I’m looking for free video editing software that doesn’t add a watermark to the videos. I’ve used some software before and they always add watermarks. It’s for a personal project, and I want it to look clean. Could you suggest any options?
DaVinci Resolve. Hands down, that’s what you need. Free, professional-grade, and NO WATERMARKS. It’s like the unicorn of video editing software. Sure, there’s a paid studio version, but the free version has more than enough features for most projects. Color grading? Boom. Audio editing? Boom. Even Fusion for VFX? Yep, boom again. It can be a bit overwhelming at first 'cause it’s packed with tools, but there are loads of tutorials out there. Just make sure your computer’s specs are decent because it can be somewhat demanding, especially when working with higher-res footage or doing complex edits. That said, it’s worth the effort, and your personal project will look sharp, clean, and – best of all – watermark-free.
Alright, but let’s talk Shotcut! I know @waldgeist hyped up DaVinci Resolve, and yeah, it’s great if you have a beastly computer and want to climb a bit of a learning curve mountain. But if you want something simpler and still watermark-free? Shotcut’s your buddy. Open-source, absolutely free, cross-platform (Windows, Mac, Linux) and no nasty ads or sneaky stuff hiding in the corner waiting to ambush you.
Honestly, it’s got all you’d need for most personal projects: timeline editing, decent transitions, audio tools, filters – all the essentials. Sure, it’s not as “HOLLYWOOD-ready” as Resolve, but for something clean and straightforward? Totally works. And can we appreciate the fact that it doesn’t fry your computer like some other software? (RESOLVE, I’M LOOKING AT YOU.)
One downside: the UI isn’t what I’d call pretty or modern – kinda feels like it came from the Windows Vista era, tbh. But, function over form, right? It gets the job done without sprinkling watermarks all over your masterpiece. Plus, it’s much easier to pick up than DaVinci, so it saves you from needing to binge 40 tutorials before you can even cut a clip. Give it a shot.