Top 7 free video editing software products

By Carl Plumer
About.com

The video editing software discussed here is free. However, keep in mind that free software doesn't come with the same level of support as software you pay for, and there's no guarantee that it will work as advertised. It usually is missing some or most of the features of commercial software. Note that where iMovie was once the only "free" game in town for Mac users, Avid's FreeDV now runs on OS X and the newcomer HyperEngine-AV is also an option.

1) Windows Movie Maker 2

Windows MovieMaker 2 is a capable little editor and ships free with virtually all new XP computers these days, with upgrades available on the Microsoft Website and other add-ons available as part of the Plus! package.

How-to center | download

2) Apple iMovie HD

Apple iMovie HD is an excellent (and free) video editor for the Mac platform, with advanced video editing features — including the ability to edit hi-def video — and a lot of add-on and plug-in support. You can find more information about iMovie at Apple's iLife site. Note that this software is free only if you buy a new Mac. However, you can also purchase it as part of the iLife suite.

iMovie HD

3) Avid Free DV

Avid's free software lets you get in the Avid door for free. Fairly difficult to use interface, although over a dozen pretty good tutorials are available from Avid's website. Originally developed for Windows XP, FreeDV now runs on Macs on the OS X platform.

Avid Free DV

4) Wax

Wax is a homegrown video editor from Debug Software that started out as a college project. It's now a mature piece of software, but its user interface leaves a lot to be desired. However, I have to admit, it gets the job done. If you are insistent on not spending money on software, then go download Wax, it just may work for you.

Wax | download

5) DDClip Free

DDClip Free is another homegrown video editor, this one from SoftLab-NSK, a multimedia company headquartered (apparently) in Russia. Its interface is a bit difficult and this product is really aimed at the geeks among us, but it's free and that's the best thing about it. SL openly admits that this version is no longer supported and they'd like you to go with one of their "retail" versions. I didn't download or test this product, so I can't really comment. Again, let the buyer beware.

DDClip Free

6) Zwei-Stein

Zwei-Stein 3.01 is a freeware and according to their Web site, "offers many advanced features unavailable elsewhere." That may be, but the system is for technogeeks only. (Sorry ThugsAtBay, but I have to protect my readers.) If you feel adventurous and you don't mind getting under the technical hood, this could be for you. My test drive of the product proved that it's for real and can do the job. It's just not all that user-friendly.

Zwei-Stein

7) HyperEngine-AV

HyperEngine-AV from Arboretum is a new product for the Mac (it runs on OSX) and has an interface that is all its own. Its drag and drop interface is intuitive and different. By different, we mean really different: there are literally no video or audio tracks. There are, in fact, no tracks at all. It's good to see an alternative to Apple's iMovie for Mac users. By the way, HyperEngine-AV sold for about $50 in 2004.

HyperEngine-AV

Carl Plumer is an About.com guide. This article originally appeared on About.com and was republished with permission. (Copyright – all rights reserved)

Please comment on, correct or expand upon this article. Contact us.

up