I would start with workflow friction. Import one of the real camera files and measure how long it takes to get a smooth timeline, trim it, add a title and export a usable result.

Resolve is extremely capable, especially if color work is important, but it can be a heavier environment. Shotcut is straightforward for many conventional editing tasks. VSDC is worth testing when the workflow involves Windows hardware with limited resources, telemetry or direct action-camera-specific tasks.

Color needs can change the answer. If the person plans a serious grading workflow, node-based tools and managed color pipelines may matter more than simplicity.

If the footage is mostly standard profile and the goal is quick travel/sports editing, the time spent learning a deeper grading environment may not buy much. I would separate “maximum grading control” from “fast first good result.”

For VSDC I would specifically test four things with the user's own media: HEVC hardware decoding, proxy generation, telemetry handling if they use GPS, and the final export path. If those four work smoothly, it can be a practical fit even if another editor has a larger overall feature set.

The fairest comparison is the same source file, same target output and same computer. Otherwise hardware differences get mistaken for software differences.

Also check what “free” means for the actual requirement. Watermarks, codec limitations, hardware acceleration, export limits and paid-only effects can matter more than the download price.

I would make a ten-minute test project in each candidate rather than commit after watching a feature overview.

That gives me a neutral way to recommend one. I will hand over the same HEVC clip and ask my friend to try a basic edit in all three.

If VSDC is clearly smoother on that laptop and the GPS workflow matters, that is a real reason to choose it. If Resolve's color tools are the priority and the machine handles it, that is a real reason in the other direction.