Yes, Clipchamp is free. Microsoft says the free plan lets you work on and export as many videos as you like, in up to 1080p HD, with no watermark, as long as you sign in with a personal Microsoft account.
Clipchamp is Microsoft's browser-based video editor, and it's also built into Windows. Clipchamp doesn't stamp a logo on free exports or cap how many you can make, which is why it's worth a look for social clips, explainers and quick edits. Here's what's in the free version, what Microsoft 365 adds, and the one thing to check before you sign in.
What Clipchamp's free plan includes
Microsoft's comparison table lists these features as included on the free plan:
- Unlimited exports, so you can make and export as many videos as you want.
- Watermark-free exports in up to 1080p HD.
- AI editing tools such as AI subtitles, voiceovers and silence removal.
- AI audio editing tools, plus trim, crop, resize and rotate.
- A screen, camera and voice recorder built into the editor.
- Animated text and titles.
- Audio-only exports, handy for turning a video into a podcast clip.
- Content backup on OneDrive.
- Free stock assets and free filters and effects.
Clipchamp Free vs Premium
| Feature | Free | Premium (Microsoft 365 Personal or Family) |
|---|---|---|
| Watermark-free exports | Yes | Yes |
| Export resolution | Up to 1080p HD | Up to 4K UHD |
| AI video and audio tools | Yes | Yes |
| Screen, camera and voice recorder | Yes | Yes |
| Stock videos, images, music and sound effects | Free stock assets | Premium stock assets |
| Filters, effects and colour correction | Free filters and effects | Premium filters and effects |
| Brand kit for logos, colours and fonts | No | Single brand |
Notice what isn't in the premium column. Watermark removal and unlimited exports are already on the free plan, so you're not upgrading to get a clean file. You're upgrading for 4K, premium stock and the brand kit.
The catch: which Microsoft account you use
Clipchamp's free plan is for personal Microsoft accounts. Microsoft says you sign in with a personal Microsoft account to get started, with nothing to install. Premium features come with Microsoft 365 Personal and Family plans rather than as a separate Clipchamp plan.
Work and school accounts follow different rules. Microsoft says access to all Clipchamp premium features and AI video creation is available with a Copilot licence, so if you sign in through your employer, what you see depends on your organisation's setup rather than the free plan described here.
If you edit for clients on a work laptop, sign in with your personal account to get the free plan, or check with whoever manages your company's Microsoft 365.
Is 1080p enough?
For social clips watched on a phone, 1080p gives you a sharp, full HD file. 4K starts to matter if you're delivering footage for a TV, a large screen at an event, or a client who'll re-edit it.
If you're comparing editors before you commit, my guide to the best free video editing software for beginners sets Clipchamp against the other free options.
How to start editing in Clipchamp for free
- Open Clipchamp in your browser, or open the Clipchamp app on Windows.
- Sign in with a personal Microsoft account.
- Create a new video and drag in your own clips, images and audio, or browse the free stock library.
- Use AI subtitles or silence removal to tidy the edit.
- Export in up to 1080p. There's no watermark on the free plan.
Free stock vs premium stock
The free plan includes royalty-free videos, images, stickers, GIFs, music and sound effects from Clipchamp's free stock library. The premium library is a separate, larger set that comes with Microsoft 365 Personal and Family. If a clip or track you like sits in the premium set, you'll need the upgrade to use it, so filter for free assets while you browse.
For the editing itself, the habits that make a short video work carry across tools. My CapCut tutorial walks through cuts, captions and pacing that you can copy straight into Clipchamp.
Who Clipchamp's free plan suits
It suits business owners who need clean, captioned social clips, screen recordings and simple explainers without a learning curve. It's a weaker fit if you need 4K delivery or a locked brand kit across a team.
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Clipchamp on Windows vs in the browser
Clipchamp works in your web browser, and Microsoft also offers it as an app on Windows. The free plan is the same either way: the features in Microsoft's comparison table depend on the account you sign in with, not on where you open the editor. That makes it handy if you switch between a desktop and a laptop, because your projects are backed up to OneDrive and follow you.
Because content backup on OneDrive is included on the free plan, keep an eye on your OneDrive space if you edit a lot of long videos. Your media lives there, so clear out finished projects you no longer need.
My verdict: Clipchamp is free, and the free plan is one of the more generous ones around because exports are unlimited and watermark-free. Sign in with a personal Microsoft account, stick to free stock, and only move to Microsoft 365 if you need 4K or the brand kit.
Frequently asked questions
Is Clipchamp completely free?
Clipchamp has a free plan that lets you edit and export as many videos as you like in up to 1080p, with no watermark. Premium features such as 4K exports, premium stock and the brand kit come with Microsoft 365 Personal and Family.
Does Clipchamp's free plan add a watermark?
No. Microsoft lists watermark-free video exports as included on the free plan.
What resolution can I export on Clipchamp for free?
Up to 1080p HD. Exports in up to 4K UHD need Microsoft 365 Personal or Family.
Do I need a Microsoft account to use Clipchamp?
Yes. Microsoft says you sign in with a personal Microsoft account to get started, with nothing to install.
Does Clipchamp work with a work account?
Work accounts follow different rules. Microsoft says access to all Clipchamp premium features and AI video creation is available with a Copilot licence.
Does Clipchamp's free plan include stock footage?
Yes. Microsoft lists royalty-free videos, images, stickers, GIFs, music and sound effects from its free stock library on the free plan. The premium stock library comes with Microsoft 365 Personal and Family.
