This means that you can configure audio, colors, timeline, playback, and effects all at once as you work. The program allows users to open a variety of free-floating windows at once, similar to other professional video editing programs. Lightworks isn’t exclusive to any one operating system it works for Windows, Mac, or Linux. An option to stabilize your clips can then help minimize any wobble that comes from recording on a hand-held device. Another cool feature of Movie Maker is the ability to rotate clips, which can be especially useful for videos taken on a mobile phone. You can see where your video is louder or softer via a visual audio line on your clips. Like iMovie, the interface is extremely clean and simple to understand, especially if it’s your first go at editing video.Ĭlips are represented by thumbnail pictures, and trimming happens with a click and drag of the cursor. Windows users will likewise find Movie Maker to be a preferred first-time option. If you’d like to skip precise edits altogether, iMovie also has a “trailer” option where your clips can be dragged into a template and automatically edited together for a seamless, tidy-looking short film. Trimming your clips is simple too - just drag your cursor over the film clips.

IMovie also provides a host of visual effects, transitions, and text options if you’d like to add some excitement to your film without too much extra work. The interface is extremely clean and visual, making it easy to understand your clips can be dragged and dropped into place with fluidity and ease. IMovie is great for first-time auteurs on Macintosh OS X.

Most free video editing programs, however, are simple and elegant - keeping user experience first so you don’t have to waste time bumbling around with confusing controls and options.įree programs are a great option for newbies they let you get a feel for video editing while polishing your technique for future film ventures. Read on for 5 video editing programs that will save you hundreds of dollars and hours of head-scratching. It takes practice to master the highly intricate levels of most video editing software, which also takes time and money (meaning the process can be frustrating if you’re starting from scratch). So you have a ton of footage, but you aren’t sure which of the dozens of video editing programs you should choose when paring down your final project. If you’re not an editing whiz, trying to tackle professional, pricey programs can be more than intimidating.

Best free movie makers for mac