Along with using this software in our day-to-day jobs, and getting feedback from fellow creatives on how useful they find them, we've also formally reviewed the majority of tools on this list. When choosing, we drew on our personal experience on Windows and Mac computers, as well as the best video editing apps for iOS, Android and Chromebooks. If that suits, see the three quick links below, or our guide to the best premium video editing software. If this isn't an option, you could use a free trial for paid-for software instead (but this will put you on a time limit).

If you're not paying, you'll have to put up with some drawbacks such as watermarks or branded intros, plus you may have a limited range of export formats. But beginners might find it intimidating (new to video editing? See our video editing for beginners guide.)

This is largely why Da Vinci Resolve has taken the crown for the best of the best free software for professional work – it is brimming with sophisticated features like colour grading and smart video stabilisation, making it ideal for high-end content (including full-scale TV and movies). Here, we've listed the most popular free video editing software and tools on the market, taking into account the varying skill levels of users.

Lightworks pro vs premiere