List Of Top Free Video Editing Software For Mac:
Here is the list of Free Video Editing Software For Mac. The need for video content is increasing day by day. People are more interested in watching videos, be it for entertainment or educational purposes. Platforms like YouTube have now become a source of earning money. Another example is Twitch – a video game live streaming service, which also broadcasts music and enables its users to chat & connect from various parts of the world.
A good video editor must be able to transform raw footage into a highly attractive video.
To make it easier for you, we have compiled a list of the best free video editing softwares.
An engaging and attractive video is highly powerful in terms of informing the audience about a product or service a business aims to promote. The strength of the video majorly lies in how it is edited using the best tools and effects to make it more visually appealing for the viewers.
- Adobe Premiere Pro CC:
Adobe Premiere Pro CC
This is one of the most popular and the best free video editing software for Mac. The software is mostly used by professionals in the mainstream media. A part of Adobe Creative Cloud, this software features an array of high-end automated editing tools. It has a paid version but is also available for a free trial.
The interface is simple with embedded layouts for each purpose. However, it allows full customization. The integrated workflows allows you to edit without leaving the timeline.
Some of its top features include:
A wide range of plugins, latest video formats, templates, scripts and trimming tools. Allows editing of videos in ultra, 8K resolution along with virtual reality.
Codecs and formats to facilitate easier exporting of videos
The most notable feature of this video editor is its VR 180 capabilities that helps in optimizing the effects and format while publishing the final content on platforms like YouTube, Vimeo, etc.
Use color correction, color grading to make your video more attractive. The Lumetri Color tools allow more precise curve adjustments.
Enhance the audio quality of your video with several audio editing tools such as amplification, reverb, compression, flangers as well as stereo balance.
The native functionality feature offered by Adobe Audition takes the audio quality to a professional level
Pros:
Creates professional-level videos
User-friendly & sleek interface
Offers non-linear video editing
Cons:
Requires a highly advanced computer
- Final Cut Pro X:
Final Cut Pro X
Anyone who uses the Mac operating system must know that Final Cut Pro X is the best free video editor for Mac. Developed by Apple, this video editing software is an ideal blend of professional editing tools and a smooth learning curve for its customers.
The software is packed with numerous smart tools and a clean interface that allows you to produce top-level videos on your desktop.
Some of its top features include:
You can use dual monitors with the help of its most prominent feature – Magnetic Timeline. This tool allows arranging and adding clips as Roles which can be video, effects, music, voiceovers, titles, etc.
This Clip Connections feature facilitates joining different elements with the clips regardless of the movement.
There are about 100 transitions, 149 video effects, 183 title animation templates as well as 109 audio effects. The transitions can be effectively implemented with keyboard shortcuts.
The MacBook Pro Touch Bar Editing helps the user to use touch controls for functions like text customization and timeline scrubbing.
It offers several 3D templates, lighting effects along with textures such as concrete & plastic.
Last but not the least, its other key features are multicam editing, chroma-keying, video tracks, etc.
The only drawback of its colour correction tool is that the user cannot enter the parameters with a keyboard and any adjustment can be only done with the help of a mouse. For doing a minute correction, you have to be really careful while using a mouse.
Pros:
Intuitive & easy-to-use interface
A variety of effects & transitions
Cons:
Difficult to learn
- DaVinci Resolve:
DaVinci Resolve
DaVinci Resolve works excellent on Mac operating systems and that is why it is regarded as one of the top free video editing software for Mac. It is a great choice as it is full of several pro-level editing tools. The free version allows a frequency of 60 fps and can export files in HD, SD, and Ultra HD.
You will get access to several audio editing tools to make your video sound like a professional one. Protect your projects with the help of user rights offered by the video editing software. The software also allows its users to collaborate with one another.
Some of its top features include:
The dual timeline allows editing of video files more quickly
Make use of different editing tools such as colour grades, blend modes, etc.
The editor allows sharing of videos on various platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, Vimeo, etc.
The colour correction tools allow adjusting of eye colour and skin tone with much ease.
You can create a timeline with a variety of frame rates.
The Individual User Cache feature allows each user collaborating on the project to control their individual cache files thereby helping them optimize the performance of their system.
Besides, it offers a selection of 500 royalty-free foley sounds.
Pros:
Multi-lingual video tutorials
Offers user collaboration
Full of different audio & video editing tools
Cons:
Complicated interface for beginners
- Blender:
Blender
Blender is another open-source video editor used for advanced editing. One of the best free video editing software for Mac, it offers 3D rendering of videos. You can customize its app using the software’s API for Python script.
Besides carrying out professional editing tasks like video masking, it can also be used to perform basic functions such as cutting and splicing. Blender is most suited for editors and designers who are 3D enthusiasts as it mainly focuses on 3D animation. It is quite a flexible video editing tool that suits both the pros as well as entry-level users.
Some of its top features are:
Basic features include modeling, shading, 2D animation, motion tracking, chroma vectoroscope, luma waveform, live preview, syncing, waveform visualization, histogram displays, scrubbing, audio mixing, etc
You can render videos to multilayer OpenEXR files
Combine 2D images with 3D images
It offers upto 32 slots for adding effects, images, audio and video
The video editor also offers tools like adjustment layers, speed control, keyframes, transitions and filters.
Facilitates customization of window layouts & shortcuts
Pros:
Offers a variety of tools for creating visual effects
Provides a large number of add-ons
Superb choice for professional editing
Cons:
A little complicated as compared to other editing softwares
- Pinnacle Studio Ultimate:
Pinnacle Studio Ultimate
One of the top free video editing software for Mac, Pinnacle Studio offers a wide range of tools for editing, arranging and exporting videos. The straightforward and user-friendly interface of this video editor facilitates building, sorting as well as the direct import of projects from the multimedia clips.
The high-end color grading tools are responsible for improving the video quality. The storyboard and the timeline are placed on the same screen which allows editors to manipulate both the workflows at the same time.
Some of its top features are:
An extensive library of tons of effects, transitions, templates and titles, along with pre programmed objects
Allows you to efficiently edit videos 4K and HD format as well as 360 video editing
Perform basic tasks like rotate, zoom and crop
Edit video files captured by any camera
Also allows split-screen video editing and helps in stabilizing shaky videos
Pros
User-friendly interface for best performance
Time-lapse
Supports 3D images and videos
Cons
Limited features in the standard version
- Shotcut:
Shotcut
Shotcut is one of the top free video editing software for Mac and is packed with numerous high-end editing tools. The software also provides video tutorials to guide entry-level editors as they might find its interface a little tricky.
Shotcut lets you create collage videos and edit them with different filters while adjusting their quality too. It is fully open-source software which means you can access all its features without opting for its paid version.
Some of its top features include:
The user is not required to import the video to the editor which saves time during editing
It offers colour grading, colour correction, interlacing, wipe transitions, along with a variety of audio and video effects
It also supports 4K HD resolution
You can convert the edited video file to various formats such as H264, WebM, MJpeg, etc
With the Lossless export mode, you can transfer the files without losing its quality
Moreover, it also supports 1080p videos at 60 FPS
Pros
Triple colour correction tools
Offers native timeline editing
Fully open-source software
Cons:
Interface is complicated for new users
- Lightworks:
Lightworks
One of the most commonly used softwares, Lightworks became the forefront of video editing. It is one of the best free video editors for Mac and works well for video rendering. The software features multi-channel inputs along with tons of other useful tools on its timeline.
The simple and intuitive interface of the software lets you easily do any post-production work in the background. Also, it supports a wide range of import and export video formats. You can get a free license for a week by downloading and registering on the website.
Some of its top features include:
The free version is full of cutting-edge tools like video trimming, multicam support, timeline editing, audio & video FX, etc.
The user can post their finished videos to YouTube or Vimeo in upto 4K resolution
Offers a variety of social media templates
You get access to the video tutorials to guide in using the software
Supports a wide variety of video formats
The editing timeline offers more than 100 included FX’s along with audio and video stock
Share your video content in different formats to platforms like YouTube, Facebook, Vimeo, etc
Allows the user to simultaneously edit videos captured on different cameras
Pros
Offers robust video editing tools
Allows 3D video editing
Good for professional editing
Cons
Too complicated interface for beginners
- HitFilm Express:
HitFilm Express
HitFilm Express is also considered as one of the top free video editing software for Mac. It contains all the basic editing tools that you would require as a beginner, along with the most advanced features for professional editing. The free version offers over 180 special effects as well as 3D editing too.
HitFilm is widely used in Hollywood as well as various software companies also use it for creating engaging video content for the audience.
One main feature of this editing platform is composite images that facilitates the creation of timeline for animation and special effects. You can apply multi-layer effects without integrating everything into the main timeline.
Some of its top features include:
The software offers engaging video tutorials that help new users learn it quicker and better
You get a wide range of audio & video filters, highly-advanced cutting tools, chroma keying for green screen, layers and masks, along with 3D video support
Choose different parameters of the video quality such as customizable pause & playback which allows video to play faster and avoid any delays while you watch any high-resolution videos.
It also features 2D and 3D compositing, unlimited transitions, over 400 presets & effects, etc
Pros
It is ideal for professional editors
Flexible export functions
Allows you to edit while exporting
Offers screen simulation as well as extended tracking
Cons:
Complex for beginners
- Apple iMovie:
Apple iMovie
A sophisticated video editing software, iMovie is quite popular among Mac users. With a user-friendly interface, it is an ideal choice especially for beginners. It is also available in the form of an application which means you can even access it on phones or ipads.
The software is packed with dozens of features and supports 4K resolution. iMovie performs superb on both Macbook Pro and Macbook Air. This makes it one of the best free video editor for Mac.
Some of its top features include:
It offers touch bar support along with 4K video functionality. Also allows processing of videos at a speed of 60 frames per second.
With the simple drag and drop feature, you can add effects, titles, music, etc to your videos
You are free to change the background location in the video and place the characters anywhere you like
It lets you easily export or import video files, images or audio from iCloud
Create slideshows and watch them on your Apple TV
There are numerous iMovie tutorials available on the internet to help you use the software easily
Pros
Online customer support
Ideal for working at home
Ideal for making trailers
Offers a variety of sound effects
Cons
Not sufficient features for professional use
- VideoProc:
VideoProc
VideoProc is one of the leading video editing tools available for Mac users. Its versatile nature allows the user to create trailers, long videos, podcasts, presentations, game reviews, and the like. You can easily trim, edit, cut, resize, split, convert, merge, transcode and adjust 4K videos or audio files. Besides, the software enables users to adjust frame rates, GOP while changing formats as well as compressing large videos.
A unique feature offered by VideoProc is that it lets you record live broadcasts of the screen which is quite useful for gamers.
Some of its top features include:
Offers tons of features including video stabilization, denoise, subtitle, lens distortion correction, watermark, MKV video, as well as a wide range of effects
Provides high-speed video processing through GPU acceleration/level-3 hardware acceleration
Produces 4K/HD videos captured from any device
Built-in media downloader engine which supports over 1000 video/audio/UGC websites like Facebook, YouTube, etc.
You can preview your finished video content before you export it
Pros
Lightweight & user-friendly interface
Supports 4K resolution
Offers 370 codecs and over 420 output formats
Cons:
Limited features in the free version
- Movavi Video Editor:
Movavi Video Editor
Having a simple interface doesn’t stop Movavi from being one of the best free video editing software for Mac. The tool helps to edit, record, improvise and convert different types of videos such as for films, wedding videos, travel videos, etc.
Some of its top features include:
Create stunning and engaging videos with its several attractive tools such as thematic stickers, pre-made intros, animated titles.
Another set of its basic features are rotate, crop, reverse, slow-motion, along with a wide selection of audio & video effects, filters and transitions
The ‘chroma key’ tool allows changing the background colour of your video from something solid to natural
The simple drag and drop feature allows a beginner to easily learn the software
Pros
Simple user interface
Offers faster video rendering
Cons
Doesn’t offer histogram, colour wheel and vectorscope
- OpenShot:
OpenShot
OpenShot is another free video editor for Mac users for creating captivating videos. This video editing software allows you to edit, organize and share videos in a seamless manner. If you are a newbie, it’s simple and easy to navigate interface will allow you to produce high-quality videos.
Some of its top features include:
Create stunning videos in three different modes – Quick, Guided & Expert
Offers features like live search functionality, face recognition, focus adjustment, haze removal, video collages, touch-based editing as well as a variety of transition effects.
The Adobe Sensei AI technology enables the user to find videos and images in just a single click
Add attractive titles, themes or transitions to your videos
Supports 4K resolution
Provides video stabilization
Pros
Simple interface for beginners
Wide range of effects & transitions
Artificial Intelligence
Cons
Doesn’t support multi-cam editing
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best free video editing software for Mac?
There are a number of free video software that runs on Mac OS. For beginners, iMovie, OpenShot and Movavi Video Editor are good choices. However, if you wish to go for a more professional option, Final Cut Pro X, Adobe Premiere Pro CC, Blender, DaVinci Resolve and HitFilm Express are recommended options.
Conclusion
If you are a Macbook Pro or Macbook Air user, you can definitely go for the above-mentioned video editing softwares. Each one of them has its own advantages and disadvantages, you can pick one according to your requirements. Most of these are completely free or offer a free trials so you can try and see whether it suits your editing needs or not.