The Best Free Tools & Resources for Video Editors (2025)

September 20, 2025

You can create great work without spending money. The right free tools and assets help you try ideas, work faster and keep budgets under control. Free resources are also a simple way to learn new techniques, test different styles, and build confidence without pressure. Many of them are high quality and ready for real projects, so they are useful whether you are just starting or already working with clients. This guide lists good options for things like stock video, music and sound effects, video effects, templates, textures and software.

How to use free resources safely

Free does not mean there are no rules. Before you use or publish something, take a moment to read the terms on the download page. Some sites ask for credit on free stuff others do not. For example, Pexels allows commercial use without attribution while Videezy, Videvo and Coverr often require it. Do not resell or share the raw files by themselves. If a clip shows a recognizable person, building or brand, make sure it is safe to use in your type of project.

Stock video

Good for intros, b-roll, motion backgrounds, you name it.

Pexels Video

Free stock footage with a modern look and simple search. Free for personal and commercial use with no attribution needed.

Pixabay Video

Large library covering many styles and resolutions. Free for personal and commercial use with no attribution needed, with standard site terms applying.

Mixkit

Free stock video plus music, sound effects, and templates. Most items are fine for commercial use, but some videos are personal use only. The license is shown on each item page.

Videezy

Marketplace with both free and paid clips. Free items usually require credit, while paid stuff do not. Each file lists the license.

Videvo

Stock footage and motion graphics with free and premium options. Licenses vary by clip and many free files require attribution. The usage box on the file shows the rules.

Coverr

Free stock videos you can use in your projects. Free downloads require attribution. Paid plans remove this requirement.

Dareful

4K stock footage from a single creator with a strong focus on outdoor and drone shots. Free to use with attribution to the creator

Photos, textures, HDRIs, and 3D

Good for backgrounds, visual elements and adding details

Unsplash

Has a selection of free high-resolution photos. No attribution required.

Pexels Photos

Same simple approach as their video library. Easy to browse and easy to use.

Poly Haven

HDRIs, textures, and 3D models that are free to use. Perfect for reflections, sky replacements, and detailed visuals.

ambientCG

A very large set of textures and materials. Useful for backgrounds, motion graphics, and titles.

Music & sound effects

Good sound sells the cut. These are good places for it.

YouTube Audio Library

Music and SFX that works on monetized channels. Some tracks ask for credit, the "License type" column shows it for the specific track.

Freesound.org

Community sound effects. Filter by license if you want options that do not need credit, or follow the credit line when it does.

Sonniss, GDC Bundles (Archive)

Huge sound packs released for free over the years. Great source of whooshes, ambiences, and design elements.

ProductionCrate (Sounds & Music)

Free account gives a small daily download limit, from their free selection. Clear pages and practical categories.

Video Effects, Templates, Presets, LUTs & Motion Graphics Freebies

Ready-to-use effects, transitions, and animated elements to speed up your edits and take them to the next level.

Motion Array Freebies

Templates, MOGRTs, music, and sound effects you can drop straight into your edits. Check each item for any usage notes.

AEJuice (Free Starter Pack)

A collection of over 100 assets from AEJuice packs. Easy to install and use.

Cinecom Free Presets & Templates

Free templates for apps like After Effects and Premiere Pro. Free options are for personal use only.

Jellyfx Freebies

Ready-made video effects you can use to enhance your edits and take them to the next level.

Fresh LUTs

A handy source of LUTs you can test as a starting point. Always adjust to taste and finish the grade yourself.

ProductionCrate

Free account gives a small daily download limit, from their free selection of VFX

Editing, VFX & utility software

Free apps that can anchor your workflow or take care of boring steps quickly.

DaVinci Resolve (Free Version)

Professional editing, color, Fusion VFX, and Fairlight audio. Widely used in paid work.

Kdenlive

Open source editor that is fast to pick up and improved a lot in recent releases. Works on Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Shotcut

Simple, reliable, and friendly on older machines. Good for lightweight edits.

Blender

Powerful Software for 3D, simulation, and compositing in one free tool. Great for titles, logo builds, and mograph you can add into your edit.

Natron

Open-source, node-based compositor (Nuke-style) for visual effects. Useful for 2D comps and a good way to learn node workflows.

OBS Studio

Popular for screen recording and live streaming.

LosslessCut

Cut and trim without re-encoding, so there is no quality loss. Great for quickly editing clips or splitting large files.

Shutter Encoder

A friendly front end for FFmpeg. Great for making proxies, converting tricky camera formats and batch jobs.

HandBrake

Trusted open source encoder for clean H.264 and H.265 files. Comes with good preset for fast exporting.

Lightworks Free

Professional editor with a free plan. The free tier limits export quality, so test first if you need full resolution delivery.

Motion design and animation tools

For titles, infographics, and generative motion.

Cavalry (Starter plan)

Modern 2D motion design that feels fast and procedural. The free Starter plan is enough to learn the workflow.

Mr Horse – Animation Composer / Premiere Composer (Free)

Popular plugins with useful free packs. Instant titles, transitions, and SFX inside After Effects and Premiere.

How to Use Free Resources Effectively

  • Check licenses: Always confirm usage rights, especially for commercial projects.
  • Experiment: Freebies are risk-free playgrounds for testing. Try new techniques, styles, or effects to see what works best for your edits.

Final tips

  • Keep a license log (screenshot the license page, save it with the asset).
  • Attribute when required (for CC BY or site-specific attribution).
  • Build your own asset library. Use clear folder names for footage, overlays, sound, video effects, and graphics so you can find things quickly for future projects.

Explore more of our blog posts here.

FAQ

Can I monetize videos that use free music/SFX?

Yes, if the track page allows it. On YouTube, the YouTube Audio Library is a safe starting point. When a track asks for credit, add the line in your description.

What do CC0 and CC BY mean?

CC0 means no credit is needed. CC BY means you can use the file, but you must credit the creator in the way they request.

Is it safe to use free images/videos of people or brands in ads?

Be careful. Even when a site allows commercial use, model/property releases aren’t guaranteed, and Pixabay restricts using recognizable brands on merch. Avoid implying endorsement, and check each asset’s page.

Do free stock sites always require credit?

No. Pexels and Pixabay generally don’t require attribution, but Videezy, Videvo, and Coverr often do on free items. Read each sites license and follow the credit format if needed.

Are there hidden limits in free tools?

Sometimes. A few free tiers cap export settings, and some advanced tools sit in paid versions. If you deliver to clients, run a test project and confirm your export pipeline before you commit.

Check out some of the freebies from Jellyfx

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