While Chromebooks may have initially held a reputation as lightweight laptops, they’ve evolved to tackle many tasks as effectively as Windows or Mac machines, sometimes even surpassing them. However, unlike their counterparts, Chromebooks have limitations on application compatibility.
The good news? The latest Chromebooks integrate seamlessly with the Play Store, opening doors to a vast library of Android video editors. Additionally, numerous online video editing software options cater specifically to Chromebooks.
To empower you on your video editing journey, we’ve compiled a shortlist of versatile options suitable for beginners, artistic creators, professionals, and streamers. Let’s delve into these choices and find the perfect fit for your needs!
1. Eklipse: Multi-Track Editing Powerhouse for Chromebook Creators
Eklipse has a TikTok converter, and a built-in editor with features like streaming-specific templates, background music, and trimming. It can also make you a weekly highlight compilation of your best moments, which you can directly share on your social media.
Eklipse is a free, open-source video editor designed for Chromebooks with a powerful set of features. Developed by Flixify, it boasts a user-friendly interface that makes it approachable for beginners but offers enough customization options to satisfy seasoned video editors.
Key Features:
- Multi-track editing
- Advanced editing tools (trimming, cutting, splitting, merging clips)
- Customizable effects and transitions
- Support for various video and audio formats
- Hardware acceleration for smoother editing
Pros:
- Budget-friendly choice
- Powerful features rivaling professional editing software
- Regularly updated with new features and bug fixes
- Active online community for support and troubleshooting
- Hardware acceleration for improved performance on compatible Chromebooks
Cons:
- Steeper learning curve compared to simpler video editors
- Lacks some advanced features found in paid software, such as motion tracking
- May experience occasional performance issues on older Chromebooks
Pricing: Eklipse serves the free version and the Premium plan starting from $19.99 per month.
Availability: Eklipse is available on Windows and provides a mobile version.
2. PowerDirector: Feature-Rich Option for Beginners and Hobbyists
CyberLink’s PowerDirector for Chromebook is a powerful yet surprisingly user-friendly option for Chromebook users who want a feature-rich editing experience. It streamlines the editing process with intuitive tools and pre-made templates, allowing you to create professional-looking videos without a steep learning curve.
No wonder it was on the Google Editor’s Choice list. Whether you are a beginner or a professional editor, you can use PowerDirector to edit videos conveniently on your Chromebook.
Key Features:
- Easy-to-use drag-and-drop interface
- Pre-made templates
- Built-in effects, transitions, and title-creation tools
- Support for 4K video editing (availability depends on Chromebook model)
- Integration with stock photo and video libraries
Pros:
- User-friendly interface with clear instructions and tutorials
- Wide range of features to create professional-looking videos
- Integrates with stock media libraries for easy access to creative assets
- Offers cloud storage for saving and accessing projects across devices
- Supports 4K editing for high-resolution results
Cons:
- The free version comes with limited features and watermarks on exported videos
- A paid subscription is required to unlock its full potential and remove watermarks
- Limited customization options compared to advanced video editors
Pricing: PowerDirector serves the free version and the Premium plan starting from $4.33 per month.
Availability: PowerDirector is available on Windows and provides a MAC version.
3. Adobe Express: Effortless Video Editing for Quick Creations
Adobe Express is a streamlined video editor offered as part of the Adobe Creative Cloud Express suite. Designed with social media and quick video creation in mind, it offers a user-friendly interface with built-in templates, royalty-free music and stock photos, and intuitive editing tools.
Besides Adobe Acrobat, Adobe Express is the only Adobe software available online, for mobile and Chromebook. Adobe Express is a great software for artists and designers who are mostly Adobe subscribers for career/passion reasons. It has millions of templates to choose from and you can make art and content unique to you for your socials and more.
Key Features:
- Drag-and-drop editing
- Extensive library of royalty-free creative assets
- Pre-designed templates
- Easy-to-use editing tools
- Social media optimization features
Pros:
- Incredibly easy to use, perfect for beginners and social media content creators
- A vast library of royalty-free creative assets to boost your productivity
- Integrates with other Adobe Creative Cloud Express apps for a streamlined creative workflow (paid subscription required)
- Offers social media optimization tools for easy sharing across platforms
- Free plan available for basic editing needs
Cons:
- Lacks advanced editing features found in professional video editing software
- Limited customization options compared to more powerful editors
- The free plan has limitations on export quality and includes a watermark
Pricing: Adobe Express serves the free version and the Premium plan starting from $9.99 per month.
Availability: Adobe Express can be used on the web or mobile device.
4. OpenShot: Master Layered Editing & Effects
OpenShot is a free, open-source video editor available for Chromebook users through Linux installations. While requiring a bit more setup compared to web-based options, it offers a robust suite of features and a user-friendly interface that makes it ideal for beginners and hobbyists looking for a powerful, free editing solution.
For those who might be a student or an “open-source enthusiast,” OpenShot can be your pick. Since it’s open-source software, it means that OpenShot is free software that is developed by the community.
Key Features:
- Timeline editing
- Layered tracks
- Extensive library of video effects and transitions
- Support for various video and audio formats
- Real-time previews
Pros:
- Completely free and open-source, making it a great choice for budget-conscious creators
- Offers a good balance of powerful features and user-friendliness
- Extensive library of effects and transitions for creative video editing
- Active online community for support and troubleshooting
- Works well for both beginners and hobbyists looking for more advanced features
Cons:
- Requires installing the Linux subsystem on your Chromebook, adding an extra setup step
- May not be as beginner-friendly as web-based editors like Kapwing
- Lacks some advanced features found in professional video editing software
Pricing: OpenShot serves the free version and the Premium version starting from $5.00 per month.
Availability: Chromebook users through Linux installations.
5. Kapwing: Best for Collaborative Online Video Editing for Everyone
Kapwing caters to a wide range of users, from casual video creators and social media enthusiasts to businesses and educators who need a collaborative online editing platform.
Its strength lies in its accessibility and ease of use, allowing anyone to jump in and start creating videos quickly. The collaborative features enable multiple users to work on the same project simultaneously, making it ideal for team projects.
Key Features:
- Web-based interface
- Intuitive editing tools
- Extensive library of templates and pre-made content
- Collaboration features
- Integration with cloud storage services
Pros:
- Incredibly easy to use, perfect for beginners and casual content creators
- Web-based platform eliminates the need for software downloads
- Extensive library of templates and pre-made content for quick video creation
- Collaboration features enable teamwork on video projects (with a paid subscription)
- Integrates with popular cloud storage services for seamless workflow
Cons:
- Lacks advanced editing features found in professional video editing software
- Limited customization options compared to more powerful editors
- The free plan restricts export quality and includes a watermark on exported videos
Pricing: Kapwing serves the free version and the Premium plan starting from $16.00 per month.
Availability: Web-based platform accessible through any web browser.
More on Eklipse Blog >>> Top 10 Kapwing Alternatives You Need To Try In 2024
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, this list has explored a range of video editing options to empower Chromebook users to choose the perfect tool for their needs. Whether you’re a beginner seeking an intuitive interface with social media-friendly features, or a hobbyist craving a free, powerful editing suite, there’s a Chromebook video editor out there to match your goals. Consider factors like your experience level, desired features, and budget when making your choice.
For those prioritizing a user-friendly approach, PowerDirector and Adobe Express are good choices. While OpenShot and Kapwing cater to a broader audience, they are ideal for beginners and hobbyists who want to explore powerful editing tools without breaking the bank.
So, if you’re a Chromebook user on the hunt for an advanced video editor, look no further than try Eklipse for free and experience the impressive power of AI editing. Don’t miss out—sign up now!
