VideoLAN, a project and a non-profit organization.

: Widely considered the best free starting point. It offers advanced "proper" features like auto-captions , background removal , and keyframe animations without a steep learning curve.

: The ability to layer video, audio, and text independently. emature

: Essential for fixing exposure, contrast, or white balance in poorly shot footage. : Widely considered the best free starting point

If you are looking for a "proper feature" set to get started, these platforms are highly recommended for their balance of power and ease of use: emature

Regardless of the software you choose, a professional-quality edit usually requires these core features: