5 Free Video Editing Software for Windows 12
In our previous blog, we explored the top 3 best free screen recording software to help you capture high-quality videos effortlessly. This time, we’re taking it a step further by introducing 5 free video editing software expected to integrate seamlessly with Windows 12. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned video creator, these tools offer robust features to bring your videos to life with ease. Let’s dive in and find the perfect editor for your needs!
The 5 tools we recommend are:
Each of these video editors brings something unique to the table. From Capcut’s intuitive interface and Davinci Resolve’s professional-grade color grading to ActivePresenter’s eLearning-focused tools, Shotcut’s open-source flexibility, and VSDC’s powerful non-linear editing capabilities, there’s a solution for every type of creator. Whether you’re polishing up home videos, crafting engaging social media content, or producing professional presentations, these free tools can help you achieve stunning results without breaking the bank.
To provide an honest and thorough review, we visited each tool’s official website, downloaded the software, and spent several hours testing them hands-on. Our evaluation focuses on the key factors users expect from a free video editing tool, including features, system requirements, watermark limitations, and the overall learning experience.
For educators, trainers, and educational content creators, we highly recommend trying out our own tool—ActivePresenter. With its all-in-one solution combining screen recording, video editing, and interactive eLearning features, ActivePresenter is designed to make creating engaging lessons and training videos a breeze. Whether you’re building online courses, crafting instructional videos, or delivering presentations, ActivePresenter offers the flexibility and advanced features you need—all without a watermark in the free version!
Download for free and no credit card required.
Overview of 5 Free Video Editing Software for Windows 12
| Features | Capcut | DaVinci Resolve | ActivePresenter | Shotcut | VSDC |
| Best for | Social media content creators, Beginners, Quick edits | Professional filmmakers, Colorists, VFX artists | eLearning developers, Educators, Interactive content creators | Advanced users, Open-source enthusiasts, Budget-conscious users | Users needing advanced features, those comfortable with a steeper learning curve |
| Platform | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Web | Windows, macOS, Linux | Windows, macOS | Windows, macOS, Linux | Windows |
| Learning curve | Very easy | Steep, suitable for pros | Moderate, more focused on educators | Moderate | Moderate |
| Interface | Modern, Clean, User-friendly | Complex but powerful | Clean, organized, eLearning-centric | Can be less intuitive, more technical | Can be complex, less modern |
| Features | AI-powered features, Social media integration, Effects, Transitions | Professional color grading, VFX, Audio editing, Multi-camera editing | Screen recording, Interactions, Quizzes, Video editing | Extensive format support, Hardware acceleration, Open-source | Chroma key, Masking, Color correction, Visual effects |
| Effects & Transitions | Large library of trendy effects | Professional-grade visual effects | Limited, mostly focused on training content | Basic transitions and video effects | Good selection of transitions and effects |
| Color grading | Basic filters and adjustments | Industry-leading color correction tools | ❌No | Basic color correction | Basic color correction |
| Audio editing | Basic audio tools, background music library | Fairlight audio editor with advanced features | Basic audio editing, text-to-speech | Audio filters and mixing | Audio effects and synchronization |
| Screen recording | ❌No | ❌No | ✅Yes | ❌No | ✅Yes |
| Export options | Popular video formats, direct to social media | High-quality export, various codecs | Video, SCORM, xAPI, HTML5 | Common video formats | Common video formats |
| Performance | Lightweight, runs smoothly on most devices | Requires a powerful computer, GPU recommended | Lightweight, runs on average systems | Lightweight | Lightweight |
| Watermark on free version | ❌No | ❌No | ❌No | ❌No | ❌No |
| Pricing | Free version, Pro version $9.99/month, Commerce Pro $29.99/month | Free version, Studio version for $295 (one-time) | Free version, Standard version $199, Pro version $399 (one-time) | Free | Free version, Pro version $29.99/year |
In summary:
- Capcut: Best for quick social media edits.
- DaVinci Resolve: Best for professional video production.
- ActivePresenter: Best for eLearning & training videos.
- Shotcut: Best for open-source flexibility.
- VSDC: Best for feature-rich & budget-friendly editing.
#1. Capcut
Developed by ByteDance, the company behind TikTok, CapCut is a powerful and user-friendly video editing app widely popular among content creators. It offers a rich suite of tools, including trimming, cutting, advanced transitions, effects, and motion tracking, enabling users to transform raw footage into professional-quality videos.
With seamless integration across TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube, and more, CapCut is perfect for crafting quick social media clips or polished long-form videos. Available on both mobile, web and desktop, it provides the flexibility to edit videos anytime, anywhere.
CapCut’s freemium model makes it accessible for beginners while offering premium features for advanced users. Whether you’re a social media enthusiast or a professional creator, CapCut delivers a blend of power, ease of use, and affordability, helping bring creative visions to life.
Pros
- Easy to use, even for beginners.
- Available on mobile, desktop, and as a web app.
- Offer a wide range of video templates.
- Support auto-captioning
- Provide stock video and audio.
- Include a rich library of effects, such as filters, transitions, stickers, and animations.
- Integrate with video platforms like TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook.
Cons
- Add a watermark to some specific templates in the free version.
- Show ads and promote premium content in the free version.
Pricing
CapCut has a primarily free version, but also offers paid subscriptions that unlock additional features.
- Pro: For personal use, start from $9.99/month or $89.99/year.
- Commerce Pro: For business use, start from $29.99/month or $249.99/year (-20%).
Note that you can cancel the plan anytime.
#2. DaVinci Resolve
While CapCut shines for quick and simple social media video edits, DaVinci Resolve stands as a powerhouse in the film and television industry, delivering professional-grade video editing trusted by Hollywood studios. Developed by Blackmagic Design, DaVinci Resolve offers filmmakers everything they need for a complete post-production workflow, setting a high standard for creative excellence.
DaVinci Resolve is the world’s only all-in-one solution that seamlessly combines video editing, color correction, visual effects, motion graphics, and audio post-production into a single, robust software. Its feature-rich interface may require some learning, but for those willing to invest the time, it offers unmatched control and versatility.
Unlike other tools that require switching between multiple applications, DaVinci Resolve lets you manage every step of your project within a unified platform, preserving the camera-original quality of your footage from start to finish. It’s like having an entire post-production studio at your fingertips!
Best of all, learning DaVinci Resolve means mastering the same tools used by industry leaders in blockbuster films, high-end commercials, and award-winning TV shows. With DaVinci Resolve, you’re not just editing videos—you’re elevating your work to cinematic quality.
Pros
- Comprehensive, all-in-one solution for post-production.
- Industry-standard color grading tools widely used in professional studios.
- Advanced editing features for professional-quality videos.
- Collaboration tools ideal for team projects.
- Cross-platform compatibility, available on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
- Highly capable free version with no watermarks.
Cons
- Registration required to download the software.
- Steep learning curve, especially challenging for beginners.
- Resource-intensive software that demands a robust computer for smooth performance.
- Lack of a built-in stock media library, requiring external assets.
Pricing
- Free: limited features.
- DaVinci Resolve Studio: $295 (one-time purchase).
#3. ActivePresenter
Another free video editing software for Windows 12 worth considering is ActivePresenter. While primarily an eLearning authoring tool, ActivePresenter also includes a built-in screen recorder and a video editor, making it a versatile, all-in-one solution for creating video-based lessons and interactive courses. What truly sets it apart is its unlimited free version, which offers access to a full suite of features without any time restrictions—a rare advantage among free video editing tools.
The free version includes both basic and advanced tools, from screen recording and trimming to annotations, animations, and polished video editing. While premium features may add a watermark and are limited to non-commercial use, the free offering remains highly valuable, particularly for educators and content creators on a budget.
Designed with educators in mind, ActivePresenter enables screen capture and video editing within the same application, simplifying the content creation process. The integrated video editor is fully equipped to help users produce professional-quality videos for instructional videos, software tutorials, and training modules.
For those needing commercial use or wanting to remove watermarks, the paid version offers an easy upgrade while retaining the software’s powerful features and high-quality output.
Pros
- Provide a free version with no time and feature limits.
- Integrate a screen recorder within the same application.
- Include eLearning features for creating interactive video tutorials, software demos, and video-based lessons.
- Support various video formats and export options, including HTML5 for interactive content.
- Offer video and written tutorials and have a helpful user community.
Cons
- Add a watermark to non-free features, with free version videos limited to non-commercial use.
- Lack templates and effects compared to others.
- May experience lag or crashes when handling large projects or complex timelines.
Pricing
- Free: unlimited.
- Standard: $199/license.
- Pro: $399/license.
The license for ActivePresenter is a one-time purchase for lifetime use. Additionally, ActivePresenter provides discounts for bulk purchases and educational customers.
#4. Shotcut
Shotcut is a free, open-source video editing software developed by Meltytech, LLC, known for its versatility and robust feature set. Available for Windows, macOS, and Linux, Shotcut is a popular choice among both beginners and professionals seeking a capable and cost-effective editing solution.
As an open-source software, Shotcut benefits from regular updates, including bug fixes, new features, and compatibility improvements, ensuring it stays up to date with the latest systems, including Windows 12. Originally designed for Linux, Shotcut’s interface may feel less intuitive compared to other video editors, contributing to a steep learning curve, particularly for new users. However, Shotcut offers a comprehensive library of video tutorials and has a large, active community ready to provide support and guidance.
Shotcut’s cross-platform support broadens its appeal to a wide range of users. It is especially ideal for budget-conscious creators, open-source enthusiasts, and those needing advanced editing features without the cost of premium software. Shotcut strikes an excellent balance between powerful functionality and affordability, making it a solid choice for anyone looking to go beyond basic video editing with limited budget.
Pros
- Completely free and open source, with no watermarks, ads, or hidden costs.
- Suitable for both simple edits and advanced video projects.
- Support 4K & 8K resolution and offers various export options.
- Offer a customizable workspace.
- Work well on multiple platforms: Windows, macOS, and Linux.
- Have an active community for support and troubleshooting.
Cons
- Steep learning curve, with a less intuitive interface than some other video editors.
- May experience stability issues or bugs.
- Lacks some advanced features found in professional video editing software.
Pricing
Shotcut is open-source video editing software, meaning it’s entirely free. There are no paid versions or subscriptions.
#5. VSDC
The last free video editing software for Windows 12 we want to add to the list is VSDC. It is a free, non-linear tool developed by Flash-Integro LLC, available exclusively for Windows. Renowned for its comprehensive suite of video editing tools, VSDC stands out as a strong competitor among free video editors, offering an impressive range of features without any costs, subscriptions, or hidden fees.
VSDC supports all popular video and audio formats and codecs, ensuring seamless compatibility with a wide variety of media files. This versatility makes it an excellent choice for video projects of all types, from simple edits to complex productions.
In addition to its core video editing capabilities, VSDC provides built-in screen recording, voice commentary recording, and video capture features, enabling users to create tutorials, record presentations, and produce dynamic content with ease. The software also includes advanced tools such as background removal (Chroma Key), picture-in-picture modes, and color correction, allowing creators to add professional-quality effects to their videos.
With a mix of basic and advanced features, VSDC caters to both beginners and experienced editors. It is particularly well-suited for educators, content creators, and social media influencers who need a powerful yet cost-effective video editing solution
Pros
- Support 360-degree video editing.
- Offer a mobile app for on-the-go video editing.
- Provide color correction, video filters, and effects.
- Include a built-in screen recorder and video capture.
- Offer a completely free core version.
- Provide advanced features for free, including motion tracking, masking, and chroma key.
Cons
- Support Windows only.
- Have a less intuitive interface.
- Add watermarks on some features.
- Experience occasional bugs and performance issues.
Pricing
- VSDC Free Video Editor: For home and educational needs.
- VSDC Pro Video Editor subscription: For commercial use, it costs $29.99/year, and can be used on two computers.
How to Choose the Best Video Editing Software for Beginners?
So, which video editing tool is best suited for beginners? The answer depends on your skills, computer capabilities, budget, and the type of videos you want to create. To help you decide, we’ve categorized the 5 recommended tools into three groups:
- For quick and easy edits: If you’re creating vlogs, travel videos, or casual content and need a straightforward, beginner-friendly tool, Capcut is your best bet.
- For professional-grade videos: If you’re looking to produce polished, professional videos and don’t mind investing time in learning advanced features, DaVinci Resolve and Shotcut are excellent choices. These tools offer robust, premium features but come with a steeper learning curve.
- For educational content: If you’re a trainer or educator aiming to create engaging video lessons for your students, ActivePresenter and VSDC provide powerful tools tailored to eLearning and instructional videos.
Remember, video editing software is just a tool. The key to success lies in understanding your needs and mastering the software you choose. Take the time to explore, practice consistently, and build your skills. With dedication, you’ll be able to create compelling videos that truly resonate.
Conclusion
These top 5 free video editing software for Windows 12 cater to diverse creator needs. Offering everything from beginner-friendly interfaces to advanced professional features, you’ll find the right tool for any project. Whether you’re making quick social media edits, crafting detailed eLearning content, or producing professional-grade videos, this list provides a solution for every creator. We hope this review empowers you to make an informed choice and unlock your creative potential. Stay tuned for more tips and insights to enhance your video creation journey!
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