14 Best Video Editing Software for Windows 11 (2026)

So, Windows 11 has been out for a while now, and honestly, it feels way smoother for creative work than the older versions. 

And if you’re someone who edits videos — whether it’s for YouTube, Reels, client work, or just your own fun projects — you probably want a video editor that actually works well on Windows 11 without slowing everything down.

The thing is, there are so many video editing software options out there. 

Some are super powerful but a little heavy, some are really simple but don’t have those advanced tools you might need later, and a few are just… you know, confusing for no reason. 

So I sat down and made this one clean list of the editors that actually make sense in 2026 — the ones that run smoothly on Windows 11, get regular updates, and don’t feel outdated the moment you open them.

Whether you want a free editor that can handle basic cuts or a full-on professional tool with color grading, AI features, motion tracking, and all that stuff, you’ll find something here. 

Alright, let’s jump in.

1. Adobe Premiere Pro

Why I picked it: It’s the editor most people end up using when they want something reliable, powerful, and honestly just built for long-term editing work on Windows 11.

Premiere Pro has this way of feeling familiar even if you’re opening it for the first time — like everything is where you expect it to be. 

And once you get comfortable, you realize how much it can actually do. 

You can work with multiple timelines, add transitions, mix audio, use motion graphics templates, do advanced color grading, and even use its new AI tools to clean up audio or remove background noise with just one click. 

Windows 11 handles it really well too, so even bigger projects don’t feel as heavy as they used to.

Most YouTubers, vloggers, and editors who work with clients prefer Premiere because it works with almost every format you throw at it, and the workflow is smooth from start to finish. 

If you ever plan to upgrade your skills, move into freelancing, or handle more serious projects later, this is the kind of editor that grows with you. 

And the best part… There are thousands of tutorials online, so you never really feel stuck.

Also Read: 17 Best Video Stabilization Software for Windows

2. DaVinci Resolve

Why I picked it: It’s easily the most powerful free video editor you can get on Windows 11, and honestly, it feels like something you should be paying for.

Resolve is one of those tools that surprises people because it’s not just a basic editor — it’s a full professional suite. 

You get editing, color grading, audio mixing, motion graphics, and even visual effects in the same software. 

And the color tools are on another level. 

This is the reason so many filmmakers and YouTubers shifted from other editors to Resolve. 

Even the free version gives you tools you normally see only in paid software.

Windows 11 handles Resolve pretty well, especially if you have a decent GPU. 

Playback is smoother, exporting feels faster, and the whole workflow feels tighter than it did a few years ago. 

The newer AI features like automatic color balance, smart reframing, and noise reduction (in the Studio version) make your edits look way more polished without you doing too much.

If you want something that feels professional but doesn’t cost anything to start, this is the one that makes the most sense. 

It’s a bit heavy at first, but once you get used to it, it’s very hard to go back to anything else.

Also Read: 17 Best Free Video Editors You Should Try

3. Filmora

Why I picked it: It’s one of those editors that feels light, friendly, and honestly just easy to work with — especially if you want something that doesn’t overwhelm you with too many buttons.

Filmora runs really well on Windows 11, and the whole layout is super clean. 

You drag your clips in, drop a few transitions, add text, maybe throw in some effects, and you’re done. 

It’s the kind of editor that helps you finish your videos faster without getting stuck figuring out where everything is. 

And with every update, they keep adding more AI tools like instant highlights, auto beat sync, and smart cutout, which just makes the workflow smoother.

What I like is that Filmora has a good balance — it’s not overly simple, but it’s also not something you need weeks to learn. 

If you’re editing YouTube videos, travel clips, educational content, or even small client projects, it gives you everything you need without making things complicated. 

And the timeline performance is pretty stable on Windows 11, even on mid-range laptops.

If you want something that feels beginner-friendly but still powerful enough to grow with you, Filmora fits perfectly.

4. CyberLink PowerDirector

Why I picked it: It’s one of those editors that feels surprisingly fast on Windows 11, even when you’re working with bigger files or longer timelines. 

PowerDirector has been around for years, and they’ve honestly fine-tuned it so well that it just works without giving you those random lags or crashes you sometimes see in other editors.

The layout is clean, the tools are easy to find, and you get a lot of features that make everyday editing quicker — like multi-cam editing, motion tracking, keyframing, and those one-click AI tools for stabilizing shaky clips or fixing grainy footage. 

And if you like adding effects or transitions, PowerDirector probably has one of the biggest libraries out there for Windows users.

What makes it stand out is how lightweight it feels. 

You don’t need a super high-end computer to get smooth playback or fast exports. 

Even on mid-range Windows 11 laptops, you get a pretty smooth experience. 

It’s great for YouTube videos, tutorials, montages, reels — basically anything that needs to look polished but doesn’t require heavy Hollywood-level editing.

If you want a simple, clean editor that’s fast and doesn’t demand too much from your system, PowerDirector is one of the best picks.

Also Read: 17 Best Video Editing Apps Every Pro Secretly Uses

5. VEGAS Pro

Why I picked it: It’s one of the fastest, smoothest editors for quick timeline work on Windows 11.

VEGAS Pro has this really snappy timeline that makes cutting and rearranging clips feel effortless. 

If you like editing fast — dragging clips around, trimming on the fly, testing transitions, adjusting audio — VEGAS never really slows you down. 

And on Windows 11, the performance feels noticeably cleaner than it used to. 

Playback is smoother, the interface feels lighter, and the whole workflow just moves faster.

You also get a bunch of powerful tools like motion tracking, masking, AI slow motion, color grading panels, and upscaling features. 

These come in handy when you want your videos to look a bit more polished without spending hours on it. 

A lot of YouTubers and short-form creators stick to VEGAS because it’s simple to learn but still gives you enough advanced features when you need them.

If you want something stable, fast, and friendly for everyday editing, VEGAS Pro fits really well on Windows 11.

Also Read: 17 Best Video Editing Software for YouTube

6. HitFilm

Why I picked it: It’s great for anyone who wants simple editing but also likes adding cool effects without using multiple apps.

HitFilm feels really balanced — the basic editing tools are easy enough for beginners, but you also get those extra creative features like VFX presets, motion tracking, green screen tools, and a solid library of transitions. 

Windows 11 handles it pretty smoothly, and the interface feels cleaner compared to the older versions, so you don’t feel lost the first time you open it.

A lot of creators use HitFilm when they want their videos to look a little more cinematic without spending hours learning complicated software. 

You can mix effects, text animations, and color tools in the same timeline without the app feeling heavy. 

It’s also a good pick if you’re on a mid-range Windows laptop — the performance is stable, and exports are fairly quick.

If you want an editor that lets you go beyond basic cuts and actually add some style to your videos, HitFilm is a solid choice.

7. Movavi Video Editor

Why I picked it: It’s one of the easiest editors to learn, and it runs smoothly even on regular Windows 11 laptops.

Movavi has this very clean, friendly interface where everything feels straightforward — you drag your clips in, trim a few parts, add text, adjust colors, throw in some transitions, and you’re done. 

It’s made for people who want polished videos without going through a huge learning curve. 

The new AI tools help a lot too, like automatic noise removal, background blur, and quick stabilization.

On Windows 11, Movavi loads fast, the timeline feels light, and you don’t get that “heavy editor” feeling that some other software gives. 

Even if your laptop isn’t super powerful, Movavi still performs well. 

That’s why a lot of YouTubers, teachers, small creators, and beginners prefer it — it just works without complications.

If you want something simple, stable, and beginner-friendly for everyday editing, Movavi is one of the safest choices.

Also Read: 16 Best Video Editors Without Watermark You Should Try

8. Avid Media Composer First

Why I picked it: It’s a free way to try the same editing style used in big studios, but in a simpler, lighter version.

Avid is known for being the industry standard in movies and TV, and Media Composer First is like a trimmed-down version that still follows the same editing workflow. 

It feels a little different compared to most Windows 11 editors — more structured, more organized — but once you get the hang of it, you realize how powerful it is for long-form and serious projects.

You get solid trimming tools, good audio controls, dependable media management, and a timeline that’s built for precise editing. 

It’s not flashy, and it’s not full of effects, but it’s very stable and clean. 

If you’re someone who wants to get into professional editing or learn the fundamentals the “Avid way,” this free version is a really good starting point.

It runs decently on Windows 11 too, as long as you have a system that can handle it. 

It’s not the lightest editor in this list, but it’s reliable and teaches you skills that transfer to almost any other professional tool.

9. CapCut

Why I picked it: It’s fast, simple, and perfect for creators who want quick edits that still look clean and modern.

CapCut on Windows 11 feels almost the same as the mobile version — super easy to navigate, very lightweight, and packed with a ton of ready-made templates and effects. 

If you’re editing short videos for TikTok, Instagram, YouTube Shorts, or even basic YouTube videos, this one makes the whole process really, really quick.

You get all the essentials like trimming, speed controls, transitions, and audio tools, plus those extra features like auto captions, green screen, and smooth slow motion. 

The built-in effects and templates save you a lot of time because you don’t have to build everything from scratch. 

And because it’s optimized for quick exporting, even longer clips don’t feel like a headache.

If you want an editor that’s free, easy, and perfect for fast content creation, CapCut is one of the best Windows 11 options.

Also Read: 14 Best CapCut Alternatives Every Creator is Using

10. Shotcut

Why I picked it: It’s a completely free, open-source editor that still feels stable and usable on Windows 11.

Shotcut doesn’t try to be fancy — it just gives you a clean timeline, solid editing tools, and support for almost every video format you can think of. 

The interface is simple, but once you start using it, you realize it actually has a lot of depth. 

You get things like keyframes, filters, audio controls, transitions, and color tools, but without dealing with subscriptions or watermarks.

What stands out is how light it feels. 

Even on basic Windows 11 laptops, Shotcut runs pretty smoothly. 

It’s a good pick for beginners who want something free and reliable, but it’s also strong enough for more serious editing if you’re willing to explore its features. 

And because it’s open-source, it keeps getting updates without any extra cost.

If you want a free editor that’s stable, clean, and doesn’t limit you with paid upgrades, Shotcut is one of the best options for Windows 11.

11. OpenShot

Why I picked it: It’s a simple, beginner-friendly editor that’s completely free and works well for basic projects on Windows 11.

OpenShot is one of those tools you can open for the very first time and instantly understand what to do. 

The timeline is clean, the buttons are easy to figure out, and nothing feels overwhelming. 

It’s perfect for people who just want to trim clips, add text, drop in a few transitions, or put together simple videos without needing advanced features.

What I like is how lightweight it is. 

Even on a regular Windows 11 laptop, OpenShot runs smoothly most of the time. 

It supports unlimited tracks, has basic animation tools, and handles common formats without issues. 

It’s not made for super complex editing, but for everyday videos — school projects, family clips, simple YouTube videos — it’s more than enough.

If you just want a free editor that’s easy, clean, and doesn’t require any learning curve, OpenShot is a good pick.

Also Read: 15 Best Slow Motion Apps You Should Try

12. Kdenlive

Why I picked it: It’s a powerful free editor that gives you a lot more control than most open-source tools on Windows 11.

Kdenlive is one of those editors that looks simple at first, but once you start using it, you realize how much you can actually do. 

The timeline feels flexible, the trimming tools are solid, and you get features like keyframes, multi-track editing, transitions, and color correction that usually show up in paid software. 

It’s a great step-up option if you’ve outgrown basic editors but don’t want to pay for a subscription.

On Windows 11, the newer versions run pretty smoothly, and the interface feels a lot more polished than it used to. 

You can edit longer videos, mix multiple audio tracks, and add effects without the software feeling too heavy. 

It’s not as flashy as the commercial editors, but it’s stable and reliable once you understand its workflow.

If you want a free editor that actually feels powerful, Kdenlive is one of the best open-source tools you can install on Windows 11.

13. VN Video Editor

Why I picked it: It’s one of the cleanest, easiest free editors for quick edits, especially if you make short-form content.

VN has always been popular on mobile, and the Windows version feels just as smooth. 

The interface is very minimal — you import your clips, arrange them on the timeline, add text, adjust speed, drop transitions, and you’re done. 

It’s perfect for creators who want to edit fast without digging through complicated menus.

On Windows 11, VN runs really well. 

It loads quickly, exports fast, and doesn’t feel heavy even if you’re working on multiple clips. 

You also get handy features like keyframe animations, curve speed controls, filters, templates, and clean text styles that look modern without much effort. 

It’s great for TikTok, Reels, Shorts, or even simple YouTube videos.

If you want a free editor that’s simple, fast, and perfect for short videos, VN is one of the best options for Windows users.

14. Clipchamp

Why I picked it: It’s already installed on most Windows 11 devices, and it’s surprisingly good for quick, simple edits.

Clipchamp is super lightweight, loads fast, and has all the basics you need — cutting, trimming, transitions, text, filters, stock media, templates, and even auto-captions. 

The layout is clean and beginner-friendly, so you can start editing right away without adjusting any settings or learning complicated workflows.

Windows 11 handles Clipchamp smoothly because it’s optimized for the system. 

Exports are quick, the timeline feels responsive, and even longer clips don’t lag too much. 

It’s perfect for people who just want to make simple YouTube videos, vlogs, school projects, family videos, or quick social media edits.

If you want something free, simple, and already inside Windows 11, Clipchamp is a great pick.

Also Read: 16 Best Video Editing Software for Low-End PC

Final Thoughts

So, Windows 11 honestly makes video editing feel a bit smoother compared to the older versions, and all the tools we talked about here work really well on it. 

You’ve got the heavy hitters like Premiere Pro and DaVinci Resolve if you want full control… and then you also have lighter, friendlier editors like Filmora, Movavi, Clipchamp, and VN if you just want to edit without overthinking anything.

The nice part is, you don’t really need a high-end PC to start. 

Almost all the editors in this list run fine on regular Windows 11 laptops, so you can pick whatever matches the kind of videos you make. 

If you’re into YouTube, client work, vlogs, or even short videos for Instagram or TikTok, there’s something here that’ll fit your workflow without making editing feel like a chore.

Just try a couple of them, see which interface feels natural to you, and stick with the one that lets you finish your videos the way you want. 

That’s really what matters the most.

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