Top Free Video Editing Software: Enhance Your Content with These Essential Tools

Today video content creators are more common than it ever was. The video editor tools are also more common software on the Internet and it’s also now very easy to pick one for free and utilize it for your purpose. All it needs is a little research and bingo you will get one.

So, why don’t we help you with our research to let you explore all those top 22 free video editing software tools available on different platforms such as Android, Windows, and Mac? In this article, we have got you all covered by letting you know of each of the software that you can use for editing video.

Part 1: Things to Consider When to Choose a Free Video Editor

Before opting for a free video editing software there are many important things, we mostly miss that we should have known. But you don’t have to worry about it anymore let’s begin:

What are you planning to use it for?: You must know the use of video editing software before picking one. Whether you are using it for gaming or creating ordinary YouTube videos. These decisions are very important to take before opting for downloading it from the internet.

Learning curve: You should keep in mind which editing software is complex to learn and which one is easy in comparison with that. If you didn’t keep this in mind you might end up wasting your time by downloading and trying in vain.

Quality: Another important factor to consider in video editing software is the quality and format of the video. There are many formats and quality of video content, therefore it is important to choose the one which supports your video format.

Resources: Depending upon the requirements of the editing on your video, you should choose a video editor that should have all the video effects, music tracks, and other resources that you might need to apply to your video. Be careful not to select one with few resources.

Compatability: The most important point is whether your PC, Mac, or Android platform can run the video editor you have heard the name from your friend. Consult the internet for compatibility of the software by checking its minimum specification requirement on its manual or docs.

Part 2: Free Video Editor for PC and Mac

1. Active Presenter – Free video editor for eLearning purposes

Best for: Teachers and students for delivering and recording class lectures.

User rating: 4.5/5.0

System compatibility: Windows 7/ Windows 8/8.1, Windows 10, Windows 11 (only 64-bit (x64) is supported), macOS 10.12, macOS 10.13, macOS 10.14, macOS 10.15, macOS 11 (only 64-bit Intel CPU is supported)

Active Presenter is multi-functional software that edits your video as well as record it. It is equipped with a variety of tools that record screens, edit screencasts videos, and create interactive content in Html5.

Moreover, the all-in-one feature lets you record your PC screen along with audio input. You can also edit your video and voice. The app also provides eLearning authority software guides, games, and simulations.

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2. Blender – 3D computer graphics software for videos

Best for: Graphics Designers, Photographers, and UI/UX Designers.

User rating: 4.5/5.0

System compatibility: Windows 8.1, 10, and 11, MacOS 10.13 Intel · 11.0 Apple Silicon, Linux

Blender is an amazing 3d creation platform that is open source. The software supports modeling, 3D pipelining, rigging, animation, rendering, video editing, motion tracking, game creation, and composing.

If you are a designer of 3d graphics then this software is best suitable for you. You can also edit your videos with this software for free since it is open source. Blender 3d is a good package for all types of graphics-related activities on computers.

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3. OpenShot – a free and open-source video editor for beginners

Best for: Small Business Owners and Freelancers.

User rating: 4.4/5.0

System compatibility: Linux (most distributions are supported), Windows (version 7, 8, and 10+), OS X (version 10.15+)

OpenShot is a cross-platform video editor that trims and slices videos for you. It has an animation framework of a fade, slide, and animate anything in your project. The software has an unlimited number of tracks you can use.

Moreover, the application has video effects, audio waveforms, a title editor, slow motion, and time effects. In short, it is a wonderful package for those who are interested in their videos in animated form like small business owners and freelancers, etc.

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4. Lightworks – free and easy to use a pro video editing tool

Best for: Small business owners, actors, and marketers.

User rating: 3.5/5.0

System compatibility: Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows 10, Mac OS X 10.11 or higher, Linux , Ubuntu / Lubuntu / Xubuntu 20.04 or higher

Lightworks is an editing system for video edits and mastering. It is one of the oldest software developed for early computer-based non-linear editing systems. After 2010, it is also available as an open source however the source code has never been released.

Lightworks has a million users around the world since it is the oldest software. This large number of users is only due to its wide acceptance overall platform’s windows, Linux, and Mac. If you are an actor, content creator, or marketeer then this software is for you.

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5. VSDC Free Video Editor – best multimedia suite for video and audio editing

Best for: Business owners, mid-marketeers, and YouTubers.

User rating: 4.0/5.0

System compatibility: Windows XP/SP3/Vista/7/8/10

VSDC is a free non-linear editing tool that can edit your videos in ultra-high definitions. It is developed by Flash-Intergro LLC. VSDC is capable of many other features that video content creators usually need such as motion tracking, liver color correction, and post-production effects.

This product is available in 13 languages which makes it an easy choice for everyone around the world. It is initially released in 2011 and has a stable release in December 2021.

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6. Shotcut – Free video editor with high-resolution

Best for: Graphic designers, business owners, and IT marketers.

User rating: 4.2/5.0

System compatibility: Operating system: 64-bit Windows 7 – 11, Apple macOS 10.14 - 12, 64-bit Linux with at least glibc 2.27.

Shotcut is one of the free and open-source video editing platforms that is also a cross-platform editing tool. It is available on all the operating system platforms out there. Due to this, it is widely known on the internet for video editing. This editor was first developed by Dan Dennedy and based on MLT multimedia Framework.

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7. Hitfilm Express – The best choice for students and projects

Best for: Gamers, Youtubers, Small business owners, entrepreneurs, and graphic designers.

User rating: 4.4/5.0

System compatibility: Apple: macOS 11.0 Big Sur, macOS 10.15 Catalina or macOS 10.14 Mojave, Windows: Microsoft Windows 10 (64-bit)

Hitfilm Express is a free and open-source amazing video editing software with professional grading VF-X tools and many awesome contents such as gaming and films. This video editor is perfect for all beginners, who have just started the editing.

Hitfilm Express is a product from the Fxhome company. Its tools are industry rated and the interface is known for its user-friendly feature. The largest VFX toolkit of Hitfilm consists of more powerful libraries and is all available for free at your service.

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8. Microsoft Video Editor 2020 – Low learning curve editor for everyone

Best for: Photographers, Freelancers, and Youtubers.

User rating: 4.0/5.0

System compatibility: Microsoft Windows 98 or later or Windows NT® 4.0 or later

The Microsoft movie maker or video editor is one of the best video editors with which you can create amazing movie clips of your pictures. You can create many slideshow pictures and play music behind them.

Microsoft video editor comes with various stickers, trimming, merging, multiple trimming and filters, etc. The application is available on the Microsoft store to download. If you want something authentic n your windows then this app is for you.

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9. Avidemux – video editor designed for simple cutting and encoding

Best for: Digital Marketers, web designers, and business owners.

User rating: 4.4/5.0

System compatibility: Windows OS: 98 SE, XP, 2000, Vista, 7, 8, ME, macOS X, and Linux.

Avidemux is open-source software for video editing such as simple cutting, filtering, and encoding of videos into many formats. The application let you convert to many videos encoding formats like the popular ones MPEG and ASF etc.

Moreover, Avidemux does not provide editing through basic tools only but its automated task capability through queue and power scripts lets you do anything with your video. The application works on most platforms.

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10. iMovie – a most well-known video editor for macOS users

Best for: Apple device users, Marketers, developers, and teachers.

User rating: 4.3/5.0

System compatibility: Microsoft Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10, or Windows 11, All macOS

Imoview is a read-made installed software by Apple Inc on their systems. It primarily came in macOS, iOS, and iPadOS devices. Its original release came in 1999 as MAC OS 8 bundled application.

At the start, it was given free by buying a new macOS or ios device but later, in 2013 it has been issued for free to all its users. The application is known for its editing of any type and resolution of videos.

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12. Screenrec

Best for: best premium screen recorder for beginners

User rating: 4.5/5.0

System compatibility: Windows 10/8/7/XP and Linux

Screenrec is a premium screen recorder with a very intuitive user interface that makes it suitable for beginners. You can start and stop recording your screen with a single click. You can also record your webcam and audio from your system as well as external microphone. The software is perfect for taking screenshots and adding annotations wherever required.

The software generates a sharable link so that you can share it anywhere you want instantly. Once the link is shared, you can check its analytics. The video content management system is quite robust and the video content is fully encrypted for security and privacy.

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Part 5: Online Screen Recorders

If you do not want to install any dedicated screen recording software on your computer, you have online screen recorders to record the screen on the go. There is no software to install as you can launch the online screen recorders instantly from your web browsers. Here are the best online screen recorders for you.

1. Screencastify

Best for: best online screen recorder for those who want a browser extension.

User rating: 4.4/5.0

System compatibility: Windows, Mac and Chromebook

Screencastify comes in the form of a Chrome browser extension and hence, only Chrome users can use them. You can record your screen, your webcam video individually as well as together. The recording widget has options for real-time drawing while recording the video. Additionally, you can add stickers to enhance the video content.

After recording, you can upload the video on Google Drive, and you can share the video link instantly with anyone. The video editor offers you basic video editing options. You can even highlight mouse cursor. As far as saving the recorded video goes, you can export in MP4, MP3 as well as GIF file formats.

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2. Screencast-o-Matic

Best for: best online screen recorder for everyone

User rating: 4.7/5.0

System compatibility: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android and Chromebook.

Screencast-o-Matic is the best online screen recorder in terms of features and customization. All the features are well-balanced so that everyone can use it to satisfy their requirements. You can choose screen, webcam or both for recording. You can set a maximum time so that the recording can stop automatically.

You can choose the video resolution and you can choose audio sources. You can also capture screenshots and customize the recording area. If you opt for its premium plan, you get a vast stock library to enhance your video content. In fact, you can add animations, effects, add voiceover, background audio and automated caption.

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3. Loom Online Screen Recorder

Best for: best online screen recorder for teams and collaborative works.

User rating: 4.1/5.0

System compatibility: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android and Chromebook.

Loom comes with an online screen recorder along with a Chrome extension as well as desktop app. With the online screen recorder, you can record screen only, camera only as well as screen and camera together. You can choose actual webcam as well as virtual webcam and you can select an external mic for audio recording.

The online screen recorder comes with a recording countdown and you can save your videos on the workspace that Loom provides. You can select the entire screen, the browser tab or the application window. You can instantly share the recorded video with people through emails, social media platforms and much more.

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4. Screencapture.com

Best for: best online screen recorder for amateurs

User rating: 4.2/5.0

System compatibility: Windows, Mac, and Chromebook.

Screencapture.com is a freemium online screen recorder as it attaches a watermark to the recorded video in free mode. You can record your screen as well as your webcam and select the audio source as per your requirements.  The recording is limited to HD resolution. You can capture video in Picture in Picture format.

The platforms emphasize downloading its desktop recorder where more features are available. You get the option to select the recording screen such as entire screen, browser or application window. After recording the video, you can instantly check its preview before saving or discarding. You can save the video in different file formats.

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5. Panopto

Best for: bests online screen recorder for teachers and students

User rating: 4.7/5.0

System compatibility: Windows, Mac, and Chromebook.

Panopto offers you a platform where you can record any video and save them on Panopto or Classroom. Therefore, it is an ideal platform for teachers and students and lecture delivery. You can even upload the recorded video on YouTube directly. You can even save the video on your local drive.

You can record any part of your screen in full HD resolution and the online recorder allows you to record webcam as well. You can also record system and external audio. The best part is that you can choose the video layout such as tile or PiP mode. Besides, you can blue the background while recording.

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6. Apowersoft Online Screen Recorder

Best for: best online screen recorder for recording demonstrative videos.

User rating: 4.8/5.0

System compatibility: Windows, Mac, and Chromebook

Apowersoft online recorder is one of the most popular and comprehensive screen recorders. You have to install its web installer on your computer for its online recorder to operate. You can record any region on your screen with the recorder. You have the option to save the recording on your local drive as well as on RecCloud. Besides, you can upload the video directly on YouTube.

The record supports different types of video output formats and you can record anything starting from live calls and video streams to demonstration videos. In fact, you can record even your webcam video along with external audio. There are also options for annotation while recording for better explanation.

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Part 6: Screen Recorder for Mobile

If you want to record your mobile phone's screen, you need to install a screen recorder app. Here is the list of the best screen video recorders for mobile users.

1. AZ screen recorder

Support OS: Android

Rating: 4.5/5.0

Download Link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.hecorat.screenrecorder.free&hl=en_IN&gl=US

AZ screen recorder is a complete screen recorder from all perspectives. The app lets you record your screen, edit your video, go for livestream as well as take screenshots. You can record at full HD resolution and change resolution, frame rate and bitrate as required. The app can record internal sound as well as external sound through phone microphone.

You can also record your video through facecam in the overlay window. The app also comes with all the options for basic editing. You can even livestream your screen video on different video streaming platforms. Moreover, you can make GIFs from videos as well as take screenshots. The app is completely free to use without any watermark.

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2. DU Recorder

Support OS: iOS and Android

Rating: 4.5/5.0

Download Link: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/du-recorder-screen-recorder/id1295647284

DU Recorder is a freemium app that is available for iOS and Android users. The free version attaches a watermark which is why you have to opt for DU Recorder Premium. You can record your screen and livestream your screen activities on YouTube, Twitch, and Facebook. The app can record gameplay, video calls, live shows and anything on the screen.

The recording can be in full HD resolution and you can adjust the video parameters. Besides, you can edit your video such as trimming, cropping, adding music, frames, stickers, texts and much more. Moreover, you can capture facecam video, change video speed, record internal and external audio, and convert video to GIFs. All in all, it is a great screen recorder with video editing and livestreaming features.

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3. XRecorder

Support OS: Android and iOS

Rating: 4.8/5.0

Download Link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=videoeditor.videorecorder.screenrecorder&hl=en_IN&gl=US

XRecorder is a completely free screen recorder with no watermark. You can capture your screen video as well as take screenshots. The screen recorder allows you to select from 240p to 1080p resolution for video recording. The app provides you with a floating widget to record anything on the screen starting from live calls to live shows.

You can even livestream your screen and you can do basic editing on the recorded video. There is no time limit on the recording and hence, it is quite suitable for recording gameplay. You can record internal and external audio as well as record facecam in a small overlay window. Besides, you can add music as well as change video speed as per your requirements.

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4. Mobizen Screen Recorder

Support OS: Android and iOS

Rating: 4.1/5.0

Download Link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.rsupport.mvagent&hl=en_IN&gl=US

Mobizen Screen recorder belongs to the freemium app category as it adds a watermark to the recorded video in its free version. You have to purchase its premium plan to remove the watermark. Coming to its features, the app is a good combination of screen recorder and video editor. You can record your screen easily from its floating widget.

You can also add intro and outro to your recorded video as well as add background music. Besides, you can perform basic video editing. Most importantly, you can capture your screen at 2K resolution. Besides, the app allows recording through the front camera of your phone in an overlay window.

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5. ADV Screen Recorder

Support OS: Android

Rating: 4.4/5.0

Download Link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.blogspot.byterevapps.lollipopscreenrecorder&hl=en_IN&gl=US

ADV screen recorder is a full-fledged app for Android users to record their screen with full customizations. You can record your front and back camera along with the screen. It operates with two different engines where the default engine has all the basic features and the advanced engine has the features for advanced users.

The app also lets you edit your recorded video and you can add texts and banners. Besides, you can draw on the video in real-time as well as trim the video as per your preference. There is also an option to pause the recording at your convenience. You can also customize the video recording parameters as required.

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6. Record it!

Support OS: iOS

Rating: 4.6/5.0

Download Link: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/record-it-screen-recorder/id1245356545

Record it! app is extremely useful in making tutorial videos where you need to record your screen. You can record the entire screen with a single tap. You can record gameplay and app screen along with your reaction through facecam. You can also customize the overlay window by changing its shape and position.

Besides, you can record your audio commentary while recording screen. It comes with video editing options to trim videos, add filters, change speed, rotate videos and much more. You can share your videos directly to YouTube as well as export through email and AirDrop. The user interface is quite intuitive and appealing.

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Part 7: How to Choose the Right Screen Recorder?

Here are the main parameters you need to keep in mind while choosing the best screen recorder for you.

1. Recording options: An ideal screen recorder should have all the different options for recording your screen, webcam, system audio, and external audio from microphone. Besides, it should offer you the option to customize the recording area by selection. You should be able to record full screen, application window, and browser tab accurately.

2. Price: If you are serious about recording your screen video and uploading the recorded video on online platforms, you have to opt for a premium screen recorder. While purchasing a proprietary screen recorder, you need to compare the software price with its peers and ensure that you are getting more features for the price you are paying.

3. Customer support: You need to ensure that the screen recorder you are purchasing, they have a highly responsive customer support. This is a highly neglected factor but users suffer a lot when the customer support team is not responsive. Be sure that you will need to contact the customer support team at some time to learn more about certain features and troubleshoot in emergency situations.

4. Sharing options: When your ultimate goal is to share your recorded video online, you should check for the sharing options available in the screen recorder. There are screen recorders that allow sharing recorded and edited videos on online platforms, cloud storage platforms, and video streaming platforms. It should also offer you options to let you export videos in different file formats.

5. Video editing tools: You have to edit your recorded video to trim out unnecessary parts and add effects and filters to enhance your video content and video quality. Besides, you may need options to add music and voiceover as well as intro and outro. That is why you should opt for a screen recorder where a great video editor is available.

6. Customer Reviews: Last but most importantly, you should check the customer review of the screen recording software. Even when a screen recorder has loads of features, if the customer reviews are not good enough, you should not choose you. Besides, the customer reviews reveal the pros and cons of a screen recorder for your better understanding.

Part 8: Screen Recording Tips and Tricks

1. Practice before recording: Unless you are a pro, you should practice at least once before the actual recording. This will help you to execute your plan according to your script smoothly when you actually start recording. Besides, you can check if the frame, the camera, the mic, and everything else are working perfectly.

2. Only record the required screen: Screen recorders offer you the option to record the entire screen, any specific application window or any specific tab of your browser. In fact, you can even customize the screen recording area as per your requirements for better focus and better visual experience.

3. Keep it short: It is always necessary to keep the length of the video as short as possible without skipping the relevant points and important explanations. That is where a proper script before recording is crucial so that you can have a plan and execute it properly without stretching your explanation unnecessarily.

4. Speak slowly and clearly: The way you speak in the video can attract as well as repel audiences. If you speak too fast and if you have a weird accent, it is going to repel audiences. That is why it is important for you to speak slowly and clearly so that everyone can understand everything you speak and negate your accent to a greater extent.

5. Use screen drawing tools: If you are recording a video where you need to explain something, it is always better if you use screen drawing tools. In fact, it is important that you choose the screen recorder that offers drawing tools so that the video gets visually pleasing and impactful for audiences to understand effectively.

6. Cut out dead moments: When you are recording screen videos, there are going to be a lot of dead moments and boring pauses. You have to cut out those boring and dead moments while editing so that the video stays interesting and the audiences do not lose concentration. This will also help to tighten the length of the video.

7. End with a summary: Last but most importantly, you should offer a proper conclusion before ending the video. You need to summarize everything you have discussed in the video so that the audience can get a revision of all the important points. Besides, a proper ending rather than an abrupt ending can leave a positive impact regarding your video.

Part 9: Frequently Asked Questions

How do I record Windows 10 screen?

You can use Windows Game Bar that comes pre-installed on Windows 10. However, for a better screen recording experience, we recommend Wondershare Filmora where you can edit the recording as well.

Can I screen record on my Mac?

You can use QuickTime that comes pre-installed on Mac. However, for professional screen recording experience, you can use Filmora or Camtasia where you will get more recording  options and tools for editing after recording.

How do I screen record on my iPhone?

You can use DU Recorder app or Record it! app to record your iPhone screen video. Besides, the latest version of iOS comes with an in-built screen recorder option that can record the screen comfortably.

Which quality is best for screen recording?

The best quality for screen recording should be the same resolution as the screen. This means if you have a 4K monitor, the screen recording will be best at 4K resolution. In today's scenario, 1080p or full HD is the optimal quality for screen recording.

What do most YouTubers use to record their screen?

Most YouTubers use Filmora or OBS Studio to record their screen. OBS Studio is mostly used by those who livestream their screen or gameplay. Filmora is mostly used by those who emphasize heavily on editing their recorded screen video for better output.

Does screen record ruin quality?

Your screen record quality can get ruined only when you use a screen recorder that records at a lower resolution due to its inability as well as to reduce file size. When you record your screen with a proprietary screen recorder, it can record the screen at exactly the same resolution as that of your screen. Hence, the video quality and resolution will stay intact.

What do gamers record their screens?

Gamers prefer Bandicam, Camtasia as well as Filmora to record their screens and showcase their gameplay to the world. Bandicam allows recording 2D and 3D games from gaming consoles at 4K resolution.

How do I make my recorded sound clear?

There are some screen recorders such as Filmora that offer you the option to remove background noise so that the recorded audio sound clearer. You can also use a pop filter to record clearer sound.

Part 4: Proprietary Screen Recorders

If you are serious about recording your screen and publishing the video online, you should invest in purchasing a premium screen recorder. A proprietary screen recorder is a video recorder where you have to purchase a premium plan to avail all the features. They offer all the required features for professional screen recording as well as editing the recording video. Here is the list of the best proprietary screen recorders for you.

7. Filmora Recorder

Best for: best screen recorder for all video creators

User rating: 4.8/5.0

System compatibility: Windows 11/10/8/7 and Mac 10.14+

Wondershare Filmora is one of the most popular screen recorders among video creators. You can record screen and webcam simultaneously as well as capture audio from system and external mic. Most importantly, you can record at 4K resolution without any performance lag. Besides, you can highlight mouse clicks and use greenscreen effect and customize background screen.

The main reason why Filmora is a preferred choice for recording video is that it comes with a world-class video editor. Therefore, you can enhance your video quality and content that will make the video stand out. Starting from adding audio and video effects to working with multiple video and audio clips, Filmora is undoubtedly the best screen recorder cum video editor for Windows and Mac users.

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