Best video editors for PC in 2026

OpenShot is open source and runs on Windows, Linux, Mac and Chrome OS. The current version is 4.1.1, updated November 2, 2026, with an installer of 237 MB under the GPL-3.0 licence. The developer is OpenShot Studios, LLC.

It is presented as a tool for videos, films and animations, with an interface meant to be easy to pick up. That makes it a reasonable first stop for someone who wants a free editor without a steep learning curve. Confirm that the effects and export options you need are there before you commit to a project.

Avidemux is the smallest full editor on this list apart from MKVToolNix, at 38.1 MB. It is built for simple cutting, filtering and encoding rather than layered projects. The catalog lists version 2.8.1 under GPL-2.0, from the developer Avidemux.

It reads many formats, including AVI, DVD-compatible MPEG, MP4 and ASF, using a variety of codecs. Repeated work can be automated through projects, a job queue and scripting. The catalog shows its last update as September 21, 2022, which is the oldest date among the ten, so expect no recent changes.

CapCut comes from Bytedance Pte. Ltd. and is freeware at version 9.5.0.4050, updated September 11, 2026. At 533.7 MB it is the largest download among the ten.

It is framed as all-in-one software for creating, uploading and sharing video, with a frame-by-frame track editor and a cloud drive. Because it is freeware rather than open source, you cannot inspect or modify the code.

MKVToolNix is not a timeline editor. It is a set of tools to create, alter and inspect Matroska files, and it runs on Windows as well as Linux and other Unices. Moritz Bunkus is the developer, and the catalog lists version 103.0.0, updated October 18, 2026.

At 35.2 MB under GPL-2.0, it is the smallest download here. It suits people who need to inspect or restructure MKV files rather than cut scenes and add effects. For anything with titles, transitions or color work, pair it with one of the full editors on this page.

Kdenlive stands for KDE Non-Linear Video Editor. It is developed by KDE e.V. and licensed under the GPL. The current version is 26.08.2, updated October 13, 2026, at 129.4 MB.

The project is primarily aimed at Linux and relies on Qt and the MLT framework. Windows versions exist, but they come with some drawbacks, and the project points to a Windows Issues page. Through MLT it integrates many video and audio effects. If you choose it on Windows, read that issues page first so the limits are not a surprise.

Lightworks is a non-linear editing system for editing and mastering digital video. It comes from LWKS Software Ltd. and is at version 2025.2.56356, updated January 12, 2026. The installer is 97.2 MB.

The licence is proprietary, so the source is closed, though the app is free. Check the export formats and limits that apply to the free version on the developer's site before planning a long project around it.

Shotcut is a free, open-source, cross-platform video editor from Meltytech. The current version is 26.9.27, updated September 28, 2026, under GPL-3.0. The download is 145.8 MB.

It is steadily maintained and openly licensed, which matters if you want an editor you can keep using on Windows and move to another system later. Look at its documentation for the specific filters you need.

LosslessCut is a graphical front end for FFmpeg, made by Chris Huang. Its main job is lossless trimming and cutting of video and audio, which suits long recordings from a camera, GoPro or drone. It copies data almost directly, so there is no slow re-encode and no quality loss.

It can also add a music or subtitle track without encoding. The current version is 3.70.2, updated October 28, 2026, at 240.5 MB under GPL-2.0-only. It is a cutter, not a full editor with effects.

Blender is a free, open-source 3D creation suite from the Blender Foundation. It produces still images, 3D animations and VFX shots, and the description adds that you can also edit videos. The catalog lists version 5.2.3, updated October 22, 2026, at 349.3 MB under GPL-3.0-or-later.

The description calls it well suited to individuals and small studios. Choose it when your project mixes animation or effects with editing. For plain cutting and assembling clips, the download is large and a dedicated editor will be quicker to learn.

VSDC Free Video Editor comes from Flash-Integro LLC. The current version is 11.3.2.748, updated October 22, 2026, at 126.1 MB under a proprietary licence.

The developer says it adds no watermark and puts no limit on file size or video duration. It also says that even the free version edits in 4K, 5.3K and up to 8K, at frame rates up to 120 frames per second. It offers visual and audio effects and wizards that guide editing. These are the developer's claims, not results we measured.