Top 10 Lightweight Video Editors for Fast & Easy Editing

Do you remember the time when you had to work with a heavy piece of software that was taking up all the storage space on your computer, was giving you laggy performance, or was it taking ages to render your videos on a low-end machine? If yes, then you must be familiar with the frustration of video editing. Large installation sizes and systems with high specifications demand are often the reasons for you being slowed down before you have even started working on your project.

That is the point at which a lightweight video editor is supposed to help you. Such tools are quickly launched, consume minimal RAM and CPU, and allow you to easily make quick fixes of your videos, especially if it is short-form content such as a clip to be posted on social media. No matter if you are editing on an old laptop, a simple PC, or just want to make your workflow faster, a lightweight video editor is the one that guarantees you a smooth, efficient, and stress-free editing.

This article is a list of the best 10 quick and easy-to-use video editing programs that offer a great balance between features and speed. Both desktop and mobile software are covered, as well as different levels of expertise and money—hence, the most suitable program can be used by you to perform fast video editing with excellent results no matter if you are just a hobbyist or a professional in content creation.

Our Top 3 Picks For Lightweight Video Editors

Filmora

• Most suitable for: Newbies and social media content creators
• Reason to choose it: Filmora offers a highly user-friendly interface along with the feature set of professional software, for instance, ready-made templates, drag-and-drop editing, and quick export options.

Lightworks

• Most suitable for: Users who want access to pro-level gear without paying a cent
• Reason to choose it: Over the last 30 years, Lightworks has been building and perfecting its timeline and effects toolkit; hence, it is ideal for users who desire Hollywood-grade editing features in a small package. Still, its free version allows HD export and the application of effects in real-time.

Avidemux

• Most suitable for: Editing on the fly and changing video formats
• Reason to choose it: Avidemux is a straightforward and no-frills encoder for cutting, filtering, and encoding videos. Its minimalistic design guarantees quick work, especially on old or low-end

Lightweight Video Editor Comparison Chart

Top 10 Lightweight Video Editors

1. Wondershare Filmora

Wondershare Filmora 14 is a simple video editing software that works well with users of all skill levels. The customer-friendly design and the efficient AI-supported tools have simplified the complex editing process and enabled users to create their refined videos in less time. Besides, the availability of templates, the stock media, and the AI-based automation have converted Filmora into an excellent tool for social media content, vlogs, and professional projects.

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Try It Free Try It Free

Download the APP

Scan to get the Filmora App

Install free Filmora App Install free Filmora App

Secure Download

Steps to use Filmora for a quick video editing experience

1

Launch Filmora and start a new project

On your PC or Mac, open Filmora. Click "New Project" from the welcome screen to get to the main editing interface.

2

Import your media files

To add video, audio, or photo files, go to File> Import Media> Import Media Files.

3

Organize clips

Besides the Media tab, you can organize your clips by creating new folders. Use your mouse to drag the selected footage to the magnetic timeline.

4

Refine your footage

Remove the parts you don't like to the video by using trim, split, and cut tools. Place the play head to indicate the exact part where the cutting will happen and continue editing your clip.

5

Use Smart Scene Cut for faster editing

Press the Smart Scene Cut icon in the toolbar. Filmora locates the different scenes by the visual and audio changes, thus, you can easily switch or delete sections without doing the manual scrubbing.

6

Enhance visuals with AI Video Enhancer

Click on a clip in the timeline, go to Video> AI Tools, and tick the box next to the AI Video Enhancer. Filmora will do it automatically to reduce the noise, fix the light, sharpen, and if necessary, upscale the clip to 4K to make it look new.

7

Add music, effects, and text

Add titles, captions, or end screens of your choice by dragging templates from the Text/Credit panel. Use Transitions for a gentle change of your clips. From the Effects panel, you can apply filters, overlays, or effects not only to enhance the video but also to enhance its style.

8

Export and distribute your video

After you have finished your edit, click on Export. Select a format such as MP4 that is compatible with most devices, then either keep your file or share it online via YouTube, TikTok, or Instagram.

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2. VSDC

VSDC is an impressive video-editing software for Windows that caters to the needs of both novices and experts. The software enables the users to make changes of the videos in any complication with non-linear editing, multi-layer support, advanced effects, and color correction. The features such as motion tracking, multi-color Chroma Key, and screen capture have made VSDC an excellent choice for creators who want a free or low-cost professional-level video editing tool.

3. Shotcut

Shotcut is a free and open-source video editor that works on any platform, including Windows, Mac, and Linux. It basically can play almost any video, audio, or image file with its FFmpeg backend, and users are even permitted to do editing directly on the timeline from the original files. The multi-format timelines, 4K/8K resolution support, hardware acceleration, and a wide range of audio/video effects are some of the features that have made Shotcut a perfect tool for those who want a powerful but affordable solution.

4. OpenShot Video Editor

OpenShot is a free, open source, cross-platform, and user-friendly yet quite powerful computer graphics editor. Besides, it is compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux. Being allowed to have an unlimited number of tracks, users are not only able to edit their videos but also to animate, use the available effects, add titles, or time-control the playback of the video with time-based methods such as slow motion or reverse. OpenShot is a great alternative for beginners and users who desire to have a simple and quick start with video editing but still retain some basic features.

5. VideoPad

VideoPad is a simple-to-grasp, speedy, and thorough video editing software that is designed to meet the needs of any creator, no matter their skills. VideoPad works with all standard video formats and provides users with several features for editing, graphics, transitions, audio, subtitles, 360° video, and more. Using AI transcript editing and industry templates, VideoPad is an ideal tool for creating professional videos in a short time for YouTube, DVDs, VR, or just for storage.

6. VideoLite

VideoLite is a compact, mobile-friendly video editing tool that caters to the needs of people who want to create simple videos quickly while traveling. It is perfect for users with no prior experience and for those who create videos occasionally as it offers the functions of trimming, merging, and enhancing videos, adding text, stickers, and music, exciting and saving videos of high quality for social media platforms. The user-friendly design of VideoLite is a great aid to even a novice video editing enthusiast when making a short presentation, a vlog, or a TikTok clip for fun.

7. Kdenlive

Kdenlive is a no-cost and open-source video editing software that was initially created to cater for the needs of both the novice and the professional creator. The great multi-platform support for Windows, macOS, Linux, and BSD makes it a flexible editing environment that enables one to take full advantage of the powerful features with an interface that is highly customizable. Kdenlive is loaded with features like multi-track editing, a variety of effects, automated subtitle creation, and proxy editing for seamless performance, all of which allow users to create videos of their desired quality without any barriers.

8. VideoProc Vlogger

VideoProc Vlogger is a free and user-friendly video editing program that is suitable for anyone who makes videos. In fact, regardless of whether you intend to make a cinematic vlog, your boring travel video becomes exciting, or just create with the help of the video, the power tools for editing, along with AI-facilitated features, bring you a smooth and effective working process through VideoProc Vlogger. The mentioned effects, the change in the pace of the video, the general color adjustment, and sound improvement - you can do all this in your video project with the help of this program.

9. Lightworks

Lightworks is a professional-grade video editing software with a user-friendly interface that allows users to create amazing videos at zero cost. The software, which is ideal for newbies and film enthusiasts, provides a flexible timeline that supports editing of the most varied sizes and frame rates, offers the use of basic visual effects, advanced transitions, and straightforward audio tools. Among its main characteristics are the editing of proxy for a soft performance, customizable workspace layouts, and access to royalty-free music and sound libraries from Pexels and Pond5, which make it a perfect tool for anyone wanting to release their artistic side.

10. Avidemux

Avidemux is a free, open-source video processing and editing application aimed at easy cutting, filtering, and encoding jobs. Although it is a small and handy tool, it can handle almost all video formats and codecs, which makes it very flexible for quick edits, video format conversions, and basic post-production. Besides a user-friendly GUI, the program also meets the highest demands through features like scripting for automatic tasks, frame-accurate cutting, and filters included in the program.

How to Choose the Best Lightweight Video Editor for Your Needs

For total beginners

When you are just starting out with video editing, things have to be very simple. A good editor for newcomers should have a user-friendly interface, easy drag-and-drop functionality, and a set of basic editing features like cutting, trimming, and adding effects. The point is to let users concentrate on how to do the basics without being swamped with complicated options or a language they do not understand.

For low-end PC or laptop users

Those who have old or less powerful computers should pay special attention to editors that are lightweight and take up little space on the hard disk, and are efficient. The software must be capable of performing all the functions smoothly on a small hardware unit, support proxy editing or low-resolution previews, and not allow high system resources consumption.

For quick YouTube or TikTok content

Videographers who make social media videos are in need of the fastest and most convenient editors. The users can quickly draft interesting videos with the help of some features such as pre-built templates, export options that are optimized for different platforms, easy access to popular effects, and so on.

For open-source fans or Linux users

The best lightweight editors for open source fans or those who need a cross-platform solution are those flexible, stable, and capable of running on multiple operating systems without any problem. They should be equipped with the necessary editing tools, and at the same time, users should be able to customize, script, or use advanced format support for their workflows according to their system and preferences.

For pro features in lightweight packages

Creators who are ambitious and want professional results quickly and without using heavy software are the ones who expect that advanced features ought to be part of a lightweight editor. Such features include color grading, audio editing, transitions, and real-time effects, which are also efficient.

Filmora

AI Video Editing App & Software

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Best tool for making videos anywhere for all creators!

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Conclusion

The appropriate lightweight video editing software depends on your abilities, your computer, and what you want to create. No matter if you are a complete novice, have a computer with a weak configuration, produce content for social media, love using open-source software, or just want a few professional features but not a heavy program, there is always an editor that fits your requirements.

Those who want a single solution that can balance usability, speed, and creative flexibility will find Filmora to be a very considerate choice among others. Its user-friendly layout, comprehensive effects library, and hassle-free export are the reasons why making a video is no longer a big deal, hence you can materialize your concepts without any restriction.