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Are you a Mac user looking for perfect video editing software? Video editing is a common task for creating YouTube videos, presentations or even family videos. While there’s no shortage of paid video editing software for Mac on the market, not everyone can afford their high prices. Fortunately, there are several free video editors for Mac that have everything you need to edit, enhance, and produce stunning videos without spending a penny. In this article, we’ll look at the top 8 free video editing software for Mac that are easy to use, rich in features, and ideal for beginners and professionals alike.
Video Tutorial:
What is Video Editing Software?
Video editing software refers to any program that enables you to edit, enhance, and manipulate video, be it simple home videos or commercial videos. Video editing software comes with numerous features like video trimming, cropping, filters, color correction, special effects, and transitions. While some video editing software is free, most are paid. The prices can vary from a few dollars per month to thousands if it’s intended for advanced users or commercial use. Fortunately, there are free video editing software options for Mac, all with varying degrees of complexity and functionality.
Top 8 Free Video Editing Software for Mac
We’ve compiled a list of the top 8 video editing software for Mac users, each with a brief overview and a download link.
1. iMovie
iMovie is one of the most popular video editing tools that come pre-installed on Mac OS. iMovie is designed to make editing simple and quick for beginners but still offers a lot of powerful features for professionals. With a simple drag-and-drop interface and a wide range of templates and themes, iMovie makes it easy and fun to create stunning videos in no time. It also includes audio editing capabilities and features like video stabilization, slow motion, fast-forward, picture-in-picture, and more.
Pros:
- Simple and user-friendly interface
- Comes free with Mac OS
- Loads of templates and themes to choose from
- High-quality audio and video effects
Cons:
- Limited file format compatibility
- Limited advanced editing tools
2. DaVinci Resolve
DaVinci Resolve is a professional-grade video editor that is used by many Hollywood movie makers. The Mac version of DaVinci Resolve offers a free version of the software with robust and feature-rich video editing capabilities. The software comes with tools for editing, color correction, audio editing, and visual effects, among others. Although it looks daunting, the interface is user-friendly and can be easily learned with patience and practice.
Pros:
- Professional-grade features and effects
- Multi-camera editing
- Color correction tools
- Supports high-resolution video editing
Cons:
- Steep learning curve
- Hardware-intensive
- No support for 360-degree video editing
3. HitFilm Express
HitFilm Express is a video editor with professional-grade VFX compositing and editing capabilities, which comes in a free version for Mac and Windows users. It includes advanced features like 3D compositing, color correction, audio mixing, and VFX rendering. It also offers over 400 customizable visual effects and presets for green screen keying, blur, distortion, and other effects.
Pros:
- Advanced VFX editing tools
- Easy drag-and-drop interface
- Professional-grade features for free
- Large selection of effects and presets
Cons:
- Hardware-intensive
- Some features only available in paid version
- Can be slow to render large files
4. OpenShot
OpenShot is an open-source video editor for Mac, Windows, and Linux. It’s designed to be easy to use, simple, and intuitive with minimalistic features. It offers all the basic video editing tools, including video and audio tracks, overlapping, trimming, and slicing. It also enables 3D animations and keyframe manipulation. OpenShot supports a wide range of audio, video, and image formats.
Pros:
- User-friendly interface
- Free and open-source software
- Supports multiple formats
- 3D animation and effects capabilities
Cons:
- No audio waveform for precise audio editing
- Some users may find the interface too simplistic
- Rendering can be slow with large files
5. Lightworks
Lightworks is a professional-grade video editor that offers both free and paid versions, with the free version being a feature-rich and capable video editor. It comes with a vast range of features, including basic editing tools, color grading, audio mixing, and VFX editing. Lightworks is designed for professional use, with support for high-end video formats, codecs, and resolutions.
Pros:
- Professional-grade video editing
- Supports high-end video formats and resolutions
- Color correction and VFX capabilities
- User-friendly and intuitive interface
Cons:
- No support for 360-degree video editing
- Requires a powerful computer for hardware-intensive work
- Saving is limited to a single file type per session in the free version
6. Blender
Blender is a free, open-source 3D creation software that also offers powerful video editing tools. Blender can be used for various purposes, including video editing, compositing, and VFX editing. It offers a lot of features, including video masking, motion tracking, and keyframe animation. Blender also has a versatile support community on forums where a wealth of information about this software will be found.
Pros:
- Open-source and free software
- Robust 3D modeling and VFX editing tools
- Supports various 3D formats
- User-friendly and intuitive interface
Cons:
- Rendering can be slow on an average computer
- Interface can be intimidating for some users
- Not as good as some specialized paid video editors
7. Shotcut
Shotcut is an open-source video editor for Mac, Windows, and Linux. It’s a free and feature-packed video editing tool that offers all the essential editing features, including trimming, slicing, and transition effects. It includes audio editing capabilities, support for 4K resolutions, and numerous codecs and format support.
Pros:
- Free and open-source software
- Supports multiple formats and codecs
- Easy-to-use interface
- Quick export to various formats
Cons:
- Some tools may be harder to find than in other software
- No audio waveform for precise audio editing
- Rendering may be slow with heavy files
8. HyperEngine-AV
HyperEngine-AV is a free video editor that comes with a clean, easy-to-use, and straightforward interface with powerful features such as audio mixing, simple titling with presets, and still image support. It’s perfect for beginners with minimal video editing experience. The software supports a wide range of formats and codecs, and it’s ideal for basic video editing needs, such as trimming, highlighting, and transitions editing.
Pros:
- User-friendly interface
- Simple titling with presets
- Free and easy to use for simple video editing
- Supports a wide range of formats and codecs
Cons:
- Tiny user community, which might lead to limitations in terms of support
- Available for Mac OS X 10.2 only
- Features are limited compared to other advanced software
Comparison Table for Top 8 Free Video Editing Software for Mac
| Name | FREE TRIAL | PRICE | EASE-OF-USE | VALUE FOR MONEY |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| iMovie | N/A | Free with MAC OS | Easy | Good |
| DaVinci Resolve | N/A | Free/ Paid version available | Moderate to Difficult | Good |
| HitFilm Express | N/A | Free/ Paid version available | Moderate to Difficult | Good |
| OpenShot | N/A | Free and Open Source Software | Easy to Moderate | Good |
| Lightworks | N/A | Free/ Paid version available | Moderate to Difficult | Good |
| Blender | N/A | Free and Open Source Software | Moderate to Difficult | Good |
| Shotcut | N/A | Free and Open Source Software | Easy to Moderate | Good |
| HyperEngine-AV | N/A | Free and Open Source Software | Easy | Good |
Our Thoughts on Free Video Editing Software for Mac
Although some of these options are less robust than their paid counterparts, there are options available for every type of user with every level of experience. Most of these free video editors have the basics covered, and many also offer advanced features that rival professional-grade tools. The key is finding the right one for your needs, budget, and experience level. Ultimately, it is possible to create stunning videos without spending a penny, and these free video editors for Mac provide an excellent starting point for anyone looking to experiment with video editing.
FAQs About Free Video Editing Software for Mac
Q1: Can free video editors for Mac offer the same functionalities as paid versions?
A: While free video editors may not have the advanced features or technical support of paid options, some of them do offer impressive features that are worth taking advantage of. They can certainly be used to create stunningly professional videos, albeit with some limitations.
Q2: Will my computer be able to handle the software?
A: Before downloading and installing free video editing software, ensure your computer meets the system requirements. Some free software, like DaVinci Resolve, can be hardware-intensive and might not run well on older machines.
Q3: Do free video editors for Mac support different file formats?
A: Yes, Mac video editors can support various file formats, but some are more limited than others. For example, iMovie is known to have limited file format compatibility, while Hitfilm Express supports multiple formats.
Q4: Can free video editing software be used professionally?
A: Yes, free video editing software can be used professionally, primarily if you’re just getting started or working on less complicated projects. However, if you want to take your video editing game to the next level, you may eventually need to invest in more advanced software.
Q5: How long does it take to learn to use free video editing software?
A: This varies. Some free video editing software is designed to be user-friendly and intuitive, while others require patience and practice to learn. Fortunately, many free video editors for Mac have tutorials and user manuals to help you get started.
In Conclusion
Video editing is a fundamental task for people who want to create impressive videos for various purposes. With the right free video editing software for Mac, you can create captivating videos for YouTube, presentations, and even family videos without incurring any costs. Each software has its strengths, weaknesses, and unique features, making it crucial to find the right software for your editing needs. Choose one that’s easy to learn, reliable, and enjoyable to use.