Editing 360-degree video used to require expensive tools, proprietary stitching software, and powerful hardware. Over the years, as immersive content matured and 360 cameras became mainstream, the ecosystem of free tools expanded dramatically. Today, creators have access to a surprisingly rich selection of software—ranging from simple reframing apps to full-fledged editing suites capable of handling VR timelines, equirectangular footage, spatial audio, and complex 360/VR workflows.
This guide explores the most effective free options available in 2025, including their strengths, limitations, supported cameras, and best-fit use-cases. Whether you’re shooting with Insta360, GoPro MAX, DJI Osmo 360, Ricoh Theta, or custom rigs, you’ll find a tool here that fits your workflow.
1. Insta360 Studio (Free Desktop Software)
Platforms: macOS, Windows
Best for: Insta360 users (X3, X4/X4 Air, X5, ONE RS), reframing, stabilization, fast batch editing
Insta360 Studio is one of the best free 360-editing programs available today—not because it’s universal, but because it’s extremely refined for the cameras it supports. It handles stabilization (FlowState), horizon leveling, keyframing for reframes, speed ramps, time-shift edits, motion tracking, and batch exports with minimal effort.
Key Advantages
- Outstanding video stabilization that is baked directly into metadata.
- One of the easiest ways to reframe 360 video into 16:9, 9:16, and 1:1 formats.
- Good color profiles and AI-powered corrections (depending on camera model).
- Supports high-resolution 360 footage up to 8K efficiently.
Limitations
- Only works with Insta360 footage or files pre-stitched by the app.
- Not ideal for multi-camera timelines or complex VR projects.
Who should use it: Anyone with an Insta360 camera. The software is free, powerful, and significantly improves workflow speed.
2. GoPro Player / GoPro FX Reframe (Free)
Platforms: macOS, Windows
Best for: GoPro MAX / MAX 2 users, quick reframing, stabilization, exporting
GoPro Player is the modern equivalent of GoPro Fusion Studio, now re-architected for the MAX and MAX 2 generation. It includes:
- HyperSmooth stabilization
- Keyframing for reframing
- Horizon lock
- Export tools
- Speed adjustments
For quick edits or for preparing files before bringing them into a full editor, GoPro Player is the natural first step.
Advantages
- High-quality processing, clean reframing tools
- Accurate stitching for GoPro lenses
- Works seamlessly with 360 footage shot via GoPro MAX or MAX 2
Limitations
- Very limited when compared to full editors (no complex timeline editing)
- Primarily supports GoPro formats
Use it if: You shoot GoPro 360 footage and need fast stabilization/reframes before final editing.
3. DJI Mimo / LightCut (Free with DJI Cameras)
Platforms: Windows, macOS, Android, iOS
Best for: DJI Osmo 360
LightCut and DJI Mimo together form DJI’s editing ecosystem. Although more mobile-focused, the software provides:
- Auto-stitching for dual-lens 360 videos
- Reframing tools
- Templates and auto-edits
- Quick export for social formats
- Basic color controls
Not as powerful as Insta360 Studio, but perfectly functional for users with DJI 360 cameras.
Advantages
- Free and tightly integrated with DJI cameras
- Solid color rendering
- Easy-to-use automatic editing
Limitations
- Less control than Insta360 Studio
- Limited desktop functionality compared to pro tools
Use it if: You want a lightweight tool to edit Osmo 360 footage without cost.
4. DaVinci Resolve (Free Version)
(The most powerful free editor with 360 support)
Platforms: macOS, Windows, Linux
Best for: Intermediate and advanced editors; VR creators; cinematic 360 storytelling
DaVinci Resolve is arguably the most capable free editor in the world today—and it supports 360/VR material natively. Resolve handles:
- 360 stabilization
- 360-aware transitions
- 360 text and titles
- Equirectangular timelines
- Multi-camera VR workflows
- Color grading for immersive video
- Spatial audio (via Fairlight)
The “Fusion” module supports advanced spatial effects, 360 visual effects, and VR-aware tools.
Advantages
- The only truly professional, free 360 editor
- Best-in-class color grading tools
- High-performance GPU acceleration
- Works with 5.7K, 6K, and 8K 360 timelines
Limitations
- Steeper learning curve
- Free version lacks some advanced VR plugins available in Studio
- Hardware-intensive
Use it if: You want to create cinematic, polished 360 films or advanced reframed edits and don’t mind learning pro software.
5. Blender (Free, Open Source)
Platforms: macOS, Windows, Linux
Best for: VR compositing, 3D/CGI mixed with 360 footage, custom workflows
Blender is not a video editor per se—though it does contain a functional editor—but it shines for creators who want to mix 360 footage with:
- 3D elements
- Virtual sets
- Motion tracking
- Compositing
- VR animations
Its Eevee and Cycles renderers support equirectangular projection, letting you output full 360° content.
Advantages
- Fully free and open-source
- Extremely powerful for VR and 360 effects
- Great for hybrid 3D + real footage projects
Limitations
- Not ideal for simple video edits
- Requires technical experience
Use it if: You want to build complex immersive environments or integrate CGI into your 360 footage.
6. HitFilm (Free Version)
(Partial 360 support)
Platforms: Windows, macOS
Best for: Creators wanting Hollywood-style VFX and some 360 support
HitFilm’s free version allows:
- Basic 360 compositing
- 360 transitions
- 360 text
- 360-aware effects
It’s less complete than DaVinci Resolve for VR, but easier to start with and better for creators focusing on stylized or effects-heavy content.
Advantages
- Beginner-friendly UI
- Good VFX options in free tier
- Decent 360 effect library
Limitations
- Some 360 tools require the paid version
- Export features may be limited
Use it if: You prefer a simple UI with strong VFX options and occasional 360 edits.
7. VSDC Free Video Editor (Windows)
Platforms: Windows
Best for: Beginners, low-end PCs, basic reframing
VSDC supports equirectangular video editing with:
- 360 preview
- Basic exposure/color tools
- Simple titles and trims
It lacks advanced tools, but it is one of the few free editors that runs well on older hardware.
Advantages
- Very lightweight
- Works on older laptops
- Completely free
Limitations
- Limited stabilization
- Not designed for professional VR workflows
Use it if: You have a weak computer or need quick, simple edits.
8. Web-Based Free Tools (Cloud and Browser Editors)
YouTube Studio (Free)
YouTube Studio allows basic editing and metadata handling for 360 videos:
- Basic trimming
- 360 metadata injection
- Thumbnail handling
Vrive / Panoraven / ExtendVR (Free tiers)
These platforms allow:
- Uploading equirectangular content
- Basic stitching or metadata correction
- Simple reframing
Limitations of web tools
- Limited processing power
- Slow uploads for large 360 files
- No advanced effects or stabilization
Use them if: You need to fix metadata or make simple edits without installing software.
9. Spatial Audio Tools (Free)
(Useful for VR creators)
Google Resonance Audio
Open-source spatial audio toolkit for VR projects.
Facebook/Meta Spatial Workstation (Legacy but free)
Useful for 360 ambisonic audio editing.
Reaper + Ambisonic Toolkit (Free add-ons)
A powerful, low-cost audio solution for immersive sound.
Choosing the Right Free Editor: Quick Recommendations
- Fast 360 reframing and exporting → Insta360 Studio or GoPro Player
- Best cinematic VR editing → DaVinci Resolve
- 3D + 360 hybrid work → Blender
- Beginner-friendly, simple workflow → VSDC or HitFilm Free
- DJI camera users → LightCut or DJI Mimo
- Metadata fixing → YouTube Studio or simple web tools
Conclusion
The landscape for free 360-video editing tools in 2025 is richer and more capable than ever. Creators no longer need expensive, proprietary software to produce stabilized, visually refined 360 content suitable for YouTube VR, Meta Horizon, travel vlogs, real-estate walkthroughs, or cinematic immersive films.
Whether you want simplicity (VSDC, GoPro Player), camera-specific power (Insta360 Studio, DJI Mimo), high-end editing (DaVinci Resolve), or advanced VR compositing (Blender), there is now a cost-free solution for nearly every workflow.
In an era where 360 cameras keep getting more powerful—Insta360 X5, DJI Osmo 360, GoPro MAX 2—these free tools ensure creators can fully unlock the potential of immersive video without spending a single euro on software.
Mirame360