The best online video editors of 2025: Expert tested

Adobe Express is an online video editor you should explore if you want professional grade editing tools. 

Why we like it: If you’re already familiar with Adobe products like Photoshop or Lightroom, Express will be a breeze. You’ll 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 Adobe’s 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. 

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. 

Who it’s for: Whoever is looking for an online video editor with professional elements. This would suit someone best who already has a subscription to Adobe’s Creative Cloud, as Express is included. Alternatively, you can subscribe to just Adobe Express for $10 per month or $100 per year. 

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

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 — if you see a notification that says “pro benefits in use” at export, you will need to remove the asset or upgrade. 

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 it’s for: Anyone looking for a generous, free online video editor. If you don’t mind the learning curve associated with CapCut’s user interface, then you’ll find this platform offers many of the editing tools and assets you’ll need for creating shorts, social media videos, and TikTok content. 

However, free video exports are limited to 1080p, so you’ll need to subscribe to CapCut Pro for $10 per month, or $90 per year, for 4K exports. 

Who should look elsewhere: The icons are rather small, and the user interface is quite cluttered. This won’t be the best solution if you need software designed with accessibility in mind.

Furthermore, as CapCut is owned by ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company. It’s possible this app will face the same scrutiny and potential ban in the U.S. in the future. 

CapCut features: Desktop, mobile apps available | Text to speech, transcription | AI asset hub | Generous asset library | Social media tools | Free or premium 

If you need an online video editor for social media, marketing, or self-promotion, consider Canva.

Why we like it: I’ve 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. 

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. 

There’s 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. 

Who it’s 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. 

If you want to develop professional branding and materials, you can upgrade to Canva Pro. Canva’s 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. 

Who should look elsewhere: Canva is a great option for individuals, small businesses, and social media marketing. It won’t be the right choice for you if you need a platform for granular, in-depth video editing. 

Canva features: Free option | Video, audio templates | Canva community | AI tools | Millions of creative assets | Premium branding available

Microsoft’s 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.

You’ll 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. 

Who it’s 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, you’ll find the templates, assets, and tools you need. 

You can also use the AI generator to revamp your video assets, but I didn’t find it particularly useful during testing. 

Who should look elsewhere: If you are looking for an editor capable of professional-grade, in-depth video editing and production, this probably isn’t the best solution for you. If you want to export high resolution video, you’ll 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 speech