Lightworks vs Shotcut: 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 Lightworks and Shotcut 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:
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
Shotcut
Free, open-source, cross-platform video editor with wide format support and advanced features.
Best for you if:
- • You want a fully free tool (Lightworks requires payment)
| At a Glance | Lightworks | Shotcut |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free plan | Free 100% free |
Category | Video Editing Audio Editing | Video Editing Screen Recording |
Rating | 3.9/5 G2 4.7 · Capterra 4.5 · SourceForge 2.0 191 reviews | 4.0/5 Capterra 4.5 · G2 4.2 · SourceForge 2.4 125 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Watch out for | n/a | No overage fees or seat minimums. |
Choose Lightworks or Shotcut?
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
Choose Shotcut if
- You want a fully free tool (Lightworks requires payment)
- You want free video editor
- You want open source
In-Depth Analysis
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
Shotcut
Free, open-source, cross-platform video editor with wide format support and advanced features.
Shotcut's pricing is exceptionally generous, as it is entirely free and open-source, offering all features without any cost.
Watch out
No overage fees or seat minimums.
Strengths
- Pro: Free video editor
- Pro: Open source
- Pro: Cross-platform
- Pro: Good for beginners
- Pro: Active development
Weaknesses
- Con: UI dated
- Con: Learning curve
- Con: Performance varies
- Con: Feature gaps
- Con: Better alternatives exist
Key features
Plans and prices: Lightworks vs Shotcut
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Lightworks |
| lwks.com/pricingread Sep 30, 2026 |
| Shotcut |
| shotcut.orgread Oct 2, 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 Lightworks pricing and Shotcut pricing.
Key Takeaways
Lightworks
- Choose if you want unlock your video editing potential with a powerful, professional-grade video editor
Shotcut
- Choose if you want free, open-source, cross-platform video editor with wide format support and advanced features
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 (3.9/5 from 191 reviews for Lightworks, 4.0/5 from 125 reviews for Shotcut).
- 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 Lightworks and Shotcut 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 (3.9/5 from 191 reviews for Lightworks, 4.0/5 from 125 reviews for Shotcut). Both have a free plan.
What are Lightworks and Shotcut used for?
Lightworks: Unlock your video editing potential with a powerful, professional-grade video editor. Shotcut: Free, open-source, cross-platform video editor with wide format support and advanced features.
What does Lightworks cost vs Shotcut?
Lightworks has no public paid-plan price on file. Shotcut is free. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Oct 2, 2026.
What's the main difference between Lightworks and Shotcut?
Lightworks's main strength: offers a free version for beginners to get started. Shotcut's main strength: free video editor.