algorithms to trim unwanted parts of your video. It can detect silences and segments you can cut out automatically. It also has an easy-to-use interface for manual adjustments.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| The intuitive drag-and-drop interface is suitable for beginners and professionals The interface is clean and offers helpful tips when needed The simple editing process speeds up your workflow |
There are restrictions to the size and duration of exported videos for free users You need to upgrade to the paid plans for larger exports |
Rating
kapwing enjoys a 4.6/5 rating on the popular review site Capterra.
CapCut
CapCut is a free video editing app for quick edits on mobile devices or Chromebooks. Its key features include trimming clips, adjusting speed, adding music/stickers/text overlays, and essential video repair tools. CapCut provides an easy way to enhance smartphone videos into more polished content without advanced editing skills.
Key Features
- Cutting and speed adjustments
CapCut offers precise tools for trimming and splitting videos. It also allows frame-by-frame editing for detailed adjustments.
- Reversals
You can reverse video clips for creative effects. The reversals have smooth rendering without artifacts and use single-click applications.
- 4K video repair
The tool allows high-resolution exports and makes color correction, noise reduction, and sharpening.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| CapCut is optimized for Chromebooks with quick startup and load times The interface is user-friendly, with helpful tutorials for beginners Its integration with cloud services allows for easy access and sharing |
It has limited support for multi-layered editing The essential features are locked behind a paywall, needing a subscription |
Rating
CapCut has a 4.0/5 rating based on 36 reviews via the review site Product Hunt.
Flixier
Flixier is a web-based video editor that requires no installation or accounts. It has an intuitive timeline for basic editing, like adding transitions, text, images, and effects. Flixier provides users access to over 2 million free stock videos/images/music, which they can easily incorporate into their projects through cloud rendering.
Key Features
- Real-time collaboration
Flixier allows many users to work on the same project simultaneously. It has commenting and feedback tools for team collaboration.
- Stock media libraries
It offers access to millions of free stock videos, images, and music. The high-quality content from many popular sources allows you to integrate the perfect media for your projects.
- Fast cloud rendering
The tool can handle large files and complex projects with ease. The quick rendering times make it ideal for low and high-spec devices.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Flixier is web-based and doesn’t need installations. You can run it directly on your browser. It has quick loading times and real-time editing capabilities The extensive collection of stock media enhances your video production to keep content fresh |
It has limited tutorials for new users The limited storage and export time may not be ideal for complex projects |
Rating
Flixier has a 4.8/5 rating via Capterra.
KineMaster
KineMaster brings powerful multi-layer video editing capabilities to Chromebooks. Users can cut, splice, crop footage, and enhance it with text, effects, images, and audio elements like voiceovers. Its intuitive tools make KineMaster ideal for crafting engaging videos for social media platforms right on a Chromebook.
Key Features
- Real-time preview
KineMaster offers instant previews without rendering delays. You can see immediate feedback on changes you make to your videos.
- Video Effects
The many visual effects available fit different styles and needs. Enhance your videos using filters, transitions, and animations as needed.
- Multi-layer support
You can add many layers of video, text, images, and effects. The support for complex videos and projects allows for more creative ideas.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| The comprehensive set of tools gives you a high level of control over every aspect of your video. The large collection of effects offers advanced animations and transitions |
Some advanced tools are locked behind a subscription plan The interface may feel cramped if you’re editing on a mobile |
Rating
KineMaster has a 4.6/5 review via the review site Capterra.
WeVideo
WeVideo is a cloud-based collaborative video editor well-suited for teams and classrooms. It provides animated titles, green screens, screen recording, and easy access to large media libraries. WeVideo’s brand kit integration and real-time collaboration enable streamlined, professional video creation across devices.
Key Features
- Animated text
WeVideo offers tools for creating animated titles and text overlays with various customization options. The present animations and transitions give your videos a professional look.
- Green screen
The platform supports custom backgrounds and scenes. Achieve a green screen effect by taking advantage of its Chroma keying functionality.
- Motion titles
The dynamic text animations add flair to your videos. There are a variety of styles and effects to choose from, which is a plus.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| There’s a wide range of templates you can use for different video types and purposes. The interface is intuitive and beginner-friendly There are helpful tutorials to simplify your editing |
Many features are restricted in the free version of the tool There are watermarks on exported videos if you’re using the free plan |
Rating
WeVideo enjoys a 4.7/5 rating via Capterra.
Part 2. Bonus: A Great Video Editor for Mac and Windows
While the video editors for Chromebooks are listed above, their capabilities may still be limited by the hardware constraints of these lightweight laptops. Suppose you have access to a capable Mac or Windows PC with more processing power or need to edit videos shot on iPhones or Android smartphones. In that case, it’s recommended to edit on those devices instead of a Chromebook.
This allows you to take full advantage of advanced video editing tools without being held back by the modest specifications of Chromebooks. For comprehensive video editing needs on Mac, Windows, iOS, or Android, consider using Wondershare Filmora - a user-friendly yet powerful video editor.
Wondershare Filmora: Overview and Key Features
Filmora is an intuitive video editing software with various creative tools and effects. Despite its impressive feature set, it maintains an easy-to-use interface suitable for beginners and seasoned editors.
- Multicam editing. Easily sync and edit footage from multiple camera angles for professional-grade multicam productions.
- Advanced color correction. Precisely adjust color parameters like temperature, tint, brightness, saturation, and more to achieve your desired look.
- Motion tracking. Track objects or areas in your footage and apply effects, text, or other elements that dynamically follow the motion path.
- Chroma key/green screen. Remove green/blue backgrounds and composite your clips over new backdrops with Filmora’s chroma-keying tools.
- Hundreds of effects and overlays. Access a vast library of filters, transitions, animated titles, motion graphics, and overlay effects to stylize your videos.
- Audio editing. Detach audio from clips, adjust levels, remove background noise, add audio effects, and record voiceovers/narration directly in the editor.
- Screen recording. Filmora also now supports built-in screen recording. Create professional how-to videos or presentations with the click of a button and edit them directly in the app.
Filmora provides the editing horsepower tailored for both Mac and Windows systems. Its intuitive workflows and extensive tools make it an excellent choice for taking your video projects to the next level when a Chromebook’s capabilities are too limiting.
Part 3. How To Choose the Right Chromebook Editor
With the variety of video editing options available for Chromebooks, it can be challenging to determine which one best suits your needs. To help you make an informed decision, here are some critical criteria to consider when selecting a video editor for your Chromebook.
- Lightweight. Since Chromebooks have limited hardware resources, choosing a video editor that doesn’t strain the system and cause performance issues is crucial. Opt for editors optimized explicitly for Chrome OS.
- App version or web-based. For the best user experience, prioritize video editors that offer a dedicated Chromebook app or are web-based, eliminating the need for installation or resource worries.
- Ease of use. A user-friendly interface is essential, especially if you’re new to video editing. Look for editors with intuitive timelines, straightforward tools, and a shallow learning curve.
- Exporting options. Consider the exporting capabilities, such as supported file formats, resolution options, and the ability to share directly to popular platforms like YouTube or social media.
- Cloud storage integration. Editors that seamlessly integrate with cloud storage services like Google Drive can streamline your workflow, allowing you to access projects from anywhere.
While the free Chromebook video editors mentioned earlier excel in various areas, Wondershare Filmora, a paid software for Mac and Windows, ticks all the boxes. Its intuitive interface, comprehensive features, and optimized performance make it an excellent choice for more demanding video editing tasks when you have access to a capable computer.
Easy-to-use Screen Recording Tool for Everyone
Conclusion
The article offered several capable video editors for Chromebooks, perfect for basic editing on the go. Free options like InVideo AI, Clipchamp, and Kapwing provide simple tools to trim, add text/transitions, and create polished videos. For more intensive needs, Wondershare Filmora is an excellent video editor for Mac and Windows.
Whether a quick social media video or a professional project, there’s an editor suited for every level. Use the Chromebook editors for convenience, but upgrade to Filmora on a Mac or Windows for more editing prowess.
