When you look at the best computers for video editing, Apple consistently makes the top of the list. Macs are fast, reliable, and have tons of space for high-definition video footage.
That being said, it’s not just a question of the computer you use or the hardware it comes equipped with. You’re also going to need to figure out which video editing software makes the most sense for your needs.
Some video editing software comes with a pretty hefty price tag, which may be out of the question. We’ve put together a list of the best free video editing software you can pair with your Mac.
Read on to find out more about the free resources available to Mac users looking to edit video in a professional way.
Best Free Video Editing Software for Beginners
To begin, we’ve taken a look at the video editing software that works best for beginners. These programs tend to have a simpler and more user-friendly layout. Pared down editing functions help streamline the editing process for anyone who is still learning or only needs to make some basic edits to their footage.
Read on for the top three free video editing software programs for beginners.
Apple’s Own Built-In Programs
Mac computers, along with many other Apple products, come equipped with their very own video editing programs. This includes applications like iMovie, QuickTime, and even Photo Booth.
If you’re not ready to start adding additional software to your Mac, take a second to go over the functions of Apple’s video editing applications. You can even learn how to record a video on a Mac before editing and sharing your footage if you’re looking for one-stop-shop usage.
Avidemux
Avidemux is a clean and user-friendly program without any hidden secrets. Once you download this free software, you won’t find any built-in paywalls that block you from using its best features.
Avidemux supports a variety of video and audio formats, minimizing your need to convert the files you already have. You can also take advantage of a series of free filters as well as color correction tools.
OpenShot
OpenShot is a good choice if you’re looking for something really clean and basic to use for quick projects. You can trim or slice your footage quickly and take advantage of their multiple video editing templates if you’re looking for some extra help and inspiration.
OpenShot also supports 3D animation rendering, which is one of the more unique features of this back-to-basics video editor. In addition, OpenShot is available in over 70 different languages, making it available for use for people all over the world.
Best Free Video Editing Software for Advanced Users
Are you in the market for something more advanced? Are you ready for software that will present you with more challenges but also more options to create unique final projects? Let’s take a look at three of our favorite free video editing software programs for semi-advanced and advanced users.
Blender
Blender is a good transitional software for anyone who wants an upgrade from something like iMovie but isn’t quite ready for the heavy hitters. The trick is that Blender is designed specifically for those who are interested in animation and CGI, making it the most nontraditional video editor on our list.
Blender can be used for rigging, UV unwrapping, texturing, animating, and more. This software is ideal for anyone breaking into the animation or video game programming world. It supports both CPU and GPU rendering and comes with a variety of sculpting tools and brushes users can play around with.
Davinci Resolve
Davinci Resolve is one of Blackmagic Design’s newest video editing solutions. What began as a simple color-grading tool has grown into an ideal post-production software for users who have more experience with video editing.
Focus on editing specific scenes with the Timeline curve function. Use 3D particle systems to get more creative with your editing process. And, of course, enjoy the brilliant color-correcting tools available in even the most basic version of Davinci Resolve.
The only catch? Davinci Resolve does place some of its best and most intuitive editing tools behind a paywall. Ultimately, using Davinci Resolve’s free version is a sensible way to decide whether or not it’s worth it to move on to the advanced software for a price.
Lightworks
Lightworks is one of the most widely-used free video editing software programs for professional video editors. It comes with features such as video effects and multi-cam editing. You can even take advantage of a free multi-layered timeline tool.
One of the biggest perks of Lightworks is that it doesn’t take up a ton of space. This advanced software is lightweight, requiring only 3GB of RAM for use.
Once again, however, we’re looking at a program that may require some cash to unlock the features you need. Perhaps the most annoying feature that’s trapped behind a paywall is the ability to export your footage in a wider variety of formats. When you’re using the free version, you may find that you’re limited by the MPEG4 and H.264 output options.
Find the Video Editing Software That’s Best for You
If you want to get into the video editing game, you’ll find that it’s a bit of an investment. Macs are generally considered the best computers for video editing–and those high-end capabilities don’t come cheap.
To balance out your initial costs, we recommend looking for the best video editing software on the market. Try out the programs we’ve listed here and decide which one works best for you. Remember, there’s no need to start paying into a software program until you know that it’s going to suit your needs.
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