There are hundreds of video editing programs on the market — and choosing the right one is genuinely difficult. Professionals swear by some, bloggers love others, and some of the best options are completely free. Whether you are just starting out or ready to go professional, this guide breaks down the 8 best video editing programs available in 2026, covering features, pricing, skill level requirements, and who each tool is best suited for.
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How We Chose These 8 Video Editing Programs
Every program on this list was evaluated against the same criteria: ease of use, feature set relative to price, cross-platform support, active development, and real-world performance for common editing workflows including YouTube content, short-form social video, and professional film editing. Free tools were held to the same standard as paid ones — if a free editor performs at a professional level, it earns its place on this list.
Quick Comparison: 8 Video Editing Programs at a Glance
Use the table below to quickly identify which program fits your skill level, budget, and platform before diving into the detailed reviews.
| Software | Price | Best For | Platform | Skill Level | Rating |
| Movavi Video Suite | Paid (Free Trial) | Beginners & casual creators | Win / Mac | Beginner | 4.3/5 |
| OpenShot | Free | Amateur filmmakers & bloggers | Win / Mac / Linux | Beginner | 4.1/5 |
| DaVinci Resolve | Free / $295 Studio | Professional color grading | Win / Mac / Linux | Advanced | 4.8/5 |
| Shotcut | Free | Color correction enthusiasts | Win / Mac / Linux | Intermediate | 4.2/5 |
| VSDC Video Editor | Free / Paid Pro | Advanced effects on a budget | Windows | Intermediate | 4.0/5 |
| VN Video Editor | Free | Mobile + desktop editing | Win / Mac / iOS / Android | Beginner | 4.4/5 |
| Lightworks | Free / $23.99/mo | Aspiring professionals | Win / Mac / Linux | Advanced | 4.1/5 |
| VideoPad | Free / Paid | Bloggers & social media | Win / Mac / iOS / Android | Beginner | 3.9/5 |
1. Movavi Video Suite — Best Video Editing Program for Beginners
Price: Paid (Free Trial Available)
Platforms: Windows, Mac
Skill Level: Beginner
Movavi Video Suite is another easy to use video editing software and it is worth using by beginners. It provides a simple user interface and drag-and-drop features, useful presets, and in-built effects, thus allowing you to cut, join and edit your videos without having to be a skilled user. It also has screen recording, media file conversion, and slideshow creation capabilities as well as editing features, making it a one-stop solution (all in one) to easily made video projects.
2. OpenShot — Best Free Open-Source Video Editor
Price: Free (Open Source)
Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux
Skill Level: Beginner
OpenShot is a free and open-source video editor, suitable to a beginner who desires to use some powerful tools but at no cost. It has multi-track timelines, keyframe effects, audio mixing and even 3D animated effects which makes it remarkably good considering it is a free program. It might not be as polished as paid software, but it is reliable, it is regularly updated, and it is compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux and is therefore a great option among hobbyists and novice content creators.
3. DaVinci Resolve — Best for Professional Color Grading
Price: Free / Studio version $295 one-time
Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux
Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced
DaVinci Resolve is an advanced video editing program that is associated with the color grading features that are industry leading. It was firstly utilized in Hollywood to correct the color but it has gained a full editing suite with professional applications such as advanced audio editing, motion graphic, and collaborative tools. Although the free version is highly powerful, it may seem to be complicated to use by a novice user. It is optimal with average and expert users that can achieve professional-level results without having to pay a subscription fee.
4. Shotcut — Best Free Editor for Advanced Color Correction
Price: Free (Open Source)
Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux
Skill Level: Intermediate
Shotcut is a free and open-source video editor that is best characterized by excellent color correction capabilities. Although at glance its interface might appear basic, it is also capable of advanced functionality such as advanced color grading, compositing effects, and high-resolution image output up to 4K. It is a good option among the mid-level users that want the power of the professional modes of color control without purchasing the costly software.
5. VSDC Video Editor — Best Free Editor for Advanced Effects
Price: Free / Pro version available
Platforms: Windows
Skill Level: Intermediate
VSDC Video Editor is a free video editing software that works on the Windows platform and is characterize by the rich effects and peculiarities of work such as 360-degree video editing, 3D video support and more than 70 in-built visual effects. It has also color correction, motion tracking, audio editing, and green screen effects. Although the interface is not the most refined, it has strong features in the hands of intermediate users free of charge besides Pro version that is optional and has additional features.
6. VN Video Editor — Best for Mobile + Desktop Editing
Price: Free
Platforms: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android
Skill Level: Beginner
VN Video Editor is a free, beginner-friendly video editing tool available on Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android. It stands out for its seamless cross-device editing, allowing users to start projects on desktop and continue on mobile without losing quality. With an intuitive interface, multi-track timeline, filters, transitions, and no watermarks or export limits, it’s an excellent choice for social media creators and beginners.
7. Lightworks — Best Free Video Editing Program for Aspiring Professionals
Price: Free / $23.99/month (Create) / $47.99/month (Pro)
Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux
Skill Level: Advanced
Lightworks is a professional-grade video editing software used in major film productions, making it a strong choice for aspiring professionals. Its free version offers advanced non-linear editing tools, detailed audio control, and solid color grading features. However, it has high system requirements, a steep learning curve, and limits exports to 720p unless you upgrade to a paid plan. It’s best suited for advanced users who want industry-style editing experience.
8. VideoPad — Best Video Editing Software for Bloggers & Social Media
Price: Free (non-commercial) / Paid commercial license
Platforms: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android
Skill Level: Beginner
VideoPad is an easy to use video editing tool that is suggest to bloggers and social media producers. It provides simple to use applications such as filters, transitions, screen and web camera recording and direct upload to YouTube and other websites. It supports cross platforms by being available on Windows, Mac, iOS and Android. It is suitable with the common file formats such as MP4, but might need conversion with the less common files such as the MKV files.
Which Video Editing Program Is Right for You?
With eight solid options on this list, the right choice comes down to three factors: your skill level, your primary platform, and the type of content you create.
If you are a complete beginner: Start with VN Video Editor (best for mobile-first creators) or OpenShot (best for desktop). Both are free, intuitive, and will teach you the fundamentals without overwhelming you.
If you are a social media content creator: VN Video Editor or VideoPad. Both are free, cross-platform, and optimized for the short-form, filter-heavy workflows that social media content demands.
If you are a serious YouTuber or filmmaker: DaVinci Resolve. There is no better free tool for professional-quality output, and it will scale with your skills indefinitely.
If color correction is your priority: DaVinci Resolve for professionals, Shotcut for a free intermediate alternative.
If you want to pursue a professional editing career: Lightworks or DaVinci Resolve. Both develop skills directly transferable to professional production environments.
If you are on Windows and need advanced effects for free: VSDC Video Editor. No other free Windows editor matches its support for 360-degree video, 3D video, and visual effects.
Conclusion
8 Video Editing Programs the most appropriate video editing software is the one that fits into your current position. When starting out, OpenShot or VN Video Editor would have you editing without laying a penny. Should you be willing to dig further, DaVinci Resolve is the most potent free tool one can have – period. And to have something in between, Shotcut, VSDC, and VideoPad each occupy a certain niche with no subscription required.
