:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/GettyImages-136612668-5c640cc5c9e77c00010a4ff4.jpg)
In 2024, 10 Online Tools to Retrieve YouTube Graphics
10 Online Tools to Retrieve YouTube Graphics
10 Free YouTube Thumbnail Downloaders/Savers Online-Download YouTube Thumbnail
Shanoon Cox
Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions
YouTube thumbnails can be required for download for various reasons ranging from personal to professional. Some thumbnails are very attractive, and users might want to download YouTube thumbnail to use as wallpaper or as inspiration. Whereas other times, thumbnails are required to be added to blogs.
In either case, you can take help from a YouTube thumbnail downloader that can save your day. As the name suggests, a YouTube thumbnail saver can let you save any thumbnail you like, and sometimes you can also custom select the quality. For your ease, we have rounded up the best tools to download YouTube thumbnail.
Let’s dive in.
- 10 Free Online YouTube Thumbnail Downloaders/Savers
- Bonus Tip: The Best YouTube Video Editor-Wondershare Filmora
10 Free Online YouTube Thumbnail Downloaders/Savers
There are tons of tools on the web that let you download YouTube thumbnail. But, not all of them are reliable and secure. Choosing the best YouTube thumbnail downloaders that offer all the features you are looking for can be time taking and tedious. So, we are here to save the day by listing the top YouTube thumbnail saver tools.
1. ThumbnailSave
As a free YouTube thumbnail downloader, ThumbnailSave is frequently used by people. It enables users to download YouTube thumbnail without any hassle. There a variety of resolutions available, and you can choose the quality you like, ranging from HD to 360p. The simple interface of this downloader further makes it an excellent tool. All you have to do is enter the URL link and click Save As after the thumbnail is loaded. Also, this versatile YouTube thumbnail downloader works on almost every kind of device. Whether you are using a desktop PC or an iPhone, ThumbnailSave is compatible with all.
2. YouTube Thumbnail Grabber
Another powerful and free YouTube thumbnail downloader is this one, which can download both YouTube and Vimeo thumbnails. After you copy-paste the link of the video whose thumbnail you wish to save, you can press on Get Thumbnail Images. After that, you can choose the quality of the thumbnail as per your requirements. Moreover, you can also get a free extension of this YouTube thumbnail saver on both Chrome and Firefox browsers. This will allow fast and easy use of the YouTube thumbnail downloader. What’s more, unlike other downloaders, this one doesn’t bombard the user with pesky ads.
3. Youthumbnail.com
YouThumbnail, also known as YT YouTube thumbnail downloader, is a robust tool that allows users to quickly download YouTube thumbnail absolutely free of cost. It requires no installation. Three different sizes, namely medium, small, and HD, are available for download. By clicking on the desired quality, you can quickly and safely download YouTube thumbnail. Also, there is no limit to the number of downloads. Better yet, there are multiple languages available. So, a diverse population can use this online YouTube thumbnail saver with great ease.
4. YouTube-thumbnails.com
As a free and open for all YouTube thumbnail saver, this one lets users get the thumbnail of their choice in the quality of their choice. Using this YouTube thumbnail downloader won’t cost a penny, no matter how many thumbnails are downloaded. It also has a very simple user interface. Just enter the YouTube video link and press Find. The qualities of the thumbnail supported by this tool are MQ 320x180, HQ 480x360, SD 640x480, and HD 1280x720 , and will be almost instantly displayed. Click on the quality you wish to save locally, and your download will start immediately.
5. YT Thumbnail Downloader
YT Thumbnail Downloader is an excellent and lightning-fast tool to download YouTube thumbnail. It poses no limitations or charges on the use. Moreover, you can custom select the resolution of the thumbnail before you click to save. This YouTube thumbnail downloader prides itself on being the fastest in the market. The thumbnail processing time is just 2 seconds, after which you can download YouTube thumbnail. Besides, this YouTube thumbnail saver is safe and secure as it doesn’t display tons of ads and also does not save the user’s data.
6. BoingBoing
BoingBoing is also a free and very easy-to-use YouTube thumbnail saver. All you have to do is paste the URL you copied, and this YouTube thumbnail downloader will take care of the rest. There is no button to press to start the process. The thumbnails are almost instantly loaded. However, BoingBoing displays a lot of annoying ads. Also, the different qualities that are displayed don’t mention the size, and you will have to press and hold the image to download. All in all, this YouTube thumbnail saver is worth your time and effort as it is fast at what it does.
7. Get YouTube Thumbnail
Get YouTube Thumbnail is a very simple tool to download YouTube thumbnail. It comes with no extra features. But, it is widely used due to the fact that it is a very straightforward YouTube thumbnail downloader. It doesn’t even display intrusive ads or pop-ups. But, the downside is that the quality options are limited. There are only 2 qualities available for download, and no size is mentioned on them. To download YouTube thumbnail, you will have to right-click and open the image URL created and then save it in the next tab.
8. YouTube Thumbnail Image
A fast and easy way to download YouTube thumbnail is by using this powerful tool available online. Without any hassle of downloading or registering an account, you can easily copy-paste the link of your favorite video and click on Search. You will be displayed with four qualities such as 1920x1080 (HD), 640X480 (SD), 480X360 (HQ), and 320x180 (MQ). This feature makes it a versatile YouTube thumbnail downloader as users can choose the quality depending on the space they have available. Other than this, the YouTube thumbnail saver offers round-the-clock customer support. So, in case you face any technical issue or are unable to download YouTube thumbnail, this tool will be present for prompt assistance.
9. Thumbnail-download.com
Another addition to the list of top YouTube thumbnail downloader tools is this one. Like the other tools, this one is also free for use and is renowned for being super fast. No matter which YouTube video you want to save the thumbnail from, this tool will allow you easy access to download it in HD quality. The website is SSL encrypted, so the user’s data is protected, and thus this is a safe site to download YouTube thumbnail. What’s more, this YouTube thumbnail downloader is robust. Although there a few ads displayed, they aren’t very intrusive and do not disrupt the user experience.
Bonus Tip: The Best YouTube Video Editor-Wondershare Filmora
With Wondershare Filmora, you can create captivating videos by using one-click tools. This powerful yet intuitive video editor is loaded with various high-end editing features that can help you add striking and cinematic effects to your videos. Motion tracking, color matching, and even keyframing are made easy through Filmora.
1.After you download and install Filmora on your PC, launch it. Then, click on File and tap on Import Media Files.
2.The Audio tab of Filmora offers a variety of music. Just click on the plus icon on any audio to add it to your video as background music. Cut the extra audio part to match your video length.
3.From the Titles tab, you can choose a preset template and then personalize it by double-clicking the title you have added to the timeline.
4.The Transition tab also displays multiple types of dynamic transitions; click to add to the timeline and then drag to adjust the duration of the effect.
5.You can also choose an aesthetic filter or overlay from the Effects tab.
6.The Elements tab features numerous categories like Love, Journey, Badges, and many more. You can add these elements to your video and then adjust their size, rotation, opacity, and much more.
7.Lastly, you can click on Export and either save the video locally or share it directly on social media.
Conclusion
Finally, you can download YouTube thumbnail at the site of your choice. Whether you want to download it in HD or in a lower quality, one of the YouTube thumbnail downloaders mentioned above will be able to fulfill your requirements.
No more browsing through unsecured and ad-laden sites to find a reliable YouTube thumbnail downloader. We have hand-picked, tried, and tested all these tools. All you have to do is take your pick of the YouTube thumbnail saver that best fits your needs. Any tool you choose, you will be able to download YouTube thumbnail with ease and security.
Shanoon Cox
Shanoon Cox is a writer and a lover of all things video.
Follow @Shanoon Cox
Shanoon Cox
Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions
YouTube thumbnails can be required for download for various reasons ranging from personal to professional. Some thumbnails are very attractive, and users might want to download YouTube thumbnail to use as wallpaper or as inspiration. Whereas other times, thumbnails are required to be added to blogs.
In either case, you can take help from a YouTube thumbnail downloader that can save your day. As the name suggests, a YouTube thumbnail saver can let you save any thumbnail you like, and sometimes you can also custom select the quality. For your ease, we have rounded up the best tools to download YouTube thumbnail.
Let’s dive in.
- 10 Free Online YouTube Thumbnail Downloaders/Savers
- Bonus Tip: The Best YouTube Video Editor-Wondershare Filmora
10 Free Online YouTube Thumbnail Downloaders/Savers
There are tons of tools on the web that let you download YouTube thumbnail. But, not all of them are reliable and secure. Choosing the best YouTube thumbnail downloaders that offer all the features you are looking for can be time taking and tedious. So, we are here to save the day by listing the top YouTube thumbnail saver tools.
1. ThumbnailSave
As a free YouTube thumbnail downloader, ThumbnailSave is frequently used by people. It enables users to download YouTube thumbnail without any hassle. There a variety of resolutions available, and you can choose the quality you like, ranging from HD to 360p. The simple interface of this downloader further makes it an excellent tool. All you have to do is enter the URL link and click Save As after the thumbnail is loaded. Also, this versatile YouTube thumbnail downloader works on almost every kind of device. Whether you are using a desktop PC or an iPhone, ThumbnailSave is compatible with all.
2. YouTube Thumbnail Grabber
Another powerful and free YouTube thumbnail downloader is this one, which can download both YouTube and Vimeo thumbnails. After you copy-paste the link of the video whose thumbnail you wish to save, you can press on Get Thumbnail Images. After that, you can choose the quality of the thumbnail as per your requirements. Moreover, you can also get a free extension of this YouTube thumbnail saver on both Chrome and Firefox browsers. This will allow fast and easy use of the YouTube thumbnail downloader. What’s more, unlike other downloaders, this one doesn’t bombard the user with pesky ads.
3. Youthumbnail.com
YouThumbnail, also known as YT YouTube thumbnail downloader, is a robust tool that allows users to quickly download YouTube thumbnail absolutely free of cost. It requires no installation. Three different sizes, namely medium, small, and HD, are available for download. By clicking on the desired quality, you can quickly and safely download YouTube thumbnail. Also, there is no limit to the number of downloads. Better yet, there are multiple languages available. So, a diverse population can use this online YouTube thumbnail saver with great ease.
4. YouTube-thumbnails.com
As a free and open for all YouTube thumbnail saver, this one lets users get the thumbnail of their choice in the quality of their choice. Using this YouTube thumbnail downloader won’t cost a penny, no matter how many thumbnails are downloaded. It also has a very simple user interface. Just enter the YouTube video link and press Find. The qualities of the thumbnail supported by this tool are MQ 320x180, HQ 480x360, SD 640x480, and HD 1280x720 , and will be almost instantly displayed. Click on the quality you wish to save locally, and your download will start immediately.
5. YT Thumbnail Downloader
YT Thumbnail Downloader is an excellent and lightning-fast tool to download YouTube thumbnail. It poses no limitations or charges on the use. Moreover, you can custom select the resolution of the thumbnail before you click to save. This YouTube thumbnail downloader prides itself on being the fastest in the market. The thumbnail processing time is just 2 seconds, after which you can download YouTube thumbnail. Besides, this YouTube thumbnail saver is safe and secure as it doesn’t display tons of ads and also does not save the user’s data.
6. BoingBoing
BoingBoing is also a free and very easy-to-use YouTube thumbnail saver. All you have to do is paste the URL you copied, and this YouTube thumbnail downloader will take care of the rest. There is no button to press to start the process. The thumbnails are almost instantly loaded. However, BoingBoing displays a lot of annoying ads. Also, the different qualities that are displayed don’t mention the size, and you will have to press and hold the image to download. All in all, this YouTube thumbnail saver is worth your time and effort as it is fast at what it does.
7. Get YouTube Thumbnail
Get YouTube Thumbnail is a very simple tool to download YouTube thumbnail. It comes with no extra features. But, it is widely used due to the fact that it is a very straightforward YouTube thumbnail downloader. It doesn’t even display intrusive ads or pop-ups. But, the downside is that the quality options are limited. There are only 2 qualities available for download, and no size is mentioned on them. To download YouTube thumbnail, you will have to right-click and open the image URL created and then save it in the next tab.
8. YouTube Thumbnail Image
A fast and easy way to download YouTube thumbnail is by using this powerful tool available online. Without any hassle of downloading or registering an account, you can easily copy-paste the link of your favorite video and click on Search. You will be displayed with four qualities such as 1920x1080 (HD), 640X480 (SD), 480X360 (HQ), and 320x180 (MQ). This feature makes it a versatile YouTube thumbnail downloader as users can choose the quality depending on the space they have available. Other than this, the YouTube thumbnail saver offers round-the-clock customer support. So, in case you face any technical issue or are unable to download YouTube thumbnail, this tool will be present for prompt assistance.
9. Thumbnail-download.com
Another addition to the list of top YouTube thumbnail downloader tools is this one. Like the other tools, this one is also free for use and is renowned for being super fast. No matter which YouTube video you want to save the thumbnail from, this tool will allow you easy access to download it in HD quality. The website is SSL encrypted, so the user’s data is protected, and thus this is a safe site to download YouTube thumbnail. What’s more, this YouTube thumbnail downloader is robust. Although there a few ads displayed, they aren’t very intrusive and do not disrupt the user experience.
Bonus Tip: The Best YouTube Video Editor-Wondershare Filmora
With Wondershare Filmora, you can create captivating videos by using one-click tools. This powerful yet intuitive video editor is loaded with various high-end editing features that can help you add striking and cinematic effects to your videos. Motion tracking, color matching, and even keyframing are made easy through Filmora.
1.After you download and install Filmora on your PC, launch it. Then, click on File and tap on Import Media Files.
2.The Audio tab of Filmora offers a variety of music. Just click on the plus icon on any audio to add it to your video as background music. Cut the extra audio part to match your video length.
3.From the Titles tab, you can choose a preset template and then personalize it by double-clicking the title you have added to the timeline.
4.The Transition tab also displays multiple types of dynamic transitions; click to add to the timeline and then drag to adjust the duration of the effect.
5.You can also choose an aesthetic filter or overlay from the Effects tab.
6.The Elements tab features numerous categories like Love, Journey, Badges, and many more. You can add these elements to your video and then adjust their size, rotation, opacity, and much more.
7.Lastly, you can click on Export and either save the video locally or share it directly on social media.
Conclusion
Finally, you can download YouTube thumbnail at the site of your choice. Whether you want to download it in HD or in a lower quality, one of the YouTube thumbnail downloaders mentioned above will be able to fulfill your requirements.
No more browsing through unsecured and ad-laden sites to find a reliable YouTube thumbnail downloader. We have hand-picked, tried, and tested all these tools. All you have to do is take your pick of the YouTube thumbnail saver that best fits your needs. Any tool you choose, you will be able to download YouTube thumbnail with ease and security.
Shanoon Cox
Shanoon Cox is a writer and a lover of all things video.
Follow @Shanoon Cox
Shanoon Cox
Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions
YouTube thumbnails can be required for download for various reasons ranging from personal to professional. Some thumbnails are very attractive, and users might want to download YouTube thumbnail to use as wallpaper or as inspiration. Whereas other times, thumbnails are required to be added to blogs.
In either case, you can take help from a YouTube thumbnail downloader that can save your day. As the name suggests, a YouTube thumbnail saver can let you save any thumbnail you like, and sometimes you can also custom select the quality. For your ease, we have rounded up the best tools to download YouTube thumbnail.
Let’s dive in.
- 10 Free Online YouTube Thumbnail Downloaders/Savers
- Bonus Tip: The Best YouTube Video Editor-Wondershare Filmora
10 Free Online YouTube Thumbnail Downloaders/Savers
There are tons of tools on the web that let you download YouTube thumbnail. But, not all of them are reliable and secure. Choosing the best YouTube thumbnail downloaders that offer all the features you are looking for can be time taking and tedious. So, we are here to save the day by listing the top YouTube thumbnail saver tools.
1. ThumbnailSave
As a free YouTube thumbnail downloader, ThumbnailSave is frequently used by people. It enables users to download YouTube thumbnail without any hassle. There a variety of resolutions available, and you can choose the quality you like, ranging from HD to 360p. The simple interface of this downloader further makes it an excellent tool. All you have to do is enter the URL link and click Save As after the thumbnail is loaded. Also, this versatile YouTube thumbnail downloader works on almost every kind of device. Whether you are using a desktop PC or an iPhone, ThumbnailSave is compatible with all.
2. YouTube Thumbnail Grabber
Another powerful and free YouTube thumbnail downloader is this one, which can download both YouTube and Vimeo thumbnails. After you copy-paste the link of the video whose thumbnail you wish to save, you can press on Get Thumbnail Images. After that, you can choose the quality of the thumbnail as per your requirements. Moreover, you can also get a free extension of this YouTube thumbnail saver on both Chrome and Firefox browsers. This will allow fast and easy use of the YouTube thumbnail downloader. What’s more, unlike other downloaders, this one doesn’t bombard the user with pesky ads.
3. Youthumbnail.com
YouThumbnail, also known as YT YouTube thumbnail downloader, is a robust tool that allows users to quickly download YouTube thumbnail absolutely free of cost. It requires no installation. Three different sizes, namely medium, small, and HD, are available for download. By clicking on the desired quality, you can quickly and safely download YouTube thumbnail. Also, there is no limit to the number of downloads. Better yet, there are multiple languages available. So, a diverse population can use this online YouTube thumbnail saver with great ease.
4. YouTube-thumbnails.com
As a free and open for all YouTube thumbnail saver, this one lets users get the thumbnail of their choice in the quality of their choice. Using this YouTube thumbnail downloader won’t cost a penny, no matter how many thumbnails are downloaded. It also has a very simple user interface. Just enter the YouTube video link and press Find. The qualities of the thumbnail supported by this tool are MQ 320x180, HQ 480x360, SD 640x480, and HD 1280x720 , and will be almost instantly displayed. Click on the quality you wish to save locally, and your download will start immediately.
5. YT Thumbnail Downloader
YT Thumbnail Downloader is an excellent and lightning-fast tool to download YouTube thumbnail. It poses no limitations or charges on the use. Moreover, you can custom select the resolution of the thumbnail before you click to save. This YouTube thumbnail downloader prides itself on being the fastest in the market. The thumbnail processing time is just 2 seconds, after which you can download YouTube thumbnail. Besides, this YouTube thumbnail saver is safe and secure as it doesn’t display tons of ads and also does not save the user’s data.
6. BoingBoing
BoingBoing is also a free and very easy-to-use YouTube thumbnail saver. All you have to do is paste the URL you copied, and this YouTube thumbnail downloader will take care of the rest. There is no button to press to start the process. The thumbnails are almost instantly loaded. However, BoingBoing displays a lot of annoying ads. Also, the different qualities that are displayed don’t mention the size, and you will have to press and hold the image to download. All in all, this YouTube thumbnail saver is worth your time and effort as it is fast at what it does.
7. Get YouTube Thumbnail
Get YouTube Thumbnail is a very simple tool to download YouTube thumbnail. It comes with no extra features. But, it is widely used due to the fact that it is a very straightforward YouTube thumbnail downloader. It doesn’t even display intrusive ads or pop-ups. But, the downside is that the quality options are limited. There are only 2 qualities available for download, and no size is mentioned on them. To download YouTube thumbnail, you will have to right-click and open the image URL created and then save it in the next tab.
8. YouTube Thumbnail Image
A fast and easy way to download YouTube thumbnail is by using this powerful tool available online. Without any hassle of downloading or registering an account, you can easily copy-paste the link of your favorite video and click on Search. You will be displayed with four qualities such as 1920x1080 (HD), 640X480 (SD), 480X360 (HQ), and 320x180 (MQ). This feature makes it a versatile YouTube thumbnail downloader as users can choose the quality depending on the space they have available. Other than this, the YouTube thumbnail saver offers round-the-clock customer support. So, in case you face any technical issue or are unable to download YouTube thumbnail, this tool will be present for prompt assistance.
9. Thumbnail-download.com
Another addition to the list of top YouTube thumbnail downloader tools is this one. Like the other tools, this one is also free for use and is renowned for being super fast. No matter which YouTube video you want to save the thumbnail from, this tool will allow you easy access to download it in HD quality. The website is SSL encrypted, so the user’s data is protected, and thus this is a safe site to download YouTube thumbnail. What’s more, this YouTube thumbnail downloader is robust. Although there a few ads displayed, they aren’t very intrusive and do not disrupt the user experience.
Bonus Tip: The Best YouTube Video Editor-Wondershare Filmora
With Wondershare Filmora, you can create captivating videos by using one-click tools. This powerful yet intuitive video editor is loaded with various high-end editing features that can help you add striking and cinematic effects to your videos. Motion tracking, color matching, and even keyframing are made easy through Filmora.
1.After you download and install Filmora on your PC, launch it. Then, click on File and tap on Import Media Files.
2.The Audio tab of Filmora offers a variety of music. Just click on the plus icon on any audio to add it to your video as background music. Cut the extra audio part to match your video length.
3.From the Titles tab, you can choose a preset template and then personalize it by double-clicking the title you have added to the timeline.
4.The Transition tab also displays multiple types of dynamic transitions; click to add to the timeline and then drag to adjust the duration of the effect.
5.You can also choose an aesthetic filter or overlay from the Effects tab.
6.The Elements tab features numerous categories like Love, Journey, Badges, and many more. You can add these elements to your video and then adjust their size, rotation, opacity, and much more.
7.Lastly, you can click on Export and either save the video locally or share it directly on social media.
Conclusion
Finally, you can download YouTube thumbnail at the site of your choice. Whether you want to download it in HD or in a lower quality, one of the YouTube thumbnail downloaders mentioned above will be able to fulfill your requirements.
No more browsing through unsecured and ad-laden sites to find a reliable YouTube thumbnail downloader. We have hand-picked, tried, and tested all these tools. All you have to do is take your pick of the YouTube thumbnail saver that best fits your needs. Any tool you choose, you will be able to download YouTube thumbnail with ease and security.
Shanoon Cox
Shanoon Cox is a writer and a lover of all things video.
Follow @Shanoon Cox
Shanoon Cox
Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions
YouTube thumbnails can be required for download for various reasons ranging from personal to professional. Some thumbnails are very attractive, and users might want to download YouTube thumbnail to use as wallpaper or as inspiration. Whereas other times, thumbnails are required to be added to blogs.
In either case, you can take help from a YouTube thumbnail downloader that can save your day. As the name suggests, a YouTube thumbnail saver can let you save any thumbnail you like, and sometimes you can also custom select the quality. For your ease, we have rounded up the best tools to download YouTube thumbnail.
Let’s dive in.
- 10 Free Online YouTube Thumbnail Downloaders/Savers
- Bonus Tip: The Best YouTube Video Editor-Wondershare Filmora
10 Free Online YouTube Thumbnail Downloaders/Savers
There are tons of tools on the web that let you download YouTube thumbnail. But, not all of them are reliable and secure. Choosing the best YouTube thumbnail downloaders that offer all the features you are looking for can be time taking and tedious. So, we are here to save the day by listing the top YouTube thumbnail saver tools.
1. ThumbnailSave
As a free YouTube thumbnail downloader, ThumbnailSave is frequently used by people. It enables users to download YouTube thumbnail without any hassle. There a variety of resolutions available, and you can choose the quality you like, ranging from HD to 360p. The simple interface of this downloader further makes it an excellent tool. All you have to do is enter the URL link and click Save As after the thumbnail is loaded. Also, this versatile YouTube thumbnail downloader works on almost every kind of device. Whether you are using a desktop PC or an iPhone, ThumbnailSave is compatible with all.
2. YouTube Thumbnail Grabber
Another powerful and free YouTube thumbnail downloader is this one, which can download both YouTube and Vimeo thumbnails. After you copy-paste the link of the video whose thumbnail you wish to save, you can press on Get Thumbnail Images. After that, you can choose the quality of the thumbnail as per your requirements. Moreover, you can also get a free extension of this YouTube thumbnail saver on both Chrome and Firefox browsers. This will allow fast and easy use of the YouTube thumbnail downloader. What’s more, unlike other downloaders, this one doesn’t bombard the user with pesky ads.
3. Youthumbnail.com
YouThumbnail, also known as YT YouTube thumbnail downloader, is a robust tool that allows users to quickly download YouTube thumbnail absolutely free of cost. It requires no installation. Three different sizes, namely medium, small, and HD, are available for download. By clicking on the desired quality, you can quickly and safely download YouTube thumbnail. Also, there is no limit to the number of downloads. Better yet, there are multiple languages available. So, a diverse population can use this online YouTube thumbnail saver with great ease.
4. YouTube-thumbnails.com
As a free and open for all YouTube thumbnail saver, this one lets users get the thumbnail of their choice in the quality of their choice. Using this YouTube thumbnail downloader won’t cost a penny, no matter how many thumbnails are downloaded. It also has a very simple user interface. Just enter the YouTube video link and press Find. The qualities of the thumbnail supported by this tool are MQ 320x180, HQ 480x360, SD 640x480, and HD 1280x720 , and will be almost instantly displayed. Click on the quality you wish to save locally, and your download will start immediately.
5. YT Thumbnail Downloader
YT Thumbnail Downloader is an excellent and lightning-fast tool to download YouTube thumbnail. It poses no limitations or charges on the use. Moreover, you can custom select the resolution of the thumbnail before you click to save. This YouTube thumbnail downloader prides itself on being the fastest in the market. The thumbnail processing time is just 2 seconds, after which you can download YouTube thumbnail. Besides, this YouTube thumbnail saver is safe and secure as it doesn’t display tons of ads and also does not save the user’s data.
6. BoingBoing
BoingBoing is also a free and very easy-to-use YouTube thumbnail saver. All you have to do is paste the URL you copied, and this YouTube thumbnail downloader will take care of the rest. There is no button to press to start the process. The thumbnails are almost instantly loaded. However, BoingBoing displays a lot of annoying ads. Also, the different qualities that are displayed don’t mention the size, and you will have to press and hold the image to download. All in all, this YouTube thumbnail saver is worth your time and effort as it is fast at what it does.
7. Get YouTube Thumbnail
Get YouTube Thumbnail is a very simple tool to download YouTube thumbnail. It comes with no extra features. But, it is widely used due to the fact that it is a very straightforward YouTube thumbnail downloader. It doesn’t even display intrusive ads or pop-ups. But, the downside is that the quality options are limited. There are only 2 qualities available for download, and no size is mentioned on them. To download YouTube thumbnail, you will have to right-click and open the image URL created and then save it in the next tab.
8. YouTube Thumbnail Image
A fast and easy way to download YouTube thumbnail is by using this powerful tool available online. Without any hassle of downloading or registering an account, you can easily copy-paste the link of your favorite video and click on Search. You will be displayed with four qualities such as 1920x1080 (HD), 640X480 (SD), 480X360 (HQ), and 320x180 (MQ). This feature makes it a versatile YouTube thumbnail downloader as users can choose the quality depending on the space they have available. Other than this, the YouTube thumbnail saver offers round-the-clock customer support. So, in case you face any technical issue or are unable to download YouTube thumbnail, this tool will be present for prompt assistance.
9. Thumbnail-download.com
Another addition to the list of top YouTube thumbnail downloader tools is this one. Like the other tools, this one is also free for use and is renowned for being super fast. No matter which YouTube video you want to save the thumbnail from, this tool will allow you easy access to download it in HD quality. The website is SSL encrypted, so the user’s data is protected, and thus this is a safe site to download YouTube thumbnail. What’s more, this YouTube thumbnail downloader is robust. Although there a few ads displayed, they aren’t very intrusive and do not disrupt the user experience.
Bonus Tip: The Best YouTube Video Editor-Wondershare Filmora
With Wondershare Filmora, you can create captivating videos by using one-click tools. This powerful yet intuitive video editor is loaded with various high-end editing features that can help you add striking and cinematic effects to your videos. Motion tracking, color matching, and even keyframing are made easy through Filmora.
1.After you download and install Filmora on your PC, launch it. Then, click on File and tap on Import Media Files.
2.The Audio tab of Filmora offers a variety of music. Just click on the plus icon on any audio to add it to your video as background music. Cut the extra audio part to match your video length.
3.From the Titles tab, you can choose a preset template and then personalize it by double-clicking the title you have added to the timeline.
4.The Transition tab also displays multiple types of dynamic transitions; click to add to the timeline and then drag to adjust the duration of the effect.
5.You can also choose an aesthetic filter or overlay from the Effects tab.
6.The Elements tab features numerous categories like Love, Journey, Badges, and many more. You can add these elements to your video and then adjust their size, rotation, opacity, and much more.
7.Lastly, you can click on Export and either save the video locally or share it directly on social media.
Conclusion
Finally, you can download YouTube thumbnail at the site of your choice. Whether you want to download it in HD or in a lower quality, one of the YouTube thumbnail downloaders mentioned above will be able to fulfill your requirements.
No more browsing through unsecured and ad-laden sites to find a reliable YouTube thumbnail downloader. We have hand-picked, tried, and tested all these tools. All you have to do is take your pick of the YouTube thumbnail saver that best fits your needs. Any tool you choose, you will be able to download YouTube thumbnail with ease and security.
Shanoon Cox
Shanoon Cox is a writer and a lover of all things video.
Follow @Shanoon Cox
The Cutting Edge Without Costs - Navigating Through These 8 Tools
The Best Free Video Editing Software for YouTube (Top 8 Reviews)
Richard Bennett
Dec 02, 2022• Proven solutions
What makes a YouTube video good? The most important element is obviously you, the creator. Your personality, ideas, and unique viewpoint are what will make your content special and turn viewers into subscribers.
The next most important thing – even more important than the camera you use – is editing.
Editing a YouTube video doesn’t have to be difficult. In fact, it should be simple. Your focus when you’re perfecting your video should be on that ‘most important thing’ we mentioned earlier – your creativity. Editing for a YouTube video should be art, not mechanical engineering.
Below is a list of the top free video editing software ranked according to how appropriate it is for YouTube videos.
| Rank | Editor | Make Cuts | Audio Features | Multiple Video Tracks | Video Effects | Intuitive Score (1-5) | Compatibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | OpenShot Video Editor | Yes | Fade In/Out, set volume levels | Yes | Transitions, text, ability to animate. Blur/Saturation/Brightness controls. | 5 | Windows, Mac, Linux |
| 2. | Shotcut | Yes | Detailed audio editing | Yes | You can customize color presets and other effects. No animations. | 4 | Windows, Mac, Linux |
| 3. | Hitfilm Express | Yes | Audio effects and transitioning. | Yes | Every imaginable picture customization. Some FX (more if you pay). Text tool. | 4 | Windows, Mac |
| 4. | VideoPad Video Editor | Yes | Noise removal, equalizer, audio effects. | Yes | Moving text, transitions, filters. | 5 | Windows |
| 5. | Lightworks | Yes | Detailed audio editing | Yes | No premade effects, but you can add text/color edit. | 3 | Windows, Mac, Linux |
| 6. | VSDC Video Editor | Yes | Some audio features blocked in free version | Yes | Filters, transitions, text, and more. | 1 | Windows |
| 7. | Machete Video Editor Lite | Yes | None | No | None | 3 | Windows |
| 8. | Avidemux | Yes | Some audio features | No | Some picture adjustments | 2 | Windows, Mac, Linux, BSD |
Ready to upgrade to a simple, powerful, paid software that’s perfect for YouTube? Check out the free trial of Wondershare Filmora . It is an advanced tool that is focused more on newbie editors who are new to the videography world but want to compete with professionals!
1. OpenShot Video Editor – Open Source (Windows, Mac, Linux)
Pros
- Easy to use
- Includes transitions
- Keyframing
- Alpha Channel
- Unlimited video tracks
OpenShot Video Editor Review
OpenShot completely lives up to the claim that it was designed to be ‘easy to use, quick to learn, and surprisingly powerful’.
The first time you use OpenShot there will be helpful tutorial notes to guide you through the program. The interface is intuitive enough that you may not always need them, but having them should erase any confusion.
All of the basic editing features, like cutting clips up, are easy to access in the timeline. You have unlimited tracks, and it’s easy to drag your clips between them. There’s a helpful magnet feature that fits clips together if you slide them together, but which still allows for blank space if you choose to leave it.
Most other functions – setting volume levels, adjusting the speed, adding movement/zoom effect – are accessible simply by right-clicking on your clip in the timeline and choosing what you want from the menu that pops up.
Is OpenShot Video Editor good for YouTube?
OpenShot is a great, free, choice for YouTubers at any editing skill level.
Beyond simply ordering your clips, OpenShot includes text and transition options within the program. You can even animate the text, and access Animated Titles if you use OpenShot in tandem with a free animation program called Blender. Titles and transitions are vital to a lot of popular YouTube styles.
OpenShot does not provide the same level of detail as the runner up, Shotcut, when it comes to color correction or audio editing. However, the features it does have (volume levels, control of saturation) will satisfy most YouTubers.
2. Shotcut – Open Source (Windows, Mac, Linux)
Pros
- Detailed audio editing
- Color grading, ability to save presets
- Fairly intuitive timeline
Shotcut Review
Shotcut delivers a smooth, detailed, editing experience for free. It is not as easy to jump into as some of the other programs on this list, but it still only takes a half-hour or so of playing around to understand it well enough to make a video. There are also tutorials up on Shotcut’s site that can help you.
You can edit using multiple video tracks in Shotcut, making it easy to combine multiple clips, and basic functions like splitting or copying clips are as easy as clicking the right icon on the toolbar.
All of the video and audio effects, including things like chroma key, you might want to apply to your video are found under the Filters menu. It will look empty when you first open it, and you have to click the plus sign to see what your options are. If you want to create a color tint (like what you might think of as an Instagram filter) then you can do that through the Color Grading option. If you want to do something like invert your colors or add an ‘old film’ look, you’ll find that here as well along with all of the audio editing features (balance, bass and treble, and gain to name just a few).
Is Shotcut good for YouTube?
Shotcut is a great choice for YouTubers. It allows you to do some advanced editing, and it’s easy to learn compared to a program targeted at professional editors.
The only complication with Shotcut for entry-level editors who will primarily use the program for YouTube might be that animations – like moving text – are not available through the program (you can add and customize text, but it just sits there). You can get them from elsewhere and use them in the program (Shotcut has an alpha channel), but it’s a bit more involved a process than simply customizing something that’s already provided.
3. Hitfilm Express – Windows, Mac
Pros
- Compositing mode (2D and 3D)
- The Most effect customization
- Helpful User Guide & tutorials
Cons
- Can be overwhelming
- Its main strength is FX, but you only get a couple for free. Most have to be bought separately.
Hitfilm Express Review
Hitfilm Express is the best free editor if you want to add special effects to your projects. OpenShot’s alpha channel will be enough for most people, but if you think of yourself as an aspiring filmmaker then it’s hard to beat Hitfilm’s range of functions.
This is an editor designed for people who want to make movies, and it’s a lot more intuitive than most professional-grade software. Film-quality FX (lasers, explosions, etc.) are available through Hitfilm Express for a reasonable price ($10-$50, depending on what you want), and even without paying extra for the packs, there’s a lot you can do to give your video a ‘film look’ using compositing layers and the multitude of customizable effects provided through the program.
Another highlight of Hitfilm Express is the extensive selection of tutorials and helpful information they have available both through YouTube videos and their User Guide. You will need those because this program can be overwhelming. It has so many functions and areas you can customize that it is easy to get lost.
That said, basic editing in Hitfilm Express is not difficult to jump into. It’s only when you start getting fancy that things get dicey.
Is Hitfilm Express good for YouTube?
Yes. It will not be the best option for everyone, but it’s not a bad option for anyone either.
If what you want to make is a vlog where you have a series of clips, and intro, and maybe a couple of title effects, then Hitfilm express might be overkill. You don’t want to have to master compositing just to add some text.
If what you want to make is a vlog that’s interrupted by an alien invasion and turns into an action sequence with lasers and falling debris, it’d be hard to do better than Hitfilm Express.
4. VideoPad Video Editor – Windows
Pros
- Easy to jump into
- Moving text
- Huge audio waveforms
- Audio and visual effects
- Lossless exports
Cons
- No longer updated
VideoPad Video Editor Review
VideoPad Video Editor is an extremely easy to use program. It may be the easiest program on this list to jump into, which you could also realistically create your entire video inside (there are easier programs, but you can only do some of your work in them). Part of its simplicity comes from not being as feature-rich as the programs ranking higher than it on this list, however.
You do not get the same range of functions with VideoPad as you do from the top 3 free editors, but it has enough to satisfy people who are just starting out. Creating moving text effects is easy, you have huge audio waves to work with while you’re syncing, and effects like transitions and filters are easy to find.
VideoPad does suffer a bit from being dated. This program is no longer being worked on, and the interface doesn’t look particularly modern. This is a bit more than a cosmetic issue because some features, while not difficult to find, are placed a bit oddly compared to other editors.
One slightly annoying feature of VideoPad is that it will prompt you to buy the commercial version sometimes (the free version is only for non-commercial use). There have been reports of exports being blocked in the free version, but I exported several times for the sake of this review and the issue never came up.
Is VideoPad Video Editor good for YouTube?
VideoPad makes a decent YouTube editor. You can jump right in and start making cuts, adding filters, and ordering your clips. If you have the kind of channel where voiceovers are important (like in gaming or makeup), then you’ll be happy with the size of the audio waves you have to work with for syncing.
The thing about VideoPad is that you’re probably going to outgrow it quickly as you become a more capable editor.
5. Lightworks – Windows, Mac, Linux
Pros
- Detailed color and audio editing
- Multicam editing
Cons
- Exports limited to 720p for the free version
- Difficult to learn compared to other free software
Lightworks Review
On their website, Lightworks claims to have an ‘intuitive interface’ and ‘easy timeline editing’. This is true if you compare it to other professional-level editing suites. Compared to the other programs on this list, Lightworks is complicated.
The first thing I attempt when I review this program is to simply split a clip, and it took me a ridiculous amount of time to figure this feature out in Lightworks (a more advanced editor could have found it faster, but these reviews are meant to help people with less experience). Lightworks does have a whole tutorial series on using the software, so if you are interested in learning to use it there is ample material out there to help you.
Lightworks has a wide range of functions (i.e. detailed audio editing and color correction), and it has been used for big movies like ‘The Wolf of Wall Street’. It is the most professional program on this list, and it’s a great free alternative to something like Adobe Premiere Pro.
Note: there is no time limit on the free version of Lightworks, but it will ask you to renew your free license every 7 days. When it says your license is ‘expired’ it isn’t kicking you off the free version, you just need to renew.
Is Lightworks good for YouTube?
Whether or not Lightworks is right for your YouTube channel depends on your goals as a video editor.
If what you want is to jump in and start making YouTube videos quickly, Lightworks might not be a great choice. It’s not an easy program to just jump into, you’ll have to either take time to learn it or accept that it’ll take some trial and error to get the hang of.
If what you want is to become a professional-level video editor, then Lightworks is a great program to start on (although, Hitfilm Express may still be better). Taking the time to learn it could certainly pay off in the long run.
However, if one of your priorities is for your YouTube channel to come across as professional, then the free version of Lightworks does have some disappointing limitations. You can only export videos in 720p, which is lower quality than viewers on YouTube expect (you probably want at least 1080p). Your output format is limited too. The royalty-free audio and video content Lightworks offers are also not free; you can just buy them through the program.
6. VSDC Video Editor – Windows
Pros
- Diagrams and charts
- How To Get Started Guide
- Lots of features
Cons
- Very confusing
- Paid features show up in the free version, but they’re blocked
Review of VSDC Video Editor
There’s a lot to like about VSDC Video Editor, but you have to do a lot of work to uncover any of it. Accessing even the most basic features is confusing.
One of the first things I tried to do as I tested the program was make a jump cut (where you cut out part of a video so the playback ‘jumps over’ the deleted segment) and, while I was able to do it, it was not an intuitive process. There is a multitude of toolbars and icons surrounding your preview window in VSDC, and none of those icons was for making cuts to your clips. To make any cuts you have to find the ‘cutting and splitting’ option under the Editor tab at the top of the page, which will open a second window in which you still cannot make any cuts. Instead what you can do is place markers, and when you click ‘apply changes’ to exit the window cuts will be made where you placed markers. There is nothing in the window to explain what the markers are for.
Other basic functions, like adding text, are just as complicated.
Is VSDC Video Editor good for YouTube?
I would not recommend VSDC for YouTube. It ranks higher than two other items on this list because they are, do to functional limitations, unable to create full YouTube videos without the support of other programs (at least realistically). You certainly could create your full YouTube video in VSDC, but it’d be a headache.
7. Machete Video Editor Lite – Windows
Pros
- Great for harvesting clips from longer footage
- Lossless exports
Cons
- Cannot swap or add audio
- Only supports two formats (AVI and WMV)
- Slightly awkward timeline
Machete Video Editor Lite Review
Machete Lite claims that you’ll be able to edit your videos “within a few minutes after downloading the program, even if you’ve never edited a video before”, and that is true. It might even be better if you haven’t edited a video before because the interface is slightly awkward if you’ve come from a program with a more traditional timeline setup. Machete Lite is easy to use for the most part, but it doesn’t work like most other editors and that can be awkward to navigate around.
Instead of seeing a timeline with all of your individual clips, Machete treats your entire video as one clip. You will only be able to see where you have inserted a separate video clip or cut out a portion of the video by watching the video back or jumping through it (Machete Lite does allow frame-by-frame scrolling). You won’t be able to see this information at a glance, and you won’t be able to adjust the lengths of clips you’ve added separately.
To take out any portion of your overall video you’ll need to find a keyframe at the beginning, set that as the beginning of your selection, then find a key frame at the end and set that as the end of your selection. You will then be able to delete that selection. This will not work if the frames you have set as the beginning and end are not considered keyframes by the program, so it can be difficult to be precise, but since the program allows you to jump through keyframes it’s not difficult to find a point that works.
Is Machete Video Editor Lite good for YouTube?
Machete Lite is not a good choice for YouTubers unless it is used in combination with another program.
It doesn’t work as a YouTube editor because you cannot edit or swap audio, the transition between clips, or create layers of videos and images.
However, the thing Machete Lite is really good at is cutting out clips from longer videos. You can create a selection of a part of your longer clip and then export it (with no quality loss) as its own video file.
This is what the Machete Lite toolbar looks like when you’ve created a selection. Tools like cut and copy which were greyed out before are now available, as is the save icon on the far right. If you click the save icon, you’ll be able to save that selection as its own video.
You can’t create a complete YouTube video in Machete Lite, but you can harvest clips to use in a different program.
8. Avidemux – Windows, Mac, Linux, BSD
Pros
- Can add subtitle files
Cons
- Not intuitive
- Doesn’t support MOV or WMV
- The website is not informative, no tutorials
Avidemux Review
Avidemux is not an easy program to jump into. I almost wrote that it couldn’t do anything besides make cuts to a clip before I saw a YouTube tutorial about how to find the contrast and brightness tools. If you decide to try it out, remember that you have to choose your output format before Avidemux will let you access tools like Hue/Saturation and Contrast (click Filters under Video Output to find them).
There are no official tutorials for Avidemux you can access from their site, so you’ll have to rely on the forums and tutorials from users if you want to learn it.
You can import multiple clips into Avidemux, but you have to import them in the order you want because you can’t drag them around the timeline after. Everything becomes one big clip.
Is Avidemux good for YouTube?
No. It has more functionality than Machete, which is ranked higher on this list, but the difference is that Machete is excellent at one thing. They both suffer from the same main weakness – you could not complete your full YouTube video either (at least not without a lot of trouble). Machete could still be useful to a YouTuber, though, because it allows for the lossless exporting of segments of clips. You can use it to harvest clips for your larger project in another program.
In theory, you could do some picture editing and snipping in Avidemux and then put your project together/add titles in another program, but your other program can probably do all that just as well if not better. Avidemux isn’t a bad program, but it doesn’t excel at anything. There are a lot of better options which are also free.
What has your experience with free video editors been like?
Richard Bennett
Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.
Follow @Richard Bennett
Richard Bennett
Dec 02, 2022• Proven solutions
What makes a YouTube video good? The most important element is obviously you, the creator. Your personality, ideas, and unique viewpoint are what will make your content special and turn viewers into subscribers.
The next most important thing – even more important than the camera you use – is editing.
Editing a YouTube video doesn’t have to be difficult. In fact, it should be simple. Your focus when you’re perfecting your video should be on that ‘most important thing’ we mentioned earlier – your creativity. Editing for a YouTube video should be art, not mechanical engineering.
Below is a list of the top free video editing software ranked according to how appropriate it is for YouTube videos.
| Rank | Editor | Make Cuts | Audio Features | Multiple Video Tracks | Video Effects | Intuitive Score (1-5) | Compatibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | OpenShot Video Editor | Yes | Fade In/Out, set volume levels | Yes | Transitions, text, ability to animate. Blur/Saturation/Brightness controls. | 5 | Windows, Mac, Linux |
| 2. | Shotcut | Yes | Detailed audio editing | Yes | You can customize color presets and other effects. No animations. | 4 | Windows, Mac, Linux |
| 3. | Hitfilm Express | Yes | Audio effects and transitioning. | Yes | Every imaginable picture customization. Some FX (more if you pay). Text tool. | 4 | Windows, Mac |
| 4. | VideoPad Video Editor | Yes | Noise removal, equalizer, audio effects. | Yes | Moving text, transitions, filters. | 5 | Windows |
| 5. | Lightworks | Yes | Detailed audio editing | Yes | No premade effects, but you can add text/color edit. | 3 | Windows, Mac, Linux |
| 6. | VSDC Video Editor | Yes | Some audio features blocked in free version | Yes | Filters, transitions, text, and more. | 1 | Windows |
| 7. | Machete Video Editor Lite | Yes | None | No | None | 3 | Windows |
| 8. | Avidemux | Yes | Some audio features | No | Some picture adjustments | 2 | Windows, Mac, Linux, BSD |
Ready to upgrade to a simple, powerful, paid software that’s perfect for YouTube? Check out the free trial of Wondershare Filmora . It is an advanced tool that is focused more on newbie editors who are new to the videography world but want to compete with professionals!
1. OpenShot Video Editor – Open Source (Windows, Mac, Linux)
Pros
- Easy to use
- Includes transitions
- Keyframing
- Alpha Channel
- Unlimited video tracks
OpenShot Video Editor Review
OpenShot completely lives up to the claim that it was designed to be ‘easy to use, quick to learn, and surprisingly powerful’.
The first time you use OpenShot there will be helpful tutorial notes to guide you through the program. The interface is intuitive enough that you may not always need them, but having them should erase any confusion.
All of the basic editing features, like cutting clips up, are easy to access in the timeline. You have unlimited tracks, and it’s easy to drag your clips between them. There’s a helpful magnet feature that fits clips together if you slide them together, but which still allows for blank space if you choose to leave it.
Most other functions – setting volume levels, adjusting the speed, adding movement/zoom effect – are accessible simply by right-clicking on your clip in the timeline and choosing what you want from the menu that pops up.
Is OpenShot Video Editor good for YouTube?
OpenShot is a great, free, choice for YouTubers at any editing skill level.
Beyond simply ordering your clips, OpenShot includes text and transition options within the program. You can even animate the text, and access Animated Titles if you use OpenShot in tandem with a free animation program called Blender. Titles and transitions are vital to a lot of popular YouTube styles.
OpenShot does not provide the same level of detail as the runner up, Shotcut, when it comes to color correction or audio editing. However, the features it does have (volume levels, control of saturation) will satisfy most YouTubers.
2. Shotcut – Open Source (Windows, Mac, Linux)
Pros
- Detailed audio editing
- Color grading, ability to save presets
- Fairly intuitive timeline
Shotcut Review
Shotcut delivers a smooth, detailed, editing experience for free. It is not as easy to jump into as some of the other programs on this list, but it still only takes a half-hour or so of playing around to understand it well enough to make a video. There are also tutorials up on Shotcut’s site that can help you.
You can edit using multiple video tracks in Shotcut, making it easy to combine multiple clips, and basic functions like splitting or copying clips are as easy as clicking the right icon on the toolbar.
All of the video and audio effects, including things like chroma key, you might want to apply to your video are found under the Filters menu. It will look empty when you first open it, and you have to click the plus sign to see what your options are. If you want to create a color tint (like what you might think of as an Instagram filter) then you can do that through the Color Grading option. If you want to do something like invert your colors or add an ‘old film’ look, you’ll find that here as well along with all of the audio editing features (balance, bass and treble, and gain to name just a few).
Is Shotcut good for YouTube?
Shotcut is a great choice for YouTubers. It allows you to do some advanced editing, and it’s easy to learn compared to a program targeted at professional editors.
The only complication with Shotcut for entry-level editors who will primarily use the program for YouTube might be that animations – like moving text – are not available through the program (you can add and customize text, but it just sits there). You can get them from elsewhere and use them in the program (Shotcut has an alpha channel), but it’s a bit more involved a process than simply customizing something that’s already provided.
3. Hitfilm Express – Windows, Mac
Pros
- Compositing mode (2D and 3D)
- The Most effect customization
- Helpful User Guide & tutorials
Cons
- Can be overwhelming
- Its main strength is FX, but you only get a couple for free. Most have to be bought separately.
Hitfilm Express Review
Hitfilm Express is the best free editor if you want to add special effects to your projects. OpenShot’s alpha channel will be enough for most people, but if you think of yourself as an aspiring filmmaker then it’s hard to beat Hitfilm’s range of functions.
This is an editor designed for people who want to make movies, and it’s a lot more intuitive than most professional-grade software. Film-quality FX (lasers, explosions, etc.) are available through Hitfilm Express for a reasonable price ($10-$50, depending on what you want), and even without paying extra for the packs, there’s a lot you can do to give your video a ‘film look’ using compositing layers and the multitude of customizable effects provided through the program.
Another highlight of Hitfilm Express is the extensive selection of tutorials and helpful information they have available both through YouTube videos and their User Guide. You will need those because this program can be overwhelming. It has so many functions and areas you can customize that it is easy to get lost.
That said, basic editing in Hitfilm Express is not difficult to jump into. It’s only when you start getting fancy that things get dicey.
Is Hitfilm Express good for YouTube?
Yes. It will not be the best option for everyone, but it’s not a bad option for anyone either.
If what you want to make is a vlog where you have a series of clips, and intro, and maybe a couple of title effects, then Hitfilm express might be overkill. You don’t want to have to master compositing just to add some text.
If what you want to make is a vlog that’s interrupted by an alien invasion and turns into an action sequence with lasers and falling debris, it’d be hard to do better than Hitfilm Express.
4. VideoPad Video Editor – Windows
Pros
- Easy to jump into
- Moving text
- Huge audio waveforms
- Audio and visual effects
- Lossless exports
Cons
- No longer updated
VideoPad Video Editor Review
VideoPad Video Editor is an extremely easy to use program. It may be the easiest program on this list to jump into, which you could also realistically create your entire video inside (there are easier programs, but you can only do some of your work in them). Part of its simplicity comes from not being as feature-rich as the programs ranking higher than it on this list, however.
You do not get the same range of functions with VideoPad as you do from the top 3 free editors, but it has enough to satisfy people who are just starting out. Creating moving text effects is easy, you have huge audio waves to work with while you’re syncing, and effects like transitions and filters are easy to find.
VideoPad does suffer a bit from being dated. This program is no longer being worked on, and the interface doesn’t look particularly modern. This is a bit more than a cosmetic issue because some features, while not difficult to find, are placed a bit oddly compared to other editors.
One slightly annoying feature of VideoPad is that it will prompt you to buy the commercial version sometimes (the free version is only for non-commercial use). There have been reports of exports being blocked in the free version, but I exported several times for the sake of this review and the issue never came up.
Is VideoPad Video Editor good for YouTube?
VideoPad makes a decent YouTube editor. You can jump right in and start making cuts, adding filters, and ordering your clips. If you have the kind of channel where voiceovers are important (like in gaming or makeup), then you’ll be happy with the size of the audio waves you have to work with for syncing.
The thing about VideoPad is that you’re probably going to outgrow it quickly as you become a more capable editor.
5. Lightworks – Windows, Mac, Linux
Pros
- Detailed color and audio editing
- Multicam editing
Cons
- Exports limited to 720p for the free version
- Difficult to learn compared to other free software
Lightworks Review
On their website, Lightworks claims to have an ‘intuitive interface’ and ‘easy timeline editing’. This is true if you compare it to other professional-level editing suites. Compared to the other programs on this list, Lightworks is complicated.
The first thing I attempt when I review this program is to simply split a clip, and it took me a ridiculous amount of time to figure this feature out in Lightworks (a more advanced editor could have found it faster, but these reviews are meant to help people with less experience). Lightworks does have a whole tutorial series on using the software, so if you are interested in learning to use it there is ample material out there to help you.
Lightworks has a wide range of functions (i.e. detailed audio editing and color correction), and it has been used for big movies like ‘The Wolf of Wall Street’. It is the most professional program on this list, and it’s a great free alternative to something like Adobe Premiere Pro.
Note: there is no time limit on the free version of Lightworks, but it will ask you to renew your free license every 7 days. When it says your license is ‘expired’ it isn’t kicking you off the free version, you just need to renew.
Is Lightworks good for YouTube?
Whether or not Lightworks is right for your YouTube channel depends on your goals as a video editor.
If what you want is to jump in and start making YouTube videos quickly, Lightworks might not be a great choice. It’s not an easy program to just jump into, you’ll have to either take time to learn it or accept that it’ll take some trial and error to get the hang of.
If what you want is to become a professional-level video editor, then Lightworks is a great program to start on (although, Hitfilm Express may still be better). Taking the time to learn it could certainly pay off in the long run.
However, if one of your priorities is for your YouTube channel to come across as professional, then the free version of Lightworks does have some disappointing limitations. You can only export videos in 720p, which is lower quality than viewers on YouTube expect (you probably want at least 1080p). Your output format is limited too. The royalty-free audio and video content Lightworks offers are also not free; you can just buy them through the program.
6. VSDC Video Editor – Windows
Pros
- Diagrams and charts
- How To Get Started Guide
- Lots of features
Cons
- Very confusing
- Paid features show up in the free version, but they’re blocked
Review of VSDC Video Editor
There’s a lot to like about VSDC Video Editor, but you have to do a lot of work to uncover any of it. Accessing even the most basic features is confusing.
One of the first things I tried to do as I tested the program was make a jump cut (where you cut out part of a video so the playback ‘jumps over’ the deleted segment) and, while I was able to do it, it was not an intuitive process. There is a multitude of toolbars and icons surrounding your preview window in VSDC, and none of those icons was for making cuts to your clips. To make any cuts you have to find the ‘cutting and splitting’ option under the Editor tab at the top of the page, which will open a second window in which you still cannot make any cuts. Instead what you can do is place markers, and when you click ‘apply changes’ to exit the window cuts will be made where you placed markers. There is nothing in the window to explain what the markers are for.
Other basic functions, like adding text, are just as complicated.
Is VSDC Video Editor good for YouTube?
I would not recommend VSDC for YouTube. It ranks higher than two other items on this list because they are, do to functional limitations, unable to create full YouTube videos without the support of other programs (at least realistically). You certainly could create your full YouTube video in VSDC, but it’d be a headache.
7. Machete Video Editor Lite – Windows
Pros
- Great for harvesting clips from longer footage
- Lossless exports
Cons
- Cannot swap or add audio
- Only supports two formats (AVI and WMV)
- Slightly awkward timeline
Machete Video Editor Lite Review
Machete Lite claims that you’ll be able to edit your videos “within a few minutes after downloading the program, even if you’ve never edited a video before”, and that is true. It might even be better if you haven’t edited a video before because the interface is slightly awkward if you’ve come from a program with a more traditional timeline setup. Machete Lite is easy to use for the most part, but it doesn’t work like most other editors and that can be awkward to navigate around.
Instead of seeing a timeline with all of your individual clips, Machete treats your entire video as one clip. You will only be able to see where you have inserted a separate video clip or cut out a portion of the video by watching the video back or jumping through it (Machete Lite does allow frame-by-frame scrolling). You won’t be able to see this information at a glance, and you won’t be able to adjust the lengths of clips you’ve added separately.
To take out any portion of your overall video you’ll need to find a keyframe at the beginning, set that as the beginning of your selection, then find a key frame at the end and set that as the end of your selection. You will then be able to delete that selection. This will not work if the frames you have set as the beginning and end are not considered keyframes by the program, so it can be difficult to be precise, but since the program allows you to jump through keyframes it’s not difficult to find a point that works.
Is Machete Video Editor Lite good for YouTube?
Machete Lite is not a good choice for YouTubers unless it is used in combination with another program.
It doesn’t work as a YouTube editor because you cannot edit or swap audio, the transition between clips, or create layers of videos and images.
However, the thing Machete Lite is really good at is cutting out clips from longer videos. You can create a selection of a part of your longer clip and then export it (with no quality loss) as its own video file.
This is what the Machete Lite toolbar looks like when you’ve created a selection. Tools like cut and copy which were greyed out before are now available, as is the save icon on the far right. If you click the save icon, you’ll be able to save that selection as its own video.
You can’t create a complete YouTube video in Machete Lite, but you can harvest clips to use in a different program.
8. Avidemux – Windows, Mac, Linux, BSD
Pros
- Can add subtitle files
Cons
- Not intuitive
- Doesn’t support MOV or WMV
- The website is not informative, no tutorials
Avidemux Review
Avidemux is not an easy program to jump into. I almost wrote that it couldn’t do anything besides make cuts to a clip before I saw a YouTube tutorial about how to find the contrast and brightness tools. If you decide to try it out, remember that you have to choose your output format before Avidemux will let you access tools like Hue/Saturation and Contrast (click Filters under Video Output to find them).
There are no official tutorials for Avidemux you can access from their site, so you’ll have to rely on the forums and tutorials from users if you want to learn it.
You can import multiple clips into Avidemux, but you have to import them in the order you want because you can’t drag them around the timeline after. Everything becomes one big clip.
Is Avidemux good for YouTube?
No. It has more functionality than Machete, which is ranked higher on this list, but the difference is that Machete is excellent at one thing. They both suffer from the same main weakness – you could not complete your full YouTube video either (at least not without a lot of trouble). Machete could still be useful to a YouTuber, though, because it allows for the lossless exporting of segments of clips. You can use it to harvest clips for your larger project in another program.
In theory, you could do some picture editing and snipping in Avidemux and then put your project together/add titles in another program, but your other program can probably do all that just as well if not better. Avidemux isn’t a bad program, but it doesn’t excel at anything. There are a lot of better options which are also free.
What has your experience with free video editors been like?
Richard Bennett
Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.
Follow @Richard Bennett
Richard Bennett
Dec 02, 2022• Proven solutions
What makes a YouTube video good? The most important element is obviously you, the creator. Your personality, ideas, and unique viewpoint are what will make your content special and turn viewers into subscribers.
The next most important thing – even more important than the camera you use – is editing.
Editing a YouTube video doesn’t have to be difficult. In fact, it should be simple. Your focus when you’re perfecting your video should be on that ‘most important thing’ we mentioned earlier – your creativity. Editing for a YouTube video should be art, not mechanical engineering.
Below is a list of the top free video editing software ranked according to how appropriate it is for YouTube videos.
| Rank | Editor | Make Cuts | Audio Features | Multiple Video Tracks | Video Effects | Intuitive Score (1-5) | Compatibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | OpenShot Video Editor | Yes | Fade In/Out, set volume levels | Yes | Transitions, text, ability to animate. Blur/Saturation/Brightness controls. | 5 | Windows, Mac, Linux |
| 2. | Shotcut | Yes | Detailed audio editing | Yes | You can customize color presets and other effects. No animations. | 4 | Windows, Mac, Linux |
| 3. | Hitfilm Express | Yes | Audio effects and transitioning. | Yes | Every imaginable picture customization. Some FX (more if you pay). Text tool. | 4 | Windows, Mac |
| 4. | VideoPad Video Editor | Yes | Noise removal, equalizer, audio effects. | Yes | Moving text, transitions, filters. | 5 | Windows |
| 5. | Lightworks | Yes | Detailed audio editing | Yes | No premade effects, but you can add text/color edit. | 3 | Windows, Mac, Linux |
| 6. | VSDC Video Editor | Yes | Some audio features blocked in free version | Yes | Filters, transitions, text, and more. | 1 | Windows |
| 7. | Machete Video Editor Lite | Yes | None | No | None | 3 | Windows |
| 8. | Avidemux | Yes | Some audio features | No | Some picture adjustments | 2 | Windows, Mac, Linux, BSD |
Ready to upgrade to a simple, powerful, paid software that’s perfect for YouTube? Check out the free trial of Wondershare Filmora . It is an advanced tool that is focused more on newbie editors who are new to the videography world but want to compete with professionals!
1. OpenShot Video Editor – Open Source (Windows, Mac, Linux)
Pros
- Easy to use
- Includes transitions
- Keyframing
- Alpha Channel
- Unlimited video tracks
OpenShot Video Editor Review
OpenShot completely lives up to the claim that it was designed to be ‘easy to use, quick to learn, and surprisingly powerful’.
The first time you use OpenShot there will be helpful tutorial notes to guide you through the program. The interface is intuitive enough that you may not always need them, but having them should erase any confusion.
All of the basic editing features, like cutting clips up, are easy to access in the timeline. You have unlimited tracks, and it’s easy to drag your clips between them. There’s a helpful magnet feature that fits clips together if you slide them together, but which still allows for blank space if you choose to leave it.
Most other functions – setting volume levels, adjusting the speed, adding movement/zoom effect – are accessible simply by right-clicking on your clip in the timeline and choosing what you want from the menu that pops up.
Is OpenShot Video Editor good for YouTube?
OpenShot is a great, free, choice for YouTubers at any editing skill level.
Beyond simply ordering your clips, OpenShot includes text and transition options within the program. You can even animate the text, and access Animated Titles if you use OpenShot in tandem with a free animation program called Blender. Titles and transitions are vital to a lot of popular YouTube styles.
OpenShot does not provide the same level of detail as the runner up, Shotcut, when it comes to color correction or audio editing. However, the features it does have (volume levels, control of saturation) will satisfy most YouTubers.
2. Shotcut – Open Source (Windows, Mac, Linux)
Pros
- Detailed audio editing
- Color grading, ability to save presets
- Fairly intuitive timeline
Shotcut Review
Shotcut delivers a smooth, detailed, editing experience for free. It is not as easy to jump into as some of the other programs on this list, but it still only takes a half-hour or so of playing around to understand it well enough to make a video. There are also tutorials up on Shotcut’s site that can help you.
You can edit using multiple video tracks in Shotcut, making it easy to combine multiple clips, and basic functions like splitting or copying clips are as easy as clicking the right icon on the toolbar.
All of the video and audio effects, including things like chroma key, you might want to apply to your video are found under the Filters menu. It will look empty when you first open it, and you have to click the plus sign to see what your options are. If you want to create a color tint (like what you might think of as an Instagram filter) then you can do that through the Color Grading option. If you want to do something like invert your colors or add an ‘old film’ look, you’ll find that here as well along with all of the audio editing features (balance, bass and treble, and gain to name just a few).
Is Shotcut good for YouTube?
Shotcut is a great choice for YouTubers. It allows you to do some advanced editing, and it’s easy to learn compared to a program targeted at professional editors.
The only complication with Shotcut for entry-level editors who will primarily use the program for YouTube might be that animations – like moving text – are not available through the program (you can add and customize text, but it just sits there). You can get them from elsewhere and use them in the program (Shotcut has an alpha channel), but it’s a bit more involved a process than simply customizing something that’s already provided.
3. Hitfilm Express – Windows, Mac
Pros
- Compositing mode (2D and 3D)
- The Most effect customization
- Helpful User Guide & tutorials
Cons
- Can be overwhelming
- Its main strength is FX, but you only get a couple for free. Most have to be bought separately.
Hitfilm Express Review
Hitfilm Express is the best free editor if you want to add special effects to your projects. OpenShot’s alpha channel will be enough for most people, but if you think of yourself as an aspiring filmmaker then it’s hard to beat Hitfilm’s range of functions.
This is an editor designed for people who want to make movies, and it’s a lot more intuitive than most professional-grade software. Film-quality FX (lasers, explosions, etc.) are available through Hitfilm Express for a reasonable price ($10-$50, depending on what you want), and even without paying extra for the packs, there’s a lot you can do to give your video a ‘film look’ using compositing layers and the multitude of customizable effects provided through the program.
Another highlight of Hitfilm Express is the extensive selection of tutorials and helpful information they have available both through YouTube videos and their User Guide. You will need those because this program can be overwhelming. It has so many functions and areas you can customize that it is easy to get lost.
That said, basic editing in Hitfilm Express is not difficult to jump into. It’s only when you start getting fancy that things get dicey.
Is Hitfilm Express good for YouTube?
Yes. It will not be the best option for everyone, but it’s not a bad option for anyone either.
If what you want to make is a vlog where you have a series of clips, and intro, and maybe a couple of title effects, then Hitfilm express might be overkill. You don’t want to have to master compositing just to add some text.
If what you want to make is a vlog that’s interrupted by an alien invasion and turns into an action sequence with lasers and falling debris, it’d be hard to do better than Hitfilm Express.
4. VideoPad Video Editor – Windows
Pros
- Easy to jump into
- Moving text
- Huge audio waveforms
- Audio and visual effects
- Lossless exports
Cons
- No longer updated
VideoPad Video Editor Review
VideoPad Video Editor is an extremely easy to use program. It may be the easiest program on this list to jump into, which you could also realistically create your entire video inside (there are easier programs, but you can only do some of your work in them). Part of its simplicity comes from not being as feature-rich as the programs ranking higher than it on this list, however.
You do not get the same range of functions with VideoPad as you do from the top 3 free editors, but it has enough to satisfy people who are just starting out. Creating moving text effects is easy, you have huge audio waves to work with while you’re syncing, and effects like transitions and filters are easy to find.
VideoPad does suffer a bit from being dated. This program is no longer being worked on, and the interface doesn’t look particularly modern. This is a bit more than a cosmetic issue because some features, while not difficult to find, are placed a bit oddly compared to other editors.
One slightly annoying feature of VideoPad is that it will prompt you to buy the commercial version sometimes (the free version is only for non-commercial use). There have been reports of exports being blocked in the free version, but I exported several times for the sake of this review and the issue never came up.
Is VideoPad Video Editor good for YouTube?
VideoPad makes a decent YouTube editor. You can jump right in and start making cuts, adding filters, and ordering your clips. If you have the kind of channel where voiceovers are important (like in gaming or makeup), then you’ll be happy with the size of the audio waves you have to work with for syncing.
The thing about VideoPad is that you’re probably going to outgrow it quickly as you become a more capable editor.
5. Lightworks – Windows, Mac, Linux
Pros
- Detailed color and audio editing
- Multicam editing
Cons
- Exports limited to 720p for the free version
- Difficult to learn compared to other free software
Lightworks Review
On their website, Lightworks claims to have an ‘intuitive interface’ and ‘easy timeline editing’. This is true if you compare it to other professional-level editing suites. Compared to the other programs on this list, Lightworks is complicated.
The first thing I attempt when I review this program is to simply split a clip, and it took me a ridiculous amount of time to figure this feature out in Lightworks (a more advanced editor could have found it faster, but these reviews are meant to help people with less experience). Lightworks does have a whole tutorial series on using the software, so if you are interested in learning to use it there is ample material out there to help you.
Lightworks has a wide range of functions (i.e. detailed audio editing and color correction), and it has been used for big movies like ‘The Wolf of Wall Street’. It is the most professional program on this list, and it’s a great free alternative to something like Adobe Premiere Pro.
Note: there is no time limit on the free version of Lightworks, but it will ask you to renew your free license every 7 days. When it says your license is ‘expired’ it isn’t kicking you off the free version, you just need to renew.
Is Lightworks good for YouTube?
Whether or not Lightworks is right for your YouTube channel depends on your goals as a video editor.
If what you want is to jump in and start making YouTube videos quickly, Lightworks might not be a great choice. It’s not an easy program to just jump into, you’ll have to either take time to learn it or accept that it’ll take some trial and error to get the hang of.
If what you want is to become a professional-level video editor, then Lightworks is a great program to start on (although, Hitfilm Express may still be better). Taking the time to learn it could certainly pay off in the long run.
However, if one of your priorities is for your YouTube channel to come across as professional, then the free version of Lightworks does have some disappointing limitations. You can only export videos in 720p, which is lower quality than viewers on YouTube expect (you probably want at least 1080p). Your output format is limited too. The royalty-free audio and video content Lightworks offers are also not free; you can just buy them through the program.
6. VSDC Video Editor – Windows
Pros
- Diagrams and charts
- How To Get Started Guide
- Lots of features
Cons
- Very confusing
- Paid features show up in the free version, but they’re blocked
Review of VSDC Video Editor
There’s a lot to like about VSDC Video Editor, but you have to do a lot of work to uncover any of it. Accessing even the most basic features is confusing.
One of the first things I tried to do as I tested the program was make a jump cut (where you cut out part of a video so the playback ‘jumps over’ the deleted segment) and, while I was able to do it, it was not an intuitive process. There is a multitude of toolbars and icons surrounding your preview window in VSDC, and none of those icons was for making cuts to your clips. To make any cuts you have to find the ‘cutting and splitting’ option under the Editor tab at the top of the page, which will open a second window in which you still cannot make any cuts. Instead what you can do is place markers, and when you click ‘apply changes’ to exit the window cuts will be made where you placed markers. There is nothing in the window to explain what the markers are for.
Other basic functions, like adding text, are just as complicated.
Is VSDC Video Editor good for YouTube?
I would not recommend VSDC for YouTube. It ranks higher than two other items on this list because they are, do to functional limitations, unable to create full YouTube videos without the support of other programs (at least realistically). You certainly could create your full YouTube video in VSDC, but it’d be a headache.
7. Machete Video Editor Lite – Windows
Pros
- Great for harvesting clips from longer footage
- Lossless exports
Cons
- Cannot swap or add audio
- Only supports two formats (AVI and WMV)
- Slightly awkward timeline
Machete Video Editor Lite Review
Machete Lite claims that you’ll be able to edit your videos “within a few minutes after downloading the program, even if you’ve never edited a video before”, and that is true. It might even be better if you haven’t edited a video before because the interface is slightly awkward if you’ve come from a program with a more traditional timeline setup. Machete Lite is easy to use for the most part, but it doesn’t work like most other editors and that can be awkward to navigate around.
Instead of seeing a timeline with all of your individual clips, Machete treats your entire video as one clip. You will only be able to see where you have inserted a separate video clip or cut out a portion of the video by watching the video back or jumping through it (Machete Lite does allow frame-by-frame scrolling). You won’t be able to see this information at a glance, and you won’t be able to adjust the lengths of clips you’ve added separately.
To take out any portion of your overall video you’ll need to find a keyframe at the beginning, set that as the beginning of your selection, then find a key frame at the end and set that as the end of your selection. You will then be able to delete that selection. This will not work if the frames you have set as the beginning and end are not considered keyframes by the program, so it can be difficult to be precise, but since the program allows you to jump through keyframes it’s not difficult to find a point that works.
Is Machete Video Editor Lite good for YouTube?
Machete Lite is not a good choice for YouTubers unless it is used in combination with another program.
It doesn’t work as a YouTube editor because you cannot edit or swap audio, the transition between clips, or create layers of videos and images.
However, the thing Machete Lite is really good at is cutting out clips from longer videos. You can create a selection of a part of your longer clip and then export it (with no quality loss) as its own video file.
This is what the Machete Lite toolbar looks like when you’ve created a selection. Tools like cut and copy which were greyed out before are now available, as is the save icon on the far right. If you click the save icon, you’ll be able to save that selection as its own video.
You can’t create a complete YouTube video in Machete Lite, but you can harvest clips to use in a different program.
8. Avidemux – Windows, Mac, Linux, BSD
Pros
- Can add subtitle files
Cons
- Not intuitive
- Doesn’t support MOV or WMV
- The website is not informative, no tutorials
Avidemux Review
Avidemux is not an easy program to jump into. I almost wrote that it couldn’t do anything besides make cuts to a clip before I saw a YouTube tutorial about how to find the contrast and brightness tools. If you decide to try it out, remember that you have to choose your output format before Avidemux will let you access tools like Hue/Saturation and Contrast (click Filters under Video Output to find them).
There are no official tutorials for Avidemux you can access from their site, so you’ll have to rely on the forums and tutorials from users if you want to learn it.
You can import multiple clips into Avidemux, but you have to import them in the order you want because you can’t drag them around the timeline after. Everything becomes one big clip.
Is Avidemux good for YouTube?
No. It has more functionality than Machete, which is ranked higher on this list, but the difference is that Machete is excellent at one thing. They both suffer from the same main weakness – you could not complete your full YouTube video either (at least not without a lot of trouble). Machete could still be useful to a YouTuber, though, because it allows for the lossless exporting of segments of clips. You can use it to harvest clips for your larger project in another program.
In theory, you could do some picture editing and snipping in Avidemux and then put your project together/add titles in another program, but your other program can probably do all that just as well if not better. Avidemux isn’t a bad program, but it doesn’t excel at anything. There are a lot of better options which are also free.
What has your experience with free video editors been like?
Richard Bennett
Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.
Follow @Richard Bennett
Richard Bennett
Dec 02, 2022• Proven solutions
What makes a YouTube video good? The most important element is obviously you, the creator. Your personality, ideas, and unique viewpoint are what will make your content special and turn viewers into subscribers.
The next most important thing – even more important than the camera you use – is editing.
Editing a YouTube video doesn’t have to be difficult. In fact, it should be simple. Your focus when you’re perfecting your video should be on that ‘most important thing’ we mentioned earlier – your creativity. Editing for a YouTube video should be art, not mechanical engineering.
Below is a list of the top free video editing software ranked according to how appropriate it is for YouTube videos.
| Rank | Editor | Make Cuts | Audio Features | Multiple Video Tracks | Video Effects | Intuitive Score (1-5) | Compatibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | OpenShot Video Editor | Yes | Fade In/Out, set volume levels | Yes | Transitions, text, ability to animate. Blur/Saturation/Brightness controls. | 5 | Windows, Mac, Linux |
| 2. | Shotcut | Yes | Detailed audio editing | Yes | You can customize color presets and other effects. No animations. | 4 | Windows, Mac, Linux |
| 3. | Hitfilm Express | Yes | Audio effects and transitioning. | Yes | Every imaginable picture customization. Some FX (more if you pay). Text tool. | 4 | Windows, Mac |
| 4. | VideoPad Video Editor | Yes | Noise removal, equalizer, audio effects. | Yes | Moving text, transitions, filters. | 5 | Windows |
| 5. | Lightworks | Yes | Detailed audio editing | Yes | No premade effects, but you can add text/color edit. | 3 | Windows, Mac, Linux |
| 6. | VSDC Video Editor | Yes | Some audio features blocked in free version | Yes | Filters, transitions, text, and more. | 1 | Windows |
| 7. | Machete Video Editor Lite | Yes | None | No | None | 3 | Windows |
| 8. | Avidemux | Yes | Some audio features | No | Some picture adjustments | 2 | Windows, Mac, Linux, BSD |
Ready to upgrade to a simple, powerful, paid software that’s perfect for YouTube? Check out the free trial of Wondershare Filmora . It is an advanced tool that is focused more on newbie editors who are new to the videography world but want to compete with professionals!
1. OpenShot Video Editor – Open Source (Windows, Mac, Linux)
Pros
- Easy to use
- Includes transitions
- Keyframing
- Alpha Channel
- Unlimited video tracks
OpenShot Video Editor Review
OpenShot completely lives up to the claim that it was designed to be ‘easy to use, quick to learn, and surprisingly powerful’.
The first time you use OpenShot there will be helpful tutorial notes to guide you through the program. The interface is intuitive enough that you may not always need them, but having them should erase any confusion.
All of the basic editing features, like cutting clips up, are easy to access in the timeline. You have unlimited tracks, and it’s easy to drag your clips between them. There’s a helpful magnet feature that fits clips together if you slide them together, but which still allows for blank space if you choose to leave it.
Most other functions – setting volume levels, adjusting the speed, adding movement/zoom effect – are accessible simply by right-clicking on your clip in the timeline and choosing what you want from the menu that pops up.
Is OpenShot Video Editor good for YouTube?
OpenShot is a great, free, choice for YouTubers at any editing skill level.
Beyond simply ordering your clips, OpenShot includes text and transition options within the program. You can even animate the text, and access Animated Titles if you use OpenShot in tandem with a free animation program called Blender. Titles and transitions are vital to a lot of popular YouTube styles.
OpenShot does not provide the same level of detail as the runner up, Shotcut, when it comes to color correction or audio editing. However, the features it does have (volume levels, control of saturation) will satisfy most YouTubers.
2. Shotcut – Open Source (Windows, Mac, Linux)
Pros
- Detailed audio editing
- Color grading, ability to save presets
- Fairly intuitive timeline
Shotcut Review
Shotcut delivers a smooth, detailed, editing experience for free. It is not as easy to jump into as some of the other programs on this list, but it still only takes a half-hour or so of playing around to understand it well enough to make a video. There are also tutorials up on Shotcut’s site that can help you.
You can edit using multiple video tracks in Shotcut, making it easy to combine multiple clips, and basic functions like splitting or copying clips are as easy as clicking the right icon on the toolbar.
All of the video and audio effects, including things like chroma key, you might want to apply to your video are found under the Filters menu. It will look empty when you first open it, and you have to click the plus sign to see what your options are. If you want to create a color tint (like what you might think of as an Instagram filter) then you can do that through the Color Grading option. If you want to do something like invert your colors or add an ‘old film’ look, you’ll find that here as well along with all of the audio editing features (balance, bass and treble, and gain to name just a few).
Is Shotcut good for YouTube?
Shotcut is a great choice for YouTubers. It allows you to do some advanced editing, and it’s easy to learn compared to a program targeted at professional editors.
The only complication with Shotcut for entry-level editors who will primarily use the program for YouTube might be that animations – like moving text – are not available through the program (you can add and customize text, but it just sits there). You can get them from elsewhere and use them in the program (Shotcut has an alpha channel), but it’s a bit more involved a process than simply customizing something that’s already provided.
3. Hitfilm Express – Windows, Mac
Pros
- Compositing mode (2D and 3D)
- The Most effect customization
- Helpful User Guide & tutorials
Cons
- Can be overwhelming
- Its main strength is FX, but you only get a couple for free. Most have to be bought separately.
Hitfilm Express Review
Hitfilm Express is the best free editor if you want to add special effects to your projects. OpenShot’s alpha channel will be enough for most people, but if you think of yourself as an aspiring filmmaker then it’s hard to beat Hitfilm’s range of functions.
This is an editor designed for people who want to make movies, and it’s a lot more intuitive than most professional-grade software. Film-quality FX (lasers, explosions, etc.) are available through Hitfilm Express for a reasonable price ($10-$50, depending on what you want), and even without paying extra for the packs, there’s a lot you can do to give your video a ‘film look’ using compositing layers and the multitude of customizable effects provided through the program.
Another highlight of Hitfilm Express is the extensive selection of tutorials and helpful information they have available both through YouTube videos and their User Guide. You will need those because this program can be overwhelming. It has so many functions and areas you can customize that it is easy to get lost.
That said, basic editing in Hitfilm Express is not difficult to jump into. It’s only when you start getting fancy that things get dicey.
Is Hitfilm Express good for YouTube?
Yes. It will not be the best option for everyone, but it’s not a bad option for anyone either.
If what you want to make is a vlog where you have a series of clips, and intro, and maybe a couple of title effects, then Hitfilm express might be overkill. You don’t want to have to master compositing just to add some text.
If what you want to make is a vlog that’s interrupted by an alien invasion and turns into an action sequence with lasers and falling debris, it’d be hard to do better than Hitfilm Express.
4. VideoPad Video Editor – Windows
Pros
- Easy to jump into
- Moving text
- Huge audio waveforms
- Audio and visual effects
- Lossless exports
Cons
- No longer updated
VideoPad Video Editor Review
VideoPad Video Editor is an extremely easy to use program. It may be the easiest program on this list to jump into, which you could also realistically create your entire video inside (there are easier programs, but you can only do some of your work in them). Part of its simplicity comes from not being as feature-rich as the programs ranking higher than it on this list, however.
You do not get the same range of functions with VideoPad as you do from the top 3 free editors, but it has enough to satisfy people who are just starting out. Creating moving text effects is easy, you have huge audio waves to work with while you’re syncing, and effects like transitions and filters are easy to find.
VideoPad does suffer a bit from being dated. This program is no longer being worked on, and the interface doesn’t look particularly modern. This is a bit more than a cosmetic issue because some features, while not difficult to find, are placed a bit oddly compared to other editors.
One slightly annoying feature of VideoPad is that it will prompt you to buy the commercial version sometimes (the free version is only for non-commercial use). There have been reports of exports being blocked in the free version, but I exported several times for the sake of this review and the issue never came up.
Is VideoPad Video Editor good for YouTube?
VideoPad makes a decent YouTube editor. You can jump right in and start making cuts, adding filters, and ordering your clips. If you have the kind of channel where voiceovers are important (like in gaming or makeup), then you’ll be happy with the size of the audio waves you have to work with for syncing.
The thing about VideoPad is that you’re probably going to outgrow it quickly as you become a more capable editor.
5. Lightworks – Windows, Mac, Linux
Pros
- Detailed color and audio editing
- Multicam editing
Cons
- Exports limited to 720p for the free version
- Difficult to learn compared to other free software
Lightworks Review
On their website, Lightworks claims to have an ‘intuitive interface’ and ‘easy timeline editing’. This is true if you compare it to other professional-level editing suites. Compared to the other programs on this list, Lightworks is complicated.
The first thing I attempt when I review this program is to simply split a clip, and it took me a ridiculous amount of time to figure this feature out in Lightworks (a more advanced editor could have found it faster, but these reviews are meant to help people with less experience). Lightworks does have a whole tutorial series on using the software, so if you are interested in learning to use it there is ample material out there to help you.
Lightworks has a wide range of functions (i.e. detailed audio editing and color correction), and it has been used for big movies like ‘The Wolf of Wall Street’. It is the most professional program on this list, and it’s a great free alternative to something like Adobe Premiere Pro.
Note: there is no time limit on the free version of Lightworks, but it will ask you to renew your free license every 7 days. When it says your license is ‘expired’ it isn’t kicking you off the free version, you just need to renew.
Is Lightworks good for YouTube?
Whether or not Lightworks is right for your YouTube channel depends on your goals as a video editor.
If what you want is to jump in and start making YouTube videos quickly, Lightworks might not be a great choice. It’s not an easy program to just jump into, you’ll have to either take time to learn it or accept that it’ll take some trial and error to get the hang of.
If what you want is to become a professional-level video editor, then Lightworks is a great program to start on (although, Hitfilm Express may still be better). Taking the time to learn it could certainly pay off in the long run.
However, if one of your priorities is for your YouTube channel to come across as professional, then the free version of Lightworks does have some disappointing limitations. You can only export videos in 720p, which is lower quality than viewers on YouTube expect (you probably want at least 1080p). Your output format is limited too. The royalty-free audio and video content Lightworks offers are also not free; you can just buy them through the program.
6. VSDC Video Editor – Windows
Pros
- Diagrams and charts
- How To Get Started Guide
- Lots of features
Cons
- Very confusing
- Paid features show up in the free version, but they’re blocked
Review of VSDC Video Editor
There’s a lot to like about VSDC Video Editor, but you have to do a lot of work to uncover any of it. Accessing even the most basic features is confusing.
One of the first things I tried to do as I tested the program was make a jump cut (where you cut out part of a video so the playback ‘jumps over’ the deleted segment) and, while I was able to do it, it was not an intuitive process. There is a multitude of toolbars and icons surrounding your preview window in VSDC, and none of those icons was for making cuts to your clips. To make any cuts you have to find the ‘cutting and splitting’ option under the Editor tab at the top of the page, which will open a second window in which you still cannot make any cuts. Instead what you can do is place markers, and when you click ‘apply changes’ to exit the window cuts will be made where you placed markers. There is nothing in the window to explain what the markers are for.
Other basic functions, like adding text, are just as complicated.
Is VSDC Video Editor good for YouTube?
I would not recommend VSDC for YouTube. It ranks higher than two other items on this list because they are, do to functional limitations, unable to create full YouTube videos without the support of other programs (at least realistically). You certainly could create your full YouTube video in VSDC, but it’d be a headache.
7. Machete Video Editor Lite – Windows
Pros
- Great for harvesting clips from longer footage
- Lossless exports
Cons
- Cannot swap or add audio
- Only supports two formats (AVI and WMV)
- Slightly awkward timeline
Machete Video Editor Lite Review
Machete Lite claims that you’ll be able to edit your videos “within a few minutes after downloading the program, even if you’ve never edited a video before”, and that is true. It might even be better if you haven’t edited a video before because the interface is slightly awkward if you’ve come from a program with a more traditional timeline setup. Machete Lite is easy to use for the most part, but it doesn’t work like most other editors and that can be awkward to navigate around.
Instead of seeing a timeline with all of your individual clips, Machete treats your entire video as one clip. You will only be able to see where you have inserted a separate video clip or cut out a portion of the video by watching the video back or jumping through it (Machete Lite does allow frame-by-frame scrolling). You won’t be able to see this information at a glance, and you won’t be able to adjust the lengths of clips you’ve added separately.
To take out any portion of your overall video you’ll need to find a keyframe at the beginning, set that as the beginning of your selection, then find a key frame at the end and set that as the end of your selection. You will then be able to delete that selection. This will not work if the frames you have set as the beginning and end are not considered keyframes by the program, so it can be difficult to be precise, but since the program allows you to jump through keyframes it’s not difficult to find a point that works.
Is Machete Video Editor Lite good for YouTube?
Machete Lite is not a good choice for YouTubers unless it is used in combination with another program.
It doesn’t work as a YouTube editor because you cannot edit or swap audio, the transition between clips, or create layers of videos and images.
However, the thing Machete Lite is really good at is cutting out clips from longer videos. You can create a selection of a part of your longer clip and then export it (with no quality loss) as its own video file.
This is what the Machete Lite toolbar looks like when you’ve created a selection. Tools like cut and copy which were greyed out before are now available, as is the save icon on the far right. If you click the save icon, you’ll be able to save that selection as its own video.
You can’t create a complete YouTube video in Machete Lite, but you can harvest clips to use in a different program.
8. Avidemux – Windows, Mac, Linux, BSD
Pros
- Can add subtitle files
Cons
- Not intuitive
- Doesn’t support MOV or WMV
- The website is not informative, no tutorials
Avidemux Review
Avidemux is not an easy program to jump into. I almost wrote that it couldn’t do anything besides make cuts to a clip before I saw a YouTube tutorial about how to find the contrast and brightness tools. If you decide to try it out, remember that you have to choose your output format before Avidemux will let you access tools like Hue/Saturation and Contrast (click Filters under Video Output to find them).
There are no official tutorials for Avidemux you can access from their site, so you’ll have to rely on the forums and tutorials from users if you want to learn it.
You can import multiple clips into Avidemux, but you have to import them in the order you want because you can’t drag them around the timeline after. Everything becomes one big clip.
Is Avidemux good for YouTube?
No. It has more functionality than Machete, which is ranked higher on this list, but the difference is that Machete is excellent at one thing. They both suffer from the same main weakness – you could not complete your full YouTube video either (at least not without a lot of trouble). Machete could still be useful to a YouTuber, though, because it allows for the lossless exporting of segments of clips. You can use it to harvest clips for your larger project in another program.
In theory, you could do some picture editing and snipping in Avidemux and then put your project together/add titles in another program, but your other program can probably do all that just as well if not better. Avidemux isn’t a bad program, but it doesn’t excel at anything. There are a lot of better options which are also free.
What has your experience with free video editors been like?
Richard Bennett
Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.
Follow @Richard Bennett
Also read:
- [Updated] Comprehensive Coverage Coalition Picking an MCN
- Mastery in Mapping Out Your YouTube Audience
- [Updated] Digital Domination Rise From Thousands to a Million on YouTube
- Lifestyle Logging 101 Keeping Viewers Hooked Everyday
- [New] Elevate Your YouTube Presence with Optimal Post Times
- Mastering Youtube Revenue A Complete Playbook
- [Updated] Drive Subscriptions Upward Through Effective YouTube Branding
- [New] Charting the Course to Digital Stardom Launch Your Chanel Today
- No Software Required YouTube File Retrieval
- Expert Tips on Choosing the Best YouTube-to-AVI Software
- How to Add Music to YouTubeVideo with YouTube Video Editor for 2024
- 2024 Approved Efficient Content Curation Steps Towards a Well-Organized 'Watch Later' Playlist
- In 2024, Amplify Your Audience Maximizing YouTube Viewership
- Diving Into Video Quality DSLR vs Mirrorless Cameras for 2024
- ASMR Viewers' Essentials Explained for 2024
- How to Upload a Video to YouTube From iPhone or iPad 2024
- In 2024, Boosting Your Youtube Shorts Profits Key Requirements & Earning Potential
- Decoding Digital Dynamics Unveiling the Secret Sauce for YouTube Success & Revenue for 2024
- [Updated] ASMR Recommendations for Android Users
- 2024 Approved Capitalizing on Hairstyle Demonstrations
- In 2024, Enchanting Edit YouTube's Ultimate Magic Tricks
- [New] Billion-Views Video Hall YouTube's Top Ever Watches
- Embedding YouTube Videos Tips for a Smooth PPT Transition for 2024
- In 2024, Analyzing Channels Monetization Status at a Glance
- In 2024, Elevate Sound with These ASMR Apps
- Syncing Words and Images Lyric Video Magic with Lyric Video Maker
- Ace Advertising and Analytics YouTube's Universal Monetization Techniques for 2024
- Ultimate 8 Linux Cutting Solutions
- 2024 Approved Boosting YouTube Success Mastery with TubeBuddy
- Instantly Professional Rapidly Crafting Valorant Game Imagery
- Culinary Crescendo High-Impact Food Network Monikers
- [New] Direct From Device to Digital World Recording Your Apple Gadgets
- 2024 Approved Digital Dollars Crafting an Online Wealth Journey
- Avoiding Pitfalls in Sub4sub Key Lessons From a Seasoned Guide for 2024
- 2024 Approved Bridging Mac & Monetization IMovie Editing to YouTube Success
- Compre Points for a Smooth and Compliant 4K Youtube File Transfer for 2024
- Freebie Flicks Discovering the Top 10 Free Movies Online
- Avoiding the Blank Thumbnail Scenario in Shorts
- Mobile Mastery in Thumbnail Creation for Engaging YouTube Videos
- [Updated] Achieve Wider Exposure by Transferring Twitch Broadcasts to YouTube
- Charting Your Way to Frequent Payments From YouTube
- [Updated] Efficient Editing for Creators - Top 10 Online Trimmers
- [Updated] Achieve Professional Quality on YT with Simple Blurring
- 2024 Approved Charting Your Course in YouTubing Dodge These Top 8 Common Missteps
- 2024 Approved Audiovisual Symphony Adding Music to Your YouTube Masterpieces
- [Updated] A Compreayer's Primer to Navigating the Online Copyright Labyrinth
- 2024 Approved Discovering Top 10 Must-Watch Business Video Hubs
- In 2024, Breakthrough 8 Creators Dominating Video Space
- Eco Marketing Merge Screens & CTA Success for 2024
- [Updated] 2024 Approved A Comprehensive Approach to Live Video on Websites
- Top 4 SIM Location Trackers To Easily Find Your Lost Xiaomi 13 Ultra Device
- 2024 Approved Music Noise Removal With Adobe Audition A Complete Guidebook
- 2024 Approved Breathe Life Into Photos Using Blur Effects in Illustrator
- FB Content Takedown What Are Your Rights and Recourse for 2024
- Beatboxing Basics Add Audio to Windows 11 Projects with Ease
- How to Unlock Apple iPhone 13 Pro When We Dont Have Apple ID or Password?
- [New] 2024 Approved Deciphering Digital Self-Identity The Insta Selfie Guide
- Cutting-Edge Tips Best Practices in Digital Sound Recording
- In 2024, The Ultimate Guide to TikTok Income Predictors
- The Art of Setting Yourself Aside From Influencer Currents
- Ways to trade pokemon go from far away On Motorola Moto G34 5G? | Dr.fone
- [New] In 2024, Collect Life's Moments - TikTok Files, FREE & Pure
- How PGSharp Save You from Ban While Spoofing Pokemon Go On Apple iPhone 11 Pro? | Dr.fone
- Android's Lightroom App Decoded A Complete Analysis
- [Updated] 2024 Approved Composing An Emotive TikTok Finale Statement
- Discovering Easy Content Downloads on Funimate
- In 2024, How To Open Your iPhone 12 Pro Max Without a Home Button | Dr.fone
- Wondering the Best Alternative to Hola On Nubia Red Magic 8S Pro+? Here Is the Answer | Dr.fone
- What to Do if Google Play Services Keeps Stopping on Honor X9b | Dr.fone
- [New] In 2024, Employing In-Device Recording for Screen Capture Across Huawei’s Mate and P Series.
- New Top 5 Hand Drawing Whiteboard Animation Makers
- How To Revive Your Bricked Honor Magic5 Ultimate in Minutes | Dr.fone
- New Windows 8 FLV Editor The Ultimate Solution for Video Editing Needs for 2024
- In 2024, Pokemon Go No GPS Signal? Heres Every Possible Solution On Samsung Galaxy A25 5G | Dr.fone
- Updated 2024 Approved Unlocking FCPX Potential A Deep Dive Into XML Files
- In 2024, The Updated Method to Bypass Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro 4G FRP
- Sonic Journey on the House Start Listening to Music for Nothing for 2024
- How to share/fake gps on Uber for Xiaomi Civi 3 | Dr.fone
- In 2024, Lego Movies Are Painstaking, but You Will Get Quicker and Better with Practice. Here Are 5 Best Stop Motion Apps for Lego Movie on iPhone, iPad and Android Devices
- Top 8 Cost-Effective, Multi-Platform Virtual Communication Software for 2024
- Exclusive Guide Best Zero-Price Screen Control Tools for 2024
- In 2024, Igniting the Lights The Procedure for Starting a TikTok Broadcast From Computer
- Updated Innovations in Android Call Technology The Best Replacements for FaceTime Outside of iOS
- [New] In 2024, Elite Fight Club Best of 10 Battle Royale Titles
- [Updated] 2024 Approved Profits in Pixels The Complete Guide to Making Money on Vimeo
- How to Record Your Desktop Screen on Windows For Free [3 Methods]
- 2024 Approved Building Applications with Azure Speech to Text
- New In 2024, Leading Technologies to Minimize Ambient Noises in Your Recordings
- Top 5 Tracking Apps to Track Lava Blaze 2 Pro without Them Knowing | Dr.fone
- [Updated] 2024 Approved Fast Forwards and Flashbacks in Creative TikToks
- Lock Your Infinix Zero 30 5G Phone in Style The Top 5 Gesture Lock Screen Apps
- Title: In 2024, 10 Online Tools to Retrieve YouTube Graphics
- Author: Steven
- Created at : 2024-05-25 19:27:57
- Updated at : 2024-05-26 19:27:57
- Link: https://youtube-clips.techidaily.com/in-2024-10-online-tools-to-retrieve-youtube-graphics/
- License: This work is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.
