What are the best alternatives to Windows Movie Maker to edit videos for free? 2022 list

Currently, one of the most popular tasks in the online world is video editing that have various uses, from those with family or friends, to those used to promote brands or different content on the Internet to fulfill a commercial and professional purpose. Previously, the program that was most used to modify this type of content on computers was windows movie maker that after its launch with Windows Millennium, It gained notable popularity with the Windows XP update in 2002..

However, for some time was discontinued by Microsoftwhich is why all Windows users left without an important tool to edit videos for free. Which, in addition to being extremely useful, allowed you to make videos and film projects from home with functions such as adding text and sound that gave it a quite original touch. Given this, many people are in an exhaustive search for have again other options that integrate the facilities of Windows Movie Maker; search that is not considered a simple task due to the enormous flow of information that exists today on the web.

That is why, through this post, we want to provide you with information of interest around existing alternatives for video editing that are similar to the aforementioned program. Taking into account your specific requirements, you can choose any of the options that we present below and start generating high-quality content for free.

Why does the Windows Movie Maker program no longer exist? When did he disappear?

Although it is true, this program was a clip editor that was developed and maintained by Microsoft, which fortunately, from the year 2002 it became a complete video editorreaching its greatest popularity and full potential in the Windows 7 version.

Since it was a fully qualified tool and the best option as a video editor, especially for those users of the operating system who did not have enough knowledge to use more advanced software. That is, it was estimated the best mechanism for home users and thus, it allowed to obtain magnificent results.

Nevertheless, since January 10, 2017, Windows itself stopped supporting and offering the download of said program. Which, constituted a package of applications known as “Windows Essentials 2012” which also provided tools such as MSN Messenger, Writer, Mailamong other.

But since these apps were no longer needed and They were not used as they used to bethey decided to remove the downloads from their servers and prevent all the aforementioned programs from being downloaded and installed, including Windows Movie Maker.

In this sense, if until today there are computers that have installed programs belonging to the package Windows Essentials 2012they could use it but teams would be at great risk, due to end of support date. Therefore, it seems better to look for other alternatives that integrate functions such as the famous windows clip editor and they are free, which we present to you right away.

Lists of the best alternative programs and equivalents to the disappeared Windows Movie Maker

As we have emphasized throughout the text, our main objective is to provide you with accurate information regarding alternative programs and equivalents to the defunct Windows Movie Marker.

This, in order that you again achieve easy video edits, fast and quality, through your Windows computer and in the comfort of your home. Below is a list of 10 options you have at hand:

VSDC Free Video Editor

This editing program is estimated as the best free selection, thanks to its really advanced features that allow you to get excellent clip results. Taking into account that it even offers more tools compared to many of the paid programs out there today.

Thus, it refers to a non-linear video editor that makes it easy to displace, cut Y edit any element present in the content and also, add text, images and the audio you prefer. also provides multiple varieties of correction parameters, transitions, effects and filters.

Additionally, features a built-in desktop capture tool with sounddifferent export possibilities and a series of very useful Wizards or electronic manuals that allow you to familiarize yourself with all the functions of the software.

As for its user interface, it is extremely attractive and simple to use. On the other hand, experts have pointed out that some of its functions are hidden and this gives negative points to the program.

ezvid

This is a screen training program that It has a video editor and can be estimated as the simplest Movie Maker alternative out of all the listings. As, its interface is totally simple to use and more than all the video recorderthus, a software that anyone who wants can easily use and learn to handle it in “a two by three”.

Thus, We recommend you to use this editorif you don’t have any experience with clip modifications and want to start experimenting.

In this sense, its operation it simply consists of pressing a button and start recording the screen. Therefore, it can be the ideal tool for video game lovers who want to share and publish their triumphs.

It is important to highlight that it is a free program for Windows, compatible with Windows XP, SP3, Vista and versions 7 and 8 of the operating system. In reference to the disadvantages that it can present, we find that does not allow to import other videos Y only exports to the YouTube platform.

VirtualDub

It is another perfect program for beginners that handles video editing quickly and efficiently. Thus, it presents tasks as easy as retouching or editing the clips, so it complies with a linear and immediate edition of any video. Given this, it exhibits few functions but they work very well, one of them is the ability to edit large files, even larger than 4 GB.

As for its interface, users need to become familiar with it in order to use it perfectly, the filters it offers for videos and contrast adjustments through the plugin interface. Like, third party filters for sharpnessbecause it is open source software.

Added to this, VirtualDub is only available in one language which is English. Nevertheless, It has a mechanism of integrated capture which gives the facility to record movies with a webcam, television card or other video source. It also accepts files in AVI and MPEG formats, but only edited content can be saved in AVI format.

Shotcut

This software features a notable similarity to Windows Movie Maker around the playlist buttons and timeline it displays. As for how it works, it’s very simple because you only have to include the file to be edited in the playlist and you can start working.

In addition to this, these files can be grouped in the timeline, as was done in the program discontinued by Windows. Even, allows you to add filters and transitions to clipsthrough the filters button.

For its part, Shotcut is an absolutely open source mechanismnamely, open source and it only has a free version that offers all the functions that the program has. Among other features, you can find advanced options like the possibility of modifying with the help of “chroma key”, in order to embed effects on green backgrounds. Like add watermarks and filters of any color and tone.

VideoLAN Movie Creator – VLMC

For more options, we recommend using Video LAN Movie Creator Besides being a free program, is compatible with various operating systems, among which stand out: Windows, Mac OS X and Linux. In this sense, It has advanced features that allow all users to edit videos with great results. And till create entire movies using photos or a set of clips.

Likewise, accept various kinds of video format, so it is considered compatible with virtually all kinds of content. In this way, you can find the perfect solution if you have tried to include certain clip formats that are not compatible with other software, thanks to the ability of VideoLAN. Now, referring to its disadvantages, the most notable is that no access to bonus content online without additional software and added to this, the start times are nothing innovative.

VideoPad Video Editor

First, presents excellent tools to import your videos and edit them perfectlyadd audio files and photos to drag them onto the timeline and create a clip with these elements, the way you want. Thus, it is quite simple to use and this is one of the characteristics that its users like the most.

For its part, VideoPad Video Editor gives the option of export videos in 4Kwhat considered an excellent innovation, since the only ones that have this tool are professional and paid programs. Indeed, this is one of the best advantages, bearing in mind that it is a free download software. Thus, one of the best choices for personal and home use, which integrates great comfort.

wax

If you want to learn a lot more about the subtleties of clip editing, this program It has special options for it. and consequently, it is famous for being one of the best clip editors in the world and ideal for beginners.

Among its most relevant characteristics, it is necessary to distinguish that refers to a free program compatible with Windows 7only and offers special effects to ensure a quality result.

However, as for its cons, Wax can be so simple that some users don’t find the motivation to use it many times. In addition to this, it does not have advanced tools that give greater professionalism to the edition carried out.

Lightworks

It is a program that goes far beyond what Windows offered, since sometimes it could be limiting and therefore, we recommend this alternative that, in addition to be freesample a different interface than common editors and thus, it attracts much more attention.

Although it also offers a paid version (not very expensive) that gives you more tools to export and edit clips, taking into account that it’s so bright it’s used in Hollywood movie studios. In addition to this, it is software available for Windows 7, 8, 10, Linux and Mac OS X.

Thus, delivers extremely flawless results with professional features included. It also features facility to edit music and include various elements in a video creation. Now, referring to its disadvantages, we find that lThe downloadable version of Lightworks on Linux, is limited around sound editing and does not feature FireWire capture.

avidemux

Available for Windows, Mac OS X and Linux, this solution features the ability to make extremely simple video montages, since it does not have a very attractive interface. However, by looking closely at the menus it offers, it gives users several possibilities to edit clips and create them quickly. That way, includes audio and video filtersallows you to adjust transitions and add subtitles, just like other encoding alternatives that allow you to customize your video.

In reference to its limitations, we emphasize that It does not have options to share content on social networks and in the programit is not possible to combine videos of different heights or widths.

Indeed, to be able to resize each clip, you must do it separately and then export it and proceed to create a new project. Although it is simple, it is annoying for most users.

Jahshaka

Lastly, our other recommendation concerns Jahshaka who it is a free program, available for Windows (versions 7 and 8, XP and Vista), for Mac OS X and Linux. It is a software that display optimal visual and audio options to edit as many clips as you like.

Thus, it has unlimited audio space and this is a great feature because most free programs are limited based on this aspect.

In reference to its operation, you can learn to handle the platform easily through several dozen YouTube tutorials that it dedicates to its users to teach them how to use all the existing tools.

Now, to highlight its cons, we detail that has various instability problems, presents limitations for various special effects and at first, it can be a very complicated program to use but with the help of the teaching videos, this is solved. So other than that, it’s a similar platform to Windows Movie Maker.