The editing software you use can make or break your creative process; not all tools live up to their expectations. Some editing software can easily turn your dream projects into nightmares, from frequent crashes to frustrating interfaces and outdated features.
Whether you’re a budding content creator or an experienced professional, coming across unreliable tools wastes precious time and stifles creativity. In this blog, we talk about some of the worst editing software in the market that you should avoid at all costs. From clunky designs to hidden paywalls, these programs are more headache than worth it. Save yourself the frustration and read on!
Worst Editing Software
1. Windows Movie Maker
Once heralded as the beginner’s editing tool, Windows Movie Maker has become synonymous with outdated technology and frustration. While a staple of early video editing in the 2000s, the simplistic interface and limited capabilities made it unsuitable for anything beyond basic home movies. Think of it as the flip phone in a smartphone world-functional but frustratingly outpaced by modern demands.
But what really sealed Windows Movie Maker’s fate was instability. Users reported that the software would crash mid-project, wasting all their hard work. It has not been updated since 2017, and this clearly should be on the relic list in the graveyard of video editing software.
Compatibility issues, especially with newer formats such as MP4, further plagued this software. Many editors found themselves converting files endlessly just to get them to work. For anyone who wanted to add a smidge of creativity, filters, transitions, or effects options were laughably limited.
2. iMovie
Apple’s iMovie has a polished reputation among Mac users for free editing software. Still, it feels like a shiny wrapper on an empty box to many. While the drag-and-drop simplicity of iMovie is great for first-timers, it quickly falls short for anyone hoping to do more than piece together family vacation clips.
One of iMovie’s most glaring flaws is its lack of depth. The software offers only two video tracks, making multi-layered edits or advanced effects nearly impossible. And if you’re dreaming of complex transitions or dynamic titles, prepare to lower your expectations. You’re locked into iMovie’s limited library of pre-made templates.
And then, of course, there is performance. While Mac users love the seamless integration offered by iMovie, it is known to be horribly slow on older devices. Rendering a high-resolution video can turn even the sleekest MacBook into an overheated, fan-whirring beast.
For those tempted to try iMovie, this way: whereas it’s fine for complete beginners. Yes, Final Cut Pro and Premiere Pro cost money, but they save you from all the headaches of using too basic an editing tool when you want to create some real magic.
3. GIMP
At first glance, GIMP seems like the perfect Photoshop alternative:: free, open-source, and packing a full feature set. But as many users have learned, “free” often comes with its own price—in this case, in usability and sanity.
The most immediate frustration with GIMP is the learning curve. Whereas Photoshop has intuitive tools and an organized layout, GIMP’s interface feels like it was designed by someone who almost understood user experience. The endless, cluttered menus can make you wonder whether you are editing photos or trying to decipher ancient hieroglyphs.
Then, there’s the performance; GIMP tends to lag, particularly with big files or heavier editing. This will not work for photographers or designers who must observe tight deadlines. Its brush tools are often reported to be imprecise, making such tasks as retouching or creating clean edges a chore.
Let’s not forget compatibility. GIMP struggles with handling certain file types, and its inability to process CMYK natively makes it unsuitable for professional printing. Combine this with minimal customer support, leaving you with an editor that feels more like a DIY project than a reliable tool.
4. OpenShot
On paper, OpenShot is the holy grail of video editors: open-source, free, and full of features. However, this reality quickly turns into a frustrating nightmare that most users regret even downloading onto their computer. That ease of access and all-around versatility utterly fail in execution.
However, the biggest complaint about OpenShot is that it’s prone to random crashes. Imagine spending hours perfecting your video timeline only for the software to freeze and force a restart. While auto-save might rescue some progress, the constant instability leaves users walking on eggshells. For software designed to “simplify video editing,” OpenShot adds unnecessary stress.
But the problems don’t stop there. OpenShot tends to choke on big files, grinding to a crawl or churning out glitch-ridden videos. The interface, though deceptively basic in appearance, is surprisingly rough around the edges. Most users have called it “confusing,” with simple tools tucked away in unintuitive menus.
It also still lags behind its competitors in terms of advanced features. Want custom transitions or professional-grade effects? Look elsewhere. Its rendering speeds are abysmally slow, making exporting a real test of patience.
While OpenShot’s free price tag is certainly attractive to a beginning editor, the frustration it delivers simply isn’t worth the savings. With free options like Shotcut or DaVinci Resolve that easily outshine this, OpenShot quickly earns its reputation as one of the worst editing options available.
5. Kdenlive
Kdenlive, from the KDE desktop, touts itself as a “robust, free, open-source video editor for hobbyists and professionals.” While that may be so, its powerful customization options and high-end tools all come with a price frustration. For most users, Kdenlive is an untidy mess and often feels like a beta test rather than a workable editor.
The most daring problem with it is that it is unstable. Frequent crashes, where an entire project gets wiped out quickly, are frequent complaints. The program’s auto-save feature aims to alleviate this problem, but that, too, can be spotty.
Another drawback is its cluttered interface. While it boasts extensive customization, many options can overwhelm new users. Navigating its settings feels like a scavenger hunt, detracting from actual editing. Its steep learning curve is a deterrent for anyone without a background in video production.
Even the most advanced editors get frustrated with Kdenlive’s erratic performance. This software often huffs and chugs with more demanding projects, from lagging previews to slow rendering speeds. Users who want precision fight an editor that feels clunky and outdated.
6. Lightworks Free
At first, Lightworks Free might appear to be a great opportunity to use industry-standard software without spending a dime. Marketing touts its role in editing Hollywood films like The Wolf of Wall Street. But dig a little deeper, and you’ll realize that Lightworks Free is just a watered-down version of its professional counterpart, replete with restrictions and a frustrating user experience.
The most notable limitation is its export cap of 720p. This restriction feels archaic in a world where 4K is becoming the norm. Even casual users looking to upload HD content to YouTube will find this limitation stifling. The frequent nudges toward upgrading to the paid version add an irritating “freemium” feel to the application.
It is a little more friendly to beginners, either. Its interface is powerful yet complex and unintuitive, often with basic tools out of view. Its steep learning curve will be scary for nonprofessional editors, which definitely reduces its appeal to average users.
Performance issues further tarnish its reputation. Lagging timelines, slow rendering speeds, and occasional crashes make it clear that it falls short of its professional promises. For anyone serious about editing, alternatives like DaVinci Resolve or Adobe Premiere Rush deliver far better results without such severe limitations.
7. Shotcut
Shotcut is a free, open-source video editor that promises simplicity and functionality. Unfortunately, many users regret the download after experiencing its clunky interface and frequent crashes. While it offers decent features on paper, the execution often leaves much to be desired.
The first problem? Stability. Shotcut is known to freeze or crash, especially on larger files or when multiple effects are applied. It’s not uncommon to lose hours of progress because it suddenly freezes on you; that makes the editing process a lot more like a gamble than a creative process.
It interface is another sticking point. While its minimalist design might appeal to some, it often feels unpolished and unintuitive. Features are scattered across menus that seem designed to confuse rather than assist. Beginners, in particular, may find themselves frustrated by the lack of guidance.
Those who would like to perform advanced edits will also find Shotcut unsatisfactory. It has some basic transitions and effects, but it seriously lags behind the features of Filmora or DaVinci Resolve. Rendering is painfully slow, and performance lags make even simple edits a chore.
8. Avidemux
If you want a real bare-bones video editor, then Avidemux might catch your eye. Unfortunately, extreme simplicity often morphs into frustration, earning it a place in the list of worst editing softwares. Designed to handle light work like cutting and encoding, it is more utility-like than creative editing software.
First, there is a decided lack of features. Without transitions, no effects, and no timeline, most users would consider those basic requirements. That leaves its use for the simplest tasks: trimming clips or converting file formats. For anyone wanting to do more than the bare minimum, it is a dead end.
Another sore point is the interface: navigating the software with its outdated design and not-so-intuitive layout becomes annoying. Even advanced editors will be frustrated with the clunky controls and the lack of hotkeys for certain functions.
To add to the frustration, some stability issues also arise. It struggles with bigger files, and the sluggish performance usually makes users wait far longer than they should. While it might appeal to absolute beginners, the functionality is so limited that it drives most users to look elsewhere fairly quickly.
Ultimately, Avidemux is hard to recommend even for the simplest editing tasks due to a lack of features and outdated design.
Conclusion
While the above-mentioned editing software may suffice for basic needs, it has been criticized for a number of reasons, from a lack of features and stability to poor usability. It is important to analyze your needs and invest in more robust and reliable editing software to ensure the editing process is easier and more efficient.