The best video editing software (for beginners)

Good time everyone!

If 10-15 years ago, shooting a video in normal quality was another problem, today it can be done on almost any smartphone in the mid-price range. But for its subsequent processing and editing - they have not yet come up with an ideal tool (although, of course, you can get used to everything) ...

Because I am periodically asked how and in what it is better to mount your video (postcard, clip, etc.), I will try in this article to give the most simple * and effective programs for video editing for beginners (* of course, various two-button options, where there are almost no functions - I do not take into account) .

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👉 By the way!

Before working with video, I recommend updating the codecs.

I would recommend making a choice in favor of the K-Lite Codec Pack, the "Mega" version (when installing, select the "Lots of stuff" option). Thus, you will have all the most necessary video and audio codecs for work in your system.

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Video editing and processing software (for beginners)

Video Editing 👌

Official website: //video-editor.su/

Creating a video in Video-Editing / Clickable

In my humble opinion, this program is one of the best for beginners. Firstly, it has a very simple interface (all stages of creating a video are divided into sequential steps).

Secondly, it is powerful enough and allows you to create a completely high-quality video (without any professional skills).

Thirdly, it supports videos of various formats (i.e. you can add any video captured on your phone, downloaded somewhere on the network, etc.)

Features of Video-Editing Software:

1. one of the simplest video editing programs (all actions follow the steps, see the screen above);
2. the program supports all popular video formats: MP4, AVI, MKV, etc. (you can add videos from webcams, recorders, phones, etc. (DV, HD, HDV) to the editor);
3. the ability to create greeting video cards;
4. a large collection of various effects, frames, titles, slides (all this is added to the project with one click of the mouse);
5. the ability to work with a chroma key. If anyone does not know: you can remove the background from your video and add the background you need through the editor. And woo-a-la: by recording a video in your room, you will find yourself somewhere on the seashore (everything is also done simply and quickly (available in the new version of the software));
6. easy insertion of background music, voice acting;
7. the ability to improve the quality of the video (I talked about this here);
8. Russian language support;
9. the ability to save videos in many formats: AVI, DVD, Quick Time, Flash, etc.

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Bolide Movie Creator

Official site: //movie-creator.com/rus/

Note: in the free version, there will be a small watermark in the corner of your saved video (in principle, it does not interfere in any way and the program can be fully used).

Bolide Movie Creator - main window screenshot / Clickable

Movie Creator is a very high quality, functional and intuitive editor. Its interface is very similar to other professional products, however, it is not overloaded with various specials. "thin" tools that are not needed by the average user.

Thanks to this, you can deal with it quickly enough and move on to the creative component ...

Features:

1. very user-friendly interface: just a few tabs (photo / video, audio, effects, transitions, more), moving through which, you can change the video beyond recognition;
2. all added effects, transitions, and other elements are immediately displayed in the preview window;
3. support for all the most popular formats: AVI, MPEG, AVI, VOB, MP4, DVD, WMV, 3GP, MOV, MKV;
4. the possibility of gluing or cutting (accuracy: up to a frame!) of all added videos;
5. quite a lot of different effects, titles, etc. (and most importantly, they are very easy to use - see the screen below, just 2 clicks!);
6. the ability to add audio tracks (including recording sound from a microphone: for example, it is convenient to sound some moments in the video);
7. video voice enhancement function;
8. image stabilization (very useful if you were shooting video with your phone with a shaky hand ... );
9. full support for the Russian language, OS Windows Vista, 7, 8, 10;
10. the ability to save video in formats: AVI, MKV, WMV, MP4, GIF (you can create animation!).

Bolide Movie Creator Effects / Clickable

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AVS Video Editor

Official website: //www.avs4you.com/

Note: many instructions for steps in Russian are presented on this page - //www.avs4you.com/ru/guides/index.aspx

AVS Video Editor - main program window

A powerful video editor with good support in Russian (all the most typical operations are disassembled in step-by-step instructions on the official website, the link is given above).

By the way, this editor impresses me also because it includes the functions of some other programs. For example, it allows you to record video from your desktop, webcam and sound from a microphone (i.e., you can immediately record, for example, your own video, and edit it - we speed up the work 2-3 times!).

Features:

1. the editor works with most video formats: AVI, VOB, MP4, DVD, WMV, 3GP, MOV, MKV, H.263 / H.264, etc .;
2. support for resolutions: Full HD, 2k Quad HD, 4k Ultra HD and DCI 4K;
3. trimming, cutting, rotating, gluing, etc. - all this the program does at the click of the mouse!
4. the ability to burn DVD discs;
5. the ability to import video not only from the hard disk, but also from various devices: DV, web, VHS cameras, tuners, phones, etc.;
6. the ability to create colorful slide shows;
7. the ability to work with Blu-Ray video;
8. a wide variety of original effects, transitions, texts and other elements (see a couple of screenshots below);
9. the ability to create a slide show;
10. support for Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 10, the program is completely in Russian.

AVS Video Editor - titles / Clickable

AVS Video Editor - Effects / Clickable

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VSDC

Official website: //www.videosoftdev.com/

Note: the program is free.

VSDC

This video editor is somewhat more complicated than the previous two (a kind of golden mean between programs for beginners and more difficult for professionals).

You may notice that the program's interface is made in a slightly different style and is a bit cluttered (however, after a while it seems that there are not so many tools ...).

In general, I note that although VSDC does not belong to professional editors, nevertheless, it has a lot of functions in its arsenal (effects, blurring, transitions, sound and color correction, image stabilization, etc.), thanks to which with its help you can create very colorful videos: videos, animations, postcards, etc.

VSDC - creating a new project

Features:

1. a multifunctional nonlinear editor (this means that any added and edited objects can be located anywhere in the video and overlap each other (in linear ones - the added objects are arranged in some order));
2. a large number of video and audio effects;
3. support for all popular video / audio formats: AVI, MP4, DIVX, etc. (including support for high-quality FullHD, 4k video);
4. you can export videos for phones, set-top boxes, DVD players, etc.;
5. function for video stabilization (it will be very helpful when working with dynamic scenes);
6. capture video from the desktop (from the windows of some programs), from other external devices;
7. Supports all popular versions of Windows 2000/2003 / XP / Vista / 7/8/10.

VSDC - at first, eyes run up, but then it seems that something is missing ...

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Avidemux

Official website: //fixounet.free.fr/avidemux/

Note: available not only for Windows, but also for Linux, Mac OS X. Supports Russian (when downloading from the developer's site - after installing the software, it is selected automatically).

Avidemux - main program window

Avidemux is a free open source video editor. Despite the fact that the program was released not so long ago (comparatively), it almost immediately came to the attention of video lovers.

In general, this is a non-linear editor that allows you to fully edit video / audio tracks, insert subtitles, previews, etc. The program supports all the most popular audio and video formats.

Generally speaking, this editor is more functional than any Windows Movie Maker, but much simpler than Sony Vegas, Lightworks, etc.professional products. In my humble opinion, it is an excellent solution for creating first videos and home videos.

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Movavi editor

Official website: //www.movavi.ru/

Note: the program is paid. The free version has been greatly reduced, and although it is possible to work with it, it is problematic (good only for acquaintance).

Movavi video editor - screen for working with the program / Clickable

Movavi Video Editor is a pretty good program for creating your first clips, videos, video presentations, and other similar content.

The editor is distinguished by its friendliness to the novice user, the presence of a large number of filters, transitions, titles, and other useful things that are often needed to give the video originality and effect.

Features:

1. support for all the most popular media formats: AVI, MP3, MP4, DVD, MKV, etc .;
2. the ability to create video in the "picture" in "picture" format;
3. function for improving video quality (adjusting brightness, contrast, stabilization, etc.);
4. the ability to create GIF animation;
5. built-in wizards for an easier process of creating your first video;
6. the ability to add audio tracks, sound effects, etc. in 2-3 mouse clicks;
7. a wide variety of filters, transitions, titles, effects;
8. exporting video to formats
9. low system requirements: 1.5 GHz processor, 1 GB of RAM (Windows 7, 8, 10).

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Shotcut

Official website: //shotcut.org/

Note: the program is free.

Shotcut - screen of work with the program

Although Shotcut is free, it can be compared to professional video editors in its capabilities!

The principle of working with it is similar: your prepared videos, clips, sound recordings are placed on the video / audio tracks in the desired order, effects, transitions, previews and other elements are added to them. All this ultimately comes together in one beautiful project!

In general, I would recommend switching to this editor after you become familiar with the above. Some points in it are not so obvious to beginners ...

I will also note several interesting features:

1. the interface is completely customizable: you can arrange its individual parts in different windows (and even on different monitors!);
2. all popular media formats are supported (including high-quality video in 4K);
3. there are interesting video effects that will help improve the image in clips;
4. built-in equalizer in edited video recordings;
5. you can work with both Windows and OS X with Linux.

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VideoPad

Official website: //www.nchsoftware.com/

Note: the free version has limited functionality.

VideoPad main window - screenshot

In general, a free * video editor that allows you to create videos / clips / slideshows / presentations (and even entire movies) in high quality. Possesses all the most essential tools.

Many users, judging by the screen above, may find the program quite complicated, but it has a built-in guide for beginners (it will tell you about the basic operations).

By the way, thanks to him, you can make your first video quickly enough. Actually, that's why I included this software in the review ...

Features:

1. support for most video file formats: AVI, WMV, ASF, MPG, 3GP, MP4, MOV, etc.;
2. variety of filters, effects and transitions;
3. support for high quality video resolutions 1080p and 4K;
4. the ability to connect external multimedia devices (for example, cameras, tuners, etc.);
5. the ability to fine-tune the brightness, color, contrast of the picture;
6. the resulting project can be saved to HDD or "sent" directly to popular video hosting sites;
7. Russian support;
8. the ability to burn DVD, Blu-ray, HD-DVD discs, as well as export video for such mobile gadgets as iPod, iPhone, PSP.

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Add-ons are welcome ...

Good videos and good luck!

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First publication: 06.01.2019

Correction: 10/16/2020