When it comes to video editing, we all still use the PC, despite the large number of apps that we can find on our smartphones. This is because higher performance is required for video editing and, with the mouse and keyboard, we have greater control over the features to be modified and the effects to be included in our work. Precisely for this reason we decided to make a definitive guide, in which we will show you all the programs to make videos that we can use on our PC with Windows or on our Mac : we will show you the simple video-editing programs, the programs to add photos and background music, programs to make new videos by recording the screen and finally also the sites that allow you to make videos from the web, without installing anything on our computer (very useful on company PCs or locked at user level). Obviously we will only recommend the free programs, so you can make the desired video without spending a euro.
READ ALSO: Best programs to edit videos for free
PC video editing programs
For non-linear video editing, the paid programs are Adobe Premiere and Sony Vegas, equipped with numerous tools and features that are decidedly very expensive (especially for home use. As a valid free and open source alternative we can download to our PC or our Mac Kdenlive.
This program has a professional interface, equipped with all the buttons and all the typical functions of a non-linear video editor: we can add our clips and videos in the timeline, add backgrounds, images, sounds, backgrounds and effects. transition, choosing from the large collection of items provided with the program. At the end of the project we can choose the format in which to save the file, choosing from a large multitude of different formats (there is no shortage of AVI, MP4 and MKV, ie the most popular video formats at the moment).
If we are looking for a real professional but free video editing program, Kdenlive is definitely for us!
Below we have collected other free programs similar to Kdenlive, which we can try without limits and without paying any license:
- OpenShot
- shotcut
- VideoPad Video Editor
- cinerella
- Olive Video Editor
Other similar programs can be viewed in our guide to Best programs to edit videos for free .
Programs to create videos with photos and music
If we want to create a simple video with photos in succession and background music (also called slideshow editor), we can install the Movavi Slideshow Maker program on our PC or Mac.
With this free program we will get an editor very similar to those seen in the previous chapter, only that all the features are designed to be able to create your own video slideshow with simplicity, without too many complications. In fact, we have a timeline where we can add all our photos and, through the buttons on the left sidebar, we can choose the transition effects from one photo to another, the duration of the transition, the addition of a musical background and finally if enter or not start and end menus and titles. After creating our video, the program will allow you to download it in formats that are easy to manage, even from mobile (MP4 or MKV), so that you can enjoy our video with photos and music.
Among the alternatives (always free) to Movavi we find:
- MovieMaker
- DVD slideshow GUI
- Icecream Slideshow Maker
- PhotoStage Slideshow Software
- Freemore Slideshow Maker
- Free Bolide Slideshow Creator
READ ALSO: Create photo videos, music, effects as image slideshows
Programs to make videos from the PC screen (Screencast)
We have to make video tutorials and we need to capture some parts of the PC screen, if not the whole screen ">Using this program we will be able to record everything that happens on our computer (both the entire screen and a single window) and, at the same time, insert the footage of our face and the recordings made with the microphone. We will thus be able to create very beautiful video tutorials, to be published on YouTube or on Twitch, of our game sessions or anything else that requires the execution of a video tutorial. At the end of the recordings, press the Stop button and use the program as if it were any video editor, cutting the parts that do not interest us and adding effects, transitions and any titles and backgrounds.
As valid alternatives to OBS (always free) we find:
- Screencast-o-Matic
- oCam Free Screen Recorder
- Captura
- Bandicam
- ACTION!
READ ALSO: How to record desktop, mouse, video and streaming games
Online sites to make new videos
We cannot use programs on our computer, because maybe it is limited at user level or at company level? To edit videos on the fly we can use the tools provided by the WeVideo website.
By logging in with a free account (we can also use quick access with Facebook and with Google), we will find ourselves in front of an absolute quality non-linear video editor, in which we will be able to insert all our clips and videos (after uploading them on the site), so as to fill the timeline. To beautify the videos we can use transition effects, special effects, background music, director's commentary and opening and closing titles, as if we were in front of a video editor installed on the computer. At the end of the work we can choose whether to download the video on our computer (the processing will be extremely fast, thanks to the power of the servers) or upload it to the cloud or to a social network of your choice.
As valid alternatives to WeVideo we can try:
- Clipchamp
- LightMV
- Magisto
- Biteable
- Animoto
READ ALSO: Online video montage to edit videos with remixes and special effects
Conclusions
In this guide we have shown you all the programs and websites that we can use to create videos on our computer, using only free software (many guides on the web report only paid programs, without reporting real free alternatives).If we want to edit videos on our phone, we recommend you read our guide to the App to edit videos and edit videos (Android and iPhone) . If instead we want an easy program to edit videos with remixes and special effects, you can always download Movie Maker, old but still among the best.
Finally, to make new videos, you cannot forget the sites to create online cartoons and personalized videos and 2D and 3D animation programs.
