Best Free Software
Robert Irvine recommends new programs that won’t cost you a thing
Shotcut 25.05
www.shotcut.org
What you need: Windows 10 or 11
Video-editing software often has a steep learning curve – and a steep price to match. Developers cram their interfaces with so many advanced tools that it’s hard to know where to start, when all you want to do is quickly edit a home movie.
Shotcut is one of our favourite free video editors because it’s comparatively easy to use yet packs in lots of powerful features. It supports all the main video (and audio) formats, and lets you drag and drop clips to its Timeline without having to import them manually.
Version 25.05 brings a host of improvements that make editing and enhancing your videos easier than ever. These include a new Freeze Frame option in the Timeline that you can use to draw attention to an important moment or give your video a dramatic ending. Either right-click the clip and choose Freeze Frame or press Ctrl+Shift+H. Drag the handles on the Timeline to adjust how long the freeze frame lasts.