Best Video Editing Software For Youtube: Video Editing Software For Youtube Beginners Free

Best Video Editing Software For Youtube Beginners Free

There are numerous skills required to become a YouTube success. Understanding the complex YouTube algorithm, creating eye-catching thumbnails, getting the best audio and visuals, and understanding music licensing rules are just a few examples. This is in addition to creating fantastic content that your viewers will want to watch.

When it comes to editing software, you might skip the research and go with the most expensive option, assuming it will be the best.

Choosing the best YouTube editing software, on the other hand, should not be an afterthought. The tools you use can mean the difference between success on YouTube and a major headache.

If you're just getting started, we recommend avoiding overly complicated video editors for YouTube that will add hours to your editing time. We discovered that there is a plethora of free video editing software for YouTube that is either completely free, has a free version, or has a free trial so that beginners can test out what works best without emptying their wallets.

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We've done all of the research and discovered some of the best free and beginner-friendly video editing software for YouTube. So let's get started!

How to Pick a Video Editing Software to Create YouTube Videos

When selecting a YouTube video editor, there are numerous factors to consider. Fortunately, YouTube video creators come in all shapes and sizes, price ranges, and skill levels. Make sure the following three criteria are met for any software you consider:

Budget

There is a video editor for YouTube in every price range, from free to expensive. Decide how much you're willing to spend and don't even consider software that's out of your price range.

Skill Level

Like the budget, there is a video editor for YouTube to suit a wide range of skill levels, from Hollywood pro to first-time editors. Check out user reviews to ensure that any editor you hire is a good fit for your skill set.

Compatibility

This may seem obvious, but make sure your YouTube video editor is compatible with your device. Some are only available for Mac, Windows, or newer models. If you have any additional devices, such as a webcam, screen recorder, gaming console, camera, or microphone, ensure that your editing software is compatible with them.

Here Are Some Features You May Need in a Video Editor For YouTube:

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Screen Recorder

A screen recorder is required if you are a gamer or provide online tutorials for your YouTube channel. These range from simple screen capture to Webcam capture, Livestreaming, and background replacement functions.

Overlay

Whatever type of YouTube video creator you are, you will require a video overlay tool. The overlay includes your logo, like and subscribe buttons, and any stickers or emojis you want to throw in for good measure.

Music Stock Library

Music licensing laws are strictly enforced by YouTube. If your videos contain copyrighted music, they will be removed. Find a YouTube video editor who has a royalty-free stock music library so you can post videos without worry. It would be even better if there was a sound effects library as well.

YouTube Templates

Having YouTube aspect ratios and templates specifically for YouTube intros and outros will save you a lot of editing time.

Best Video Editing Software For Youtube Beginners Free

1. PowerDirector 365- Best Overall

Compatibility: Windows, Mac

Rating: 4.5/5

Beginner-Friendly Tools: 5/5

Price: Free
*Premium subscription available for $4.08/month

Key Features:

• Object removal
• Split-screen
• Video Stabilization
• Transitions

Pros

• No learning curve
• User-friendly interface
• Fastest rendering speeds
• Lots of advanced features

Cons

• Screen recording is currently only available on the Windows platform.

PowerDirector 365 is a free video editing software for YouTube that is simple to use and popular among YouTubers of all skill levels. Multi-cam editing, keyframing, animated titles, motion tracking, and 360-degree editing are among the advanced features.

Using green screen tools and a library of backgrounds, you can change the background of your YouTube video with this free editing software for YouTube. Apply overlays or a retro filter. Then, from the large royalty-free stock library, add music and sound effects. Smart Fit can match video length to music and clean up outdoor audio with wind removal and noise reduction. The possibilities with this YouTube video editor are limitless.

This free video editing software for YouTube simplifies the editing process and makes even the most difficult editing appear simple. You can get your video up and running quickly with pre-made templates and AI-powered tools that automate time-consuming edits. There's even a Magic Movie Wizard that combines your photos and clips into premade templates using intelligent recognition technology.

Using the pre-selected aspect ratios for YouTube and other social media sites, you can quickly edit YouTube videos and upload them to any platform or device. PowerDirector has the quickest rendering times of any YouTube video creator on this list, so no matter how many cool effects you add to your video, you'll have likes in no time.

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2. Kapwing - Best for Subtitles

Compatibility: Web Browser

Rating: 4.5/5

Beginner-Friendly Tools: 4.5/5

Price: Free
*Premium subscription available for $24/month

Key Features:

• Speed adjustment
• Remove background
• Meme Generator
• Color adjustment

Pros

• Subtitles are generated automatically and a translator
• YouTube templates with themes

Cons

• Expensive monthly fee for the Pro version
• Frequent glitches and lags

Kapwing is a free video editing software for YouTube that runs in the browser. YouTube video creators love Kapwing's auto-generated subtitles because they save them so much time. They also assist the deaf community in understanding any videos that do not already have subtitles. They simply enter the URL into Kapwing, and AI-powered subtitles appear. This YouTube video editor also includes an auto-translation tool and text-to-speech functionality.

This free editing software for YouTube includes tools for adding text, images, filters, and audio to your videos. There is a Smart Cut tool that automatically removes silences from your videos, as well as a plethora of YouTube templates.

Kapwing has a simple, easy-to-use layout and a plethora of tools for beginners to use when editing YouTube videos. The free version of this YouTube video editor provides access to all tools but has export and file size limitations. The issue with Kapwing is that once beginners become comfortable with the free version, upgrading to the Pro version is prohibitively expensive. PowerDirector is a free video editing software for YouTube that will grow with you and remain affordable.

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3. OpenShot - Best Lightweight Video Editor for YouTube

Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Linux

Rating: 4.4/5

Beginner-Friendly Tools: 4.5/5

Price: Free

Key Features:

• Bezier curves
• Scaling and snapping
• 40+ vector title templates
• Audio waveforms

Pros

• With no watermark, it is completely free.
• Low demand for computer resources

Cons

• Freezing, stuttering, and unexpected crashes
• Importing, exporting, and rendering takes a long time.

OpenShot is a free and open-source video editing program for YouTube. It is a stripped-down YouTube video editor, especially when compared to the other software on our list, but that also means it takes up very little space on your computer and is a simple option for beginners. It was a good free video editing software for YouTube for learning the basics of video editing in a non-intimidating package, according to us.

Having said that, OpenShot has more advanced features than you'd expect from free YouTube editing software. Color adjustment tools, a background remover, keyframe animations, and over 400 preset effects are available in the program. It also includes an unlimited number of editing tracks.

The design is simple and straightforward. However, we discovered that by keeping the interface clean, they have hidden a lot of features. Because they won't be able to find the tools, most YouTube video creators will be unaware of the breadth of OpenShot's feature set. This free editing software for YouTube has a history of bugs, which we discovered during our testing.

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4. WeVideo - Best for Templates

Compatibility: Web Browser

G2 Rating: 4.4/5

Beginner-Friendly Tools: 4/5

Price: Free
*Premium subscriptions are available for $60/year for Power, $96/year for Unlimited, $240/year for Professional, and $444/year for Business

Key Features:

• Add music
• Trim, split, merge and flip video
• Green screen
• Meme maker

Pros

• Good format support
• Top-notch customer service

Cons

• YouTube video creators cannot use the free version.
• Long import wait times

WeVideo is a free video editing software for YouTube that is accessible via the web. It includes numerous YouTube video templates, including How-To Makeup, How-To Recipe, Livestream Coming Soon, Influencer, Vlogger, and Unboxing. Templates for YouTube intros and outros are also available. This YouTube video editor includes excellent text templates and animated titles.

Beginners can easily edit YouTube videos with 30 effects that can be applied with a single click. This free editing software for YouTube also includes 50 transitions, a voice-over recorder, and a screen recorder.WeVideo offers a free version, but it is unrealistic for anyone hoping to become a successful YouTube video creator because it only allows 5 minutes of exported content per month and has a maximum resolution of 480p.

This YouTube video editor has several price tiers, but they've saved features that YouTube video creators would need (like recording your screen and webcam at the same time, branding, or direct upload to YouTube) for their expensive Professional plan.

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5. Lightworks Free - Best for Transitions

Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Linux

Capterra Rating: 4.3

Beginner-Friendly Tools: 3/5

Price: Free
*Premium subscriptions are available for $9.99/month for Create and $23.99/month for Pro

Key Features:

• Simple and advanced trimming
• Filters and LUTs
• Motion graphics
• Auto-save function

Pros

• Most features provide both basic and advanced settings.
• Good performance

Cons

• A steep learning curve for a new software user
• Only exports up to 720p

Lightworks has been used to edit Oscar-winning films such as Braveheart and Pulp Fiction for the past 30 years. Lightworks Free is a free version of the Hollywood classic. This free YouTube video editing software includes hundreds of creative transitions, as well as all of the advanced transitions found in the Pro version.

Creators of YouTube videos will discover Lightworks Free comes with some great tools for editing YouTube videos, including YouTube presets, access to the stock music library, voice-over, and professional editing features like trim-slip, ripple, roll, slide, insert, replace, and backfill. Best of all, you can save time by importing, exporting, and rendering complex effects while you work with this free.

Although Lightworks intended this to be a simplified version of their complex software, our testing revealed that it still had a steep learning curve. That is why we believe this is an excellent free editing software for YouTube beginners who aspire to be professional video editors.

You could become proficient at industry-leading editing software for free if you are willing to put in the time to learn. PowerDirector, on the other hand, is a free video editing software for YouTube with advanced features that you can use right away. 

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6. Shotcut - Best Format Support

Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Linux

Rating: 4.2/5

Beginner-Friendly Tools: 3/5

Price: Free

Key Features:

• Blending modes
• Color correction and grading
• Audio filters
• Keyframing

Pros

• Updated regularly by the Shotcut community
• Advanced features for no charge

Cons

• No social media-friendly output options
• Steep learning curve

Shotcut is a free video editing software for YouTube that is open-source and cross-platform. It supports hundreds of audio and video formats and does not require any import. Shotcut supports many video formats with frame-accurate seeking. This YouTube video editor also has a variety of device and transport options, including webcam capture.

Video and audio filters, transitions, over 40,000 instant templates, and unlimited undo and redo options will appeal to YouTube video creators. Batch encoding is also available for creators who want to edit multiple videos at once. The interface is not as clean and user-friendly as that of other free YouTube editing software, but it is highly customizable.

Shotcut is similar to Lightworks Free in that it allows beginners to learn complex video editing without making a financial commitment, but it does have a learning curve. Try OpenShot if you're looking for a beginner-friendly open-source video editor for YouTube. 

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7. VideoPad - Best for Metadata

Compatibility: Windows, Mac

Rating: 4.1/5

Beginner-Friendly Tools: 4/5

Price: Free
*Premium versions are available for $70 for Home Edition and $130 for Master’s Edition

Key Features:

• Video Maker Wizard
• Drag and drop editing
• Sound effects library
• 3D and 360-degree editing

Pros

• Good social media output options
• Easy drag-and-drop templates

Cons

• The free version is for non-commercial use only
• Have to pay for advanced features

VideoPad is a free video editing software for YouTube that assists you in optimizing your videos for search engines. Without using YouTube's publishing tools, you can quickly complete your video's metadata, such as the title, tags, and description, with VideoPad.

Voiceover, transitions, and visual effects can be added to YouTube videos. This free editing software for YouTube includes direct YouTube upload, professional templates with intros and outros, and custom logos. Video stabilization is also available for YouTube videos shot with a smartphone or action camera.

VideoPad is ideal for home videos or social media posts and is ideal for beginners. Beginners who are serious about becoming YouTube video creators should purchase one of the premium versions or experiment with different free video editing software for YouTube right away. Also, the Windows version has far more features than the Mac version, so Mac users should first try iMovie or PowerDirector.

8. Avid Media Composer First - Best for Budding Professionals

Compatibility: Windows, Mac

Rating: 4.1/5

Beginner-Friendly Tools: 3/5

Price: Free

Key Features:

• Frame flex
• Time code tool
• Bulk edit
• Audio ducking

Pros

• Offers a lot of pro features
• Publish directly to YouTube

Cons

• Limited to 1080p export
• The extremely steep learning curve

Avid Media Composer and Lightworks Free Because both are free versions of professional editing software used in Hollywood, they could compete for the title of Best for Budding Professionals. However, because Avid is more well-known and the industry standard for video editing, we thought it would be the best fit for this free video editing software for YouTube. Aspiring professionals can now learn Avid in a much more affordable and user-friendly package.

Despite being a scaled-down version, this free editing software for YouTube includes many pro-level tools you'd expect from the Avid brand. YouTube videos can be edited on up to four video and eight audio tracks. To give your first YouTube videos a professional look, use video stabilization, advanced color tools, 4-way Multicam editing, audio punch-in, and other features.

Is Avid Media Composer First more user-friendly than Avid Media Composer? Absolutely. Is it suitable for beginners? There's no way. Try VideoPad, Magix Movie Studio, or PowerDirector if you don't want to learn Avid and just want free video editing software for YouTube videos that anyone can use. 

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9. Magix Movie Studio - Best for Simple Edits

Compatibility: Windows

Rating: 4/5

Beginner-Friendly Tools: 4.5/5

Price: 30-day free trial, then $69.99 for Movie Studio, $250 for Platinum, and $280 for Suite

Key Features:

• Split-screen
• Speed adjustment tools
• Image stabilization
• Layer masks

Pros

• Tools for beginners and pros
• Fast rendering

Cons

• Stock library, templates, and editing wizard are only available in the more expensive Premium and Suite versions.
• Frequent crashing

Magix Movie Studio is a free YouTube video editing software that is ideal for making quick and simple edits. Storyboard Mode assists in organizing the editing process before you begin, simplifying workflow (frame-by-frame editing is available for more advanced editors).

Movie Studio features a unique multi-format timeline that allows you to easily arrange video, audio, and media files on each track. It provides numerous one-click solutions, such as Remove Beginning and Split Movie, allowing even inexperienced editors to edit YouTube videos.

We like how this free editing software for YouTube includes tools that you can use automatically or manually, regardless of your level of expertise. Over 900 effects, transitions, and titles are included in the tools. You can edit and post videos in minutes thanks to direct upload to YouTube and fast rendering speeds.

Magix Movie Studio, unlike PowerDirector and WeVideo, does not have a dedicated free version, only a 30-day free trial. The low-cost Movie Studio edition lacks many tools in comparison to the more expensive Platinum and Suite editions. During our research, we discovered that many users complained that this free video editing software for YouTube crashed frequently and that their older projects did not carry over to newer versions of the software. 

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10. Premiere Elements - Best for Organizing Media

Compatibility: Windows, Mac

Rating: 3.5/5

Beginner-Friendly Tools:

Price: 30-day free trial, then $99.99

Key Features:

• AI technology
• Time-Lapse
• Double exposure
• Freeze frame

Pros

• Simple interface
• Lots of guided edits and tutorials

Cons

• Lacks advanced features
• Slow rendering speeds

Premiere Elements is a stripped-down version of Adobe Premiere Pro aimed at consumers, making it an excellent free video editing software for new YouTubers. Auto Curate and Smart Tags, which automatically tag video files by date, subject, people, places, and events, are included in Premiere Elements.

Although it lacks some more advanced features, this free YouTube editing software includes all of the tools a YouTube video creator needs to create great content, such as keyframing, multi-track editing, transitions, and titles. There is also YouTube aspect ratios to choose from right on the first page, as well as an output option to compress large files before uploading.

Premiere Elements lacks some advanced features, such as 360-degree editing, Multicam editing, and screen recording, but the reduced offerings make it a better choice for beginners. However, we discovered that this free editing software for YouTube had extremely slow rendering and output speeds. PowerDirector, on the other hand, has the fastest rendering times in the business.

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11. Movavi Video Suite - Best Screen Recorder

Compatibility: Windows, Mac

Rating: 3.5/5

Beginner-Friendly Tools: 4.5/5

Price: 7-day free trial, then $152.85/year

Key Features:

• Overlays
• Unlimited video tracks
• Motion tracking
• Picture-in-Picture

Pros

• User-Friendly interface
• Low learning curve

Cons

• Slow rendering speeds
• Doesn’t offer precision control over the effects

Because of its screen recording capabilities, Movavi is a great free editing software for YouTube. The screen recorder allows you to capture webinars, instructions/tutorials, streaming videos, and online events and includes manual control over the capture area.

It includes a quick-movie creation tool, similar to iMovie and PowerDirector, that converts your photos and videos into a video slideshow set to music. Features include chroma key, color adjustment, pan/zoom, crop/rotate, and video stabilization. In addition, video effects such as blur, vignette, and slow-mo are available.

Movavi has an easy-to-use interface and a low learning curve, and it is packed with features that require little storage. However, seasoned editors will be dissatisfied with the lack of control over effects, as well as the glacially slow rendering times. If you need speed and control while editing YouTube videos, we recommend Lightworks Free, Magix Movie Studio, or PowerDirector. 

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12. iMovie - Best for Instant Movies

Compatibility: Mac

Rating: 2.5/5

Beginner-Friendly Tools: 3/5

Price: Free

Key Features:

• Speed adjustment
• Cinematic mode
• Split-screen
• Picture-in-Picture

Pros

• Lots of automatic movie-making functions
• Share videos across Apple devices

Cons

• Complex interface
• Limited video tracks

Apple's free editing software for YouTube beginners is iMovie. It is free for Mac users and included with every macOS release, making it an accessible and quick choice for anyone just getting started. It also makes creating YouTube videos quick and simple with Storyboards, which are pre-made video templates that guide you through the filmmaking process. There's also Magic Movie, which in just a few clicks creates an edited video complete with transitions, titles, and music. With ready-made templates, you can even create movie trailers and credits sequences in no time.

Because this free video editing software for YouTube comes standard with your Mac, you can easily share videos between devices such as your iPad or iPhone. In a few simple steps, you can easily upload your video to YouTube. YouTube includes a variety of movie-making tools and effects such as green screen, filters, and smart soundtrack, which automatically adjusts the length of your music to match the length of your video.

Even though iMovie is designed for beginners, there is a learning curve. The interface is not as simple to learn as some might expect. It is also updated infrequently, so the software lags behind competitors. If you're looking for trending tools and new features, try Shotcut or PowerDirector, which are both frequently updated.

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13. Windows Video Editor - Best for Windows Photos Users

Compatibility: Windows

Rating: 2/5

Beginner-Friendly Tools: 2.5/5

Price: Free

Key Features:

• Customizable titles and credits
• Draw feature
• Split/Trim clips
• 3D effects

Pros

• Comes free on Windows 10 and later devices
• Offers a user-friendly interface

Cons

• Limited features
• Crashes often

Windows Video Editor (which replaced Windows Movie Maker) is a simple free video editing software for YouTube that comes standard with Windows 10 and higher. It is found within the Windows Photo App and is an excellent choice for users who already use this software to edit and organize their photos.

Beginners looking for a video editor for YouTube will appreciate the Auto Movie feature, which allows you to quickly edit YouTube videos. It includes all of the fundamental editing tools, such as filters, themes, transitions, music, and text.

If you use Windows Photos to store your photos and videos, Windows Video Editor is a quick and easy way to create fun video projects from your personal videos. However, the software is far too basic for anyone serious about a YouTube career.

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Youtube Video Editing Software Free Download

It takes a lot of trial and error to find a studio-quality video editor for YouTube at a reasonable price. That is why we have researched the best free video editing software for YouTube.

PowerDirector 365 includes all of the features needed by a YouTube video creator, such as title templates, transitions, animated overlays, video speed adjustment, video stabilizer, special effects, and much more.

With a large royalty-free library of background music, sound effects, photos, and videos, as well as fun audio effects like voice-changer, you can edit YouTube videos. You can change the background or remove any unwanted objects from your shot before uploading it to YouTube.

This YouTube video editor has tools and features for any type of video, from feature films to TikTok. Splice scenes, rotate, flip, trim, and crop videos, and precisely control brightness, color, and saturation. PowerDirector includes a plethora of effects such as glitch, mirror, and emboss. With a user-friendly interface and a low learning curve, it is an excellent choice for beginners.

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To get your YouTube channel up and running, download PowerDirector 365 for free today.

Free Video Editing Software for YouTube FAQ

1. What are the Best Video Editing Apps for YouTube?

1. PowerDirector
2. Adobe Premiere Rush
3. Kinemaster
4. iMovie
5. In short

2. What Should I Look for in Free YouTube Editing Software?

1. titles
2. Royalty-Free Music stock library
3. Transitions
4. Split/trim/crop features
5. Animated stickers/overlays/text
6. YouTube templates
7. Beginner-friendly
8. Background replacement
9. Object Removal
10. Filters

3. How do YouTubers Get Paid?