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Best free video editing apps for beginners - what's actually good in 2025?
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I see so many recommendations online but I want to hear from real users. What are the best free video editing apps for beginners that you've actually used and found to be good?
I'm particularly interested in apps that are available on multiple platforms (Windows, Mac, maybe even mobile) and that have a gentle learning curve. The ideal would be free video editing software recommendations that balance capability with simplicity.
Also, are there any hidden gems out there that don't get enough attention but are actually great for beginners?
I test software professionally, and for 2025, my top picks for best free video editing apps for beginners are:
1. DaVinci Resolve - Best overall (powerful but learnable)
2. OpenShot - Most beginner-friendly interface
3. Shotcut - Best balance of features and simplicity
4. HitFilm Express - Best for those interested in effects
5. VSDC - Best wizard/guided mode
DaVinci Resolve gets my top spot because the free version is essentially the full professional software with some limitations, and the learning resources are unparalleled. It's the best free video editing software 2025 for someone serious about learning.
A hidden gem I don't see mentioned enough is Kdenlive. It's open source, completely free, and has been getting really good updates lately. The interface is clean and the workflow is logical.
What makes it great for beginners is that it's very stable (unlike some other free options) and has good documentation. It's one of those simple video editing software 2025 options that just works without fuss. Linux users especially should check it out since it's native to that platform.
For mobile editing, InShot is fantastic and completely free with a watermark that's not too intrusive. The interface is super intuitive - everything is where you'd expect it to be.
I've made dozens of videos for my social media using just InShot on my phone. It's perfect for the best free video editing apps for beginners who want to edit on the go. The learning curve is practically zero, which is exactly what beginners need.
I want to mention Filmora even though it's not completely free - they have a free trial that doesn't watermark exports for a limited time. The reason I mention it is that the interface is specifically designed to be beginner-friendly.
It uses icons and workflows that make sense to non-editors. If someone tries the free trial and loves it, the paid version is reasonably priced. Sometimes the best free video editing software recommendations include trials that let you properly evaluate before committing.
For web-based collaborative editing, FlexClip is worth checking out. The free tier has decent limits, and the interface is extremely simple.
What I like is that it's designed for business and education use, so the templates are practical rather than flashy. It's great for free video editing for YouTube beginners who want to make clean, professional-looking videos without a steep learning curve. The stock media library in the free tier is also surprisingly good.
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