Video editors for Mac and Windows: free, pro and browser
On a Mac, start with iMovie (free) and move to Final Cut Pro or DaVinci Resolve for more control; on Windows, start with Clipchamp (preinstalled on Windows 11) and move to DaVinci Resolve or Premiere Pro. If your computer is older, or you want the same project on both a Mac and a PC, a browser-based editor that renders on its servers avoids hardware limits entirely. Here's how the options compare and what each needs from your computer.
Options by platform
| Editor | Mac | Windows | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| iMovie | Yes | No | Free | First edits, family videos |
| Clipchamp | Web | Yes (preinstalled on Windows 11) | Free; paid tiers | Quick edits on Windows |
| DaVinci Resolve | Yes | Yes | Free; Studio one-time | Color, audio, serious editing |
| Final Cut Pro | Yes | No | One-time | Fast pro editing on Mac |
| Premiere Pro | Yes | Yes | Subscription | Pro and team workflows |
| CapCut | Yes | Yes | Free; paid tiers | Social video |
| Novacut | Browser | Browser | $20–200/month | Turning lots of footage into a video by describing it |
What your computer needs
Desktop editors do the heavy work locally. 1080p editing is fine on most recent computers; 4K multi-track editing needs a strong CPU and GPU, 16 GB or more of memory, and fast storage. If playback stutters, use proxies (lower-resolution copies) in Resolve, Premiere or Final Cut.
Browser editors do the analysis and rendering on servers, so the computer only uploads and previews. What AI editing does →
A browser editor that's the same on Mac and PC
Seven walkthrough clips and an MLS description became a beat-synced listing video. Sped up. Phone-size version.
| Step | Where it runs |
|---|---|
| Uploading footage | From your computer |
| Watching and analyzing every clip | Novacut's servers |
| Building and changing the edit | Novacut's servers, previewed in your browser |
| Rendering the MP4 | Novacut's servers |
| Finishing in Premiere, Resolve or Final Cut (optional) | Your computer |
- No install, no updates. Use a current Chrome, Edge or Brave on your Mac or PC.
- No powerful machine needed. Our 40-second 1080p listing video rendered in a few minutes on Novacut's servers.
- Same project everywhere. Start on a Mac at work, continue on a Windows PC at home.
FAQ
What's the best free video editor for Windows?
Clipchamp for quick edits (it's preinstalled on Windows 11) and DaVinci Resolve for serious editing. If you're new to editing altogether, start with the beginner's guide.
What's the best free video editor for Mac?
iMovie for simple projects, DaVinci Resolve for advanced ones.
Can I edit 4K on a laptop?
Yes with proxies in desktop editors, or with a browser editor that renders on servers.
Will my project open on both Mac and Windows?
DaVinci Resolve and Premiere Pro projects work on both; Final Cut and iMovie are Mac-only. Browser editors open anywhere you sign in. Editing in the browser →
Sources: Microsoft, Clipchamp preinstalled on Windows 11; Blackmagic Design, DaVinci Resolve free vs. Studio. Checked October 2026.
Footage: Kindel Media on Pexels (Pexels License). Address, price, listing text and agent are fictional.