16 Easy & Best Video Editing Software for Beginners for 2024 (Free & Paid)

Video is the new king of content. It’s one of the best marketing content formats that can drive serious engagement for your brand and business. You just need to take a look at some of these video stats when it comes to consumer engagement and content consumption. Some of the stats are pretty insane. 

So, as you can tell from the above (and probably already know), it’s never been a better time to get across video editing as a skill if you’re running an eCommerce store, startup or any type of business, whether online or offline. 

Getting really awesome at editing videos is a superb skill to have. 

However, that doesn't have to be the main objective. Even if you’re not super keen to take on video editing as a full-time focus, it’s an incredibly valuable experience and skill to learn the critical foundations of what’s possible with video. 

This means when you work with contractors, freelancers or even agencies, you will have a very good understanding of the editing process and how to do effective briefs. Trust me, the ability to do good briefs for videographers and editors is a very important skill to develop. 

‍Okay, so what is the best video editing software for beginners to learn key skills fast? What is the cheapest or most cost-effective app? Is there a free video editor? Which tools are easiest to pick up and don’t have a steep learning curve?

Before answering these questions and then diving into this list, I usually recommend having some criteria and items that you should use as a checklist when it comes to assessing which video editing programs is best for you. This will help you find the correct answers faster before committing to a solution. Here are some to note down.

• What are the primary features of the tool? Which features matter most to you?
• What types of videos can you actually produce? Can you do music videos? Can you edit films? Good for editing podcasts? Or is it best for short-form content such as social media posts?
• Are there any templates available to quickly pick up how the software works?
• Do they have a good library of examples or tutorials to get the most out of the platform?
• How many reviews do they have online? What are others saying about it? I recommend watching some YouTube video reviews.
• What types of companies or brands use it?
• Do they have a good community forum for support questions?

You get the picture of what I’m saying. I explain below the main USPs (unique selling propositions) of the various beginner-friendly video editing apps so you can get started on trying out today.

1. Motionbox 

Used by trusted brands like Kodak and Motorola, Motionbox is considered one of the best video editing tools in the market. It helps teams create and collaborate on video content in real-time and could help you create high-quality content in just a matter of minutes! Apart from having the basic, necessary video editing capabilities, it can also enhance videos by adding voiceovers, soundtracks and effects, subtitles, and transitions.

Pros and benefits:

• Lets you edit videos with your team, thereby making distance work an effortless collaboration with real-time updates
• It can be used by small businesses to large enterprises
• Makes basic video editing easy but also has advanced features and options

Cool awesome features:

• Lets you easily merge videos regardless of the format and file type
• Provides you with the capability to add text to video and can automatically add subtitles in hundreds of languages without the need to do manual input. Can also convert video to text 
• It has video templates and a drag-and-drop intro maker that you can immediately use to spruce up your videos, designed to capture the eye of the audience and help you increase sales
• Helps you repurpose content for Instagram and other video platforms without much effort with the crop video option

Pricing

A free plan lets you get a feel of all the features with up to 2 GB video storage, a 720p export quality, and Motionbox watermarks. Meanwhile, the basic plan at $29 per month per user has 25 GB storage and 1080p export quality and the premium plan at $39 a month per user has 100 GB storage and 4k export quality. The enterprise plan with unlimited storage will be quoted depending on your company’s size.

2. Clipchamp

Clipchamp is an exclusively online / web-based video editor that powerfully edits your videos depending on the processor and capacity of your PC or laptop. It is used by over 17 million creatives in 200 countries, from amateurs to professionals all around the world. It is also trusted by brands such as Microsoft, Google, Zendesk, and Deloitte.

Pros and benefits:

• Lets you edit clips directly in the browser – specifically Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge. This means no need to download heavy external software
• It is designed to be used even by those who have no previous editing experience
• Has a free plan that supports 1080p exports
• Helps you create videos without rendering delays

Cool awesome features:

• Integrates with multiple cloud services, including Microsoft One Drive, and Dropbox
• Has stock footage and an audio library that you can mix and match for easy editing. It also includes customisable templates with different dimensions
• It can be used for multi-layer projects and supports screen recording and green screens
• Includes a feature called Clipchamp Teams, which lets a group of people collaborate on videos

Pricing

Clipchamp has a free basic plan, which already allows for unlimited exports at 1080p quality. The creator plan at $9 per month takes this up a notch with content backup and unlimited audio stock, whereas the business plan at $19 includes a brand kit and the business platinum plan at $39 a month includes unlimited image and video stock.

3. Veed 

Veed simplifies the process of video production, with their tagline saying that you can make professional videos in a single click. It is an online-only, web-based platform that started out as a mere cropping and cutting tool. Then the company decided to take it a step further, and it quickly became one of the most popular video editors.

Pros and benefits:

• Easy to use for beginners
• Created by artists for the creative community
• Lets you try out its features without needing to create an account
• Has a support team that is ready to answer queries at any time

Cool awesome features:

• Lets you create your own brand kit so you can easily access the colours, fonts, and designs that you frequently use
• Allows you to create workspaces and collaborate on projects via the cloud
• Includes powerful effects, captions, and visuals such as subtitles, sound waves, translations, annotations, and logos
• Can remove background noise from and add music to your video

Pricing

Veed offers a free plan that lets you create projects below ten minutes and 250 MB with a watermark. Meanwhile, it has a monthly plan at $18 per month for videos below 25 minutes and 1080p export quality, a $30 a month plan for videos below 2 hours and a 4k quality export, and a $70 a month plan for all features plus customised business add-ons.

4. Type Studio 

Type Studio is a video editor that takes pride in how well it works with text. This means that the online, browser-based video editor is specially equipped for transcribing and adding subtitles and close captions – in different languages. However, it is also worth noting that it is no one-trick pony and is just as capable of doing lightweight video editing. This is likely why over 100,000 people and companies opt to use it over other editors.

Pros and benefits:

• It is not heavy on your browser 
• Edits 9x faster than other similar software
• Does the heavy lifting for you – especially when it comes to text

Cool awesome features:

• Has automatic transcription that is highly accurate. You can also edit the transcription if there are errors, just as easily as you would edit Google Docs.
• Uses artificial intelligence to generate captions and add translations to your videos
• Lets you cut, resize, and trim your videos for different platforms and uses
• Offers a video template library wherein you can add templates for personal use or choose from ones already available on Type Studio

Type studio has an awesome free tier that lets you edit a video below 10 minutes every month, a starter plan at $12 monthly that lets you edit up to 30 minutes long and have 50 GB storage, a pro plan at $20 a month that lets you edit videos up to 2 hours long with 100 GB storage, and a team plan that lets you work with up to 40 hours of videos every month on 500 GB storage. Only the paid plans come with subtitle options.

5. Adobe Premiere

Adobe is a household name for functional software, and Adobe Premiere is the company’s entry into video editing. It is considered as top-tier in the industry and is best used for elaborate and artistically demanding videos. Given its place as a professional choice, it constantly releases new updates and features to stay at the top of its game.

Pros and benefits:

• Used and loved by industry professionals
• Highly customisable and lets you explore your creativity
• Is part of the Adobe Ecosystem and can be used alongside the company’s other software
• You can edit content across desktop, laptop, tablet, or even your phone (the app is pretty sweet - good UX)

Cool awesome features:

• Works with any file format
• Lets you add animations, transitions, title sequences, and video effects using the Motion effect controls
• Allows you to adjust, sync, and edit audio just the way you want
• Has an auto-reframe option that lets you automatically crop and change the aspect ratios of your video
• Synchronises with the Creative Cloud library and lets you collaborate with team members in real-time

Pricing

Adobe Premiere Pro offers a 7-day free trial, then you would have to pay $29.99 a month to access all features.

6. Lumen5

Lumen5 is an AI-powered video editor that helps you create videos from written work in the span of minutes! How does this work, you may ask? The software will highlight and zero in on the important phrases mentioned in your blog or script, then it will automatically add multimedia elements on your behalf. You can then tweak the result according to your liking. 

It is currently used by companies such as SalesForce, Siemens, Cisco, and Mitsubishi.

Pros and benefits:

• Has a unique function rarely seen in other video editors
• Customisation can be easily achieved via drag and drop options
• No editing or video experience required

Cool awesome features:

• Automatically storyboards ideas and lays out content on your behalf
• Allows colleagues to leave feedback on work you’ve done, after which you can view all comments on a single location
• Has a template library of over one million videos, audio, and images
• Lets you add your company logo, watermark, colours, and font to each video

Pricing

There is a free plan that lets you edit an unlimited number of videos provided that the export size is limited to 720p and has a Lumen5 watermark. The starter plan at $25 a month provides you access to the stock library and icons, as well as an export size of 1080p. The professional plan at $149 a month lets you upload your company watermarks and font, and any further use or added function beyond these will require a custom plan from the company.

7. iMovie 

iMovie is the native video editing app for Apple, and its use is restricted to iOS and macOS products. It is still considered one of the most popular and accessible editors there is, because of its interface and ease of use. It may not necessarily be on the level of Adobe Premiere on a professional level, but it does bring considerable value to the space.

Pros and benefits:

• Perfect for beginners and inexperienced video editors
• Completely free for OS users and owners
• Good UI and UX - great for those starting out
• Lets you move and edit your work from your Macbook to your iPad to your iPhone

Cool awesome features:

• Styles and edits videos on your behalf using the Magic Movie option. All you need to do is choose the clips you want to use, and the software will automatically cut, frame, and stylise it for you
• Has standard storyboard templates that you can choose depending on the theme or genre of video you’re working on
• Lets you import and edit ProRes and ProRaw videos and images
• Includes filters, special effects, green screen backgrounds, and soundtracks

Pricing

iMovie is completely free with OS software.

8. Piktochart Video

Pikotchart is a design application that is known for its usability in creating infographics, charts, and tables. The parent company then came up with Piktochart Video (it was first called Piktostory). As a tool, Piktostory’s goal remains the same, albeit catered to videos: To create smart, valuable content.

Pros and benefits:

• Minimal, functional, easy to use
• Integrates with Piktochart and can repurpose content from the platform
• Can work with over 60 languages

Cool awesome features:

• Lets you edit videos based on the automatic transcript generated by the platform. This means that you no longer need to keep gauging and adjusting where the starting point of a sentence is. You just need to delete and highlight the respective sections on the transcript, and the video will be edited accordingly
• Automatically creates transcripts and subtitles for your videos, and it can do so in at least 60 languages
• Crops videos to your desired aspect ratio with a single click, so you can easily repurpose your videos for different social media platforms
• Allows the adding of your logo to the videos to ensure brand cohesiveness and will let you match the colour of the video background to your company colours

Pricing

The free plan gives you access to most of the features but will only let you work with 20 minutes of content and will impose the Piktochat Video watermark on your video. Meanwhile, the Pro Plan at $14 per member per month lets you work with 90 minutes of content per month. There is also a plan for organisations with over 25 members, but the cost will be customised depending on your company’s needs and limits.

9. Descript 

Descript is one of the most well-loved transcription management software, and it has since branched out to audio and video editing. It is otherwise known as a video word processor, but it has all the features you would need to create a video from start to finish. It is used by reputable audio and video companies such as Audible by Amazon, iHeart Media, ESPN, and Vice.

Pros and benefits:

• A great all-purpose video editing tool
• Lets you work with text for editing, somewhat similar to how Piktochart Video works
• Has a neat and easy-to-understand user interface that can be used and understood by beginners to the software
• No internet connection required

Cool awesome features:

• Allows you to layer and scale different videos, audio, images, and even GIFs
• Preserves an original copy of your original files as you edit, which means that you don’t have to worry about permanently altering the base file
• Features a highly accurate transcription AI that can automatically remove fillers and highlight studio sounds
• Lets teams edit projects at the same time and leave comments on each other’s work
• Automatically saved videos to the cloud and saves old versions of your video so you can easily revert back should you need to

Pricing

Descript has a free plan that allows up to three hours of transcription, a creator plan at $12 per user per month that allows you 10 hours of transcription, and a pro plan at $24 per user per month that allows you 30 hours of transcription plus the option to remove filler words. An enterprise plan would also give you a dedicated account representative and security review, but the cost will be customised to your business.

10. Da Vinci Resolve 

Da Vinci Resolve takes pride in being the world’s only all-in-one post-production solution. This means that it does video and audio editing, colour correction, special effects, and even motion graphics. You’ll basically be using the same tools being used by Hollywood professionals, and you’ll get access to Da Vinci’s image technology, which has even won an Emmy!

Pros and benefits:

• Makes high-quality creative tools accessible to the market
• Houses all of the features you may need for post-production, which means that you no longer have to acquire or navigate more software
• Designed for professional editors and creatives and is packed with advanced uses

Cool awesome features:

• Has the ability to give your video Hollywood-level special effects and motion graphics using hundreds of 2D and 3D tools, including point, planar, 3D camera tracking, particle systems, and rotoscope
• It is home to the world’s most advanced non-linear editor, with context-sensitive trimming tools, customisable keyboard shortcuts, and complete media management options
• Has a cut page that allows for dual timelines, source overwrite, and fast review to make the entire process easier and more seamless
• Utilises a highly advanced colour corrector with primary control sliders, primary and secondary colour grading features, and qualifiers
• You can do audio editing and mixing with up to 2,000 audio tracks at a time

Pricing

Da Vinci Resolve has a free version that works with videos up to 60 fps, whereas the paid version can be bought one time at $469. It supports 10-bit videos and resolutions that go even beyond 4k.

11. Milk.video 

Milk video is an online web video application that converts existing videos into a highlights reel within minutes. It is most commonly used for social proof and video testimonials, webinars, and thought leadership soundbites.

Pros and benefits:

• Uniquely positioned to help your business turn hour-long reviews on YouTube into shareable social media soundbites
• It's pretty easy to get adapted to and is great value for money
• Creates videos for every popular social media platform

Cool awesome features:

• Automatically highlights the important sections of a long video and trims it accordingly
• Transcribes videos and adds captions for greater accessibility
• Lets you use your company logo, fonts, and colours on your videos
• Has audio visualisers that would help viewers know there’s something to listen to

Pricing

Milk video lets you create as many videos as you want for free!

12. Promo

Promo is primarily considered a marketing video editor, but it is great for all other video use cases as well. You can create video ads, product tutorials, event promos, social media videos, video listicles, and even inspirational videos. 

It's used and trusted by brands such as Disney, Zoho, Virgin, and Hilton.

Pros and benefits:

• Has partnerships with Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Triple Scoop Music, and Getty Images
• Customer service is very attentive and responsive to feedback
• Great for every business type

Cool awesome features:

• Features the latest news, trends, and showbiz updates so you know the bandwagons to hop on to immediately
• Provides you access to over 100 million stock photos and images from Getty Images and iStock
• Has thousands of ready-made templates that cater to different events and businesses, which you can then customise with your company logo, colour, and theme
• Will cut and fit your video depending on the social media platform you plan on uploading to

Pricing

Promo video has a basic plan at $49 monthly, which gives you access to the different features except for the 110 million premium clips, trending templates, and social media calendar. These are made available with the standard plan at $99 per month. Then there’s the pro plan at $349 a month, which lets you manage up to 10 brands and even gives you reseller rights and white label sharing.

13. Filmora by Wondershare 

Filmora is a great choice for video experts and novices alike. It leans into the creation and distribution of white-labeled marketing videos intended to make your brand stand out in the crowded market. Marketing professionals and video creators alike will enjoy using this editing tool.

Pros and benefits:

• Compatible with Windows and Mac
• Constantly being updated with new features and improvements
• It can be used to create any type of video, from vlogs to beauty tutorials, to product reviews, to gaming streams

Cool awesome features:

• Has a learning academy, which includes video tutorials on how you can improve your craft
• Includes an audio visualiser, text-to-speech, motion tracking, and speed ramping
• Can automatically sync your video speed with the audio or background music you choose
• Gives you access to preset templates and stock media
• Lets you use FX plug-ins, visual effects, titles, GIFs, and more

Pricing

Filmora for individuals can be had at just $9.99 a month, making it one of the cheapest yet most equipped options out there. You can save more money by paying the annual plan at $49.99 or you could just get the perpetual plan once and for all at $79.99.

14. Movavi 

Movavi is a powerful and useful video editor that packs a punch, even with its seemingly simply and understated interface. It may not include all the bells and whistles of its competitors, but this also means it comes with fewer complications. If you’re just out there looking for a simple and easy yet functional video editor, then Movavi may be the one for you. After all, it turned out to be the one for 3 million other people.

Pros and benefits:

• Has a dev team that constantly works on improving the product
• Downloads as quickly as a web browser and is compatible with both Mac and Windows
• Labels function clearly and have an interface that absolute beginners can use

Cool awesome features:

• Lets you digitise old VHS tapes and family movies and make them into something modern and updated
• Has a variety of audio effects that enhance the experience for your audience, including compressor, gate, and distortion
• Gives you the most advanced video effects such as split screen, double exposure, colour tools, and motion tracking
• Includes filters, chroma key capabilities, transitions, stock images and videos, and more

Pricing

The Movavi video suite is currently priced at $54.99 per year. This includes the company’s video editor plus, the video converter, and screen recording capabilities. 

15. Kdan Mobile

Kdan Mobile is a company that provides office suite apps to iOS and Android users alike. Although they are most famous for their productivity software, they have also released creativity apps to be reckoned with, one of which is Kdan Mobile Write On Video.

Pros and benefits:

• Lets you edit on your phone, which means that you can always be on the go. However, it is also compatible with Mac and Windows
• Approaches video editing as one would in actual production
• Allows absolute beginners to create professional-looking videos in a matter of minutes

Cool awesome features:

• Lets you structure video outlines and storyboards, thereby setting the foundation for everything else you will be doing in video editing
• Allows you to pin comments on a video timeline, so your team members can know exactly what you’re providing feedback on when working in collaboration
• Provides the option to prepare Youtube timestamps and titles in-app, which helps in SEO optimisation and audience engagement
• Has script templates, pre-prepared outlines, video tutorials, and stock effects to make your editing journey smoother

Pricing

The best part is that Kdan Mobile’s Write On Video can be downloaded and explored for free, with the option for in-app purchases depending on your needs.

16. Biteable 

Biteable is an easy-to-use video maker that is meant to be used by businesses and their entire teams. From sales and marketing to internal communication to employee onboarding and training, Biteable can be considered an all-around video editing solution for companies. This is probably why companies like Disney, Google, Amazon, and Microsoft use it.

Pros and benefits:

• Lets you create and edit videos in 5 minutes, even without much experience
• Has an intuitive platform that is easy to navigate and master
• Specially designed for brands and professionals
• It can be accessed via desktop, tablet, or mobile

Cool awesome features:

• Helps you communicate your branding at all levels by letting you use logos, personalised watermarks, customised fonts and colours, and a clickable, trackable call to action button. Biteable can even fetch your colours and logo from your company website, and then it will suggest colour combinations that would work with your video
• Lets you add your choice of music to ensure that your videos are always set to the right track
• Has a point-and-click video editor through which you can add effects, footage, visuals, and voiceovers
• Includes an analytics tool that tracks the engagement obtained via the videos created on the platform

Pricing

The Pro plan comes at $49 a month, supports HD resolution, and gives you access to a stock library of over 20 million images, videos, and music. Meanwhile, the Teams plan at $249 a month can be used by 5 team members, allows for collaboration and brand customisation and has a dedicated account manager. 

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⚡ Frequently Asked Questions ⚡

In your opinion, which are the three best video editing software for beginners?

I’ve shared many of my favourites that I’ve had great experiences with. Suppose you’re just starting out with video editing. In that case, whether it be for your eCommerce brand, small business or fast-growing startup, these are the best video editing software options on the market in my eyes (which also have thousands of positive ratings across review sites) - Descript, Type Studio and Clipchamp. All have their strengths in terms of their use cases. Definitely check these guys out.

For eCommerce ads, which is the best free video editing software to produce multiple variants fast for scale?

All of the video software platforms mentioned have a paid component as part of their service, so none of them are truly 100% free. However, the best video editing tool which is perfect for beginners and busy eCommerce marketers has to be Milk.video. You can sign up for free and export videos that you’ve worked on as much as you like. It’s pretty sweet. You save a lot of money using this tool yourself then you would with a freelancer or agency. Great for repurposing content as well for social media.

What video editing software do experience YouTube creators use?

There’s no accurate method of finding out what top YouTube creators use unless they were to disclose what video editing software they’re actually using. Having come across YouTube channels, as well as a couple of friends who create YouTube videos, they normally use platforms such as Filmora, Clipchamp and of course, Adobe Premier Pro. If you’re serious about getting more skilled in video editing, it’s worth investing in learning Adobe Premier Pro’s basic and advanced features. It’s very powerful and gives you the room to create almost anything. However, if you’re starting out and unsure whether or not it’s the right skill you want to learn, both Filmora and Clipchamp are very good options.

How do I start video editing as a beginner?

One of the best ways to start is by watching tutorials and then signing up for a couple of tools and start editing. There are hundreds of awesome YouTube channels that teach you how to do video editing from end to end. Some of my top recommendations to check out are Vince Opra, Charlie Rowlands, and Kevin Stewart.

Which video software has the best transcription editing capabilities?

There are three standout providers that do a great job with transcription editing which are Type Studio, Descript and Veed. Each of them has done a superb job with their product, and the user experience is favourable for those with limited skills in editing. They’re also affordable for the number of features they provide.