Quick Answer: What Is a GIF File

Quick Answer: What Is a GIF File?

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Stay tuned to get an insight into what and how of GIFs with utmost ease! Here’s all about the origin, credibility, creation and content repositories of GIFs!

In this article

01 [What Is a GIF File?](#Part 1)

02 [Are GIF Files Subject to Copyright?](#Part 2)

03 [How to Convert a GIF File](#Part 3)

04 [6 Places to Find the Best Gifs](#Part 4)

Part 1 What Is a GIF File?

GIF is an acronym for Graphics Interchange Format. Talking of the explicit GIF meaning, this one is a short motion snippet created from a set of serially arranged still images in a looping motion. Talking of the origin of GIFs, these were first introduced in 1987 by Steve Wilhite from the US based online service provider CompuServe, precisely on June 15.

GIFs serve as portable image formats for still and animated images, and are primarily small sized files. However, these are very well compatible with large content files too. In today’s times, GIFs are a trending means of entertainment based content sharing and intensified message delivery to target audience. Additionally, you can conveniently use motion images in the GIF format as effective tools of improvising and upgrading your marketing straggles for an enhanced brand promotion.

Considering the immense content varieties of GIFs, these are an eminent part of blogs, social media posts and product websites. You can even use them to objectify your emotions and feelings when conversing with peers through the latest instant messaging applications. The bottom line is, GIFs are an integral part of today’s modern and dynamic communication patterns and needs.

Part 2 Are GIF File Subject to Copyright?

The straight and simple answer to this query is a ‘Yes’. CIFs are indeed subject to copyright, just like its creative counterparts. These essentially constitute an original copyrighted creation, or may even originate from an existing copyright protected work. However, you may encounter potential glitches when choosing to work with GIF images while sticking with legal constraints.

Talking of the potential issues with the legality of GIF usage, there are two major concerns; the first being the sharing of unlicensed copyrighted GIF content, while the absence of legalized methods for licensed commercial use of these short motion clips being the second. Talking of possible reasons, there is again a duel. At present, there no copyright exercise from the end of original creators of GIF content, along with the absence of exact copyright claim constraints that can be imposed by content owners.

This scenario poses a potential need to look for suitable mitigation methods to curb copyright claims and disputes resulting from illegal use of GIFs. As a matter of fact, the development of a proper legal framework for undisputed GIF usage is a time consuming process. However, you can stay cautious by adhering to the following measures in the meantime:

● Refrain from using GIFs in a manner that would appear unsolicited to you, had you been the content owner.

● Take a note to credit the original creators in case3 you are using the GIF content from a known copyright source.

● Avoid drawing content from doubtful sources, instead search for trusted alternatives, or creating a GIF of your own would be an even better and safe choice.

Part 3 How to Convert a GIF File

GIFs are an exciting means of creating a buzz about the information being conveyed. You can ensure an effective reach and impact of your brand if you include these catchy, short animation loops in your promotion strategy. Counting upon the credibility of GIFs, it is equally exciting to create these on your own. Try hands at experimenting with your creative skills to make and share interesting content through GIFs.

When looking for an excellent GIF creator tool, you don’t need to have second thoughts on picking up the Wondershare Filmora GIF Creator. This software has everything to make you fall in love with creating and editing GIFs! You can choose to create looping animations from static images and video files in a variety of formats when creating GIFs in Wondershare Filmora Video Editor .

Wondershare Filmora - Best Video Editor for Mac/Windows

Try It Free Try It Free

5,481,435 people have downloaded it.

Build unique custom animations without breaking a sweat.

Focus on creating epic stories and leave the details to Filmora’s auto features.

Start a creative adventure with drag & drop effects and endless possibilities.

Filmora simplifies advanced features to save you time and effort.

Filmora cuts out repetition so you can move on to your next creative breakthrough.

Creating GIFs in Filmora

As already stated, making GIFs in Filmora is super easy. You just need to follow the steps mentioned below:

Step 1: Download and Launch Filmora

From the link given above, download the Filmora GIF creator software for free and install the same in your preferred device. When you finish, launch the software to reach its timeline.

Step 2: Media Upload

Select a set of locally saved still images or any desired video file to upload to the software’s timeline. Filmora supports over 150 different file formats, granting you the liberty to choose your suitable one without a glitch.

Step 3: Timeline Placement

Drag the uploaded media files to the Filmora editor timeline to customize your artwork with suitable effects and filters, while exploring your editing creativity. You can try non adding overlays; background effects, audio and music, or making size, frame and play speed adjustments and even add suitable tests to make your content impressive.

Step 4: Save and Export

When you are happy with your work, save it locally using the .gif extension. This will cause a GIF file download in your device’s memory. Your artwork is now ready to be exported to your media sharing handles.

Part 4 Places to Find the Best Gifs

Creating GIFs of your own is an absolute fun, but considering the fact that you may require to look for excellent pre made GIF content at some instances, the web is flooded with appealing GIF libraries that are enriched with top quality, amazing GIF content. Some of the best GIF websites include the following:

01GIFHY

This is probably the first name that comes in mind when the talk is about quality with variety in GIF content. The site is an extensive library of stunning GIFs, with tons of different and relatable content categories that are packed with all the latest and trending GIFs. Ann additional advantage of using this site to hunt for the perfect GIF is, the site has a direct export feature. This means that you can directly share your selected GIF on the site to your instant massaging conversations and social media handles.

02Tenor

This one is another heap of amazing GIFs available online. Having a vast and distributed content inventory, Tenor lands among the most potential competitors of GIPHY. In spite of being on the same page in terms of website interface and content categorization, these two libraries offer potentially diverse search results for the sane keyword. It is interesting to know that Tenor takes the credit of introducing the GIF Keyboard.

03Gfycat

If you are interested to experiment with GIF hosting, this website is your one stop access for adhering to all related concerns. Though you may be a little disappointed with the site’s content search filter, its GIF category bank is quite impressive. Additionally, you will be pleased with the high-definition image quality of the GIFs available on this site. You can visibly count on this as a dependable means to access and host premade GIFs.

04GIFbin

GIFs are known to be the trendsetters in content sharing, but if you are among the ones who like to stay out of the crowd, you can visit this site for state of the art nostalgic GIF content. Browsing through the retro inspired content categories of the website, you will experience getting back to those Limewire and MSN Messenger days almost two decades back. The site comes with a simple interface and has a massive library to access content in the GIF file format.

05Imgflip

You can take this site as a bridge connecting the GIF sharing and meme creation spectrums. Though the site excels as a quality meme creation platform, it is simultaneously a hub of stunning GIF content in diverse categories, particularly in the comic genre. The GIFs on the site have an embedded watermark, which you may prefer removing before downloading or sharing the contents, if not, it is equally fine to keep the watermark.

06Tumblr

This site is visibly a time travel into the GIF world. Covering an extensive range of GIFs from the retro panorama to the latest ongoing trends, this website is an eminent store house of futuristic GIF content too. you can either browse through selected content categories or pick up a specific keyword search in the Tumblr search field. Consider visiting this site to take a nostalgia tour to the domain of quality content sharing.

Premade GIFs are a content of class in the world of information sharing. These are intuitively power packed tools of data promotion, but may require additional customization in some cases. Whether aiming to intensify your message or just for a creative fun, if you want to explore your editing skills to personalize your GIFs, you can choose the Filmora GIF Maker software to serve your purpose.

Key Features

The software is loaded with exciting features to let you enjoy the GIF creation experience. Some are them are outlined below:

● The software is free to use and comes with a clean and organized user interface.

● This is quick and easy GIF maker software that helps you create amazing GIF content in a spic and span process.

● The Filmora editor library is a huge storehouse of professional quality effects and filters, like, overlays, audio-visual effects, image size and frame adjustment tools, etc., that are ready to give an outstanding professional touch to your creation.

● This software is conveniently compatible with your Windows and MacOS supported devices.

● It supports almost all common image and video file formats.

● Key Takeaways from This Episode →

● GIFs are an extensive content sharing alternative that are known to add volume and substance to still captures and thereby assure a precise and impactful message delivery.

● You can create stunning GIFs from static images as well as convert different file formats into GIFs.

● When looking for quality premade GIF content, you can visit a range of GIF website to pick exactly what you like. However, if you want to take up further customization, consider using the Filmora GIF Creator software to either edit premade GIFs, or create exciting ones of your own!

Try It Free Try It Free

Stay tuned to get an insight into what and how of GIFs with utmost ease! Here’s all about the origin, credibility, creation and content repositories of GIFs!

In this article

01 [What Is a GIF File?](#Part 1)

02 [Are GIF Files Subject to Copyright?](#Part 2)

03 [How to Convert a GIF File](#Part 3)

04 [6 Places to Find the Best Gifs](#Part 4)

Part 1 What Is a GIF File?

GIF is an acronym for Graphics Interchange Format. Talking of the explicit GIF meaning, this one is a short motion snippet created from a set of serially arranged still images in a looping motion. Talking of the origin of GIFs, these were first introduced in 1987 by Steve Wilhite from the US based online service provider CompuServe, precisely on June 15.

GIFs serve as portable image formats for still and animated images, and are primarily small sized files. However, these are very well compatible with large content files too. In today’s times, GIFs are a trending means of entertainment based content sharing and intensified message delivery to target audience. Additionally, you can conveniently use motion images in the GIF format as effective tools of improvising and upgrading your marketing straggles for an enhanced brand promotion.

Considering the immense content varieties of GIFs, these are an eminent part of blogs, social media posts and product websites. You can even use them to objectify your emotions and feelings when conversing with peers through the latest instant messaging applications. The bottom line is, GIFs are an integral part of today’s modern and dynamic communication patterns and needs.

Part 2 Are GIF File Subject to Copyright?

The straight and simple answer to this query is a ‘Yes’. CIFs are indeed subject to copyright, just like its creative counterparts. These essentially constitute an original copyrighted creation, or may even originate from an existing copyright protected work. However, you may encounter potential glitches when choosing to work with GIF images while sticking with legal constraints.

Talking of the potential issues with the legality of GIF usage, there are two major concerns; the first being the sharing of unlicensed copyrighted GIF content, while the absence of legalized methods for licensed commercial use of these short motion clips being the second. Talking of possible reasons, there is again a duel. At present, there no copyright exercise from the end of original creators of GIF content, along with the absence of exact copyright claim constraints that can be imposed by content owners.

This scenario poses a potential need to look for suitable mitigation methods to curb copyright claims and disputes resulting from illegal use of GIFs. As a matter of fact, the development of a proper legal framework for undisputed GIF usage is a time consuming process. However, you can stay cautious by adhering to the following measures in the meantime:

● Refrain from using GIFs in a manner that would appear unsolicited to you, had you been the content owner.

● Take a note to credit the original creators in case3 you are using the GIF content from a known copyright source.

● Avoid drawing content from doubtful sources, instead search for trusted alternatives, or creating a GIF of your own would be an even better and safe choice.

Part 3 How to Convert a GIF File

GIFs are an exciting means of creating a buzz about the information being conveyed. You can ensure an effective reach and impact of your brand if you include these catchy, short animation loops in your promotion strategy. Counting upon the credibility of GIFs, it is equally exciting to create these on your own. Try hands at experimenting with your creative skills to make and share interesting content through GIFs.

When looking for an excellent GIF creator tool, you don’t need to have second thoughts on picking up the Wondershare Filmora GIF Creator. This software has everything to make you fall in love with creating and editing GIFs! You can choose to create looping animations from static images and video files in a variety of formats when creating GIFs in Wondershare Filmora Video Editor .

Wondershare Filmora - Best Video Editor for Mac/Windows

Try It Free Try It Free

5,481,435 people have downloaded it.

Build unique custom animations without breaking a sweat.

Focus on creating epic stories and leave the details to Filmora’s auto features.

Start a creative adventure with drag & drop effects and endless possibilities.

Filmora simplifies advanced features to save you time and effort.

Filmora cuts out repetition so you can move on to your next creative breakthrough.

Creating GIFs in Filmora

As already stated, making GIFs in Filmora is super easy. You just need to follow the steps mentioned below:

Step 1: Download and Launch Filmora

From the link given above, download the Filmora GIF creator software for free and install the same in your preferred device. When you finish, launch the software to reach its timeline.

Step 2: Media Upload

Select a set of locally saved still images or any desired video file to upload to the software’s timeline. Filmora supports over 150 different file formats, granting you the liberty to choose your suitable one without a glitch.

Step 3: Timeline Placement

Drag the uploaded media files to the Filmora editor timeline to customize your artwork with suitable effects and filters, while exploring your editing creativity. You can try non adding overlays; background effects, audio and music, or making size, frame and play speed adjustments and even add suitable tests to make your content impressive.

Step 4: Save and Export

When you are happy with your work, save it locally using the .gif extension. This will cause a GIF file download in your device’s memory. Your artwork is now ready to be exported to your media sharing handles.

Part 4 Places to Find the Best Gifs

Creating GIFs of your own is an absolute fun, but considering the fact that you may require to look for excellent pre made GIF content at some instances, the web is flooded with appealing GIF libraries that are enriched with top quality, amazing GIF content. Some of the best GIF websites include the following:

01GIFHY

This is probably the first name that comes in mind when the talk is about quality with variety in GIF content. The site is an extensive library of stunning GIFs, with tons of different and relatable content categories that are packed with all the latest and trending GIFs. Ann additional advantage of using this site to hunt for the perfect GIF is, the site has a direct export feature. This means that you can directly share your selected GIF on the site to your instant massaging conversations and social media handles.

02Tenor

This one is another heap of amazing GIFs available online. Having a vast and distributed content inventory, Tenor lands among the most potential competitors of GIPHY. In spite of being on the same page in terms of website interface and content categorization, these two libraries offer potentially diverse search results for the sane keyword. It is interesting to know that Tenor takes the credit of introducing the GIF Keyboard.

03Gfycat

If you are interested to experiment with GIF hosting, this website is your one stop access for adhering to all related concerns. Though you may be a little disappointed with the site’s content search filter, its GIF category bank is quite impressive. Additionally, you will be pleased with the high-definition image quality of the GIFs available on this site. You can visibly count on this as a dependable means to access and host premade GIFs.

04GIFbin

GIFs are known to be the trendsetters in content sharing, but if you are among the ones who like to stay out of the crowd, you can visit this site for state of the art nostalgic GIF content. Browsing through the retro inspired content categories of the website, you will experience getting back to those Limewire and MSN Messenger days almost two decades back. The site comes with a simple interface and has a massive library to access content in the GIF file format.

05Imgflip

You can take this site as a bridge connecting the GIF sharing and meme creation spectrums. Though the site excels as a quality meme creation platform, it is simultaneously a hub of stunning GIF content in diverse categories, particularly in the comic genre. The GIFs on the site have an embedded watermark, which you may prefer removing before downloading or sharing the contents, if not, it is equally fine to keep the watermark.

06Tumblr

This site is visibly a time travel into the GIF world. Covering an extensive range of GIFs from the retro panorama to the latest ongoing trends, this website is an eminent store house of futuristic GIF content too. you can either browse through selected content categories or pick up a specific keyword search in the Tumblr search field. Consider visiting this site to take a nostalgia tour to the domain of quality content sharing.

Premade GIFs are a content of class in the world of information sharing. These are intuitively power packed tools of data promotion, but may require additional customization in some cases. Whether aiming to intensify your message or just for a creative fun, if you want to explore your editing skills to personalize your GIFs, you can choose the Filmora GIF Maker software to serve your purpose.

Key Features

The software is loaded with exciting features to let you enjoy the GIF creation experience. Some are them are outlined below:

● The software is free to use and comes with a clean and organized user interface.

● This is quick and easy GIF maker software that helps you create amazing GIF content in a spic and span process.

● The Filmora editor library is a huge storehouse of professional quality effects and filters, like, overlays, audio-visual effects, image size and frame adjustment tools, etc., that are ready to give an outstanding professional touch to your creation.

● This software is conveniently compatible with your Windows and MacOS supported devices.

● It supports almost all common image and video file formats.

● Key Takeaways from This Episode →

● GIFs are an extensive content sharing alternative that are known to add volume and substance to still captures and thereby assure a precise and impactful message delivery.

● You can create stunning GIFs from static images as well as convert different file formats into GIFs.

● When looking for quality premade GIF content, you can visit a range of GIF website to pick exactly what you like. However, if you want to take up further customization, consider using the Filmora GIF Creator software to either edit premade GIFs, or create exciting ones of your own!

Try It Free Try It Free

Stay tuned to get an insight into what and how of GIFs with utmost ease! Here’s all about the origin, credibility, creation and content repositories of GIFs!

In this article

01 [What Is a GIF File?](#Part 1)

02 [Are GIF Files Subject to Copyright?](#Part 2)

03 [How to Convert a GIF File](#Part 3)

04 [6 Places to Find the Best Gifs](#Part 4)

Part 1 What Is a GIF File?

GIF is an acronym for Graphics Interchange Format. Talking of the explicit GIF meaning, this one is a short motion snippet created from a set of serially arranged still images in a looping motion. Talking of the origin of GIFs, these were first introduced in 1987 by Steve Wilhite from the US based online service provider CompuServe, precisely on June 15.

GIFs serve as portable image formats for still and animated images, and are primarily small sized files. However, these are very well compatible with large content files too. In today’s times, GIFs are a trending means of entertainment based content sharing and intensified message delivery to target audience. Additionally, you can conveniently use motion images in the GIF format as effective tools of improvising and upgrading your marketing straggles for an enhanced brand promotion.

Considering the immense content varieties of GIFs, these are an eminent part of blogs, social media posts and product websites. You can even use them to objectify your emotions and feelings when conversing with peers through the latest instant messaging applications. The bottom line is, GIFs are an integral part of today’s modern and dynamic communication patterns and needs.

Part 2 Are GIF File Subject to Copyright?

The straight and simple answer to this query is a ‘Yes’. CIFs are indeed subject to copyright, just like its creative counterparts. These essentially constitute an original copyrighted creation, or may even originate from an existing copyright protected work. However, you may encounter potential glitches when choosing to work with GIF images while sticking with legal constraints.

Talking of the potential issues with the legality of GIF usage, there are two major concerns; the first being the sharing of unlicensed copyrighted GIF content, while the absence of legalized methods for licensed commercial use of these short motion clips being the second. Talking of possible reasons, there is again a duel. At present, there no copyright exercise from the end of original creators of GIF content, along with the absence of exact copyright claim constraints that can be imposed by content owners.

This scenario poses a potential need to look for suitable mitigation methods to curb copyright claims and disputes resulting from illegal use of GIFs. As a matter of fact, the development of a proper legal framework for undisputed GIF usage is a time consuming process. However, you can stay cautious by adhering to the following measures in the meantime:

● Refrain from using GIFs in a manner that would appear unsolicited to you, had you been the content owner.

● Take a note to credit the original creators in case3 you are using the GIF content from a known copyright source.

● Avoid drawing content from doubtful sources, instead search for trusted alternatives, or creating a GIF of your own would be an even better and safe choice.

Part 3 How to Convert a GIF File

GIFs are an exciting means of creating a buzz about the information being conveyed. You can ensure an effective reach and impact of your brand if you include these catchy, short animation loops in your promotion strategy. Counting upon the credibility of GIFs, it is equally exciting to create these on your own. Try hands at experimenting with your creative skills to make and share interesting content through GIFs.

When looking for an excellent GIF creator tool, you don’t need to have second thoughts on picking up the Wondershare Filmora GIF Creator. This software has everything to make you fall in love with creating and editing GIFs! You can choose to create looping animations from static images and video files in a variety of formats when creating GIFs in Wondershare Filmora Video Editor .

Wondershare Filmora - Best Video Editor for Mac/Windows

Try It Free Try It Free

5,481,435 people have downloaded it.

Build unique custom animations without breaking a sweat.

Focus on creating epic stories and leave the details to Filmora’s auto features.

Start a creative adventure with drag & drop effects and endless possibilities.

Filmora simplifies advanced features to save you time and effort.

Filmora cuts out repetition so you can move on to your next creative breakthrough.

Creating GIFs in Filmora

As already stated, making GIFs in Filmora is super easy. You just need to follow the steps mentioned below:

Step 1: Download and Launch Filmora

From the link given above, download the Filmora GIF creator software for free and install the same in your preferred device. When you finish, launch the software to reach its timeline.

Step 2: Media Upload

Select a set of locally saved still images or any desired video file to upload to the software’s timeline. Filmora supports over 150 different file formats, granting you the liberty to choose your suitable one without a glitch.

Step 3: Timeline Placement

Drag the uploaded media files to the Filmora editor timeline to customize your artwork with suitable effects and filters, while exploring your editing creativity. You can try non adding overlays; background effects, audio and music, or making size, frame and play speed adjustments and even add suitable tests to make your content impressive.

Step 4: Save and Export

When you are happy with your work, save it locally using the .gif extension. This will cause a GIF file download in your device’s memory. Your artwork is now ready to be exported to your media sharing handles.

Part 4 Places to Find the Best Gifs

Creating GIFs of your own is an absolute fun, but considering the fact that you may require to look for excellent pre made GIF content at some instances, the web is flooded with appealing GIF libraries that are enriched with top quality, amazing GIF content. Some of the best GIF websites include the following:

01GIFHY

This is probably the first name that comes in mind when the talk is about quality with variety in GIF content. The site is an extensive library of stunning GIFs, with tons of different and relatable content categories that are packed with all the latest and trending GIFs. Ann additional advantage of using this site to hunt for the perfect GIF is, the site has a direct export feature. This means that you can directly share your selected GIF on the site to your instant massaging conversations and social media handles.

02Tenor

This one is another heap of amazing GIFs available online. Having a vast and distributed content inventory, Tenor lands among the most potential competitors of GIPHY. In spite of being on the same page in terms of website interface and content categorization, these two libraries offer potentially diverse search results for the sane keyword. It is interesting to know that Tenor takes the credit of introducing the GIF Keyboard.

03Gfycat

If you are interested to experiment with GIF hosting, this website is your one stop access for adhering to all related concerns. Though you may be a little disappointed with the site’s content search filter, its GIF category bank is quite impressive. Additionally, you will be pleased with the high-definition image quality of the GIFs available on this site. You can visibly count on this as a dependable means to access and host premade GIFs.

04GIFbin

GIFs are known to be the trendsetters in content sharing, but if you are among the ones who like to stay out of the crowd, you can visit this site for state of the art nostalgic GIF content. Browsing through the retro inspired content categories of the website, you will experience getting back to those Limewire and MSN Messenger days almost two decades back. The site comes with a simple interface and has a massive library to access content in the GIF file format.

05Imgflip

You can take this site as a bridge connecting the GIF sharing and meme creation spectrums. Though the site excels as a quality meme creation platform, it is simultaneously a hub of stunning GIF content in diverse categories, particularly in the comic genre. The GIFs on the site have an embedded watermark, which you may prefer removing before downloading or sharing the contents, if not, it is equally fine to keep the watermark.

06Tumblr

This site is visibly a time travel into the GIF world. Covering an extensive range of GIFs from the retro panorama to the latest ongoing trends, this website is an eminent store house of futuristic GIF content too. you can either browse through selected content categories or pick up a specific keyword search in the Tumblr search field. Consider visiting this site to take a nostalgia tour to the domain of quality content sharing.

Premade GIFs are a content of class in the world of information sharing. These are intuitively power packed tools of data promotion, but may require additional customization in some cases. Whether aiming to intensify your message or just for a creative fun, if you want to explore your editing skills to personalize your GIFs, you can choose the Filmora GIF Maker software to serve your purpose.

Key Features

The software is loaded with exciting features to let you enjoy the GIF creation experience. Some are them are outlined below:

● The software is free to use and comes with a clean and organized user interface.

● This is quick and easy GIF maker software that helps you create amazing GIF content in a spic and span process.

● The Filmora editor library is a huge storehouse of professional quality effects and filters, like, overlays, audio-visual effects, image size and frame adjustment tools, etc., that are ready to give an outstanding professional touch to your creation.

● This software is conveniently compatible with your Windows and MacOS supported devices.

● It supports almost all common image and video file formats.

● Key Takeaways from This Episode →

● GIFs are an extensive content sharing alternative that are known to add volume and substance to still captures and thereby assure a precise and impactful message delivery.

● You can create stunning GIFs from static images as well as convert different file formats into GIFs.

● When looking for quality premade GIF content, you can visit a range of GIF website to pick exactly what you like. However, if you want to take up further customization, consider using the Filmora GIF Creator software to either edit premade GIFs, or create exciting ones of your own!

Try It Free Try It Free

Stay tuned to get an insight into what and how of GIFs with utmost ease! Here’s all about the origin, credibility, creation and content repositories of GIFs!

In this article

01 [What Is a GIF File?](#Part 1)

02 [Are GIF Files Subject to Copyright?](#Part 2)

03 [How to Convert a GIF File](#Part 3)

04 [6 Places to Find the Best Gifs](#Part 4)

Part 1 What Is a GIF File?

GIF is an acronym for Graphics Interchange Format. Talking of the explicit GIF meaning, this one is a short motion snippet created from a set of serially arranged still images in a looping motion. Talking of the origin of GIFs, these were first introduced in 1987 by Steve Wilhite from the US based online service provider CompuServe, precisely on June 15.

GIFs serve as portable image formats for still and animated images, and are primarily small sized files. However, these are very well compatible with large content files too. In today’s times, GIFs are a trending means of entertainment based content sharing and intensified message delivery to target audience. Additionally, you can conveniently use motion images in the GIF format as effective tools of improvising and upgrading your marketing straggles for an enhanced brand promotion.

Considering the immense content varieties of GIFs, these are an eminent part of blogs, social media posts and product websites. You can even use them to objectify your emotions and feelings when conversing with peers through the latest instant messaging applications. The bottom line is, GIFs are an integral part of today’s modern and dynamic communication patterns and needs.

Part 2 Are GIF File Subject to Copyright?

The straight and simple answer to this query is a ‘Yes’. CIFs are indeed subject to copyright, just like its creative counterparts. These essentially constitute an original copyrighted creation, or may even originate from an existing copyright protected work. However, you may encounter potential glitches when choosing to work with GIF images while sticking with legal constraints.

Talking of the potential issues with the legality of GIF usage, there are two major concerns; the first being the sharing of unlicensed copyrighted GIF content, while the absence of legalized methods for licensed commercial use of these short motion clips being the second. Talking of possible reasons, there is again a duel. At present, there no copyright exercise from the end of original creators of GIF content, along with the absence of exact copyright claim constraints that can be imposed by content owners.

This scenario poses a potential need to look for suitable mitigation methods to curb copyright claims and disputes resulting from illegal use of GIFs. As a matter of fact, the development of a proper legal framework for undisputed GIF usage is a time consuming process. However, you can stay cautious by adhering to the following measures in the meantime:

● Refrain from using GIFs in a manner that would appear unsolicited to you, had you been the content owner.

● Take a note to credit the original creators in case3 you are using the GIF content from a known copyright source.

● Avoid drawing content from doubtful sources, instead search for trusted alternatives, or creating a GIF of your own would be an even better and safe choice.

Part 3 How to Convert a GIF File

GIFs are an exciting means of creating a buzz about the information being conveyed. You can ensure an effective reach and impact of your brand if you include these catchy, short animation loops in your promotion strategy. Counting upon the credibility of GIFs, it is equally exciting to create these on your own. Try hands at experimenting with your creative skills to make and share interesting content through GIFs.

When looking for an excellent GIF creator tool, you don’t need to have second thoughts on picking up the Wondershare Filmora GIF Creator. This software has everything to make you fall in love with creating and editing GIFs! You can choose to create looping animations from static images and video files in a variety of formats when creating GIFs in Wondershare Filmora Video Editor .

Wondershare Filmora - Best Video Editor for Mac/Windows

Try It Free Try It Free

5,481,435 people have downloaded it.

Build unique custom animations without breaking a sweat.

Focus on creating epic stories and leave the details to Filmora’s auto features.

Start a creative adventure with drag & drop effects and endless possibilities.

Filmora simplifies advanced features to save you time and effort.

Filmora cuts out repetition so you can move on to your next creative breakthrough.

Creating GIFs in Filmora

As already stated, making GIFs in Filmora is super easy. You just need to follow the steps mentioned below:

Step 1: Download and Launch Filmora

From the link given above, download the Filmora GIF creator software for free and install the same in your preferred device. When you finish, launch the software to reach its timeline.

Step 2: Media Upload

Select a set of locally saved still images or any desired video file to upload to the software’s timeline. Filmora supports over 150 different file formats, granting you the liberty to choose your suitable one without a glitch.

Step 3: Timeline Placement

Drag the uploaded media files to the Filmora editor timeline to customize your artwork with suitable effects and filters, while exploring your editing creativity. You can try non adding overlays; background effects, audio and music, or making size, frame and play speed adjustments and even add suitable tests to make your content impressive.

Step 4: Save and Export

When you are happy with your work, save it locally using the .gif extension. This will cause a GIF file download in your device’s memory. Your artwork is now ready to be exported to your media sharing handles.

Part 4 Places to Find the Best Gifs

Creating GIFs of your own is an absolute fun, but considering the fact that you may require to look for excellent pre made GIF content at some instances, the web is flooded with appealing GIF libraries that are enriched with top quality, amazing GIF content. Some of the best GIF websites include the following:

01GIFHY

This is probably the first name that comes in mind when the talk is about quality with variety in GIF content. The site is an extensive library of stunning GIFs, with tons of different and relatable content categories that are packed with all the latest and trending GIFs. Ann additional advantage of using this site to hunt for the perfect GIF is, the site has a direct export feature. This means that you can directly share your selected GIF on the site to your instant massaging conversations and social media handles.

02Tenor

This one is another heap of amazing GIFs available online. Having a vast and distributed content inventory, Tenor lands among the most potential competitors of GIPHY. In spite of being on the same page in terms of website interface and content categorization, these two libraries offer potentially diverse search results for the sane keyword. It is interesting to know that Tenor takes the credit of introducing the GIF Keyboard.

03Gfycat

If you are interested to experiment with GIF hosting, this website is your one stop access for adhering to all related concerns. Though you may be a little disappointed with the site’s content search filter, its GIF category bank is quite impressive. Additionally, you will be pleased with the high-definition image quality of the GIFs available on this site. You can visibly count on this as a dependable means to access and host premade GIFs.

04GIFbin

GIFs are known to be the trendsetters in content sharing, but if you are among the ones who like to stay out of the crowd, you can visit this site for state of the art nostalgic GIF content. Browsing through the retro inspired content categories of the website, you will experience getting back to those Limewire and MSN Messenger days almost two decades back. The site comes with a simple interface and has a massive library to access content in the GIF file format.

05Imgflip

You can take this site as a bridge connecting the GIF sharing and meme creation spectrums. Though the site excels as a quality meme creation platform, it is simultaneously a hub of stunning GIF content in diverse categories, particularly in the comic genre. The GIFs on the site have an embedded watermark, which you may prefer removing before downloading or sharing the contents, if not, it is equally fine to keep the watermark.

06Tumblr

This site is visibly a time travel into the GIF world. Covering an extensive range of GIFs from the retro panorama to the latest ongoing trends, this website is an eminent store house of futuristic GIF content too. you can either browse through selected content categories or pick up a specific keyword search in the Tumblr search field. Consider visiting this site to take a nostalgia tour to the domain of quality content sharing.

Premade GIFs are a content of class in the world of information sharing. These are intuitively power packed tools of data promotion, but may require additional customization in some cases. Whether aiming to intensify your message or just for a creative fun, if you want to explore your editing skills to personalize your GIFs, you can choose the Filmora GIF Maker software to serve your purpose.

Key Features

The software is loaded with exciting features to let you enjoy the GIF creation experience. Some are them are outlined below:

● The software is free to use and comes with a clean and organized user interface.

● This is quick and easy GIF maker software that helps you create amazing GIF content in a spic and span process.

● The Filmora editor library is a huge storehouse of professional quality effects and filters, like, overlays, audio-visual effects, image size and frame adjustment tools, etc., that are ready to give an outstanding professional touch to your creation.

● This software is conveniently compatible with your Windows and MacOS supported devices.

● It supports almost all common image and video file formats.

● Key Takeaways from This Episode →

● GIFs are an extensive content sharing alternative that are known to add volume and substance to still captures and thereby assure a precise and impactful message delivery.

● You can create stunning GIFs from static images as well as convert different file formats into GIFs.

● When looking for quality premade GIF content, you can visit a range of GIF website to pick exactly what you like. However, if you want to take up further customization, consider using the Filmora GIF Creator software to either edit premade GIFs, or create exciting ones of your own!

Step by Step to Split Clips in VLC

The VLC media player is top-rated as it is freely available and operates on different platforms efficiently. Its framework helps play almost all the audios, videos, DVDs and various resources available on your systems. Even optimizing the videos and audio as the playback from your devices is possible. There is also a possibility of integrating a number of programs along with the streaming services.

You can even search the album covers. With the functionality of the playlist, you can play a number of films one after the other. This feature is helpful when you have downloaded the whole film in parts or watched different short films. The best part is to know it is not just a video player. It is an editor; yes, you heard it right. VLC is the correct choice for splitting or cutting your videos without facing any difficulties.

The article is a guide about the split of the videos in VLC. There is also a particular description of its alternative: Wondershare Filmora. It is suitable as well as reasonable.

How can you split the video clips in VLC?

VLC Media player has all the amazing tools for playing back the audios and videos regardless of the format. It is still on top of all the media players because of its simple interface. Below are the very easy steps to split the videos in the VLC media player.

Step 1: After completing the download, install the updated version of the VLC media player if it is not on your PC. Once it is installed, you need to double click on its icon for launching it.

Step 2: This step is the activation of the advanced controls in the media player. Click on “View” visible on the menu bar. Click on the “Advanced Controls” and appears the menu of four additional buttons more than the button for play or pause.

Step 3: Now, you can easily play the video simply by clicking the “Open File” option present in the media menu. The drag and drop option is available inside the VLC media player.

You should start playing the video now and recording the parts with the help of a decoder. Look for the position from where you want to begin the recording and press both Play and Pause buttons one after the other.

Even the Frame-by-Frame button is also available. It is the last one in the advance controls for navigating the actual frame from where you want to begin the recording.

Step 4:

Press the button “Record” again whenever you want the recording to stop. This is the final step for cutting the videos in VLC. The split video from the actual video saves automatically as the MP4 video file in the folder of Libraries or Videos if you are using Windows operating system.

Almost all, playing any video and audio format is possible in VLC media player. It includes AVI, MP4, FLV, WMV, RMVB and Quick time. You can even play the videos partially or preview them even before completing the downloads.

An easier way to split the video

The whole process of splitting the video into a VLC media player is extremely easy for managing and handling without any requirement of technical knowledge. But unfortunately, you can apply the frame-by-frame technique on the short videos. Monitoring is essential during the split and looking at the complete process whenever the recording is in VLC.

This causes the loss of quality. Here, the substitute that is also available is Filmora Video Editor . It is the recommendation of the graphic designers, web developers and videographers because it is freely available and lightweight software for the systems. You can apply its features to your images and videos. This includes the cutting, rotating and resizing of your videos along with the images.

Free Download

For Win 7 or later (64-bit)

Free Download

For macOS 10.14 or later

Features:

• There are 300+ special effects available
• Splitting of the screens and video clips
• Adding and tracking the motion graphics
• Unlimitedly sharing of the videos
• Addition of the transitional effects
• Dragging and dropping the video contents
• Customization of the effects

You can easily split and cut the large videos in Wondershare Filmora simply. There is no loss of video quality. Follow the steps below for splitting the video from Wondershare Filmora:

Step 1:

Import your videos to Filmora Video Cutter After installing the video cutter, launch it and select New Project to enter the video editing interface. Now, you need to import the video that needs to cut into several parts.

Step 2:

Drag and drop the videos in the timeline to start the splitting. Click the Split icon (scissor icon) on the toolbar or the Split button on the playhead to split the video

Apart from splitting the videos, you can even combine and merge different videos into one. Even the rotation of the videos is possible.

Therefore, Wondershare Filmora has received recognition due to its simple features. It is available for everyone, whether for individual, educational, or business purposes. It can help you in changing the look of your brand completely. Even adding the logos in the videos is also possible, along with adjusting the sizes. There is a huge range of features without any watermark, and all the upgrades are freely available.

Also, tech support is available for any assistance you need. Edit your images and videos on the social media platforms with ease, along with the adjusting tool. The perfect video editor is Wondershare Filmora, as it has compatibility with both Windows and Mac users. Correct and match the colour with the customization tools. Start using the Wondershare Filmora today without being concerned regarding the format of the video clips. You will definitely enjoy using it.

Step 3: Now, you can easily play the video simply by clicking the “Open File” option present in the media menu. The drag and drop option is available inside the VLC media player.

You should start playing the video now and recording the parts with the help of a decoder. Look for the position from where you want to begin the recording and press both Play and Pause buttons one after the other.

Even the Frame-by-Frame button is also available. It is the last one in the advance controls for navigating the actual frame from where you want to begin the recording.

Step 4:

Press the button “Record” again whenever you want the recording to stop. This is the final step for cutting the videos in VLC. The split video from the actual video saves automatically as the MP4 video file in the folder of Libraries or Videos if you are using Windows operating system.

Almost all, playing any video and audio format is possible in VLC media player. It includes AVI, MP4, FLV, WMV, RMVB and Quick time. You can even play the videos partially or preview them even before completing the downloads.

An easier way to split the video

The whole process of splitting the video into a VLC media player is extremely easy for managing and handling without any requirement of technical knowledge. But unfortunately, you can apply the frame-by-frame technique on the short videos. Monitoring is essential during the split and looking at the complete process whenever the recording is in VLC.

This causes the loss of quality. Here, the substitute that is also available is Filmora Video Editor . It is the recommendation of the graphic designers, web developers and videographers because it is freely available and lightweight software for the systems. You can apply its features to your images and videos. This includes the cutting, rotating and resizing of your videos along with the images.

Free Download

For Win 7 or later (64-bit)

Free Download

For macOS 10.14 or later

Features:

• There are 300+ special effects available
• Splitting of the screens and video clips
• Adding and tracking the motion graphics
• Unlimitedly sharing of the videos
• Addition of the transitional effects
• Dragging and dropping the video contents
• Customization of the effects

You can easily split and cut the large videos in Wondershare Filmora simply. There is no loss of video quality. Follow the steps below for splitting the video from Wondershare Filmora:

Step 1:

Import your videos to Filmora Video Cutter After installing the video cutter, launch it and select New Project to enter the video editing interface. Now, you need to import the video that needs to cut into several parts.

Step 2:

Drag and drop the videos in the timeline to start the splitting. Click the Split icon (scissor icon) on the toolbar or the Split button on the playhead to split the video

Apart from splitting the videos, you can even combine and merge different videos into one. Even the rotation of the videos is possible.

Therefore, Wondershare Filmora has received recognition due to its simple features. It is available for everyone, whether for individual, educational, or business purposes. It can help you in changing the look of your brand completely. Even adding the logos in the videos is also possible, along with adjusting the sizes. There is a huge range of features without any watermark, and all the upgrades are freely available.

Also, tech support is available for any assistance you need. Edit your images and videos on the social media platforms with ease, along with the adjusting tool. The perfect video editor is Wondershare Filmora, as it has compatibility with both Windows and Mac users. Correct and match the colour with the customization tools. Start using the Wondershare Filmora today without being concerned regarding the format of the video clips. You will definitely enjoy using it.

Step 3: Now, you can easily play the video simply by clicking the “Open File” option present in the media menu. The drag and drop option is available inside the VLC media player.

You should start playing the video now and recording the parts with the help of a decoder. Look for the position from where you want to begin the recording and press both Play and Pause buttons one after the other.

Even the Frame-by-Frame button is also available. It is the last one in the advance controls for navigating the actual frame from where you want to begin the recording.

Step 4:

Press the button “Record” again whenever you want the recording to stop. This is the final step for cutting the videos in VLC. The split video from the actual video saves automatically as the MP4 video file in the folder of Libraries or Videos if you are using Windows operating system.

Almost all, playing any video and audio format is possible in VLC media player. It includes AVI, MP4, FLV, WMV, RMVB and Quick time. You can even play the videos partially or preview them even before completing the downloads.

An easier way to split the video

The whole process of splitting the video into a VLC media player is extremely easy for managing and handling without any requirement of technical knowledge. But unfortunately, you can apply the frame-by-frame technique on the short videos. Monitoring is essential during the split and looking at the complete process whenever the recording is in VLC.

This causes the loss of quality. Here, the substitute that is also available is Filmora Video Editor . It is the recommendation of the graphic designers, web developers and videographers because it is freely available and lightweight software for the systems. You can apply its features to your images and videos. This includes the cutting, rotating and resizing of your videos along with the images.

Free Download

For Win 7 or later (64-bit)

Free Download

For macOS 10.14 or later

Features:

• There are 300+ special effects available
• Splitting of the screens and video clips
• Adding and tracking the motion graphics
• Unlimitedly sharing of the videos
• Addition of the transitional effects
• Dragging and dropping the video contents
• Customization of the effects

You can easily split and cut the large videos in Wondershare Filmora simply. There is no loss of video quality. Follow the steps below for splitting the video from Wondershare Filmora:

Step 1:

Import your videos to Filmora Video Cutter After installing the video cutter, launch it and select New Project to enter the video editing interface. Now, you need to import the video that needs to cut into several parts.

Step 2:

Drag and drop the videos in the timeline to start the splitting. Click the Split icon (scissor icon) on the toolbar or the Split button on the playhead to split the video

Apart from splitting the videos, you can even combine and merge different videos into one. Even the rotation of the videos is possible.

Therefore, Wondershare Filmora has received recognition due to its simple features. It is available for everyone, whether for individual, educational, or business purposes. It can help you in changing the look of your brand completely. Even adding the logos in the videos is also possible, along with adjusting the sizes. There is a huge range of features without any watermark, and all the upgrades are freely available.

Also, tech support is available for any assistance you need. Edit your images and videos on the social media platforms with ease, along with the adjusting tool. The perfect video editor is Wondershare Filmora, as it has compatibility with both Windows and Mac users. Correct and match the colour with the customization tools. Start using the Wondershare Filmora today without being concerned regarding the format of the video clips. You will definitely enjoy using it.

Step 3: Now, you can easily play the video simply by clicking the “Open File” option present in the media menu. The drag and drop option is available inside the VLC media player.

You should start playing the video now and recording the parts with the help of a decoder. Look for the position from where you want to begin the recording and press both Play and Pause buttons one after the other.

Even the Frame-by-Frame button is also available. It is the last one in the advance controls for navigating the actual frame from where you want to begin the recording.

Step 4:

Press the button “Record” again whenever you want the recording to stop. This is the final step for cutting the videos in VLC. The split video from the actual video saves automatically as the MP4 video file in the folder of Libraries or Videos if you are using Windows operating system.

Almost all, playing any video and audio format is possible in VLC media player. It includes AVI, MP4, FLV, WMV, RMVB and Quick time. You can even play the videos partially or preview them even before completing the downloads.

An easier way to split the video

The whole process of splitting the video into a VLC media player is extremely easy for managing and handling without any requirement of technical knowledge. But unfortunately, you can apply the frame-by-frame technique on the short videos. Monitoring is essential during the split and looking at the complete process whenever the recording is in VLC.

This causes the loss of quality. Here, the substitute that is also available is Filmora Video Editor . It is the recommendation of the graphic designers, web developers and videographers because it is freely available and lightweight software for the systems. You can apply its features to your images and videos. This includes the cutting, rotating and resizing of your videos along with the images.

Free Download

For Win 7 or later (64-bit)

Free Download

For macOS 10.14 or later

Features:

• There are 300+ special effects available
• Splitting of the screens and video clips
• Adding and tracking the motion graphics
• Unlimitedly sharing of the videos
• Addition of the transitional effects
• Dragging and dropping the video contents
• Customization of the effects

You can easily split and cut the large videos in Wondershare Filmora simply. There is no loss of video quality. Follow the steps below for splitting the video from Wondershare Filmora:

Step 1:

Import your videos to Filmora Video Cutter After installing the video cutter, launch it and select New Project to enter the video editing interface. Now, you need to import the video that needs to cut into several parts.

Step 2:

Drag and drop the videos in the timeline to start the splitting. Click the Split icon (scissor icon) on the toolbar or the Split button on the playhead to split the video

Apart from splitting the videos, you can even combine and merge different videos into one. Even the rotation of the videos is possible.

Therefore, Wondershare Filmora has received recognition due to its simple features. It is available for everyone, whether for individual, educational, or business purposes. It can help you in changing the look of your brand completely. Even adding the logos in the videos is also possible, along with adjusting the sizes. There is a huge range of features without any watermark, and all the upgrades are freely available.

Also, tech support is available for any assistance you need. Edit your images and videos on the social media platforms with ease, along with the adjusting tool. The perfect video editor is Wondershare Filmora, as it has compatibility with both Windows and Mac users. Correct and match the colour with the customization tools. Start using the Wondershare Filmora today without being concerned regarding the format of the video clips. You will definitely enjoy using it.

3GP Video Format: What Is 3GP Format And How To Open It?

Everyone uses the internet nowadays as it is a necessary part of our lives. We exchange multimedia files and texts messages on various apps. The files that we share on the internet have a specific extension for the files. It is essential to know about the different available and widely used formats so that you can use and access the file easily.

The article below will focus on and share great details about the 3GP file format. The multimedia format is popularly used for its great benefits, such as audio and video transfer. Do you want to know more about the 3GP format? Let’s get started!

In this article

01 What Is 3GP Video Format?

02 Advantages and Disadvantages About Video Format?

03 How Can You Open and Play 3GP Video Format?

04 How Edit 3GP Video More Creatively?

Part 1. What Is 3GP Video Format?

The multimedia files that we share on the internet have the extension as ‘.3GP’. It is an audio and video container made under the proprietorship of the 3rd Generation Partnership Project. The 3GP format stores and transmits the data that is shared between 3G-enabled devices. All 3G devices, along with some 2G and 4G devices, support 3GP file format video recording and playback.

3GP format needs less broadband demand which makes the phone run fluently. Along with taking less space as compared to other formats, it saves multimedia content efficiently. 3GP file format was designed to match the high speed of data transition between 3G networks.

Part 2. Advantages and Disadvantages About Video Format?

The 3GP format was designed to work at a high level on 3G devices. The above section of this article sheds light on what the 3GP file format is. Now that you have adequate knowledge of the format, let’s proceed and talk about the pros and cons of the file format.

Advantages of 3GP Format

• The biggest plus point of using the 3GP format is its size. The format is small in size but can store disk space. The small size of the format uses tiny amounts of data.
• The format is great because it creates an environment for business connections and improves communication. You can share text messages, videos, and multimedia files with your team members.
• 3GP file format is widely used because it has low bandwidth and also it has decreased mobile storage requirements.
• 3GP files are transferred and shared very efficiently. Hence, sharing video files has become a lot easier with this format.
• 3GP files are fast for both streaming and downloading, even if you have a weak or problematic internet connection.

Disadvantages of 3GP Format

• The quality of the audio file is damaged while compressing the file to reduce its size, as compared to the original file.
• Not every program supports 3GP file format; hence users face compatibility issues.
• Compared to the original video, the 3GP video files, after compressing, lose their quality, and the resolution is also compromised.

Part 3. How Can You Open and Play 3GP Video Format?

Do you know there are various file formats and different platforms support different formats? If we specifically talk about the 3GP format, it is supported by VLC Media Player, QuickTime Player, and 5KPlayer. Let’s discuss them:

VLC Media Player

VLC Media Player is a free open-source platform that can play 3GP file format. It is developed by the VideoLAN project. VLC Media Player is a cross-platform media player software and media streamer available for Windows, Mac, Linux, and Unix.

Mobile users can use it irrespective of the device type; Android, iPhone, iPad, and iPod users can use it. VLC can be used to play 3GP format along with any format that you may encounter.

QuickTime Player

QuickTime Player was made under Apple Inc. proprietorship. It is an extendible multimedia framework and can only be used on macOS devices because the Windows-supported version was ceased after 2016. It can handle picture and digital video formats, including a 3GP file format. Although, the MOV file extension represents the QuickTime Player. QuickTime Player is pre-installed on all Mac devices.

5KPlayer

5KPlayer is developed under the proprietorship of DearMob. It is a music and video player. 5KPlayer has built-in support for AirPlay. You can stream audio and video via AirPlay without any loss in the quality of the media file. It supports different formats for multimedia, including a 3GP file format. 5KPlayer provides you the facility to download videos from 300+ sites, including YouTube, Vimeo, and Dailymotion.

3.1. Steps to Open and Play 3GP Format on VLC Media Player

Now that you know about the different platforms that support the 3GP format let us share the steps on how you can open and play 3GP video files on VLC Media Player.

Step 1: After you have installed VLC Media Player on your device, launch it. Head to the ‘Media’ tab from the main screen by accessing the top menu. Or else, simply open VLC Media Player to drag and drop the media file there.

Step 2: Select the ‘Open File’ option from the Media section and locate the 3GP video file on your device. Add the file to VLC and enjoy watching it.

Part 4. How Edit 3GP Video More Creatively?

What else could be better for editing your videos than Wondershare Filmora ? Whenever you want a good video editor, you will find Filmora on top of the list. The video editor comes with an extensive range of features that you cannot even count. Moreover, it offers endless editing capabilities.

For editing unique and stunning 3GP format videos, try Filmora. It comes with both Basic and also Advanced editing features. Do you want to know more about it? Let us tell you. Filmora offers basic and standard editing tools like cut, trim, split, and join.

If we look at the advanced features, they include Green Screen, Scene Detection, Power Tool, Video Snapshot, and whatnot. Moreover, you also get various AI editing features like Auto Highlight, Auto Reframe, Auto Normalization, and much more than this.

What else does Filmora provide to its users? Let’s share a step-by-step guideline about how to edit 3GP file format videos on Filmora along with its other features.

Step 1: Import 3GP Video File

Start by launching Filmora Video Editor on your device and head to the ‘File’ tab from the top menu bar. There, hover on the ‘Import Media’ option; this will open a sub-menu with an option of ‘Import Media Files’; click on it.

Try It Free

For Win 7 or later (64-bit)

Try It Free

For macOS 10.12 or later

Step 2: Drag to Timeline

You can locate the video file from the device and import it to the software. After a successful import, the media file will appear on the screen, drag and drop it to the ‘Timeline’ to start the editing.

Step 3: Add Audio Effects

Start by adding audio effects to your video and making it more captivating. For this, head to the ‘Audio’ tab and select the most suitable sound from the provided options like Travel Vlog, Folk, Young & Bright, etc.

Step 4: Use Interesting Elements

What kind of elements do you like? With Filmora, you get Countdown, Laser Eye, Subscription, Share, and a lot other cooler options are available under the ‘Elements’ section.

Step 5: Add Attractive Titles

Are you looking for title templates? Have you looked at the ‘Titles’ section in Filmora? You will get beautiful templates according to the latest trends and occasions.

Step 6: Export 3GP File

Once you are done, export the 3GP format file. For this, click on the ‘Export’ button, select the output file format and proceed to save the file.

Bottom Line

We hope that the above article has shared sufficient information with you regarding the 3GP file format. We discussed its pros and cons, ways to open it, and also edit it. As we are concluding, let’s talk a little more about Wondershare Filmora. The video editor is an excellent choice for editing and creating mind-blowing videos.

You get various Basic and also Advanced features that can enhance your video. With Filmora, you can efficiently work with features like Silence Detection, Keyframing, Advanced Color Tuning, and much more. If you wish to create fantastic videos, use Wondershare Filmora.

Try It Free

For Win 7 or later (64-bit)

Try It Free

For macOS 10.12 or later

02 Advantages and Disadvantages About Video Format?

03 How Can You Open and Play 3GP Video Format?

04 How Edit 3GP Video More Creatively?

Part 1. What Is 3GP Video Format?

The multimedia files that we share on the internet have the extension as ‘.3GP’. It is an audio and video container made under the proprietorship of the 3rd Generation Partnership Project. The 3GP format stores and transmits the data that is shared between 3G-enabled devices. All 3G devices, along with some 2G and 4G devices, support 3GP file format video recording and playback.

3GP format needs less broadband demand which makes the phone run fluently. Along with taking less space as compared to other formats, it saves multimedia content efficiently. 3GP file format was designed to match the high speed of data transition between 3G networks.

Part 2. Advantages and Disadvantages About Video Format?

The 3GP format was designed to work at a high level on 3G devices. The above section of this article sheds light on what the 3GP file format is. Now that you have adequate knowledge of the format, let’s proceed and talk about the pros and cons of the file format.

Advantages of 3GP Format

• The biggest plus point of using the 3GP format is its size. The format is small in size but can store disk space. The small size of the format uses tiny amounts of data.
• The format is great because it creates an environment for business connections and improves communication. You can share text messages, videos, and multimedia files with your team members.
• 3GP file format is widely used because it has low bandwidth and also it has decreased mobile storage requirements.
• 3GP files are transferred and shared very efficiently. Hence, sharing video files has become a lot easier with this format.
• 3GP files are fast for both streaming and downloading, even if you have a weak or problematic internet connection.

Disadvantages of 3GP Format

• The quality of the audio file is damaged while compressing the file to reduce its size, as compared to the original file.
• Not every program supports 3GP file format; hence users face compatibility issues.
• Compared to the original video, the 3GP video files, after compressing, lose their quality, and the resolution is also compromised.

Part 3. How Can You Open and Play 3GP Video Format?

Do you know there are various file formats and different platforms support different formats? If we specifically talk about the 3GP format, it is supported by VLC Media Player, QuickTime Player, and 5KPlayer. Let’s discuss them:

VLC Media Player

VLC Media Player is a free open-source platform that can play 3GP file format. It is developed by the VideoLAN project. VLC Media Player is a cross-platform media player software and media streamer available for Windows, Mac, Linux, and Unix.

Mobile users can use it irrespective of the device type; Android, iPhone, iPad, and iPod users can use it. VLC can be used to play 3GP format along with any format that you may encounter.

QuickTime Player

QuickTime Player was made under Apple Inc. proprietorship. It is an extendible multimedia framework and can only be used on macOS devices because the Windows-supported version was ceased after 2016. It can handle picture and digital video formats, including a 3GP file format. Although, the MOV file extension represents the QuickTime Player. QuickTime Player is pre-installed on all Mac devices.

5KPlayer

5KPlayer is developed under the proprietorship of DearMob. It is a music and video player. 5KPlayer has built-in support for AirPlay. You can stream audio and video via AirPlay without any loss in the quality of the media file. It supports different formats for multimedia, including a 3GP file format. 5KPlayer provides you the facility to download videos from 300+ sites, including YouTube, Vimeo, and Dailymotion.

3.1. Steps to Open and Play 3GP Format on VLC Media Player

Now that you know about the different platforms that support the 3GP format let us share the steps on how you can open and play 3GP video files on VLC Media Player.

Step 1: After you have installed VLC Media Player on your device, launch it. Head to the ‘Media’ tab from the main screen by accessing the top menu. Or else, simply open VLC Media Player to drag and drop the media file there.

Step 2: Select the ‘Open File’ option from the Media section and locate the 3GP video file on your device. Add the file to VLC and enjoy watching it.

Part 4. How Edit 3GP Video More Creatively?

What else could be better for editing your videos than Wondershare Filmora ? Whenever you want a good video editor, you will find Filmora on top of the list. The video editor comes with an extensive range of features that you cannot even count. Moreover, it offers endless editing capabilities.

For editing unique and stunning 3GP format videos, try Filmora. It comes with both Basic and also Advanced editing features. Do you want to know more about it? Let us tell you. Filmora offers basic and standard editing tools like cut, trim, split, and join.

If we look at the advanced features, they include Green Screen, Scene Detection, Power Tool, Video Snapshot, and whatnot. Moreover, you also get various AI editing features like Auto Highlight, Auto Reframe, Auto Normalization, and much more than this.

What else does Filmora provide to its users? Let’s share a step-by-step guideline about how to edit 3GP file format videos on Filmora along with its other features.

Step 1: Import 3GP Video File

Start by launching Filmora Video Editor on your device and head to the ‘File’ tab from the top menu bar. There, hover on the ‘Import Media’ option; this will open a sub-menu with an option of ‘Import Media Files’; click on it.

Try It Free

For Win 7 or later (64-bit)

Try It Free

For macOS 10.12 or later

Step 2: Drag to Timeline

You can locate the video file from the device and import it to the software. After a successful import, the media file will appear on the screen, drag and drop it to the ‘Timeline’ to start the editing.

Step 3: Add Audio Effects

Start by adding audio effects to your video and making it more captivating. For this, head to the ‘Audio’ tab and select the most suitable sound from the provided options like Travel Vlog, Folk, Young & Bright, etc.

Step 4: Use Interesting Elements

What kind of elements do you like? With Filmora, you get Countdown, Laser Eye, Subscription, Share, and a lot other cooler options are available under the ‘Elements’ section.

Step 5: Add Attractive Titles

Are you looking for title templates? Have you looked at the ‘Titles’ section in Filmora? You will get beautiful templates according to the latest trends and occasions.

Step 6: Export 3GP File

Once you are done, export the 3GP format file. For this, click on the ‘Export’ button, select the output file format and proceed to save the file.

Bottom Line

We hope that the above article has shared sufficient information with you regarding the 3GP file format. We discussed its pros and cons, ways to open it, and also edit it. As we are concluding, let’s talk a little more about Wondershare Filmora. The video editor is an excellent choice for editing and creating mind-blowing videos.

You get various Basic and also Advanced features that can enhance your video. With Filmora, you can efficiently work with features like Silence Detection, Keyframing, Advanced Color Tuning, and much more. If you wish to create fantastic videos, use Wondershare Filmora.

Try It Free

For Win 7 or later (64-bit)

Try It Free

For macOS 10.12 or later

02 Advantages and Disadvantages About Video Format?

03 How Can You Open and Play 3GP Video Format?

04 How Edit 3GP Video More Creatively?

Part 1. What Is 3GP Video Format?

The multimedia files that we share on the internet have the extension as ‘.3GP’. It is an audio and video container made under the proprietorship of the 3rd Generation Partnership Project. The 3GP format stores and transmits the data that is shared between 3G-enabled devices. All 3G devices, along with some 2G and 4G devices, support 3GP file format video recording and playback.

3GP format needs less broadband demand which makes the phone run fluently. Along with taking less space as compared to other formats, it saves multimedia content efficiently. 3GP file format was designed to match the high speed of data transition between 3G networks.

Part 2. Advantages and Disadvantages About Video Format?

The 3GP format was designed to work at a high level on 3G devices. The above section of this article sheds light on what the 3GP file format is. Now that you have adequate knowledge of the format, let’s proceed and talk about the pros and cons of the file format.

Advantages of 3GP Format

• The biggest plus point of using the 3GP format is its size. The format is small in size but can store disk space. The small size of the format uses tiny amounts of data.
• The format is great because it creates an environment for business connections and improves communication. You can share text messages, videos, and multimedia files with your team members.
• 3GP file format is widely used because it has low bandwidth and also it has decreased mobile storage requirements.
• 3GP files are transferred and shared very efficiently. Hence, sharing video files has become a lot easier with this format.
• 3GP files are fast for both streaming and downloading, even if you have a weak or problematic internet connection.

Disadvantages of 3GP Format

• The quality of the audio file is damaged while compressing the file to reduce its size, as compared to the original file.
• Not every program supports 3GP file format; hence users face compatibility issues.
• Compared to the original video, the 3GP video files, after compressing, lose their quality, and the resolution is also compromised.

Part 3. How Can You Open and Play 3GP Video Format?

Do you know there are various file formats and different platforms support different formats? If we specifically talk about the 3GP format, it is supported by VLC Media Player, QuickTime Player, and 5KPlayer. Let’s discuss them:

VLC Media Player

VLC Media Player is a free open-source platform that can play 3GP file format. It is developed by the VideoLAN project. VLC Media Player is a cross-platform media player software and media streamer available for Windows, Mac, Linux, and Unix.

Mobile users can use it irrespective of the device type; Android, iPhone, iPad, and iPod users can use it. VLC can be used to play 3GP format along with any format that you may encounter.

QuickTime Player

QuickTime Player was made under Apple Inc. proprietorship. It is an extendible multimedia framework and can only be used on macOS devices because the Windows-supported version was ceased after 2016. It can handle picture and digital video formats, including a 3GP file format. Although, the MOV file extension represents the QuickTime Player. QuickTime Player is pre-installed on all Mac devices.

5KPlayer

5KPlayer is developed under the proprietorship of DearMob. It is a music and video player. 5KPlayer has built-in support for AirPlay. You can stream audio and video via AirPlay without any loss in the quality of the media file. It supports different formats for multimedia, including a 3GP file format. 5KPlayer provides you the facility to download videos from 300+ sites, including YouTube, Vimeo, and Dailymotion.

3.1. Steps to Open and Play 3GP Format on VLC Media Player

Now that you know about the different platforms that support the 3GP format let us share the steps on how you can open and play 3GP video files on VLC Media Player.

Step 1: After you have installed VLC Media Player on your device, launch it. Head to the ‘Media’ tab from the main screen by accessing the top menu. Or else, simply open VLC Media Player to drag and drop the media file there.

Step 2: Select the ‘Open File’ option from the Media section and locate the 3GP video file on your device. Add the file to VLC and enjoy watching it.

Part 4. How Edit 3GP Video More Creatively?

What else could be better for editing your videos than Wondershare Filmora ? Whenever you want a good video editor, you will find Filmora on top of the list. The video editor comes with an extensive range of features that you cannot even count. Moreover, it offers endless editing capabilities.

For editing unique and stunning 3GP format videos, try Filmora. It comes with both Basic and also Advanced editing features. Do you want to know more about it? Let us tell you. Filmora offers basic and standard editing tools like cut, trim, split, and join.

If we look at the advanced features, they include Green Screen, Scene Detection, Power Tool, Video Snapshot, and whatnot. Moreover, you also get various AI editing features like Auto Highlight, Auto Reframe, Auto Normalization, and much more than this.

What else does Filmora provide to its users? Let’s share a step-by-step guideline about how to edit 3GP file format videos on Filmora along with its other features.

Step 1: Import 3GP Video File

Start by launching Filmora Video Editor on your device and head to the ‘File’ tab from the top menu bar. There, hover on the ‘Import Media’ option; this will open a sub-menu with an option of ‘Import Media Files’; click on it.

Try It Free

For Win 7 or later (64-bit)

Try It Free

For macOS 10.12 or later

Step 2: Drag to Timeline

You can locate the video file from the device and import it to the software. After a successful import, the media file will appear on the screen, drag and drop it to the ‘Timeline’ to start the editing.

Step 3: Add Audio Effects

Start by adding audio effects to your video and making it more captivating. For this, head to the ‘Audio’ tab and select the most suitable sound from the provided options like Travel Vlog, Folk, Young & Bright, etc.

Step 4: Use Interesting Elements

What kind of elements do you like? With Filmora, you get Countdown, Laser Eye, Subscription, Share, and a lot other cooler options are available under the ‘Elements’ section.

Step 5: Add Attractive Titles

Are you looking for title templates? Have you looked at the ‘Titles’ section in Filmora? You will get beautiful templates according to the latest trends and occasions.

Step 6: Export 3GP File

Once you are done, export the 3GP format file. For this, click on the ‘Export’ button, select the output file format and proceed to save the file.

Bottom Line

We hope that the above article has shared sufficient information with you regarding the 3GP file format. We discussed its pros and cons, ways to open it, and also edit it. As we are concluding, let’s talk a little more about Wondershare Filmora. The video editor is an excellent choice for editing and creating mind-blowing videos.

You get various Basic and also Advanced features that can enhance your video. With Filmora, you can efficiently work with features like Silence Detection, Keyframing, Advanced Color Tuning, and much more. If you wish to create fantastic videos, use Wondershare Filmora.

Try It Free

For Win 7 or later (64-bit)

Try It Free

For macOS 10.12 or later

02 Advantages and Disadvantages About Video Format?

03 How Can You Open and Play 3GP Video Format?

04 How Edit 3GP Video More Creatively?

Part 1. What Is 3GP Video Format?

The multimedia files that we share on the internet have the extension as ‘.3GP’. It is an audio and video container made under the proprietorship of the 3rd Generation Partnership Project. The 3GP format stores and transmits the data that is shared between 3G-enabled devices. All 3G devices, along with some 2G and 4G devices, support 3GP file format video recording and playback.

3GP format needs less broadband demand which makes the phone run fluently. Along with taking less space as compared to other formats, it saves multimedia content efficiently. 3GP file format was designed to match the high speed of data transition between 3G networks.

Part 2. Advantages and Disadvantages About Video Format?

The 3GP format was designed to work at a high level on 3G devices. The above section of this article sheds light on what the 3GP file format is. Now that you have adequate knowledge of the format, let’s proceed and talk about the pros and cons of the file format.

Advantages of 3GP Format

• The biggest plus point of using the 3GP format is its size. The format is small in size but can store disk space. The small size of the format uses tiny amounts of data.
• The format is great because it creates an environment for business connections and improves communication. You can share text messages, videos, and multimedia files with your team members.
• 3GP file format is widely used because it has low bandwidth and also it has decreased mobile storage requirements.
• 3GP files are transferred and shared very efficiently. Hence, sharing video files has become a lot easier with this format.
• 3GP files are fast for both streaming and downloading, even if you have a weak or problematic internet connection.

Disadvantages of 3GP Format

• The quality of the audio file is damaged while compressing the file to reduce its size, as compared to the original file.
• Not every program supports 3GP file format; hence users face compatibility issues.
• Compared to the original video, the 3GP video files, after compressing, lose their quality, and the resolution is also compromised.

Part 3. How Can You Open and Play 3GP Video Format?

Do you know there are various file formats and different platforms support different formats? If we specifically talk about the 3GP format, it is supported by VLC Media Player, QuickTime Player, and 5KPlayer. Let’s discuss them:

VLC Media Player

VLC Media Player is a free open-source platform that can play 3GP file format. It is developed by the VideoLAN project. VLC Media Player is a cross-platform media player software and media streamer available for Windows, Mac, Linux, and Unix.

Mobile users can use it irrespective of the device type; Android, iPhone, iPad, and iPod users can use it. VLC can be used to play 3GP format along with any format that you may encounter.

QuickTime Player

QuickTime Player was made under Apple Inc. proprietorship. It is an extendible multimedia framework and can only be used on macOS devices because the Windows-supported version was ceased after 2016. It can handle picture and digital video formats, including a 3GP file format. Although, the MOV file extension represents the QuickTime Player. QuickTime Player is pre-installed on all Mac devices.

5KPlayer

5KPlayer is developed under the proprietorship of DearMob. It is a music and video player. 5KPlayer has built-in support for AirPlay. You can stream audio and video via AirPlay without any loss in the quality of the media file. It supports different formats for multimedia, including a 3GP file format. 5KPlayer provides you the facility to download videos from 300+ sites, including YouTube, Vimeo, and Dailymotion.

3.1. Steps to Open and Play 3GP Format on VLC Media Player

Now that you know about the different platforms that support the 3GP format let us share the steps on how you can open and play 3GP video files on VLC Media Player.

Step 1: After you have installed VLC Media Player on your device, launch it. Head to the ‘Media’ tab from the main screen by accessing the top menu. Or else, simply open VLC Media Player to drag and drop the media file there.

Step 2: Select the ‘Open File’ option from the Media section and locate the 3GP video file on your device. Add the file to VLC and enjoy watching it.

Part 4. How Edit 3GP Video More Creatively?

What else could be better for editing your videos than Wondershare Filmora ? Whenever you want a good video editor, you will find Filmora on top of the list. The video editor comes with an extensive range of features that you cannot even count. Moreover, it offers endless editing capabilities.

For editing unique and stunning 3GP format videos, try Filmora. It comes with both Basic and also Advanced editing features. Do you want to know more about it? Let us tell you. Filmora offers basic and standard editing tools like cut, trim, split, and join.

If we look at the advanced features, they include Green Screen, Scene Detection, Power Tool, Video Snapshot, and whatnot. Moreover, you also get various AI editing features like Auto Highlight, Auto Reframe, Auto Normalization, and much more than this.

What else does Filmora provide to its users? Let’s share a step-by-step guideline about how to edit 3GP file format videos on Filmora along with its other features.

Step 1: Import 3GP Video File

Start by launching Filmora Video Editor on your device and head to the ‘File’ tab from the top menu bar. There, hover on the ‘Import Media’ option; this will open a sub-menu with an option of ‘Import Media Files’; click on it.

Try It Free

For Win 7 or later (64-bit)

Try It Free

For macOS 10.12 or later

Step 2: Drag to Timeline

You can locate the video file from the device and import it to the software. After a successful import, the media file will appear on the screen, drag and drop it to the ‘Timeline’ to start the editing.

Step 3: Add Audio Effects

Start by adding audio effects to your video and making it more captivating. For this, head to the ‘Audio’ tab and select the most suitable sound from the provided options like Travel Vlog, Folk, Young & Bright, etc.

Step 4: Use Interesting Elements

What kind of elements do you like? With Filmora, you get Countdown, Laser Eye, Subscription, Share, and a lot other cooler options are available under the ‘Elements’ section.

Step 5: Add Attractive Titles

Are you looking for title templates? Have you looked at the ‘Titles’ section in Filmora? You will get beautiful templates according to the latest trends and occasions.

Step 6: Export 3GP File

Once you are done, export the 3GP format file. For this, click on the ‘Export’ button, select the output file format and proceed to save the file.

Bottom Line

We hope that the above article has shared sufficient information with you regarding the 3GP file format. We discussed its pros and cons, ways to open it, and also edit it. As we are concluding, let’s talk a little more about Wondershare Filmora. The video editor is an excellent choice for editing and creating mind-blowing videos.

You get various Basic and also Advanced features that can enhance your video. With Filmora, you can efficiently work with features like Silence Detection, Keyframing, Advanced Color Tuning, and much more. If you wish to create fantastic videos, use Wondershare Filmora.

Try It Free

For Win 7 or later (64-bit)

Try It Free

For macOS 10.12 or later

18 Video Editors We’ve Tested [Here’s What We Learned]

More and more people love to share their knowledge, experience and daily life via videos. Platforms such as TikTok, YouTube, Vimeo are continuing to attract more and more people. But most people don’t know much about video editing. Which video editor they can use? How to apply the effects to improve the video visually? This post will give you all the tips and answers on editing a video.

Contents

01 [Video Editing Basics ](#Part 1)

02 [Editor’s Top 3 Picks ](#Part 2)

03 [Open-Source Video Editors](#Part 3)

04 [Freemium and Freeware Video Editors](#Part 4)

05 [Proprietary Video Editing Software](#Part 5)

06 [How to Choose the Suitable Video Editor](#Part 6)

07 [Video Editing Tips for Newbies](#Part 7)

08 [Frequently Asked Questions of Video Editor](#Part 8)

Part 1: Video Editing Basics

Before going to the best video editors, you should be aware of the basics of video editing. Here are the basic concepts of video editing that you must know as they are common across all video editors.

1. The Timeline: The timeline is an area of a video editor where you place your video clips sequentially. When you play the video after editing, the video will play from the start of the timeline and finish at the end of the timeline where your video content ends. The timeline is where you can place your audio clips, video effects, and graphical elements as per your requirements.

2. The Canvas: The canvas is an area of a video editor where you view your video clips frame by frame. The canvas allows you to edit the video starting from cropping to adding graphical elements. You can view all the changes you make to the video before applying them permanently.

3. Basic editing: The basic editing of a video includes splitting and trimming out important parts of a large video file and, thereafter, joining the different video clips to make an engaging video. The basic editing also includes adding audio clips, adjusting video parameters such as color, brightness, contrast as well as adding texts to the video.

4. Aspect Ratio: The aspect ratio of a video represents the ratio of width to height of the video in terms of pixels. For example, a video with aspect ratio of 16:9 means the video is 1920p x 1080p. You can edit the aspect ratio depending on where you want to publish the video. For example, social media videos use 1:1 and 9: 16 aspect ratio, tablets use 4:3 aspect ratio, and 16:9 is the standard aspect ratio.

5. B-roll: B-roll is a secondary video footage that you can add to your primary video(A-roll) to enhance the video creativity and aesthetic value. B-roll could be a cinematic shot, a slow-motion footage, a close-up shot from different angles, as well as a shot mixed with wide-angle, pans, and tilts.

6. Frame Rate: Frame rate refers to the number of images or frames displayed per second in a video. In short, frame rate refers to frames per second in a video. For example, a video of 30fps means the video is showing 30 different images per second. The 24fps is used for movies and the 30fps is used for online and TV videos. Even 60fps videos are becoming common as they produce a smoother video experience.

Part 2: Editor’s Top 3 Picks - Choose The Best Video Editor

Best Video Editor for All Creators - Filmora

Wondershare Filmora is the ideal video editor with an intuitive user interface. You get all the standard and advanced video editing features packed into its platform. You can record videos of external webcam and computer screen as well. There are unlimited video effects and graphical elements to turn your raw videos into eye-catching videos instantly.

Best for Professional Editing - Premiere Pro

Adobe Premium Pro is the best professional video editor where all the advanced features of video editing are available. The software supports editing multiple projects simultaneously. You can edit VR, Multicam, and 3D videos as well. It is a perfect platform for a professional video editing team to work in sync.

Best for Online Video Editing - WeVideo

WeVideo is by far the best online video editor with 30 million users. Starting from standard video editing options and uploading directly to social media platforms, WeVideo is a full-fledged video editor. You can also record videos and create your own video templates. Moreover, you can collaborate with other video creators and make the best use of the unlimited stock media library.

Part 3: Open-Source Video Editors

Open-source video editors have compatibility with all the desktop operating systems. Moreover, due to their codes readily available online, these video editing software applications are available completely free of cost. Here are the best open-source video editors for beginners and experienced users.

# For Beginner Users

1. Blender

Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Linux

Best for: best open-source video editor with balanced features

G2 rating: 4.5 out of 5

Blender is an open-source video editing suite that is popular for its 3D models. Since it is a suite, you can use the platform not only for video editing but also for creating animated videos and games.

Starting from basic video editing such as trim and split to advance video editing such as masking and color adjustment, all options are readily available. Besides, there are options for audio mixing and live preview of editing works.

Reason to Choose:-

• Video cropping, trimming, splitting, joining, and adjusting speed.
• Different slots to add videos, images, scenes, audio clips, effects and masks.
• Different transitions, filters, effects, waveforms, and keyframes available.
• Create 3D models and animated videos with proper audio mixing.

Reason to Avoid:-

• Takes time to get used to the platform.
• Reports of bugs have become a regular occurrence.

2. Avidemux

Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Linux

Best for: best open-source video editor for basic editing

G2 rating: 4.4 out of 5

Avidemux from Soundforge is a lightweight and basic video editor. Starting from trimming and cutting videos to applying filters and encoding videos, all the options are readily available. The software supports a wide range of video file formats for editing.

The platform also supports scripting through which you can automate tasks to perform on videos. Besides, there are options for color adjustments, video conversion, and advanced interlacing. The simple user interface is perfect for beginners to edit videos intuitively.

Reason to Choose:-

• Quick video editing for trimming, cutting, rotating, and cropping.
• Change speed and use different filters for color adjustments and subtitles.
• Supports different video file formats in import and export.
• The user interface is simple and suitable for beginners.

Reason to Avoid:-

• Does not have a traditional timeline for video editing.
• Limited effects, filters, and advanced features.

3. Kdenlive

Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Linux

Best for: best open-source video editor for all

G2 rating: 4.3 out of 5

Kdenlive video editor is a versatile video editor with standard and advanced video editing features balanced properly. The open-source software allows multi-track timeline and supports dual monitor setup for video editing. The user interface is simple, and you can configure it as per your preference.

Kdenlive supports a wide range of video and audio files, and you can use configurable keyboard shortcuts for easy operation. The automatic backup feature is highly useful in the professional video editing world. Similarly, the presence of keyframe-based effects and advanced effects can make a video stand out.

Reason to Choose:-

• Multi-track timeline for working with multiple video and audio clips.
• Keyframeable effects, transitions, color correction and unlimited online resources.
• Vast set of options for creating stunning texts and titles.
• Smooth preview, configurable interface, and automatic backup.

Reason to Avoid:-

• Lacks GPU acceleration and hence, slow response at times.
• Speed adjustment effect is not efficient.

# For Advanced Users

4. OpenShot

Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Linux, Chrome OS

Best for: Best open source editor for all desktop users

G2 rating: 4.4 out of 5

OpenShot is a cross-platform, open-source video editor where you can work on one project on different operating systems. It works on keyframe animation framework, and you can choose from different interpolations. The platform offers you to work with unlimited video and audio clips as well as layers.

You can perform all the basic video editing operations as well as go for advanced editing. The features and tools are well-balanced for regular as well as professional video editing. Starting from video effects and audio mixing to chroma key and time-mapping, everything is available under one roof.

Reason to Choose:-

• Basic video editing with panning, zooming, and scrolling features.
• Wide range of transitions, effects, time and speed control.
• Time-mapping, audio mixing, overlays, and composting.
• Supports 3D animations and objects, templates for titles and sub-titles.

Reason to Avoid:-

• Hardware acceleration is not very powerful.
• Not suitable for 4K video editing as it gets extremely slow.

5. Shotcut

Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Linux

Best for: Best for video editors who love filters and effects

G2 rating: 4.2 out of 5

Shotcut is another open-source and cross-platform video editor with a professional user interface. The software supports importing different file formats of video and audio files. It is suitable for editing 4K videos, and it is a full-fledged audio editor as well.

Its vast video filters and effects are comparable to premium video editors. You can work with multi-track timeline and keyframes with markers and rangers. Besides, you can keep notes on your project easily. Overall, it is a balanced video editor in terms of features and functionalities.

Reason to Choose:-

• Wide categories of video effects, transitions, and filters.
• Multi-track and multi-format timeline and detailed audio editor.
• Standard and advanced editing options with hardware acceleration.
• Export video in high-resolution and in different formats.

Reason to Avoid:-

• The user interface can take some time to get used to.
• The stock media library is rather limited.

6. NATRON

Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Linux

Best for: Best open-source video editor with visual effects

G2 rating: 3.5 out of 5

NATRON is a robust video editor with powerful tracking tool for 2D and planar tracking. You can work with multiple layers and clips and avail various keying options on your video editing project. In fact, it is a full-fledged video compositing software for better video production with multi-layer structure.

The hardware acceleration of the software produces faster rendering. You get to work with presets, tracker nodes, rotoscoping, multi-plane and motion editing. The option of multi-view workflow along with real-time playback is extremely useful while editing multicam videos.

Reason to Choose:-

• Superior visual effects and motion editing.
• Multi-tasking with multi-view workflow.
• Option of rotoscoping and python scripting.
• Supports different open-source plugins.

Reason to Avoid:-

• The user interface is quite advanced and needs some learning time.
• It gets unstable and slow while previewing high-resolution videos.

Part 4: Freemium and Freeware Video Editors

Freeware video editors are available completely free of cost and they are mostly exclusive to a certain operating system. On the other hand, freemium video editors have certain features completely free while it charges users a small fee for certain advanced features. Here is the list of the best freemium and freeware video editors.

# For Beginner Users

7. ActivePresenter

Compatibility: Windows and Mac

Best for: best video editing software for learning videos.

G2 rating: 4.5 out of 5

ActivePresenter from AtomiSystems is a video editor with screen recording options. The software is particularly useful in making and editing learning videos. There are different templates available for editing videos quickly. Besides, you can use the platform for standard editing options for any video.

Starting from working with multiple timelines to making videos interactive and responsive, there are various out-of-box features. Moreover, you can edit your audio and export your edited video in different file formats.

Reason to Choose:-

• Multiple timelines for editing various video and audio clips.
• Basic video and audio editing options and greenscreen effects.
• Webcam and screen recording with audio from different sources.
• Export videos with different file formats, HTML, xAPI, SCORM and much more.

Reason to Avoid:-

• The learning curve is slightly steep.
• Not suitable for editing all types of videos.

8. Microsoft Photos

Compatibility: Windows

Best for: best built-in video editor for Windows users

G2 rating: 4.6 out of 5

Microsoft Photos is the inbuilt video editor for Windows users. The app comes pre-installed in Windows and it is mostly used for viewing photos. But there is an inbuilt video editor where you can do the basic video editing works.

You can trim a video, add texts, and apply 3D effects as well as different filters available. There are also options for rotating videos, applying background music and customizing audio. The user interface is very simple for all users.

Reason to Choose:-

• Instant basic video editing options available.
• Apply effects, filters, as well as music.
• Simple and intuitive user interface for everyone.
• Comes pre-installed and completely free of cost.

Reason to Avoid:-

• Very limited video editing options.
• Very limited video file formats supported.

9. iMovie

Compatibility: Mac

Best for: Best built-in video editor for Mac users

G2 rating: 4.3 out of 5

iMovie is the inbuilt video editor for Mac users as it comes pre-installed on macOS. The application is free to use and it is compatible with iPhone and iPad as well. You can perform all the basic video editing works starting from trimming to rotating videos.

Besides, there is a wide range of effects and filters available to apply on your videos. The best part is that it supports editing 4K videos. There are also various graphical elements available and you can share your video easily on different platforms.

Reason to Choose:-

• Trim, rotate, split and crop videos easily.
• Work across Mac, iPhone and iPad seamlessly.
• Wide range of effects, filters, and objects available.
• Supports editing 4K videos without any lag.

Reason to Avoid:-

• Lacks advanced editing options though it is a dedicated video editor.
• Supports very limited video file formats.

# For Advanced Users

10. Lightworks

Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Linux

Best for: best for social media video creators

G2 rating: 3.5 out of 5

Lightworks is a freemium video editor where most features are reserved for premium users. If you are a social media creator or learning video creator, Lightworks Create is best for you. If you are a professional video creator, you should opt for Lightworks Pro.

The software supports almost all file formats, and you can export videos on social media instantly. The timeline is advanced with proxy editing, autosave and background processing features. You can share projects with your teammates and work collaboratively.

Reason to Choose:-

• Powerful and advanced timeline for quick editing.
• Motion graphics and tilting along with advanced metadata.
• Flexible user interface with proxy workflow and storyboard bin.
• Suitable for collaborating works and cloud storage.

Reason to Avoid:-

• Can crash while working with 4K videos.
• Limited options for advanced video editing.

11. VideoPad

Compatibility: Windows

Best for: best video editor for short video creators.

G2 rating: 4.1 out of 5

VideoPad by NCH Software is an intuitive video editor that supports over 60 different video file formats. There are tools available for basic editing such as trimming and cropping. Besides, there are various effects and transitions available to apply on your video.

The video editor also lets you edit audio files and you can edit 360-degree videos as well. There are video stabilization and chroma key effect available. The video editor is available free for non-commercial use with certain limitations that you can overcome with its premium plan.

Reason to Choose:-

• Edit in Storybook or Timeline mode and perfect all basic editing works.
• Audio editing options with different audio effects.
• Add 3D video effects, special filters, and change video speed.
• Supports a wide range of video file formats.

Reason to Avoid:-

• Can crash while editing 4K videos.
• Lacks advanced editing options.

12. VSDC Free Video Editor

Compatibility: Windows only.

Best for: Free feature-rich video editing suite

G2 rating: 4.0 out of 5

VSDC Free Video Editor is a free suite that includes both video and audio editor. You can use the software for recording screen as well as voiceovers. The software is suitable for low-end computers as it is a lightweight application.

Apart from basic editing, you can edit 360 videos. Starting from color correction and zooming to split-screen effect and chroma key, it is full-fledged feature-rich software. For more advanced features, you can opt for VSDC Video Editor Pro version.

Reason to Choose:-

• Zooming, panning, and color correction options.
• Wide range of effects and filters present.
• Chrome key option as well as 360 degree video editing.
• Work with multiple layers and sync objects perfectly.

Reason to Avoid:-

• Lacks advanced video editing options.
• No masking or video stabilization option available.

Part 5: Proprietary Video Editing Software

If you are a regular video creator and you want to invest in video editing to improve the quality of your video content, you have to opt for a proprietary video editing software. All professional video creators prefer proprietary video editing software over freeware and freemium video editors. Here are the best premium video videos with the most advanced video editing options.

# For Beginner Users

13. Filmora

Compatibility: Windows and Mac.

Best for: Best video editors for YouTubers and vloggers

G2 rating: 4.4 out of 5

Wondershare Filmora is a feature-rich video editor but an intuitive user interface. Therefore, it is perfectly suitable for beginners who want all the features and tools for advanced video editing without a steep learning curve. Filmora is also useful if you want to record screen or webcam video.

Starting from tons of video effects and transitions to a large stock library and graphical elements, Filmora is tailor-made for editing all types of videos. It also supports a wide range of file formats and you can edit 4K videos as well as audio files comfortably.

Try It Free

For Win 7 or later (64-bit)

Try It Free

For macOS 10.12 or later

Reason to Choose:-

• Trim, split, join, crop and work with multiple video and audio clips.
• Large collection of video and audio effects, transitions, and graphical elements.
• Large stock library of free media files and animations.
• Work with multiple layers and clips effortlessly on its smooth timeline.

Reason to Avoid:-

• The processing time for videos could be on the higher side.

14. Camtasia

Compatibility: Windows and Mac.

Best for: Teachers and students to edit tutorial videos

G2 rating: 4.6 out of 5

Camtasia by Techsmith is a premium video editor and it is equally popular as a video recorder. It is particularly useful for recording and editing tutorial videos as there are different templates available. Coming to video editing part, you can perform all the basic video editing works instantly.

There are various trendy effects, transitions, and presets available. You can remove green screen and apply different frames for video compatibility on different devices. Besides, you can upload the editing video different on different platforms instantly.

Reason to Choose:-

• Quick trimming, splitting, cropping options.
• Large collection of templates and presets.
• Wide range of effects, annotations, and transitions.
• Import, export, and share different file formats.

Reason to Avoid:-

• No motion tracking option.
• Reports of frequent crashes.

15. Final Cut Pro

Compatibility: Mac only.

Best for: best professional video editors for Mac users

G2 rating: 4.4 out of 5

Final Cut Pro from Apple is an extremely popular premium video editor among professional video creators who are Mac users. It is a powerful and advanced video editor that can handle high resolution videos smoothly. It is a perfect mix of standard and advanced video editing features.

Starting from editing multicam and VR videos to 3D and 360 degree videos, Final Cut Pro is suitable for all. There are unlimited presets and effects present and you can edit 4K videos as well as large video files smoothly.

Reason to Choose:-

• Basic and advanced video and audio editing features.
• Supports editing all the different video types such as 3D, 4K, VR videos.
• Supports plug-ins, external tools and cinematic effects.
• Renders high resolution, large video files in short time.

Reason to Avoid:-

• Learning curve is quite steep.
• Pricing is on the higher side.

# For Beginner Users

16. Adobe Premiere Pro

Compatibility: Windows only.

Best for: best professional video editing software for most people

G2 rating: 4.5 out of 5

Adobe Premiere Pro is the ultimate video editor in the professional video editing world. You get all the different advanced features of video editing packed in the application. Even though the learning curve is steep, Adobe Premiere Pro is one of the most used video editors in professional video creation.

Adobe Premiere Pro supports all the different video file formats and you can edit various videos simultaneously. It is a perfect tool for editing a large video project collaboratively. It supports editing VR videos, 3D videos, as well as multicam videos.

Reason to Choose:-

• Standard and advanced editing options with quick rendering.
• Suitable for multi-tasking and collaborative work in video editing.
• Supports almost all types of videos and audio file formats.
• Flexible and configurable user interface and advanced timeline.

Reason to Avoid:-

• Learning curve is very steep.
• Not suitable for low-end computers.

17. Vegas Pro

Compatibility: Windows only.

Best for: Video & audio editing for professionals

G2 rating: 4.2 out of 5

Vegas Pro from Sony is a professional video and audio editor. You can work with multiple video and audio files and you can choose from timeline or storyboard layout. In fact, there are options for nested timeline and multicam editing. The customized workflow and layouts make the application suitable for everyone.

You can enhance your video with its large collection of filters, effects, and titles. There are options for keyframing, scene detection, color correction, and light adjustments. The artificial intelligence makes editing faster with automation control.

Reason to Choose:-

• Powerful timeline and storyboard mode with keyframing.
• Advanced HDR color correction and grading.
• Artificial intelligence for quick and repeated editing.
• Multicam editing, motion tracking, and support for 3D videos.

Reason to Avoid:-

• Stability of the application is questionable.
• Pricing is steep and lacks tutorial guide.

18. Hitfilm Express

Compatibility: Windows and Mac

Best for: Best for video effects lovers

G2 rating: 4.4 out of 5

Hitfilm Express is particularly popular for its unlimited video effects that make the video stand out easily. The user interface is quite simple to use, and you can apply effects to turn your raw video into professional video instantly. In fact, it has the largest VFX toolkit with industry-grade effects.

You can edit 4K videos, and there are options for motion tracking and video animations. You can also opt for color correction and grading. You can also edit vertical videos and upload them on social media platforms. You can also edit audio clips and use composting and layering features to enhance your video.

Reason to Choose:-

• Advanced timeline for better workflow.
• Standard and advanced video editing options.
• Largest collection of video effects of different categories.
• Color grading, correction, and free training and support.

Reason to Avoid:-

• Lacks green screen editing option.
• Rendering is not always swift.

Part 6: How to Choose the Suitable Video Editor?

The most important part of video editing is to choose the most suitable video editor for your videos. Here are some important factors to consider while choosing a video editor.

1. Budget and Price: If you are getting started, you can opt for a free video editor. But eventually, you have to go for a premium video editor if you are serious about video editing. You should opt for that video editor that fits your budget and offers more features for the price charged in comparison to its competitors.

2. Learning Curve: You should always opt for a video editor that has a low learning curve. If the video editor is complicated to operate, you will get frustrated, and you won’t be able to unlock the full potential of the video editor. Besides, you will have to lose a lot of time in learning and perfecting the usage of the application.

3. Stock Library: The video editor you are choosing must have a sizeable stock media library. A stock library is where you can find video clips and audio clips that are free to use for everyone. You can incorporate them into your video to enhance the content quality and bring variety to your audiences.

4. Audio control: Video editing is incomplete without proper audio editing. Your video editor should have a separate timeline for audio clips so that you can place them perfect to go in sync with the video clips. Some video editors have dedicated options for audio mixing and editing as per requirements.

5. upport video formats: Your video editor must support a wide range of video file formats that you have to include from time to time. If it supports only the popular file formats, you will not be able to include the interesting videos you may get from different sources which the video editor does not support.

6. Software stability: If you need to edit high-resolution videos, you have to ensure that the video editor you are choosing can stay stable throughout. There are many popular video editors available that become unstable while editing and rendering high-resolution videos. You have to read reviews to come to a conclusion about software stability.

7. Customer Support: Last but most importantly, your video editor must have a good customer support team. In your video editing journey, you will need the help of technical customer support to clarify issues related to the software so that you can excel in your video editing sessions.

Part 7: Video Editing Tips for Beginners

Here are some basic video editing tips that you should keep in mind while editing any video.

1. Try Tight Cuts: Your video should not be too long so that it gets boring for the viewers. Therefore, you have to make tight cuts which means you have to cut out pauses, gaps between dialogs, and anything that is unnecessary for viewers. If you think that tight cuts will take more time than usual, you can consider reshooting the part to save time.

2. Put The Story Before The Footage: When you are shooting a planned video, you must be shooting the video with multiple cameras from different angles. While editing and choosing the perfect angle for a certain video segment, you have to select the one that enhances the story you are telling through your video. For example, in an interview video, you should know when to emphasize and show close angles to capture the emotion of the speaker.

3. Chop Out Mistakes: The most basic work in video editing is to cut out the mistakes. This is because you are sure to make mistakes while shooting, and you will reshoot a lot of mistakes to correct them. Therefore, take your time to chop out mistakes but make sure that the video feels continuous, and if required, you can reshoot. To avoid mistakes in action, you can use different camera angles, blur portions, and bleep out certain words.

4. Learn to use color: Color correction and adjustment is a majorly neglected part of video editing that can make your video different from others. When you are shooting in outdoor conditions, the color of the video could get disturbed depending on the color of your dress as well as your surrounding. While editing, you need to correct them so that the video looks visually pleasing to the eyes.

5. Cut to music: Audio plays a very important role in any video, and hence, you should not neglect it. Always opt for a video editor that has a good collection of stock music so that you can apply them to your video in appropriate places. Music helps to break the monotony and grab the attention of the audience instantly.

6. Back up your work: It takes hours to shoot a video but only a second to lose it. Instead of blindingly relying on your storage device, you should take back up of your work on multiple devices. Taking backup in the cloud storage area is the best option as you can access your work from anywhere.

Part 8: Frequently Asked Questions of Video Editor

What is the best video editor?

Wondershare Filmora is the best video editor as it has the perfect mix of standard and advanced video editing options. The user interface is intuitive and easy to operate for every video creator.

What editor do YouTubers use on PC?

The most commonly used video editors by YouTubers are Final Cut Pro, Adobe Premiere Pro and Filmora. Unless you are a pro in video editing, we recommend Filmora and Shotcut for your YouTube videos.

How can I edit videos for free?

If you are a Windows user, you can use Microsoft Photos and Openshot for editing your videos for free. For Mac users, iMovie is the best free video editor with balanced features.

Does Windows 10 have a free video editor?

Yes, Windows 10 does come with a free video editor and it is called Microsoft Photos. You can edit your photos and videos with the application.

Is Filmora Free?

No, Filmora is a premium video editor. However, you can download its free trial version to understand its features and functionalities. Thereafter, you can purchase its premium plan as per your suitability.

02 [Editor’s Top 3 Picks ](#Part 2)

03 [Open-Source Video Editors](#Part 3)

04 [Freemium and Freeware Video Editors](#Part 4)

05 [Proprietary Video Editing Software](#Part 5)

06 [How to Choose the Suitable Video Editor](#Part 6)

07 [Video Editing Tips for Newbies](#Part 7)

08 [Frequently Asked Questions of Video Editor](#Part 8)

Part 1: Video Editing Basics

Before going to the best video editors, you should be aware of the basics of video editing. Here are the basic concepts of video editing that you must know as they are common across all video editors.

1. The Timeline: The timeline is an area of a video editor where you place your video clips sequentially. When you play the video after editing, the video will play from the start of the timeline and finish at the end of the timeline where your video content ends. The timeline is where you can place your audio clips, video effects, and graphical elements as per your requirements.

2. The Canvas: The canvas is an area of a video editor where you view your video clips frame by frame. The canvas allows you to edit the video starting from cropping to adding graphical elements. You can view all the changes you make to the video before applying them permanently.

3. Basic editing: The basic editing of a video includes splitting and trimming out important parts of a large video file and, thereafter, joining the different video clips to make an engaging video. The basic editing also includes adding audio clips, adjusting video parameters such as color, brightness, contrast as well as adding texts to the video.

4. Aspect Ratio: The aspect ratio of a video represents the ratio of width to height of the video in terms of pixels. For example, a video with aspect ratio of 16:9 means the video is 1920p x 1080p. You can edit the aspect ratio depending on where you want to publish the video. For example, social media videos use 1:1 and 9: 16 aspect ratio, tablets use 4:3 aspect ratio, and 16:9 is the standard aspect ratio.

5. B-roll: B-roll is a secondary video footage that you can add to your primary video(A-roll) to enhance the video creativity and aesthetic value. B-roll could be a cinematic shot, a slow-motion footage, a close-up shot from different angles, as well as a shot mixed with wide-angle, pans, and tilts.

6. Frame Rate: Frame rate refers to the number of images or frames displayed per second in a video. In short, frame rate refers to frames per second in a video. For example, a video of 30fps means the video is showing 30 different images per second. The 24fps is used for movies and the 30fps is used for online and TV videos. Even 60fps videos are becoming common as they produce a smoother video experience.

Part 2: Editor’s Top 3 Picks - Choose The Best Video Editor

Best Video Editor for All Creators - Filmora

Wondershare Filmora is the ideal video editor with an intuitive user interface. You get all the standard and advanced video editing features packed into its platform. You can record videos of external webcam and computer screen as well. There are unlimited video effects and graphical elements to turn your raw videos into eye-catching videos instantly.

Best for Professional Editing - Premiere Pro

Adobe Premium Pro is the best professional video editor where all the advanced features of video editing are available. The software supports editing multiple projects simultaneously. You can edit VR, Multicam, and 3D videos as well. It is a perfect platform for a professional video editing team to work in sync.

Best for Online Video Editing - WeVideo

WeVideo is by far the best online video editor with 30 million users. Starting from standard video editing options and uploading directly to social media platforms, WeVideo is a full-fledged video editor. You can also record videos and create your own video templates. Moreover, you can collaborate with other video creators and make the best use of the unlimited stock media library.

Part 3: Open-Source Video Editors

Open-source video editors have compatibility with all the desktop operating systems. Moreover, due to their codes readily available online, these video editing software applications are available completely free of cost. Here are the best open-source video editors for beginners and experienced users.

# For Beginner Users

1. Blender

Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Linux

Best for: best open-source video editor with balanced features

G2 rating: 4.5 out of 5

Blender is an open-source video editing suite that is popular for its 3D models. Since it is a suite, you can use the platform not only for video editing but also for creating animated videos and games.

Starting from basic video editing such as trim and split to advance video editing such as masking and color adjustment, all options are readily available. Besides, there are options for audio mixing and live preview of editing works.

Reason to Choose:-

• Video cropping, trimming, splitting, joining, and adjusting speed.
• Different slots to add videos, images, scenes, audio clips, effects and masks.
• Different transitions, filters, effects, waveforms, and keyframes available.
• Create 3D models and animated videos with proper audio mixing.

Reason to Avoid:-

• Takes time to get used to the platform.
• Reports of bugs have become a regular occurrence.

2. Avidemux

Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Linux

Best for: best open-source video editor for basic editing

G2 rating: 4.4 out of 5

Avidemux from Soundforge is a lightweight and basic video editor. Starting from trimming and cutting videos to applying filters and encoding videos, all the options are readily available. The software supports a wide range of video file formats for editing.

The platform also supports scripting through which you can automate tasks to perform on videos. Besides, there are options for color adjustments, video conversion, and advanced interlacing. The simple user interface is perfect for beginners to edit videos intuitively.

Reason to Choose:-

• Quick video editing for trimming, cutting, rotating, and cropping.
• Change speed and use different filters for color adjustments and subtitles.
• Supports different video file formats in import and export.
• The user interface is simple and suitable for beginners.

Reason to Avoid:-

• Does not have a traditional timeline for video editing.
• Limited effects, filters, and advanced features.

3. Kdenlive

Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Linux

Best for: best open-source video editor for all

G2 rating: 4.3 out of 5

Kdenlive video editor is a versatile video editor with standard and advanced video editing features balanced properly. The open-source software allows multi-track timeline and supports dual monitor setup for video editing. The user interface is simple, and you can configure it as per your preference.

Kdenlive supports a wide range of video and audio files, and you can use configurable keyboard shortcuts for easy operation. The automatic backup feature is highly useful in the professional video editing world. Similarly, the presence of keyframe-based effects and advanced effects can make a video stand out.

Reason to Choose:-

• Multi-track timeline for working with multiple video and audio clips.
• Keyframeable effects, transitions, color correction and unlimited online resources.
• Vast set of options for creating stunning texts and titles.
• Smooth preview, configurable interface, and automatic backup.

Reason to Avoid:-

• Lacks GPU acceleration and hence, slow response at times.
• Speed adjustment effect is not efficient.

# For Advanced Users

4. OpenShot

Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Linux, Chrome OS

Best for: Best open source editor for all desktop users

G2 rating: 4.4 out of 5

OpenShot is a cross-platform, open-source video editor where you can work on one project on different operating systems. It works on keyframe animation framework, and you can choose from different interpolations. The platform offers you to work with unlimited video and audio clips as well as layers.

You can perform all the basic video editing operations as well as go for advanced editing. The features and tools are well-balanced for regular as well as professional video editing. Starting from video effects and audio mixing to chroma key and time-mapping, everything is available under one roof.

Reason to Choose:-

• Basic video editing with panning, zooming, and scrolling features.
• Wide range of transitions, effects, time and speed control.
• Time-mapping, audio mixing, overlays, and composting.
• Supports 3D animations and objects, templates for titles and sub-titles.

Reason to Avoid:-

• Hardware acceleration is not very powerful.
• Not suitable for 4K video editing as it gets extremely slow.

5. Shotcut

Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Linux

Best for: Best for video editors who love filters and effects

G2 rating: 4.2 out of 5

Shotcut is another open-source and cross-platform video editor with a professional user interface. The software supports importing different file formats of video and audio files. It is suitable for editing 4K videos, and it is a full-fledged audio editor as well.

Its vast video filters and effects are comparable to premium video editors. You can work with multi-track timeline and keyframes with markers and rangers. Besides, you can keep notes on your project easily. Overall, it is a balanced video editor in terms of features and functionalities.

Reason to Choose:-

• Wide categories of video effects, transitions, and filters.
• Multi-track and multi-format timeline and detailed audio editor.
• Standard and advanced editing options with hardware acceleration.
• Export video in high-resolution and in different formats.

Reason to Avoid:-

• The user interface can take some time to get used to.
• The stock media library is rather limited.

6. NATRON

Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Linux

Best for: Best open-source video editor with visual effects

G2 rating: 3.5 out of 5

NATRON is a robust video editor with powerful tracking tool for 2D and planar tracking. You can work with multiple layers and clips and avail various keying options on your video editing project. In fact, it is a full-fledged video compositing software for better video production with multi-layer structure.

The hardware acceleration of the software produces faster rendering. You get to work with presets, tracker nodes, rotoscoping, multi-plane and motion editing. The option of multi-view workflow along with real-time playback is extremely useful while editing multicam videos.

Reason to Choose:-

• Superior visual effects and motion editing.
• Multi-tasking with multi-view workflow.
• Option of rotoscoping and python scripting.
• Supports different open-source plugins.

Reason to Avoid:-

• The user interface is quite advanced and needs some learning time.
• It gets unstable and slow while previewing high-resolution videos.

Part 4: Freemium and Freeware Video Editors

Freeware video editors are available completely free of cost and they are mostly exclusive to a certain operating system. On the other hand, freemium video editors have certain features completely free while it charges users a small fee for certain advanced features. Here is the list of the best freemium and freeware video editors.

# For Beginner Users

7. ActivePresenter

Compatibility: Windows and Mac

Best for: best video editing software for learning videos.

G2 rating: 4.5 out of 5

ActivePresenter from AtomiSystems is a video editor with screen recording options. The software is particularly useful in making and editing learning videos. There are different templates available for editing videos quickly. Besides, you can use the platform for standard editing options for any video.

Starting from working with multiple timelines to making videos interactive and responsive, there are various out-of-box features. Moreover, you can edit your audio and export your edited video in different file formats.

Reason to Choose:-

• Multiple timelines for editing various video and audio clips.
• Basic video and audio editing options and greenscreen effects.
• Webcam and screen recording with audio from different sources.
• Export videos with different file formats, HTML, xAPI, SCORM and much more.

Reason to Avoid:-

• The learning curve is slightly steep.
• Not suitable for editing all types of videos.

8. Microsoft Photos

Compatibility: Windows

Best for: best built-in video editor for Windows users

G2 rating: 4.6 out of 5

Microsoft Photos is the inbuilt video editor for Windows users. The app comes pre-installed in Windows and it is mostly used for viewing photos. But there is an inbuilt video editor where you can do the basic video editing works.

You can trim a video, add texts, and apply 3D effects as well as different filters available. There are also options for rotating videos, applying background music and customizing audio. The user interface is very simple for all users.

Reason to Choose:-

• Instant basic video editing options available.
• Apply effects, filters, as well as music.
• Simple and intuitive user interface for everyone.
• Comes pre-installed and completely free of cost.

Reason to Avoid:-

• Very limited video editing options.
• Very limited video file formats supported.

9. iMovie

Compatibility: Mac

Best for: Best built-in video editor for Mac users

G2 rating: 4.3 out of 5

iMovie is the inbuilt video editor for Mac users as it comes pre-installed on macOS. The application is free to use and it is compatible with iPhone and iPad as well. You can perform all the basic video editing works starting from trimming to rotating videos.

Besides, there is a wide range of effects and filters available to apply on your videos. The best part is that it supports editing 4K videos. There are also various graphical elements available and you can share your video easily on different platforms.

Reason to Choose:-

• Trim, rotate, split and crop videos easily.
• Work across Mac, iPhone and iPad seamlessly.
• Wide range of effects, filters, and objects available.
• Supports editing 4K videos without any lag.

Reason to Avoid:-

• Lacks advanced editing options though it is a dedicated video editor.
• Supports very limited video file formats.

# For Advanced Users

10. Lightworks

Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Linux

Best for: best for social media video creators

G2 rating: 3.5 out of 5

Lightworks is a freemium video editor where most features are reserved for premium users. If you are a social media creator or learning video creator, Lightworks Create is best for you. If you are a professional video creator, you should opt for Lightworks Pro.

The software supports almost all file formats, and you can export videos on social media instantly. The timeline is advanced with proxy editing, autosave and background processing features. You can share projects with your teammates and work collaboratively.

Reason to Choose:-

• Powerful and advanced timeline for quick editing.
• Motion graphics and tilting along with advanced metadata.
• Flexible user interface with proxy workflow and storyboard bin.
• Suitable for collaborating works and cloud storage.

Reason to Avoid:-

• Can crash while working with 4K videos.
• Limited options for advanced video editing.

11. VideoPad

Compatibility: Windows

Best for: best video editor for short video creators.

G2 rating: 4.1 out of 5

VideoPad by NCH Software is an intuitive video editor that supports over 60 different video file formats. There are tools available for basic editing such as trimming and cropping. Besides, there are various effects and transitions available to apply on your video.

The video editor also lets you edit audio files and you can edit 360-degree videos as well. There are video stabilization and chroma key effect available. The video editor is available free for non-commercial use with certain limitations that you can overcome with its premium plan.

Reason to Choose:-

• Edit in Storybook or Timeline mode and perfect all basic editing works.
• Audio editing options with different audio effects.
• Add 3D video effects, special filters, and change video speed.
• Supports a wide range of video file formats.

Reason to Avoid:-

• Can crash while editing 4K videos.
• Lacks advanced editing options.

12. VSDC Free Video Editor

Compatibility: Windows only.

Best for: Free feature-rich video editing suite

G2 rating: 4.0 out of 5

VSDC Free Video Editor is a free suite that includes both video and audio editor. You can use the software for recording screen as well as voiceovers. The software is suitable for low-end computers as it is a lightweight application.

Apart from basic editing, you can edit 360 videos. Starting from color correction and zooming to split-screen effect and chroma key, it is full-fledged feature-rich software. For more advanced features, you can opt for VSDC Video Editor Pro version.

Reason to Choose:-

• Zooming, panning, and color correction options.
• Wide range of effects and filters present.
• Chrome key option as well as 360 degree video editing.
• Work with multiple layers and sync objects perfectly.

Reason to Avoid:-

• Lacks advanced video editing options.
• No masking or video stabilization option available.

Part 5: Proprietary Video Editing Software

If you are a regular video creator and you want to invest in video editing to improve the quality of your video content, you have to opt for a proprietary video editing software. All professional video creators prefer proprietary video editing software over freeware and freemium video editors. Here are the best premium video videos with the most advanced video editing options.

# For Beginner Users

13. Filmora

Compatibility: Windows and Mac.

Best for: Best video editors for YouTubers and vloggers

G2 rating: 4.4 out of 5

Wondershare Filmora is a feature-rich video editor but an intuitive user interface. Therefore, it is perfectly suitable for beginners who want all the features and tools for advanced video editing without a steep learning curve. Filmora is also useful if you want to record screen or webcam video.

Starting from tons of video effects and transitions to a large stock library and graphical elements, Filmora is tailor-made for editing all types of videos. It also supports a wide range of file formats and you can edit 4K videos as well as audio files comfortably.

Try It Free

For Win 7 or later (64-bit)

Try It Free

For macOS 10.12 or later

Reason to Choose:-

• Trim, split, join, crop and work with multiple video and audio clips.
• Large collection of video and audio effects, transitions, and graphical elements.
• Large stock library of free media files and animations.
• Work with multiple layers and clips effortlessly on its smooth timeline.

Reason to Avoid:-

• The processing time for videos could be on the higher side.

14. Camtasia

Compatibility: Windows and Mac.

Best for: Teachers and students to edit tutorial videos

G2 rating: 4.6 out of 5

Camtasia by Techsmith is a premium video editor and it is equally popular as a video recorder. It is particularly useful for recording and editing tutorial videos as there are different templates available. Coming to video editing part, you can perform all the basic video editing works instantly.

There are various trendy effects, transitions, and presets available. You can remove green screen and apply different frames for video compatibility on different devices. Besides, you can upload the editing video different on different platforms instantly.

Reason to Choose:-

• Quick trimming, splitting, cropping options.
• Large collection of templates and presets.
• Wide range of effects, annotations, and transitions.
• Import, export, and share different file formats.

Reason to Avoid:-

• No motion tracking option.
• Reports of frequent crashes.

15. Final Cut Pro

Compatibility: Mac only.

Best for: best professional video editors for Mac users

G2 rating: 4.4 out of 5

Final Cut Pro from Apple is an extremely popular premium video editor among professional video creators who are Mac users. It is a powerful and advanced video editor that can handle high resolution videos smoothly. It is a perfect mix of standard and advanced video editing features.

Starting from editing multicam and VR videos to 3D and 360 degree videos, Final Cut Pro is suitable for all. There are unlimited presets and effects present and you can edit 4K videos as well as large video files smoothly.

Reason to Choose:-

• Basic and advanced video and audio editing features.
• Supports editing all the different video types such as 3D, 4K, VR videos.
• Supports plug-ins, external tools and cinematic effects.
• Renders high resolution, large video files in short time.

Reason to Avoid:-

• Learning curve is quite steep.
• Pricing is on the higher side.

# For Beginner Users

16. Adobe Premiere Pro

Compatibility: Windows only.

Best for: best professional video editing software for most people

G2 rating: 4.5 out of 5

Adobe Premiere Pro is the ultimate video editor in the professional video editing world. You get all the different advanced features of video editing packed in the application. Even though the learning curve is steep, Adobe Premiere Pro is one of the most used video editors in professional video creation.

Adobe Premiere Pro supports all the different video file formats and you can edit various videos simultaneously. It is a perfect tool for editing a large video project collaboratively. It supports editing VR videos, 3D videos, as well as multicam videos.

Reason to Choose:-

• Standard and advanced editing options with quick rendering.
• Suitable for multi-tasking and collaborative work in video editing.
• Supports almost all types of videos and audio file formats.
• Flexible and configurable user interface and advanced timeline.

Reason to Avoid:-

• Learning curve is very steep.
• Not suitable for low-end computers.

17. Vegas Pro

Compatibility: Windows only.

Best for: Video & audio editing for professionals

G2 rating: 4.2 out of 5

Vegas Pro from Sony is a professional video and audio editor. You can work with multiple video and audio files and you can choose from timeline or storyboard layout. In fact, there are options for nested timeline and multicam editing. The customized workflow and layouts make the application suitable for everyone.

You can enhance your video with its large collection of filters, effects, and titles. There are options for keyframing, scene detection, color correction, and light adjustments. The artificial intelligence makes editing faster with automation control.

Reason to Choose:-

• Powerful timeline and storyboard mode with keyframing.
• Advanced HDR color correction and grading.
• Artificial intelligence for quick and repeated editing.
• Multicam editing, motion tracking, and support for 3D videos.

Reason to Avoid:-

• Stability of the application is questionable.
• Pricing is steep and lacks tutorial guide.

18. Hitfilm Express

Compatibility: Windows and Mac

Best for: Best for video effects lovers

G2 rating: 4.4 out of 5

Hitfilm Express is particularly popular for its unlimited video effects that make the video stand out easily. The user interface is quite simple to use, and you can apply effects to turn your raw video into professional video instantly. In fact, it has the largest VFX toolkit with industry-grade effects.

You can edit 4K videos, and there are options for motion tracking and video animations. You can also opt for color correction and grading. You can also edit vertical videos and upload them on social media platforms. You can also edit audio clips and use composting and layering features to enhance your video.

Reason to Choose:-

• Advanced timeline for better workflow.
• Standard and advanced video editing options.
• Largest collection of video effects of different categories.
• Color grading, correction, and free training and support.

Reason to Avoid:-

• Lacks green screen editing option.
• Rendering is not always swift.

Part 6: How to Choose the Suitable Video Editor?

The most important part of video editing is to choose the most suitable video editor for your videos. Here are some important factors to consider while choosing a video editor.

1. Budget and Price: If you are getting started, you can opt for a free video editor. But eventually, you have to go for a premium video editor if you are serious about video editing. You should opt for that video editor that fits your budget and offers more features for the price charged in comparison to its competitors.

2. Learning Curve: You should always opt for a video editor that has a low learning curve. If the video editor is complicated to operate, you will get frustrated, and you won’t be able to unlock the full potential of the video editor. Besides, you will have to lose a lot of time in learning and perfecting the usage of the application.

3. Stock Library: The video editor you are choosing must have a sizeable stock media library. A stock library is where you can find video clips and audio clips that are free to use for everyone. You can incorporate them into your video to enhance the content quality and bring variety to your audiences.

4. Audio control: Video editing is incomplete without proper audio editing. Your video editor should have a separate timeline for audio clips so that you can place them perfect to go in sync with the video clips. Some video editors have dedicated options for audio mixing and editing as per requirements.

5. upport video formats: Your video editor must support a wide range of video file formats that you have to include from time to time. If it supports only the popular file formats, you will not be able to include the interesting videos you may get from different sources which the video editor does not support.

6. Software stability: If you need to edit high-resolution videos, you have to ensure that the video editor you are choosing can stay stable throughout. There are many popular video editors available that become unstable while editing and rendering high-resolution videos. You have to read reviews to come to a conclusion about software stability.

7. Customer Support: Last but most importantly, your video editor must have a good customer support team. In your video editing journey, you will need the help of technical customer support to clarify issues related to the software so that you can excel in your video editing sessions.

Part 7: Video Editing Tips for Beginners

Here are some basic video editing tips that you should keep in mind while editing any video.

1. Try Tight Cuts: Your video should not be too long so that it gets boring for the viewers. Therefore, you have to make tight cuts which means you have to cut out pauses, gaps between dialogs, and anything that is unnecessary for viewers. If you think that tight cuts will take more time than usual, you can consider reshooting the part to save time.

2. Put The Story Before The Footage: When you are shooting a planned video, you must be shooting the video with multiple cameras from different angles. While editing and choosing the perfect angle for a certain video segment, you have to select the one that enhances the story you are telling through your video. For example, in an interview video, you should know when to emphasize and show close angles to capture the emotion of the speaker.

3. Chop Out Mistakes: The most basic work in video editing is to cut out the mistakes. This is because you are sure to make mistakes while shooting, and you will reshoot a lot of mistakes to correct them. Therefore, take your time to chop out mistakes but make sure that the video feels continuous, and if required, you can reshoot. To avoid mistakes in action, you can use different camera angles, blur portions, and bleep out certain words.

4. Learn to use color: Color correction and adjustment is a majorly neglected part of video editing that can make your video different from others. When you are shooting in outdoor conditions, the color of the video could get disturbed depending on the color of your dress as well as your surrounding. While editing, you need to correct them so that the video looks visually pleasing to the eyes.

5. Cut to music: Audio plays a very important role in any video, and hence, you should not neglect it. Always opt for a video editor that has a good collection of stock music so that you can apply them to your video in appropriate places. Music helps to break the monotony and grab the attention of the audience instantly.

6. Back up your work: It takes hours to shoot a video but only a second to lose it. Instead of blindingly relying on your storage device, you should take back up of your work on multiple devices. Taking backup in the cloud storage area is the best option as you can access your work from anywhere.

Part 8: Frequently Asked Questions of Video Editor

What is the best video editor?

Wondershare Filmora is the best video editor as it has the perfect mix of standard and advanced video editing options. The user interface is intuitive and easy to operate for every video creator.

What editor do YouTubers use on PC?

The most commonly used video editors by YouTubers are Final Cut Pro, Adobe Premiere Pro and Filmora. Unless you are a pro in video editing, we recommend Filmora and Shotcut for your YouTube videos.

How can I edit videos for free?

If you are a Windows user, you can use Microsoft Photos and Openshot for editing your videos for free. For Mac users, iMovie is the best free video editor with balanced features.

Does Windows 10 have a free video editor?

Yes, Windows 10 does come with a free video editor and it is called Microsoft Photos. You can edit your photos and videos with the application.

Is Filmora Free?

No, Filmora is a premium video editor. However, you can download its free trial version to understand its features and functionalities. Thereafter, you can purchase its premium plan as per your suitability.

02 [Editor’s Top 3 Picks ](#Part 2)

03 [Open-Source Video Editors](#Part 3)

04 [Freemium and Freeware Video Editors](#Part 4)

05 [Proprietary Video Editing Software](#Part 5)

06 [How to Choose the Suitable Video Editor](#Part 6)

07 [Video Editing Tips for Newbies](#Part 7)

08 [Frequently Asked Questions of Video Editor](#Part 8)

Part 1: Video Editing Basics

Before going to the best video editors, you should be aware of the basics of video editing. Here are the basic concepts of video editing that you must know as they are common across all video editors.

1. The Timeline: The timeline is an area of a video editor where you place your video clips sequentially. When you play the video after editing, the video will play from the start of the timeline and finish at the end of the timeline where your video content ends. The timeline is where you can place your audio clips, video effects, and graphical elements as per your requirements.

2. The Canvas: The canvas is an area of a video editor where you view your video clips frame by frame. The canvas allows you to edit the video starting from cropping to adding graphical elements. You can view all the changes you make to the video before applying them permanently.

3. Basic editing: The basic editing of a video includes splitting and trimming out important parts of a large video file and, thereafter, joining the different video clips to make an engaging video. The basic editing also includes adding audio clips, adjusting video parameters such as color, brightness, contrast as well as adding texts to the video.

4. Aspect Ratio: The aspect ratio of a video represents the ratio of width to height of the video in terms of pixels. For example, a video with aspect ratio of 16:9 means the video is 1920p x 1080p. You can edit the aspect ratio depending on where you want to publish the video. For example, social media videos use 1:1 and 9: 16 aspect ratio, tablets use 4:3 aspect ratio, and 16:9 is the standard aspect ratio.

5. B-roll: B-roll is a secondary video footage that you can add to your primary video(A-roll) to enhance the video creativity and aesthetic value. B-roll could be a cinematic shot, a slow-motion footage, a close-up shot from different angles, as well as a shot mixed with wide-angle, pans, and tilts.

6. Frame Rate: Frame rate refers to the number of images or frames displayed per second in a video. In short, frame rate refers to frames per second in a video. For example, a video of 30fps means the video is showing 30 different images per second. The 24fps is used for movies and the 30fps is used for online and TV videos. Even 60fps videos are becoming common as they produce a smoother video experience.

Part 2: Editor’s Top 3 Picks - Choose The Best Video Editor

Best Video Editor for All Creators - Filmora

Wondershare Filmora is the ideal video editor with an intuitive user interface. You get all the standard and advanced video editing features packed into its platform. You can record videos of external webcam and computer screen as well. There are unlimited video effects and graphical elements to turn your raw videos into eye-catching videos instantly.

Best for Professional Editing - Premiere Pro

Adobe Premium Pro is the best professional video editor where all the advanced features of video editing are available. The software supports editing multiple projects simultaneously. You can edit VR, Multicam, and 3D videos as well. It is a perfect platform for a professional video editing team to work in sync.

Best for Online Video Editing - WeVideo

WeVideo is by far the best online video editor with 30 million users. Starting from standard video editing options and uploading directly to social media platforms, WeVideo is a full-fledged video editor. You can also record videos and create your own video templates. Moreover, you can collaborate with other video creators and make the best use of the unlimited stock media library.

Part 3: Open-Source Video Editors

Open-source video editors have compatibility with all the desktop operating systems. Moreover, due to their codes readily available online, these video editing software applications are available completely free of cost. Here are the best open-source video editors for beginners and experienced users.

# For Beginner Users

1. Blender

Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Linux

Best for: best open-source video editor with balanced features

G2 rating: 4.5 out of 5

Blender is an open-source video editing suite that is popular for its 3D models. Since it is a suite, you can use the platform not only for video editing but also for creating animated videos and games.

Starting from basic video editing such as trim and split to advance video editing such as masking and color adjustment, all options are readily available. Besides, there are options for audio mixing and live preview of editing works.

Reason to Choose:-

• Video cropping, trimming, splitting, joining, and adjusting speed.
• Different slots to add videos, images, scenes, audio clips, effects and masks.
• Different transitions, filters, effects, waveforms, and keyframes available.
• Create 3D models and animated videos with proper audio mixing.

Reason to Avoid:-

• Takes time to get used to the platform.
• Reports of bugs have become a regular occurrence.

2. Avidemux

Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Linux

Best for: best open-source video editor for basic editing

G2 rating: 4.4 out of 5

Avidemux from Soundforge is a lightweight and basic video editor. Starting from trimming and cutting videos to applying filters and encoding videos, all the options are readily available. The software supports a wide range of video file formats for editing.

The platform also supports scripting through which you can automate tasks to perform on videos. Besides, there are options for color adjustments, video conversion, and advanced interlacing. The simple user interface is perfect for beginners to edit videos intuitively.

Reason to Choose:-

• Quick video editing for trimming, cutting, rotating, and cropping.
• Change speed and use different filters for color adjustments and subtitles.
• Supports different video file formats in import and export.
• The user interface is simple and suitable for beginners.

Reason to Avoid:-

• Does not have a traditional timeline for video editing.
• Limited effects, filters, and advanced features.

3. Kdenlive

Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Linux

Best for: best open-source video editor for all

G2 rating: 4.3 out of 5

Kdenlive video editor is a versatile video editor with standard and advanced video editing features balanced properly. The open-source software allows multi-track timeline and supports dual monitor setup for video editing. The user interface is simple, and you can configure it as per your preference.

Kdenlive supports a wide range of video and audio files, and you can use configurable keyboard shortcuts for easy operation. The automatic backup feature is highly useful in the professional video editing world. Similarly, the presence of keyframe-based effects and advanced effects can make a video stand out.

Reason to Choose:-

• Multi-track timeline for working with multiple video and audio clips.
• Keyframeable effects, transitions, color correction and unlimited online resources.
• Vast set of options for creating stunning texts and titles.
• Smooth preview, configurable interface, and automatic backup.

Reason to Avoid:-

• Lacks GPU acceleration and hence, slow response at times.
• Speed adjustment effect is not efficient.

# For Advanced Users

4. OpenShot

Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Linux, Chrome OS

Best for: Best open source editor for all desktop users

G2 rating: 4.4 out of 5

OpenShot is a cross-platform, open-source video editor where you can work on one project on different operating systems. It works on keyframe animation framework, and you can choose from different interpolations. The platform offers you to work with unlimited video and audio clips as well as layers.

You can perform all the basic video editing operations as well as go for advanced editing. The features and tools are well-balanced for regular as well as professional video editing. Starting from video effects and audio mixing to chroma key and time-mapping, everything is available under one roof.

Reason to Choose:-

• Basic video editing with panning, zooming, and scrolling features.
• Wide range of transitions, effects, time and speed control.
• Time-mapping, audio mixing, overlays, and composting.
• Supports 3D animations and objects, templates for titles and sub-titles.

Reason to Avoid:-

• Hardware acceleration is not very powerful.
• Not suitable for 4K video editing as it gets extremely slow.

5. Shotcut

Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Linux

Best for: Best for video editors who love filters and effects

G2 rating: 4.2 out of 5

Shotcut is another open-source and cross-platform video editor with a professional user interface. The software supports importing different file formats of video and audio files. It is suitable for editing 4K videos, and it is a full-fledged audio editor as well.

Its vast video filters and effects are comparable to premium video editors. You can work with multi-track timeline and keyframes with markers and rangers. Besides, you can keep notes on your project easily. Overall, it is a balanced video editor in terms of features and functionalities.

Reason to Choose:-

• Wide categories of video effects, transitions, and filters.
• Multi-track and multi-format timeline and detailed audio editor.
• Standard and advanced editing options with hardware acceleration.
• Export video in high-resolution and in different formats.

Reason to Avoid:-

• The user interface can take some time to get used to.
• The stock media library is rather limited.

6. NATRON

Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Linux

Best for: Best open-source video editor with visual effects

G2 rating: 3.5 out of 5

NATRON is a robust video editor with powerful tracking tool for 2D and planar tracking. You can work with multiple layers and clips and avail various keying options on your video editing project. In fact, it is a full-fledged video compositing software for better video production with multi-layer structure.

The hardware acceleration of the software produces faster rendering. You get to work with presets, tracker nodes, rotoscoping, multi-plane and motion editing. The option of multi-view workflow along with real-time playback is extremely useful while editing multicam videos.

Reason to Choose:-

• Superior visual effects and motion editing.
• Multi-tasking with multi-view workflow.
• Option of rotoscoping and python scripting.
• Supports different open-source plugins.

Reason to Avoid:-

• The user interface is quite advanced and needs some learning time.
• It gets unstable and slow while previewing high-resolution videos.

Part 4: Freemium and Freeware Video Editors

Freeware video editors are available completely free of cost and they are mostly exclusive to a certain operating system. On the other hand, freemium video editors have certain features completely free while it charges users a small fee for certain advanced features. Here is the list of the best freemium and freeware video editors.

# For Beginner Users

7. ActivePresenter

Compatibility: Windows and Mac

Best for: best video editing software for learning videos.

G2 rating: 4.5 out of 5

ActivePresenter from AtomiSystems is a video editor with screen recording options. The software is particularly useful in making and editing learning videos. There are different templates available for editing videos quickly. Besides, you can use the platform for standard editing options for any video.

Starting from working with multiple timelines to making videos interactive and responsive, there are various out-of-box features. Moreover, you can edit your audio and export your edited video in different file formats.

Reason to Choose:-

• Multiple timelines for editing various video and audio clips.
• Basic video and audio editing options and greenscreen effects.
• Webcam and screen recording with audio from different sources.
• Export videos with different file formats, HTML, xAPI, SCORM and much more.

Reason to Avoid:-

• The learning curve is slightly steep.
• Not suitable for editing all types of videos.

8. Microsoft Photos

Compatibility: Windows

Best for: best built-in video editor for Windows users

G2 rating: 4.6 out of 5

Microsoft Photos is the inbuilt video editor for Windows users. The app comes pre-installed in Windows and it is mostly used for viewing photos. But there is an inbuilt video editor where you can do the basic video editing works.

You can trim a video, add texts, and apply 3D effects as well as different filters available. There are also options for rotating videos, applying background music and customizing audio. The user interface is very simple for all users.

Reason to Choose:-

• Instant basic video editing options available.
• Apply effects, filters, as well as music.
• Simple and intuitive user interface for everyone.
• Comes pre-installed and completely free of cost.

Reason to Avoid:-

• Very limited video editing options.
• Very limited video file formats supported.

9. iMovie

Compatibility: Mac

Best for: Best built-in video editor for Mac users

G2 rating: 4.3 out of 5

iMovie is the inbuilt video editor for Mac users as it comes pre-installed on macOS. The application is free to use and it is compatible with iPhone and iPad as well. You can perform all the basic video editing works starting from trimming to rotating videos.

Besides, there is a wide range of effects and filters available to apply on your videos. The best part is that it supports editing 4K videos. There are also various graphical elements available and you can share your video easily on different platforms.

Reason to Choose:-

• Trim, rotate, split and crop videos easily.
• Work across Mac, iPhone and iPad seamlessly.
• Wide range of effects, filters, and objects available.
• Supports editing 4K videos without any lag.

Reason to Avoid:-

• Lacks advanced editing options though it is a dedicated video editor.
• Supports very limited video file formats.

# For Advanced Users

10. Lightworks

Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Linux

Best for: best for social media video creators

G2 rating: 3.5 out of 5

Lightworks is a freemium video editor where most features are reserved for premium users. If you are a social media creator or learning video creator, Lightworks Create is best for you. If you are a professional video creator, you should opt for Lightworks Pro.

The software supports almost all file formats, and you can export videos on social media instantly. The timeline is advanced with proxy editing, autosave and background processing features. You can share projects with your teammates and work collaboratively.

Reason to Choose:-

• Powerful and advanced timeline for quick editing.
• Motion graphics and tilting along with advanced metadata.
• Flexible user interface with proxy workflow and storyboard bin.
• Suitable for collaborating works and cloud storage.

Reason to Avoid:-

• Can crash while working with 4K videos.
• Limited options for advanced video editing.

11. VideoPad

Compatibility: Windows

Best for: best video editor for short video creators.

G2 rating: 4.1 out of 5

VideoPad by NCH Software is an intuitive video editor that supports over 60 different video file formats. There are tools available for basic editing such as trimming and cropping. Besides, there are various effects and transitions available to apply on your video.

The video editor also lets you edit audio files and you can edit 360-degree videos as well. There are video stabilization and chroma key effect available. The video editor is available free for non-commercial use with certain limitations that you can overcome with its premium plan.

Reason to Choose:-

• Edit in Storybook or Timeline mode and perfect all basic editing works.
• Audio editing options with different audio effects.
• Add 3D video effects, special filters, and change video speed.
• Supports a wide range of video file formats.

Reason to Avoid:-

• Can crash while editing 4K videos.
• Lacks advanced editing options.

12. VSDC Free Video Editor

Compatibility: Windows only.

Best for: Free feature-rich video editing suite

G2 rating: 4.0 out of 5

VSDC Free Video Editor is a free suite that includes both video and audio editor. You can use the software for recording screen as well as voiceovers. The software is suitable for low-end computers as it is a lightweight application.

Apart from basic editing, you can edit 360 videos. Starting from color correction and zooming to split-screen effect and chroma key, it is full-fledged feature-rich software. For more advanced features, you can opt for VSDC Video Editor Pro version.

Reason to Choose:-

• Zooming, panning, and color correction options.
• Wide range of effects and filters present.
• Chrome key option as well as 360 degree video editing.
• Work with multiple layers and sync objects perfectly.

Reason to Avoid:-

• Lacks advanced video editing options.
• No masking or video stabilization option available.

Part 5: Proprietary Video Editing Software

If you are a regular video creator and you want to invest in video editing to improve the quality of your video content, you have to opt for a proprietary video editing software. All professional video creators prefer proprietary video editing software over freeware and freemium video editors. Here are the best premium video videos with the most advanced video editing options.

# For Beginner Users

13. Filmora

Compatibility: Windows and Mac.

Best for: Best video editors for YouTubers and vloggers

G2 rating: 4.4 out of 5

Wondershare Filmora is a feature-rich video editor but an intuitive user interface. Therefore, it is perfectly suitable for beginners who want all the features and tools for advanced video editing without a steep learning curve. Filmora is also useful if you want to record screen or webcam video.

Starting from tons of video effects and transitions to a large stock library and graphical elements, Filmora is tailor-made for editing all types of videos. It also supports a wide range of file formats and you can edit 4K videos as well as audio files comfortably.

Try It Free

For Win 7 or later (64-bit)

Try It Free

For macOS 10.12 or later

Reason to Choose:-

• Trim, split, join, crop and work with multiple video and audio clips.
• Large collection of video and audio effects, transitions, and graphical elements.
• Large stock library of free media files and animations.
• Work with multiple layers and clips effortlessly on its smooth timeline.

Reason to Avoid:-

• The processing time for videos could be on the higher side.

14. Camtasia

Compatibility: Windows and Mac.

Best for: Teachers and students to edit tutorial videos

G2 rating: 4.6 out of 5

Camtasia by Techsmith is a premium video editor and it is equally popular as a video recorder. It is particularly useful for recording and editing tutorial videos as there are different templates available. Coming to video editing part, you can perform all the basic video editing works instantly.

There are various trendy effects, transitions, and presets available. You can remove green screen and apply different frames for video compatibility on different devices. Besides, you can upload the editing video different on different platforms instantly.

Reason to Choose:-

• Quick trimming, splitting, cropping options.
• Large collection of templates and presets.
• Wide range of effects, annotations, and transitions.
• Import, export, and share different file formats.

Reason to Avoid:-

• No motion tracking option.
• Reports of frequent crashes.

15. Final Cut Pro

Compatibility: Mac only.

Best for: best professional video editors for Mac users

G2 rating: 4.4 out of 5

Final Cut Pro from Apple is an extremely popular premium video editor among professional video creators who are Mac users. It is a powerful and advanced video editor that can handle high resolution videos smoothly. It is a perfect mix of standard and advanced video editing features.

Starting from editing multicam and VR videos to 3D and 360 degree videos, Final Cut Pro is suitable for all. There are unlimited presets and effects present and you can edit 4K videos as well as large video files smoothly.

Reason to Choose:-

• Basic and advanced video and audio editing features.
• Supports editing all the different video types such as 3D, 4K, VR videos.
• Supports plug-ins, external tools and cinematic effects.
• Renders high resolution, large video files in short time.

Reason to Avoid:-

• Learning curve is quite steep.
• Pricing is on the higher side.

# For Beginner Users

16. Adobe Premiere Pro

Compatibility: Windows only.

Best for: best professional video editing software for most people

G2 rating: 4.5 out of 5

Adobe Premiere Pro is the ultimate video editor in the professional video editing world. You get all the different advanced features of video editing packed in the application. Even though the learning curve is steep, Adobe Premiere Pro is one of the most used video editors in professional video creation.

Adobe Premiere Pro supports all the different video file formats and you can edit various videos simultaneously. It is a perfect tool for editing a large video project collaboratively. It supports editing VR videos, 3D videos, as well as multicam videos.

Reason to Choose:-

• Standard and advanced editing options with quick rendering.
• Suitable for multi-tasking and collaborative work in video editing.
• Supports almost all types of videos and audio file formats.
• Flexible and configurable user interface and advanced timeline.

Reason to Avoid:-

• Learning curve is very steep.
• Not suitable for low-end computers.

17. Vegas Pro

Compatibility: Windows only.

Best for: Video & audio editing for professionals

G2 rating: 4.2 out of 5

Vegas Pro from Sony is a professional video and audio editor. You can work with multiple video and audio files and you can choose from timeline or storyboard layout. In fact, there are options for nested timeline and multicam editing. The customized workflow and layouts make the application suitable for everyone.

You can enhance your video with its large collection of filters, effects, and titles. There are options for keyframing, scene detection, color correction, and light adjustments. The artificial intelligence makes editing faster with automation control.

Reason to Choose:-

• Powerful timeline and storyboard mode with keyframing.
• Advanced HDR color correction and grading.
• Artificial intelligence for quick and repeated editing.
• Multicam editing, motion tracking, and support for 3D videos.

Reason to Avoid:-

• Stability of the application is questionable.
• Pricing is steep and lacks tutorial guide.

18. Hitfilm Express

Compatibility: Windows and Mac

Best for: Best for video effects lovers

G2 rating: 4.4 out of 5

Hitfilm Express is particularly popular for its unlimited video effects that make the video stand out easily. The user interface is quite simple to use, and you can apply effects to turn your raw video into professional video instantly. In fact, it has the largest VFX toolkit with industry-grade effects.

You can edit 4K videos, and there are options for motion tracking and video animations. You can also opt for color correction and grading. You can also edit vertical videos and upload them on social media platforms. You can also edit audio clips and use composting and layering features to enhance your video.

Reason to Choose:-

• Advanced timeline for better workflow.
• Standard and advanced video editing options.
• Largest collection of video effects of different categories.
• Color grading, correction, and free training and support.

Reason to Avoid:-

• Lacks green screen editing option.
• Rendering is not always swift.

Part 6: How to Choose the Suitable Video Editor?

The most important part of video editing is to choose the most suitable video editor for your videos. Here are some important factors to consider while choosing a video editor.

1. Budget and Price: If you are getting started, you can opt for a free video editor. But eventually, you have to go for a premium video editor if you are serious about video editing. You should opt for that video editor that fits your budget and offers more features for the price charged in comparison to its competitors.

2. Learning Curve: You should always opt for a video editor that has a low learning curve. If the video editor is complicated to operate, you will get frustrated, and you won’t be able to unlock the full potential of the video editor. Besides, you will have to lose a lot of time in learning and perfecting the usage of the application.

3. Stock Library: The video editor you are choosing must have a sizeable stock media library. A stock library is where you can find video clips and audio clips that are free to use for everyone. You can incorporate them into your video to enhance the content quality and bring variety to your audiences.

4. Audio control: Video editing is incomplete without proper audio editing. Your video editor should have a separate timeline for audio clips so that you can place them perfect to go in sync with the video clips. Some video editors have dedicated options for audio mixing and editing as per requirements.

5. upport video formats: Your video editor must support a wide range of video file formats that you have to include from time to time. If it supports only the popular file formats, you will not be able to include the interesting videos you may get from different sources which the video editor does not support.

6. Software stability: If you need to edit high-resolution videos, you have to ensure that the video editor you are choosing can stay stable throughout. There are many popular video editors available that become unstable while editing and rendering high-resolution videos. You have to read reviews to come to a conclusion about software stability.

7. Customer Support: Last but most importantly, your video editor must have a good customer support team. In your video editing journey, you will need the help of technical customer support to clarify issues related to the software so that you can excel in your video editing sessions.

Part 7: Video Editing Tips for Beginners

Here are some basic video editing tips that you should keep in mind while editing any video.

1. Try Tight Cuts: Your video should not be too long so that it gets boring for the viewers. Therefore, you have to make tight cuts which means you have to cut out pauses, gaps between dialogs, and anything that is unnecessary for viewers. If you think that tight cuts will take more time than usual, you can consider reshooting the part to save time.

2. Put The Story Before The Footage: When you are shooting a planned video, you must be shooting the video with multiple cameras from different angles. While editing and choosing the perfect angle for a certain video segment, you have to select the one that enhances the story you are telling through your video. For example, in an interview video, you should know when to emphasize and show close angles to capture the emotion of the speaker.

3. Chop Out Mistakes: The most basic work in video editing is to cut out the mistakes. This is because you are sure to make mistakes while shooting, and you will reshoot a lot of mistakes to correct them. Therefore, take your time to chop out mistakes but make sure that the video feels continuous, and if required, you can reshoot. To avoid mistakes in action, you can use different camera angles, blur portions, and bleep out certain words.

4. Learn to use color: Color correction and adjustment is a majorly neglected part of video editing that can make your video different from others. When you are shooting in outdoor conditions, the color of the video could get disturbed depending on the color of your dress as well as your surrounding. While editing, you need to correct them so that the video looks visually pleasing to the eyes.

5. Cut to music: Audio plays a very important role in any video, and hence, you should not neglect it. Always opt for a video editor that has a good collection of stock music so that you can apply them to your video in appropriate places. Music helps to break the monotony and grab the attention of the audience instantly.

6. Back up your work: It takes hours to shoot a video but only a second to lose it. Instead of blindingly relying on your storage device, you should take back up of your work on multiple devices. Taking backup in the cloud storage area is the best option as you can access your work from anywhere.

Part 8: Frequently Asked Questions of Video Editor

What is the best video editor?

Wondershare Filmora is the best video editor as it has the perfect mix of standard and advanced video editing options. The user interface is intuitive and easy to operate for every video creator.

What editor do YouTubers use on PC?

The most commonly used video editors by YouTubers are Final Cut Pro, Adobe Premiere Pro and Filmora. Unless you are a pro in video editing, we recommend Filmora and Shotcut for your YouTube videos.

How can I edit videos for free?

If you are a Windows user, you can use Microsoft Photos and Openshot for editing your videos for free. For Mac users, iMovie is the best free video editor with balanced features.

Does Windows 10 have a free video editor?

Yes, Windows 10 does come with a free video editor and it is called Microsoft Photos. You can edit your photos and videos with the application.

Is Filmora Free?

No, Filmora is a premium video editor. However, you can download its free trial version to understand its features and functionalities. Thereafter, you can purchase its premium plan as per your suitability.

02 [Editor’s Top 3 Picks ](#Part 2)

03 [Open-Source Video Editors](#Part 3)

04 [Freemium and Freeware Video Editors](#Part 4)

05 [Proprietary Video Editing Software](#Part 5)

06 [How to Choose the Suitable Video Editor](#Part 6)

07 [Video Editing Tips for Newbies](#Part 7)

08 [Frequently Asked Questions of Video Editor](#Part 8)

Part 1: Video Editing Basics

Before going to the best video editors, you should be aware of the basics of video editing. Here are the basic concepts of video editing that you must know as they are common across all video editors.

1. The Timeline: The timeline is an area of a video editor where you place your video clips sequentially. When you play the video after editing, the video will play from the start of the timeline and finish at the end of the timeline where your video content ends. The timeline is where you can place your audio clips, video effects, and graphical elements as per your requirements.

2. The Canvas: The canvas is an area of a video editor where you view your video clips frame by frame. The canvas allows you to edit the video starting from cropping to adding graphical elements. You can view all the changes you make to the video before applying them permanently.

3. Basic editing: The basic editing of a video includes splitting and trimming out important parts of a large video file and, thereafter, joining the different video clips to make an engaging video. The basic editing also includes adding audio clips, adjusting video parameters such as color, brightness, contrast as well as adding texts to the video.

4. Aspect Ratio: The aspect ratio of a video represents the ratio of width to height of the video in terms of pixels. For example, a video with aspect ratio of 16:9 means the video is 1920p x 1080p. You can edit the aspect ratio depending on where you want to publish the video. For example, social media videos use 1:1 and 9: 16 aspect ratio, tablets use 4:3 aspect ratio, and 16:9 is the standard aspect ratio.

5. B-roll: B-roll is a secondary video footage that you can add to your primary video(A-roll) to enhance the video creativity and aesthetic value. B-roll could be a cinematic shot, a slow-motion footage, a close-up shot from different angles, as well as a shot mixed with wide-angle, pans, and tilts.

6. Frame Rate: Frame rate refers to the number of images or frames displayed per second in a video. In short, frame rate refers to frames per second in a video. For example, a video of 30fps means the video is showing 30 different images per second. The 24fps is used for movies and the 30fps is used for online and TV videos. Even 60fps videos are becoming common as they produce a smoother video experience.

Part 2: Editor’s Top 3 Picks - Choose The Best Video Editor

Best Video Editor for All Creators - Filmora

Wondershare Filmora is the ideal video editor with an intuitive user interface. You get all the standard and advanced video editing features packed into its platform. You can record videos of external webcam and computer screen as well. There are unlimited video effects and graphical elements to turn your raw videos into eye-catching videos instantly.

Best for Professional Editing - Premiere Pro

Adobe Premium Pro is the best professional video editor where all the advanced features of video editing are available. The software supports editing multiple projects simultaneously. You can edit VR, Multicam, and 3D videos as well. It is a perfect platform for a professional video editing team to work in sync.

Best for Online Video Editing - WeVideo

WeVideo is by far the best online video editor with 30 million users. Starting from standard video editing options and uploading directly to social media platforms, WeVideo is a full-fledged video editor. You can also record videos and create your own video templates. Moreover, you can collaborate with other video creators and make the best use of the unlimited stock media library.

Part 3: Open-Source Video Editors

Open-source video editors have compatibility with all the desktop operating systems. Moreover, due to their codes readily available online, these video editing software applications are available completely free of cost. Here are the best open-source video editors for beginners and experienced users.

# For Beginner Users

1. Blender

Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Linux

Best for: best open-source video editor with balanced features

G2 rating: 4.5 out of 5

Blender is an open-source video editing suite that is popular for its 3D models. Since it is a suite, you can use the platform not only for video editing but also for creating animated videos and games.

Starting from basic video editing such as trim and split to advance video editing such as masking and color adjustment, all options are readily available. Besides, there are options for audio mixing and live preview of editing works.

Reason to Choose:-

• Video cropping, trimming, splitting, joining, and adjusting speed.
• Different slots to add videos, images, scenes, audio clips, effects and masks.
• Different transitions, filters, effects, waveforms, and keyframes available.
• Create 3D models and animated videos with proper audio mixing.

Reason to Avoid:-

• Takes time to get used to the platform.
• Reports of bugs have become a regular occurrence.

2. Avidemux

Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Linux

Best for: best open-source video editor for basic editing

G2 rating: 4.4 out of 5

Avidemux from Soundforge is a lightweight and basic video editor. Starting from trimming and cutting videos to applying filters and encoding videos, all the options are readily available. The software supports a wide range of video file formats for editing.

The platform also supports scripting through which you can automate tasks to perform on videos. Besides, there are options for color adjustments, video conversion, and advanced interlacing. The simple user interface is perfect for beginners to edit videos intuitively.

Reason to Choose:-

• Quick video editing for trimming, cutting, rotating, and cropping.
• Change speed and use different filters for color adjustments and subtitles.
• Supports different video file formats in import and export.
• The user interface is simple and suitable for beginners.

Reason to Avoid:-

• Does not have a traditional timeline for video editing.
• Limited effects, filters, and advanced features.

3. Kdenlive

Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Linux

Best for: best open-source video editor for all

G2 rating: 4.3 out of 5

Kdenlive video editor is a versatile video editor with standard and advanced video editing features balanced properly. The open-source software allows multi-track timeline and supports dual monitor setup for video editing. The user interface is simple, and you can configure it as per your preference.

Kdenlive supports a wide range of video and audio files, and you can use configurable keyboard shortcuts for easy operation. The automatic backup feature is highly useful in the professional video editing world. Similarly, the presence of keyframe-based effects and advanced effects can make a video stand out.

Reason to Choose:-

• Multi-track timeline for working with multiple video and audio clips.
• Keyframeable effects, transitions, color correction and unlimited online resources.
• Vast set of options for creating stunning texts and titles.
• Smooth preview, configurable interface, and automatic backup.

Reason to Avoid:-

• Lacks GPU acceleration and hence, slow response at times.
• Speed adjustment effect is not efficient.

# For Advanced Users

4. OpenShot

Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Linux, Chrome OS

Best for: Best open source editor for all desktop users

G2 rating: 4.4 out of 5

OpenShot is a cross-platform, open-source video editor where you can work on one project on different operating systems. It works on keyframe animation framework, and you can choose from different interpolations. The platform offers you to work with unlimited video and audio clips as well as layers.

You can perform all the basic video editing operations as well as go for advanced editing. The features and tools are well-balanced for regular as well as professional video editing. Starting from video effects and audio mixing to chroma key and time-mapping, everything is available under one roof.

Reason to Choose:-

• Basic video editing with panning, zooming, and scrolling features.
• Wide range of transitions, effects, time and speed control.
• Time-mapping, audio mixing, overlays, and composting.
• Supports 3D animations and objects, templates for titles and sub-titles.

Reason to Avoid:-

• Hardware acceleration is not very powerful.
• Not suitable for 4K video editing as it gets extremely slow.

5. Shotcut

Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Linux

Best for: Best for video editors who love filters and effects

G2 rating: 4.2 out of 5

Shotcut is another open-source and cross-platform video editor with a professional user interface. The software supports importing different file formats of video and audio files. It is suitable for editing 4K videos, and it is a full-fledged audio editor as well.

Its vast video filters and effects are comparable to premium video editors. You can work with multi-track timeline and keyframes with markers and rangers. Besides, you can keep notes on your project easily. Overall, it is a balanced video editor in terms of features and functionalities.

Reason to Choose:-

• Wide categories of video effects, transitions, and filters.
• Multi-track and multi-format timeline and detailed audio editor.
• Standard and advanced editing options with hardware acceleration.
• Export video in high-resolution and in different formats.

Reason to Avoid:-

• The user interface can take some time to get used to.
• The stock media library is rather limited.

6. NATRON

Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Linux

Best for: Best open-source video editor with visual effects

G2 rating: 3.5 out of 5

NATRON is a robust video editor with powerful tracking tool for 2D and planar tracking. You can work with multiple layers and clips and avail various keying options on your video editing project. In fact, it is a full-fledged video compositing software for better video production with multi-layer structure.

The hardware acceleration of the software produces faster rendering. You get to work with presets, tracker nodes, rotoscoping, multi-plane and motion editing. The option of multi-view workflow along with real-time playback is extremely useful while editing multicam videos.

Reason to Choose:-

• Superior visual effects and motion editing.
• Multi-tasking with multi-view workflow.
• Option of rotoscoping and python scripting.
• Supports different open-source plugins.

Reason to Avoid:-

• The user interface is quite advanced and needs some learning time.
• It gets unstable and slow while previewing high-resolution videos.

Part 4: Freemium and Freeware Video Editors

Freeware video editors are available completely free of cost and they are mostly exclusive to a certain operating system. On the other hand, freemium video editors have certain features completely free while it charges users a small fee for certain advanced features. Here is the list of the best freemium and freeware video editors.

# For Beginner Users

7. ActivePresenter

Compatibility: Windows and Mac

Best for: best video editing software for learning videos.

G2 rating: 4.5 out of 5

ActivePresenter from AtomiSystems is a video editor with screen recording options. The software is particularly useful in making and editing learning videos. There are different templates available for editing videos quickly. Besides, you can use the platform for standard editing options for any video.

Starting from working with multiple timelines to making videos interactive and responsive, there are various out-of-box features. Moreover, you can edit your audio and export your edited video in different file formats.

Reason to Choose:-

• Multiple timelines for editing various video and audio clips.
• Basic video and audio editing options and greenscreen effects.
• Webcam and screen recording with audio from different sources.
• Export videos with different file formats, HTML, xAPI, SCORM and much more.

Reason to Avoid:-

• The learning curve is slightly steep.
• Not suitable for editing all types of videos.

8. Microsoft Photos

Compatibility: Windows

Best for: best built-in video editor for Windows users

G2 rating: 4.6 out of 5

Microsoft Photos is the inbuilt video editor for Windows users. The app comes pre-installed in Windows and it is mostly used for viewing photos. But there is an inbuilt video editor where you can do the basic video editing works.

You can trim a video, add texts, and apply 3D effects as well as different filters available. There are also options for rotating videos, applying background music and customizing audio. The user interface is very simple for all users.

Reason to Choose:-

• Instant basic video editing options available.
• Apply effects, filters, as well as music.
• Simple and intuitive user interface for everyone.
• Comes pre-installed and completely free of cost.

Reason to Avoid:-

• Very limited video editing options.
• Very limited video file formats supported.

9. iMovie

Compatibility: Mac

Best for: Best built-in video editor for Mac users

G2 rating: 4.3 out of 5

iMovie is the inbuilt video editor for Mac users as it comes pre-installed on macOS. The application is free to use and it is compatible with iPhone and iPad as well. You can perform all the basic video editing works starting from trimming to rotating videos.

Besides, there is a wide range of effects and filters available to apply on your videos. The best part is that it supports editing 4K videos. There are also various graphical elements available and you can share your video easily on different platforms.

Reason to Choose:-

• Trim, rotate, split and crop videos easily.
• Work across Mac, iPhone and iPad seamlessly.
• Wide range of effects, filters, and objects available.
• Supports editing 4K videos without any lag.

Reason to Avoid:-

• Lacks advanced editing options though it is a dedicated video editor.
• Supports very limited video file formats.

# For Advanced Users

10. Lightworks

Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Linux

Best for: best for social media video creators

G2 rating: 3.5 out of 5

Lightworks is a freemium video editor where most features are reserved for premium users. If you are a social media creator or learning video creator, Lightworks Create is best for you. If you are a professional video creator, you should opt for Lightworks Pro.

The software supports almost all file formats, and you can export videos on social media instantly. The timeline is advanced with proxy editing, autosave and background processing features. You can share projects with your teammates and work collaboratively.

Reason to Choose:-

• Powerful and advanced timeline for quick editing.
• Motion graphics and tilting along with advanced metadata.
• Flexible user interface with proxy workflow and storyboard bin.
• Suitable for collaborating works and cloud storage.

Reason to Avoid:-

• Can crash while working with 4K videos.
• Limited options for advanced video editing.

11. VideoPad

Compatibility: Windows

Best for: best video editor for short video creators.

G2 rating: 4.1 out of 5

VideoPad by NCH Software is an intuitive video editor that supports over 60 different video file formats. There are tools available for basic editing such as trimming and cropping. Besides, there are various effects and transitions available to apply on your video.

The video editor also lets you edit audio files and you can edit 360-degree videos as well. There are video stabilization and chroma key effect available. The video editor is available free for non-commercial use with certain limitations that you can overcome with its premium plan.

Reason to Choose:-

• Edit in Storybook or Timeline mode and perfect all basic editing works.
• Audio editing options with different audio effects.
• Add 3D video effects, special filters, and change video speed.
• Supports a wide range of video file formats.

Reason to Avoid:-

• Can crash while editing 4K videos.
• Lacks advanced editing options.

12. VSDC Free Video Editor

Compatibility: Windows only.

Best for: Free feature-rich video editing suite

G2 rating: 4.0 out of 5

VSDC Free Video Editor is a free suite that includes both video and audio editor. You can use the software for recording screen as well as voiceovers. The software is suitable for low-end computers as it is a lightweight application.

Apart from basic editing, you can edit 360 videos. Starting from color correction and zooming to split-screen effect and chroma key, it is full-fledged feature-rich software. For more advanced features, you can opt for VSDC Video Editor Pro version.

Reason to Choose:-

• Zooming, panning, and color correction options.
• Wide range of effects and filters present.
• Chrome key option as well as 360 degree video editing.
• Work with multiple layers and sync objects perfectly.

Reason to Avoid:-

• Lacks advanced video editing options.
• No masking or video stabilization option available.

Part 5: Proprietary Video Editing Software

If you are a regular video creator and you want to invest in video editing to improve the quality of your video content, you have to opt for a proprietary video editing software. All professional video creators prefer proprietary video editing software over freeware and freemium video editors. Here are the best premium video videos with the most advanced video editing options.

# For Beginner Users

13. Filmora

Compatibility: Windows and Mac.

Best for: Best video editors for YouTubers and vloggers

G2 rating: 4.4 out of 5

Wondershare Filmora is a feature-rich video editor but an intuitive user interface. Therefore, it is perfectly suitable for beginners who want all the features and tools for advanced video editing without a steep learning curve. Filmora is also useful if you want to record screen or webcam video.

Starting from tons of video effects and transitions to a large stock library and graphical elements, Filmora is tailor-made for editing all types of videos. It also supports a wide range of file formats and you can edit 4K videos as well as audio files comfortably.

Try It Free

For Win 7 or later (64-bit)

Try It Free

For macOS 10.12 or later

Reason to Choose:-

• Trim, split, join, crop and work with multiple video and audio clips.
• Large collection of video and audio effects, transitions, and graphical elements.
• Large stock library of free media files and animations.
• Work with multiple layers and clips effortlessly on its smooth timeline.

Reason to Avoid:-

• The processing time for videos could be on the higher side.

14. Camtasia

Compatibility: Windows and Mac.

Best for: Teachers and students to edit tutorial videos

G2 rating: 4.6 out of 5

Camtasia by Techsmith is a premium video editor and it is equally popular as a video recorder. It is particularly useful for recording and editing tutorial videos as there are different templates available. Coming to video editing part, you can perform all the basic video editing works instantly.

There are various trendy effects, transitions, and presets available. You can remove green screen and apply different frames for video compatibility on different devices. Besides, you can upload the editing video different on different platforms instantly.

Reason to Choose:-

• Quick trimming, splitting, cropping options.
• Large collection of templates and presets.
• Wide range of effects, annotations, and transitions.
• Import, export, and share different file formats.

Reason to Avoid:-

• No motion tracking option.
• Reports of frequent crashes.

15. Final Cut Pro

Compatibility: Mac only.

Best for: best professional video editors for Mac users

G2 rating: 4.4 out of 5

Final Cut Pro from Apple is an extremely popular premium video editor among professional video creators who are Mac users. It is a powerful and advanced video editor that can handle high resolution videos smoothly. It is a perfect mix of standard and advanced video editing features.

Starting from editing multicam and VR videos to 3D and 360 degree videos, Final Cut Pro is suitable for all. There are unlimited presets and effects present and you can edit 4K videos as well as large video files smoothly.

Reason to Choose:-

• Basic and advanced video and audio editing features.
• Supports editing all the different video types such as 3D, 4K, VR videos.
• Supports plug-ins, external tools and cinematic effects.
• Renders high resolution, large video files in short time.

Reason to Avoid:-

• Learning curve is quite steep.
• Pricing is on the higher side.

# For Beginner Users

16. Adobe Premiere Pro

Compatibility: Windows only.

Best for: best professional video editing software for most people

G2 rating: 4.5 out of 5

Adobe Premiere Pro is the ultimate video editor in the professional video editing world. You get all the different advanced features of video editing packed in the application. Even though the learning curve is steep, Adobe Premiere Pro is one of the most used video editors in professional video creation.

Adobe Premiere Pro supports all the different video file formats and you can edit various videos simultaneously. It is a perfect tool for editing a large video project collaboratively. It supports editing VR videos, 3D videos, as well as multicam videos.

Reason to Choose:-

• Standard and advanced editing options with quick rendering.
• Suitable for multi-tasking and collaborative work in video editing.
• Supports almost all types of videos and audio file formats.
• Flexible and configurable user interface and advanced timeline.

Reason to Avoid:-

• Learning curve is very steep.
• Not suitable for low-end computers.

17. Vegas Pro

Compatibility: Windows only.

Best for: Video & audio editing for professionals

G2 rating: 4.2 out of 5

Vegas Pro from Sony is a professional video and audio editor. You can work with multiple video and audio files and you can choose from timeline or storyboard layout. In fact, there are options for nested timeline and multicam editing. The customized workflow and layouts make the application suitable for everyone.

You can enhance your video with its large collection of filters, effects, and titles. There are options for keyframing, scene detection, color correction, and light adjustments. The artificial intelligence makes editing faster with automation control.

Reason to Choose:-

• Powerful timeline and storyboard mode with keyframing.
• Advanced HDR color correction and grading.
• Artificial intelligence for quick and repeated editing.
• Multicam editing, motion tracking, and support for 3D videos.

Reason to Avoid:-

• Stability of the application is questionable.
• Pricing is steep and lacks tutorial guide.

18. Hitfilm Express

Compatibility: Windows and Mac

Best for: Best for video effects lovers

G2 rating: 4.4 out of 5

Hitfilm Express is particularly popular for its unlimited video effects that make the video stand out easily. The user interface is quite simple to use, and you can apply effects to turn your raw video into professional video instantly. In fact, it has the largest VFX toolkit with industry-grade effects.

You can edit 4K videos, and there are options for motion tracking and video animations. You can also opt for color correction and grading. You can also edit vertical videos and upload them on social media platforms. You can also edit audio clips and use composting and layering features to enhance your video.

Reason to Choose:-

• Advanced timeline for better workflow.
• Standard and advanced video editing options.
• Largest collection of video effects of different categories.
• Color grading, correction, and free training and support.

Reason to Avoid:-

• Lacks green screen editing option.
• Rendering is not always swift.

Part 6: How to Choose the Suitable Video Editor?

The most important part of video editing is to choose the most suitable video editor for your videos. Here are some important factors to consider while choosing a video editor.

1. Budget and Price: If you are getting started, you can opt for a free video editor. But eventually, you have to go for a premium video editor if you are serious about video editing. You should opt for that video editor that fits your budget and offers more features for the price charged in comparison to its competitors.

2. Learning Curve: You should always opt for a video editor that has a low learning curve. If the video editor is complicated to operate, you will get frustrated, and you won’t be able to unlock the full potential of the video editor. Besides, you will have to lose a lot of time in learning and perfecting the usage of the application.

3. Stock Library: The video editor you are choosing must have a sizeable stock media library. A stock library is where you can find video clips and audio clips that are free to use for everyone. You can incorporate them into your video to enhance the content quality and bring variety to your audiences.

4. Audio control: Video editing is incomplete without proper audio editing. Your video editor should have a separate timeline for audio clips so that you can place them perfect to go in sync with the video clips. Some video editors have dedicated options for audio mixing and editing as per requirements.

5. upport video formats: Your video editor must support a wide range of video file formats that you have to include from time to time. If it supports only the popular file formats, you will not be able to include the interesting videos you may get from different sources which the video editor does not support.

6. Software stability: If you need to edit high-resolution videos, you have to ensure that the video editor you are choosing can stay stable throughout. There are many popular video editors available that become unstable while editing and rendering high-resolution videos. You have to read reviews to come to a conclusion about software stability.

7. Customer Support: Last but most importantly, your video editor must have a good customer support team. In your video editing journey, you will need the help of technical customer support to clarify issues related to the software so that you can excel in your video editing sessions.

Part 7: Video Editing Tips for Beginners

Here are some basic video editing tips that you should keep in mind while editing any video.

1. Try Tight Cuts: Your video should not be too long so that it gets boring for the viewers. Therefore, you have to make tight cuts which means you have to cut out pauses, gaps between dialogs, and anything that is unnecessary for viewers. If you think that tight cuts will take more time than usual, you can consider reshooting the part to save time.

2. Put The Story Before The Footage: When you are shooting a planned video, you must be shooting the video with multiple cameras from different angles. While editing and choosing the perfect angle for a certain video segment, you have to select the one that enhances the story you are telling through your video. For example, in an interview video, you should know when to emphasize and show close angles to capture the emotion of the speaker.

3. Chop Out Mistakes: The most basic work in video editing is to cut out the mistakes. This is because you are sure to make mistakes while shooting, and you will reshoot a lot of mistakes to correct them. Therefore, take your time to chop out mistakes but make sure that the video feels continuous, and if required, you can reshoot. To avoid mistakes in action, you can use different camera angles, blur portions, and bleep out certain words.

4. Learn to use color: Color correction and adjustment is a majorly neglected part of video editing that can make your video different from others. When you are shooting in outdoor conditions, the color of the video could get disturbed depending on the color of your dress as well as your surrounding. While editing, you need to correct them so that the video looks visually pleasing to the eyes.

5. Cut to music: Audio plays a very important role in any video, and hence, you should not neglect it. Always opt for a video editor that has a good collection of stock music so that you can apply them to your video in appropriate places. Music helps to break the monotony and grab the attention of the audience instantly.

6. Back up your work: It takes hours to shoot a video but only a second to lose it. Instead of blindingly relying on your storage device, you should take back up of your work on multiple devices. Taking backup in the cloud storage area is the best option as you can access your work from anywhere.

Part 8: Frequently Asked Questions of Video Editor

What is the best video editor?

Wondershare Filmora is the best video editor as it has the perfect mix of standard and advanced video editing options. The user interface is intuitive and easy to operate for every video creator.

What editor do YouTubers use on PC?

The most commonly used video editors by YouTubers are Final Cut Pro, Adobe Premiere Pro and Filmora. Unless you are a pro in video editing, we recommend Filmora and Shotcut for your YouTube videos.

How can I edit videos for free?

If you are a Windows user, you can use Microsoft Photos and Openshot for editing your videos for free. For Mac users, iMovie is the best free video editor with balanced features.

Does Windows 10 have a free video editor?

Yes, Windows 10 does come with a free video editor and it is called Microsoft Photos. You can edit your photos and videos with the application.

Is Filmora Free?

No, Filmora is a premium video editor. However, you can download its free trial version to understand its features and functionalities. Thereafter, you can purchase its premium plan as per your suitability.

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