Mediaboss Marketing

The best free video editing software is often a good way to test the waters if you're considering getting into videography, or if you want to make simple edits to personal video projects. Free video editing software can't match the power and features offered by the best paid-for software, but if you don't have the budget for that, or you're not ready to commit, free options can get you some of the way there.

There's a wide range of free video editing software available now. Many programs are offered free as a promotion or trial for the full paid version (See all the paid-for options in our best video editing software post). Others are completely free forever, but note that some of these come with a lot of ads or put a watermark on your work.

We've weighed up the pros and cons of the best options around to make it easier to choose which suits your needs. Below you'll find direct links to the best paid for video editing software that offers free trials, and below that our pick of the best free forever video editing software. We've looked for options with powerful features like stylised filters and transitions, layer-based editing, and even audio editing. It's hard to find free software that offers all of that in one package, but some come very close. Make sure you also check out our best video editing apps, many of which are free or at least very cheap.

One of the best ways to get free video editing software to dip your toes is through free trials. This way you get powerful fully featured software free for a limited time.

These are your best options if you're looking for video editing software that's completely free forever, but note that they can't compete with the paid for options above in terms of power and features.

01. Lightworks

The best free video editing software overall

Platform: Windows, macOS, Linux

Key features: Multicam editing, Customizable UI

Best for: Advanced users

Watermarks: No

+Real-time project sharing+Import and export videos in the background+Multicam video editing

-Complex user interface-Free version only renders videos in MPEG format

Lightworks is a free video editor with a drag-and-drop user interface. It boasts powerful features like multicam and multi-track video editing, which allows you to edit clips from multiple cameras into a single project. It also enables you to share projects with other users and collaborate with them while editing videos in real time.

In addition, Lightworks lets you import and export videos in the background while continuing to work on something else in the foreground, which is a useful feature for those who like multitasking. A pro version of the software comes with more features, such as direct social media sharing and the ability to export videos in different formats.

One of the softwares biggest strengths is that the user interface is highly customisable, but this is also actually its biggest shortcoming because dragging windows across the interface to create endless layout combinations can be rather confusing for beginners. Thankfully, there are extensive video tutorials to help out. Read our Lightworks review for more.

02. KineMaster

The best free video editing software for mobile

Platform: Android, iOS

Key features: Instant preview, smart effects

Best for: Beginners and lightweight pro use

Watermarks: Yes

+Surprisingly rich features+Good enough for professionals+Widely used and popular

-Slow on lower-end devices

If you think professional video editing on your smartphone or tablet requires paid-for software, think again. KineMaster is available for Android devices, iPhones and iPads, and goes far above and beyond what you'd expect from a free mobile app.

It has a smart, intuitive and lag-free interface, while features include the ability to edit multiple layers and add handwriting and text annotations. You can experiment with up to four audio tracks, and precisely edit at the frame and sub-frame level.

The catch? Yep, you'll get watermarks on your videos. To remove them, you'll need to subscribe to the premium version, but that costs a pretty reasonable $4.99/month or $39.99/year. See our Kinemaster review for more details.

03. OpenShot

The best free video editing software that's open source

Platform: Windows, macOS, Linux

Key features: Layer-based editing, drag and drop UI

Best for: Open-source lovers

Watermarks: No

+Simple, drag-and-drop interface+Free and open source+Unlimited layers

-Occasional lagging, slow response-Bugs and glitches

OpenShot is a solid basic video editor with some nice extra features. It has a minimalistic design with a drag-and-drop interface that's easy to used, even for newbies. While there isn't a lot of complex features, the software's completely free and open-source, so there are none of the usual ads, watermarks, or paid upgrades to frustrate you.

Layer-based video editing capabilities let you stack an unlimited number of layers in your video, be it soundtracks, overlapping videos, or custom images.OpenShot also offers a range of title-card templates that can be customised. In addition, there are all the usual options to adjust and enhance your video, including crop, trim, rotate, and resize. You can also adjust elements like brightness, contrast, colour grading, and gamma.

There are some problems, including not insignificant lag issues and the fact that the features dont always work the way theyre supposed to (or when they do work, they take a long time to apply, making the editing process frustrating). Ultimately, however, for free video editing software, Openshot has everything you could expect.

04. DaVinci Resolve

The best free video editing software for colour correction

Platform: Windows, Mac, Linux

Key features: Colour correction, audio tools, compatible with Fairlight consoles, multi-user collaboration

Best for: Professionals and enthusiasts

Watermarks: No

+Colour correction+Audio post production+Collaborative working

-More suited to finishing footage

DaVinci Resolve is a free video editing tool that offers professional 8K editing, colour correction, visual effects, and audio post-production all in one place. It's often used on big-budget film and TV productions thanks to its powerful colour correction and audio capabilities.

As well as traditional colour features such as curve editors and primary colour wheels, there's also facial recognition and tracking, so you can adjust skin tones, eye and lip colour. For audio, DaVinci Resolve uses Fairlight, a suite of high-end editing tools that enable you to mix and master up to 1,000 channels.

Its incredible really that this software offers a free version with nearly all of its features present. There are no watermarks added to your videos either, unless you use a non-free effect such as noise reduction. So if youre looking for the best free video editing software for Windows or Mac, this could well be your best bet. To learn more, see our Da Vinci Resolve review.

05. VideoPad

The best free video editing software for audio professionals

Platform: Windows

Key features: 3D editing, Unlimited audio tracks

Best for: Audio professionals, 3D video editors

Watermarks: No

+Sound mixing+3D video editing+Excellent shareability

-Lacks advanced features-Slideshow-making isn't free

VideoPad is a free video editor with a simple interface suitable for novices but also plenty of features for advanced users. Most importantly, however, it offers a level of control over audio thats not often seen in a video editor, making it a great choice for movie sequences that rely on audio effects.

It supports an unlimited number of audio tracks and provides an entire library of sound effects to play with. Overall, it's not as robust as Lightworks, but VideoPad really stands out from competitors thanks to its audio editing features and sound mixing functionalities all without the price tag of a professional video editor.

VideoPad also allows 3D video editing, a rare feature among free video editing tools. It also has great options for social sharing, with a library of social media-friendly effects and transitions and the option to post videos to platforms like Facebook or YouTube without leaving the software.

06. Windows Video Editor

Built-in video editing software for Windows

Platform: Windows 10

Key features: Custom animations, Simplified UI

Best for: Windows 10 users

Watermarks: No

Paid version: NA

+Simple and easy to use+Pre-existing collection of custom animations

-Very basic, barebones video editor

If you have a PC running Windows, you'll already have Microsofts own built-in video editor, Windows Video Editor. What used to be called Windows Movie Maker was rebuilt from the ground up for Windows 10. It's not a massively powerful editor, but if you're looking for a quick, convenient way to make simple edits to your clips, it might serve you just fine.

It doesnt boast a lot of features in fact, it's really more of a photo editor with some video editing capabilities but Video Editor has enough to get through basic tasks like trimming, cropping, speed adjustments and adding text or audio.It also has a 3D Effects section, which lets you soup up your video with pre-designed animations. These features dont offer a lot of options for customisation, but Windows Video Editor is still a good application for basic video enhancement, especially for novice users looking who enjoy working in Windows. Its biggest advantage is how easy it is to use.

07. VSDC

Free video editing software that's great for presentations

Platform: Windows

Key features: Supports wide range of file formats, built-in DVD burner, chart tool, video stabiliser

Best for: Enthusiasts and beginners

Watermarks: No

+Plenty of special effects+Large range of output formats+Works well with GoPro footage

-More suited to presentations

If you need to add text, lines, charts and other special effects to a presentation (and you use Windows), VSDC is probably the best free video editing software for the task. It has Instagram-style filters, lots of special effects such as colour correction and blurring, plus a mask tool for applying effects to part of a video (for obscuring faces, for example). Theres also a video stabiliser to help remove camera shake from footage taken with GoPros or drones, and a powerful chart tool for adding graphs to presentations.

The free version can export to various formats including AVI and MPG, and it supports most video formats, so you shouldnt have any trouble importing clips. You can even tailor the output so it works well on particular devices for playback, and theres a built-in DVD burner. The paid-for pro version adds in features such as motion tracking, masking, and hardware acceleration. Read our VSDC review to find out more.

08. Hitfilm Express

Free video editing software that's rich in features and add-ons.

Platform: Windows, Mac

Key features: Over 180 visual effects; 2D and 3D effects compositing; MP4 H.264 export; good range of import formats

Best for: Professionals and enthusiasts

Watermarks: No

+Great community and training+3D compositing

-Tricky download process-Powerful computer required

Hitfilm Express is the Swiss Army knife of free video editing software. It's capable of producing feature films or music videos with 3D effects, but its also good for making YouTube videos (it has direct uploading built in).It features a lot of features you'd expect to find only in expensive paid-for software, including 4K video support, 360-degree editing, and hundreds of special effects.

The main downside is that it uses a lot of system resources, so it won't work well on a low-powered laptop, for example. The basic version contains everything you need to make a professional-quality production, but if you want something specific, such as 360-degree text or extra colour grading tools, there are packs of add-on features that start at around $7/6. For more information, see our Hitfilm Express review.

Read more here:
The best free video editing software - Creative Bloq

Kim Komando| Special to USA TODAY

There are more features and tricks hiding in your Mac or PC than most people will ever know. You can do even more if you know the right software to download.

If youre relying on your computers built-in spell check to catch all your grammar mistakes, for example, its time to upgrade. Here are five stellar options to make you sound smarter. I have used one for 223 weeks straight.

With everything else we shell out cash for online, you dont always want to pay for programs. If you need to save a little cash, Ive got your back. First, check this list of simple ways to save money on streaming, cable and internet bills each month.

Round out the savings with this list of full-featured programs that work just like popular software everyone else uses:

When it comes to productivity software, Microsoft Office is the gold standard. Unfortunately, it's also expensive. Yes, there are some ways to get a discount if you genuinely need the Microsoft version. Tap or click here for tricks to get it free or cheap.

A great no-cost alternative is LibreOffice. This open-source office suite is especially great because its creators continually update it. Youll get six programs, including Writer, Impress, and Calc, which work just like Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel, respectively.

LibreOffice allows you to edit documents created in the official MS Office and save new files in Office formats, too. Someone on the receiving end of your .docx file wont know you used a program other than Word to save it.

Tap or click here for direct download links for Mac and PC.

FreeOffice TextMaker is another solid Microsoft Office alternative. Its handy when you need to open .doc and .docx files. Unlike other free word processing programs, it offers a spell check feature in 58 languages. Like Word, you can insert tables, pictures, and drawings.

You can even create EPUB e-books. Thats convenient for aspiring authors who dont want to shell out cash for another program.

Tap or click here to download FreeOffice TextMaker.

Want more options? 7 free alternatives to Microsoft Windows

Another great offering from FreeOffice is PlanMaker, a free Excel alternative. Open and edit XLS and XLSX files from Excel or export your worksheets as PDFs.

It can go beyond the basics, too, with more than 430 computing functions. It comes loaded with templates compatible with Microsoft Excel 2019, too.

Tap or click here to download FreeOffice PlanMaker.

You can edit documents, spreadsheets, and presentations for free with Google Drive, too. Tap or click for 15 tips and tricks power users rely on.

Designed for advanced users, GIMP is a professional photo editor almost identical to Adobe Photoshop. The open-source software has been around, and loved, since the 90s. Youll get access to many Photoshop tools, including advanced filters, text settings and layers.

And hey, you wont have to shell out $10 (or more) a month for Photoshop anymore.

GIMP is available for Windows, macOS and Linux. Tap or click here for a direct download link and more info.

Sometimes you want a solid program without downloading anything. That's where Pixlr comes in. This photo editing software runs in your browser; its compatible with Chrome, Firefox, and Safari.

Pixlr includes advanced tools like drawing and photo filters, but its handy for easy cropping and resizing features, too. Unlike some other browser-based options, it opens nearly image format. That includes PSD (Photoshop documents), PXD, JPEG, PNG, WebP, and SVG.

If you want to work on your smartphone, you can download a lightweight version of the program on iOS and Android. The mobile apps dont need much space or memory. Plus, you can instantly share your creations with your social media apps.

Tap or click here to find out why it's such an excellent option for beginners.

Canva is not your typical photo editor. Yes, you can crop photos, add text, or resize in a snap. What makes it shine are the countless templates you can use to create your own presentations, social media graphics, greeting cards, marketing materials, posters, and anything else you need.

Canva is super easy to use, too. Its a drag and drop, intuitive editor just about anyone will be able to navigate. You can sign up for a paid account to get access to premium images and templates. For basic use, though, a free account should give you everything you need.

Tap or click for a direct download link and more reasons to love Canva.

VLC is a free, open-source media player that plays almost every audio and video file format in existence. VLC even handles webcams and streaming content and can convert media from one format to another.

Not only is VLC powerful, but its also lightweight. It runs fast, and there are no ads. Love that. Its also simple to use.

To run a video or audio file, you can drag and drop a file into the open VLC program or open it under the Media tab. The player buttons are simple and are easily accessible at the bottom of the VLC window.

VLC runs on just about any platform, is open-source, and is frequently upgraded, unlike some free software. Tap or click here to download VLC.

Not only is audio track editing complex especially for beginners but the programs for this task can cost you an arm and a leg. Not so with Audacity, one of my favorite free programs.

It is easy to use once you get the hang of it. Even a beginner can pick up the process after a few minutes of watching tutorials on YouTube.

If youve never used Audacity and the name sounds familiar, there were news stories back in July claiming policy changes to the terms and conditions effectively made Audacity spyware. After reading the policy and the companys response, I am not concerned.

Tap or click here to edit music, podcasts, or other audio like a pro.

Windows Movie Maker was one of the most popular platforms people used for editing videos for a long time. Sadly, the native PC app kicked the bucket in 2017.

Many people moved on to expensive alternatives, like Adobe Premiere Pro or Vegas Pro. If you need to edit video on the cheap, try out DaVinci Resolve 17. As with any powerful editing software, there is a learning curve. This goes beyond just simple cropping.

Its available for Mac, Windows and Linux operating systems and allows you to make quick edits to your video clips or packages. DaVinci 17 uses artificial intelligence and smart detection technology to identify faces in clips and organize them automatically into smart folders.

It's powerful enough to knock out basic editing, color correction, and audio post-production, along with visual effects and motion graphics.

Tap or click here to download DaVinci and see more of what it can do.

Bonus Tip: How the government and companies buy your personal data

Check out my podcast Kim Komando Explains on Apple, Google Podcasts, or your favorite podcast player.

We think of our gadgets as helpful tools that make our lives easier, but they can also be turned against us. The data your devices collect is so valuable it could be used against you in a criminal trial, requested by the police, or even bought by the government through a data broker. I sit down with Bennett Cyphers from the Electronic Frontier Foundation and he reveals all the secrets youre losing and which devices do the most stealing.

Listen to the podcast here or wherever you get your podcasts. Just search for my last name, Komando.

Learn about all the latest technology on theKim Komando Show, the nation's largest weekend radio talk show. Kim takes calls and dispenses advice on today's digital lifestyle, from smartphones and tablets to online privacy and data hacks. For her daily tips, free newsletters and more, visit her website atKomando.com.

The views and opinions expressed in this column are the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of USA TODAY.

Link:
9 free software copycats that work better than the real expensive programs - USA TODAY

Here is a full guide on how to change the video aspect ratio on Windows 11/10 PC. The video aspect ratio is basically the proportion of width to height of a video. It determines how wide your videos are. It is not the resolution but the ratio of the width to height. Like, a video with an aspect ratio of 16:9 can be of 1920 px by 1080 px resolution. Now, if you want to change the aspect ratio of a video on your Windows 11/10 PC, this guide is for you. In this post, we are going to discuss methods to change the video aspect ratio on your computer. Let us check out now!

You can change the aspect ratio of a video using a free online tool. There are various tools available on the web that enable you to do that. Additionally, you can also use software to do that. We have discussed some online tools and software that can be used for modifying the aspect ratio of videos for free.

Here are the main methods to change the video aspect ratio on Windows 11/10:

Let us discuss the above methods in detail now!

The easiest way to change the aspect ratio of videos is to use an online tool. There are several free tools that allow you to change the video aspect ratio online in a web browser. Here are two good free online video aspect ratio changer tools that you can try:

Lets discuss these tools in detail now!

As the name suggests, OnlineConverter.com is a free online file converter tool. It lets you convert video and some other files. Along with converting video files, it also lets you resize them and change their aspect ratio according to your requirement. Let us discuss a dedicated step-by-step procedure to convert the aspect ratio of a video.

You can follow the below step to modify the video aspect ratio:

You will be able to download the resulting video when the processing is done.

This online tool can also be used to crop videos, merge videos, watermark videos, repair MP4 files, brighten videos, stabilize your videos, and more. You can use this handy tool here.

FileConverto is another file converter tool that also lets you change the video aspect ratio. You can find a lot of other tools on this website like Video Compressor, Video Joiner, Video Trimmer, Loop Video, and more. It also provides several audio, image, and PDF tools. It lets you change the video aspect ratio to fit Instagram, Instagram Story, IGTV, YouTube, Facebook/ Twitter Portrait, Facebook/ Twitter Landscape, or TV Standard.

Here are the main steps you can follow to convert the aspect ratio of videos online:

Try it here.

Read: Best free AVI to MP4 converter for Windows PC

Another method to change the video aspect ratio is to use free software. You can find plenty of software that let you convert the aspect ratio of videos on Windows 11/10. Some even let you change the video aspect ratio in bulk. Here are the free software that will let you change the aspect ratio of videos on Windows 11/10:

Now, let us talk about the above free software in detail!

XMedia Recode is a free batch video processor that lets you change the video aspect ratio on Windows. It can do a lot more like crop a video, flip/ rotate a video, watermark a video, blur videos, apply various filters, etc. To change the video aspect ratio, there is a very simple procedure you need to follow. Lets check it out.

Here are the main steps to change the video aspect ratio in bulk using this free software:

Let us discuss the above steps in detail!

Firstly, you need to download and install this free software on your PC, and then start it. It also provides a portable version that you can download, unzip, and then launch without installation.

Now, click on the Open Files button and add the source video files. Then, move to the Filters/Preview tab, and under the Resolution section, select the desired aspect ratio from 1:1, 3:2, 4:3, 11:9, 16:9, etc. You can also customize other parameters like aspect error, scaling mode, dithering algorithm, etc.

After that, go to the Format tab and customize the output format, output location, etc.

Finally, click on the Add to queue and then Encode button to start batch video processing.

Read: How to Resize a Video using Command-line with FFmpeg

As the name suggests, Free HD Video Converter is a free video converter using which you can also change the aspect ratio of input videos. It is very easy to use, plus it provides several handy features. Some of its features include crop, trim, color filters, merge, etc. Let us check out the steps of modifying the aspect ratio of videos below:

First, download and install Free HD Video Converter software on your PC. Now, launch the software.

Next, add an input video file. Then, click on the parameter Settings button to open up the window to customize output options.

After that, click on the Aspect Ratio drop-down option and select the desired output aspect ratio and press the OK button. You can select an aspect ratio from 4:3, 16:9, 37:20, and 47:20.

Finally, press the Run button and it will change the aspect ratio of the input video file.

You can download it from videoconverterfactory.com.

See: Best free Video to GIF maker software for Windows

Try AV Video Converter which is a batch video converter and can modify the aspect ratio of videos. You can add multiple videos and then change the aspect ratio for all the videos at once. Apart from that, it lets you modify video size, quality, and more.

To use it, download and install it on your PC. Then, open this software and add your videos files to it. Now, from the right panel, select the Aspect Ratio drop-down and choose the desired aspect ratio. After that, click on the Convert all tracks button to start processing your videos.

You can get it from here.

Media Coder is a video transcoder that also provides you a feature to change the aspect ratio. You can set pixel or display aspect ratio through it. It allows batch processing. So, import multiple videos files, change their aspect ratio and process them.

First, download and install it and then launch this software. After that, browse and select the source video files that you want to process. Next, go to the Picture tab from the bottom panel and select the aspect ratio you want to set. Select an aspect ratio and then click on the Start button to process all your videos and change their aspect ratio.

You can download it from here.

WinFF is an FFmpeg-based GUI software to convert videos. It also lets you change the aspect ratio of videos in a batch. It doesnt provide a set of predefined aspect ratios. You need to manually enter the aspect ratio that you want to apply to the output video.

You can download and install it and then start the software. Now, add your source video files and then click on the Options button. Next, go to the Video tab and inside the Aspect Ratio box, manually enter the output aspect ratio, such as 4:3, 16:9, etc. Finally, press the Convert button ad let it change the aspect ratio of all videos.

All the mentioned online tools and software let you change your video to an aspect ratio of 16:9. You can use a free online tool like OnlineConverter.com, or use free software like XMedia Recode for the same.

Thats it!

Now read: Best Free Video Quality Enhancers for Windows.

Read more:
Change Video Aspect Ratio using free online tools and software - TWCN Tech News

MONTREAL--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Is your workforce ready for 2022? To help strengthen the workforce for the new year, VKS is offering companies free access to VKS Lite. Companies can leverage this work instruction software to create visually interactive instructions that enhance the knowledge and skills of their workforce.

Theres no getting around it, the pandemic has accelerated the need for digital transformation. Increasing turnover rates, dependence on senior employees, and transitioning supply chains have impacted industries around the world. And issues like the skills gap and long training times have only been exacerbated by the world crisis. But companies are regaining control with work instruction software.

We are enabling companies to pursue Industry 4.0 innovation with no risk to their bottom line. Its very important to us to help people across the globe create stronger and more resilient practices. And this is another step towards that goal. With more companies and people using advanced technology to standardize their processes, increase quality, and enhance the knowledge of the workforce, the whole industry wins. - Kyle O'Reilly, VKS Director of Sales

Go paperless and update all work instructions with the click of a button. Use pictures, videos, annotations, and more to digitally transform your operation and guide workers through their tasks. With VKS Lite, its easy to begin your digital transformation journey.

About VKS (Visual Knowledge Share Ltd.)

VKS (Visual Knowledge Share) is a leading innovator in digital work instruction technology. Backed with over 50 years of manufacturing experience from its parent company CMP, VKS software is designed for manufacturers by manufacturers. With its intuitive and interactive visual platform, VKS Lite is a work instructions solution that equips companies with the tools to push the capabilities of manufacturing further into Industry 4.0.

For more information, visit VKS at VKSapp.com.

Continue reading here:
VKS is Breaking Barriers with Free Work Instruction Software - Business Wire

General Motors said Monday that it will start swapping new batteries into Chevy Bolt EVs in October in response to at least a dozen fires that triggered a massive recall. GM did not say when it will restart production of brand new versions of the electric car.

The news comes as LG is once again making batteries for the Bolt after stopping in August. GM says it worked closely with the South Korean conglomerate to make sure the new cells are free of defects that have led to at lest a dozen fires in the automakers electric vehicle and a massive recall.

Owners of older Bolts (model years 2017 to 2019) will have all the modules in their battery packs swapped for new ones. Owners of newer models may only get individual modules changed out, GM said.

GM said Monday that it will also have dealers start installing new diagnostic software on Bolts in the next 60 days. The software will continually scan the battery packs for signs of defects. If none are found, the software will eventually allow owners to once again charge their vehicles to 100 percent, and abandon some of the other safety guidelines GM has put in place while it worked out the recall.

The initial fix for the recall, announced in May, involved an earlier version of this diagnostic software, though at least two vehicles that received it still caught fire. GM did not go into much detail Monday about how this new software differs.

In the meantime, Bolt owners are supposed to continue adhering to that guidance. GM says owners should park outside and away from their homes after charging, and that they should not charge their vehicles indoors overnight. Owners should not charge their Bolts beyond 90 percent, and avoid depleting the battery below 70 miles of remaining range.

GM made one minor tweak to its guidance, though. As long as they follow the above guidelines, GM says owners need only leave ample space between their Bolt and other vehicles, instead 50 feet as it recently advised. It did not define ample, though.

GM first issued a recall for the the earlier models of the Bolt in November 2020 after a handful of fires. But it wasnt until July of this year that it announced what the problem was. In rare cases, some cells that LG made had two different defects a torn anode and a folded separator that, when combined, made it possible for a Bolts battery pack to catch fire while charging.

LG shut down production of the cells in August, around when GM decided to recall all model years of the Bolt. GM said Monday that production resumed at two locations it runs with LG in Michigan, but that factories in South Korea were still not back online.

The recall has already cost GM some $2 billion. The automaker has said it intends to recoup some or most of that amount from LG though the two companies are working together on GMs next-generation Ultium batteries, and will operate multiple new battery factories in the US.

Continue reading here:
GM says defect-free Bolt batteries are in production - The Verge