Filmora vs Lightworks: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for Filmora and Lightworks side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
Filmora
Edit video like a pro with AI-powered tools and creative assets.
Best for you if:
- • You want easy video editing
Lightworks
Unlock your video editing potential with a powerful, professional-grade video editor.
Best for you if:
- • You want offers a free version for beginners to get started
| At a Glance | Filmora | Lightworks |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free plan, paid from $4.17/mo, billed yearly Annual plan | Free plan |
Category | Video Editing AI Video Generation | Video Editing Audio Editing |
Rating | 4.0/5 Capterra 4.5 · G2 4.4 · SourceForge 2.1 1,362 reviews | 3.9/5 G2 4.7 · Capterra 4.5 · SourceForge 2.0 191 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Watch out for | Perpetual license does NOT include major version upgrades, Filmora 15 → 16 is a new purchase. | n/a |
Choose Filmora or Lightworks?
Choose Filmora if
- You want easy video editing
- You want good for beginners
Choose Lightworks if
- You want offers a free version for beginners to get started
- You want scales with user skill level from beginner to professional
In-Depth Analysis
Filmora
Edit video like a pro with AI-powered tools and creative assets.
Filmora is the oddball on this list, it's not an AI video generator, it's a full video editor with generative AI features bolted on.
Watch out
Perpetual license does NOT include major version upgrades, Filmora 15 → 16 is a new purchase.
Strengths
- Pro: Easy video editing
- Pro: Good for beginners
- Pro: Many effects
- Pro: Fair pricing
- Pro: Templates
Weaknesses
- Con: Watermark on free
- Con: Pro features expensive
- Con: Effects can be cheesy
- Con: Performance varies
- Con: Not for professionals
Key features
Lightworks
Unlock your video editing potential with a powerful, professional-grade video editor.
Lightworks offers a generous free tier, making it accessible for beginners.
Strengths
- Pro: Offers a free version for beginners to get started.
- Pro: Scales with user skill level from beginner to professional.
- Pro: Provides a comprehensive suite of editing tools (video, audio, VFX, color).
- Pro: Supports high-quality footage and offers advanced features like HDR workflows.
- Pro: Streamlined sharing and export options, including direct social media integration.
Weaknesses
- Con: Advanced VFX features (supplied by NewBlue) are only available for Windows and Mac.
- Con: The full range of professional features requires a paid subscription.
Key features
Plans and prices: Filmora vs Lightworks
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Filmora |
| filmora.wondershare.comread Sep 29, 2026 |
| Lightworks |
| lwks.com/pricingread Sep 30, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on Filmora pricing and Lightworks pricing.
Key Takeaways
Filmora
- Choose if you want edit video like a pro with AI-powered tools and creative assets
Lightworks
- Choose if you want unlock your video editing potential with a powerful, professional-grade video editor
What the data shows
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
- User ratings are within 0.2 points (4.0/5 from 1,362 reviews for Filmora, 3.9/5 from 191 reviews for Lightworks).
- Filmora starts at $4.17/mo, billed yearly; Lightworks has no public paid plan price on file.
- Both have a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Filmora and Lightworks compare in 2026?
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair. User ratings are within 0.2 points (4.0/5 from 1,362 reviews for Filmora, 3.9/5 from 191 reviews for Lightworks). Filmora starts at $4.17/mo, billed yearly; Lightworks has no public paid plan price on file. Both have a free plan.
What are Filmora and Lightworks used for?
Filmora: Edit video like a pro with AI-powered tools and creative assets. Lightworks: Unlock your video editing potential with a powerful, professional-grade video editor.
What does Filmora cost vs Lightworks?
Filmora's cheapest paid plan is Annual at $4.17/mo, billed yearly; it also has a free plan. Lightworks has no public paid-plan price on file. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Sep 30, 2026.
What's the main difference between Filmora and Lightworks?
Filmora's main strength: easy video editing. Lightworks's main strength: offers a free version for beginners to get started.