Best MacOS Apps / Software
Discover 10 of the Best Free Video Editing Software Programs for Mac in 2023
The iMovie app for Mac is a user-friendly video editing software, designed by Apple. It allows users to create high-quality movies by editing and arranging video clips, adding titles, music, and effects. This feature-rich tool supports 4K resolution, green-screen effect, and slow motion, among others. It also facilitates direct uploading to social media platforms. Underlying its power and versatility is its simplicity, making it accessible even to beginners.
🥳 Pros
- Easy for beginners to use
- Offers high-quality video editing options
🥺 Cons
- Might be too simple for advanced users
- Limited features compared to paid options
Lightworks is an advanced video editing application available for Mac users. It supports all formats and high-resolution video, offers a variety of real-time effects and robust multicam editing features. It also allows users to export video for YouTube, Vimeo, SD/HD up to 4K. Lightworks is designed for users with skills ranging from amateur to professional. The app offers a free basic version, but for the full suite of features, a paid pro version is also available.
🥳 Pros
- Professional-grade features for advanced editing
- Used in Hollywood, which promises high quality
🥺 Cons
- Might be challenging for beginners
- Free version is limited, and the full version can be pricey
Shotcut is a versatile video editing software available for Mac users. It supports a broad range of formats, offers native timeline editing, and doesn’t require import to edit videos. Shotcut includes a wide array of features such as audio filtering, color correction, and customizable UI. The software also supports 4K resolution, hardware encoding and decoding. Unique for being open source, Shotcut offers advanced editing capabilities free of cost.
🥳 Pros
- Versatile and supports numerous video formats
- Wide range of transitions and filters
🥺 Cons
- The Interface can be challenging for new users
- May take some time to optimize the workflow
The content Blender app for Mac is a professional grade software used for creating animated films, visual effects, interactive 3D applications, and 2D/3D model art. It offers tools such as 3D modeling, texturing, raster graphics editing, rigging, sculpting, and other animation-related tasks. This app employs Python scripting for tool creation and prototyping, task automation, and complex system customization.
🥳 Pros
- Offers an impressive array of 3D animation tools
- Includes a robust video editor
🥺 Cons
- Might be overwhelming for beginners
- 3D animation features might not be useful for all users
Avidemux is a free video editing software for Mac users. This versatile software supports a variety of file types including AVI, DVD compatible MPEG files, MP4, and ASF. It equips users with functionalities for cutting, filtering, and encoding tasks. Avidemux shines with its capability to automate tasks through project files and job queues. Plus, it supports multiple languages. However, it might lack sophisticated features expected by professional video editors.
🥳 Pros
- Great for simple editing tasks
- Easy to use and understand
🥺 Cons
- Not as feature-rich as other options
- Limited functionality might not suit advanced users
HitFilm Express app for Mac is a highly versatile, user-friendly video editing software. It allows both beginners and professionals to create stunning visual effects with its extensive set of tools. The software supports a wide variety of video formats, offers thousands of customizable effects and presets, and integrates a multi-track timeline for detailed editing. It also includes advanced features like 3D model import, color grading and keying. User can additionally benefit from comprehensive tutorials available within the software.
🥳 Pros
- Impressive range of video editing and visual effects features
- Ability to create professional-level videos
🥺 Cons
- Slight learning curve for beginners
- Quite resource-heavy, requiring a well-equipped Mac
OpenShot for Mac is a prominent video editing software that offers a variety of high-quality features. It allows users to manipulate video, audio, and images in a non-linear fashion. Key features include trimming and slicing, animation and keyframes, unlimited tracks/layers, and video effects. The app supports many different file formats, allowing for broad compatibility. It has a simple user interface, making it accessible for both beginners and professional users. OpenShot for Mac is completely free and open-source.
🥳 Pros
- User-friendly and easy to use
- Ideal for beginners new to video editing
🥺 Cons
- Lacks professional-grade features
- May be too basic for advanced users
Freemake Video Converter for Mac is a conversion application that allows users to convert videos to various formats. This tool supports multiple media formats including AVI, MP4, WMV, MKV, and FLV, among others. In addition to video conversion, it also offers features like video editing and DVD burning. The app’s user-friendly interface ensures easy navigation and operation for users of all skill levels. It’s an all-in-one, robust video tool suitable for various multimedia tasks.
🥳 Pros
- Handy for both editing and converting video files
- Supports a multitude of file formats
🥺 Cons
- Free version adds a branded splash to videos
- More of a converter than a dedicated video editor
VideoPad by NCH Software is a powerful, multifunctional app for Mac users. It designed for creating and editing videos of a wide range of formats. It offers a multitude of editing tools and effects to enable users to create professional-grade videos. It supports audio editing and also provides direct upload to hosting sites for easy sharing. Its intuitive interface caters to both novice and experienced users. This software also enables DVD burning and optimizes videos for different platforms.
🥳 Pros
- Offers 3D video editing and a robust audio editing suite
- Allows the creation of professional videos
🥺 Cons
- Interface might seem outdated to some users
- Learning curve for beginners
🏁🏁 Conclusion 🏁🏁
Choosing the best free video editing software for Mac boils down to your specific needs, skills, and expectations. While iMovie offers simplicity and convenience, Lightworks and HitFilm Express cater to more professional needs. Remember, each software has its learning curve, so take time to experiment and find which one suits you best. 🎁🎓 Remember, creating stunning videos takes more than just a powerful tool—it’s all about your creativity and patience! 🌌⌛️
FAQ
What is video editing software?
Video editing software is a program that allows you to manipulate and enhance raw footage to create a presentable video. It often includes features such as special effects, text overlay, color grading, and sound editing.
Are these video editing softwares compatible with Mac?
Yes, all the video editing software listed in this article are compatible with Mac.
Is it necessary to have video editing experience to use these software?
Not necessarily. Many of these software are user-friendly and accommodate beginners as well. However, some may have a learning curve to be able to use advanced features.
How much do these software cost?
All the video editing software listed in the article are free of cost.
Do these free software have in-app purchases?
Some of these software may offer in-app purchases for advanced features. It’s best to explore individual software for exact details.
Can these software handle high-quality videos?
Yes, most of these software can handle high-quality videos. However, the processing time and system requirements may vary.
Can these software be used for professional video editing?
Yes, many of these software offer advanced features that can cater to professional video editing needs. However, performance may vary.
Does the article rate or rank these software?
The article provides an unbiased listing of the software without a particular ranking. While the advantages of each software are mentioned, the final decision depends on the specific needs of the user.
Are there tutorials available to learn these software?
Yes, many of these software provide tutorials within the application or on their official websites. Additionally, you can find numerous tutorials on platforms like YouTube.
What if I require a feature that’s not available in free software?
If you need a feature that’s not available in the free version, you could consider upgrading to the paid version of the software or exploring alternative software that offers that feature.
Do these software require a lot of storage space?
The storage space required varies from software to software. Detailed system requirements can usually be found on the software’s official website.
Can I share my edited videos directly on social media platforms through these software?
Yes, many of these video editing software offer direct sharing options to social media platforms.
Is there customer support available for these software?
Yes, most of these software provide customer support in some form, either through email, community forums, or knowledge bases on their official websites.
Do these software provide a variety of video formats for exporting?
Yes, these software typically allow you to export your video in a variety of formats, depending on your needs.
Can I install more than one of these software on my Mac?
Absolutely, you can install and use multiple video editing software according to your needs and preferences.
What are some of the best free video editing software options for Mac users?
Mac users have several excellent free video editing software options at their disposal. These include iMovie, which is Apple’s proprietary software with a wide array of editing tools, Lightworks, suitable for both beginners and professionals, and HitFilm Express, which offers a hybrid of video editing and visual effects. Other options include DaVinci Resolve, known for color correction and audio post-production capabilities, and Blender, which apart from video editing also provides 3D modeling and animation.
Can you elaborate more on the characteristics of iMovie for Mac users?
iMovie is highly recommended for Mac users as it’s specifically designed for Apple’s ecosystem. It comes preinstalled on new Macs and provides an intuitive interface that’s user-friendly even for beginners. iMovie possesses a wide array of features, such as simple video trimming, pre-made title templates, transitions, and a decent collection of sound effects. It also supports 4K video for stunning cinema-quality films. More about iMovie can be found on the Apple official website.
What makes Lightworks a good free video editing software for Mac?
For Mac users, Lightworks is a versatile and professional grade free video editor. While it can be a bit complex for beginners, it provides a comprehensive suite of advanced tools and features. These include multicam editing, resolution support up to 4K, robust timeline editing, and over 100 built-in effects. While the free version has some limitations compared to the pro version, it’s still a powerful tool for video editing. More detailed information about Lightworks can be found on the official website.
Could you provide more details about the capabilities of HitFilm Express?
Sure, HitFilm Express is a unique tool for Mac users as it blends video editing and visual effects in one software. It comes with over 400 presets and effects which are immensely helpful during the editing process. This allows users to create everything from simple edits to complex 3D animations. It’s user-friendly with a shallow learning curve, making it a good choice for beginners who also want to experiment with VFX. More details about HitFilm Express can be discovered at this link.
Why is DaVinci Resolve considered a top-quality free video editing software for Mac users?
DaVinci Resolve stands out as an advanced tool providing comprehensive features for color correction and audio post-production. This software offers a professional set of tools for color grading and audio editing, a feature that sets it apart from many other free editors. It also offers Multi-cam editing, 3D editing, and up to 8K resolution support. This software might require a bit of learning, but it’s definitely worth the effort considering its robust features. Visit the official website for more information about this software.