I agree that this is a forum discussing NCH products, and that as such, all information should be about VP Editor and not 3rd party apps.
That stated, I possibly understand the "motivation" behind suggesting an alternative app to VideoPad by NCH Software.
The "motivation', impetus, huge driving force could be that others are feeling as I, and are extremely put-off by NCH's redefined and current practice that smacks wholly of the old-fashioned switch and bait method of sucking potential paying customers into a vortex of product deception. And... this experience truly... "sucks".
Formerly, NCH could be applauded for offering a series of great products: some truly FREE (with limitations that did not diminish that product's quality and user experience); some PRO (paid versions with advanced features and options). IF one opted to download and install a FREE product, one got what one expected: the advertised FREE product. THIS made for a wonderful user experience and built brand loyalty for NCH. THIS was all good.
Now, however, one will likely download an advertised FREE NCH product, only to discover upon use that it is NOT in fact the advertised FREE product. It is trialware. THIS is surely NOT how to guarantee a wonderful user experience and build brand loyalty. In fact, this type of deception frustrates the user, and sets both the user AND NCH up for failure: as in, "not the anticipated outcome, and decreased sales for NCH". Whereas I use to recommend others to NCH Software for both the FREE and PRO versions, I no longer do so. I refer others to competitors of NCH products who offer what they say they offer, without switch and bait tactics.
A current personal experience entails me diligently seeking a TRUE FREE version of VideoPad based on my recently frustrating experiences with another NCH product that resulted in me trying repeatedly to work with the FREE version that I'd downloaded, but having the installation somehow morph into a Trialware version. I ensured that the VideoPad version that I downloaded and installed was the FREE version. Yet incredibly, as of this morning, when I accessed my allegedly FREE product to continue on a project, I was informed that, "Your Trial Version of VideoPad will be expiring within the next couple of days..." (paraphrased with as much accuracy as I can recall)
So... as NCH Support tends to respond to these inquiries by encouraging posters to "Upgrade", as a consumer, I STRONGLY SUGGEST that NCH Software "upgrade" to a better product sales model built upon an ethical sales infrastructure.
