Free and open first

Best Video Creation And Editing Software in 2026

These tools let you create, edit, animate, and publish videos for projects, social posts, lessons, and other uses. The list covers desktop, mobile, browser, and Linux options.

30 apps
Research read 7 Oct 2026
How the order is worked out

1

Adobe Premiere
by Adobe Premiere
Free plan AndroidiPhoneMac+1

7.7 Free plan · 7-day trial Visit site
2

CapCut

Free plan AndroidiPhoneMac+2

CapCut brings a broad set of editing and AI tools to mobile, desktop, and web, with a free plan and 4K export.

7.6 Free plan Visit site
3

Alight Motion

Free plan AndroidiPhoneMac

Alight Motion offers layered motion-design tools, keyframe control and several export formats across mobile platforms.

7.5 Free plan Visit site
4

CyberLink PowerDirector
by CyberLink PowerDirector
Free plan AndroidiPhoneMac+1

Choose PowerDirector if you want desktop or mobile editing, 4K export, and a free plan without a time limit.

7.5 Free plan · paid from $79.99/yr Visit site
5

DaVinci Resolve

Free plan LinuxMacWindows

DaVinci Resolve covers a wide range of post-production work, with a free tier and a $295 Studio edition.

7.4 Free plan · paid from $295 Visit site
6

FlexClip
by FlexClip
Free plan AndroidiPhoneWeb+1

FlexClip pairs a broad editing toolkit with AI features and cloud imports, and supports exports up to 4K.

7.4 Free plan · paid from $19.99/mo Visit site
7

Fliki

Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+1

Choose Fliki if text-to-video, image-to-video, AI avatars, or API access match your video workflow.

7.4 Free plan · paid from $8/user/mo Visit site
8

Animoto

Free plan iPhoneWeb

Animoto offers a free way to create and host videos, with paid plans adding features such as watermark removal and 4K export.

7.3 Free plan Visit site
9

InVideo AI

Free plan AndroidAPIExtension+2

Pick InVideo AI if you need text-to-video or image-to-video creation, AI avatars, and support for commercial use. The free plan has a weekly quota reset, while Ultra’s listed price is billed annually.

7.3 Free plan Visit site
10

KineMaster
by KineMaster
Free plan WindowsMaciPhone+1

Pick KineMaster if you want cross-platform desktop and mobile video editing with 4K export, collaboration, and 10 GB of cloud storage.

7.3 Free plan · paid from $7.99/mo Visit site
11

iMovie

Free plan AndroidiPhoneMac

Its free plan, 4K support, cross-device projects, and education features cover a wide range of video projects.

7.2 Free plan Visit site
12

Kapwing
by Kapwing
Free plan MacWebWindows

Kapwing provides browser-based editing tools, including transcript editing and silence removal, with 4K available on supported plans.

7.2 Free plan · paid from $16/mo (annual) Visit site
13

Lightworks

Free plan APILinuxMac+1

Choose Lightworks if you want a desktop editor with timeline tools, collaboration features, and a free plan.

7.2 Free plan Visit site
14

Kdenlive
by Kdenlive
Free plan LinuxMacWindows

Kdenlive combines a broad set of editing tools, 4K export, and support for common desktop platforms at no charge.

7.1 Free plan Visit site
15

Microsoft Clipchamp
by Microsoft Clipchamp
Free plan MacWebWindows

Clipchamp offers a free browser and desktop editor with core editing, recording, and AI tools. The listed premium features include 4K exports and stock assets, while there is no mobile app listed.

7.0 Free plan Visit site
16

OpenShot Video Editor
by OpenShot Video Editor
Free plan LinuxMacWindows

OpenShot offers a broad set of desktop editing, effects, title, and recording tools under a free plan. Its listed platforms exclude browser-based and mobile editing.

7.0 Free plan Visit site
17

VEED
by VEED
Free plan AndroidExtensioniPhone+1

VEED brings video creation, editing, subtitles, translation, and branding tools together across web and mobile.

7.0 Free plan · paid from $9/mo (annual) Visit site
18

VN Video Editor
by VN Video Editor
Free plan AndroidiPhoneMac+1

VN Video Editor offers editing, AI tools, high-resolution export, and cross-platform project sharing. Review the free-plan limits and platform-specific Pro subscription terms before choosing a plan.

7.0 Free plan Visit site
19

Shotcut
by Shotcut
Free plan LinuxMacWindows

Shotcut combines timeline editing, extensive format support, and a range of audio and video tools at no cost.

6.9 Free plan Visit site
20

Wondershare Filmora

Free plan AndroidiPhoneMac+2

Filmora combines timeline editing, AI creation and analysis, and a large listed asset library.

6.9 Free plan Visit site
21

VSDC Free Video Editor

Free plan iPhoneWindows

Choose VSDC if you want a Windows editor with high-resolution support and free exports without a watermark or duration limit.

6.7 Free plan · paid from $29.99/yr Visit site
22

Runway

Free plan API

Choose Runway if you need video generation with text or image input, AI avatars, API access or commercial use.

6.6 Free plan · paid from $12/mo (annual) Visit site
23

WeVideo
by WeVideo
Free plan AndroidiPhone

WeVideo combines browser and mobile editing with cloud autosave, multiple export formats, and plan-dependent resolution up to 4K.

6.6 Free plan · paid from $4.99/mo (annual) · 7-day trial Visit site
24

Adobe After Effects
by Adobe After Effects
Free trial MacWindows

After Effects focuses on animation and visual effects, with useful links to Premiere and Photoshop workflows.

6.3 7-day trial Visit site
25

Final Cut Pro

Free trial iPhoneMac

Final Cut Pro pairs editing tools with Mac and iPad workflows, including 4K export and a broad list of supported formats.

6.1 From $2.99/mo Visit site

#1Places #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 on this list can be bought by the makers of the software on it. See the price

Use the list to weigh free plans and trials, entry-level paid prices, supported platforms, export resolution, watermark-free output, collaboration, stock media, and video-length limits. If code access matters, check the tool's open-source licence before choosing.

Questions

Which platforms do these tools support?

The selection covers Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, web, and Linux. Check the platform details for the tool you plan to use.

Are free plans available?

Yes. Items on the list offer free plans, while others use paid pricing or freemium models. Review the plan's export and feature limits before deciding.

Do any tools offer free trials?

A free trial is available from items on the list. Check the trial length, included features, and what happens when it ends.

Which paid entry prices appear on the list?

The listed starting points are $49.99 for Apple Motion, $2.99 per month for Final Cut Pro, $8 per user per month for Fliki, and $295 for a DaVinci Resolve paid plan.

Which export specifications matter?

Review the highest available resolution and whether exports carry a watermark. Also check maximum video length, since limits can affect your project.

How do I check for open-source access?

Read the individual tool's licence terms. They explain whether the source code can be read, changed, and shared.

Questions

More in Design, Video & Audio