If you’ve shot some footage on your phone or recorded a clip from your desktop, a free video editor will help ensure it looks perfect before you upload it to YouTube or Facebook.

If your needs are simple (you just want to trim a clip to size, record a voiceover, or combine several sections of footage together), there are free, user-friendly tools that will get the job done in seconds.

Alternatively, you might be looking for a full video-editing suite that will give you complete control over how your finished work looks and sounds – from advanced audio filters to green screen effects. Again, there are free tools that are perfect for the task, and put premium-level tools within reach of everyone.

Whatever kind of movie you’re making, here are the very best free video editors for home users.

1. Lightworks

Putting professional-quality tools within reach of everyone, regardless of budget, Lightworks is the best free video editor available today

Lightworks is far much more than a simple tool for cutting clips – the pro version has been used to create big-name movies including The King’s Speech and Road to Perdition.

As you would expect for such a powerful video editor, you won’t be able to master it overnight, but that’s certainly not something you could hold against it.

Lightworks is described as the professional video editor for everyone, and we reckon that’s a fair summary. Despite its power, it will run well on fairly modest hardware, and it handles video capture and advanced editing with aplomb.

If you’ve tried other free video editors you’ll probably find that the interface is a little different to anything you’re used to, but you can arrange the various controls and windows to create something that suits your way of working.

Review and where to download: Lightworks

2. Shotcut

The interface is unusual, but once you master it, you’ll reap the benefits

Shotcut is another professional-feeling free video editor that requires a little patience if you are achieve the results it is so capable of delivering. The slightly unusual interface can be put down to the fact that this started life as a Linux application, and little has changed in its conversion to Windows.

To start with, the interface may seem a little stark. You will need to not only load a video, but also choose which editing mode you would like to work in and which tools you’d like to use.

There’s no getting away from the fact that Shotcut has a steep learning curve. It’s possible to achieve some impressive results by simply applying one of its many filters to your video, but the real rewards will only be reaped by those willing to invest the time and energy in fully getting to grips with what’s on offer.

Review and where to download: Shotcut

3. Hitfilm Express

A hugely powerful free video editor that’s expandable if you outgrow it

Hitfilm Express is another video editor that promises pro-level features for free – and it delivers. The basic editor is very impressive, with advanced cutting tools, a great set of audio and video filters, layers and masking, compositing options, and chroma keying for creating green screen effects.

Additional tools are available for a fee, starting at £8.85 (about US$10, AU$15) for a pack featuring color-correction, exposure adjustment, split screen masking, and various creative filters.

The downside of all this power is that Hitfilm Express is much more demanding than either Lightworks or Shotcut, which is the main reason it’s dropped to third place. Make sure you check the technical requirements before downloading it to avoid disappointment.

Review and where to download: Hitfilm Express

4. VSDC Free Video Editor

A non-linear video editor stacked with tools, with more added all the time

VSDC Free Video Editor provides a huge array of effects and filters to enhance your footage, with both wizards and manual options to suit beginners or more advanced users.

VSDC is highly capable, and can yield superb results. As a non-linear editor, it works in rather a different way to many other similar tools, letting you position  clips and other elements on the timeline wherever you like and edit them there.

With the ability to not only work with multiple scenes and transitions, but also to add sprites and text to videos, you can create a professional-quality movie if you’re willing to stick with VSDC’s slightly odd way of working and unusual interface.

The latest version of VSDC adds extra artistic effects, including smoke. There’s also a dedicated Instagram export profile and automatic image stabilization. It’s noticeably faster, too. An excellent choice for creative video projects.

Review and where to download: VSDC Free Video Editor

5. Avidemux

An accessible free video editor for small editing tasks and enhancing clips

One thing to understand about Avidemux from the outset is that it is not going to help you create the next Star Wars or to become a master movie producer. Rather, it’s a set of essential tools for everyday video editing, covering all of the basics such as converting formats, trimming footage, appending one clip to another, and applying filters and effects.

While Avidemux isn’t offer the most powerful free video editor, it’s not a pared-back Windows Movie Maker style affair either. You might have to go hunting for some of the more advanced options, but spend a little time perusing the menus and you’ll be impressed.

There’s also a handy quickstart guide to get you rolling if you’re totally new to video editing. If you can’t see a tool you need, Avidemux is also expandable via plugins that add features like subtitles and watermarks.

Review and where to download: Avidemux

You might also be interested in our guide to the best free photo editors, the best laptops for video editing and our list of best video editing software