About HitFilm Express
The free video editor that gave indie filmmakers professional-grade VFX tools. Here is its story, its legacy, and why we built this site.
What Was HitFilm Express?
HitFilm Express was a free video editing and visual effects compositing application developed by FXhome Ltd. It combined a full non-linear editor (NLE) with a compositing environment in a single program — something no other free tool offered at the time. For years, it served as the go-to choice for YouTube creators, film students, and hobbyist filmmakers who needed After Effects-style VFX without the Adobe subscription price tag.
The software shipped with over 410 built-in effects, particle simulators, chroma keying, 3D model import, motion tracking, and export support up to 4K resolution. Its composite shot system let users build complex visual effects layered over their timeline edits, all inside one application.
History & Timeline
FXhome Founded
Josh Davies founded FXhome Ltd. in Norwich, UK. The company initially focused on consumer VFX tools, releasing products like EffectsLab and later VisionLab Studio.
HitFilm 1 Launches
FXhome released the first version of HitFilm as a paid product. It merged editing and compositing in one interface, targeting indie filmmakers who could not afford Adobe’s suite.
HitFilm Express Goes Free
FXhome made a bold move: releasing HitFilm Express as a completely free version with optional paid add-on packs. This opened the door to millions of creators who had no budget for editing software.
The Golden Years
HitFilm Express hit its stride. Regular updates brought improved performance, new effects, better GPU support, and a growing community of tutorial creators on YouTube. The 2021.3 release (build 18.0.1501) became the final and most polished Express version.
Artlist Acquires FXhome
Israeli stock media company Artlist acquired FXhome. The free Express model was phased out in favor of a subscription-based approach under the “HitFilm” brand (no more “Express” distinction).
FXhome Shuts Down
On January 15, 2025, FXhome’s website went offline permanently. HitFilm was discontinued. No new downloads, no updates, no support. Existing installations still work but receive no patches or bug fixes.
What Made It Special
Full NLE + VFX Compositing
Most free editors handle cutting and trimming. HitFilm Express also gave you a compositing workspace similar to After Effects — layers, keyframes, masks, and blending modes included.
410+ Built-in Effects
Particle simulators, light flares, color grading tools, chroma key, distortion effects, and more. All free. No watermarks, no time limits.
3D Model Import
You could import 3D models directly into your composite shots and integrate them with live-action footage — a feature rarely found in free software.
4K Export Support
The 2021.3 version supported export up to 4K resolution, handling most common video, audio, and image formats out of the box.
The Team Behind It
FXhome Ltd.
Based in Norwich, England, FXhome was founded in 2001 by Josh Davies with a simple goal: make visual effects accessible to everyone. Over two decades, the small team built a suite of products — from EffectsLab to VisionLab Studio to HitFilm — all aimed at putting Hollywood-level VFX tools in the hands of independent creators.
FXhome earned a reputation for punching above its weight. A relatively small UK studio managed to build software that competed with tools from companies many times its size. The community forums were active, the tutorial library grew steadily, and the Express model brought millions of new users into video editing.
After the 2021 Artlist acquisition, the original FXhome team was gradually restructured. By January 2025, the FXhome website and all associated services were shut down permanently.
Why People Loved It
For many creators, HitFilm Express was their first real editing tool. It showed up at the right time — when YouTube was booming, film school budgets were tight, and Adobe’s subscription model was pricing out hobbyists. HitFilm gave people a free path into both editing and VFX, without forcing them to learn two separate applications.
The community built around it was real. Thousands of tutorials on YouTube taught everything from green screen basics to particle effect workflows. Film students used it for coursework. YouTubers used it for intros and transitions. Hobbyist filmmakers used composite shots to add explosions, lightsabers, and sci-fi environments to their short films.
Since the shutdown, most users have moved to DaVinci Resolve, which offers similar (and in some areas, stronger) capabilities for free. Others have picked up Shotcut or Kdenlive for simpler editing needs. But the HitFilm Express era — free editing plus free compositing in one app — still holds a unique place in the indie filmmaking world.
About This Website
hitfilmexpress.org is a fan-made, independent informational website. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to FXhome Ltd., Artlist, or any of their subsidiaries. All trademarks belong to their respective owners.
We built this site because HitFilm Express deserves to be remembered and still discoverable. Since FXhome’s website is gone, finding accurate information about the software — system requirements, download links, feature lists, setup guides — has become harder.
Our goal is straightforward:
- Provide accurate, up-to-date information about HitFilm Express
- Link to archived download sources (we never host or modify software files)
- Help new users understand what the software does and how to set it up
- Preserve the legacy of a tool that helped millions of creators
We respect FXhome’s work and intellectual property. If you are a rights holder and have concerns about any content on this site, please reach out through our Contact page.
Get in Touch
Have questions, feedback, or corrections? We would love to hear from you.
For official software support, note that FXhome is no longer operational. Community forums and archived resources may still be available through web archives.