Best Free Video Editor for Mac in 2026 — Complete Comparison
Finding the best free video editor for Mac in 2026 can be challenging. With so many options available, how do you choose the right one for your needs? In this comprehensive comparison, we've tested and reviewed the top free video editors for macOS (Intel & Apple Silicon) to help you make the best choice.
Quick Answer: iMovie is the best free video editor for Mac in 2026 for most users. It's pre-installed on new Macs, easy to use, and offers professional features. For advanced users, DaVinci Resolve (free version) is the most powerful option.
Why Use a Free Video Editor on Mac?
Video editing on Mac doesn't have to be expensive. There are several excellent free video editors for Mac that offer professional features without the hefty price tag. Here are the top reasons to use a free video editor on your Mac:
- Save money: Free video editors offer professional features without subscription fees on your Mac.
- Learn video editing: Free editors are great for beginners to learn video editing on Mac before investing in paid software.
- Basic editing needs: If you only need to trim, merge, or add titles to videos on Mac, a free editor is sufficient.
- Try before you buy: Many free editors offer paid upgrades if you need more advanced features on your Mac.
Top 5 Free Video Editors for Mac in 2026
We tested over 10 free video editors for Mac and selected the top 5 based on features, ease of use, performance, and compatibility with macOS (Intel & Apple Silicon).
1. iMovie — Best Overall Free Editor
Price: Free (pre-installed on new Macs)
Best for: Most Mac users who want a free, easy-to-use video editor.
iMovie is Apple's free video editor for Mac. It's pre-installed on new Macs and offers a wide range of features for basic to intermediate video editing on macOS.
Pros
- Completely free on Mac (no watermark)
- Pre-installed on new Macs
- Easy to use for beginners on Mac
- Supports 4K video editing on Mac
- Integrates with Apple ecosystem (iPhone, iPad) on Mac
Cons
- Limited advanced features on Mac
- No Windows version (Mac-only)
- Less precise timeline editing on Mac
Verdict: Best overall free video editor for Mac users in 2026. Highly recommended for beginners and intermediate users on macOS.
2. DaVinci Resolve (Free Version) — Best for Advanced Users
Price: Free (paid Studio version at $295)
Best for: Advanced Mac users who need professional video editing features.
DaVinci Resolve is a professional-grade video editor used in Hollywood. The free version offers most features of the paid version, making it the most powerful free video editor for Mac.
Pros
- Professional-grade features on Mac
- Advanced color grading on Mac
- Supports 8K video editing on Mac
- Free version has no watermark on Mac
- Works on Intel & Apple Silicon Macs
Cons
- Steep learning curve on Mac
- Requires powerful hardware on Mac
- Overwhelming for beginners on Mac
Verdict: Best free video editor for advanced Mac users who need professional features. Not recommended for beginners on macOS.
3. OpenShot — Best Open-Source Editor
Price: Free (open-source)
Best for: Mac users who want a free, open-source video editor with cross-platform support.
OpenShot is a free, open-source video editor that works on Mac, Windows, and Linux. It offers a simple interface and basic video editing features on macOS.
Pros
- Completely free and open-source on Mac
- Cross-platform (Mac, Windows, Linux)
- Simple interface for beginners on Mac
- Supports many video formats on Mac
Cons
- Can be slow on older Macs
- Less stable than iMovie on Mac
- Limited advanced features on Mac
Verdict: Good free video editor for Mac users who want an open-source option. Not as polished as iMovie on macOS.
4. Shotcut — Best for Format Support
Price: Free (open-source)
Best for: Mac users who need to edit videos in many different formats.
Shotcut is a free, open-source video editor that supports a wide range of video formats. It offers more advanced features than OpenShot but has a steeper learning curve on Mac.
Pros
- Supports wide range of video formats on Mac
- Advanced features (keyframes, filters) on Mac
- Cross-platform (Mac, Windows, Linux)
- Completely free on Mac
Cons
- Interface is less intuitive on Mac
- Steep learning curve on Mac
- Can be unstable on older Macs
Verdict: Good free video editor for Mac users who need wide format support. Interface is less intuitive than iMovie on macOS.
5. VSDC Free Video Editor (Mac Version) — Best for Windows Switchers
Price: Free (paid Pro version at $19.99)
Best for: Mac users who switched from Windows and are familiar with VSDC.
VSDC is a popular free video editor on Windows that now has a Mac version. It offers a wide range of features but has a unique interface that takes time to learn on Mac.
Pros
- Wide range of features on Mac
- Free version has no watermark on Mac
- Supports many video formats on Mac
Cons
- Interface is unique and takes time to learn on Mac
- Less stable than iMovie on Mac
- Not as popular on Mac as on Windows
Verdict: Good option for Mac users who switched from Windows and are familiar with VSDC. Otherwise, iMovie is a better choice on macOS.
Comparison Table: Best Free Video Editors for Mac in 2026
| Feature | iMovie | DaVinci Resolve | OpenShot | Shotcut |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free (paid $295) | Free | Free |
| Ease of Use on Mac | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Advanced Features on Mac | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| 4K Support on Mac | ✅ | ✅ (up to 8K) | ✅ | ✅ |
| Apple Silicon Support | ✅ Native | ✅ Native | ✅ | ✅ |
| Watermark | ❌ None | ❌ None | ❌ None | ❌ None |
How to Choose the Right Free Video Editor for Your Mac
With so many options available, how do you choose the right free video editor for your Mac? Here are the key factors to consider:
- Your skill level: If you're a beginner, choose iMovie. If you're advanced, choose DaVinci Resolve on your Mac.
- Your editing needs: Basic editing (trim, merge, titles) → iMovie. Advanced editing (color grading, effects) → DaVinci Resolve on your Mac.
- Your Mac's hardware: DaVinci Resolve requires powerful hardware. If you have an older Mac, iMovie or OpenShot may be better on your Mac.
- Cross-platform need: If you also edit on Windows or Linux, choose OpenShot or Shotcut on your Mac.
- Format support: If you need to edit videos in many different formats, choose Shotcut on your Mac.
If You Need to Convert Videos After Editing on Mac
After editing your video on Mac, you may need to convert it to a different format for sharing or playback on other devices. Total Video Converter for Mac is the best tool for converting videos on Mac after editing.
Total Video Converter for Mac supports converting videos to MP4, MOV, AVI, MKV, and 30+ formats on macOS. It works natively on both Intel and Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3) Macs.
Need to Convert Videos on Your Mac?
Total Video Converter for Mac (Intel & Apple Silicon) — convert videos to 30+ formats. Buy now, use immediately on your Mac — no waiting, no refunds needed.
Buy Now — Use Immediately on MacFrequently Asked Questions about Free Video Editors for Mac
Conclusion: Best Free Video Editor for Mac in 2026
After testing over 10 free video editors for Mac, iMovie is our top pick for the best free video editor for Mac in 2026.
It offers the best combination of ease of use, features, and performance on macOS (Intel & Apple Silicon). Whether you're a beginner or an intermediate user, iMovie has everything you need to edit videos on your Mac.
For advanced users, DaVinci Resolve (free version) is the most powerful option. It offers professional-grade features but has a steeper learning curve on Mac.
Ready to start editing videos on your Mac? Download iMovie for free from the Mac App Store and start creating today on macOS!