Step 1
Use all 3 Editly free exports strategically
Export 1: most common content type. Export 2: complex prompt test. Export 3: social format (Reels or Shorts). Three exports across three use cases gives complete evaluation.
Editly AI
Editing Software Free
What free editing software should I start with?
Test Editly's 3 free AI exports first — it's the fastest way to see if AI editing fits your workflow. Then evaluate DaVinci Resolve for unlimited free manual editing. Use the comparison to make an informed ongoing choice.
Free Editing Software: What Each Delivers
Comparing the genuinely free editing software options on what matters.
| Decision | Other Apps | Editly |
|---|---|---|
| Export limits | DaVinci Resolve / Shotcut: unlimited — edit as many videos as needed, no restrictions | Editly: 3 AI-edited exports — full quality, no watermark, then $28/month |
| Time per video | Free NLEs: 1-4 hours per video — manual timeline editing required | Editly: 15-20 minutes per video — AI makes the decisions |
| Captions | DaVinci Resolve: Speech to Text (good but needs setup); others: manual | Editly: captions in the prompt — automatic on all plans including free |
| Silence removal | Free NLEs: not built-in — manual scrubbing required | Editly: 'remove silences' in the prompt — standard, automatic |
Evaluating Free Editing Software on Your Footage
Step 2
Edit the same footage in DaVinci Resolve
Download DaVinci Resolve free. Edit the same footage manually. Note the total time invested.
Step 3
Compare time, quality, and workflow friction
Two finished videos from the same footage. Two time logs. Two quality assessments. The comparison answers your question.
Step 4
Choose your ongoing approach
Unlimited free manual: DaVinci Resolve. AI automation: Editly Pro $28/month. Both are legitimate depending on your workflow needs.
3 Free AI-Edited Videos — Compare Against DaVinci Free
Editly free and DaVinci free are both genuinely excellent starting points. Test both on the same footage and choose based on what you find, not what marketing says.
- 3 free AI-edited exports — no watermark, full quality
- Compare directly against DaVinci Resolve free
- Pro $28/month if AI editing proves its value