Wondershare Filmora: the complete guide

Wondershare Filmora is one of the most appreciated video editing software, designed both for beginners and those who want to create professional-quality videos without a complex learning curve. In this updated guide you will find all the main features, steps to get started, pros and cons, pricing, best alternatives, and FAQs. Whether you want to edit a video for YouTube, social media, or business projects, Filmora offers a powerful and accessible solution for everyone.
Table of Contents

Main features of Wondershare Filmora

Intuitive drag & drop interface – Filmora stands out for its clean and simple interface, perfect for beginners. You can import videos, photos, and audio by simply dragging them onto the timeline, cutting, merging, moving clips, and inserting transitions with just a few clicks. The real-time preview allows you to see every change instantly. Professional video effects and transitions – The software offers hundreds of video effects, filters, LUTs, animated titles, stickers, and ready-to-use transitions. You can create dynamic and engaging videos for social media, vlogs, presentations, or commercials without needing to download external plugins. Effects can be applied with a single click and customized to suit your project. Advanced audio editing and royalty-free music – Besides video, Filmora includes a complete audio suite: you can adjust volume, remove noise, add fades, synchronize audio with music or voice, apply equalizers, and choose from hundreds of free music tracks and sound effects to enrich your videos. AI tools for video and audio – The latest versions of Filmora introduce tools based on artificial intelligence such as automatic scene recognition, noise removal, automatic subtitle generation, AI background removal, video quality enhancement, and intelligent music synchronization. Screen, webcam, and voice-over recording – Filmora allows you to record your desktop, webcam, and microphone audio, ideal for tutorials, online courses, and gameplay. You can combine multiple recordings, add picture-in-picture effects, and create professional videos in minutes. Flexible export options – Filmora supports export in 4K, various video formats (MP4, MOV, AVI, MKV, GIF), presets for YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Vimeo, and also allows direct uploads to social platforms. You can choose quality, compression, and resolution based on your needs. Templates, titles, and stock media – Besides predefined templates, Filmora includes a library of stock footage, images, videos, and professional animated titles that you can freely use to make your projects unique. In summary, Filmora offers all the essential tools for modern video editing with a very low learning curve, making it ideal for content creators, businesses, educators, and anyone wanting to produce impactful videos quickly. wondershare: the complete guide

Step-by-step guide: how to use Filmora

Download and installation – Go to the official Wondershare Filmora website (filmora.wondershare.com/it) and download the Windows or Mac version. Installation is guided and quick. After installation, you can try the free version (with watermark) or activate the paid license. Create a new project – Launch Filmora, click on New Project, and choose the basic settings (format, resolution, frame rate). Import your media files by dragging them into the library, or use included stock videos. Editing video on the timeline – Drag clips onto the timeline at the bottom. You can cut, split, move, speed up/slow down, zoom in and apply transitions between clips. Every change is visible in real time in the preview. Add effects, titles and audio – Click on the Effects, Transitions, Titles, or Audio sections to browse the library and drag what you want onto the timeline or directly onto a clip. Customize texts, colors, position and duration of added elements. Audio editing and synchronization – You can add voice-over, edit soundtracks, sync music to video highlights, and use AI to automatically enhance audio. Preview and correction – Review your project using full-screen preview. If needed, apply color grading, video stabilization, or delete unwanted parts. Video export – When satisfied, click Export, choose the format, quality and destination (local file or direct upload to YouTube, Vimeo, etc). The free version adds a watermark; paid license exports watermark-free videos. Filmora also includes video tutorials and step-by-step guides to help you discover all features. You can create a professional video ready for publication in just a few minutes.

Pros and cons of Wondershare Filmora

Pros

Ease of use – The intuitive interface and drag & drop features make it perfect even for those with no video editing experience. Extensive library of effects and titles – Hundreds of effects, templates, and transitions included at no extra cost. AI tools and frequent updates – Filmora is regularly updated with new AI-based functions and modern tools. Cross-platform compatibility – Available on Windows, Mac, and also a mobile version (FilmoraGo) for Android/iOS. Competitive pricing – Annual or perpetual license much cheaper than professional suites. Support and community – Tutorials, video guides, chat/email support, and online forums.

Cons

Watermark in free version – All videos exported without a license show the Filmora logo. Fewer advanced features compared to professional software – Not designed for cinema or advanced productions; lacks advanced color grading or professional 3D effects. Performance on heavy projects – 4K videos or very long projects may cause slowdowns, especially on older PCs. Some premium effects require separate purchase – The standard library is large, but some effect packs are paid extras. In summary, Filmora is perfect for 90% of users who want to edit quality videos without complications and expensive software.

Pricing and available plans

Free – €0/month: allows use of all basic functions but adds watermark to exported videos. Great for testing or small non-commercial projects. Annual Subscription – About €49.99/year. Unlocks all features, removes watermark, includes updates and priority support. Perpetual License – About €79.99 one-time payment. Offers unlimited use of the purchased version but future updates may be paid. Team/Business Plan – Custom offers available for companies, schools, universities and teams with multiple licenses, collaborative features, and centralized management. Promotions and effect packs – Filmora often offers seasonal promotions, extra effect packs, and discounts for students/educators. You can download Filmora for free and decide whether to purchase a license after the trial. It's recommended to always evaluate which plan best fits your needs: the free version is fine for testing, while the annual license offers the best value for continuous use.

Alternatives to Wondershare Filmora

DaVinci Resolve – A free and professional video editing software with advanced tools for color grading, effects, and audio. More complex, but no watermark. Adobe Premiere Pro – Industry standard used by professionals and companies. Offers extremely advanced tools but requires subscription and higher skills. Final Cut Pro – Top choice for Mac users. High performance and advanced features, but higher price. Movavi Video Editor – User-friendly alternative similar to Filmora, with many features and affordable license. Shotcut and OpenShot – Open source video editors, free, cross-platform, ideal for those who want a completely free alternative with no watermark. The choice depends on your needs: if you want simplicity and speed, Filmora and Movavi are best; for advanced features, go for DaVinci, Premiere or Final Cut.

FAQ on Wondershare Filmora

Is Wondershare Filmora suitable for beginners?

Absolutely yes: Filmora is designed to be simple, with integrated tutorials and guides. Anyone can start editing videos in a few minutes.

Does Filmora leave a watermark on exported videos?

Yes, the free version applies a watermark on videos. You just need to purchase a license to export without logo.

What types of effects and titles does Filmora offer?

It offers hundreds of effects, filters, titles, animated templates, transitions and a growing library. Some premium effects require additional purchases.

Does Filmora work on Mac and Windows?

Yes, the program is cross-platform and identical on both systems.

How much does Filmora cost?

Annual license around €49.99/year, or perpetual license €79.99 one-time. Offers and discounts available.

Does Filmora integrate AI?

Yes, it includes AI for video/audio enhancement, automatic subtitles, music synchronization, background removal and more.


Author
Nicolò Caiti
I made MarTech my profession. I deal with artificial intelligence applied to digital marketing. On this blog, I analyze how AI is transforming the sector: improving web performance, optimizing digital strategies and speeding up everyone's work. With years of experience in marketing automation and managing advanced customer journeys, I share practical insights, case studies and best practices to help everyone make the most of AI's potential in their work. I hope you can find the answers you are looking for!