5 free video editing apps to use instead of Premiere Pro by Adobe
The best free alternative to Premiere Pro is DaVinci Resolve. As capable as Premiere with best-in-class color grading, and it imports Premiere projects via XML/AAF.
Other great options: Kdenlive, Shotcut, OpenShot and Clipchamp.
Quick pick: For professional editing and great color grading: DaVinci Resolve (free). On a low-end PC or want open source: Kdenlive or Shotcut.
Reviewed November 2026 against each vendor's official website.
Free plans and trial lengths are set by the vendor and can change. Check the official website before signing up.
Nothing matches this filter.
As capable as Premiere with best-in-class color grading, and it imports Premiere projects via XML/AAF.
Professional video software for editing, color grading, effects and audio, with a very complete free version. It is used on real film and TV productions.
Platforms: Windows · Mac · Linux
Open source multi-track editor with automatic subtitles that run locally.
An open-source multi-track video editor with effects and transitions. It can generate AI subtitles locally on your computer.
Platforms: Windows · Mac · Linux
Lightweight, opens almost any format and has a portable version.
A lightweight open-source video editor that opens most formats without converting them first.
Platforms: Windows · Mac · Linux
The easiest option for beginners learning to edit.
The easiest open-source video editor for beginners: drag and drop, trim, add titles and transitions.
Platforms: Windows · Mac · Linux
Built into Windows 11 for quick social media videos.
Microsoft's video editor, built into Windows 11 and also available in the browser. It includes templates, text, music and AI voiceovers.
Platforms: Web · Windows
| App | Type | Platforms | Ease of use | GitHub stars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 DaVinci Resolve | Free | Windows, Mac, Linux | Some learning curve | — |
 Kdenlive | Open source | Windows, Mac, Linux | Some learning curve | — |
 Shotcut | Open source | Windows, Mac, Linux | Easy to use | 15,629 |
 OpenShot | Open source | Windows, Mac, Linux | Easy to use | 6,754 |
 Clipchamp | Freemium | Web, Windows | Easy to use | — |
Open source: anyone can use, study and modify it, including businesses. Free: no cost, but the code is closed. Freemium: a lasting free plan with paid tiers for extra features. Source available: code is public but the license adds conditions.
The most popular picks are DaVinci Resolve, Kdenlive, Shotcut and OpenShot. For professional editing and great color grading: DaVinci Resolve (free). On a low-end PC or want open source: Kdenlive or Shotcut.
Shotcut or Kdenlive (turn on proxy mode). DaVinci Resolve needs a fairly recent graphics card to run smoothly.
Not directly. Export the project from Premiere as XML (Final Cut Pro XML) or AAF, then import it into DaVinci Resolve.
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