Discover the Best Free YouTube Tools for Video Creators

You don’t have to spend a lot of money on tools if you just want to start a YouTube channel or upgrade your content.  There are a lot of free YouTube tools that can help you with everything from editing and optimizing your videos to making eye-catching images and growing your channel.

We’ll look at some of the best free tools for creators that will help you make movies, make them better, and get the word out about them without spending a lot of money.

Best Free YouTube Tools for Video Editing

Editing is a very important part of making YouTube content.  The right editing tools can make your movies look like they were made by a pro, whether you’re cutting clips, adding effects, or changing the sound.  Luckily, you can do that with a number of free tools that don’t skimp on quality.

1. DaVinci Resolve

One of the most powerful free YouTube tools out there is DaVinci Resolve. It offers a professional suite of editing features, including color grading, motion graphics, and multi-track editing. It’s perfect for creators who want to create high-quality videos with more advanced features.

• Pros:
  • Professional-grade color correction and editing tools
  • Multi-track timeline for complex projects
  • Available on Windows, Mac, and Linux
• Cons:
  • Slightly difficult for beginners to master
  • Requires a high-performance computer

2. HitFilm Express

Another solid free option is HitFilm Express. It combines video editing with visual effects, giving creators the ability to create stunning content with cinematic effects. Plus, it comes with a library of free tutorials, so you can quickly get up to speed.

• Pros:
  • Includes advanced visual effects and transitions
  • Great for creators looking to add more style and flair
  • Free tutorials and resources available
• Cons:
  • Can be a bit heavy on your computer’s resources
  • Some advanced features are only available in the paid version

3. Shotcut

For those who want a simple, no-fuss video editor, Shotcut is a great option. It’s an open-source software with a clean interface, and it supports a wide variety of video formats. While it lacks some advanced features, it covers the essentials well enough for most beginner and intermediate creators.

• Pros:
  • Simple, user-friendly interface
  • Wide support for video formats
  • Completely free with no watermarks
• Cons:
  • Lacks some advanced editing features
  • The interface can feel a bit outdated

How to Optimize Your YouTube Videos for Free

Once you’re done editing your videos, the next important thing is to make sure they get to the right people.  Video optimization is important if you want people to be able to find your content. There are a lot of free tools on YouTube that can help you improve your SEO and grow your channel.

1. TubeBuddy

TubeBuddy is a browser extension designed to streamline your YouTube management. It offers a variety of free features that make optimizing your content a breeze. With tools like keyword research, tag suggestions, and thumbnail generators, TubeBuddy can help ensure your videos rank higher in search results.

• Pros:
  • In-depth keyword research to help you rank higher
  • Tag suggestions and SEO tools
  • Built-in thumbnail generator
• Cons:
  • Some features are only available with a paid subscription

2. vidIQ

Similar to TubeBuddy, vidIQ is another tool that can help with video optimization. It provides keyword research tools, SEO analysis, and competitor tracking, which is useful for analyzing what works in your niche. The free version offers most of the features you need to get started.

• Pros:
  • SEO tools for improving your video rankings
  • Access to video analytics and competitor insights
  • Keyword research and trending topics
• Cons:
  • Limited features in the free version
  • More advanced features locked behind a paid plan

3. Google Trends

Google Trends is a fantastic free tool that can help you identify trending topics or search terms relevant to your content. By integrating these trends into your video titles, descriptions, and tags, you can improve your video’s discoverability on YouTube.

• Pros:
  • Real-time data on trending topics
  • Free to use with no limitations
  • Helps you tap into what’s popular in your niche
• Cons:
  • Doesn’t provide specific YouTube-related search volume data

Free Tools to Grow Your YouTube Channel

As your content gets better, you’ll want to grow your channel by getting more users and members.  You can keep track of your growth and promote your videos with a number of free tools.

1. Canva for Thumbnails

Creating engaging thumbnails is key to getting people to click on your videos. Canva offers a free, easy-to-use tool that allows you to design custom thumbnails with pre-made templates. It’s perfect for creators who want professional-looking thumbnails without having to hire a designer.

• Pros:
  • Easy drag-and-drop design
  • Pre-made thumbnail templates
  • No design experience required
• Cons:
  • Some features are locked behind a paid plan

2. Social Blade

Tracking your progress is essential for understanding what’s working and what’s not. Social Blade offers a free way to track your YouTube statistics, such as subscriber count, view count, and estimated earnings. You can also compare your channel’s growth to others in your niche.

• Pros:
  • Real-time YouTube statistics and analytics
  • Easy comparison with other channels
  • Provides insight into your growth trajectory
• Cons:
  • Limited features in the free plan
  • Doesn’t provide in-depth analysis of individual videos

3. Hootsuite (for Social Media Scheduling)

Social media is a powerful tool for driving traffic to your YouTube videos. Hootsuite offers a free plan that allows you to schedule and manage posts across multiple social platforms. This can help you share your videos consistently and increase your reach on sites like Twitter and Instagram.

• Pros:
  • Schedule posts in advance
  • Manage multiple social media profiles
  • Analytics to track performance
• Cons:
  • Free plan limited to 1 user and 3 profiles

4. TubePilot

For better video optimization and data, check out TubePilot’s free YouTube channel growth tools. It’s a full platform with lots of great, free YouTube tools that are meant to help creators improve, grow, and run their channels better.   There are many tools in TubePilot that can help your channel do better. For example, you can change videos, add content, and make your SEO better.

• Pros:
  • A wide range of tools tailored specifically for YouTubers
  • AI-powered features that simplify optimization
  • Completely free with no hidden costs
• Cons:
  • Limited guidance on how to use advanced tools effectively (although tutorials are available)

Must-Have Free YouTube Tools for Thumbnail Creation

Thumbnails are one of the most important elements of YouTube videos—they can make the difference between someone clicking your video or scrolling past it. Luckily, several free tools can help you design visually appealing thumbnails that attract attention.

1. Adobe Spark

If you want a powerful yet simple tool for creating YouTube thumbnails, Adobe Spark is a great choice. It offers customizable templates, a wide range of fonts, and easy photo editing tools to help you design thumbnails that stand out.

• Pros:
  • Simple interface for beginners
  • Customizable thumbnail templates
  • Free version available with basic features
• Cons:
  • More advanced features are part of the paid version

2. Fotor

Fotor is another excellent tool for creating professional-looking thumbnails. It provides powerful photo editing tools, templates, and an intuitive design process, perfect for creators who want to make their videos look more polished.

• Pros:
  • Powerful editing tools for photos
  • Tons of templates for easy thumbnail creation
  • Free to use with basic features
• Cons:
  • Some features require a paid plan

3. PicMonkey

PicMonkey is an online design tool that offers everything you need to create eye-catching thumbnails. It’s perfect for beginners, with a simple drag-and-drop interface and lots of customizable options.

• Pros:
  • Wide range of templates and design features
  • Easy-to-use interface
  • Great for beginners
• Cons:
  • Some advanced features are only available on the paid plan

Wrapping It Up

You can use free YouTube tools to change videos, improve your channel’s performance, and make it grow without spending any money.  While editing tools like DaVinci Resolve and Canva are great, TubePilot is even better because it has SEO tools, video analytics, and content creation tools all in one place, and it’s all free.  You can improve the quality, management, and growth of your YouTube page with these tools.

Are you ready to improve your YouTube game with these must-have free tools?