In a world full of social media and digital marketing, high-quality editing is a must in many industries. Creating this content, whether it is short reels for TikTok or full-length productions, is often resource intensive. If you donât have access to a powerful PC, you will need to find an online alternative.
Online video editors can boast the same â or similar â power as desktop solutions. Some programs may even offer basic editing functions for free. If youâre not sure where to start looking, read on.Â
What is the best online video editor right now?
ZDNET experts have years of experience in editing videos, and weâve extensively researched and compared the best editing solutions in the market today. I went hands-on with many of the recommendations on my list. In addition, I consulted several professional videographers on the best online video editing solutions and what they use in their day-to-day workflows.
Also:Â I tested the best video editing laptops: Hereâs what I recommend for your next project
The best online video editing suite around right now is Adobe Express. Itâs available for free or as a Creative Cloud bolt-on, or an individual subscription. Adobe Express provides professional tools suitable for video editing projects, social media, and marketing, making it a top choice for a vast user base.
If you would prefer a free option to learn the basics of online video editing, consider CapCut, another of my favorites and one recommended by professional videographers.Â
Read on for more of my favorite online video editors.Â
The best online video editors in 2025
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Adobe Express is an online video editor you should explore if you want professional grade editing tools.Â
Why we like it: If youâre already familiar with Adobe products like Photoshop or Lightroom, Express will be a breeze. Youâll encounter features including creating scenes, layering, scaling, and changing opacity. You can either use your own footage or stock resources.
There is a relatively large library of assets for video editing available to free users, although most of Adobeâs resources are only accessible to paying subscribers. This repository is worth investing in as a valuable resource for professional projects, according to a videographer I know.Â
You also have the option to use add-ons to connect to third-party services and tools. These include Google Drive, Dropbox, DeepReel AI, FaceFactory, Polygon, and Clipping Mask Pro.Â
Who itâs for: Whoever is looking for an online video editor with professional elements. This would suit someone best who already has a subscription to Adobeâs Creative Cloud, as Express is included. Alternatively, you can subscribe to just Adobe Express for $10 per month or $100 per year.Â
Who should look elsewhere: Some features, including bulk creation and video resizing, are locked behind paywalls. If you need these features without a subscription, you might want to explore my other recommendations.
Adobe Express features: Asset library | Brand creation | Design and business templates | Firefly generative AI | Add-ons | Free option, 30-day premium trial
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Another popular online video editor is CapCut, a free solution to help you learn the ropes of editing.
Why we like it: I spoke to several videographers, and they called CapCut a popular online video editor suitable for smaller projects.
During testing, I was able to stitch together and make video content from scratch, switch out and stitch different assets together including video templates, avatars, stickers, photos, and audio files. A caveat â if you see a notification that says âpro benefits in useâ at export, you will need to remove the asset or upgrade.Â
The artificial intelligence asset hub is also worth exploring. You can find content in different languages as well as TikTok-ready audio and AI-generated voiceovers.
Who itâs for: Anyone looking for a generous, free online video editor. If you donât mind the learning curve associated with CapCutâs user interface, then youâll find this platform offers many of the editing tools and assets youâll need for creating shorts, social media videos, and TikTok content.Â
However, free video exports are limited to 1080p, so youâll need to subscribe to CapCut Pro for $10 per month, or $90 per year, for 4K exports.Â
Who should look elsewhere: The icons are rather small, and the user interface is quite cluttered. This wonât be the best solution if you need software designed with accessibility in mind.
Furthermore, as CapCut is owned by ByteDance, TikTokâs parent company. Itâs possible this app will face the same scrutiny and potential ban in the U.S. in the future.Â
CapCut features: Desktop, mobile apps available | Text to speech, transcription | AI asset hub | Generous asset library | Social media tools | Free or premiumÂ
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If you need an online video editor for social media, marketing, or self-promotion, consider Canva.
Why we like it: Iâve used Canva for years to create social media-friendly videos and clips for a friend. I used the program to help them launch their business and keep online momentum when they release new products.Â
Canva provides a free editing suite online to create and edit video content, a huge range of marketing materials, and a number of free templates in the Canva community. In addition, using existing footage and animations, adding text, and embedding audio is a breeze.Â
Thereâs also an AI assistant, but its capabilities are limited. Instead, take the time to learn how to use the platform to develop your own material.Â
Who itâs for: I would recommend Canva for anyone who wants to create videos for social media purposes. Whether you want to promote yourself, develop some basic videos for a website project, or showcase products from Etsy, Canva is a great place to start.Â
If you want to develop professional branding and materials, you can upgrade to Canva Pro. Canvaâs paid tier opens up access to data visuals, millions of fonts, graphics, and videos, and provides you with 1TB of cloud storage. Prices start at $10 per month.Â
Who should look elsewhere: Canva is a great option for individuals, small businesses, and social media marketing. It wonât be the right choice for you if you need a platform for granular, in-depth video editing.Â
Canva features: Free option | Video, audio templates | Canva community | AI tools | Millions of creative assets | Premium branding available
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Microsoftâs Clipchamp is an excellent online video editing option if you want something easy to learn and understand.
Why we like it: Clipchamp is free to use and offers useful video creation and editing tools including a recording studio, a content library, templates, and transition media.
Youâll need to sign up by providing and verifying an email address, or by using an existing Microsoft Outlook email address. Clipchamp will then guide you through a quick and easy onboarding process.
You can choose from a fair selection of existing templates and assets or upload your own. I found the layout to be very simple and easy to understand. Sometimes there are loading time problems and odd snapping noises when stitching audio files.Â
Who itâs for: Anyone new to video editing and looking for a free way to learn the basics. Whether you want to stitch together and edit hobby videos or social media ads, youâll find the templates, assets, and tools you need.Â
You can also use the AI generator to revamp your video assets, but I didnât find it particularly useful during testing.Â
Who should look elsewhere: If you are looking for an editor capable of professional-grade, in-depth video editing and production, this probably isnât the best solution for you. If you want to export high resolution video, youâll also need to subscribe to the premium plan at $12 per month.
Clipchamp features: Variety of video, audio assets | Video advert, corporate content creation | Recording studio functions | AI | Text to speechÂ
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Each recommended online video editor has a free, limited option, so you can try out any of the programs before you make a decision.Â
Online video editor
Price
Free version?
Notable features
AI?
Adobe Express
Free or $10 per month
Yes
Professional video editing toolsÂ
Firefly
CapCut
Free or $10 per month
Yes
AI assets, social media content, TikTok compatibility
Yes
Canva
Free or $10+ per month
Yes
Marketing materials, video templates, community assets
Limited
Clipchamp
Free or $12+ per month
Yes
User-friendly interface, asset library, AI assistant
Yes
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Choose this online video editorâŚ
If you want or areâŚ
Adobe Express
The best online video editor overall. Even on free plans Adobe Express provides professional-grade video editing tools and a fair selection of assets. Itâs excellent for standalone projects or as an accompaniment to other Creative Cloud apps.Â
CapCut
A free online video editor. Owned by the same company behind TikTok, CapCut provides a generous free asset library suitable for small video projects, social media, and experimenting with AI.Â
Canva
An online video editor for marketing purposes. Canva, available for free or as a premium service, is an excellent place to start if you need a platform for video editing that provides templates and other assets.
Clipchamp
An online video editor to help you learn the ropes. Microsoftâs Clipchamp is laid out with user-friendliness in mind, so it wonât take you long to learn the basic. Thereâs also a free version.Â
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When you are looking for a new online video editor, consider the following:
- Intended use: What do you plan to use an online video editor for? Some services will be better for some purposes than others. Quick and basic edits, granular changes, or even AI content generation may all factor into the service you choose.Â
- Workflows: An online video editor must match your workflow. Consider what the most important features to you are, and whether or not a service will improve or impede your video project management.
- Learning curves: There might be a learning curve when you sign up to use a new online video editor. Itâs possible you will need to watch tutorials or experiment to learn how to use a new service, so consider scheduling the necessary time.
- Compatibility: While I have showcased online video editors, you might also want to use the same service in other ways such as via a desktop or mobile app. If this is the case, itâs worth exploring if standalone software is also available.Â
- Cost: How much are you willing to spend, if anything? Many online photo editors have free plans, but editing functions might be limited. This might not be suitable for professional projects. Premium services could be worth signing up for if you need to perform advanced editing.
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When I selected my top choices for online video editors in 2025, I considered the following factors:
- Editing tools: I have included a range of editing tools that should help users streamline their content creation and video polishing processes. These include cutting, color correction, brightening, rendering, and applying filters.
- Use cases: Not every online video editor is equal, and their intended use cases vary. The solutions I recommend cover a range of applications from social media promotion and marketing to professional video creation.Â
- Hands-on: I have performed hands-on testing with a number of online video editors, some of which I have used for years in professional settings.Â
- Free options: I have ensured that the online video editors I recommend include free services. They might be basic or have fewer functions than paid versions, but sometimes thatâs enough.Â
- Pricing: I have included online services that are able to suit a range of budgets, ranging from basic editors for quick cuts to professional options.Â
- Watermarks: While some online video editors are, or provide, free options, the finished product will contain a watermark. Where possible, I have tried to avoid services that require this.Â
- User feedback: I examined user feedback and experiences to determine the best options for you to edit videos and create content.Â
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Latest information on online video editing in 2025
- Logitechâs MX Creative Console now supports DaVinci Resolve and Final Cut Pro.
- A new update to Instagram Edits has added features to better compete with rival services including beat editing, which helps users match audio with their video creations.Â
- The video editing software market is expected to reach $5.13 billion by 2032 due to increasing demand for online video content and creation.
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An online video editor is a web-based service that provides video editing functions like clipping, cutting, color correcting, or adding filters.Â
To use an online video editor, you will need a PC, tablet, or smartphone, as well as an internet connection. You will likely need to sign up for an account and, in some cases, you will need to pay for the service.
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Some services are trustworthy, but others may compromise your privacy and security. As you hand over a file for conversion and then redownload an altered file, malicious services could implant ads or malware.Â
In addition, some online video converters may outline in their terms and conditions that any content uploaded to their platform could be subject to use, such as for AI training. In other words, your IP could be impacted.Â
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In return for free video editing functions, many online services will limit your time on the platform or may embed a watermark in the final product. However, CapCut and Climpchamp are among a handful of services that do not place a watermark on your content.
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Alternative online video editors to consider
- In May, ZDNET published our list of recommendations for the best online video editors.
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