Both Windows 10 and Xbox have the worst video editing tools on the face of the Earth. Maybe even in the history of the universe. There are primitive alien species on a hitherto undiscovered planet — aliens who have yet to master the art of firecraft — who yet still have better video editing tools than Windows. Alas, that could be about to change, thanks to Clipchamp.
Clipchamp is a web-based video editing suite used by companies large and small to quickly and easily build professional-looking clips. It has a free trial, but typically costs $9 per month for 720p videos. It's a tad expensive, but there's every reason to believe Microsoft will probably roll it into Microsoft 365 or Xbox Game Pass, given how utterly desperate Windows and Xbox are to get vaguely decent video editing capabilities.
Indeed, in comments on the announcement blog, Chris Pratley from the Office group at Microsoft heavily implied that Clipchamp will head to the Microsoft 365 subscription service.
As a web app that uses the full power of your PC, Clipchamp is a natural fit to extend the cloud-powered productivity experiences in Microsoft 365 for individuals, families, schools, and businesses. It's also a great fit for Microsoft Windows, which is a platform for boundless creativity. Whether you are editing game clips, making a school project, putting together a memory of your kids, or assembling the next indie short, Clipchamp and Microsoft will help you express yourself through the emotional power of video. If you are already a Clipchamp user, it's all going to get better with more options, more power, and the easy creation experience you love.
Xbox used to have a semi-decent video editing tool called Upload Studio, which was shuttered after years of neglect. Windows itself has long struggled to come up with a decent competitor to what Apple's MacOS offers, with many Mac users citing exclusive tools like Final Cut as a primary reason they avoid Windows.
Microsoft is updating the Photos app for Windows 11, but its current video editing features are truly abysmal. Lack of multi-track layering, poor performance, weak features and tools, and crash-frequency makes it difficult to use for anything but the lightest trimming and composition. I get better free video editing tools on my Samsung phone right now, which is both hilarious and sad. Thankfully, this new partnership with Clipchamp may finally solve one of Windows' biggest weaknesses in the social media age, where youngsters are growing up with creative video tools like Snapchat and Tiktok as a standard part of socializing and expression.
For Windows to be so far behind the curve has been frustrating, but the acquisition of Clipchamp could prove a big boost for Microsoft's efforts in this space.
