Why do people blog? The answer is simple: they have something to share with the world, an audience to appreciate it, and ample platforms to showcase their talents. So, what software do you need to edit your vlog and make it super-appealing to a mass audience? That's what we're here to discuss today. The two lists of vlog editing software showcased here contain important information that can help you stand out from the crowd and be noticed online.
- Part 1. 5 Best Free Vlog Editing Software (For Beginners)
- Part 2. Top 6 video editor apps with free music
- 1. DaVinci Resolve
- 2. HitFilm Express
- 3. Adobe Premiere Pro
- 4. PowerDirector 365
- 5. Kinemaster Pro
- 6. Final Cut Pro X
- 7. Magisto
- 8. Pinnacle Studio
- 9. LumaFusion
- 10. FilmoraGo
- 3. What makes a great vlog?
5 Best Free Vlog Editing Software (For Beginners)
This list is for those who are getting started on their journey to vlogging stardom. They're all simple to use but have powerful features that will give your vlogs a polished look and great audience appeal. Here they are!
1 iMyFone Filme (100% free - Pro version available by default)
-
System Compatibility: Windows 7/Windows 8.1/Windows 10 (64 bit OS)
Filme from iMyFone is an advanced tool for vlog editing but we've put it in the beginner's list because it's so easy to use and simple to understand. It is one of the top free vlog editing software applications you'll find for the Windows environment. You'll also find lots of helpful guides and other resources on the website to get you started the right way. This is possibly the best vlog editing software for Windows free.
-
The clean and user-friendly interface is convenient for a new vlogger to start using and get comfortable with.
-
Powerful features like multiple editing modes and one-click video slideshow creation will allow you to create vlogs at a faster pace
-
Add rich media like background music or voice-overs (with multitrack audio), captions, etc. so your audience remains engaged until the end of the vlog
-
Create vlogs quickly using an extensive template collection
-
Preview the changes you make right away instead of waiting - that way, you can see your vlog shaping up as you go along
-
Use a mix of images, video, audio, and text to create a richer experience for your vlog followers
Key Features:
Pros:
Cons:
2 Windows Movie Maker (Free with paid Pro upgrade)
Another great video editor is Microsoft's free vlog editing software for Windows. The functions are basic, such as trimming, merging, adding music and text captions, etc. However, it's a great tool for new vloggers using Windows PCs because there's no additional investment other than your digital camera or whatever hardware you'll need for the actual recording. When you start doing this seriously, you can always upgrade to the Pro version, which unlocks advanced features like Full HD (1080p) output, speed control, image overlays, etc.
-
All the basic vlog editing tools you'll need to kick-start your first vlogging project
-
Combine video and photos to create rich vlogs for your viewers
-
Add text title slides
-
Enhance photos before integrating them into your vlog
-
30+ effects and transitions
-
Built-in music editor
-
720p output (HD)
Key Features:
Pros:
Cons:
3 iMovie - Mac
Of course, we're thinking of you, too, Mac users! iMovie is a great vlog editing software for Mac systems. It's free, naturally, and it's really quite a solid vlog editor for Mac if you're not too keen on a third-party utility.
-
One-click import from digital sources like video recorders and smartphones
-
Timeline editor offers a better visual experience when creating vlogs
-
Add simple effects to photos and video clips to enhance viewer experience
-
Control the sequence of short clips to create a compelling vlog
-
Add music from your local or iTunes collection - music increases engagement but make sure it's behind the main voice track
-
Voiceover recording
-
Captions and title addition
Key Features:
Pros:
Cons:
4 Avidemux (Free)
Avidemux is a well-known free vlog editing software for Windows, Mac, and Linux. It is a cross-platform application because it is a completely online, cloud-based tool. You can create great-looking videos with this software as long as you don't need complex transitions and advanced effects.
-
Cut and trim videos
-
Copy or remove parts of a video
-
Filters for video and audio
-
Video conversion for publishing and archiving
-
Reduce video file size
-
Supports all common video file formats for input
Key Features:
Pros:
Cons:
5 Lightworks (Free with paid upgrade)
A professional-grade video editor with free music that gives you thousands of effects and filters to play around with. It also comes with a built-in screen recorder to make tutorial-style screen capture videos. Multiple audio tracks means you can play around with different music styles on the same video. Excellent audio editing capabilities will give your clips massive audience appeal.
-
Versions available for Windows, Mac, and Linux
-
Wide range of input formats supported
-
Fast editing
-
Precision trimming
-
Multicamera editing
Key Features:
Pros:
Cons:
Quick-view Comparison Table
Name |
Media Library |
Input Formats |
Output Formats |
Operating System |
Star |
Filme |
![]() |
All latest video, audio, and image formats - over 60 formats supported |
MP4, AVI, MOV, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MKV, FLV, OGV |
Windows 64-bit (Windows 7, Windows 8.x, Windows 10 |
|
Windows Movie Maker |
![]() |
asf, avi, .m1v, mp2, .mp2v, mpe, .mpeg, mpg, mpv2, wm, wmv. |
MPEG, WMV, H264, MP4, MP3, AVI, MOV and WMA |
64-bit Windows (7,8,10) |
|
iMovie |
![]() |
Apple Animation Codec; Apple Intermediate Codec; Apple ProRes; AVCHD(including AVCCAM, AVCHD Lite, and NXCAM); DV (including DVCAM, DVCPRO, and DVCPRO50); H.264; HDV; HEVC; iFrame; Motion JPEG (OpenDML only); MPEG-4 SP; Photo; JPEG; XAVC-S |
MPEG-4 and QuickTime; Up to 4K output supported |
macOS |
|
Avidemux |
![]() |
Cinepak, DV, FFV1, H.263, H.264/MPEG-4 Part 10 AVC, H.265/HEVC, HuffYUV, MPEG-1/2, MPEG-4 Part 2, Motion JPEG, MSMPEG-4 v2, Raw video – RGB, Raw video – YV12, Sorenson Video 3 (SVQ3), VC-1, VP3/6/8/9, Windows Media Video 8, Y800 |
MPEG-2, MPEG-4.AVC, MPEG-4.ASP (lavc), MPEG-4 (xvid), H.263Full HD output supported |
Linux, BSD, Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X (under x11) |
|
Lightworks |
![]() |
All latest video, audio, and image formats |
MPEG4/H.264 and Lightworks Archive (Free version) |
MPEG4/H.264 and Lightworks Archive (Free version)Up to 720p (HD) |
Top 10 Vlog Editing Software for Semi-Pro & Pro Vlogger (Free & Paid)
Moving up the vlogging editor food chain, we arrive at a set of more advanced editing tools for those with a little or a lot of experience under their belts. These free or paid utilities have full editing capabilities, tons of effects and transitions, speed control, audio editing, and support a wide range of file formats for audio, video, and images.
1 DaVinci Resolve (Free with paid upgrade to Studio version)
DaVinci Resolve 16 is a free video and vlog editing software application that provides a truly professional experience. Although many of the powerful features are locked out of the free version, you still have access to a lot of editing and other tools without the need to upgrade.
-
DaVinci Resolve 16 is a free video and vlog editing software application that provides a truly professional experience. Although many of the powerful features are locked out of the free version, you still have access to a lot of editing and other tools without the need to upgrade.
-
Wide range of editing features gives your videos a polished look that will appeal to any audience
-
Captioning and subtitles to communicate clearly with your vlog viewers
-
Title templates in 2D and 3D to create engaging videos with high view times
-
On-screen annotations to highlight specific parts of your visuals
-
Effects plug-in support to create mind-blowing transitions
Key Features:
Pros:
Cons:
2 HitFilm Express (Free trial with subscriptions starting at $10/month)
-
System Compatibility: Web-based, cross-browser
HitFilm Express is great for any vlogger looking for professional features but doesn't want to invest heavily into editing software. HitFilm provides all the editing and effects tools you'll need to create eye-catching vlogs that stand out from the rest of the crowd. It also offers some unique features that you won't find in most other free vlog editing software tools.
-
Polished interface with easy video clip import options - create vlogs quickly by importing from any camera source
-
Advanced tracking gives motion-based videos greater stability
-
Light effects can change the entire mood and tone of your vlog to give a more realistic experience to the audience
-
Masking and layering allows you to create composite videos and create special effects
Key Features:
Pros:
Cons:
3 Adobe Premiere Pro (Free trial with subscriptions starting at $29.99/month)
-
System Compatibility: Windows and Mac
Adobe Premiere Pro is a well-known vlog editing software tool for professionals as well as amateurs looking for a smooth and user-friendly interface packed with advanced features. It allows you to take raw footage and quickly convert it into a compelling story with very little effort on your part.
-
Full editing capabilities
-
Effects, transitions, labels, and more
-
Tool for typing text into a scene
-
Edit VR content
-
Simultaneous and share project support
Key Features:
Pros:
Cons:
4 PowerDirector (Free trial version with paid upgrade starting at $4.33/mo on an annual plan)
-
System Compatibility: Windows, iOS, and Android
PowerDirector 365 is an award-winning vlog editing software application specially designed to help vloggers create stunning and attention-grabbing YouTube videos. It is available for Windows computers, and iOS and Android devices, and new features are added at least four times a year.
-
Over 200 editing tools make it easy to create vlogs from camera sources and existing clips, images, and audio
-
Add customized vector shapes to give your vlogs a personal and direct touch that speaks to the audience
-
Add animated titles and motion graphics for a more dynamic output
-
Supports 1:1 aspect ratio for Instagram and Facebook
-
Green screen chroma key lets you add various backgrounds and make your vlogs a lot more interesting
Key Features:
Pros:
Cons:
5 KineMaster (Free trial with paid upgrade @ $4.99/mo)
-
System Compatibility: iOS and Android (web-based)
Kinemaster Pro is a full-features vlog editing software app for mobile devices running iOS and Android. The free trial version has limited features but an affordable upgrade unlocks the whole editing suite and other capabilities. Ideal for editing vlogs on the go - perfect for travel vloggers.
-
Multilayer support to create visually rich vlog content
-
Easy adjustment tools for lighting, etc. to improve viewer experience
-
Record audio and video in real-time and integrate them into your vlogs
-
Direct social media sharing gives you a faster turnaround time (no conversion required)
Key Features:
Pros:
Cons:
6 Final Cut Pro
-
System Compatibility: macOS only
Final Cut Pro X from Apple is every Mac-using vlogger's go-to video editing software. The slick interface, support for HDR, VR and 360-degree video editing features, faster speed (new metal engine), and Mac Pro optimization combine to make this a very compelling choice for professional vloggers on Mac.
-
New metal engine for faster rendering - saves time and makes you more productive
-
Designed for Mac Pro and is well-integrated with GPU cores, etc.
-
Multicam editing lets you draw from diverse sources to create truly engaging videos that your vlog audience will lap up like puppies guzzling milk!
-
Reduce video noise and give your viewers the clarity and crispness they expect from a professional vlogger's output
Key Features:
Pros:
Cons:
7 Magisto
-
System Compatibility: Web-based, iOS, Android
Perfect for product marketing and promotional videos, Magisto is loaded with basic and advanced vlog editing tools. The artificial intelligence integration helps you create stunning videos in just minutes using existing video clips and photos.
-
Simple editing interface focused on creating an experience rather than technical aspects of editing
-
Multiple themes to suit any kind of vlog category
-
Add logos and caption for better brand awareness and messaging clarity
-
Music tracks included so your audience has a 'bed' while watching your vlog
-
Ideal for long videos and HD output
-
AI-driven editing means less work for you with greater throughput - keep your vlog audience busy watching you
Key Features:
Pros:
Cons:
8 Pinnacle Studio
-
System Compatibility: 64-bit Windows versions
Pinnacle Studio 23 is a professional editing suite for seasoned vloggers. The main highlight of the software is its precision editing capability but it also sports some powerful effects and transitions.
-
Pro-caliber editing tools
-
Granular color-grading down to single frames
-
Advanced masks and overlays
-
Speed control
-
Multicam editing
-
Edit 360-degree videos
Key Features:
Pros:
Cons:
9 LumaFusion
-
System Compatibility: 64-bit Windows versions
LumaFusion is an iOS app for editing vlogs and short videos on your iPhone or iPad. Advanced editing features make this a must-have for Apple mobile device owners who vlog regularly.
-
Multitrack video and audio (6 tracks each) for combining rich media content - better audience engagement
-
Keyframe audio leveling for precision control - better viewer experience
-
Multiple effect layers
-
Share effects presets
-
Flexible project management tools to manage multiple vlogs simultaneously
Key Features:
Pros:
Cons:
10 Filmora
-
System Compatibility: 64-bit Windows versions
FilmoraGo comes from a family of professional video editors for beginners and professionals alike. The feature-rich environment gives you everything you need to create and edit vlogs on the go.
-
Trim, crop, split
-
Transitions
-
Custom aspect ratio to cover a wider audience using different device types
-
Speed control - fast or slow-motion
-
Reverse play for creating fun clips
Key Features:
Pros:
Cons:
Quick choice comparison to pick up your target video editor
Video editor with free music not enough to satisfy your craving for unusual and stand-out soundtracks? No problem. The following table shows you where to go for even more free music, what type of licenses they carry, and related information. Please note that all tracks may not carry the same licenses. Be sure to check the individual track's CC license type before using any track for your videos. The information below is merely for guidance.
Name |
Media Library |
Input Formats |
Output Formats |
OS Support |
Price |
Star |
DaVinci Resolve |
![]() |
All latest video and audio formats |
All major video formats; Up to 8K |
macOS, Windows, Linux |
Free, Upgrade to Studio for $299 |
|
HitFilm Express |
![]() |
Quicktime, AVCHD, AVI, M2T, M2TS, MOV, MP4 (AVC/H264 & AAC), MPEG-1 & MPEG-2 (TS, PS, MPE, MPG, MPEG, M2V), MTS, MXF (DVCPro HD), DV, HDV, WMV |
QuickTime, MP4 (AVC/H264 & AAC), Image sequence (PNG, JPG, BMP), AVI (uncompressed, PAL DV, NTSC DV), YouTube direct upload |
Windows 8/10, macOS High Sierra and later |
Free, Upgrade to Pro for $349 for 3 computers |
|
Adobe Premiere Pro |
![]() |
All latest video, audio, and image formats |
All latest video formats |
Windows 64-bit, macOS 10.13 or higher |
Starts at $20.99 per month with an annual plan |
|
PowerDirector 365 |
![]() |
DivX (if preinstalled), HD MPEG-2, DVR-MS, DV-AVI, DAT, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, VOB, VRO, ASF, WMV, WMV HD, MOV, MOD, TOD AVCHD, MPEG-4, AVC (H.264), .ts, .mts, .m2ts, WTV (single channel) |
All major video formats; Up to 4K (UHD) |
Windows 64-bit |
Free limited version, Upgrade starts at $4.33/month |
|
Kinemaster Pro |
![]() |
MP4, 3GP, MOV, 3GP, AVI, MOV (QuickTime), MP4, MTS/M2TS, MXF |
MP4; Up to 4K depending on the device |
iOS, Android |
Free limited version, Upgrade starts at $4.99/month |
|
Final Cut Pro X |
![]() |
3GP, AVI, MOV (QuickTime), MP4, MTS/M2TS, MXF |