4 Best Video Creation Software (Movie Maker Replacements)

It’s been over two years since Windows Movie Maker was discontinued. But, there are various alternatives you can choose from, and that is also free. Which one is the best for you will depend on your tech needs.

Take a look at the following Windows Movie Maker alternatives and see which one is a good fit for you. All the options on this list are free, so you don’t have to deal with the annoying refund process.

1. Avidemux

If you’re looking for simplicity when it comes to a Windows Movie Maker alternative, give Avidemux a try. Its purpose in life is to offer simple filtering, cutting, and encoding for free.

The software supports file types such as ASF, AVI, MP4, DVD, MPEG. Avidemux also has a timeline whose numbers you can adjust manually, just like Movie Maker, and it’s also possible to resize and zoom videos. If you’re new to the video editing world, this is an excellent option to start with.

2. Shotcut

The first option may be too basic for most users, so if you’re looking for something more complete, try Shotcut. One of many great features is that it’s possible to import your videos from places such as network drive, cloud storage, hard drive, camera SD card, and the drag-and-drop feature.

Shotcut is also free, and it’s open-source and cross-platform. So, if you have to use more than one operating system, using the video editor won’t be a problem. The goodies don’t end there since it’s also codec-independent, this heightens the cross-platform option.

The options list keeps going with basic trimming options such as track mute, copy, paste, cut, undo, redo, hide, and lock. There are also keyboard shortcuts. You’ll have quite a few video effects to choose from. For example, it has blending modes, fades, filters, speed effects, and wipes.

3. Animotica

Creating your video on a touchscreen device? Software that will work for you is Animotica. It’s free, and it will work with touch and non-touch devices. It’s also possible to merge pictures and videos and add different types of transitions such as bounce, slite to top over, mixer, and more.

Other great features include being able to blur the background, voiceovers, chroma effect, custom music, slideshows, video rotate, sharing to social networks. The free version of the video offers good options, but with a one-time purchase of $11.99.

4. Microsoft Photos

Even though multi-track timelines are not a feature in Microsoft Photos, it’s still an option worth looking into. It has various filters and 3D effects for you to add to your videos. For example, you can add effects such as heart sparkles, autumn leaves, breaking news, balloons, and many more.

It’s also possible to trim and add pictures and other videos to your creation. You’ll also find an option to add background music, or if you prefer custom audio. You can use Microsoft Photos on Windows 8 and 10.

There are also options to share your videos on Skype, OneNote, and YouTube. To access Microsoft Photos, simply search for it on your computer, it’s already installed.

Conclusion

The best video editor for you is going to depend on what you’re looking for in one. The previously mentioned options are excellent options and are worth a look into. Which one are you going to try first?