- What the free version of Filmora includes
- Free Filmora vs paid plans
- The catch: watermarks, and a device-specific perpetual licence
- How to try Filmora for free
- Subscription or perpetual: how Wondershare describes them
- Is the free version worth installing?
- Before you pay for Filmora: a quick checklist
- My advice
- Frequently asked questions
Filmora is free to download and use, and Wondershare says the free edition includes all of Filmora's basic editing features. The catch is that watermarks are added to videos you export from the free version, so for anything you publish for your business, you'll need a paid plan.
Filmora is a popular choice for small business owners who want something easier than professional editing software. The free version is a good way to find out if you like it, but it isn't a free editor for finished videos. Here's what's included and what changes when you pay.
What the free version of Filmora includes
- All of Filmora's basic editing features, according to Wondershare's own FAQ
- The ability to export your videos
- Windows and Mac versions to download and try
What it doesn't include is just as important. Wondershare says Filmora Cloud Storage and the full library of Filmora Creative Assets are only available when you upgrade your plan.
Free Filmora vs paid plans
| Free | Paid plans | |
|---|---|---|
| Basic editing tools | Yes | Yes |
| Export without watermark | No, watermarks are added | Yes |
| Filmora Creative Assets library | No | Yes, on plans that include it |
| Filmora Cloud Storage | No | Yes, 1 GB on listed plans |
| AI credits | Not listed | Included, amount varies by plan |
Wondershare runs frequent promotions on its plans, so check its pricing page for the current offer in your country before you buy.
The catch: watermarks, and a device-specific perpetual licence
The watermark is the obvious catch, and it's the reason the free version works as a trial rather than a tool. A watermarked video on your website or social channels looks unprofessional, so the free edition is best for learning the software and testing a project before you pay.
The less obvious catch is in the perpetual plan. Wondershare's FAQ says one licence covers both Mac and Windows when you buy the Basic or Advanced plan, but the perpetual plan's licence is device-specific: a Windows licence only works on Windows and a Mac licence only works on Mac. Wondershare also says perpetual plans include updates to the current major version but not upgrades to future major versions, while subscriptions include all updates and upgrades during the subscription. If you switch computers often, or plan to stay on the latest version, a subscription may suit you better.
How to try Filmora for free
- Download Filmora from Wondershare's website for Windows or Mac.
- Log in with a Wondershare ID when you first run it, which Wondershare says is how the app is activated.
- Edit a real project from start to finish, so you know whether the workflow suits you.
- Export a test video and check the watermark placement.
- If you like it, compare the subscription and perpetual plans against how you work before upgrading.
If you'd rather have an editor that's free without a watermark, I've covered whether DaVinci Resolve is free and rounded up Filmora alternatives worth trying.
Subscription or perpetual: how Wondershare describes them
Wondershare's FAQ explains the difference simply. With a subscription licence, instead of a one-time purchase, you pay a monthly or yearly fee to use Filmora as an ongoing subscription, and subscriptions include all updates and upgrades during the subscription period. A perpetual licence lets you use a specific version, with updates to that major version but not upgrades to future major versions.
For a small business that edits video every week, the subscription usually makes more sense because you get new features and the creative asset library. For someone who edits the odd video a few times a year on one computer, a perpetual licence can work out simpler. Either way, test the free version first on a real project, so you're paying for an editor you already know you like.
Is the free version worth installing?
Yes, as a trial. It gives you the full basic editing experience, so you'll know within a project or two whether Filmora's timeline, effects and AI tools suit the way you work. What you shouldn't do is plan a content calendar around the free version, because every export carries a watermark. If you need a free editor you can publish from, start with one that doesn't watermark exports instead.
Before you pay for Filmora: a quick checklist
- Edit at least one real project on the free version first.
- Decide whether you need Mac and Windows, because the perpetual licence is device-specific.
- Decide whether you want future major versions, which perpetual licences don't include.
- Check whether you'll use the Creative Assets library and Cloud Storage, which are paid features.
And if you're comparing editors, remember the real cost isn't only the plan price. It's the time you spend learning the software. That's why I'd always test the free version thoroughly first: if you're still enjoying the timeline after a full project, the paid plan is far easier to justify.
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My advice
Use the free version of Filmora as an extended trial: it's a fair way to see if the editor suits you, but don't plan to publish anything from it. If you decide to pay, think about the licence type before the price. Choose a subscription if you want Mac and Windows or the latest versions, and only go perpetual if you'll stay on one computer and one version.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a Filmora free trial?
The free version works as a trial of the editor itself, and Wondershare also lists a 7-day free Creative Assets trial on some plans.
Do I need an account to use Filmora?
Wondershare says that when you first run Filmora, you log in with a Wondershare ID to activate it.
Is Filmora free?
Filmora has a free edition with all the basic editing features, but Wondershare says watermarks are added to videos you export from it.
How do I remove the Filmora watermark?
Wondershare says exports from the free edition carry watermarks. Exporting without a watermark is a feature of its paid plans.
Does the free Filmora include stock assets?
No. Wondershare says Filmora Cloud Storage and the full library of Filmora Creative Assets are only available by upgrading your plan.
Does one Filmora licence work on Mac and Windows?
Yes for the Basic and Advanced plans. Wondershare says the perpetual plan licence is device-specific, so a Windows licence only works on Windows and a Mac licence only works on Mac.
Does the Filmora perpetual licence include upgrades?
It includes updates to the current major version, but Wondershare says it doesn't include upgrades to future major versions.
