If you're willing to pay, you can get rid of the watermarks.

This isn't unusual, of course, but it does mean pros won't view this software as the viable option it once was, and Da Vinci Resolve is the only real free option for professional videographers. A huge amount of the effects are now watermarked if you are on the free version, across transitions, animation, colour grading and more. The rebrand to Hitfilm includes the introduction of two subscription tiers that, as you'd expect, mean the free version isn't quite all-singing, all dancing, and no-longer a genuine alternative to other paid-for tools. But things have changed somewhat and this software has fallen down our list from number two. To learn more, see our full DaVinci Resolve review.Īnother good choice for professional video editors is Hitfilm (previously Hitfilm Express), which, before the recent update, we would have described as the Swiss Army knife of free video editing software.

If that's you, we'd suggest instead looking at entries 4 to 8 on our list. That said, while that interface is quite straightforward to use for anyone with editing experience, it would be quite a challenge for beginners to learn. All that meant that we didn’t need to ‘do an Adobe’ by jumping around loads of programs to get our perfect video we could do it all within the one interface. We also loved its smart video stabilisation tool, for when you’ve got a shaky shot, and the built-in audio mixing, VFX and title-card-building modes also functioned brilliantly. In our review, we found its colour grading options to be second to none, giving us the ability to fully control the look of our videos. Despite being free, this is a feature-packed powerhouse and really gives paid tools a run for their money in terms of versatility and usefulness. DaVinci Resolve is made by Blackmagic Design, which also makes a popular family of video cameras, so you know it’s designed for filmmakers.

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