Do you want to make awesome videos on your Mac but don’t know where to start? Don’t worry! Many free video editing tools can help you create cool movies, slideshows, and more.
Whether you’re making a fun video for your friends or a school project, the right video editor can make your work easy and efficient.
This article will explore the best free video editing software for Mac. We’ll look at what makes each one special, their great features, and a few things to watch out for. Let’s dive in and find the perfect video editor for your Mac!
1. Wondershare Filmora
Wondershare Filmora for Mac stands out as a compelling choice among video editing tools for Apple macOS. Filmora Video Editor for Mac has gained popularity for its balance of simplicity and powerful features. Its innovative features and optimization for macOS devices ensure a smooth editing process and outstanding results. Here’s what makes Filmora a top choice for Mac users:
Key Features:
- Converts edited videos to any popular format, including MP4, AVI, MOV, AVCHD, MKV, and more.
- Performs classic video editing tasks like crop, trim, cut, split, and combine with just a few clicks.
- Intuitive interface ensures seamless editing workflows, making it accessible for beginners and efficient for professionals.
- Packed with a rich selection of effects, filters, transitions, and customizable templates, Filmora empowers you to create visually stunning and unique videos.
- Specifically designed to work efficiently on macOS devices, Filmora delivers smooth, reliable performance that meets the needs of Mac users.
How to Edit a Video On Filmora
Step 1: Create a New Project or Open an Existing Project
Launch and click New Project in the main window or go to File > New Project in the menu bar to create a new project.
Click File > Open Project or File > Open Recent in the menu bar.
Step 2: Import Video, Audio, and Images
To import media files into Filmora, click the “+” icon, browse your local storage, and select the files you want to use.
Step 3: Edit and Arrange Elements in the Timeline
Right-click on the video clip in the Media Library to access options such as Insert, Append, Overwrite, Add to New Track, and more.
Step 4: Add Effects, Filters, Titles, Masks, and Music
Enhance your video by adding creative elements. To add titles, choose an existing title template, enter your desired text, and customize its appearance to fit your project.
Step 5: Export Video and Share
Once you’ve finished editing, it’s time to export your video. You can save it as a file on your device or export it directly to the platform of your choice.
2. iMovie
A video editing software for Mac, iMovie is included with every new Mac (OS X) at no additional cost, making it an excellent free video editing option for Mac users. This feature-rich software provides powerful tools like movie trailer creation, one-step effects, audio editing, and more. It is designed for macOS users, offering a native and user-friendly experience. It combines Apple’s signature simplicity with enough functionality to cater to beginners and casual editors.
Key Features:
- Automatically create edits with the Magic Movie feature.
- Access 20 pre-made storyboard templates for easy video creation.
- Use editing tools for splitting, trimming, and other basic tasks.
- Quickly share your content on social media and through messages.
- Add split-screen and picture-in-picture effects to enhance your videos.
- Designed to integrate seamlessly with macOS and other devices.
3. Avidemux
Avidemux is an excellent free video editor designed for basic editing tasks like cutting, filtering, and encoding. Avidemux is a video editing software for Mac that stands out for its simplicity and functionality. It is perfect for users who need to perform basic editing tasks quickly and efficiently. Its straightforward interface ensures a smooth editing experience without overwhelming beginners.
Key Features:
- Splicing and cutting video clips with ease.
- Adding audio tracks and subtitles to enhance videos.
- Applying filters like Denoise and Delogo for cleaner visuals.
- Automated encoding using built-in presets for convenience.
- Transcoding videos into formats like MPEG-4, H.264, and more.
- Using a job queue to batch process multiple files efficiently.
4. OpenShot
OpenShot is a free, open-source video editing software for Mac, Windows, and Linux. Let’s see why it stands out.OpenShot shines for its accessibility and flexibility. As an open-source tool, it’s entirely free to use and regularly updated by a supportive community. Its cross-platform compatibility ensures it works seamlessly on macOS, Windows, and Linux.
Key Features:
- Comprehensive editing tools, including cut, crop, trim, split, and merge video capabilities.
- Easy drag-and-drop functionality for adding audio, videos, and images to your project.
- A wide range of video transitions and effects to enhance your content.
- Supports over 70 languages, ensuring accessibility for users worldwide.
- Open-Source Tool: Completely free, with updates and features contributed by a global community.
5. Shotcut
Shotcut is a free, open-source video editing software for macOS, Windows, and Linux. It is highly customizable, allowing users to tailor their workspace to fit their needs. It also runs smoothly on devices with moderate hardware, making it ideal for older Macs or lower-spec systems.
Key Features:
- Video effects: Color wheels, deinterlacing, auto-rotate, and video wipe transitions
- Audio and video editing: Fade-in/out audio and video, speed ramping, and track compositing
- Video filters: Alpha channel adjust, blur, brightness, chroma-key, contrast, and more
- Video scopes: Includes histogram, RGB waveform, and zoom
- Wide Format Support: Shotcut supports a broad range of video, audio, and image formats, including many professional-grade codecs.
Conclusion
Finding the right video editing software for Mac can be a game-changer for your creative projects. Free tools like iMovie, Avidemux, OpenShot, and Shotcut each have unique features and limitations.
However, for a perfect balance of simplicity and advanced features, we recommend Wondershare Filmora. Filmora offers a rich selection of effects, AI-powered tools, and optimized performance on macOS, making it the ideal solution for beginners and professionals.