I know how hard it can be to find a free video editor that actually works on a Mac. That’s why I tested 10 top tools and wrote down what I liked (and didn’t like) about each one. I can’t wait to show you my findings so you can pick the perfect editor for your projects.
Tried and Tested ✅: The methods and steps mentioned in this article have been tried and tested firsthand by Ojash Yadav on his MacBook Pro M3 and rechecked for errors on Hashir’s MacBook Air M2.
Best Free Video Editor for Mac: My Top 10 Picks
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Here’s a quick list of the best free video editors for Mac:
1. PowerDirector Essential: Best Overall
I love how PowerDirector Essential makes advanced editing tools feel simple. The interface guides me with clear menus and drag-and-drop features. I get professional-looking effects, transitions, and templates without feeling overwhelmed. It’s a quick way to enhance any video project on Mac.
Key Features That Really Stood Out to Me
- Mask Designer: Easily remove objects or blend clips for professional-looking results.
- Customizable Templates: You get tons of intro/outro templates that cut down editing time.
- AI Body Effects: Add creative, AI-driven effects around people in your footage—a rare feature in free software.
- Animated Assets: Insert animated titles and stickers to give your videos more personality.
You May Not Like This If
- Limited Advanced Features: The free version locks some pro tools.
- Windows-Centric History: PowerDirector was born on Windows, so it may feel slightly less native on macOS.
- Resource-Heavy: Older Macs might struggle with 4K editing or complex effects.
2. iMovie: Best for Beginners
iMovie is a classic choice for beginners on macOS. It’s already on most Apple devices, so I can dive right in without extra downloads. I trim, reorder clips, add music, and drop in titles with ease. It’s perfect for quick home videos or small projects.
Key Features That Really Stood Out to Me
- Ease of Use: The interface is streamlined and beginner-friendly.
- Basic Editing Tools: Crop, trim, add transitions, and you’re good to go.
- Built-In Music and Sound Effects: Handy if you need a quick soundtrack.
- Trailer & Movie Templates: Quickly create cinematic intros without much effort.
You May Not Like This If
- Basic Toolset: iMovie is great for beginners but might be too basic for more advanced users.
- Limited Customization: The options for customizing effects, transitions, and overall editing are limited, which might frustrate users looking for more creative control.
- Apple Ecosystem Restriction: iMovie is exclusive to Apple devices, so you won’t be able to use it across other operating systems.
3. DaVinci Resolve: Best for Professionals
DaVinci Resolve gives me the power to handle professional-grade projects right on my Mac. I have the option to dive into advanced color grading, VFX, and audio mixing, all in one place. It demands some learning, but it’s worth it for Hollywood-level results. If you need a serious tool for big projects, you’ve found it.
Key Features That Really Stood Out to Me
- Advanced Color Grading: DaVinci Resolve offers incredible color grading tools. The level of control and precision it offers in color correction and grading is unmatched, allowing for cinematic-quality results.
- Complex Editing Capabilities: The software’s multi-track timeline is a dream for complex editing tasks. It handles layers of video and audio with ease, making it ideal for intricate projects.
- Fusion for Visual Effects: The Fusion feature in DaVinci Resolve is great. It offers an extensive range of visual effects and motion graphics capabilities, all within the same software.
- Fairlight for Audio Post-Production: Fairlight, integrated into DaVinci Resolve, provides professional audio post-production tools. This feature alone makes it an all-in-one solution for video projects.
You May Not Like This If
- Steep Learning Curve: It requires time and effort to master, especially for those new to video editing.
- High System Requirements: It demands powerful hardware, especially for 4K editing and complex visual effects.
- Complex Interface for Casual Users: The interface and multitude of features, while great for professionals, might be too complex for casual or hobbyist video editors.
4. VideoPad: Best Export Options
VideoPad shines with its simple workflow and wide range of export options. I can trim footage, layer audio, and add basic transitions without fuss. The software also burns DVDs straight from the timeline. It’s a solid choice if you want flexible sharing options.
Key Features That Really Stood Out to Me
- Wide Range of Export Formats: VideoPad supports various video file formats for export. Whether it’s common formats like MP4, AVI, or more specialized ones, it likely has what you need.
- Speed Adjustment: VideoPad makes it simple to apply slow-motion or fast-motion effects, adding dynamic elements to your videos with ease.
- Chroma Key: This feature allows you to remove backgrounds from your videos without a green screen, which is great for adding more creative visuals.
- DVD Burning Capability: The built-in feature to burn projects directly to DVD is a nice touch, especially for those who require physical copies of their videos.
You May Not Like This If
- Limited Advanced Features: While VideoPad is great for basic editing, it may lack the advanced features needed for more complex video editing tasks.
- Performance Issues: Some users report performance lags, especially when working with longer or high-resolution videos.
- Basic User Interface: The user interface may feel a bit dated or simplistic for advanced users.
5. Blender: Best for Animation
Blender is famous for its 3D modeling and animation features, but it also has a built-in video editor. I like the freedom to create stunning visual elements and integrate them into my clips. It’s free and open-source, which feels refreshing. If you’re ready to learn powerful tools, Blender can produce amazing results.
Key Features That Really Stood Out to Me
- Robust 3D Animation Suite: Blender’s strength lies in its powerful 3D animation tools. It allows for complex modeling, rigging, and animation, making it suitable for high-quality 3D projects.
- Powerful Hair Nodes: The curves-based hair system, including 26 hair assets across 6 categories, lets you create realistic hair, fur, or grass, enhancing the realism in characters and scenes.
- Realistic Simulations: Blender excels in creating realistic simulations like smoke, fire, fluids, and cloth, adding a lifelike quality to animations.
- Impressive Rendering Capabilities: Blender’s rendering capabilities, especially with its Cycles rendering engine, produce stunning visual outputs, bringing animations to life with a high degree of realism.
You May Not Like This If
- Steep Learning Curve: Blender’s comprehensive set of features can be overwhelming for beginners, requiring a significant time investment to learn.
- Focused on 3D: Blender is primarily a 3D software, so its video editing capabilities might not be as developed as other dedicated video editing tools.
- Resource-Intensive: It demands a powerful computer, especially for 3D modeling and rendering.
6. Kapwing: Best for Subtitles
Kapwing is a browser-based video editor that feels fast and easy. I can add subtitles, switch aspect ratios, and apply text or filters without downloading any software. It’s a favorite for social media creators who want quick online edits. The auto-captioning tool saves me a ton of time.
Key Features That Really Stood Out to Me
- AI Audio Waveform Generator: The AI-driven feature to add visual sound waves to videos is innovative, enhancing the viewer’s experience, especially in music-centric or sound-focused content.
- Customization Options: I appreciated the ability to customize the subtitles. You can change the font, color, and size, ensuring that the subtitles match the style and tone of the video.
- Canvas Resize Tools: The ease of changing aspect ratios, adding padding, and showing safe zones for popular platforms like YouTube and Instagram makes adapting content for different media easier.
- Automatic Subtitle Generation: The auto-generate feature for subtitles is a game-changer. It can automatically transcribe the audio in videos, saving a significant amount of time.
You May Not Like This If
- Internet Dependency: Being an online tool, it requires a stable internet connection.
- Limited Free Version: The free version of Kapwing has limitations, like a watermark on videos.
- File Size Limitations: There may be restrictions on the size of files you can upload and edit.
7. Animoto: Best for Templates
Animoto focuses on drag-and-drop templates that look professional. I upload my clips and images, then customize styles and fonts to match my brand. In just a few clicks, I get a sleek video with transitions and music. It’s a lifesaver when I need something polished with minimal effort.
Key Features That Really Stood Out to Me
- Voice-Over Capability: The option to record, upload, and edit narrations directly in Animoto adds a personal touch to videos, which is great for storytelling or explanatory content.
- Drag-and-Drop Interface: The drag-and-drop function makes it incredibly user-friendly. Even those with no prior video editing experience can create professional-looking videos with ease.
- Brand Kits: You can save and reuse brand elements like logos, colors, and fonts. This is extremely useful for maintaining consistency across videos, especially for business use.
- Video Resizer: The video resizer tool allows easy adaptation of videos from vertical to square to landscape formats. This makes it convenient to optimize content for different platforms.
You May Not Like This If
- Limited Editing Flexibility: Animoto is template-based, which might restrict creative freedom for users wanting more control over their edits.
- Internet Requirement: As an online platform, it requires an internet connection, limiting offline accessibility.
- Subscription Model: The free version is limited, and full access requires a subscription.
8. HitFilm: Best for Visual Effects
HitFilm blends standard video editing with advanced VFX and compositing. I enjoy experimenting with motion tracking, lens flares, and 3D elements for a cinematic feel. It’s more in-depth than many free tools, so there’s room to grow my skills. If you want professional visuals on a budget, HitFilm offers a lot.
Key Features That Really Stood Out to Me
- Particle Simulator: The particle simulator in HitFilm lets you create complex particle effects like smoke, fire, and explosions, adding a high level of detail to your projects.
- Motion Tracking: The motion tracking feature in HitFilm is impressive. You can attach text or effects to moving objects or people, adding a dynamic and professional touch to your projects.
- Lighting and Lens Flares: The high-quality light leaks and lens flares in HitFilm enhance the visual appeal of videos, especially when creating cinematic effects.
- Professional Text Tools: The text tools in HitFilm are robust, allowing for the addition of subtitles or the creation of 3D titles, which is essential for professional video editing.
You May Not Like This If
- System Requirements: It requires a relatively powerful computer for smooth operation, especially when working with effects-intensive projects.
- Learning Curve: There is a learning curve to effectively use its advanced features, which might require time and patience.
9. Movie Maker Online: Best for First-Timers
Movie Maker Online runs entirely in my browser, so there’s no software to install. I upload clips, add filters or transitions, and insert music from the included library. It’s straightforward and beginner-friendly, perfect for quick projects. If you want something ultra-basic, it gets the job done.
Key Features That Really Stood Out to Me
- Free Music and Photos Library: It offers a library of free music and photos, which is particularly useful for first-time editors looking to enhance their videos without searching for external resources.
- Plenty of Filters: It has a variety of filters to change the look of your video, offering easy presets for instant visual enhancements.
- Slideshow Maker: The ability to combine video clips, photos, and music into an animated slideshow is a great feature, especially for creating compelling presentations or memory videos.
- Blur Tools: The blur tools in Movie Maker Online are versatile, allowing you to blur the entire video, just the background, or specific text, which is useful for creating focus or privacy in your videos.
You May Not Like This If
- Basic Features: It’s a very basic tool, which might not be suitable for more advanced editing tasks.
- Ad-Supported: The website is ad-supported, which may impact the user experience.
- Limited File Support: There may be limitations on the types and sizes of files you can work with.
10. Lightworks: Best for Special Effects
Lightworks stands out with a fast timeline and professional editing tools. I can trim, layer effects, and handle complex edits without lagging. The free version has some export limitations, but it still packs a punch. If you’re aiming for a film-like workflow on Mac, Lightworks deserves a look.
Key Features That Really Stood Out to Me
- Advanced Special Effects Suite: Lightworks has an advanced suite of special effects tools. It lets you create a wide range of effects, from simple to complex, that can enhance any video project.
- Advanced Timeline Editing: It includes sophisticated timeline editing features like multi-point and asymmetric trimming, sliding, rippling, rolling, and more, offering precise control over the editing process.
- Transitions: The software provides hundreds of professional-level transition presets, facilitating smooth and creative scene transitions.
- Audio EQ & Mixing: Lightworks offers advanced audio editing capabilities, including clip-based audio leveling and midi control, enhancing the overall sound quality of the projects.
You May Not Like This If
- Complex Interface: The interface can be complex and overwhelming for new users.
- Limited Export Options in Free Version: The free version restricts export formats.
- Hardware Requirements: Like many professional tools, it requires a good hardware setup for optimal performance.
Edit Videos Like a Pro on the Best Free Video Editor for Mac
So, there you have it – a rundown of the 10 best free Mac video editors. Each offers something special, whether it’s easy-to-use features for beginners or advanced tools for the pros. The key is to find the one that aligns with what you need and your level of expertise.
Here are some more tips for you:
- You can record a video on your Mac using built-in tools like Photo Booth, QuickTime Player, and iMovie.
- Compress a video on Mac before you edit it to make it easier to process and forward.
- Make a slideshow on a Mac and use one of the best free video editors to convert it into a professional-looking presentation.
