Videopad video editor download Archives

Designed to be intuitive, VideoPad is a fully featured video editor for creating professional quality videos in minutes.

Create videos for DVD, HD, 360, YouTube and more

Burn movies to DVD and Blu-ray or export your videos online and to your portable devices.

Supports all popular video formats seamlessly

Capture video from a DV camcorder, VHS, GoPro, webcam, or all common video file formats including avi, wmv, divx, mp4, apng, mpeg and many more.

Breathtaking transitions and visual effects

Over 50 visual and transition effects to add a professional touch to your movies.

Stunning Video Transitions and Effects

• Choose from a wide range of video clip transitions
• 3D video editing and 2D to 3D stereoscopic conversion
• Customize the duration of applied transitions
• Overlay text for captions and movie credits
• Chroma key green screen video production
• Edit movies in your own video studio with easy-to-use transition effects.

Amazing Audio Tools

• Import and mix music tracks like a pro
• Make your own custom movie soundtrack with
• MixPad multi-track mixing software
• Record your own narrations with the click of a button
• Use sound effects from the free Sound Effect Library
• VideoPad mpeg editor and movie maker allows you to mix a soundtrack for your movie

Complete Video Optimization

• Fine-tune color and other visual effects
• Slow down, speed up or reverse video clip playback
• Reduce camera shake with video stabilization
• Add photos and digital images to your sequences
• VirtualDub plugin support for added tools and effects
• Optimize AVI or MPEG video files with VideoPad Movie Maker

Share With Family and Friends

• Burn to DVD and watch on your TV
• Save for YouTube and share online
• Save to PSP, iPod, iPhone or 3GP mobile phone
• Export movies in standard definition or full HD (720p, 1080i or 1080p)

What's New:

• Added download link for Windows Beta 8.60

To find out what version of the software you are currently using, click Help on the menu bar at the top of the program's window (not the Help button on the toolbar), and then click "About VideoPad Video Editor".

Please be aware if you purchased more than 6 months ago you may need to purchase an upgrade to use the current version. For upgrade pricing go to https://www.nch.com.au/upgrade/index.html with your old registration ID number and Key.

If you want to try the current version with the option to restore your older version, please backup your Program Files sub folder containing the software for Windows, or copy the app from your Applications folder to a backup location for Mac OS

Click the appropriate button to download the latest version of this software:

Windows Download
Mac Intel Download
Google Play Download
Kindle Download
iOS Download
Build Version Logs Follow:
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Version 8.79

• Add framework for intro templates
• Uploaded 2020-09-05

Version 8.77

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2020-08-27

Version 8.76

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2020-08-24

Version 8.75

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2020-08-24

Version 8.70

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2020-08-13

Version 8.68

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2020-08-11

Version 8.67

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2020-08-06

Version 8.66

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2020-08-04

Version 8.65

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2020-08-01

Version 8.64

• Write a new video blender to combine video tracks
• Uploaded 2020-07-26

Version 8.63

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2020-07-17

Version 8.62

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2020-07-17

Version 8.60

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2020-07-11

Version 8.56

• Investigate caching with mp4 file, using all keyframe to increase seeking speed.
• Uploaded 2020-06-23

Version 8.55

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2020-06-13

Version 8.45

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2020-05-26

Version 8.43

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2020-05-22

Version 8.43

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2020-05-22

Version 8.42

• Modify cache source to be able to tell the pixel format.
• Uploaded 2020-05-20

Version 8.41

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2020-05-15

Version 8.41

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2020-05-15

Version 8.40

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2020-05-13

Version 8.40

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2020-05-13

Version 8.39

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2020-05-12

Version 8.36

• Remove checkboard source in clip/sequence preview if source is not transparent.
• Uploaded 2020-04-30

Version 8.35

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2020-04-28

Version 8.34

• Port new shader effects to GLSL
• Uploaded 2020-04-24

Version 8.33

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2020-04-20

Version 8.33

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2020-04-20

Version 8.32

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2020-04-17

Version 8.32

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2020-04-17

Version 8.31

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2020-04-16

Version 8.28

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2020-04-08

Version 8.27

• when decoding/encoding, use ffmpeg instead of wmf if only 4G memory installed.
• Uploaded 2020-04-06

Version 8.24

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2020-03-30

Version 8.24

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2020-03-30

Version 8.23

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2020-03-27

Version 8.22

• [64bit] VideoPad gets crash when open video files or exporting using WMF
• Uploaded 2020-03-26

Version 8.22

• [64bit] VideoPad gets crash when open video files or exporting using WMF
• Uploaded 2020-03-26

Version 8.20

• Avoiding unnecessary conversion in Pixel Formats, RGB(A or no A) etc. for Graphics and Video Effects
• Uploaded 2020-03-24

Version 8.18

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2020-03-20

Version 8.16

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2020-03-11

Version 8.15

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2020-03-04

Version 8.15

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2020-03-04

Version 8.13

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2020-03-02

Version 8.13

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2020-03-02

Version 8.12

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2020-02-28

Version 8.12

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2020-02-28

Version 8.11

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2020-02-27

Version 8.10

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2020-02-25

Version 8.09

• Smarter snapping
• Timeline clip linking
• Support WMF ASYNC
• Uploaded 2020-02-20

Version 8.06

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2020-02-12

Version 8.04

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2020-02-04

Version 8.02

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2020-01-29

Version 8.02

Version 8.00

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2020-01-09

Version 7.51

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2019-12-01

Version 7.50

• more functions to right click menu of wave form.
• Uploaded 2019-11-22

Version 7.50

• more functions to right click menu of wave form.
• Uploaded 2019-11-22

Version 7.39

• Normalization should be done with the sound cache analyzer based normalization system
• transition needs to support variable frame rate
• Uploaded 2019-11-06

Version 7.34

• Fix "View" options for clip preview
• Pan & Zoom presets
• Uploaded 2019-10-16

Version 7.33

• Add more pre-rendered effects and overlay themes
• Uploaded 2019-10-14

Version 7.32

• Add unit test for exporting dialogues
• Uploaded 2019-09-28

Version 7.31

• Memory control strategy in videopad
• Widgets need to work on the sequence preview for editing
• Multiple subtitle channels
• Uploaded 2019-09-17

Version 7.30

• Cache File Deletion
• Change the cache cleanup to use Ben' new LSoundCacheCleanup
• Uploaded 2019-08-30

Version 7.26

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2019-08-13

Version 7.25

• integrate cut list add an attribute to any audio clip of its type into videopad.
• Allow change of preview playback speed
• Show bpm in wave form
• SIMD implementation for alpha blending
• Remove dependency of ffmpeg: Writing our own scale function
• Find and remove redundant UI update
• Fix effect source taking in output resolution
• Uploaded 2019-08-09

Version 7.24

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2019-07-19

Version 7.23

• integrate cut list speech to text overlay into videopad.
• integrate cut list BPM and beat detection into videopad.
• Fix and Simplify ExpressAnimate integration
• Uploaded 2019-07-17

Version 7.22

• Update VPClip, move attributes to effect and video source.
• change the audio cache to use the cut list cache.
• GUI - Add auto detect audio.
• remove the 'display' aspect ratio from the video sources entirely and in videopad, add code to simply convert all content to square on opening the video source.
• Uploaded 2019-07-12

Version 7.21

• Video and Audio clip looping
• Add a sequence output option to aspect ratio changing effects
• Uploaded 2019-07-02

Version 7.11

• Add clever logic to insert the fixed frame rate source in any clip to minimize processing
• Zoom and crop at original resolution
• [Effect] Trapezoidal & Free Form Video Crop
• Uploaded 2019-05-03

Version 7.10

• Speed up MJPEG decode
• Green Screen Improvements
• Uploaded 2019-04-15

Version 7.05

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2019-04-03

Version 7.04

• Add a new level caching
• Aspect ratio option missing for export
• VPClip architecture
• Save export codec settings to project
• Uploaded 2019-03-27

Version 7.03

• caching with speed change.
• Uploaded 2019-02-26

Version 7.02

• Multi-threading preview (separate thread for each track)
• Add unit testing for effect.
• Save open project as template menu dropdown option for Templates button
• Uploaded 2019-02-18

Version 7.01

• Lossless now support export to different format
• [TEMPLATE] Merge template with current project
• Review Auto-detect function
• Uploaded 2019-02-08

Version 7.00

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2019-01-03

Version 6.33

• Expose voice regonition engine options
• Uploaded 2018-12-14

Version 6.32

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2018-12-14

Version 6.32

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2018-12-14

Version 6.31

• Decouple from FFMPEG
• Video effect: Noise Reduction
• Uploaded 2018-12-11

Version 6.30

• Use Speech to Text to generate subtitles
• Uploaded 2018-11-13

Version 6.29

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2018-10-31

Version 6.28

• Extract scale function in FFMPEG into cpp file without dependencies
• Make it easier to export vertical videos
• Normalise track volume
• Support more formats for lossless export
• Uploaded 2018-10-29

Version 6.24

• Improve DVD Menu Creation
• Uploaded 2018-10-06

Version 6.23

• Export Dialog Tidy
• Add tool tips to all controls on Export Dialog
• Uploaded 2018-09-26

Version 6.22

• DVD - create a menu list with the chapters,
• Uploaded 2018-09-12

Version 6.21

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2018-09-08

Version 6.20

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2018-09-01

Version 6.11

• write a enum for video codec for use in llib
• [TEMPLATE] Drop a clip to replace the existing clip
• [TEMPLATE] Overlaying Track Clip
• [TEMPLATE] Template Browser Dialog
• [TEMPLATE] Allow easily replace clips in storyboard mode
• Normalise track volume
• Improve subtitle editor and add templates
• Make timeline dockable
• Sequence and Preview Caching Improvement
• Export failure reason should be given in error message
• Uploaded 2018-05-14

Version 6.10

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2018-05-12

Version 6.03

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2018-04-13

Version 6.02

• [360 video] "View in 360" effect
• Add new transitions that are available in Desktop version.
• Add new effects that are available in Desktop version.
• Position and animate audio clips and tracks in surround sound space
• link subtitles to the clip and position
• Uploaded 2018-04-12

Version 6.01

• Align audio to the first frame of the video
• Revise text clip widgets and make them work with 360 preview mode
• Uploaded 2018-02-28

Version 6.00

• [SVAR] Adding Video Tutorials are a third tab on the preview window
• Uploaded 2018-01-13

Version 5.32

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2017-12-18

Version 5.31

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2017-12-13

Version 5.30

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2017-11-17

Version 5.30

• VST plugins
• Uploaded 2017-11-18

Version 5.21

• H.265 support improvements
• [Audio][Effect] Noise removal
• [Audio][Effect] Normalize
• Uploaded 2017-10-25

Version 5.20

• Add 360 preview aspect ratio to the preview resolution presets list and use in 360 mode unless customer choose other resolution to prevent the checkerboard patterns on top and bottom due to wrong
• Support encoding for more portable devices
• Do not restart building preview from scratch when changing in|out position.
• Fix sequence clips are not cached
• Uploaded 2017-10-16

Version 5.13

• Polish export wrizard
• Allow Drag from Clip Preview to Sequence.
• Allow Drag to Preview Windows
• Uploaded 2017-09-05

Version 5.12

• Add playback only volume control
• [SVAR] Add option to place clips on timeline automatically
• Uploaded 2017-09-01

Version 5.11

• Add iphone 7, 7plus and SE to the supported list while exporting
• SVAR - on export tell user that they are using a trial version that will expire
• [360 view] Add 'Recenter' feature
• Improve pan and zoom usability by giving more prompts
• When user click on Sequence->clip->FX, please open the Effects preview at the time matching to the time on sequence. If the time on sequence out of clips range, set the time in FX Previ
• Solution for the Memory fragmentation issue during export
• Make speed change more precisely
• Add "Multi-Split Selected Clips" function
• Add description to transition tool tips
• Audio effect: Equaliser
• Uploaded 2017-08-23

Version 5.10

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2017-08-04

Version 5.10

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2017-08-04

Version 5.04

• Better expose non destructive(lossless) editing
• Support APNG
• [Social Media] Upload to youtube as 360 video
• Title and Credits templates
• Uploaded 2017-07-14

Version 5.03

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2017-04-18

Version 5.02

• [360 Video] Add Scale parameter to Spherical Inverse(360 overlay) effect
• Add Effect letting put 2d video or picture into 360 compilation
• [360 video] Add toggle buttons on preview control panel to switch between normal and 360 preview mode
• Add description for individual effect to effect tool tips
• [360 Video] Add 360 video resolutions into the presets while exporting and 360 preset.
• [360 Video] Add widgets for editing Place in 360 effect
• Uploaded 2017-04-13

Version 5.01

• [Effect] Add Censor Effect
• Uploaded 2017-02-17

Version 5.00

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2017-02-01

Version 4.58

• Add Right click context menu on the rich edit control for text clips
• Uploaded 2016-12-14

Version 4.57

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2016-12-09

Version 4.57

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2016-12-09

Version 4.56

• Roll edit: Dragging In/Out point of sequence clip moves In/Out point of neighbouring clip
• [Minimize Memory Usage] Stop thumbnail thread while exporting
• [Minimize Memory Usage] Minimize threads for encoder according to resolution
• [Minimize Memory Usage] Keep track of encoder and decoder usage
• Automatic default export settings
• Uploaded 2016-12-07

Version 4.54

• Make creating overlapping area for transitions easier
• Uploaded 2016-08-22

Version 4.53

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2016-08-16

Version 4.52

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2016-08-02

Version 4.50

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2016-07-27

Version 4.50

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2016-07-27

Version 4.49

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2016-07-15

Version 4.49

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2016-07-15

Version 4.48

• Right click on a key frame popup context menu instead of delete the keyframe
• Uploaded 2016-07-05

Version 4.46

• Add 'Unlink Video and Audio' to the Clip menu and Clip/Sequence toolbars
• The option to Show background image while adjusting an effect.
• Uploaded 2016-06-08

Version 4.45

• Add prompt to vote on greenlight if user has steam installed and selects "I love it" when asked to rate it.
• Video effect: Vintage Movie
• Make blur effect resolution independent
• Uploaded 2016-05-26

Version 4.44

• Improve mask effect
• Ken Burns effect (pan & zoom)
• Uploaded 2016-05-19

Version 4.43

• Add effect parameter labels in animation editor
• Uploaded 2016-04-27

Version 4.41

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2016-03-21

Version 4.40

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2016-03-17

Version 4.39

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2016-03-11

Version 4.38

• Effect chain presets
• Uploaded 2016-03-05

Version 4.37

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2016-03-04

Version 4.36

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2016-03-04

Version 4.35

• Rate It
• Uploaded 2016-03-02

Version 4.34

• Add ability to open files from shared sources.
• Uploaded 2016-02-26

Version 4.33

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2016-02-23

Version 4.32

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2016-02-19

Version 4.31

• Improve effect keyframe editing
• Drag to rearrange effects
• Modeless effects dialog
• Generate effect and transition icons at install time instead of bundling resources
• Effect chain presets
• If user just clicked on a text clip and trying to modify font properties, such as B/U/I, size, color, apply those to the whole text instead of to the future typed text
• Allow user to edit effects before apply them to multiple clips
• Svariant substantive export limit
• Uploaded 2016-02-16

Version 4.30

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2015-12-31

Version 4.23

• Video transition: More 3D transitions
• [App Store] Reduce free version features
• [mac] Automatically adjust bitrate of QuickTime H264 encoder based on output resolution and framerate
• Implement Stabilise
• Uploaded 2015-12-26

Version 4.22

• Split screen tools
• Video effect: Shake
• Allow constant FPS output
• Portable project file
• Antialiasing on rotated videos
• Uploaded 2015-11-14

Version 4.21

• "Place Clip on Sequence": Use split button instead of dialog to choose method
• Uploaded 2015-10-26

Version 4.15

• Export Queue
• Improve timeline highlighting and cutting
• Uploaded 2015-10-05

Version 4.14

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2015-10-03

Version 4.13

• Use multiple processor cores to render built-in effects and transition
• Improve preview dialog
• Video transition: More 3D transitions (e.g., Cube Spin)
• Improve shadow effect
• Port live effect and transition previews
• Uploaded 2015-09-19

Version 4.12

• Live effect and transition previews
• Uploaded 2015-09-01

Version 4.11

• Save Project and Save must both allow both vpj and video outputs
• Add Zoom effect (from PhotoStage)
• On the Welcome screen the way to load selected project is not obvious.
• Uploaded 2015-08-27

Version 4.10

• Audio scrubbing
• Make it easier to select blank clip colours (move it from the popup window to the clip preview control panel)
• Use rich text for text rendering
• Use native clipboard for file copy/paste in/out
• Uploaded 2015-07-15

Version 4.09

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2015-06-20

Version 4.08

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2015-06-17

Version 4.07

• Simplify export dialog
• Improve font select drop down
• Uploaded 2015-06-06

Version 4.05

• Batch editing
• Add feature to retry uploading to social media site servers
• Uploaded 2015-05-14

Version 4.04

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2015-04-08

Version 4.03

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2015-03-27

Version 4.00

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2015-03-13

Version 3.91

• Mask video to oval, rectangle, star, etc., with optional feathering (soft / smooth edges)
• Uploaded 2015-02-20

Version 3.90

• Port H.264 lossless video export
• Uploaded 2015-02-07

Version 3.89

• Apply effects to multiple selected clips
• Uploaded 2015-02-05

Version 3.86

• Move green screen effect to the effects dialogue
• Allow recording video in 16:9 or any other resolution
• Uploaded 2015-01-28

Version 3.86

• Move green screen effect to the effects dialogue
• Allow recording video in 16:9 or any other resolution
• Uploaded 2015-01-29

Version 3.85

• Make it easier to rotate video by 90 degrees
• Uploaded 2015-01-11

Version 3.84

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2015-01-08

Version 3.83

• Video effect: Motion Blur
• Uploaded 2015-01-07

Version 3.82

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2014-12-23

Version 3.81

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2014-12-16

Version 3.80

• Lossless editing (no transcoding)
• Video effect: Colour Balance (a.k.a. Colour Correction)
• Uploaded 2014-12-12

Version 3.79

• Remove Clip preview window
• Should be able to add new video file to sequence sooner
• Sound speed change effect with pitch change
• Uploaded 2014-11-29

Version 3.78

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2014-11-02

Version 3.77

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2014-10-28

Version 3.76

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2014-10-17

Version 3.74

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2014-10-14

Version 3.73

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2014-10-10

Version 3.72

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2014-10-02

Version 3.71

• [Mac App Store] Change paid features appearance
• Uploaded 2014-09-30

Version 3.70

• Make it easier to add clips to the sequence one by one
• Uploaded 2014-09-18

Version 3.61

• Bluray burning
• Share / Export tab
• Optimise toolbar
• Uploaded 2014-08-23

Version 3.60

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2014-08-08

Version 3.59

• Draw sequence window in one paint control
• Uploaded 2014-08-01

Version 3.59

• Draw sequence window in one paint control
• Uploaded 2014-08-01

Version 3.58

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2014-07-31

Version 3.57

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2014-07-26

Version 3.55

• Mask-based transitions look crap in HD
• Uploaded 2014-07-19

Version 3.54

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2014-07-08

Version 3.53

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2014-07-02

Version 3.52

• Speed effect.
• Allow the user to re-join (un-split) track clips
• Non-destructive effects and subtitles dialogues
• Support multiple-monitor desktops
• Allow blank clips to have gradients
• Show dB meter on previews
• Uploaded 2014-07-01

Version 3.51

• Fullscreen clip preview quality is too low
• Support .srt subtitles
• Uploaded 2014-06-04

Version 3.50

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2014-05-30

Version 3.48

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2014-05-23

Version 3.47

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2014-05-23

Version 3.45

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2014-05-20

Version 3.43

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2014-05-15

Version 3.43

Version 3.42

• Clean up effect UI control and window code
• Video effect: Tiles (a.k.a. Bricks)
• Threshold: Add colour parameters and rename effect to "Two-Tone"
• Ability to see clip or sequence preview in "Video Effects" dialog
• Widgets on preview for changing effect parameters
• Ending of video on a still frame
• Video effect: Cartoon
• Uploaded 2014-05-13

Version 3.40

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2014-04-25

Version 3.39

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2014-04-19

Version 3.38

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2014-04-10

Version 3.38

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2014-04-10

Version 3.36

• Limit effects and transitions in free version
• Clip Art
• Uploaded 2014-04-09

Version 3.34

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2014-04-05

Version 3.34

Version 3.32

• Investigate usage of LMutex/LLockObject
• Uploaded 2014-04-03

Version 3.31

• "Clip Properties" should show frame rate, codec, etc.
• Should be able to select and preview clips on locked tracks
• Animate audio effect parameters over time using keyframes
• The [Effect Presets] feature for audio effects.
• #ifdef more LLib code to reduce dependencies and shrink executable size
• Early-out before calling DoesImageHaveConstantAlpha()
• Substantive use check should be on export, not project save
• Uploaded 2014-03-29

Version 3.30

• Add background colour controls to subtitles dialogue
• Allow to drag and drop files from overlay track to main sequence and vise versa.
• Cut/Copy/Paste items between Bins and Folders
• Ability to configure preview aspect ratio
• Add 'solo' button to tracks
• Allow to load image sequence as video
• Add split clip button to the clip preview controls
• Implement audio effect: Pan
• Uploaded 2014-02-20

Version 3.29

• Save / load preset parameter values for a single effect
• Uploaded 2014-01-24

Version 3.28

• Facebook upload interface needs to be improved
• Some suggestions to The Clip List area
• Original media preview on full screen mode
• Research non-destructive editing for timeline mode (roll, ripple, etc.)
• Videopad uses one core while exporting
• Add preview for the effects
• Effects dialog preview should have same controls as main window clip/sequence previews
• Save and load entire effect chain
• Threshold effect
• Add background colour property to text clip
• Uploaded 2014-01-14

Version 3.27

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2013-12-28

Version 3.26

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2013-12-24

Version 3.26

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2013-12-24

Version 3.24

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2013-12-19

Version 3.23

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2013-12-17

Version 3.23

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2013-12-17

Version 3.22

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2013-12-12

Version 3.21

• Please re-compile ffmpeg and x246x5 to use all cores
• Clip Preview - Thumbnails reloading if set in/out point
• When adding a clip to sequence from list of clips, Please copy thumbnails from cache instead of rendering them again
• Better layout for Options tabs / controls
• Change wording of 'Resolve Missing Files' dialog
• Rename "Chroma Key" to "Green Screen"
• Clip list should sort numbered clips numerically, not alphabetically
• Please add [Open Project...] and [Save Project...] btns on toolbar.
• Add right-click cut/copy/paste items
• Don't show LInfoBar advertisements for products after purchase
• YouTube upload should support HD resolutions
• Improve thumbnail generating algorithm
• 4K resolution export (Super / Ultra HD)
• Sequence control should not query data shared with background thread for sequence state
• Uploaded 2013-12-12

Version 3.20

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2013-09-25

Version 3.19

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2013-09-23

Version 3.18

• Make VPCacheManager use an RBTree instead of LList
• Uploaded 2013-09-21

Version 3.17

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2013-09-18

Version 3.16

• Splitting a clip takes time to re-creating all clip's thumbnails instead of split thumbnails
• Too much time spent caching
• Uploaded 2013-09-17

Version 3.14

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2013-09-14

Version 3.13

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2013-09-11

Version 3.12

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2013-08-27

Version 3.11

• Apply transitions to multiple selected clips
• Uploaded 2013-08-23

Version 3.10

• Please add effect rotate on custom angle
• Insert instead of overwrite when a clip is dragged from the clip bin to the sequence
• Uploaded 2013-07-29

Version 3.05

• Ticket id - 300703 Wrong aspect ratio after crop effect
• Uploaded 2013-07-19

Version 3.04

• Process of 'Generation of thumbnail images' should be optimized or reconsidered
• Show tooltips on track clip buttons (Effects, Transition, etc.)
• Undo [xyz], Redo [xyz] : To see what I 'Undo' or 'Redo'
• Undo should only reload thumbnails for affected clip(s)
• Implement priority in generation thumbnail and building cache
• Don't cache entire duration of static clip if applied effects aren't animated
• Add Suite tab to tabbed tool-bar
• Uploaded 2013-06-04

Version 3.03

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2013-03-23

Version 3.02

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2013-03-14

Version 3.01

• Maintenance release
• Uploaded 2013-02-17

Version 3.00

• Tint effect
• There is no possibility to edit/define audio effects for video clip placed in the bin and having a sound track
• Add support for mkv file format as output file format
• Uploaded 2013-01-17

Don't buy video editing software until you try out the best free video editing software first. If your needs are modest, the best free video editing software can let you do much of what the paid programs offer.

For example, if you're looking to spruce up those videos of your child's first steps, your cat doing weird things, or that concert you went to, free video editing software can go a long way to making it look and sound better. 

If you're new to video editing, these programs are also a great way to learn the fundamentals without investing your hard-earned dollars. But just because something is free doesn't mean it's good. That's why we've tested a number of the leading free video editing software programs to see just what they can do, and if they're right for you.

What is the best free video editing software?

After testing numerous suites, the best free video editing software overall is HitFilm Express 14. It works with both Macs and PCs and has a revamped interface that's powerful but easy to use and customizable to your needs.

HitFilm Express has threaded rendering, as well as GPU decoding for AMD, Intel and Nvidia GPUS on PCs, so if you have a discrete graphics chip, you should see much faster speeds when rendering video. While HitFilm is free, the company offers 30 add-on packs which range in price from around $15 up to $50, and include such features as 360-degree video editing, 3D titles, as well as advanced color-grading tools and LUTs, even audio tools such as Doppler Shift and noise reduction. 

Mac users who only need a simple video editor will find that Apple iMovie is the best free video editing software, because of its strong integration with Apple's operating system and easy-to-grasp editing tools. iMovie supports 4K video, and has some good tools for smoothing shaky video, adding titles, and even soundtracks from music in your iTunes library. However, you won't get advanced features such as 360-degree video editing and special effects. 

Of course, there are some features that can only be found in paid software packages; be sure to check out our picks for the best video editing software under $100. But if you need just the basics, you've come to the right place.

The best free video editing software you can download today

Hitfilm Express is the best free video editing software, as its high-energy style appeals to budding filmmakers who want to put a special touch on a personal event or get creative with a video blog, but it's still easy enough for the adventurous friends-and-family crowd. 

The latest version, Hitfilm Express 14, now supports resolutions up to 4K, GPU-accelerated decoding on Nvidia, AMD, and Intel graphics cards (on PCs only), changes to the interface, and native support for Dolby AC3 audio. It also supports VEGAS files and effects. And, it has a new light interface—but if you prefer a dark interface, that'll set you back $9. 

Other great features include the ability to create your own lightsaber battles, support for 4K video, as well as such features as 3D effects, 360-degree video editing and lens distortion correction from action cameras. You can also purchase a number of add-on packs, starting at around $10, to add functionality to the program.

Read our full HitFilm Express 14 review.

iMovie is the best free video editing software for Mac users, as it delivers themes, Hollywood-style trailers and video effects with minimalistic panache, a cinematic flair, and deep integration and optimization with the Mac OS. Recent updates tweaked the interface and added Touch Bar support for the latest Macs.

While you can now edit and share 4K videos, iMovie lacks features found in other free apps, such as the ability to edit 360-degree video, multicam editing and motion tracking. You also have limited control over output settings.

Because it's so deeply entwined with the macOS, iMovie was one of the fastest apps when it came to encoding video. Once that's finished, it also gives you plenty of sharing options: You can upload directly to YouTube and Vimeo, and share any video frame as an image. When you couple iMovie with iMovie Theater and iCloud, you can also view your creations on any Apple device or via Apple TV.

Read our full Apple iMovie review.

This free video editor makes it a cinch to export your creations to YouTube, Facebook, Dropbox, Flickr, Google Drive and an assortment of mobile devices through a simple pull-down menu. You have to sign in to these services first. And while YouTube uploaded directly to my channel without incident, you may have to save your video to your hard drive with social media specs and then upload to the social network yourself.

Compared to HitFilm's high-energy interface, VideoPad has a simple, soothing look which makes it the best free video editing software for novices. It works with both Macs and PCs and still lets you edit 360-degree video with the same ease as you would traditional movies, though adding text to 360-degree clips can be a bit tricky. VideoPad also lacks some of the advanced features you'll find with HitFilm, like multicam editing, high-end special effects and motion tracking, but you can purchase a number of add-ons to expand VideoPad's feature set.

Our biggest issue with VideoPad was not knowing which features were disabled in the free version versus the trial and paid versions. We found VideoPad to be a bit slower on our transcoding tests than Hitfilm, too. But that may not matter for those looking for an app that they can use to quickly and easily edit video and then upload to the social media outlet of their choice.

Read our full VideoPad review.

DaVinci is the best free video editing software for those who are more advanced. A powerful pro-level, cross platform app, you’ll want to use a system with discrete graphics to get the most out of this video editor.

The latest version of DaVinci incorporates Fusion, previously a stand-alone application, which brings with it four high-end video-production modules for editing, color correction, audio production, and video effects and motion graphics. This video editor is quite powerful, but has a bit of a learning curve. If its 256-page manual doesn't intimidate you, high-level enthusiasts will find a lot of tools at their disposal. 

DaVinci Resolve 16 is now available, and includes such new features as facial recognition, fast export to YouTube and Vimeo, and 3D audio.

Read our full DaVinci Resolve review.

VSDC has a hybrid layout that incorporates controls for both creating and editing video projects, along with links to instructional videos, which are a big help when navigating through its interface. VSDC is a non-linear editor, which gives you some more flexibility when editing, but that means it has a bigger learning curve than more traditional video editing software.

VSDC is not bad for basic edits, but its interface has a learning curve, and it lacks some popular features, such as the ability to edit 360 video. VSDC is also a Windows-only program. If you upgrade to the pro version of VSDC for $20 (good for one year for two machines), you get additional features such as technical support, a full multimedia suite, advanced settings, hardware acceleration, sub-pixel resolution, a masking tool, chroma key functionality and a visible audio waveform.

Read our full VSDC review.

Shotcut is a free, open-source, cross-platform video editor for Windows, Mac and Linux that works with a variety of video resolutions and more esoteric codecs. The platform-agnostic Shotcut appeals to prosumer and enthusiast filmmakers with its broad format support and abundant audio and video effects and editing features. However, its learning curve might be a bit much for novice users, and it lacks an easy way to share videos to popular social media sites.

We like that Shotcut's interface starts out sparsely populated; you can add windows as you see fit, through it can get cluttered quickly. In addition to being cross-platform, Shotcut also works pretty well on systems that don't have discrete graphics, making it more accessible to those who don't have thousands to spend on the latest GPUs. 

Read our full Shotcut review.

Other free video editing software to consider

Lightworks is a free video editor that's available for Macs, PCs, and even Linux systems, and has a plethora of features, including multi-track editing, background import and rendering, and a wide range of import formats. However, the free version limits the resolution of export files to 720p MP4 files. If you pay for a subscription ($24.99/month, $174/year, or a one-time fee of $473.99), this restriction is lifted, and you gain access to a host of other functions, including 3D and the ability to export files in a multitude of formats.

MovieMaker Online is just that: a web-based video editing program, which means that you can use it on any computer with a web browser. It also includes free music and stock photos and images you can add to your video, and add transitions and some basic effects. However, its interface is a bit confusing, ads are intrusive, and it only exports movies in MP4 format.

How to choose the best free video editing software 

Free vs. freemium
There's free and then there's freemium. Some software, like iMovie, is genuinely free. But just as some video-editing packages are sold in tiers — with more-expensive versions offering more and expanded features — a freemium video program may just be the lowest level of a paid version. Or it may be a trial version that hobbles the end product in various ways, like putting a huge watermark on your video or limiting output formats.

But there are variations on this theme. HitFilm, VideoPad, DaVinci Resolve and VSDC, for example, offer paid versions with high-end features that most consumers probably won't miss, but otherwise allow for full use of the basic program.

Another hidden "cost" is periodic or even constant in-line advertising or reminders that an upgrade is available. VideoPad (on the Mac) makes you verify at every launch that you are using the free version for noncommercial purposes.

Both DaVinci and VSDC mix paid features in their basic programs, but they do not explicitly mark these features as such. However, if you try to use them, you'll get an error message and an ad. We can't fault the software companies for trying to get users on board with paid versions, but just be warned that such annoyances are the hidden cost of otherwise-free video apps.

Basic features
The watchword with free apps is often which one offers the best combination of technically complex software for which you would otherwise have to shell out the big bucks. All video editors should, at the very least, have some combination of familiar features like a viewer or playback window, library, timeline, and access to transitions and effects.

Tech support and documentation
One of the big differences between paid and free software is the level of documentation and tech support; paid software has more-explicit and -detailed documentation and guides than the free versions. That said, many software packages post instructional videos of the most popular features to YouTube, and more-complex free packages may offer extensive documentation.

Many independent vendors, who are often sole proprietors in charge of the software, make themselves available to users via social media and email to assist with problems, troubleshoot, take suggestions and criticism, and otherwise oversee the software. Programs with intuitive interfaces and tool-tip hints, and even built-in tutorials to greet new users, make free software popular.

System requirements
Many free software packages technically serve most consumer hardware systems with integrated graphics, as opposed to more-powerful discrete graphics cards. If you have a consumer machine like a MacBook or a Windows laptop with integrated graphics, make sure your machine is powerful enough to run them efficiently.

Export options
Another area where free meets inconvenience may be at the tail end of the project, when you want to export your video, only to discover that the free version will not output to your desired format. Before you start using a free package, make sure that it will save your video to the platform and resolution you need, whether your video will eventually wind up on YouTube or on a Blu-ray disc.

How we test free video editing software

In order to determine which is the best free video editing software, we examine a number of different aspects of the software. For starters, how "free" is it? Some so-called free software is hobbled with limited features or watermarks on all your videos unless you pay a fee. We look at what you actually get for free, versus what you have to pay for.

Next we look at the software's interface. Video editing software that's targeted towards novices should be easy to use, with plenty of guides to help you along the way.

And then, of course, we test these programs by actually editing video, taking note of the workflow, the ease with which we can add such things as filters, transitions, effects, text, and more.