Last updated on January 23rd, 2024 at 02:31 am
To run video editing software on a computer requires a high amount of computing resources.
For one, you need processing power in the form of a fast processor. Then, as you may already know, you need a big RAM size.
If you wish to undertake a video editing task with an older computer with an older operating system and slower processor and lower RAM, you may want to consider the following free video editing software for slow computers.
As you’ll see below, some work on older systems running under Windows XP with RAM as low as 1GB.
VSDC Free Video Editor
This is one free video editing software for slow computers that comes with pro features.
You get to enjoy color correction, chroma-key, split-screen, and even PIP (Picture in Picture) tools.
On top of that, you can record video, audio, and your computer screen.
VSDC claims to be the only free video editing software that allows output in 4K (of course not suitable for slow computers). It allows for the use of the H.265/HEVC codec.
Read more about VSDC Free Video Editor.
System Requirements
Windows XP SP3 up to Windows 10 supporting a minimum processor speed of 1.5Ghz and RAM of 1GB.
Topwin Windows Movie Maker Classic
Topwin Windows Movie Maker Classic will allow you to perform basic video editing tasks like trimming, splitting and speeding up or slowing down your video.
This free video editing software for slow computers comes useful if you want to create a photo-video slideshow as it comes with transitions and effects.
Windows Movie Maker Free works with Windows XP (SP2), Vista, 7, 8 and 10.
Minimum processor speed is 1GHz. Minimum RAM is 256 MB, although 512MB is recommended.
Installation would take up about 300MB of hard disk space.
Check out Windows Movie Maker Classic.
Shotcut
Shotcut works with Linux. Windows and Mac OS.
A standout feature of Shotcut is the availability of keyboard shortcuts to perform basic video editing tasks like clip trimming.
A wide range of filters can also be applied to your video clips through a single click of the mouse.
There’s a facility for audio and webcam capture in this free video editing software for slow computers.
In case you’re interested, there’s a 360-degree filter that you can use.
One standout feature is Shotcut’s ability to auto-save your project in case of the software crashes while you’re in the midst of editing.
System Requirements
Processor speed -2GHz with 4GB RAM.
Read more about Shotcut.
VideoPad
VideoPad is a free video editing software for slow computers that works with Windows and Mac. The drawback is you can’t produce commercial videos with it. The license allows you to produce videos for home use only.
All popular video formats are supported with over 50 effects and transitions thrown in.
3D and 360 video output are also supported.
You can also burn your edited video to DVD or upload it directly to YouTube.
System Requirements
VideoPad works with Windows XP right up to Windows 10.
The minimum recommended processor speed is 1.5GHz and 4GB RAM.
Try Out the Software First
The above are just recommended system requirements for the free video editing software for slow computers.
Don’t be put off if your computer doesn’t meet the requirements. You’ve to try any of these software programs on your computer first before you can tell for sure that it works.