New 2024 Approved Free M4A Editor Software Top 5 Options

New 2024 Approved Free M4A Editor Software Top 5 Options

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Free M4A Editor Software: Top 5 Options

Top 5 Best Free M4A Editor Software in 2024

author avatar

Liza Brown

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

Since 2007, Apple has sold their audio files on iTunes as M4A files. M4A is a high quality audio file compatible with all Apple products and software. Unfortunately, considering the audio file is relatively new and designed to work only on Apple software, most audio editors have difficulty importing the file type. There are few audio editor programs, for professional or personal use, that support the file and do so well. Despite this, it is still possible to find free audio editors that supports M4A. However, you must be careful to edit only non-copyright protected audio files. Most of these programs do not support copyrighted M4A files. That means no editing of an audio file you downloaded from the iTunes store. If you avoid copyrighted materials, these five free audio editors that allow you to edit your M4A files with little to no trouble.

1. Wondershare Filmora

Wondershare Filmora is a shockingly advanced free M4A compatible audio editing software. You can record audio from various sources with ease. Once you import your M4A file, you can delete, cut, copy, mix, and paste different sections of the M4A file or combine the edited file with another imported M4A file. You can also create DVDs out of the file format.

Platform: Windows, Mac

Download Win Version Download Mac Version

2. AVS Audio Editor

AVS Audio Editor is an advanced free M4A compatible editing software. You can edit and save files in M4A format, which is an uncommon feature. Many programs that can edit M4A files cannot save the edited files in the same format, so AVS Audio is welcome change to the market. You also can make your audio file unique to you with 20 different effects and filters within the program. On top of all this, within the software, you can record audio in the M4A format.

Platform: Windows only

Cons: there will be a voice logo which will pop-up every 10 seconds in the free version.

AVS Audio Editor

3. Wavepad

Wavepad is a simple audio editor from Australia’s NCH Software. This free desktop software supports the editing and conversion of M4A audio file formats.

To edit a file, import the file into the program. You can then select sections to delete, copy, or cut. You can also add audio effects to all of or part of the audio file. Examples of the effects available on Wavepad include echo, reverberation, and normalization.

You also can convert from and to M4A with this program. The “to and fro” conversion will be especially useful to you if you need to convert your files to an iTunes friendly format.

Keep in mind that this audio editor only is free for non-commercial use. If you want to use this editor for professional or money-earning purposes, upgrade to the paid Master version of the software.

Platform: Windows, Mac

Wavepad

4. Windows Movie Maker

Since its 2011 edition, Windows Movie Maker (WMM) has touted free audio editing features. You can edit a variety of audio file formats, including M4A. When you import a M4A file into Windows Movie Maker, the audio file will appear in the audio/music section of the timeline. From there, you edit the m4a file in the same manner you would edit a video on WMM. You can split, combine, and remove sections of the audio.

There are two downsides of using WMM to edit your M4A files.

One downside is that WMM will always output the audio file as a WMA. That being said, WMA files are compatible with most audio playing formats and can easily be converted into another type of audio file, so there’s no need to fret.

The second downside is that the audio editing feature, just as the program’s video editing capabilities, is limited. Not much can be done to increase the loudness or clarity of an audio file. To increase the clarity or loudness of your M4A file, you will need to utilize another audio editor.

Platform: Windows only

Windows Movie Maker

5. DJ Audio Editor

DJ Audio Editor is a professional-grade free M4A compatible editing software. Import the MP4 file and enjoy the editing process. As with most of the other audio editors on this list, you can apply filters and effects to parts of or all of your file. What makes this audio editor different is the addition of an audio properties editor. You can edit the metadata of each audio file, adding titles, artists, and other pieces of information. DJ Audio Editor is a free product that has a paid version. However, users who take advantage of the free software have most of the benefits paid users have. DJ Audio, despite its various amounts of features, will take up little space on your desktop. The same software company that offers this editing software also offers several other video and audio programs. These programs are also “freenium,” meaning they are free in their most basic form. Working with M4A files does not doom you to paying hundreds of dollars to get a compatible audio editor. Check out the free editors above and see which one is the best for you.

Platform: Windows only

DJ Audio Editor

Conclusion

Above m4a editors all can meet your demands when editing audios. And we highly recommend you to try Filmora to edit m4a files, as it can work on both Windows and Mac, and it really can do more for you. When it comes to video editing, it is the tool you would need.

Download Win VersionDownload Mac Version

author avatar

Liza Brown

Liza Brown is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Liza Brown

Liza Brown

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

Since 2007, Apple has sold their audio files on iTunes as M4A files. M4A is a high quality audio file compatible with all Apple products and software. Unfortunately, considering the audio file is relatively new and designed to work only on Apple software, most audio editors have difficulty importing the file type. There are few audio editor programs, for professional or personal use, that support the file and do so well. Despite this, it is still possible to find free audio editors that supports M4A. However, you must be careful to edit only non-copyright protected audio files. Most of these programs do not support copyrighted M4A files. That means no editing of an audio file you downloaded from the iTunes store. If you avoid copyrighted materials, these five free audio editors that allow you to edit your M4A files with little to no trouble.

1. Wondershare Filmora

Wondershare Filmora is a shockingly advanced free M4A compatible audio editing software. You can record audio from various sources with ease. Once you import your M4A file, you can delete, cut, copy, mix, and paste different sections of the M4A file or combine the edited file with another imported M4A file. You can also create DVDs out of the file format.

Platform: Windows, Mac

Download Win Version Download Mac Version

2. AVS Audio Editor

AVS Audio Editor is an advanced free M4A compatible editing software. You can edit and save files in M4A format, which is an uncommon feature. Many programs that can edit M4A files cannot save the edited files in the same format, so AVS Audio is welcome change to the market. You also can make your audio file unique to you with 20 different effects and filters within the program. On top of all this, within the software, you can record audio in the M4A format.

Platform: Windows only

Cons: there will be a voice logo which will pop-up every 10 seconds in the free version.

AVS Audio Editor

3. Wavepad

Wavepad is a simple audio editor from Australia’s NCH Software. This free desktop software supports the editing and conversion of M4A audio file formats.

To edit a file, import the file into the program. You can then select sections to delete, copy, or cut. You can also add audio effects to all of or part of the audio file. Examples of the effects available on Wavepad include echo, reverberation, and normalization.

You also can convert from and to M4A with this program. The “to and fro” conversion will be especially useful to you if you need to convert your files to an iTunes friendly format.

Keep in mind that this audio editor only is free for non-commercial use. If you want to use this editor for professional or money-earning purposes, upgrade to the paid Master version of the software.

Platform: Windows, Mac

Wavepad

4. Windows Movie Maker

Since its 2011 edition, Windows Movie Maker (WMM) has touted free audio editing features. You can edit a variety of audio file formats, including M4A. When you import a M4A file into Windows Movie Maker, the audio file will appear in the audio/music section of the timeline. From there, you edit the m4a file in the same manner you would edit a video on WMM. You can split, combine, and remove sections of the audio.

There are two downsides of using WMM to edit your M4A files.

One downside is that WMM will always output the audio file as a WMA. That being said, WMA files are compatible with most audio playing formats and can easily be converted into another type of audio file, so there’s no need to fret.

The second downside is that the audio editing feature, just as the program’s video editing capabilities, is limited. Not much can be done to increase the loudness or clarity of an audio file. To increase the clarity or loudness of your M4A file, you will need to utilize another audio editor.

Platform: Windows only

Windows Movie Maker

5. DJ Audio Editor

DJ Audio Editor is a professional-grade free M4A compatible editing software. Import the MP4 file and enjoy the editing process. As with most of the other audio editors on this list, you can apply filters and effects to parts of or all of your file. What makes this audio editor different is the addition of an audio properties editor. You can edit the metadata of each audio file, adding titles, artists, and other pieces of information. DJ Audio Editor is a free product that has a paid version. However, users who take advantage of the free software have most of the benefits paid users have. DJ Audio, despite its various amounts of features, will take up little space on your desktop. The same software company that offers this editing software also offers several other video and audio programs. These programs are also “freenium,” meaning they are free in their most basic form. Working with M4A files does not doom you to paying hundreds of dollars to get a compatible audio editor. Check out the free editors above and see which one is the best for you.

Platform: Windows only

DJ Audio Editor

Conclusion

Above m4a editors all can meet your demands when editing audios. And we highly recommend you to try Filmora to edit m4a files, as it can work on both Windows and Mac, and it really can do more for you. When it comes to video editing, it is the tool you would need.

Download Win VersionDownload Mac Version

author avatar

Liza Brown

Liza Brown is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Liza Brown

Liza Brown

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

Since 2007, Apple has sold their audio files on iTunes as M4A files. M4A is a high quality audio file compatible with all Apple products and software. Unfortunately, considering the audio file is relatively new and designed to work only on Apple software, most audio editors have difficulty importing the file type. There are few audio editor programs, for professional or personal use, that support the file and do so well. Despite this, it is still possible to find free audio editors that supports M4A. However, you must be careful to edit only non-copyright protected audio files. Most of these programs do not support copyrighted M4A files. That means no editing of an audio file you downloaded from the iTunes store. If you avoid copyrighted materials, these five free audio editors that allow you to edit your M4A files with little to no trouble.

1. Wondershare Filmora

Wondershare Filmora is a shockingly advanced free M4A compatible audio editing software. You can record audio from various sources with ease. Once you import your M4A file, you can delete, cut, copy, mix, and paste different sections of the M4A file or combine the edited file with another imported M4A file. You can also create DVDs out of the file format.

Platform: Windows, Mac

Download Win Version Download Mac Version

2. AVS Audio Editor

AVS Audio Editor is an advanced free M4A compatible editing software. You can edit and save files in M4A format, which is an uncommon feature. Many programs that can edit M4A files cannot save the edited files in the same format, so AVS Audio is welcome change to the market. You also can make your audio file unique to you with 20 different effects and filters within the program. On top of all this, within the software, you can record audio in the M4A format.

Platform: Windows only

Cons: there will be a voice logo which will pop-up every 10 seconds in the free version.

AVS Audio Editor

3. Wavepad

Wavepad is a simple audio editor from Australia’s NCH Software. This free desktop software supports the editing and conversion of M4A audio file formats.

To edit a file, import the file into the program. You can then select sections to delete, copy, or cut. You can also add audio effects to all of or part of the audio file. Examples of the effects available on Wavepad include echo, reverberation, and normalization.

You also can convert from and to M4A with this program. The “to and fro” conversion will be especially useful to you if you need to convert your files to an iTunes friendly format.

Keep in mind that this audio editor only is free for non-commercial use. If you want to use this editor for professional or money-earning purposes, upgrade to the paid Master version of the software.

Platform: Windows, Mac

Wavepad

4. Windows Movie Maker

Since its 2011 edition, Windows Movie Maker (WMM) has touted free audio editing features. You can edit a variety of audio file formats, including M4A. When you import a M4A file into Windows Movie Maker, the audio file will appear in the audio/music section of the timeline. From there, you edit the m4a file in the same manner you would edit a video on WMM. You can split, combine, and remove sections of the audio.

There are two downsides of using WMM to edit your M4A files.

One downside is that WMM will always output the audio file as a WMA. That being said, WMA files are compatible with most audio playing formats and can easily be converted into another type of audio file, so there’s no need to fret.

The second downside is that the audio editing feature, just as the program’s video editing capabilities, is limited. Not much can be done to increase the loudness or clarity of an audio file. To increase the clarity or loudness of your M4A file, you will need to utilize another audio editor.

Platform: Windows only

Windows Movie Maker

5. DJ Audio Editor

DJ Audio Editor is a professional-grade free M4A compatible editing software. Import the MP4 file and enjoy the editing process. As with most of the other audio editors on this list, you can apply filters and effects to parts of or all of your file. What makes this audio editor different is the addition of an audio properties editor. You can edit the metadata of each audio file, adding titles, artists, and other pieces of information. DJ Audio Editor is a free product that has a paid version. However, users who take advantage of the free software have most of the benefits paid users have. DJ Audio, despite its various amounts of features, will take up little space on your desktop. The same software company that offers this editing software also offers several other video and audio programs. These programs are also “freenium,” meaning they are free in their most basic form. Working with M4A files does not doom you to paying hundreds of dollars to get a compatible audio editor. Check out the free editors above and see which one is the best for you.

Platform: Windows only

DJ Audio Editor

Conclusion

Above m4a editors all can meet your demands when editing audios. And we highly recommend you to try Filmora to edit m4a files, as it can work on both Windows and Mac, and it really can do more for you. When it comes to video editing, it is the tool you would need.

Download Win VersionDownload Mac Version

author avatar

Liza Brown

Liza Brown is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Liza Brown

Liza Brown

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

Since 2007, Apple has sold their audio files on iTunes as M4A files. M4A is a high quality audio file compatible with all Apple products and software. Unfortunately, considering the audio file is relatively new and designed to work only on Apple software, most audio editors have difficulty importing the file type. There are few audio editor programs, for professional or personal use, that support the file and do so well. Despite this, it is still possible to find free audio editors that supports M4A. However, you must be careful to edit only non-copyright protected audio files. Most of these programs do not support copyrighted M4A files. That means no editing of an audio file you downloaded from the iTunes store. If you avoid copyrighted materials, these five free audio editors that allow you to edit your M4A files with little to no trouble.

1. Wondershare Filmora

Wondershare Filmora is a shockingly advanced free M4A compatible audio editing software. You can record audio from various sources with ease. Once you import your M4A file, you can delete, cut, copy, mix, and paste different sections of the M4A file or combine the edited file with another imported M4A file. You can also create DVDs out of the file format.

Platform: Windows, Mac

Download Win Version Download Mac Version

2. AVS Audio Editor

AVS Audio Editor is an advanced free M4A compatible editing software. You can edit and save files in M4A format, which is an uncommon feature. Many programs that can edit M4A files cannot save the edited files in the same format, so AVS Audio is welcome change to the market. You also can make your audio file unique to you with 20 different effects and filters within the program. On top of all this, within the software, you can record audio in the M4A format.

Platform: Windows only

Cons: there will be a voice logo which will pop-up every 10 seconds in the free version.

AVS Audio Editor

3. Wavepad

Wavepad is a simple audio editor from Australia’s NCH Software. This free desktop software supports the editing and conversion of M4A audio file formats.

To edit a file, import the file into the program. You can then select sections to delete, copy, or cut. You can also add audio effects to all of or part of the audio file. Examples of the effects available on Wavepad include echo, reverberation, and normalization.

You also can convert from and to M4A with this program. The “to and fro” conversion will be especially useful to you if you need to convert your files to an iTunes friendly format.

Keep in mind that this audio editor only is free for non-commercial use. If you want to use this editor for professional or money-earning purposes, upgrade to the paid Master version of the software.

Platform: Windows, Mac

Wavepad

4. Windows Movie Maker

Since its 2011 edition, Windows Movie Maker (WMM) has touted free audio editing features. You can edit a variety of audio file formats, including M4A. When you import a M4A file into Windows Movie Maker, the audio file will appear in the audio/music section of the timeline. From there, you edit the m4a file in the same manner you would edit a video on WMM. You can split, combine, and remove sections of the audio.

There are two downsides of using WMM to edit your M4A files.

One downside is that WMM will always output the audio file as a WMA. That being said, WMA files are compatible with most audio playing formats and can easily be converted into another type of audio file, so there’s no need to fret.

The second downside is that the audio editing feature, just as the program’s video editing capabilities, is limited. Not much can be done to increase the loudness or clarity of an audio file. To increase the clarity or loudness of your M4A file, you will need to utilize another audio editor.

Platform: Windows only

Windows Movie Maker

5. DJ Audio Editor

DJ Audio Editor is a professional-grade free M4A compatible editing software. Import the MP4 file and enjoy the editing process. As with most of the other audio editors on this list, you can apply filters and effects to parts of or all of your file. What makes this audio editor different is the addition of an audio properties editor. You can edit the metadata of each audio file, adding titles, artists, and other pieces of information. DJ Audio Editor is a free product that has a paid version. However, users who take advantage of the free software have most of the benefits paid users have. DJ Audio, despite its various amounts of features, will take up little space on your desktop. The same software company that offers this editing software also offers several other video and audio programs. These programs are also “freenium,” meaning they are free in their most basic form. Working with M4A files does not doom you to paying hundreds of dollars to get a compatible audio editor. Check out the free editors above and see which one is the best for you.

Platform: Windows only

DJ Audio Editor

Conclusion

Above m4a editors all can meet your demands when editing audios. And we highly recommend you to try Filmora to edit m4a files, as it can work on both Windows and Mac, and it really can do more for you. When it comes to video editing, it is the tool you would need.

Download Win VersionDownload Mac Version

author avatar

Liza Brown

Liza Brown is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Liza Brown

The Best Online Video Editors for Creating Videos with Music

Wondershare Filmora - A Video Editor with Audio Library

Wondershare Filmora is one of the most popular video editing software among YouTubers . It has a in-built audio library which contains music tracks and audio effects. Download and have a free trial day.

Try It Free Try It Free

People use video editors to enhance their videos and arrange video shots. The people running a YouTube channel might need an online video editor with music to create an attractive video to gain the attention of the followers and provide them an amazing experience. No doubt, these editors let you add transitions, video effects, filters, etc., to create a video with music.

Hence, this article provides you with information about the best online video editors that you can use to create professional videos. These editors allow you to add music to the videos and remove background noise. Their features have been explained in detail that could let you pick the one for yourself that could meet your needs.

Part 1: Best Online Video Editors with Music and Songs

In this part, we have listed some of the top editors along with their features. Read ahead to take your pick.

1. ClipChamp

It is a video editor that allows you to create and edit videos. It enables you to trim, rotate, edit the video, record screen, record webcam, etc. Its user-friendly interface allows you to edit videos even if you do not have editing experience. You can combine different audio files, images, and video files, as well as add effects and text to the video using this software, where you can also upload your own music file.

You need to create your account to use for free. You can export the edited video without a watermark with a resolution of 480p. But if you want to export a video with 720p and 1080p resolution, you need to sign up for a premium account. You can add both sound and music effects to your video.

2. Canva

Canva is a free video maker that can be used online. It allows you to add music as well as text to your video. The free drag and drop feature of this tool will enable you to create compelling videos in just a couple of minutes. There are many pre-made templates available for you, along with video-making features such as cut, trim, rotate, splice, and many more.

No registration is required for using Canva to edit your video. You can either sign up or use it without signing up. There is no limit to creating videos. It allows you to export the videos without a watermark. In addition, it also allows you to add multiple audio tracks where you can also add sound effects or background music to your social media posts or videos. With this tool, you can add your own music from your device to Canva projects.

3. Kapwing

Kapwing’s Studio is an online video editor that allows you to combine and splice different video clips. You can add transitions to your video, trim and cut inline, generate subtitles, upload music, etc. You can also add special effects to your video. The sound effects generator of Kapwing allows you to add different sound effects to your video.

You can add background music from the available files in the library or select the one from your device. You can use Kapwing without registering or signing in, but its features work better when you are signed in. There is no watermark when you export a video under five minutes. It allows you to save and share your video edited files.

4. WeVideo

It is an online video editor that allows you to create your own videos for personal or professional purposes. It is a cloud-based video editing platform that can be used on mobile phones and web browsers. You need to sign-up for using this online tool. Its accounts range from free to paid accounts.

Watermark is included in the exported videos if you are using WeVideo for free. You need to upgrade your account if you want to remove the watermark. There are more than 110,000 audio files available in WeVideo to choose from. It allows you to add background music and sound effects to the video. It also allows you to upload your own music tracks and audio file to use in your videos.

5. Clideo

Clideo is an online platform that makes it easy to edit all your GIFs, images, and video files. It allows you to record your own sound. You can also upload your own music file from your device. The major features of this tool include merging, compressing, resizing, adding subtitles, cutting, meme, video maker, crop, speed, and many more. It allows you to add sound effects to your video as well as music.

Clideo is a free tool that is very easy to use and consists of several advanced editing tools such as audio remover, meme maker, video speed editor, stop motion, etc. You can also buy this tool for unlimited usage for a month for just six dollars. If you need unlimited lifetime usage, you need to pay $99. You need to click “Remove watermark” and sign in to remove the watermark at export.

6. Biteable

It is a video maker that lets you create irresistible videos online. You can sparkle with studio-quality animation, effects, and footage. You can use this software for free here; you can enjoy unlimited exports, but a Biteable watermark will be displayed on the videos. You can have access to four million animations, clips, and pictures, along with millions of premium video clips at the free version of Biteable.

You need to pay $49 per month to get the professional plan of Biteable, where everything is free. You can also remove the watermark from the videos and export them at HD 1080p resolution. This version also allows you to add your own video, audio, and images. Plus, you can also enjoy sound effects and add music to the video.

7. Kizoa

Kizoa is an online video editor, slideshow creator, and movie maker that allows you to create stunning and compelling videos. You do not need to create an account to try using this video editor. The features of this tool have been designed for making attractive and high-quality videos. Its features include pre-made video templates, text and transition options, photo library, editing tools for cropping, rotating, straightening, etc.

You can add music to your video using Kizoa. It also allows you to add special sound effects to your video. Its free account provides you the storage of 1 GB and will enable you to create the two-minute videos in 720p resolution. You need to get Starter, Creator, Professional, or Business version to remove the Kizoa watermark from the exports. It also allows you to upload your own music files.

8. Invideo

It is an online video maker or editor that allows you to create professional videos from premium music, images, and templates. It is considered best for beginners to create compelling videos and gain the attention of the viewers. This video editor is free, but it displays the watermark when the video is exported. You need to log in first to use this video editor.

Invideo is enriched with filters, stickers, templates, effects, and many more. You can save money and time by using this amazing video editor with a user-friendly interface. Its music library consists of thousands of sound effects that can be added to your videos. You can also add music to your videos from the internet or your device. It would be best if you get the Business version to remove the watermark from exports.

9. Magisto

You can create amazing social media and professional videos in a couple of minutes using this smart video editor. It offers a lot of editing features to its users, but some of them are free, and some are paid. The free version of Magisto allows you to create videos and share them for free.

You can also add your own photos, videos, and music files to this video editor to share your stories with others. You can add special video effects and sound effects to your video to make it exciting. Magisto also allows you to share your edited videos with others on different social media platforms.

However, you need to create an account to use this video editor. The free version of Magisto lets you download unlimited 720p HD videos with Magisto watermark. Get a professional or premium plan to remove the watermark.

10. Flixier

It is considered the fastest video editor that allows you to edit video online in just one minute. It comes with plenty of cloud storage. Its major video editing features include collaboration, social sharing, audio tools, video speed controller, media library, brand overlay, merge video, video stabilization, and many more. You need to sign in to edit your video and add music to it. You can also add sound effects to your video. It also allows you to add transitions to your video to make it more attractive.

You can also crop the video if you want. Watermark is not added to your video when you export it, but it allows you to add its watermark if you wish to. To use all the amazing features of Flixier, you need to get the Creator version for $10 and the Business version for $25 per month. These versions allow you to get the videos at 1080p and 4K Ultra HD resolutions. The free version provides you the storage of 2 GB and offers you video quality of up to 720p.

Conclusion

Video editors are used by the ones who are interested in editing videos for personal use or uploading on their social media accounts. The people running a YouTube channel usually need a video editor with music that allows them to add background music and different sound effects to the video. You can also use the online video editors for business purposes such as for advertising purposes or any other purpose. These online video editors are not needed to be downloaded and can be run on any browser, hence save much time and hassle.

Try It Free Try It Free

People use video editors to enhance their videos and arrange video shots. The people running a YouTube channel might need an online video editor with music to create an attractive video to gain the attention of the followers and provide them an amazing experience. No doubt, these editors let you add transitions, video effects, filters, etc., to create a video with music.

Hence, this article provides you with information about the best online video editors that you can use to create professional videos. These editors allow you to add music to the videos and remove background noise. Their features have been explained in detail that could let you pick the one for yourself that could meet your needs.

Part 1: Best Online Video Editors with Music and Songs

In this part, we have listed some of the top editors along with their features. Read ahead to take your pick.

1. ClipChamp

It is a video editor that allows you to create and edit videos. It enables you to trim, rotate, edit the video, record screen, record webcam, etc. Its user-friendly interface allows you to edit videos even if you do not have editing experience. You can combine different audio files, images, and video files, as well as add effects and text to the video using this software, where you can also upload your own music file.

You need to create your account to use for free. You can export the edited video without a watermark with a resolution of 480p. But if you want to export a video with 720p and 1080p resolution, you need to sign up for a premium account. You can add both sound and music effects to your video.

2. Canva

Canva is a free video maker that can be used online. It allows you to add music as well as text to your video. The free drag and drop feature of this tool will enable you to create compelling videos in just a couple of minutes. There are many pre-made templates available for you, along with video-making features such as cut, trim, rotate, splice, and many more.

No registration is required for using Canva to edit your video. You can either sign up or use it without signing up. There is no limit to creating videos. It allows you to export the videos without a watermark. In addition, it also allows you to add multiple audio tracks where you can also add sound effects or background music to your social media posts or videos. With this tool, you can add your own music from your device to Canva projects.

3. Kapwing

Kapwing’s Studio is an online video editor that allows you to combine and splice different video clips. You can add transitions to your video, trim and cut inline, generate subtitles, upload music, etc. You can also add special effects to your video. The sound effects generator of Kapwing allows you to add different sound effects to your video.

You can add background music from the available files in the library or select the one from your device. You can use Kapwing without registering or signing in, but its features work better when you are signed in. There is no watermark when you export a video under five minutes. It allows you to save and share your video edited files.

4. WeVideo

It is an online video editor that allows you to create your own videos for personal or professional purposes. It is a cloud-based video editing platform that can be used on mobile phones and web browsers. You need to sign-up for using this online tool. Its accounts range from free to paid accounts.

Watermark is included in the exported videos if you are using WeVideo for free. You need to upgrade your account if you want to remove the watermark. There are more than 110,000 audio files available in WeVideo to choose from. It allows you to add background music and sound effects to the video. It also allows you to upload your own music tracks and audio file to use in your videos.

5. Clideo

Clideo is an online platform that makes it easy to edit all your GIFs, images, and video files. It allows you to record your own sound. You can also upload your own music file from your device. The major features of this tool include merging, compressing, resizing, adding subtitles, cutting, meme, video maker, crop, speed, and many more. It allows you to add sound effects to your video as well as music.

Clideo is a free tool that is very easy to use and consists of several advanced editing tools such as audio remover, meme maker, video speed editor, stop motion, etc. You can also buy this tool for unlimited usage for a month for just six dollars. If you need unlimited lifetime usage, you need to pay $99. You need to click “Remove watermark” and sign in to remove the watermark at export.

6. Biteable

It is a video maker that lets you create irresistible videos online. You can sparkle with studio-quality animation, effects, and footage. You can use this software for free here; you can enjoy unlimited exports, but a Biteable watermark will be displayed on the videos. You can have access to four million animations, clips, and pictures, along with millions of premium video clips at the free version of Biteable.

You need to pay $49 per month to get the professional plan of Biteable, where everything is free. You can also remove the watermark from the videos and export them at HD 1080p resolution. This version also allows you to add your own video, audio, and images. Plus, you can also enjoy sound effects and add music to the video.

7. Kizoa

Kizoa is an online video editor, slideshow creator, and movie maker that allows you to create stunning and compelling videos. You do not need to create an account to try using this video editor. The features of this tool have been designed for making attractive and high-quality videos. Its features include pre-made video templates, text and transition options, photo library, editing tools for cropping, rotating, straightening, etc.

You can add music to your video using Kizoa. It also allows you to add special sound effects to your video. Its free account provides you the storage of 1 GB and will enable you to create the two-minute videos in 720p resolution. You need to get Starter, Creator, Professional, or Business version to remove the Kizoa watermark from the exports. It also allows you to upload your own music files.

8. Invideo

It is an online video maker or editor that allows you to create professional videos from premium music, images, and templates. It is considered best for beginners to create compelling videos and gain the attention of the viewers. This video editor is free, but it displays the watermark when the video is exported. You need to log in first to use this video editor.

Invideo is enriched with filters, stickers, templates, effects, and many more. You can save money and time by using this amazing video editor with a user-friendly interface. Its music library consists of thousands of sound effects that can be added to your videos. You can also add music to your videos from the internet or your device. It would be best if you get the Business version to remove the watermark from exports.

9. Magisto

You can create amazing social media and professional videos in a couple of minutes using this smart video editor. It offers a lot of editing features to its users, but some of them are free, and some are paid. The free version of Magisto allows you to create videos and share them for free.

You can also add your own photos, videos, and music files to this video editor to share your stories with others. You can add special video effects and sound effects to your video to make it exciting. Magisto also allows you to share your edited videos with others on different social media platforms.

However, you need to create an account to use this video editor. The free version of Magisto lets you download unlimited 720p HD videos with Magisto watermark. Get a professional or premium plan to remove the watermark.

10. Flixier

It is considered the fastest video editor that allows you to edit video online in just one minute. It comes with plenty of cloud storage. Its major video editing features include collaboration, social sharing, audio tools, video speed controller, media library, brand overlay, merge video, video stabilization, and many more. You need to sign in to edit your video and add music to it. You can also add sound effects to your video. It also allows you to add transitions to your video to make it more attractive.

You can also crop the video if you want. Watermark is not added to your video when you export it, but it allows you to add its watermark if you wish to. To use all the amazing features of Flixier, you need to get the Creator version for $10 and the Business version for $25 per month. These versions allow you to get the videos at 1080p and 4K Ultra HD resolutions. The free version provides you the storage of 2 GB and offers you video quality of up to 720p.

Conclusion

Video editors are used by the ones who are interested in editing videos for personal use or uploading on their social media accounts. The people running a YouTube channel usually need a video editor with music that allows them to add background music and different sound effects to the video. You can also use the online video editors for business purposes such as for advertising purposes or any other purpose. These online video editors are not needed to be downloaded and can be run on any browser, hence save much time and hassle.

Try It Free Try It Free

People use video editors to enhance their videos and arrange video shots. The people running a YouTube channel might need an online video editor with music to create an attractive video to gain the attention of the followers and provide them an amazing experience. No doubt, these editors let you add transitions, video effects, filters, etc., to create a video with music.

Hence, this article provides you with information about the best online video editors that you can use to create professional videos. These editors allow you to add music to the videos and remove background noise. Their features have been explained in detail that could let you pick the one for yourself that could meet your needs.

Part 1: Best Online Video Editors with Music and Songs

In this part, we have listed some of the top editors along with their features. Read ahead to take your pick.

1. ClipChamp

It is a video editor that allows you to create and edit videos. It enables you to trim, rotate, edit the video, record screen, record webcam, etc. Its user-friendly interface allows you to edit videos even if you do not have editing experience. You can combine different audio files, images, and video files, as well as add effects and text to the video using this software, where you can also upload your own music file.

You need to create your account to use for free. You can export the edited video without a watermark with a resolution of 480p. But if you want to export a video with 720p and 1080p resolution, you need to sign up for a premium account. You can add both sound and music effects to your video.

2. Canva

Canva is a free video maker that can be used online. It allows you to add music as well as text to your video. The free drag and drop feature of this tool will enable you to create compelling videos in just a couple of minutes. There are many pre-made templates available for you, along with video-making features such as cut, trim, rotate, splice, and many more.

No registration is required for using Canva to edit your video. You can either sign up or use it without signing up. There is no limit to creating videos. It allows you to export the videos without a watermark. In addition, it also allows you to add multiple audio tracks where you can also add sound effects or background music to your social media posts or videos. With this tool, you can add your own music from your device to Canva projects.

3. Kapwing

Kapwing’s Studio is an online video editor that allows you to combine and splice different video clips. You can add transitions to your video, trim and cut inline, generate subtitles, upload music, etc. You can also add special effects to your video. The sound effects generator of Kapwing allows you to add different sound effects to your video.

You can add background music from the available files in the library or select the one from your device. You can use Kapwing without registering or signing in, but its features work better when you are signed in. There is no watermark when you export a video under five minutes. It allows you to save and share your video edited files.

4. WeVideo

It is an online video editor that allows you to create your own videos for personal or professional purposes. It is a cloud-based video editing platform that can be used on mobile phones and web browsers. You need to sign-up for using this online tool. Its accounts range from free to paid accounts.

Watermark is included in the exported videos if you are using WeVideo for free. You need to upgrade your account if you want to remove the watermark. There are more than 110,000 audio files available in WeVideo to choose from. It allows you to add background music and sound effects to the video. It also allows you to upload your own music tracks and audio file to use in your videos.

5. Clideo

Clideo is an online platform that makes it easy to edit all your GIFs, images, and video files. It allows you to record your own sound. You can also upload your own music file from your device. The major features of this tool include merging, compressing, resizing, adding subtitles, cutting, meme, video maker, crop, speed, and many more. It allows you to add sound effects to your video as well as music.

Clideo is a free tool that is very easy to use and consists of several advanced editing tools such as audio remover, meme maker, video speed editor, stop motion, etc. You can also buy this tool for unlimited usage for a month for just six dollars. If you need unlimited lifetime usage, you need to pay $99. You need to click “Remove watermark” and sign in to remove the watermark at export.

6. Biteable

It is a video maker that lets you create irresistible videos online. You can sparkle with studio-quality animation, effects, and footage. You can use this software for free here; you can enjoy unlimited exports, but a Biteable watermark will be displayed on the videos. You can have access to four million animations, clips, and pictures, along with millions of premium video clips at the free version of Biteable.

You need to pay $49 per month to get the professional plan of Biteable, where everything is free. You can also remove the watermark from the videos and export them at HD 1080p resolution. This version also allows you to add your own video, audio, and images. Plus, you can also enjoy sound effects and add music to the video.

7. Kizoa

Kizoa is an online video editor, slideshow creator, and movie maker that allows you to create stunning and compelling videos. You do not need to create an account to try using this video editor. The features of this tool have been designed for making attractive and high-quality videos. Its features include pre-made video templates, text and transition options, photo library, editing tools for cropping, rotating, straightening, etc.

You can add music to your video using Kizoa. It also allows you to add special sound effects to your video. Its free account provides you the storage of 1 GB and will enable you to create the two-minute videos in 720p resolution. You need to get Starter, Creator, Professional, or Business version to remove the Kizoa watermark from the exports. It also allows you to upload your own music files.

8. Invideo

It is an online video maker or editor that allows you to create professional videos from premium music, images, and templates. It is considered best for beginners to create compelling videos and gain the attention of the viewers. This video editor is free, but it displays the watermark when the video is exported. You need to log in first to use this video editor.

Invideo is enriched with filters, stickers, templates, effects, and many more. You can save money and time by using this amazing video editor with a user-friendly interface. Its music library consists of thousands of sound effects that can be added to your videos. You can also add music to your videos from the internet or your device. It would be best if you get the Business version to remove the watermark from exports.

9. Magisto

You can create amazing social media and professional videos in a couple of minutes using this smart video editor. It offers a lot of editing features to its users, but some of them are free, and some are paid. The free version of Magisto allows you to create videos and share them for free.

You can also add your own photos, videos, and music files to this video editor to share your stories with others. You can add special video effects and sound effects to your video to make it exciting. Magisto also allows you to share your edited videos with others on different social media platforms.

However, you need to create an account to use this video editor. The free version of Magisto lets you download unlimited 720p HD videos with Magisto watermark. Get a professional or premium plan to remove the watermark.

10. Flixier

It is considered the fastest video editor that allows you to edit video online in just one minute. It comes with plenty of cloud storage. Its major video editing features include collaboration, social sharing, audio tools, video speed controller, media library, brand overlay, merge video, video stabilization, and many more. You need to sign in to edit your video and add music to it. You can also add sound effects to your video. It also allows you to add transitions to your video to make it more attractive.

You can also crop the video if you want. Watermark is not added to your video when you export it, but it allows you to add its watermark if you wish to. To use all the amazing features of Flixier, you need to get the Creator version for $10 and the Business version for $25 per month. These versions allow you to get the videos at 1080p and 4K Ultra HD resolutions. The free version provides you the storage of 2 GB and offers you video quality of up to 720p.

Conclusion

Video editors are used by the ones who are interested in editing videos for personal use or uploading on their social media accounts. The people running a YouTube channel usually need a video editor with music that allows them to add background music and different sound effects to the video. You can also use the online video editors for business purposes such as for advertising purposes or any other purpose. These online video editors are not needed to be downloaded and can be run on any browser, hence save much time and hassle.

Try It Free Try It Free

People use video editors to enhance their videos and arrange video shots. The people running a YouTube channel might need an online video editor with music to create an attractive video to gain the attention of the followers and provide them an amazing experience. No doubt, these editors let you add transitions, video effects, filters, etc., to create a video with music.

Hence, this article provides you with information about the best online video editors that you can use to create professional videos. These editors allow you to add music to the videos and remove background noise. Their features have been explained in detail that could let you pick the one for yourself that could meet your needs.

Part 1: Best Online Video Editors with Music and Songs

In this part, we have listed some of the top editors along with their features. Read ahead to take your pick.

1. ClipChamp

It is a video editor that allows you to create and edit videos. It enables you to trim, rotate, edit the video, record screen, record webcam, etc. Its user-friendly interface allows you to edit videos even if you do not have editing experience. You can combine different audio files, images, and video files, as well as add effects and text to the video using this software, where you can also upload your own music file.

You need to create your account to use for free. You can export the edited video without a watermark with a resolution of 480p. But if you want to export a video with 720p and 1080p resolution, you need to sign up for a premium account. You can add both sound and music effects to your video.

2. Canva

Canva is a free video maker that can be used online. It allows you to add music as well as text to your video. The free drag and drop feature of this tool will enable you to create compelling videos in just a couple of minutes. There are many pre-made templates available for you, along with video-making features such as cut, trim, rotate, splice, and many more.

No registration is required for using Canva to edit your video. You can either sign up or use it without signing up. There is no limit to creating videos. It allows you to export the videos without a watermark. In addition, it also allows you to add multiple audio tracks where you can also add sound effects or background music to your social media posts or videos. With this tool, you can add your own music from your device to Canva projects.

3. Kapwing

Kapwing’s Studio is an online video editor that allows you to combine and splice different video clips. You can add transitions to your video, trim and cut inline, generate subtitles, upload music, etc. You can also add special effects to your video. The sound effects generator of Kapwing allows you to add different sound effects to your video.

You can add background music from the available files in the library or select the one from your device. You can use Kapwing without registering or signing in, but its features work better when you are signed in. There is no watermark when you export a video under five minutes. It allows you to save and share your video edited files.

4. WeVideo

It is an online video editor that allows you to create your own videos for personal or professional purposes. It is a cloud-based video editing platform that can be used on mobile phones and web browsers. You need to sign-up for using this online tool. Its accounts range from free to paid accounts.

Watermark is included in the exported videos if you are using WeVideo for free. You need to upgrade your account if you want to remove the watermark. There are more than 110,000 audio files available in WeVideo to choose from. It allows you to add background music and sound effects to the video. It also allows you to upload your own music tracks and audio file to use in your videos.

5. Clideo

Clideo is an online platform that makes it easy to edit all your GIFs, images, and video files. It allows you to record your own sound. You can also upload your own music file from your device. The major features of this tool include merging, compressing, resizing, adding subtitles, cutting, meme, video maker, crop, speed, and many more. It allows you to add sound effects to your video as well as music.

Clideo is a free tool that is very easy to use and consists of several advanced editing tools such as audio remover, meme maker, video speed editor, stop motion, etc. You can also buy this tool for unlimited usage for a month for just six dollars. If you need unlimited lifetime usage, you need to pay $99. You need to click “Remove watermark” and sign in to remove the watermark at export.

6. Biteable

It is a video maker that lets you create irresistible videos online. You can sparkle with studio-quality animation, effects, and footage. You can use this software for free here; you can enjoy unlimited exports, but a Biteable watermark will be displayed on the videos. You can have access to four million animations, clips, and pictures, along with millions of premium video clips at the free version of Biteable.

You need to pay $49 per month to get the professional plan of Biteable, where everything is free. You can also remove the watermark from the videos and export them at HD 1080p resolution. This version also allows you to add your own video, audio, and images. Plus, you can also enjoy sound effects and add music to the video.

7. Kizoa

Kizoa is an online video editor, slideshow creator, and movie maker that allows you to create stunning and compelling videos. You do not need to create an account to try using this video editor. The features of this tool have been designed for making attractive and high-quality videos. Its features include pre-made video templates, text and transition options, photo library, editing tools for cropping, rotating, straightening, etc.

You can add music to your video using Kizoa. It also allows you to add special sound effects to your video. Its free account provides you the storage of 1 GB and will enable you to create the two-minute videos in 720p resolution. You need to get Starter, Creator, Professional, or Business version to remove the Kizoa watermark from the exports. It also allows you to upload your own music files.

8. Invideo

It is an online video maker or editor that allows you to create professional videos from premium music, images, and templates. It is considered best for beginners to create compelling videos and gain the attention of the viewers. This video editor is free, but it displays the watermark when the video is exported. You need to log in first to use this video editor.

Invideo is enriched with filters, stickers, templates, effects, and many more. You can save money and time by using this amazing video editor with a user-friendly interface. Its music library consists of thousands of sound effects that can be added to your videos. You can also add music to your videos from the internet or your device. It would be best if you get the Business version to remove the watermark from exports.

9. Magisto

You can create amazing social media and professional videos in a couple of minutes using this smart video editor. It offers a lot of editing features to its users, but some of them are free, and some are paid. The free version of Magisto allows you to create videos and share them for free.

You can also add your own photos, videos, and music files to this video editor to share your stories with others. You can add special video effects and sound effects to your video to make it exciting. Magisto also allows you to share your edited videos with others on different social media platforms.

However, you need to create an account to use this video editor. The free version of Magisto lets you download unlimited 720p HD videos with Magisto watermark. Get a professional or premium plan to remove the watermark.

10. Flixier

It is considered the fastest video editor that allows you to edit video online in just one minute. It comes with plenty of cloud storage. Its major video editing features include collaboration, social sharing, audio tools, video speed controller, media library, brand overlay, merge video, video stabilization, and many more. You need to sign in to edit your video and add music to it. You can also add sound effects to your video. It also allows you to add transitions to your video to make it more attractive.

You can also crop the video if you want. Watermark is not added to your video when you export it, but it allows you to add its watermark if you wish to. To use all the amazing features of Flixier, you need to get the Creator version for $10 and the Business version for $25 per month. These versions allow you to get the videos at 1080p and 4K Ultra HD resolutions. The free version provides you the storage of 2 GB and offers you video quality of up to 720p.

Conclusion

Video editors are used by the ones who are interested in editing videos for personal use or uploading on their social media accounts. The people running a YouTube channel usually need a video editor with music that allows them to add background music and different sound effects to the video. You can also use the online video editors for business purposes such as for advertising purposes or any other purpose. These online video editors are not needed to be downloaded and can be run on any browser, hence save much time and hassle.

From Chrome OS to Linux: A Seamless Transition (2023 Update)

How to Install Linux on Chromebook

author avatar

Ollie Mattison

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

Chromebooks are an excellent choice for educational institutions or businesses that require their employees to have constant access to the Internet. Even though these devices are a perfect tool that can accompany you on business trips and enable you to answer important emails or have access to crucial information stored on the cloud, performing more demanding tasks, like video editing, is still a challenge. However, it is far from impossible, although you may have to take a few extra steps before running a video editing software on your Chromebook.

Chrome OS is a Linux based environment and for that reason, Chromebook owners who would like to use professional editing software on their Chromebooks can install a Linux OS that will enable them to use programs such as Lightworks that are perfectly suited for high-end video editing. There are two different ways to install Linux on a Chromebook, you can either do it using Gallium OS or ChrUbuntu or in a Chroot environment using Crouton. Each of these methods is relatively easy and we will take you through the process step by step. Here’s how you can install Linux on your Chromebook.

Part 1: Preparing before installing Linux OS on Chromebook

The first step of the process of installing the Linux OS is the decision itself, and you need to have all the necessary information before you decide to install a Linux OS on your Chromebook.

  • Make sure that the version of Chromebook you have is capable of supporting a Linux OS. Your device must be equipped with an ARM or Intel chip in order to be able to run the version of Linux OS you want to install. Although both chips will allow you to go through the process, running closed source software such the Steam is only possible with Intel chips.
  • Regardless of which method of installing Linux OS you choose, you will have to switch to the Developer Mode, a special built-in function that allows you to install the unapproved operating system, among other things.
  • Now that you are aware of the requirements and risks, you will have to backup all the files you have on your Chromebook because once you switch to the Developer Mode all the information stored locally will be erased. You can save the files on another computer or on the cloud depending on how much data you need to move and which one is more convenient for you.

Part 2: How to Install Linux as a Chroot Using Crouton on Chromebook

After you have stored all your data safely, your Chromebook is ready for the beginning of the installation process of the secondary operating system. You will have to perform a series of actions that will allow you to start the installation, starting from accessing the Developer Mode.

1. Acessing the developer mode

The first step of the process is to reboot your system, while your Chromebook is on. In order to do so hold Escape and Refresh keys on your keyboard and then hit the power button. Once your device is back online you will find yourself in the recovery mode, and you will see a message telling you to insert a recovery disc. Instead of inserting the disc, hold Ctrl+D and wait for OS verification menu to appear on the screen. At this point, if you are still having second thoughts about this process, you can hit the spacebar to return to recovery mode, or press Enter to proceed. Hitting Enter will delete all the data stored on your device and take you into the Developer Mode. Once your Chromebook lets you know that you are now in the Developer Mode, reboot the system and install a fresh version of the Chrome OS. Insert your login information and follow the instructions until you are looking at the Chrome OS desktop.

Install Linux on Chromebook

2. Installing Chroot

At this stage of the process, your Chromebook is ready for the installation of the Crouton environment. Crouton is a series of scripts that makes running a Linux OS much easier, especially for inexperienced users. In order to download Crouton, go to GitHub and find the download link, detailed instructions or extensions that can add more functionality to your OS. Once the installation file or files are in the Download folder, your next step is to access the Chromebook’s terminal a feature called ‘Crosh’. The fastest way to do this is to hold CTRL + ALT keys and then hit the T key. This action will cause the Chrome window to appear on the screen, and you will need to type the ‘shell’ command without using quotation marks. Afterwards, enter the following command: ‘sudo sh ~/Downloads/crouton -t xfce’ and if you want to install extensions you will have to add ‘xfce,extension’ command at the end.

Install Linux on Chromebook

Press the Enter key and wait for the system to start setting up the Chroot. This process may take a while, so it is important to be patient, but more importantly, do not interfere with it in any way. Installation of your secondary OS is now on the way, and you may be asked to insert your login data, like your Gmail username and password. Wait patiently until the process is over and then return to shell and enter this command: ‘sudo enter-chroot startxfce4’. Your screen will go black for a while, but after the black screen is gone your Chromebook will be in the freshly installed Linux OS.

3. Optimizing your new OS

You may have to optimize your new OS in order to improve the experience of using it. Enabling your keyboard’s brightness and volume keys inside the new OS can be done easily by holding CTRL+ALT+T and then typing shell once you’ve accessed Chrome OS’s shell and hit Enter. Issue the following command: ‘sudo sh -e ~/Downloads/crouton-r precise-t keyboard–u’ and then press Enter again. Removing the screen saver or installing more extensions may also be a good way to enable more options in the new OS. Most importantly, you can now download and install the video editing software you want to use for editing your footage.

4. Remove Chroot from your Chromebook

If for some reason you want to uninstall Linux from your Chromebook, simply reboot the system and press the spacebar when the ‘OS verification is off’ message appears on the screen. In this manner, you will exit the Developer Mode and all locally stored data, including all installed environments, will be deleted.

Part 3: How to Dual-Boot a Chromebook Using ChrUbuntu

An alternative option is available for Chromebook users that have Intel based devices like recently released Haswell models. The ChrUbuntu can be installed on the USB stick or external hard-drive or directly to the local memory of your Chromebook. Even though ARM-based machines can also use ChrUbuntu it isn’t advisable because they may perform poorly due to slower processor speeds and less RAM power. Unlike Chroot, ChrUbuntu will not allow you to switch between operating systems without a reboot, and if the system is stored locally, you may need to go through the full system recovery.

1. Preparation for the installation

Like with the previous method you will have to go into the Developer Mode and make sure that you have access to a WiFi connection. When you are asked to provide your login details, instead of entering them press Ctrl+Alt+Forward and then type ‘chronos’ and press Enter. The next step will require you to issue the following command: ‘curl -L -O http://goo.gl/9sgchs ; sudo bash 9sgchs’ and then once more hit Enter. Again press Enter after the information about the installation is displayed on the screen and then you will be asked to decide how much space you want to allocate for Linux installation. Experts say that 9GB is the upper limit. After you’ve made your choice press Enter.

2. Installing ChrUbuntu

Once the partitioning of your hard-drive is completed, you will have to repeat the first several steps from typing ‘chronos’ to pressing enter when information about the installation is displayed on the screen. The installation process is now in progress and you will be occasionally asked to select a few settings, make sure you always click on default. At the end of the installation process, you will have to choose the location where GRUB should be installed, please select /dev/sda, because the failure to do so may interrupt the installation.

Once the installation is completed, restart your Chromebook to finalize the process, and when you see the ‘OS Verification is Off’ notification press Ctrl+L to access Linux or Ctrl+D boot into Chrome OS.

Install Linux on Chromebook

3. Uninstall ChrUbuntu

Removing ChrUbuntu is a relatively painless process that can be completed with just a few simple commands. If the OS is stored locally the only way to erase it is to perform a full system recovery. While all your data located on the cloud will re-sync with your Chromebook, the data stored locally will be deleted, which is why it is important to backup all the important files before starting a system recovery process. The fastest and easiest way to perform a system recovery is by creating a recovery disk from your device. Insert ‘chrome://imageburner’ in your browser’s address bar, and carefully read and follow the instructions.

This Linux removal method will also require you to have a USB stick with a minimum of 4GB of storage space. After you created the disk, you can go into the Recovery Mode, by holding Esc and Refresh buttons simultaneously and then pressing the Power button. In the Recovery Mode, you will be asked to insert the recovery disk and the process will be on the way.

Part 4: How to Dual-Boot a Chromebook Using Gallium OS

If neither Chroot nor ChrUbuntu work for you, using Gallium OS may be the right choice. The Gallium is Xbuntu-based OS that is equipped with touchpad mouse drivers among other advantages it offers over other operating systems. The installation process isn’t complicated, although it may require more effort than installing Crouton.

1. Preparation for the installation

In order to be aware of all the preparation steps, you need to take, you must first find out your device’s Hardware ID number and you can obtain this information by navigating to Chrome://System, Hardware Class within the Chrome OS. Hardware Compatibility page will provide the information regarding the CPU’s family, which can be crucial for the OS’ performance. You can run the installation either from an ISO image on an external USB drive or from the Chrome OS command line using Chrx. We will describe how to install Gallium OS from the Chrome OS command line because the other option doesn’t allow you to dual-boot your Chromebook.

2. Enabling the Legacy Mode

Like previously described, enter the Developer Mode and when the ‘ OS verification is OFF’ notification appears on the screen proceed to enable the Legacy Mode. You can do this by holding CTRL+D keys to enable the Chrome OS to boot in the Developer Mode. After you’ve successfully made this step, press CTRl+ALT+T to access the ‘Crosh’ terminal and then type ‘shell’. At the ‘chronos/localhost/$ issue the following command: ‘sudo crossystem dev_boot_legacy=1’. Update and install all the necessary firmware by running the Firmware Utility Script.

3. Installation process

If you choose to install Gallium OS through Chrome OS command line using Chrx that will enable you to dual-boot your Chromebook, you should start by booting the device into Chrome OS and configuring networking. The next step you’ll need to take is switching to a virtual terminal by holding Ctrl+Alt+F2, and then you should log in as user chronos without a password. Once you’ve completed this step issue the following command: ‘curl -O https://chrx.org/go && sh go’ and follow the on-screen instructions to repartition your hard-drive and install the Gallium OS. Once the installation is over reboot the device and press Ctrl+L when the ‘OS Verification is Off’ notification appears on the screen to boot Gallium OS or hold Ctrl+D to access Chrome OS. After the Gallium OS is successfully installed on your Chromebook you can start using programs such as Skype or Lightworks.

Which Method is the Best?

Each of the options to install a Linux OS on your Chromebook we described has its advantages and disadvantages. It is our opinion that the Crouton method is the easiest and the fastest. Furthermore, this method enables you to switch between your primary and secondary OS without the need to reboot the device and the Downloads folder makes working in both environments much easier.

On the other hand, other methods require more knowledge about the Linux OS installation process and switching between OS’ is not that simple. If you are looking for an easy way to dual-boot your Chromebook that best way to do it is to install Linux as a Chroot using Crouton.

Price: $24.99/month, although free versions of the software are also available.

What we like: A powerful video and audio editor perfectly suited for the production of professional video content.

What we don’t like: The software isn’t easy to use and inexperienced editors will find it difficult to use at first.

Lightworks Resolve may not be as popular as Adobe Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro, but that doesn’t mean that this video editing software isn’t as capable as its more popular counterparts.

The software is compatible with Mac, Windows, and Linux OS, which makes it a perfect choice for Chromebook users that have a Linux OS installed on their devices. Lightworks features literally every editing tool imaginable and for that reason, it is a perfect choice for editing videos you would like to upload to Vimeo or YouTube or high-end professional projects. This editing software offers plenty of transitions and visual effects that will help its users to create seamless jumps between shots and visually impressive videos.

author avatar

Ollie Mattison

Ollie Mattison is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Ollie Mattison

Ollie Mattison

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

Chromebooks are an excellent choice for educational institutions or businesses that require their employees to have constant access to the Internet. Even though these devices are a perfect tool that can accompany you on business trips and enable you to answer important emails or have access to crucial information stored on the cloud, performing more demanding tasks, like video editing, is still a challenge. However, it is far from impossible, although you may have to take a few extra steps before running a video editing software on your Chromebook.

Chrome OS is a Linux based environment and for that reason, Chromebook owners who would like to use professional editing software on their Chromebooks can install a Linux OS that will enable them to use programs such as Lightworks that are perfectly suited for high-end video editing. There are two different ways to install Linux on a Chromebook, you can either do it using Gallium OS or ChrUbuntu or in a Chroot environment using Crouton. Each of these methods is relatively easy and we will take you through the process step by step. Here’s how you can install Linux on your Chromebook.

Part 1: Preparing before installing Linux OS on Chromebook

The first step of the process of installing the Linux OS is the decision itself, and you need to have all the necessary information before you decide to install a Linux OS on your Chromebook.

  • Make sure that the version of Chromebook you have is capable of supporting a Linux OS. Your device must be equipped with an ARM or Intel chip in order to be able to run the version of Linux OS you want to install. Although both chips will allow you to go through the process, running closed source software such the Steam is only possible with Intel chips.
  • Regardless of which method of installing Linux OS you choose, you will have to switch to the Developer Mode, a special built-in function that allows you to install the unapproved operating system, among other things.
  • Now that you are aware of the requirements and risks, you will have to backup all the files you have on your Chromebook because once you switch to the Developer Mode all the information stored locally will be erased. You can save the files on another computer or on the cloud depending on how much data you need to move and which one is more convenient for you.

Part 2: How to Install Linux as a Chroot Using Crouton on Chromebook

After you have stored all your data safely, your Chromebook is ready for the beginning of the installation process of the secondary operating system. You will have to perform a series of actions that will allow you to start the installation, starting from accessing the Developer Mode.

1. Acessing the developer mode

The first step of the process is to reboot your system, while your Chromebook is on. In order to do so hold Escape and Refresh keys on your keyboard and then hit the power button. Once your device is back online you will find yourself in the recovery mode, and you will see a message telling you to insert a recovery disc. Instead of inserting the disc, hold Ctrl+D and wait for OS verification menu to appear on the screen. At this point, if you are still having second thoughts about this process, you can hit the spacebar to return to recovery mode, or press Enter to proceed. Hitting Enter will delete all the data stored on your device and take you into the Developer Mode. Once your Chromebook lets you know that you are now in the Developer Mode, reboot the system and install a fresh version of the Chrome OS. Insert your login information and follow the instructions until you are looking at the Chrome OS desktop.

Install Linux on Chromebook

2. Installing Chroot

At this stage of the process, your Chromebook is ready for the installation of the Crouton environment. Crouton is a series of scripts that makes running a Linux OS much easier, especially for inexperienced users. In order to download Crouton, go to GitHub and find the download link, detailed instructions or extensions that can add more functionality to your OS. Once the installation file or files are in the Download folder, your next step is to access the Chromebook’s terminal a feature called ‘Crosh’. The fastest way to do this is to hold CTRL + ALT keys and then hit the T key. This action will cause the Chrome window to appear on the screen, and you will need to type the ‘shell’ command without using quotation marks. Afterwards, enter the following command: ‘sudo sh ~/Downloads/crouton -t xfce’ and if you want to install extensions you will have to add ‘xfce,extension’ command at the end.

Install Linux on Chromebook

Press the Enter key and wait for the system to start setting up the Chroot. This process may take a while, so it is important to be patient, but more importantly, do not interfere with it in any way. Installation of your secondary OS is now on the way, and you may be asked to insert your login data, like your Gmail username and password. Wait patiently until the process is over and then return to shell and enter this command: ‘sudo enter-chroot startxfce4’. Your screen will go black for a while, but after the black screen is gone your Chromebook will be in the freshly installed Linux OS.

3. Optimizing your new OS

You may have to optimize your new OS in order to improve the experience of using it. Enabling your keyboard’s brightness and volume keys inside the new OS can be done easily by holding CTRL+ALT+T and then typing shell once you’ve accessed Chrome OS’s shell and hit Enter. Issue the following command: ‘sudo sh -e ~/Downloads/crouton-r precise-t keyboard–u’ and then press Enter again. Removing the screen saver or installing more extensions may also be a good way to enable more options in the new OS. Most importantly, you can now download and install the video editing software you want to use for editing your footage.

4. Remove Chroot from your Chromebook

If for some reason you want to uninstall Linux from your Chromebook, simply reboot the system and press the spacebar when the ‘OS verification is off’ message appears on the screen. In this manner, you will exit the Developer Mode and all locally stored data, including all installed environments, will be deleted.

Part 3: How to Dual-Boot a Chromebook Using ChrUbuntu

An alternative option is available for Chromebook users that have Intel based devices like recently released Haswell models. The ChrUbuntu can be installed on the USB stick or external hard-drive or directly to the local memory of your Chromebook. Even though ARM-based machines can also use ChrUbuntu it isn’t advisable because they may perform poorly due to slower processor speeds and less RAM power. Unlike Chroot, ChrUbuntu will not allow you to switch between operating systems without a reboot, and if the system is stored locally, you may need to go through the full system recovery.

1. Preparation for the installation

Like with the previous method you will have to go into the Developer Mode and make sure that you have access to a WiFi connection. When you are asked to provide your login details, instead of entering them press Ctrl+Alt+Forward and then type ‘chronos’ and press Enter. The next step will require you to issue the following command: ‘curl -L -O http://goo.gl/9sgchs ; sudo bash 9sgchs’ and then once more hit Enter. Again press Enter after the information about the installation is displayed on the screen and then you will be asked to decide how much space you want to allocate for Linux installation. Experts say that 9GB is the upper limit. After you’ve made your choice press Enter.

2. Installing ChrUbuntu

Once the partitioning of your hard-drive is completed, you will have to repeat the first several steps from typing ‘chronos’ to pressing enter when information about the installation is displayed on the screen. The installation process is now in progress and you will be occasionally asked to select a few settings, make sure you always click on default. At the end of the installation process, you will have to choose the location where GRUB should be installed, please select /dev/sda, because the failure to do so may interrupt the installation.

Once the installation is completed, restart your Chromebook to finalize the process, and when you see the ‘OS Verification is Off’ notification press Ctrl+L to access Linux or Ctrl+D boot into Chrome OS.

Install Linux on Chromebook

3. Uninstall ChrUbuntu

Removing ChrUbuntu is a relatively painless process that can be completed with just a few simple commands. If the OS is stored locally the only way to erase it is to perform a full system recovery. While all your data located on the cloud will re-sync with your Chromebook, the data stored locally will be deleted, which is why it is important to backup all the important files before starting a system recovery process. The fastest and easiest way to perform a system recovery is by creating a recovery disk from your device. Insert ‘chrome://imageburner’ in your browser’s address bar, and carefully read and follow the instructions.

This Linux removal method will also require you to have a USB stick with a minimum of 4GB of storage space. After you created the disk, you can go into the Recovery Mode, by holding Esc and Refresh buttons simultaneously and then pressing the Power button. In the Recovery Mode, you will be asked to insert the recovery disk and the process will be on the way.

Part 4: How to Dual-Boot a Chromebook Using Gallium OS

If neither Chroot nor ChrUbuntu work for you, using Gallium OS may be the right choice. The Gallium is Xbuntu-based OS that is equipped with touchpad mouse drivers among other advantages it offers over other operating systems. The installation process isn’t complicated, although it may require more effort than installing Crouton.

1. Preparation for the installation

In order to be aware of all the preparation steps, you need to take, you must first find out your device’s Hardware ID number and you can obtain this information by navigating to Chrome://System, Hardware Class within the Chrome OS. Hardware Compatibility page will provide the information regarding the CPU’s family, which can be crucial for the OS’ performance. You can run the installation either from an ISO image on an external USB drive or from the Chrome OS command line using Chrx. We will describe how to install Gallium OS from the Chrome OS command line because the other option doesn’t allow you to dual-boot your Chromebook.

2. Enabling the Legacy Mode

Like previously described, enter the Developer Mode and when the ‘ OS verification is OFF’ notification appears on the screen proceed to enable the Legacy Mode. You can do this by holding CTRL+D keys to enable the Chrome OS to boot in the Developer Mode. After you’ve successfully made this step, press CTRl+ALT+T to access the ‘Crosh’ terminal and then type ‘shell’. At the ‘chronos/localhost/$ issue the following command: ‘sudo crossystem dev_boot_legacy=1’. Update and install all the necessary firmware by running the Firmware Utility Script.

3. Installation process

If you choose to install Gallium OS through Chrome OS command line using Chrx that will enable you to dual-boot your Chromebook, you should start by booting the device into Chrome OS and configuring networking. The next step you’ll need to take is switching to a virtual terminal by holding Ctrl+Alt+F2, and then you should log in as user chronos without a password. Once you’ve completed this step issue the following command: ‘curl -O https://chrx.org/go && sh go’ and follow the on-screen instructions to repartition your hard-drive and install the Gallium OS. Once the installation is over reboot the device and press Ctrl+L when the ‘OS Verification is Off’ notification appears on the screen to boot Gallium OS or hold Ctrl+D to access Chrome OS. After the Gallium OS is successfully installed on your Chromebook you can start using programs such as Skype or Lightworks.

Which Method is the Best?

Each of the options to install a Linux OS on your Chromebook we described has its advantages and disadvantages. It is our opinion that the Crouton method is the easiest and the fastest. Furthermore, this method enables you to switch between your primary and secondary OS without the need to reboot the device and the Downloads folder makes working in both environments much easier.

On the other hand, other methods require more knowledge about the Linux OS installation process and switching between OS’ is not that simple. If you are looking for an easy way to dual-boot your Chromebook that best way to do it is to install Linux as a Chroot using Crouton.

Price: $24.99/month, although free versions of the software are also available.

What we like: A powerful video and audio editor perfectly suited for the production of professional video content.

What we don’t like: The software isn’t easy to use and inexperienced editors will find it difficult to use at first.

Lightworks Resolve may not be as popular as Adobe Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro, but that doesn’t mean that this video editing software isn’t as capable as its more popular counterparts.

The software is compatible with Mac, Windows, and Linux OS, which makes it a perfect choice for Chromebook users that have a Linux OS installed on their devices. Lightworks features literally every editing tool imaginable and for that reason, it is a perfect choice for editing videos you would like to upload to Vimeo or YouTube or high-end professional projects. This editing software offers plenty of transitions and visual effects that will help its users to create seamless jumps between shots and visually impressive videos.

author avatar

Ollie Mattison

Ollie Mattison is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Ollie Mattison

Ollie Mattison

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

Chromebooks are an excellent choice for educational institutions or businesses that require their employees to have constant access to the Internet. Even though these devices are a perfect tool that can accompany you on business trips and enable you to answer important emails or have access to crucial information stored on the cloud, performing more demanding tasks, like video editing, is still a challenge. However, it is far from impossible, although you may have to take a few extra steps before running a video editing software on your Chromebook.

Chrome OS is a Linux based environment and for that reason, Chromebook owners who would like to use professional editing software on their Chromebooks can install a Linux OS that will enable them to use programs such as Lightworks that are perfectly suited for high-end video editing. There are two different ways to install Linux on a Chromebook, you can either do it using Gallium OS or ChrUbuntu or in a Chroot environment using Crouton. Each of these methods is relatively easy and we will take you through the process step by step. Here’s how you can install Linux on your Chromebook.

Part 1: Preparing before installing Linux OS on Chromebook

The first step of the process of installing the Linux OS is the decision itself, and you need to have all the necessary information before you decide to install a Linux OS on your Chromebook.

  • Make sure that the version of Chromebook you have is capable of supporting a Linux OS. Your device must be equipped with an ARM or Intel chip in order to be able to run the version of Linux OS you want to install. Although both chips will allow you to go through the process, running closed source software such the Steam is only possible with Intel chips.
  • Regardless of which method of installing Linux OS you choose, you will have to switch to the Developer Mode, a special built-in function that allows you to install the unapproved operating system, among other things.
  • Now that you are aware of the requirements and risks, you will have to backup all the files you have on your Chromebook because once you switch to the Developer Mode all the information stored locally will be erased. You can save the files on another computer or on the cloud depending on how much data you need to move and which one is more convenient for you.

Part 2: How to Install Linux as a Chroot Using Crouton on Chromebook

After you have stored all your data safely, your Chromebook is ready for the beginning of the installation process of the secondary operating system. You will have to perform a series of actions that will allow you to start the installation, starting from accessing the Developer Mode.

1. Acessing the developer mode

The first step of the process is to reboot your system, while your Chromebook is on. In order to do so hold Escape and Refresh keys on your keyboard and then hit the power button. Once your device is back online you will find yourself in the recovery mode, and you will see a message telling you to insert a recovery disc. Instead of inserting the disc, hold Ctrl+D and wait for OS verification menu to appear on the screen. At this point, if you are still having second thoughts about this process, you can hit the spacebar to return to recovery mode, or press Enter to proceed. Hitting Enter will delete all the data stored on your device and take you into the Developer Mode. Once your Chromebook lets you know that you are now in the Developer Mode, reboot the system and install a fresh version of the Chrome OS. Insert your login information and follow the instructions until you are looking at the Chrome OS desktop.

Install Linux on Chromebook

2. Installing Chroot

At this stage of the process, your Chromebook is ready for the installation of the Crouton environment. Crouton is a series of scripts that makes running a Linux OS much easier, especially for inexperienced users. In order to download Crouton, go to GitHub and find the download link, detailed instructions or extensions that can add more functionality to your OS. Once the installation file or files are in the Download folder, your next step is to access the Chromebook’s terminal a feature called ‘Crosh’. The fastest way to do this is to hold CTRL + ALT keys and then hit the T key. This action will cause the Chrome window to appear on the screen, and you will need to type the ‘shell’ command without using quotation marks. Afterwards, enter the following command: ‘sudo sh ~/Downloads/crouton -t xfce’ and if you want to install extensions you will have to add ‘xfce,extension’ command at the end.

Install Linux on Chromebook

Press the Enter key and wait for the system to start setting up the Chroot. This process may take a while, so it is important to be patient, but more importantly, do not interfere with it in any way. Installation of your secondary OS is now on the way, and you may be asked to insert your login data, like your Gmail username and password. Wait patiently until the process is over and then return to shell and enter this command: ‘sudo enter-chroot startxfce4’. Your screen will go black for a while, but after the black screen is gone your Chromebook will be in the freshly installed Linux OS.

3. Optimizing your new OS

You may have to optimize your new OS in order to improve the experience of using it. Enabling your keyboard’s brightness and volume keys inside the new OS can be done easily by holding CTRL+ALT+T and then typing shell once you’ve accessed Chrome OS’s shell and hit Enter. Issue the following command: ‘sudo sh -e ~/Downloads/crouton-r precise-t keyboard–u’ and then press Enter again. Removing the screen saver or installing more extensions may also be a good way to enable more options in the new OS. Most importantly, you can now download and install the video editing software you want to use for editing your footage.

4. Remove Chroot from your Chromebook

If for some reason you want to uninstall Linux from your Chromebook, simply reboot the system and press the spacebar when the ‘OS verification is off’ message appears on the screen. In this manner, you will exit the Developer Mode and all locally stored data, including all installed environments, will be deleted.

Part 3: How to Dual-Boot a Chromebook Using ChrUbuntu

An alternative option is available for Chromebook users that have Intel based devices like recently released Haswell models. The ChrUbuntu can be installed on the USB stick or external hard-drive or directly to the local memory of your Chromebook. Even though ARM-based machines can also use ChrUbuntu it isn’t advisable because they may perform poorly due to slower processor speeds and less RAM power. Unlike Chroot, ChrUbuntu will not allow you to switch between operating systems without a reboot, and if the system is stored locally, you may need to go through the full system recovery.

1. Preparation for the installation

Like with the previous method you will have to go into the Developer Mode and make sure that you have access to a WiFi connection. When you are asked to provide your login details, instead of entering them press Ctrl+Alt+Forward and then type ‘chronos’ and press Enter. The next step will require you to issue the following command: ‘curl -L -O http://goo.gl/9sgchs ; sudo bash 9sgchs’ and then once more hit Enter. Again press Enter after the information about the installation is displayed on the screen and then you will be asked to decide how much space you want to allocate for Linux installation. Experts say that 9GB is the upper limit. After you’ve made your choice press Enter.

2. Installing ChrUbuntu

Once the partitioning of your hard-drive is completed, you will have to repeat the first several steps from typing ‘chronos’ to pressing enter when information about the installation is displayed on the screen. The installation process is now in progress and you will be occasionally asked to select a few settings, make sure you always click on default. At the end of the installation process, you will have to choose the location where GRUB should be installed, please select /dev/sda, because the failure to do so may interrupt the installation.

Once the installation is completed, restart your Chromebook to finalize the process, and when you see the ‘OS Verification is Off’ notification press Ctrl+L to access Linux or Ctrl+D boot into Chrome OS.

Install Linux on Chromebook

3. Uninstall ChrUbuntu

Removing ChrUbuntu is a relatively painless process that can be completed with just a few simple commands. If the OS is stored locally the only way to erase it is to perform a full system recovery. While all your data located on the cloud will re-sync with your Chromebook, the data stored locally will be deleted, which is why it is important to backup all the important files before starting a system recovery process. The fastest and easiest way to perform a system recovery is by creating a recovery disk from your device. Insert ‘chrome://imageburner’ in your browser’s address bar, and carefully read and follow the instructions.

This Linux removal method will also require you to have a USB stick with a minimum of 4GB of storage space. After you created the disk, you can go into the Recovery Mode, by holding Esc and Refresh buttons simultaneously and then pressing the Power button. In the Recovery Mode, you will be asked to insert the recovery disk and the process will be on the way.

Part 4: How to Dual-Boot a Chromebook Using Gallium OS

If neither Chroot nor ChrUbuntu work for you, using Gallium OS may be the right choice. The Gallium is Xbuntu-based OS that is equipped with touchpad mouse drivers among other advantages it offers over other operating systems. The installation process isn’t complicated, although it may require more effort than installing Crouton.

1. Preparation for the installation

In order to be aware of all the preparation steps, you need to take, you must first find out your device’s Hardware ID number and you can obtain this information by navigating to Chrome://System, Hardware Class within the Chrome OS. Hardware Compatibility page will provide the information regarding the CPU’s family, which can be crucial for the OS’ performance. You can run the installation either from an ISO image on an external USB drive or from the Chrome OS command line using Chrx. We will describe how to install Gallium OS from the Chrome OS command line because the other option doesn’t allow you to dual-boot your Chromebook.

2. Enabling the Legacy Mode

Like previously described, enter the Developer Mode and when the ‘ OS verification is OFF’ notification appears on the screen proceed to enable the Legacy Mode. You can do this by holding CTRL+D keys to enable the Chrome OS to boot in the Developer Mode. After you’ve successfully made this step, press CTRl+ALT+T to access the ‘Crosh’ terminal and then type ‘shell’. At the ‘chronos/localhost/$ issue the following command: ‘sudo crossystem dev_boot_legacy=1’. Update and install all the necessary firmware by running the Firmware Utility Script.

3. Installation process

If you choose to install Gallium OS through Chrome OS command line using Chrx that will enable you to dual-boot your Chromebook, you should start by booting the device into Chrome OS and configuring networking. The next step you’ll need to take is switching to a virtual terminal by holding Ctrl+Alt+F2, and then you should log in as user chronos without a password. Once you’ve completed this step issue the following command: ‘curl -O https://chrx.org/go && sh go’ and follow the on-screen instructions to repartition your hard-drive and install the Gallium OS. Once the installation is over reboot the device and press Ctrl+L when the ‘OS Verification is Off’ notification appears on the screen to boot Gallium OS or hold Ctrl+D to access Chrome OS. After the Gallium OS is successfully installed on your Chromebook you can start using programs such as Skype or Lightworks.

Which Method is the Best?

Each of the options to install a Linux OS on your Chromebook we described has its advantages and disadvantages. It is our opinion that the Crouton method is the easiest and the fastest. Furthermore, this method enables you to switch between your primary and secondary OS without the need to reboot the device and the Downloads folder makes working in both environments much easier.

On the other hand, other methods require more knowledge about the Linux OS installation process and switching between OS’ is not that simple. If you are looking for an easy way to dual-boot your Chromebook that best way to do it is to install Linux as a Chroot using Crouton.

Price: $24.99/month, although free versions of the software are also available.

What we like: A powerful video and audio editor perfectly suited for the production of professional video content.

What we don’t like: The software isn’t easy to use and inexperienced editors will find it difficult to use at first.

Lightworks Resolve may not be as popular as Adobe Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro, but that doesn’t mean that this video editing software isn’t as capable as its more popular counterparts.

The software is compatible with Mac, Windows, and Linux OS, which makes it a perfect choice for Chromebook users that have a Linux OS installed on their devices. Lightworks features literally every editing tool imaginable and for that reason, it is a perfect choice for editing videos you would like to upload to Vimeo or YouTube or high-end professional projects. This editing software offers plenty of transitions and visual effects that will help its users to create seamless jumps between shots and visually impressive videos.

author avatar

Ollie Mattison

Ollie Mattison is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Ollie Mattison

Ollie Mattison

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

Chromebooks are an excellent choice for educational institutions or businesses that require their employees to have constant access to the Internet. Even though these devices are a perfect tool that can accompany you on business trips and enable you to answer important emails or have access to crucial information stored on the cloud, performing more demanding tasks, like video editing, is still a challenge. However, it is far from impossible, although you may have to take a few extra steps before running a video editing software on your Chromebook.

Chrome OS is a Linux based environment and for that reason, Chromebook owners who would like to use professional editing software on their Chromebooks can install a Linux OS that will enable them to use programs such as Lightworks that are perfectly suited for high-end video editing. There are two different ways to install Linux on a Chromebook, you can either do it using Gallium OS or ChrUbuntu or in a Chroot environment using Crouton. Each of these methods is relatively easy and we will take you through the process step by step. Here’s how you can install Linux on your Chromebook.

Part 1: Preparing before installing Linux OS on Chromebook

The first step of the process of installing the Linux OS is the decision itself, and you need to have all the necessary information before you decide to install a Linux OS on your Chromebook.

  • Make sure that the version of Chromebook you have is capable of supporting a Linux OS. Your device must be equipped with an ARM or Intel chip in order to be able to run the version of Linux OS you want to install. Although both chips will allow you to go through the process, running closed source software such the Steam is only possible with Intel chips.
  • Regardless of which method of installing Linux OS you choose, you will have to switch to the Developer Mode, a special built-in function that allows you to install the unapproved operating system, among other things.
  • Now that you are aware of the requirements and risks, you will have to backup all the files you have on your Chromebook because once you switch to the Developer Mode all the information stored locally will be erased. You can save the files on another computer or on the cloud depending on how much data you need to move and which one is more convenient for you.

Part 2: How to Install Linux as a Chroot Using Crouton on Chromebook

After you have stored all your data safely, your Chromebook is ready for the beginning of the installation process of the secondary operating system. You will have to perform a series of actions that will allow you to start the installation, starting from accessing the Developer Mode.

1. Acessing the developer mode

The first step of the process is to reboot your system, while your Chromebook is on. In order to do so hold Escape and Refresh keys on your keyboard and then hit the power button. Once your device is back online you will find yourself in the recovery mode, and you will see a message telling you to insert a recovery disc. Instead of inserting the disc, hold Ctrl+D and wait for OS verification menu to appear on the screen. At this point, if you are still having second thoughts about this process, you can hit the spacebar to return to recovery mode, or press Enter to proceed. Hitting Enter will delete all the data stored on your device and take you into the Developer Mode. Once your Chromebook lets you know that you are now in the Developer Mode, reboot the system and install a fresh version of the Chrome OS. Insert your login information and follow the instructions until you are looking at the Chrome OS desktop.

Install Linux on Chromebook

2. Installing Chroot

At this stage of the process, your Chromebook is ready for the installation of the Crouton environment. Crouton is a series of scripts that makes running a Linux OS much easier, especially for inexperienced users. In order to download Crouton, go to GitHub and find the download link, detailed instructions or extensions that can add more functionality to your OS. Once the installation file or files are in the Download folder, your next step is to access the Chromebook’s terminal a feature called ‘Crosh’. The fastest way to do this is to hold CTRL + ALT keys and then hit the T key. This action will cause the Chrome window to appear on the screen, and you will need to type the ‘shell’ command without using quotation marks. Afterwards, enter the following command: ‘sudo sh ~/Downloads/crouton -t xfce’ and if you want to install extensions you will have to add ‘xfce,extension’ command at the end.

Install Linux on Chromebook

Press the Enter key and wait for the system to start setting up the Chroot. This process may take a while, so it is important to be patient, but more importantly, do not interfere with it in any way. Installation of your secondary OS is now on the way, and you may be asked to insert your login data, like your Gmail username and password. Wait patiently until the process is over and then return to shell and enter this command: ‘sudo enter-chroot startxfce4’. Your screen will go black for a while, but after the black screen is gone your Chromebook will be in the freshly installed Linux OS.

3. Optimizing your new OS

You may have to optimize your new OS in order to improve the experience of using it. Enabling your keyboard’s brightness and volume keys inside the new OS can be done easily by holding CTRL+ALT+T and then typing shell once you’ve accessed Chrome OS’s shell and hit Enter. Issue the following command: ‘sudo sh -e ~/Downloads/crouton-r precise-t keyboard–u’ and then press Enter again. Removing the screen saver or installing more extensions may also be a good way to enable more options in the new OS. Most importantly, you can now download and install the video editing software you want to use for editing your footage.

4. Remove Chroot from your Chromebook

If for some reason you want to uninstall Linux from your Chromebook, simply reboot the system and press the spacebar when the ‘OS verification is off’ message appears on the screen. In this manner, you will exit the Developer Mode and all locally stored data, including all installed environments, will be deleted.

Part 3: How to Dual-Boot a Chromebook Using ChrUbuntu

An alternative option is available for Chromebook users that have Intel based devices like recently released Haswell models. The ChrUbuntu can be installed on the USB stick or external hard-drive or directly to the local memory of your Chromebook. Even though ARM-based machines can also use ChrUbuntu it isn’t advisable because they may perform poorly due to slower processor speeds and less RAM power. Unlike Chroot, ChrUbuntu will not allow you to switch between operating systems without a reboot, and if the system is stored locally, you may need to go through the full system recovery.

1. Preparation for the installation

Like with the previous method you will have to go into the Developer Mode and make sure that you have access to a WiFi connection. When you are asked to provide your login details, instead of entering them press Ctrl+Alt+Forward and then type ‘chronos’ and press Enter. The next step will require you to issue the following command: ‘curl -L -O http://goo.gl/9sgchs ; sudo bash 9sgchs’ and then once more hit Enter. Again press Enter after the information about the installation is displayed on the screen and then you will be asked to decide how much space you want to allocate for Linux installation. Experts say that 9GB is the upper limit. After you’ve made your choice press Enter.

2. Installing ChrUbuntu

Once the partitioning of your hard-drive is completed, you will have to repeat the first several steps from typing ‘chronos’ to pressing enter when information about the installation is displayed on the screen. The installation process is now in progress and you will be occasionally asked to select a few settings, make sure you always click on default. At the end of the installation process, you will have to choose the location where GRUB should be installed, please select /dev/sda, because the failure to do so may interrupt the installation.

Once the installation is completed, restart your Chromebook to finalize the process, and when you see the ‘OS Verification is Off’ notification press Ctrl+L to access Linux or Ctrl+D boot into Chrome OS.

Install Linux on Chromebook

3. Uninstall ChrUbuntu

Removing ChrUbuntu is a relatively painless process that can be completed with just a few simple commands. If the OS is stored locally the only way to erase it is to perform a full system recovery. While all your data located on the cloud will re-sync with your Chromebook, the data stored locally will be deleted, which is why it is important to backup all the important files before starting a system recovery process. The fastest and easiest way to perform a system recovery is by creating a recovery disk from your device. Insert ‘chrome://imageburner’ in your browser’s address bar, and carefully read and follow the instructions.

This Linux removal method will also require you to have a USB stick with a minimum of 4GB of storage space. After you created the disk, you can go into the Recovery Mode, by holding Esc and Refresh buttons simultaneously and then pressing the Power button. In the Recovery Mode, you will be asked to insert the recovery disk and the process will be on the way.

Part 4: How to Dual-Boot a Chromebook Using Gallium OS

If neither Chroot nor ChrUbuntu work for you, using Gallium OS may be the right choice. The Gallium is Xbuntu-based OS that is equipped with touchpad mouse drivers among other advantages it offers over other operating systems. The installation process isn’t complicated, although it may require more effort than installing Crouton.

1. Preparation for the installation

In order to be aware of all the preparation steps, you need to take, you must first find out your device’s Hardware ID number and you can obtain this information by navigating to Chrome://System, Hardware Class within the Chrome OS. Hardware Compatibility page will provide the information regarding the CPU’s family, which can be crucial for the OS’ performance. You can run the installation either from an ISO image on an external USB drive or from the Chrome OS command line using Chrx. We will describe how to install Gallium OS from the Chrome OS command line because the other option doesn’t allow you to dual-boot your Chromebook.

2. Enabling the Legacy Mode

Like previously described, enter the Developer Mode and when the ‘ OS verification is OFF’ notification appears on the screen proceed to enable the Legacy Mode. You can do this by holding CTRL+D keys to enable the Chrome OS to boot in the Developer Mode. After you’ve successfully made this step, press CTRl+ALT+T to access the ‘Crosh’ terminal and then type ‘shell’. At the ‘chronos/localhost/$ issue the following command: ‘sudo crossystem dev_boot_legacy=1’. Update and install all the necessary firmware by running the Firmware Utility Script.

3. Installation process

If you choose to install Gallium OS through Chrome OS command line using Chrx that will enable you to dual-boot your Chromebook, you should start by booting the device into Chrome OS and configuring networking. The next step you’ll need to take is switching to a virtual terminal by holding Ctrl+Alt+F2, and then you should log in as user chronos without a password. Once you’ve completed this step issue the following command: ‘curl -O https://chrx.org/go && sh go’ and follow the on-screen instructions to repartition your hard-drive and install the Gallium OS. Once the installation is over reboot the device and press Ctrl+L when the ‘OS Verification is Off’ notification appears on the screen to boot Gallium OS or hold Ctrl+D to access Chrome OS. After the Gallium OS is successfully installed on your Chromebook you can start using programs such as Skype or Lightworks.

Which Method is the Best?

Each of the options to install a Linux OS on your Chromebook we described has its advantages and disadvantages. It is our opinion that the Crouton method is the easiest and the fastest. Furthermore, this method enables you to switch between your primary and secondary OS without the need to reboot the device and the Downloads folder makes working in both environments much easier.

On the other hand, other methods require more knowledge about the Linux OS installation process and switching between OS’ is not that simple. If you are looking for an easy way to dual-boot your Chromebook that best way to do it is to install Linux as a Chroot using Crouton.

Price: $24.99/month, although free versions of the software are also available.

What we like: A powerful video and audio editor perfectly suited for the production of professional video content.

What we don’t like: The software isn’t easy to use and inexperienced editors will find it difficult to use at first.

Lightworks Resolve may not be as popular as Adobe Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro, but that doesn’t mean that this video editing software isn’t as capable as its more popular counterparts.

The software is compatible with Mac, Windows, and Linux OS, which makes it a perfect choice for Chromebook users that have a Linux OS installed on their devices. Lightworks features literally every editing tool imaginable and for that reason, it is a perfect choice for editing videos you would like to upload to Vimeo or YouTube or high-end professional projects. This editing software offers plenty of transitions and visual effects that will help its users to create seamless jumps between shots and visually impressive videos.

author avatar

Ollie Mattison

Ollie Mattison is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Ollie Mattison

Top Best Final Cut Pro X Alternatives on Windows & Mac & Linux [Free & Paid]

Top Best Final Cut Pro X Alternatives on Windows & Mac & Linux [Free & Paid]

author avatar

Liza Brown

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

Back in 1999, Apple launched Final Cut Pro, and the software didn’t take so long to become the first choice for video editors and post-production agencies.

The main feature it has that makes it stands out from any other video-editing software out there is that it is made exclusively to operate on Mac only, and that allowed Apple to make it fully enhanced for speed and efficiency enabling it toedit 4K UHD footage with no rendering issues.

This video editing software will cost you $300 to buy, and as mentioned above it will require you to have a Mac OS, so if you don’t have both or if you are abeginner in video editing we are suggesting a few alternatives for you that you might choose one from to start your video editing journey.

Best Free & Paid Final Cut Pro X Alternatives on Windows/ Mac/ Linux

1. Wondershare Filmora

Filmora made professional video editing easy with its easy professional tools. Besides basic video editing tools, you can now group timeline clips, range markers, or add audio and video to unlimited video tracks. You can perfect your audio with the automatic audio sync, audio compressor, or audio noise reduction, and perform detailed color correction with plentiful presets auto-correction, and color wheels. It also supports animation and motion tracking. It is easy to use and has low system requirements. Download it now to have a try![Download Win Version](https://images.wondershare.com/filmora/guide/download-btn-win.jpg) Download Mac Version

2. Avidemux

Avidemux is a free open-source and cross-platform (Microsoft Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X) video editor designed for quick video joining, trimming, and filtering tasks. It supports different video formats such as MP44, MPG, AVI, OGM, MKV, FLV, and more. Here is also a getting-started tutorial for Avidemux you can refer to.

free video joiner

Pros as an alternative to FCPX for Windows:

  • Open-source video editing software and free
  • A simple interface and easy to use

Cons:

May have problems dealing with some types of formats.

3. VirtualDub

VirtualDub is a strong video editing tool on Windows with many useful features that can help you make different kinds of changes to the video but keeping the video’s quality the same as before. It also has batch-processing capabilities for processing large numbers of files and can be extended with third-party video filters.

free video joiner

Pros:

  • Has video capturing option;
  • Can be extended with third-party video filters;
  • Has batch-processing capabilities for processing large numbers of files.

Cons:

Outdated UI design.

4. Video Toolbox

Video Toolbox is afree online video editing tool that has a rich set of video functions. But like many online apps, it imposes a size restriction of 300 MB for your video files. To use it, you have to register first and upload the target files either from the hard disk or online video sites. Then fish the merging task use the command from a drop-down.

free video joiner

Pros:

  • Supports many video formats;
  • Different video editing options.

Cons:

Has the size limitation of video (600 MB).

5. Format Factory

Format Factory is a full-featured video and audio converter. It can convert video, audio, picture, and rip CDs, DVDs to other file formats, as well as create ISO image files. On top of that, it provides a subset of tools that handle file splitting and merging. You can also change the format and size of the output file.

free video joiner

Pros:

  • Supports many video formats;
  • Basic video editing options.

Cons:

Can’t convert audio files.

6. Movica

This software is, in essence, a user interface for other open-source tools that are somewhat user-unfriendly, enabling an understandable user interface for the best free tools out there. As a software package though, there is nothing wrong with this approach, and the tools available for joining and merging are first-rate, and the software works very fast, whilst offering a wide range of compatible video formats.

The interface is a little clunky, but it does the job and the software has additional tools for other editing work such as cutting and trimming as well, the added functionality in combination with a more basic interface can make some operations a touch confusing though.

Movica

Ultimately a little more complicated to use, but very good.

PowerDirector 365 is a professional video editor in the Cyberlink family. It is a great Final Cut Pro alternative on Windows . Users can use multiple cameras to make various green-screen effects and make split-screen effects. What’s more, you can control frame-by-frame with its motion tracking. It also supports using plug-ins ranging from animated titles to travel packs. The official recommendation of the operating system is Windows 10/8/7. It works best on 64 bit.

Cyberlink PowerDirector 365

Pros:

  • 10 UI languages are supported including French, Dutch, and Korean.
  • It supports cloud storage for co-working.

Cons:

It only offers a limited learning course.

8. VEGAS PRO 17

Vegas Pro is a long-standing professional video editing software on Windows. Now, it just released Pro 17 to give it more features, so it is also an excellent Final Cut Pro alternative. At this time, VEGAS PRO 17 features a high-speed video editing experience with GPU acceleration and intuitive design. Those features were not specifically mentioned before. With the new color grading features, VEGAS PRO 17 can compete with Final Cut Pro.

VEGAS PRO 17

Very fast video editing with the newly released version.

9. Adobe Premiere Pro

Adobe Premiere Pro needs to be mentioned whether you like this software or not. We can’t deny it is a great video editor on Windows. In fact, it has the largest number of users on Windows. With Premiere Rush, Adobe Premiere Pro has had a big update recently. It is the leading product for editing 8K videos. You can also use Rush to edit video on your phone and import it to your PC to have further advanced editing if needed.

Adobe Premiere Pro

After checking so many video editing software, I’ve summarized the main features of each video editor listed above. Hope that will help you pick up the best Final Cut Pro for Windows alternatives.

Supported OS Supported Format Video Effects Share to YouTube Easy to Use
Filmora Win/Mac MPEG-1/2,MPEG-4… Y Y Y
Avidemux Win/Mac/Linux/PC-BSD AVI,DVD,MP4,ASF… N N Y
VirtualDub Win MPEG-1,AVI… N N Y
Cyberlink PowerDirector 365 Win AVI,WMV,MOV… Y N N
Video Toolbox Win 3GP,AMV,ASF,AVI… N N Y
Format Factory Win wmv,asf… N N Y
Movica Win wmv,MPEG… N N Y
VEGAS PRO 17 Win WMV,FLV… Y N Y
Adobe Premiere Pro Win/Mac AVI,3GP,SWF… Y N N

Final Thoughts

After listing the above alternatives to Final Cut Pro X, and factors to help you make your decision, you can come up with the best common features and benefits you need the most for your video editing projects.

If you are a beginner and looking to use free video editing software, we highly recommend using ShotCut. This tool is very easy to use, and at the same time has been used widely by professionals, you can definitely start with this software.

If you already have experience in video editing and looking for free or low-budget software to finish your projects, then you can get Lightworks or the Pro version. This software is amazing and was used widely in the professional video editing market that is considered one of the most important alternatives to Final Cut Pro X.

Maybe you are a beginner and don’t mind paying a reasonable price to buy video editing software, in this case, Filmora just fits your needs. It won’t cost you much as a beginner and its friendly user interface will let you edit your videos smoothly with no complicated features like those found in other video editing software. Click the links below to have a try![Download Win Version](https://images.wondershare.com/filmora/guide/download-btn-win.jpg) Download Mac Version

author avatar

Liza Brown

Liza Brown is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Liza Brown

Liza Brown

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

Back in 1999, Apple launched Final Cut Pro, and the software didn’t take so long to become the first choice for video editors and post-production agencies.

The main feature it has that makes it stands out from any other video-editing software out there is that it is made exclusively to operate on Mac only, and that allowed Apple to make it fully enhanced for speed and efficiency enabling it toedit 4K UHD footage with no rendering issues.

This video editing software will cost you $300 to buy, and as mentioned above it will require you to have a Mac OS, so if you don’t have both or if you are abeginner in video editing we are suggesting a few alternatives for you that you might choose one from to start your video editing journey.

Best Free & Paid Final Cut Pro X Alternatives on Windows/ Mac/ Linux

1. Wondershare Filmora

Filmora made professional video editing easy with its easy professional tools. Besides basic video editing tools, you can now group timeline clips, range markers, or add audio and video to unlimited video tracks. You can perfect your audio with the automatic audio sync, audio compressor, or audio noise reduction, and perform detailed color correction with plentiful presets auto-correction, and color wheels. It also supports animation and motion tracking. It is easy to use and has low system requirements. Download it now to have a try![Download Win Version](https://images.wondershare.com/filmora/guide/download-btn-win.jpg) Download Mac Version

2. Avidemux

Avidemux is a free open-source and cross-platform (Microsoft Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X) video editor designed for quick video joining, trimming, and filtering tasks. It supports different video formats such as MP44, MPG, AVI, OGM, MKV, FLV, and more. Here is also a getting-started tutorial for Avidemux you can refer to.

free video joiner

Pros as an alternative to FCPX for Windows:

  • Open-source video editing software and free
  • A simple interface and easy to use

Cons:

May have problems dealing with some types of formats.

3. VirtualDub

VirtualDub is a strong video editing tool on Windows with many useful features that can help you make different kinds of changes to the video but keeping the video’s quality the same as before. It also has batch-processing capabilities for processing large numbers of files and can be extended with third-party video filters.

free video joiner

Pros:

  • Has video capturing option;
  • Can be extended with third-party video filters;
  • Has batch-processing capabilities for processing large numbers of files.

Cons:

Outdated UI design.

4. Video Toolbox

Video Toolbox is afree online video editing tool that has a rich set of video functions. But like many online apps, it imposes a size restriction of 300 MB for your video files. To use it, you have to register first and upload the target files either from the hard disk or online video sites. Then fish the merging task use the command from a drop-down.

free video joiner

Pros:

  • Supports many video formats;
  • Different video editing options.

Cons:

Has the size limitation of video (600 MB).

5. Format Factory

Format Factory is a full-featured video and audio converter. It can convert video, audio, picture, and rip CDs, DVDs to other file formats, as well as create ISO image files. On top of that, it provides a subset of tools that handle file splitting and merging. You can also change the format and size of the output file.

free video joiner

Pros:

  • Supports many video formats;
  • Basic video editing options.

Cons:

Can’t convert audio files.

6. Movica

This software is, in essence, a user interface for other open-source tools that are somewhat user-unfriendly, enabling an understandable user interface for the best free tools out there. As a software package though, there is nothing wrong with this approach, and the tools available for joining and merging are first-rate, and the software works very fast, whilst offering a wide range of compatible video formats.

The interface is a little clunky, but it does the job and the software has additional tools for other editing work such as cutting and trimming as well, the added functionality in combination with a more basic interface can make some operations a touch confusing though.

Movica

Ultimately a little more complicated to use, but very good.

PowerDirector 365 is a professional video editor in the Cyberlink family. It is a great Final Cut Pro alternative on Windows . Users can use multiple cameras to make various green-screen effects and make split-screen effects. What’s more, you can control frame-by-frame with its motion tracking. It also supports using plug-ins ranging from animated titles to travel packs. The official recommendation of the operating system is Windows 10/8/7. It works best on 64 bit.

Cyberlink PowerDirector 365

Pros:

  • 10 UI languages are supported including French, Dutch, and Korean.
  • It supports cloud storage for co-working.

Cons:

It only offers a limited learning course.

8. VEGAS PRO 17

Vegas Pro is a long-standing professional video editing software on Windows. Now, it just released Pro 17 to give it more features, so it is also an excellent Final Cut Pro alternative. At this time, VEGAS PRO 17 features a high-speed video editing experience with GPU acceleration and intuitive design. Those features were not specifically mentioned before. With the new color grading features, VEGAS PRO 17 can compete with Final Cut Pro.

VEGAS PRO 17

Very fast video editing with the newly released version.

9. Adobe Premiere Pro

Adobe Premiere Pro needs to be mentioned whether you like this software or not. We can’t deny it is a great video editor on Windows. In fact, it has the largest number of users on Windows. With Premiere Rush, Adobe Premiere Pro has had a big update recently. It is the leading product for editing 8K videos. You can also use Rush to edit video on your phone and import it to your PC to have further advanced editing if needed.

Adobe Premiere Pro

After checking so many video editing software, I’ve summarized the main features of each video editor listed above. Hope that will help you pick up the best Final Cut Pro for Windows alternatives.

Supported OS Supported Format Video Effects Share to YouTube Easy to Use
Filmora Win/Mac MPEG-1/2,MPEG-4… Y Y Y
Avidemux Win/Mac/Linux/PC-BSD AVI,DVD,MP4,ASF… N N Y
VirtualDub Win MPEG-1,AVI… N N Y
Cyberlink PowerDirector 365 Win AVI,WMV,MOV… Y N N
Video Toolbox Win 3GP,AMV,ASF,AVI… N N Y
Format Factory Win wmv,asf… N N Y
Movica Win wmv,MPEG… N N Y
VEGAS PRO 17 Win WMV,FLV… Y N Y
Adobe Premiere Pro Win/Mac AVI,3GP,SWF… Y N N

Final Thoughts

After listing the above alternatives to Final Cut Pro X, and factors to help you make your decision, you can come up with the best common features and benefits you need the most for your video editing projects.

If you are a beginner and looking to use free video editing software, we highly recommend using ShotCut. This tool is very easy to use, and at the same time has been used widely by professionals, you can definitely start with this software.

If you already have experience in video editing and looking for free or low-budget software to finish your projects, then you can get Lightworks or the Pro version. This software is amazing and was used widely in the professional video editing market that is considered one of the most important alternatives to Final Cut Pro X.

Maybe you are a beginner and don’t mind paying a reasonable price to buy video editing software, in this case, Filmora just fits your needs. It won’t cost you much as a beginner and its friendly user interface will let you edit your videos smoothly with no complicated features like those found in other video editing software. Click the links below to have a try![Download Win Version](https://images.wondershare.com/filmora/guide/download-btn-win.jpg) Download Mac Version

author avatar

Liza Brown

Liza Brown is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Liza Brown

Liza Brown

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

Back in 1999, Apple launched Final Cut Pro, and the software didn’t take so long to become the first choice for video editors and post-production agencies.

The main feature it has that makes it stands out from any other video-editing software out there is that it is made exclusively to operate on Mac only, and that allowed Apple to make it fully enhanced for speed and efficiency enabling it toedit 4K UHD footage with no rendering issues.

This video editing software will cost you $300 to buy, and as mentioned above it will require you to have a Mac OS, so if you don’t have both or if you are abeginner in video editing we are suggesting a few alternatives for you that you might choose one from to start your video editing journey.

Best Free & Paid Final Cut Pro X Alternatives on Windows/ Mac/ Linux

1. Wondershare Filmora

Filmora made professional video editing easy with its easy professional tools. Besides basic video editing tools, you can now group timeline clips, range markers, or add audio and video to unlimited video tracks. You can perfect your audio with the automatic audio sync, audio compressor, or audio noise reduction, and perform detailed color correction with plentiful presets auto-correction, and color wheels. It also supports animation and motion tracking. It is easy to use and has low system requirements. Download it now to have a try![Download Win Version](https://images.wondershare.com/filmora/guide/download-btn-win.jpg) Download Mac Version

2. Avidemux

Avidemux is a free open-source and cross-platform (Microsoft Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X) video editor designed for quick video joining, trimming, and filtering tasks. It supports different video formats such as MP44, MPG, AVI, OGM, MKV, FLV, and more. Here is also a getting-started tutorial for Avidemux you can refer to.

free video joiner

Pros as an alternative to FCPX for Windows:

  • Open-source video editing software and free
  • A simple interface and easy to use

Cons:

May have problems dealing with some types of formats.

3. VirtualDub

VirtualDub is a strong video editing tool on Windows with many useful features that can help you make different kinds of changes to the video but keeping the video’s quality the same as before. It also has batch-processing capabilities for processing large numbers of files and can be extended with third-party video filters.

free video joiner

Pros:

  • Has video capturing option;
  • Can be extended with third-party video filters;
  • Has batch-processing capabilities for processing large numbers of files.

Cons:

Outdated UI design.

4. Video Toolbox

Video Toolbox is afree online video editing tool that has a rich set of video functions. But like many online apps, it imposes a size restriction of 300 MB for your video files. To use it, you have to register first and upload the target files either from the hard disk or online video sites. Then fish the merging task use the command from a drop-down.

free video joiner

Pros:

  • Supports many video formats;
  • Different video editing options.

Cons:

Has the size limitation of video (600 MB).

5. Format Factory

Format Factory is a full-featured video and audio converter. It can convert video, audio, picture, and rip CDs, DVDs to other file formats, as well as create ISO image files. On top of that, it provides a subset of tools that handle file splitting and merging. You can also change the format and size of the output file.

free video joiner

Pros:

  • Supports many video formats;
  • Basic video editing options.

Cons:

Can’t convert audio files.

6. Movica

This software is, in essence, a user interface for other open-source tools that are somewhat user-unfriendly, enabling an understandable user interface for the best free tools out there. As a software package though, there is nothing wrong with this approach, and the tools available for joining and merging are first-rate, and the software works very fast, whilst offering a wide range of compatible video formats.

The interface is a little clunky, but it does the job and the software has additional tools for other editing work such as cutting and trimming as well, the added functionality in combination with a more basic interface can make some operations a touch confusing though.

Movica

Ultimately a little more complicated to use, but very good.

PowerDirector 365 is a professional video editor in the Cyberlink family. It is a great Final Cut Pro alternative on Windows . Users can use multiple cameras to make various green-screen effects and make split-screen effects. What’s more, you can control frame-by-frame with its motion tracking. It also supports using plug-ins ranging from animated titles to travel packs. The official recommendation of the operating system is Windows 10/8/7. It works best on 64 bit.

Cyberlink PowerDirector 365

Pros:

  • 10 UI languages are supported including French, Dutch, and Korean.
  • It supports cloud storage for co-working.

Cons:

It only offers a limited learning course.

8. VEGAS PRO 17

Vegas Pro is a long-standing professional video editing software on Windows. Now, it just released Pro 17 to give it more features, so it is also an excellent Final Cut Pro alternative. At this time, VEGAS PRO 17 features a high-speed video editing experience with GPU acceleration and intuitive design. Those features were not specifically mentioned before. With the new color grading features, VEGAS PRO 17 can compete with Final Cut Pro.

VEGAS PRO 17

Very fast video editing with the newly released version.

9. Adobe Premiere Pro

Adobe Premiere Pro needs to be mentioned whether you like this software or not. We can’t deny it is a great video editor on Windows. In fact, it has the largest number of users on Windows. With Premiere Rush, Adobe Premiere Pro has had a big update recently. It is the leading product for editing 8K videos. You can also use Rush to edit video on your phone and import it to your PC to have further advanced editing if needed.

Adobe Premiere Pro

After checking so many video editing software, I’ve summarized the main features of each video editor listed above. Hope that will help you pick up the best Final Cut Pro for Windows alternatives.

Supported OS Supported Format Video Effects Share to YouTube Easy to Use
Filmora Win/Mac MPEG-1/2,MPEG-4… Y Y Y
Avidemux Win/Mac/Linux/PC-BSD AVI,DVD,MP4,ASF… N N Y
VirtualDub Win MPEG-1,AVI… N N Y
Cyberlink PowerDirector 365 Win AVI,WMV,MOV… Y N N
Video Toolbox Win 3GP,AMV,ASF,AVI… N N Y
Format Factory Win wmv,asf… N N Y
Movica Win wmv,MPEG… N N Y
VEGAS PRO 17 Win WMV,FLV… Y N Y
Adobe Premiere Pro Win/Mac AVI,3GP,SWF… Y N N

Final Thoughts

After listing the above alternatives to Final Cut Pro X, and factors to help you make your decision, you can come up with the best common features and benefits you need the most for your video editing projects.

If you are a beginner and looking to use free video editing software, we highly recommend using ShotCut. This tool is very easy to use, and at the same time has been used widely by professionals, you can definitely start with this software.

If you already have experience in video editing and looking for free or low-budget software to finish your projects, then you can get Lightworks or the Pro version. This software is amazing and was used widely in the professional video editing market that is considered one of the most important alternatives to Final Cut Pro X.

Maybe you are a beginner and don’t mind paying a reasonable price to buy video editing software, in this case, Filmora just fits your needs. It won’t cost you much as a beginner and its friendly user interface will let you edit your videos smoothly with no complicated features like those found in other video editing software. Click the links below to have a try![Download Win Version](https://images.wondershare.com/filmora/guide/download-btn-win.jpg) Download Mac Version

author avatar

Liza Brown

Liza Brown is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Liza Brown

Liza Brown

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

Back in 1999, Apple launched Final Cut Pro, and the software didn’t take so long to become the first choice for video editors and post-production agencies.

The main feature it has that makes it stands out from any other video-editing software out there is that it is made exclusively to operate on Mac only, and that allowed Apple to make it fully enhanced for speed and efficiency enabling it toedit 4K UHD footage with no rendering issues.

This video editing software will cost you $300 to buy, and as mentioned above it will require you to have a Mac OS, so if you don’t have both or if you are abeginner in video editing we are suggesting a few alternatives for you that you might choose one from to start your video editing journey.

Best Free & Paid Final Cut Pro X Alternatives on Windows/ Mac/ Linux

1. Wondershare Filmora

Filmora made professional video editing easy with its easy professional tools. Besides basic video editing tools, you can now group timeline clips, range markers, or add audio and video to unlimited video tracks. You can perfect your audio with the automatic audio sync, audio compressor, or audio noise reduction, and perform detailed color correction with plentiful presets auto-correction, and color wheels. It also supports animation and motion tracking. It is easy to use and has low system requirements. Download it now to have a try![Download Win Version](https://images.wondershare.com/filmora/guide/download-btn-win.jpg) Download Mac Version

2. Avidemux

Avidemux is a free open-source and cross-platform (Microsoft Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X) video editor designed for quick video joining, trimming, and filtering tasks. It supports different video formats such as MP44, MPG, AVI, OGM, MKV, FLV, and more. Here is also a getting-started tutorial for Avidemux you can refer to.

free video joiner

Pros as an alternative to FCPX for Windows:

  • Open-source video editing software and free
  • A simple interface and easy to use

Cons:

May have problems dealing with some types of formats.

3. VirtualDub

VirtualDub is a strong video editing tool on Windows with many useful features that can help you make different kinds of changes to the video but keeping the video’s quality the same as before. It also has batch-processing capabilities for processing large numbers of files and can be extended with third-party video filters.

free video joiner

Pros:

  • Has video capturing option;
  • Can be extended with third-party video filters;
  • Has batch-processing capabilities for processing large numbers of files.

Cons:

Outdated UI design.

4. Video Toolbox

Video Toolbox is afree online video editing tool that has a rich set of video functions. But like many online apps, it imposes a size restriction of 300 MB for your video files. To use it, you have to register first and upload the target files either from the hard disk or online video sites. Then fish the merging task use the command from a drop-down.

free video joiner

Pros:

  • Supports many video formats;
  • Different video editing options.

Cons:

Has the size limitation of video (600 MB).

5. Format Factory

Format Factory is a full-featured video and audio converter. It can convert video, audio, picture, and rip CDs, DVDs to other file formats, as well as create ISO image files. On top of that, it provides a subset of tools that handle file splitting and merging. You can also change the format and size of the output file.

free video joiner

Pros:

  • Supports many video formats;
  • Basic video editing options.

Cons:

Can’t convert audio files.

6. Movica

This software is, in essence, a user interface for other open-source tools that are somewhat user-unfriendly, enabling an understandable user interface for the best free tools out there. As a software package though, there is nothing wrong with this approach, and the tools available for joining and merging are first-rate, and the software works very fast, whilst offering a wide range of compatible video formats.

The interface is a little clunky, but it does the job and the software has additional tools for other editing work such as cutting and trimming as well, the added functionality in combination with a more basic interface can make some operations a touch confusing though.

Movica

Ultimately a little more complicated to use, but very good.

PowerDirector 365 is a professional video editor in the Cyberlink family. It is a great Final Cut Pro alternative on Windows . Users can use multiple cameras to make various green-screen effects and make split-screen effects. What’s more, you can control frame-by-frame with its motion tracking. It also supports using plug-ins ranging from animated titles to travel packs. The official recommendation of the operating system is Windows 10/8/7. It works best on 64 bit.

Cyberlink PowerDirector 365

Pros:

  • 10 UI languages are supported including French, Dutch, and Korean.
  • It supports cloud storage for co-working.

Cons:

It only offers a limited learning course.

8. VEGAS PRO 17

Vegas Pro is a long-standing professional video editing software on Windows. Now, it just released Pro 17 to give it more features, so it is also an excellent Final Cut Pro alternative. At this time, VEGAS PRO 17 features a high-speed video editing experience with GPU acceleration and intuitive design. Those features were not specifically mentioned before. With the new color grading features, VEGAS PRO 17 can compete with Final Cut Pro.

VEGAS PRO 17

Very fast video editing with the newly released version.

9. Adobe Premiere Pro

Adobe Premiere Pro needs to be mentioned whether you like this software or not. We can’t deny it is a great video editor on Windows. In fact, it has the largest number of users on Windows. With Premiere Rush, Adobe Premiere Pro has had a big update recently. It is the leading product for editing 8K videos. You can also use Rush to edit video on your phone and import it to your PC to have further advanced editing if needed.

Adobe Premiere Pro

After checking so many video editing software, I’ve summarized the main features of each video editor listed above. Hope that will help you pick up the best Final Cut Pro for Windows alternatives.

Supported OS Supported Format Video Effects Share to YouTube Easy to Use
Filmora Win/Mac MPEG-1/2,MPEG-4… Y Y Y
Avidemux Win/Mac/Linux/PC-BSD AVI,DVD,MP4,ASF… N N Y
VirtualDub Win MPEG-1,AVI… N N Y
Cyberlink PowerDirector 365 Win AVI,WMV,MOV… Y N N
Video Toolbox Win 3GP,AMV,ASF,AVI… N N Y
Format Factory Win wmv,asf… N N Y
Movica Win wmv,MPEG… N N Y
VEGAS PRO 17 Win WMV,FLV… Y N Y
Adobe Premiere Pro Win/Mac AVI,3GP,SWF… Y N N

Final Thoughts

After listing the above alternatives to Final Cut Pro X, and factors to help you make your decision, you can come up with the best common features and benefits you need the most for your video editing projects.

If you are a beginner and looking to use free video editing software, we highly recommend using ShotCut. This tool is very easy to use, and at the same time has been used widely by professionals, you can definitely start with this software.

If you already have experience in video editing and looking for free or low-budget software to finish your projects, then you can get Lightworks or the Pro version. This software is amazing and was used widely in the professional video editing market that is considered one of the most important alternatives to Final Cut Pro X.

Maybe you are a beginner and don’t mind paying a reasonable price to buy video editing software, in this case, Filmora just fits your needs. It won’t cost you much as a beginner and its friendly user interface will let you edit your videos smoothly with no complicated features like those found in other video editing software. Click the links below to have a try![Download Win Version](https://images.wondershare.com/filmora/guide/download-btn-win.jpg) Download Mac Version

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Liza Brown

Liza Brown is a writer and a lover of all things video.

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Also read:

  • Title: New 2024 Approved Free M4A Editor Software Top 5 Options
  • Author: Isabella
  • Created at : 2024-06-24 09:06:53
  • Updated at : 2024-06-25 09:06:53
  • Link: https://video-creation-software.techidaily.com/new-2024-approved-free-m4a-editor-software-top-5-options/
  • License: This work is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.
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New 2024 Approved Free M4A Editor Software Top 5 Options