Top 10 Easy Video Editors to Rid You of Complicated Video Processing

"I'm looking for an easy video editor that requires minimum effect to highlight my summer trip. A couple of editing tools I've tried are a bit intimidating, with so many complicated features I don't even know. So an intuitive UI is preferred."

Video editing software companies are high on playing a game of one-upmanship. This brings out incredibly rich features, but results in complexity in the process. Even cutting out a scene demands hours of work. Users, especially first-time users, have to spend exponentially more hours getting to grips with the confusing features, some being even shiny "bells and whistles". In fact, editing videos won't be rocket science as long as you own a video editor that is easy to use.

5 Criteria: What Kind of Video Editor Is Easy to Use

1. An easy video editor will simplify the whole setup process. You don't have to install the program for long. And it shall be easy to use and update in the future process.

2. You can get quick access to every basic video editing feature such as cut, crop, rotate, merge, etc.

3. Advanced editing is a cake walk with a self-explanatory interface. You can stabilize shaky footage, add force subtitle, correct lens distortion, apply color correction effects, speed up footage, and more much faster, thus saving your time greatly.

4. Easy video editing software will boast a seamless editing experience, from importing the 4K or HD media file, editing your story, to outputting your project, whether it is uploading on YouTube or saving on phone.

5. The best video editing software shouldn't come at the sacrifice of quality and speed. Alongside the quick to learn UI, the program, especially when processing 4K and large-sized videos, should undergo at a relatively fast speed, without any freezing or lagging, yet the final edit shall be kept at the maximum level.

There are many video editing softwares that are classified as simple tools, along with the most essential editing features under the hood. Just check to jump to one of video editing programs you like below.

#1. VideoProc Converter AI #2. OpenShot #3. Movavi #4. VSDC #5. iMovie
#6. Shotcut #7. Avidemux #8. Movie Maker #9. WeVideo #10. FlexClip

The Easiest Video Editing Software That Anyone Can Use

The software below is listed based on the criteria mentioned above so that you can do any video edits as simple as possible. Just check it below.

#1. VideoProc Converter AI (Windows and Mac)

Overview: The easiest and fastest video editor so far that takes advantages of level-3 hardware acceleration without yielding quality loss. It features a well-designed interface that even the beginners and non-techie users can master all the video editing features in the shortest amount of time.

Feature review: VideoProc Converter AI is a powerful yet easy video processing software geared towards beginners for straightforward video editing. Built in the broadest range of video codec library, it supports virtually all 4K/1080p/720p videos from GoPro, iPhone, DJI drone, HD camcorders, and more, be it HEVC, H.264, MKV, MTS, or MOV.

Every basic and important command is located on the main interface cleanly, so that you can cut, crop, put multiple clips together, rotate, add subtitles and more directly without a hassle. The minimalistic interface makes it surprisingly easy to get even the advanced video editing jobs done with a minimum of efforts. Whether you want to stabilize shaky GoPro/iPhone footage, apply stunning effect, make gif, speed up your clip, remove background noise from your video, or make M3U8 playlist, there is no technical savvy required. You can resize large 4K videos, export to UHD content with the highest possible quality, record screen, download online videos, convert DVD discs, save them in various formats, and upload to YouTube, Instagram, Vimeo, etc with ease.

How Easy It Is to Process Video with VideoProc

VideoProc Converter AI features one-step setup. You can simply download the easy video editor on Windows or Mac from its official page. The download process is pretty fast and quick. You can follow the steps below to finish video processing quickly and easily.

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Step 1: Add Video Source: Click +Video button to import the source file. You can add more than one file and even a video folder at your disposal.

Step 2: Choose Output Format: Go to the bottom of the main interface and choose the target format from the categories: Popular | Video | Device | Music. For the widest compatibility, we recommend MP4 H.264. You can also switch to Device profile, where common, mobile, web and other profiles are listed.

Step 3: Edit Video

Basic editing: There are basic editing features including effect, watermark, cut, crop, rotate, subtitle showing on top of the main interface, where you can enable them to suit your specific needs.

Advanced toolbox: Still you can initiate the advanced editing features at the bottom of the main interface. Such as remove disturbing noise, split a long video into multiple clips or by seconds, deshake and denoise GoPro footage, create gif, and more.

Step 4: Output the edited file: Click RUN button to begin output the file in a designed format, after which you can share your project on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram or send it to your friends.

Bonus: Stuttering, lagging, and losing the original quality are the last things most people want. Fortunately, VideoProc Converter AI features unique level-3 hardware acceleration that promises the smoothest and fastest video processing, without compromising any video quality.

#2. OpenShot (windows, mac, linux)

Overview: The whole video editing workflow is simple, with easy to use templates, video rendering and exporting.

Feature review: OpenShot is an open source and free video editing software for Windows, Mac and Linux. Customers gives a lot of credit to the highly intuitive user interface that makes it feel extremely easy to trim, organize, animate, add transitions, apply music effects (including 3D effects) to video projects. It is the go-to editor especially when you want to create a video with an tense soundtrack.

Similar to other open-source tool, OpenShot is a bit amateur in transition and can be buggy occasionally. For example, the free video editing software has a tendency to lag, freeze for few minutes and even crash at times. And some features may be malfunctioning. But you can get through the issues by taking advantages of the huge community of users.

How Simple It Is to Edit Video with OpenShot

Featuring a dark grey material design, OpenShot allows you to access all the resources needed for video editing with ease.

Step 1: Drag and drop to add a project file the way like VideoProc Converter AI. Or you can right click on the Project Files tab to select the file.

Step 2: Arrange the video on the timeline.

Step 3: Go to Editor Bar to access the features that are cleared marked with respective icons. Click on Transitions tab and drag and drop the effect to tracks timeline, where you can change the duration, extend effect box, etc. Click on the Effects tab if you want to apply chromatic and brightness effects.

Step 4: If you've imported a music file in step 1, you can drag it onto the track on the timeline.

Step 5: Choose one from the preset export options and then click on the Export Video icon at the top of the screen.

Bonus: OpenShot has unlimited tracks/layer and is powerful with many add-ons such as 3D animated titles.

#3. Movavi Video Editor (Windows and Mac)

Overview: This video editor makes your video processing easier than ever with an easy-to-use interface and pre-made templates.

Feature review: Despite Whether you’re a beginner or pro video editor, Movavi Video Editor offers a set of dynamic tools that fit what you need like shot stabilization, picture-in-picture and transitions. Compatible with both Windows and Mac, it’s got an intuitive interface with clear symbols that’s simple to get started with.

The app also equips users with AI features like background removal, noise removal and motion tracking to save their time and boost their creativity for impressive products.

How Fast It Is to Export Your First Video with Movavi

Simple to get onboarded with, Movavi Video Editor offers a user-friendly interface that lets you process your videos easily. Follow the below steps to try editing your videos.

Step 1. Upload videos from your device.

Step 2. Drag and drop your footage into the visual timeline.

Step 3. Trim, cut and combine your videos, then organize them in the expected order.

Step 4. From the editing bar above the timeline, you can choose to add graphics or text, and apply special effects. Liven up your video with music and sound effects.

Step 5. Review the final draft and make necessary adjustments. Export your final videos.

Bonus: You can choose to upload your videos directly from Movavi to Youtube, Vimeo or Google Drive without leaving the app.

#4. VSDC Free Video Editor (Windows)

Overview: A totally free yet easy video editing program with very robust features such as video stabilization, picture-in-picture, etc, which you won't find in other freeware.

Feature review: Despite VSDC features an old-fashioned interface, it won't throw any hurdle in creating and editing video projects thanks to the drag-n-drop, step-by-step wizard mode. You don't need to be skillful to enter the world of video editing - split, cut, mute, flip, rotate video, add titles, images, lybrics, background music, mix several clips, remove unwanted tracks, control different transparent layers. It gives you full control over the video resolution, bit rate, frame rate, quality and more.

Bear in mind VSDC only works with Windows 32-bit system. It offers a limited number of transitions, filters and effects, and you cannot preview the video right in the timeline editor. Besides, exporting 4K video is extremely slow in the free video editing software since it doesn't support hardware acceleration.

How Quick to Learn the Video Editing with VSDC

VSDC free video editor works with video, audio and image files.

After you download and install the program, click New Project button to create your own project. Then you can start the main editing operations: cut unwanted parts of the file by hitting the scissor-shaped icon on the top part of the interface or split it into the multiple ones with the same size. Go to Video effects on the menu bar to choose the necessary effects. And then configure the output settings. Just give it a try.

Bonus: Video project once made in HD/4K quality can be shared on YouTube, Facebook, Vimeo and more directly in very little time.

#5. iMovie (Mac)

Overview: An elegant Mac-based free video editor for beginners that makes basic video editing a breeze, though lacking some bells and whistles.

Feature review: iMovie crowns the list of best easy video editors for Mac, all credit to its beautifully designed interface for beginners or quick projects. Every edit in iMovie is simple and free, from cropping, pan-and-zoom effect, slight color tweaks, noise reduction, panning, applying themes, to simple transitions. The latest version 10.1.9 works with macOS 10.13.2 and later, with more color options and good quality enhancement.

iMovie isn't functioning as professional video editing software like Premiere CC, it does have the features for quick editing. But this can be the biggest denounce of iMovie as it sacrifices many professional editing features for the sake of ease of use. For example, this program lacks multicam, motion tracking, text fonts and styles that can be layered over the videos. You will be restricted by the limited output controls, and experience lags when you processing 4k videos.

How Easy It Is to Edit a Video with iMovie

Every edit in iMovie is at your fingertips. Just drop down menus and pop-up window will guide you to the video editing process.

Step 1: Add clip to a project, you can plug your iDevice into your Mac via USB cable to import the file.

Step 2: Click on Projects > Create New. You can make a trailer or movie at will.

Step 3: Do specific edit such as cut clips, add transitions, split and change the length or speed, zoom/rotate video, add filters/effects, do picture-in-picture, etc.

Step 4: Export an iMovie. You can opt for Theatre, Email, iTunes, YouTube, Facebook, and more at the output option.

Bonus: iMovie enhances the audio by reducing background noise and boosting the audio level of quiet clip, which other free editors won't have.

#6. Shotcut (Windows, Mac, Linux)

Overview: A great free alternative for easy video editing as Windows Movie Maker discounted. You will be surprised by the depth of features and editing capabilities without needing too much effort to get the hang of the free editing tool.

Feature review: Though not as simple as the above 4 video editing software, Shotcut still bears a well-designed interface that makes it far more bare-bones than any of the commercial video editors. The program eases video editing process but doesn't compromise the editing solutions. Instead, it supports 4k source, outputs high-quality project, do color correction, chroma key, rearrange the workspace to your liking, without exposing much more complexity in video processing.

Processing is a little slow. And it will be better if there are ready-made export profiles for different devices or built-in sharing to popular sites.

How Easy the Shotcut Is to Edit a Video

You can follow the steps below to get started editing your video after you download the easy video editor on your computer.

Step 1: Add video clips, audio or images by dragging and dropping and enable the timeline panel on the top menu.

Step 2: After that, you can add, resize and edit a transition such as a fade.

Step 3: Add text, filter, normalize audio, stabilize video, adjust brightness, etc.

Step 4: Click Save button and tap Export to render your video for viewing. H.264 main profile is recommended if you want to upload to a web site.

Bonus: Innumerous audio and video filters give you more choices to create sparkling videos.

#7. Avidemux (Windows, Mac, Linux)

Overview: A free and intuitive video editor purpose built for simple video cutting, encoding and filtering jobs.

Feature review: If you are completely new to video editing, AVidemux is a good place to go. With a spartan interface, Avidemux makes it the top-choice for quick edits and cuts. It's available for you to copy, delete and append a video clip to another. This tool also support a wide range of file types, ranging from MP4, ASF, AVI, DivX, Xvid to DVD compatible MPG.

How to Use Avidemux to Achieve Simple Video Editing

Step 1: Join video clips. Go to File and Open to choose the video clip. Select Append to add another clip to the end.

Step 2: Cut video. Move the navigation bar at the bottom of the video to set the start and end segments of the video. You can also go to Edit > Delete to remove the segment.

Step 3: Change the format and file size. Go to Audio > choose the specific format > select your video and audio codecs such as MPEG4, MPEG2, and more > choose the format you like. You can then set the Custom size as you want.

Step 4: Add filters. Click Filters button to select the filter. And transform your video, adjust colors and subtitles.

Step 5: Preview and save your project. Go to the Output button and press Save in the top row of the icons. It takes a few minutes to complete the encoding, depending on the source of the file.

Bonus: Avidemux has a mass of export options, giving you total control how your project is encoded.

#8. Windows Movie Maker (Windows)

Overview: A Windows-dedicated video editing tool that is free to use and creates home movies from video clips, music and photos by simple drag-and-drop.

Feature review: As a pre-installed program, there is no need to install any video editing software. This makes Movie Maker as the go-to editor for many Windows users, who are not quite demanding of the editing features. Basic features are available, including video trimming, joining, adding background music and text caption. You can also step up for more advanced features easily like image filter and transition effects. Windows Movie Maker was officially discontinued on January 10, 2017 but you can still find some installation packages on third-party sites.

How to Edit Video with Windows Movie Maker

You can follow the steps below to get started editing your video after you download the easy video editor on your computer.

Step 1: Start a project. After you open WMM, rename and save the project by choosing Save project as from the main menu.

Step 2: Import the video. The process is easy to finish by just clicking Add videos and photos under the home menu.

Step 3: Drag and drop the clips to rearrange the sequence. Go to Video Tools to split, trim, delete the video clip and change the speed as per your needs. Go to Animations menu to add transitions if you want.

Step 4: Go to Add videos and photos button and select your photo in the Storyboard. Change the Duration of your photos when the Video Tools appear.

Step 5: Animate your text, change fonts and sizes in Text Tools.

Step 6: Go to Add music button to add sources from Vimeo and Free Music Archive. Then change music volume, add fades, and split the track.

Step 7: Click the Save movie button to export your final video.

Bonus: Innumerous audio and video filters give you more choices to create sparkling videos.

#9. WeVideo (Cloud-based)

Overview: A cloud-based online movie maker that makes video editing and sharing simple and fun with an easy-to-use interface.  

Feature review: With no requirement on installation, Wevideo is generally easier to work with for the beginners than a more professional tool in video editing field whenever you have access to internet. The tool offers a wide range of features, including cloud storage, motion titles, screencasting, music library, slow motion, voiceover, filters and visual effect. On top of that, the WeVideo JumpStart technology makes video editing pretty easy in the cloud without having to wait for locally stored files to load. However, you have to understand online video editing tool is slower than common desktop software, so the rendering time is slow.

How Easy It Is to Edit Video with WeVideo

WeVideo offers a slew of solutions to finish video edits easily, whether you are going to use motion titles, add a theme, watermark, transition, text, remove or split a clip, or fade in and out audio. Follow the WeVideo tutorial here to suit your need.

Bonus: Since it is cloud based, you won't worry about the OS compatibility. The video editor works great on Mac, Windows, IOS, Android, Chromebook.

#10. FlexClip Video Maker (Online)

Overview: An all-in-one platform for creating slideshows, marketing promos, ads, social media videos, and personal stories.

Feature review: FlexClip provides an easy-to-understand interface that empowers users of any level to create and edit videos without hassle. More than hundreds of customizable templates will give you creative ideas and simplify your working process. You will find a vast library of stock media choices in FlexClip, including high-resolution photos, royalty-free footage, and music. All are available for commercial use.

How to Edit Videos Easily with FlexClip Video Maker

To turn your ideas into amazing video artwork, you just need to follow the steps:

Step 1. Enter FlexClip official site and click on Make A Free Video button to get started. No registration required.

Step 2. On the template page, choose your favorite template to customize. Or start from scratch to create a new project.

Step 3. Once you enter the editing canvas, you can upload your own videos, photos, and music files to use. Or search from over one million pieces of stock media choices.

Step 4. On the left side panel, you can add text overlays, and edit the text font, color, size, place, etc. to your liking.

Step 5. Go to the top editing bar. Here you can apply filters, adjust speed, rotate, and rotate footage.

Step 6. At the storyboard, add transitions between different slides. Many preset transition effects are included.

Step 7. Once the process is finished, you can save it in the cloud or download it as an MP4 file. To use this tool, you do not need to register. However, when saving it online, you will have to.

Bonus: Although FlexClip works online in a browser, it seems particularly simple and ideal for executing jobs and making surprise videos.