If you’re new to video editing, you may have stumbled upon the expression “non-linear video editing” or “NLE” which stands for “non-linear editor”. Don’t let the terminology confuse you because NLE is what most offline video editors are.

What does a non-linear video editor mean?

A non-linear video editor is a video editor that allows for placing audio and video files on multiple tracks using any desired sequence. This means files don’t have to start strictly one after another: they can be overlapped and used simultaneously in the same scene.

Virtually all offline video editors are non-linear. Some of the most popular free ones are VSDC, iMovie, and Davinci Resolve. Some of the most popular paid ones are Adobe Premiere, Vegas Pro, and Final Cut Pro.

The best way to fully understand what non-linear video editing looks like, is by comparing it to linear video editing.

What is the difference between linear and non-linear editing?

One would say, the biggest difference between linear and non-linear editing is the number of tracks on the timeline. And they’d be right: linear video editors have just one track; non-linear video editors have multiple tracks.

The linear editing approach was originally used years ago, when making a movie involved using physical tapes. A filmmaker would have to literally cut out the unwanted pieces of the original tape, take what’s left, and put it together in a new sequence to create a story. And because you could only put pieces together one after another, this method was called linear.

Even when the industry started to evolve, and it became possible to use digital cameras, some of the first video editors used the same linear approach. Take Movie Maker. Movie Maker had just one video track and one audio track. This means you could only put pieces of video in a direct sequence and use just one soundtrack at a time.

Unlike linear video editors, non-linear editing software allows you to use multiple video tracks and audio tracks. This means files can be overlapped and overlaid. For example, you can place two videos one under another on the timeline and they will be displayed simultaneously during the playback. This is how the side-by-side and picture-in-picture effects work.

Similarly, you can use more than one audio track. For example, you may want to add background music and include voice comments at the same time. To do that, you’ll need to place two different audio files on two different audio tracks, and this is only possible to implement if you’re using an NLE.

What are the advantages of non-linear video editing?

As you’ve probably already figured, the key advantage of non-linear video editing is the freedom of the creative process. Not only can you place multiple videos and images in the scene and display them as they are, but you can also overlay those videos and images together into a new composition.

The examples of such effects are numerous. In addition to those mentioned above, here are three more you’ve probably heard of:

• Video masking
• Double exposure
• Chroma keying

What is the best non-linear editing software?

Because most modern-day video editors are non-linear, the question that really stands is which video editor is the best. The answer to this question will vary based on your skill set, experience, goals, and your computer power.

Below, we’ll review some of the most popular non-linear video editors - both free and paid - so you can see the difference for yourself.

Free non-linear video editors

1. VSDC Free Video Editor (Windows)

VSDC is a free NLE designed for those who are familiar with the basic principles of video editing and willing to move forward to more advanced techniques. It boasts lots of stunning effects, customizable blur filters, a color correction toolset, and a powerful Chroma Key. Keep in mind that VSDC only works on Windows.

If you worry about the system requirements - because most NLEs are indeed quite demanding - worry not. Compared to other video editors, VSDC is the most lightweight one. You won’t need a powerful PC to use it and will be just fine with as little as 2GB of RAM.

The Pro version of VSDC includes a few features aimed at more professional-level users. It’s available at $19.99 per year and includes video masking, motion tracking, hardware acceleration, and audio waveform. However, as a beginner, you’ll most probably find the free version of VSDC more than sufficient for your needs.

2. iMovie (Mac)

iMovie is a default non-linear video editor that comes pre-installed on Mac computers. Of all video editors in this list, iMovie seems to have the simplest, most intuitive interface, yet the least feature flexibility. In other words, you may not be able to perform advanced tricks, such as video masking or a custom animated intro, but you’ll be able to quickly enhance your footage, add music, and apply effects like picture-in-picture.

Although you can’t use iMovie on Windows, you can use it on your iPhone and iPad. This is a noteworthy feature if you have multiple Apple devices, because this means you can start cutting out the unwanted footage on the go and perform post-production later on your computer.

Overall, iMovie is a great choice if you’re a beginner or an intermediate-level user. It includes a decent color correction functionality, Chroma Key, titles, a set of basic transitions and themes for slideshows and presentations.

3. Davinci Resolve (Windows, Mac, Linux)

Davinci Resolve is a professional-grade NLE used by indie filmmakers and Hollywood producers alike. Its free version is widely popular because of its outstanding color correction abilities and an abundance of convenient shortcuts - essential for those working with large amounts of footage on a daily basis.

The main downside of Davinci Resolve is that it requires quite a lot of resources, and you won’t be able to run it on a slow PC - the program is likely to crash. Although, keep in mind that if you’re serious about your video editing hobby, eventually, you may have to upgrade your computer anyway.

If you’re surprised by such a powerful NLE being available for free, there’s an upgrade available as well. Blackmagic Design, the company developing Resolve, offers a commercial version of the program known as DaVinci Resolve Studio. The aptly-named software is designed for filmmaking studios and supports resolution higher than HD, frame rate higher than 60fps, additional OpenX plugins, motion blur, and some other pro-level tools. The Studio version is available for a one-time payment of $299.

Paid non-linear video editors

1. Adobe Premiere Pro (Windows, Mac, Linux)

Adobe Premiere Pro is considered a de-facto standard in the world of post-production. It’s been dominating the market since 1991 when it was originally launched under the name of Adobe Premiere. According to some movie makers, many of the remaining software developers are simply trying to create their own versions of Adobe and repeat their success.

Premiere Pro has everything you may ever need for post-production: powerful hardware acceleration, ProRes HDR, a large set of transitions and special effects, video noise reduction, audio mixer, and integration with various plugins including the Borix FX library. That’s not to say that the tool never crashes or has zero flaws, but the truth is, they are the pioneers of digital video editing, and it’s hard to find something that’s missing compared to its alternatives.

Of course, such a powerhouse of an editor comes with a price tag. After a 30-day free trial, you can choose to pay $31.49 for a monthly subscription or $239.88 for an annual plan. Along with the subscription, you get 100GB of cloud storage, Premiere Rush, Adobe Portfolio, Adobe Fonts, and Adobe Spark.

2. Vegas Pro (Windows)

Vegas Pro (formerly Sony Vegas) is a post-production suite for Windows. It’s also aimed at professional-grade users and packed with professional-level tools. However, the interface, as well as the logic of this software, differ from what Adobe fans are used to.

As a pro-level tool, Vegas is designed to make collaborative editing easier. One particularly useful feature available in Vegas Pro is nested timelines. It doesn’t just allow you to completely reorganize the editing workflow, but it also lets you separate pieces of your project from the main timeline, and most importantly, share those pieces with your colleagues - without having to save them as separate projects. Feature-wise, there’s no lack of tools for both beginners and advanced users. One of Vegas' key advantages is the AI algorithms used to achieve flawless motion tracking, video stabilization, and color correction.

There are two ways to purchase Vegas Pro. You can opt for a monthly subscription or make a one-time purchase directly from the developer website. The former costs between $29.99 and $39.99, depending on the billing cycle you select; the latter costs $999 and comes with a year of free updates. You can order a physical version of the software too, if you want. 

3. Final Cut Pro (Mac)

Final Cut Pro is a non-linear video editor invented by Apple, and it has been the next step for those who have outgrown iMovie. Although Adobe Premiere works on macOS too, many Mac owners prefer using Final Cut Pro because of its interface, rendering speed, and price tag.

The truth is, both NLEs provide outstanding video editing platforms and can satisfy the needs of an experienced movie editor. Yet, according to many, Final Cut Pro appears to be more friendly for a beginner but slightly less sufficient for a professional. For example, the interface of Final Cut is based on the magnetic timeline and can be easily adjusted into a single-track platform, which is usually more convenient for an average user. Another advantage of Final Cut is that it allows you for using the program while exporting a file. It’s also known for faster rendering, whereas Adobe users often complain about rendering speed and the fact that Premiere Pro locks the program during export.

If you decide to purchase Final Cut Pro, your only option is a one-time $299.99 payment. Although it sounds like a lot, Final Cut Pro will be a cheaper editor than Premiere Pro in the long run because an annual subscription for the latter is about the same amount, yet it doesn’t let you continue using the software if you stop paying.

Wrapping-up

Let’s recap everything we’ve learned. First, virtually all offline video editors are non-linear video editors. Second, non-linear video editing means you’re able to use multiple tracks and overlay files. Finally, there’s no such thing as the best non-linear video editor. Many of them are excellent, and you should choose one based on your level of experience, your budget, and your computer specs.

Mac'e yönelik tüm video düzenleme araçları arasında iMovie bizim favorimizdir ve onu bu blogda birçok kez tavsiye ettik. iMovie çoğu Apple cihazında önceden yüklenmiş olarak gelir; ücretsiz ve sezgiseldir. Aynı zamanda amatör kullanıcılardan profesyonel YouTuber'lara kadar pek çok kişinin favori video düzenleyicisidir. iMovie'nin yalnızca küçük bir sakıncası var: Windows'ta kullanılamıyor.

Siz sormadan önce, hayır, iMovie'yi Windows için yayınlamaya yönelik bir planımız yok ve iMovie'yi Windows PC'ye yüklemenin de bir yolu yok. Dolayısıyla aradığınız şey buysa, bilgisayarınızın özelliklerine bakılmaksızın Windows için iyi iMovie alternatifleri oluşturan 6 ücretsiz video düzenleyiciye göz atmanızı öneririz.

Araştırma sırasında ana kriter olarak şunları seçtik:

• Yazılım %100 ücretsiz olmalı, dışa aktarma sonrasında deneme süresi veya filigran olmamalıdır.
• Dosyaların kolayca karıştırılmasına ve üst üste bindirilmesine olanak tanıyan, doğrusal olmayan bir video düzenleyici olmalıdır.

Hangi video düzenleme araçlarının listemize girdiğini görmek için okumaya devam edin!

1. VSDC Ücretsiz Video Düzenleyici

VSDC, GoPro destek ekibinin ücretsiz bir video düzenleyicisidir önerir. Piyasadaki en hafif araçtır ve belleği az olan yavaş bilgisayarlarda bile çalışır. Yaygın olarak tavsiye edilmesinin nedeni, birçok ücretsiz video düzenleyiciden farklı olarak VSDC'nin, 120 fps çekim dahil olmak üzere her türlü codec, kalite ve kare hızındaki videoları kolayca açmanıza olanak sağlamasıdır. Düzenlemeyi bitirdiğinizde VSDC, çeşitli cihazlar ve sosyal medya platformları için önceden yapılandırılmış video dışa aktarma profillerini kullanmanıza olanak tanır. Videonun yüksek kalitesini korursunuz ve herhangi bir manuel ayarlama yapmanıza gerek kalmaz.

Özellik açısından, paketten çıkarılacak çok şey var. Temel video düzenleme işlemlerini yapabileceksiniz: kesme, kırpma ve döndürme. Ayrıca sesi iyileştirebilir, şık başlıklar oluşturabilir ve hız efektleri (ağır çekim ve hızlı çekim) uygulayabilirsiniz. Ancak VSDC'yi yalnızca en temel özellikler için almak, kaynaklarının israfı olacaktır. Bu video düzenleyici, Windows için en yakın iMovie alternatiflerinden biri olmasının yanı sıra, aksaklık, Chroma Key, uzun gölge, mercek parlaması, gerçekçi yağmur damlaları ve daha fazlası gibi birçok modern filtre ve efekte sahiptir. En önemlisi, çeşitli renk düzeltme araçları sunan Ayarlama efekt kategorisidir: hızlı Instagram tarzı filtreler, LUT'lar, RGB ve Ton ve Doygunluk eğrileri.

VSDC'yi öne çıkaran şey, dosyaları üst üste yerleştirmenin ve opaklıklarını kontrol etmenin ne kadar kolay olduğudur. Bu, çekiminize herhangi bir görüntüyü, simgeyi, metin nesnesini veya diğer videoları manuel olarak yerleştirebileceğiniz, bunları yeniden boyutlandırabileceğiniz ve bunları bir araya getirebileceğiniz veya birkaç görüntüyü aynı anda görüntülemek için resim içinde resim efekti kullanabileceğiniz anlamına gelir. Bu, özellikle tepki videoları, video eğitimleri oluşturuyorsanız kullanışlıdır. veya haber tarzı klipler.

VSDC'nin en son sürümünü indirin

2. Zeytin

Olive, macOS, Windows ve Linux'ta çalışan açık kaynaklı bir video düzenleyicidir. Araç şu anda geliştirilme aşamasındadır ve alfa sürümünde mevcuttur, ancak iyi performans göstermektedir ve umut verici görünmektedir. Reddit'teki video düzenleme topluluğuna göre Olive, Windows için en iyi iMovie alternatiflerinden biri.

Olive birçok açıdan bu listedeki video düzenleyicilerin çoğundan daha basittir: kısayollara dayalıdır, minimum düzeyde efekt ve geçişe sahiptir ve genel olarak arayüzü temiz ve anlaşılırdır. Dosyaların boyutunu küçültebileceğiniz, döndürebileceğiniz ve yeniden konumlandırabileceğiniz ön izleme penceresinde bazı işlemleri gerçekleştirebilirsiniz; yine oldukça bölünmüş ekran ve resim içinde resim efektleri için kullanışlı bir özellik. Ayrıca yerleşik bir ses kaydedici, ses gürültü efekti ve basit bir başlık oluşturucu da mevcuttur.

Olive'in devam eden bir çalışma olduğunu ve bu da gelecekte daha fazla özelliğin tanıtılacağı anlamına geldiğini unutmayın. Ancak şimdilik bile, ara sıra birkaç arkadaş ve aile videosunu hızlı bir şekilde birleştirmeye, film müziği ve altyazı eklemeye ihtiyaç duyan biri için iyi bir seçim.

Olive video düzenleyicisini indirin

3. Davinci Çözümü

Post prodüksiyonla ciddi olarak ilgileniyorsanız ve nihai hedefiniz renk düzeltme sanatında ustalaşmaksa Davinci Resolve kullanabileceğiniz araçtır. Sonuçta La La Land'in renk derecelendirmesinde kullanılan yazılım!

Blackmagic Design adlı şirket tarafından geliştirilen Resolve, hem becerikli hem de kaynak yoğundur. Muhtemelen yeni başlayanlar için iyi bir seçenek değildir ve yalnızca yeterince güçlü bir ekran kartınız ve donanımınız varsa yüklemeyi düşünmelisiniz. Ancak bu canavar editörü yüklerseniz, film yapmak için kelimenin tam anlamıyla her şeye ve bir mutfak lavabosuna sahip olursunuz.

Resolve'un özellik seti temel video düzenleme araçlarını, gelişmiş renk düzeltme kontrollerini, ses miksajını ve görsel efektleri içerir. Elbette başlıklar, başlıklar ve alt yazılar da ekleyebilirsiniz. iMovie'den geçiş yapıyorsanız, çok sayıda sekme ve ekran nedeniyle arayüz gözünüzü korkutabilir, ancak çevrimiçi eğitim videolarının bolluğu sayesinde bunu anlayacaksınız.

Davinci Resolve'nin yalnızca üst düzey makinelerde iyi çalışması dışında dezavantajı format uyumluluğudur. Örneğin çekimleriniz AVI formatında geliyorsa, onu editöre aktarmadan önce 3. taraf bir dönüştürme aracı kullanmanız gerekebilir.

Davinci Resolve'u indirin

4. HitFilm Ekspres

HitFilm Express, özel efektlerin hayranları için bir nimettir. Listemizde Resolve'den sonra geliyor çünkü aynı zamanda film yapımcısı özentilerini de hedefliyor. Teknik olarak Express, HitFilm video düzenleyicinin Pro sürümünün sunduğu lezzetleri size sunmayı amaçlayan ücretsiz sürümüdür. Ancak bütçesi kısıtlı olanlar için ücretsiz özellik seti de yeterli olacaktır. Ayrıca, ücretsiz sürümde bulunmayan belirli bir filtreyi veya efekti kullanmak istiyorsanız bunu Pro'ya yükseltmenize gerek kalmadan ayrı bir eklenti olarak satın alabilirsiniz.

Bu, HitFilm Express'in yerleşik ücretsiz VFX'ten yoksun olduğu anlamına gelmiyor ve animasyon. Dosyalarınızı zaman çizelgesinde bir araya getirip istenmeyen görüntü parçalarını kestikten sonra, şık başlık geçişleri ekleyebilir ve "Kompozit çekim" adı verilen bir görüntü oluşturarak işleri renklendirebilirsiniz. Kompozisyon menüsünde, yangın, patlama, aksaklık gibi birçok etkileyici efektle ve Iron Man HUD, namlu flaşı veya gökyüzü değişimi gibi bazı benzersiz bilim kurgu efektleriyle çalışabilirsiniz. Ayrıca yeşil, mavi veya kırmızı arka planı hızlı bir şekilde kaldırmanıza olanak tanıyan kullanışlı bir Chroma key aracı da bulunmaktadır. Ücretli eklentilerin fiyatları 19,99 ABD Doları ile 49,99 ABD Doları arasında değişmektedir ve Game of Thrones'taki beyaz bir yürüyüşçünün gözleri gibi gerçekten benzersiz efektler elde edebilirsiniz.

HitFilm Express'i indirin

5. Kdenlive

Kdenlive, son birkaç yıldır birçok Linux kullanıcısının başvurduğu video düzenleyici oldu. Ancak Windows'ta da çalışır ve onu bir iMovie alternatifi olarak düşünebilirsiniz. Tıpkı VSDC gibi Kdenlive de hafiftir ve düşük kaliteli bilgisayarlarda çalışır. Kurulum işlemi biraz karmaşıktır ancak arayüz basittir. Eğitim videoları aramanıza gerek kalmadan bile çekimlerinizi kırpabilecek, sesi kapatabilecek veya kaldırabilecek, hızı ve ses düzeyini değiştirebilecek ve standart video efektleri ekleyebileceksiniz.

Kdenlive yalnızca iki video parçası sunar (bu, ortalama bir kullanıcı için yeterlidir) ve daha fazlasını yapmanıza olanak tanır dosyaları yaz. Kdenlive'da hoşumuza giden şey, zaman çizelgesine hızlı bir şekilde herhangi bir renkteki ekranı ekleyen "Renkli klip ekle" başlıklı kullanışlı bir özelliktir. Bu ekranı video bölümleri arasında geçiş olarak veya giriş ve çıkış için arka plan olarak kullanabilirsiniz. Kdenlive'de yerleşik başlık şablonları yoktur ancak Kdenlive kullanıcı forumlarını ve KDE mağazasını ziyaret ederseniz çok sayıda animasyonlu başlık şablonu, FX ve dışa aktarma profili ön ayarı bulacaksınız.

Kdenlive'ı indirin

6. Açık atış

Openshot, şık arayüzüyle sizi etkilemeyecek basit bir video düzenleyicidir ancak çoğu temel işlem için yeterli olacaktır. Birden fazla parça kullanarak video dosyalarını hızlı bir şekilde kesip birleştirmenize, müzik eklemenize, şablon tabanlı başlıklar oluşturmanıza ve hatta animasyonla oynamanıza olanak tanır (ancak 3D animasyonla çalışmak için ek yazılım yüklemeniz gerekir). Filtreler, efektler ve geçişler sürükle ve bırak yöntemiyle kolayca uygulanır.

Bu aracın en sevdiğimiz yanı, yeni başlayanlar için ne kadar sezgisel olduğu, ancak biraz uğraşmak isteyenler için de güçlü olmasıdır. Başlık ve geçiş şablonlarını alın. Sıfır deneyiminiz olsa bile hazır seçenekleri birkaç tıklamayla uygulayabilirsiniz ve sonuç iyi olacaktır. Ancak özelliklerle de oynayabilir ve sonucu tamamen zevkinize göre özelleştirebilirsiniz. Genel olarak, eğer yeni başlıyorsanız Openshot iyi bir seçimdir. Minimal bir öğrenme eğrisiyle birlikte gelir ve hatta yazılımı ilk başlattığınızda size yol gösterecek açılır pencereler içerir.

Openshot'ı indirin

Windows için en iyi iMovie alternatifi nedir?

Bu sorunun cevabı aslında soruyu soran kişiye bağlıdır. Video düzenleme yazılımı söz konusu olduğunda "en iyi" çözüm yoktur çünkü en iyi olan sizin ihtiyaçlarınız, becerileriniz ve tabii ki bilgisayarınızın beygir gücü tarafından tanımlanır. Piyasadaki en hafif çözümün peşindeyseniz VSDC'yi seçin. Hollywood düzeyinde videolar üretmek isteyen hevesli bir film yapımcısıysanız kendinize Davinci Resolve'yi edinin ve başka yere bakmayın. Açık kaynaklı bir çözüm istiyorsanız Kdenlive veya Olive'i tercih edin.

Karar vermeden önce, Windows için iMovie alternatiflerini karşılaştıran bu tabloya danışmaktan çekinmeyin.

İyi düzenleme! Yaratıcılığınızın akmasına izin verin.

Updating VSDC during the holiday season has become a tradition, and this year will not be an exception. We’re thrilled to introduce VSDC 6.6 packed with over a dozen new features designed to spark joy and creativity. We hope that the brand-new Chroma Key toolset, the Optical flow reframing mode, a quick-and-fun way to add masks to a face in a video, the particle effect, and the enhanced free shape feature will keep you busy for a while.

Without further ado, let’s take a closer look at these updates.

Create video postcards in no time using upgraded Chroma Key

Of all new features, Chroma Key has received the biggest overhaul. Both versions – VSDC free and VSDC Pro got updated and now there is not just one but three background remover modes to choose from:

• HSL chroma key color (Pro)
• YUV chroma key color (Free)
• By chromakey mask (Free)

Experienced video creators are familiar with the challenge of removing background colors from a video with poorly lighted areas or tiny, thin objects like strings or hair. That’s why these new modes were designed with one goal in mind: to help you cope with that task effortlessly.

If you want the fastest and most precise way to remove colors from the video – consider using the HSL color space. Instead of picking a single color that needs to be removed, it enables you to select a range of color tones located close to each other on the Hue, Saturation, and Brightness spectrum. This approach allows you to get rid of the entire video background even if there is a tone difference.

Those using the free version of VSDC, get an updated YUV mode which is now capable of removing a video background more precisely due to additional colors and the Adaptive alfa settings.

Finally, we’ve implemented a completely new approach to remove colors from a video. It is called “By chromakey mask”. This mode suggests that you upload an image to the project and use it as a “chromakey mask”: the software will compare colors in the image and in the video and remove the matching ones.

Get festive wearing animated face masks

Another new tool to make you excited is called Face landmarks. It allows you to quickly place a pre-designed mask on a face using a face detection and tracking algorithm. When you apply the Face landmarks effect, VSDC places several control points on the face – each point assigned to a particular face area: left eye, right eye, forehead, and so on. Next, based on the location of these points, VSDC places a pre-designed image that will follow face movements – just like in Instagram or Snapchat.

There are a few ready-made mask collections already available to you, but you can upload your own images and use them as a face mask as well. This is just the first version of the Face landmarks effect, and we’re determined to expand its functionality. Stay tuned!

Capture magic in slow motion with new reframing modes

The following mighty update will bring joy to the slow-motion video fans. If you’ve ever tried to achieve a perfect slow-motion effect, you probably noticed that the more you reduce the playback speed, the choppier the video gets. This is a common issue easily explained by a drastic frame reduction: the lower the speed is, the fewer frames are displayed per second and the bigger the gaps between frames are.

With the new reframing modes called Blending and Optical flow, stutter becomes an issue of the past. Both will help you quickly achieve a smooth slow-mo effect: the former – by duplicating and overlapping frames; the latter – by using AI to create the missing frames from scratch. Naturally, Optical flow is more efficient, yet it’s also more resource-demanding. You can see how it works in the video below:

Let it snow with the Particle video effect

Particles is a new eye-catching effect located in the “Nature” section of the Video effects menu. It enables you to create an illusion of falling particles, such as leaves or snowflakes. Like most VSDC effects, this one is highly customizable, which means you’ll be able to change the size of the particles, the “wind” direction, the speed they are falling at, and their location in the scene: background, foreground, or mid-distance view.

There are several templates for this effect already available, but you can also upload your own images and use them as particles.

Other important updates

There are a few more features we’d like to include in this post. Some of them might be slightly less noticeable but they are also long-awaited and exciting updates:

1. AV1 (or AOMedia Video 1) is now in the list of supported formats
2. Video transitions can now be made much smoother due to the Alpha channel
3. Whenever you change video playback speed, you’ll be able to change audio tempo as well
4. Subpixel resolution is now available in the free version of VSDC
5. Video effect rendering has been optimized to increase speed and reduce memory usage
6. You can now zoom in on a scene by holding down the Ctrl key and scrolling up on the mouse wheel

To top it off, the free shape feature got a serious upgrade, too. We couldn’t find a better way to demonstrate it than by recreating the annoying orange effect. Enjoy watching it!

Download the latest version of VSDC here and feel free to shoot us an email at Bu e-Posta adresi istenmeyen posta engelleyicileri tarafından korunuyor. Görüntülemek için JavaScript etkinleştirilmelidir. if you have any questions.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the VSDC team,

Ho ho ho!

Removing a green background from video footage requires chroma key software, a tool designed to isolate and eliminate a specific color. This allows for easy replacement of the background with another image or video, or even making it transparent. We've evaluated top intuitive, and beginner-friendly free chroma key software for PC, macOS, and Linux, offering hassle-free solutions for your editing needs.

Key Takeaways

For those diving into the realm of chroma keying, here's a quick rundown of our top recommendations:

1. VSDC (Windows) – recommended for PC users
2. iMovie (iOS and macOS) – recommended for Apple device users
3. Shotcut (Windows, iOS, Linux)
4. OpenShot (Windows, iOS, Linux)
5. HitFilm Express (Windows, macOS)

Below, you’ll find their brief overview, system requirements, and tutorials on how to edit in green screen, helping you get started with these programs.

What is Chroma Key?

Chroma key software, often referred to as green screen software, empowers you to alter video backgrounds seamlessly. These chroma key applications not only enable timeline editing and trimming but also allow for the addition of custom background colors. With the ability to share and organize footage, good green screen software has become indispensable for video editors.

Best Free Chroma Key Software

The quest for the perfect free greenscreen software can be overwhelming given the vast array of options. This section delves deeper into both renowned and hidden gems among free and paid chroma key software, offering insights into various green screen apps and programs.

1. VSDC Free Video Editor (Windows)

VSDC is a free video editor for Windows that brings a lot of handy add-ons on board. Its toolset includes a desktop screen recorder, a webcam video grabber, a voiceover tool, and a YouTube uploader.

Once you launch VSDC, the chroma key tool will be available in the Video effects menu. To remove a green background from your footage, follow these steps:

2. Import your video using the Import content option on the start screen
3. Got to Video effects and select Transparency >> Background remover
4. If the green background hasn’t disappeared automatically, open the Properties window on the right-hand side
5. Find the parameter named Chromakey color and click on the eyedropper. Then click anywhere on the green background to select the color that needs to be removed

If there are any green highlights left around the object, go back to the Properties window and manually change the values of the brightness and chromaticity thresholds. Check out this detailed video tutorial below to see the process for yourself:

Once you remove the background, you can replace it with another image or video. Just drag the new file to the timeline and place it one layer below the original video. The new footage will be seen through the deleted areas that used to be green. If you want, you can export your video with a transparent background, too!

VSDC system requirements: VSDC is very lightweight and runs even on low-end PCs. You’ll need to have 1Gb RAM, at least 300Mb of free disk space, Intel, AMD or compatible processor with the working frequency at 1.5 GHz or higher. It’s always recommended to have the latest Windows OS as well, however, you’ll be able to run VSDC even on Win 7 or XP

Download the latest version of VSDC

2. iMovie (iOS and macOS)

iMovie is a default video editor for iOS and Mac, and the best part about this app is that it works on both the desktop and the mobile devices by Apple.

Just like VSDC, iMovie is a non-linear video editor. This means files can be placed on different layers one under another on the timeline, so you can blend them together. Unlike VSDC though, iMovie allows you to remove both green and blue screens.

The process goes as follows:

1. Place the new background image or video on the timeline
2. Then add a green or blue screen video to the layer above it
3. Use the Video Overlay Settings button and select Green/Blue screen from the dropdown menu
4. Once you perform this action, the chroma key controls, such as Softness and Clean-up, will display on the toolbar at the top. Use them to adjust the effect and brush up any imperfections

For a detailed guide to using the iMovie chroma key feature on iPad and iPhone, check the official tutorial.

iMovie system requirements: if you’re planning to use it on an iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch, you should have iOS 13.4 or later. For Mac, you’ll need macOS 10.14.6 or later, 2GB of RAM (4GB recommended), an OpenCL-capable graphics card.

Download iMovie from the App Store.

3. Shotcut (Windows, macOS, Linux)

Shotcut is an open-source video editor that works on Windows, macOS, and Linux. It’s a powerful software with the chroma key feature available among the list of effects. However, if you’re new to video editing, you might feel slightly overwhelmed by the layout, mainly because it’s quite minimalistic and it’s not always obvious where you can find the required features.

The great part about this program though is the selection of hotkey combinations that will help you speed up the editing process.

Below is a short guide to removing green screen in Shotcut:

1. First, upload the file that will serve as a new background. Next, import the green-screen video (use Ctrl + I to add a new video track to the timeline).
2. Make a click on the green-screen video and open the Filters menu from the toolbar at the top.
3. Use the “+” icon and search for the option titled Chroma Key: Simple
4. Most times, the effect is applied immediately. However, if it didn’t work for you or the green color has disappeared partially, use the eyedropper and/or manually adjust the parameter called Distance.

Shotcut system requirements: x86-64 Intel or AMD; at least one 2 GHz core for SD, 2 cores for HD, OpenGL 2.0, at least 4 GB RAM (8 GB for HD).

Visit the official website to download the software for your OS.

4. OpenShot (Windows, macOS, Linux)

The following chroma key software on the list is called OpenShot. Its interface is way simpler than any other solutions have, and the menu structure makes this tool a great Movie Maker alternative for beginners.

To replace a green background in OpenShot, follow these steps:

1. Drag your files (the green-screen video and the new background) to the Project Files tab.
2. Place the clips on the timeline following the same order: green-screen video on the top layer, the new background footage – below.
3. In the Effects tab, search for Chroma Key and drag the effect to the timeline over the green-screen video.

Once you apply the effect, you’ll notice a “C” icon above the green-screen video on the timeline. It stands for “Chroma Key settings”. Unlike most free chroma key software, OpenShot allows for removing any color and doesn’t limit you to green or blue. However, that adds an extra layer of work because you’ll need to manually pick the color you want to key out.

To do that, right-click on the “C” icon and open the Properties menu. Find the parameter named “Key color” and make a double-click. A color palette window will pop up, and you’ll be able to pick a color for isolation. If you notice that some areas in the video remain green, use a feature called “Fuzz” available in the Properties menu. Want to see everything for yourself? Watch the official tutorial here.

OpenShot system requirements: 64-bit OS, 4GB of RAM (16GB recommended), 500 MB of hard-disk space for installation, Multi-core processor with 64-bit support.

Visit the official developer’s website.

5. HitFilm Express (Windows and macOS)

HitFilm Express is the free version of the premium video editing software by FXhome. The developer company is focused on bringing special effects to amateur filmmakers, so naturally, the green screen and the blue screen removal tool made it to the list of key features.

Here is a quick guide to using this chroma key software:

1. Upload project files by dragging them to the Media box. Then place them on the timeline with the green or blue-screen video being on the top layer.
2. Open the Effects tab and type Green screen, then drag the Color difference key effect to the timeline over the green-screen video.
3. Make a double-click on the effect to open additional controls. Toggle the Min, Max, and Gamma settings to achieve the desired level of transparency.

HitFilm Express system requirements: this is probably the most resource-demanding tool on the list. To use it, you’ll need a 64-bit OS, 4th Generation Intel® Core™ Processors or AMD equivalent, at least 4Gb of RAM, and a minimum of 1Gb video memory. Graphic card: NVIDIA GeForce 600, AMD Radeon R5 240, or Intel HD Graphics 5000 (GT3).

Visit FXhome official website.

How to choose the best chroma key software for your computer?

It’s always a good idea to download and test a couple of solutions before making the final decision. Here are the questions that will help you make the right choice:

1. What are the software system requirements?

Here is the thing. When it comes to software, the final say belongs to your computer. And if you have a low-spec machine, perhaps, you should search among video editors for slow computers in the first place.

However, it’s not just the video editor and your computer. The size of the files you’re planning to work with matters a lot, too. This means if you’re planning to edit large or high-quality files, there is always a chance of the software freezing or crashing in the process. With that in mind, make sure to find out how to set the autosave feature (most video editors have it built-in) and how the backup works.

2. Which color is the background in your video?

Some chroma key software can help you remove video background only if it’s green. Other tools are able to key out any color. So, if you need to replace blue, red, or any other color that is different from green, make sure that the software of your choice allows that.

For instance, iMovie allows you to remove green and blue colors only. OpenShot, on the other hand, allows you to key out any color but you’ll have to pick it manually.

3. Will you need any other editing features?

So… what are your plans? Are you here to quickly do one thing and forget all about video editing, or are you on a mission to start your tiny but mighty video production studio? If it’s the latter, you might want to poke around and see other features the tool offers. You also need to check the software developer company’s social media, how-to guides, or any other platforms you’ll be able to resort to, should you have questions.

As a bare minimum, we recommend practicing some basic operations like video splitting and merging, changing the playback speed, importing or removing audio, and adding titles. Make sure these features are intuitive to you. Next, consider sifting through a list of text or video tutorials to get an idea of what else the software is capable of.

Resources for your inspiration

If you enjoy the magic that chroma key software brings, you might want to learn more about it and eventually try more complex tricks. There are plenty of resources at your disposal, both for practicing and inspiration.

We suggest checking out the following links:

Videezy and Videvo – free video stock marketplaces where you can download green screen videos at zero cost to test the new software and practice your skills.

Our green screen software guide – this article includes a few DIY ideas for shooting a green screen video at home.

Cine 24 VPX – a YouTube channel with lots of green screen video hacks and ideas you’ll definitely want to replicate.

Got any questions? Feel free to shoot us a message on Facebook.

Happy editing!