I'm trying to get into video editing but I'm completely new to this. I don't want to spend money on expensive software yet since I'm just learning. What would you recommend as the best free video editor for newbies? I'm looking for something that's easy to use but still has enough features to learn the basics properly.
For someone just starting out, I'd definitely recommend DaVinci Resolve. It's completely free and surprisingly powerful. The learning curve is a bit steeper than some other options, but there are tons of tutorials online. The best part is you won't outgrow it quickly like you might with simpler free video editor for beginners options.
I started with Shotcut and found it to be a great free video editor for newbies. The interface takes some getting used to, but once you figure it out, it's pretty straightforward. No watermarks, no subscription, and it works on Windows, Mac, and Linux. For basic cuts and transitions, it's more than enough.
Honestly, for absolute beginners, I'd suggest starting with something like OpenShot. It's one of the best free video editing programs for beginners because the interface is really intuitive. Drag and drop timeline, simple effects, and it doesn't overwhelm you with options. Once you get comfortable, you can move to more advanced software.
Don't overlook the built-in options! Windows has Video Editor (formerly Movie Maker) and Mac has iMovie. These are actually perfect free video editing software for beginners because they're designed to be simple. You can learn the basics without any installation hassles.
I've tested most of the popular options, and for a balance of power and ease of use, Kdenlive is worth checking out. It's open source, completely free, and has a pretty active community. The documentation is good too, which helps when you're learning as a beginner.