LIGHTWORKS FREE 720P
LIGHTWORKS FREE SOFTWARE
LIGHTWORKS FREE PROFESSIONAL

To use effects it's as easy as selecting the option and dragging that onto the clip. A little frustrating but something you can work with when you realize it works that way. This means easy selection and dragging to edit the end or start point.Ī gripe is that when you move a video layer it won't automatically move the audio too, even if the audio and video are linked. We enjoy the ability to hover over clips to have handles appear at either end with the highlighted portion on the internal or external side of that end. When editing you have multiple layers allowing you to preview clips, set in and out points and more. This is where another free video editor, DaVinci Resolve (opens in new tab), has an edge over Lightworks.

LIGHTWORKS FREE 720P

A great thing for getting started but it covers a fatal flaw – exports for the free version are limited to 720p only. You start by picking the framerate of the clip you're importing, without the worry of deciding the export format resolution at this point. That said, there are different levels of the program available with features missing in the free version which may be available in the paid ones – more on that below. You also have support for multicam editing, powerful trimming functionality, realtime effects with built-in presets, Boris FX, group project sharing, hardware I/O support and a customizable interface. This also applies in exporting, where you can export two file formats at the same time, for example. Lightworks offers background rendering meaning you can import clips while working on your current part of the project, without having to stop and wait for the upload. You can automatically have the video files rendered ready for YouTube, Vimeo, Facebook or Instagram upload, with direct uploads in the case of YouTube. Lightworks is social, meaning it exports clips in a format that is very easy to share. That means no matter what device you've recorded a video clip on, Lightworks will more than likely support that. But it's the format support that makes this work so well. There are plenty of effects for both visual and audio editing. On each platform the workflow is similar with a focus on ease and clarity. Lightworks is a cross-platform service working on Mac, Windows and Linux devices. Well, the limit on quality output is one thing, but more on that below. Of course some of those more complex tools may be a little intimidating for new users but aside from that there's little to fault. Helpful features like output profiles let you upload to your chosen media platform of choice easily, making this a breeze to use from start to finish.

LIGHTWORKS FREE PROFESSIONAL

It's hard not to when it features professional grade tools, is easy to use with a fast workflow layout and costs not a dime for home use.

LIGHTWORKS FREE SOFTWARE

Spoiler alert, Lightworks has made it onto our best video editing software (opens in new tab) list already.

Lightworks free