If you’re a Mac user, finding the right video editing software without breaking the bank can be a challenge. Whether you’re a professional filmmaker, a content creator, or someone who just loves editing videos as a hobby, having access to powerful tools is essential. Fortunately, there are numerous free video editors that offer robust features comparable to paid software. In this article, we’ll explore the top 10 best free Mac video editors for 2024, ensuring you can craft high-quality videos without spending a dime. From basic trimming to advanced effects, these tools cater to all your video editing needs, making them perfect for both beginners and seasoned editors alike.
Top 10 Free Mac Video Editors You Should Try in 2024
Everyone’s aiming to be the next viral sensation, but that goal relies heavily on having the right tools in your arsenal.
In this article, we’ll explore the top 10 Mac Video Editors software options for Mac. Whether you’re a beginner, a seasoned pro, or working with a tight budget, we’ve got the ideal Mac video editor to suit your needs.
1. PowerDirector 365
PowerDirector stands out as the top video editing software for Mac because of its user-friendly interface that caters to everyone—from beginners to seasoned editors. With AI-powered tools, editing on a Mac becomes fast and simple, allowing you to transform your projects with just a click.
This Mac video editors offers drag-and-drop effects and AI tools like motion tracking, sky replacement, and object detection, making it perfect for beginners while still offering customization options for more advanced users. It’s a fantastic choice for content creators, providing access to millions of royalty-free stock images, videos, sound effects, and background music. Additionally, it includes stickers, animated overlays, intro templates, and motion titles. PowerDirector is a comprehensive solution, covering audio editing, color correction, VFX, design assets, and traditional timeline editing—all without a steep learning curve.
Thanks to regular updates, PowerDirector 365 keeps improving with each test. It’s a top-notch video editing software for Mac that delivers incredible value. Packed with features typically found in high-end, professional tools, it offers these at a fraction of the cost. While other software might require hours to master, PowerDirector’s intuitive interface allows you to start editing on your Mac immediately.
Pros:
- Easy to use
- Great for beginners and experienced users alike
- Monthly updates with unique features and creative tools
- Optimized to run smoothly on the latest Macs
Cons:
- Access to stock libraries is limited to paid subscription plans only.
2. DaVinci Resolve
DaVinci Resolve is a standout choice for professional video editors using a Mac, especially for those who want high-quality tools without the hefty price tag. The software is organized into different Pages, each dedicated to a specific aspect of post-production, such as timeline editing, color correction, visual effects, and audio editing. Each Page offers industry-standard capabilities, ensuring that professionals in each field have the tools they need. With the introduction of Blackmagic Cloud, DaVinci Resolve allows you to seamlessly collaborate with editors, colorists, effects artists, and sound engineers across Mac, Windows, or Linux platforms, making it an all-in-one solution for building a post-production studio.
For filmmakers and content creators, DaVinci Resolve offers two distinct editing Pages. The Edit page features a comprehensive non-linear timeline with a wide array of tools for precise clip manipulation. On the other hand, the Cut page is designed for speed, catering to users who may not be familiar with traditional editing workflows, making it a great option for those who need to work quickly.
However, DaVinci Resolve isn’t without its challenges. It has a steep learning curve, and even seasoned editors sometimes find the lack of presets frustrating. For example, exporting videos can be more complex than with other Mac video editors, as it requires adjusting numerous settings. Despite these hurdles, DaVinci Resolve consistently ranks highly because it’s regularly updated, with each update improving usability. Recent additions include AI-powered tools and enhanced search functions, which keep this powerful software in the top tier of Mac video editing options, earning it a solid #2 spot on our list.
Pros:
- Powerful tools for trimming, audio editing, color correction, and adding effects
- Consistently top-notch performance and quality on every platform
- A feature-rich free version that’s hard to beat
Cons:
- Requires time to master and operates best on high-performance systems with ample resources.
3. WeVideo
WeVideo offers a user-friendly experience for Mac video editors, packed with simple yet powerful tools like drag-and-drop effects and one-click transitions. It also features an extensive stock library filled with royalty-free videos, images, and music, as well as a screen recorder that’s perfect for creating training videos and tech demos.
For those new to Video Editors, WeVideo makes the process quick and easy with its ready-made templates. Whether you’re working on YouTube intros, tutorials, ads, or social media content, you’ll find templates designed to meet a wide variety of needs, including interactive distance learning and meme creation.
WeVideo stands out as one of the top choices for beginner-friendly Video Editors software on Mac. After our latest evaluation, we’ve ranked it higher on our list, moving it to the #3 spot. While we’ve always recognized its versatility, we previously felt that accessing its full potential required a premium investment. Now, we view the free version more as a trial, which aligns with its intended purpose. If branding or collaboration tools aren’t essential for you, the affordable Unlimited plan still offers plenty of features to make your editing experience seamless and satisfying.
Pros:
- User-friendly drag-and-drop tools and one-click solutions tailored for beginners
- Supportive and responsive customer service
Cons:
- Sluggish performance can disrupt your workflow, slowing you down when you need to move quickly.
- Premium features are hidden behind a steep paywall, making them hard to access without paying extra.
4. Adobe Premiere Pro
Adobe Premiere Pro stands out as one of the premier Video Editors tools for Mac, thanks to its extensive features and professional-grade quality. It’s a favorite among professionals who value its collaboration tools, organizational capabilities, and impressive performance speed. While the software has a steep learning curve, it offers ways to simplify the editing process, such as templates, AI tools, and stacked timelines that let you drag and drop source footage into a rough cut right below. Plus, Premiere Pro’s seamless integration with other Adobe applications makes it an ideal post-production hub for Creative Cloud users.
Premiere Pro also comes equipped with advanced features like unlimited multicam angles, video stabilization, and motion title creation. Its color adjustment tools are equally robust, offering everything from AI-powered automatic color balance to manual curve controls and built-in video scopes. Whether you prefer quick AI adjustments or precise control via professional color wheels, Premiere Pro has you covered.
Adobe continues to enhance Premiere Pro, with recent updates adding native support for Apple Silicon, AI speech enhancement, and direct TikTok uploads. However, the software’s price tag is a significant drawback. At $22.99 per month, it’s considerably more expensive than alternatives like PowerDirector ($4.58 per month) and the free Shotcut.
Unlike WeVideo, Premiere Pro doesn’t offer a more affordable, scaled-back version, and for those looking for the full post-production suite experience comparable to DaVinci Resolve, subscribing to Adobe Creative Cloud can cost up to $55 a month. In comparison, PowerDirector our top pick for Mac Video Editors offers a similar set of tools, including photo and Video Editors, audio workstations, and professional-level color software, all bundled in the Director Suite for just $8.33 per month.
Pros:
- Offers a full range of high-quality professional tools.
- Works effortlessly with other apps in the Adobe Creative Cloud suite.
Cons:
- Has a challenging learning curve
- Needs a powerful computer to run effectively
5. VideoPad
VideoPad stands out as one of the top Video Editors software options for Mac, thanks to its user-friendly interface that’s perfect for beginners, while also offering some advanced features. These include 360-degree editing, video stabilization, visual effects, and animated titles. Supporting over 60 video formats, VideoPad allows for a variety of export options, including burning to a disc, uploading directly to social media, or saving your work to your desktop or portable device.
With AI-driven speech-to-text for automatic subtitles and templates for intros, outros, and full videos, VideoPad makes editing on Mac or Windows both quick and efficient. Plus, it supports plug-ins for additional tools and effects, adding more flexibility to your editing process.
Ideal for beginners who enjoy sharing their creations, VideoPad offers excellent uploading and sharing options, making it easy to showcase your work to friends, family, or followers. While it may not be the right fit for professional editors, it’s a great choice for content creators, YouTubers, and hobbyists looking to produce high-quality videos.
Pros:
- Easy to use for beginners but also packed with some advanced options.
- Offers ready-made, professional templates that are ideal for YouTube.
Cons:
- Limited features for professional use.
- Rendering speed is sluggish, which can disrupt workflow.
6. iMovie
iMovie’s streamlined features, intuitive tools, and zero cost make it an excellent starting point for beginners looking to edit videos on a Mac. Plus, it’s pre-installed on most Apple devices, making it incredibly easy to get started. With iMovie, you can quickly craft Hollywood-style trailers and eye-catching videos with minimal effort.
Initially, Apple’s release of instant-movie tools, Magic Movie and Storyboards, was limited to iOS, leaving Mac users feeling left out. However, a recent update now allows you to import these pre-made videos into the macOS version of iMovie for further editing. Additionally, if you’ve shot videos in Cinematic mode on an iPhone 13 or newer, you can fine-tune them by adjusting focus points and altering the depth of field.
While iMovie may not cater to advanced users those features are reserved for Final Cut Pro it still stands out as a powerful free option for Mac users. With the inclusion of Magic Movie support and optimized performance on Apple Silicon, iMovie has earned a higher spot on our list, surpassing Lightworks among the best video editing software for Mac.
Pros:
- A completely free video editors that comes pre-installed on your Mac.
- It also offers powerful audio editing features.
Cons:
- Missing advanced functionalities such as motion tracking.
7. Lightworks
Lightworks stands out as one of the most user-friendly options among professional-level video editors for Mac. This versatile software offers different versions tailored to various needs: the Pro version, known for editing Hollywood blockbusters, the Create version, ideal for YouTubers and intermediate editors, and a free version that’s perfect for those looking to stitch together clips on a Mac. Its universal timeline is particularly impressive, supporting any frame rate, resolution, or footage size, making editing seamless.
When it comes to audio editing, Lightworks shines with robust tools for trimming, splitting, layering, and mixing. The color correction features are equally impressive, offering HDR workflows, pre-built LUTs, and precise color enhancements.
Lightworks has been making strides in accessibility, much like DaVinci and Premiere Pro Video Editors, with user interface improvements aimed at enhancing the overall experience. The interface is highly customizable, with dedicated tabs for Log, Edit, VFX, and Audio, allowing users to tailor their workspace to their needs. Additionally, recent upgrades have boosted both the quantity and quality of the VFX tools, making it a strong contender for all types of editors. Although it’s known for editing Oscar-winning films like The King’s Speech and The Wolf of Wall Street, most users turn to Lightworks for its impressive free version, which offers more than enough power for everyday projects.
Pros:
- A full range of high-end editing tools designed for professionals.
Cons:
- The free version restricts exports to 720p resolution.
- It’s not a popular choice among video editors.
8. Avid Media Composer
Avid Media Composer is packed with innovative features designed to accelerate the editing process for professionals. With tools like relinking digital files when paths change, sequence templates, and top-notch video organization capabilities, it’s a powerful choice for advanced users. This Mac video editors also supports script-based editing, and Multicam workflows, and offers 99 tracks for audio, video, and data, making it a strong contender for anyone aiming to work in the Hollywood film industry.
While Avid Media Composer is often regarded as the go-to software for Hollywood professionals, our reviews typically place it lower in the rankings for Mac video editors. The reason? Its steep price, complexity, and demanding system requirements make it less accessible for individual users. Historically reserved for studios and large businesses, Avid is now evolving to meet the needs of everyday video creators by incorporating time-saving AI tools and drag-and-drop features. However, we still wouldn’t recommend it for beginners or casual users due to its high learning curve. Despite this, it’s clear that Avid is adapting to cater to a broader audience over time.
Pros:
- Regularly updated with new features and enhancements.
- A robust free version is available for those looking for budget-friendly options.
Cons:
- Requires powerful hardware
- Advanced features come at a higher cost
- Takes time to master
9. VideoProc Vlogger
VideoProc Vlogger stands out as a top choice for Mac users, especially those working with action-packed videos. Its advanced motion and speed control tools make it ideal for editing sports, travel, and adventure footage. With more than 20 speed presets and 28 motion effects, you can easily replicate camera movements, correct fish-eye distortion common in action camera footage, and reduce noise in low-light videos. The software’s automatic keyframes Video Editors and flexible bezier curves make it simple to adjust the speed of your clips, whether you want to slow them down or speed them up.
During our tests, we found that VideoProc Vlogger allows you to Video Editors on both Mac and Windows with ease, offering professional-grade color grading and precise color correction. The audio editing features are equally impressive, with visual audiograms, tools to sync edits to the beat, various sound effects, and a 10-band audio equalizer.
Despite its advanced features, VideoProc Vlogger remains user-friendly, with an intuitive interface that includes only the essentials for video editing. However, if you’re a professional content creator working with clients, this may not be the best option, as it lacks some of the more specialized tools you might need. We debated whether to rank VideoProc Vlogger higher than Movavi Video Editors, as both received strong ratings (4/5) from major software review sites and cater well to beginners. While VideoProc Vlogger excels in advanced motion features, Movavi offers more design assets like templates and stickers. Ultimately, VideoProc Vlogger’s completely free status tipped the scales in its favor.
Pros:
- These tools are completely free for everyone.
- Even beginners can easily use the advanced motion features.
Cons:
- Lacks collaboration tools
- Not suitable for advanced users or professional editors
10. Kapwing
Kapwing is a powerful yet user-friendly video editors for Mac, perfect for creating content for platforms like Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Twitch, and TikTok. It offers a variety of customizable templates, including those for green screen effects, intros, outros, memes, collages, and more, making it easy to produce engaging videos quickly.
For businesses, Kapwing provides brand kits and collaboration tools that streamline the editing process. Its AI-powered features allow you to make precise edits effortlessly. With tools like text-to-speech, audio enhancements, text-based editing, and generative options for videos, images, and scripts, Kapwing simplifies the Video Editors experience.
Ideal for beginners looking to create social media content on a Mac, Kapwing is not designed for more advanced users or long-form projects. While similar in functionality to WeVideo, Kapwing has faced criticism for its customer service, whereas WeVideo is known for its exemplary support.
Pros:
- Templates available for all major platforms
- An intuitive Video Editors software designed for Mac
Cons:
- The free version has significant export limitations.
- Customer service needs improvement.
- It lacks advanced features for professional Video Editors on Mac.
Conclusion
In 2024, Mac users have a wide array of free video editing tools that cater to various needs and skill levels. From beginner-friendly platforms with intuitive interfaces to more advanced software packed with powerful features, there’s something for everyone. Whether you’re creating quick social media clips or diving into more detailed projects, these top 10 free Mac video editors offer a wealth of options without the need to spend a fortune. Explore these tools to find the perfect fit for your editing style and take your video creation to the next level, all while keeping your budget intact.