Lightworks
Claim this toolUnlock your video editing potential with a powerful, professional-grade video editor.
Free plan available Visit WebsiteReviews on G2 Capterra SourceForge
191 reviews tracked The Bottom Line
- Price
- Free plan available. Compare plans
Key facts
- Professional video editing software with versions for all skill levels.
- Features advanced video, audio, VFX, and color grading tools.
- Offers seamless sharing and export options for various platforms.
Pros
- Offers a free version for beginners to get started.
- Scales with user skill level from beginner to professional.
- Provides a comprehensive suite of editing tools (video, audio, VFX, color).
- Supports high-quality footage and offers advanced features like HDR workflows.
- Streamlined sharing and export options, including direct social media integration.
Cons
- Advanced VFX features (supplied by NewBlue) are only available for Windows and Mac.
- The full range of professional features requires a paid subscription.
What is Lightworks?
Lightworks is a comprehensive video editing software designed for users ranging from beginners to Hollywood-level professionals. It offers a robust suite of tools for video and audio editing, visual effects, color correction, and sharing. The software is built around a best-in-class editing timeline that can handle footage of any size, frame rate, and quality, ensuring an uninterrupted creative workflow with features like background rendering and proxy file editing.
The platform caters to different skill levels with its Free, Create, and Pro versions, allowing users to grow their editing capabilities within the same ecosystem. It provides extensive audio editing functionalities, a simplified VFX suite with customizable titles and transitions, and advanced color grading tools including LUTs and targeted adjustments. Lightworks also streamlines the sharing process with effortless export options for web, broadcast, and cinema, alongside direct integrations for social media and cloud storage.
Lightworks is ideal for anyone looking to produce high-quality videos, from content creators and aspiring filmmakers to seasoned professionals. Its intuitive interface and powerful features empower users to transform raw footage into captivating visual art, making it a versatile tool for various video production needs.
Available on: Windows, macOS, Linux
Data compiled by Toolradar Pricing checked · How we evaluate
Source lwks.com Ratings Across the Web
3.9 (191 reviews)
Lightworks holds an aggregate rating of 3.9 out of 5 from 191 reviews across G2, Capterra and SourceForge, last checked September 22, 2026.
Ratings aggregated from independent review platforms. Learn more
Preview
Key Features
- Universal editing timeline supporting various footage sizes, frame rates, and qualities
- Background rendering and exporting for uninterrupted workflow
- Proxy file editing for smooth performance
- Refined audio editing with trimming, splitting, layering, and built-in effects (reverb, chorus, distortion)
- Over 700 customizable titles and motion graphics
- Hundreds of transitions for scene flow and pacing
- Simplified VFX suite with advanced compositing capabilities
- Color correction and grading with pre-built and custom LUTs
Pricing Plans
Pricing checked Sep 30, 2026. Source: lwks.com/pricing, read Sep 30, 2026
| Plan | Price | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free |
+31 more Show less
|
| Create | User / Pay Monthly |
+15 more Show less
|
| Pro | User / Pay Monthly |
+30 more Show less
|
Is Lightworks worth the price?
Fair value
Lightworks offers a generous free tier, making it accessible for beginners.
It's best for hobbyists and those needing basic editing without a budget, but professionals will need to inquire for pricing.
Lightworks by the numbers
| Metric | Lightworks | Peer median | Position (1 is best) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | 66% have one | n/a |
| Listed as an alternative to | 6 tools | 2 | #16 of 68 (joint) |
| User rating | 3.9/5 (across the web, 191 ratings) | 4.5/5 | #23 of 29 tools with 20+ reviews |
| Compare-page visits, last 30 days | 32 visits | 37 | #22 of 35 tools with 20+ compare-page visits |
Listed as an alternative to: #16 on 2026-10-16 to #16 on 2026-11-02 (rank among 68 tools, 1 is best).
Each position is counted among the tools that have data for that row, as noted under it. All Audio Editing data · How we compute this. Advertising and placement fees are not inputs to any position. Visit counts include visits from every source.
Cite this: Toolradar, “Lightworks by the numbers”, Nov 2026.
Reviews
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3.9/5
Across 191 verified user reviews on G2, Capterra, SourceForge
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Lightworks FAQ
How does Lightworks support high-quality video production for content creators?
Lightworks provides a comprehensive suite of tools for video and audio editing, visual effects, and color correction, enabling content creators to transform raw footage into captivating visual art. It supports footage of any size, frame rate, and quality, ensuring a professional output for various video production needs.
Which teams or individuals benefit most from using Lightworks?
Lightworks is ideal for anyone looking to produce high-quality videos, including content creators, aspiring filmmakers, and seasoned professionals. Its intuitive interface and powerful features make it a versatile tool for various skill levels and production requirements.
How does Lightworks compare to DaVinci Resolve in terms of editing capabilities?
Lightworks offers a robust suite of tools for video and audio editing, visual effects, and color correction, similar to DaVinci Resolve. It features a best-in-class editing timeline that handles high-quality footage and provides streamlined sharing options, including direct social media integration.
What kind of limitations should users be aware of regarding advanced visual effects in Lightworks?
Advanced VFX features, which are supplied by NewBlue, are exclusively available for users on Windows and Mac operating systems. The full range of professional features also requires a paid subscription to access.
Does Lightworks include a free tier, and how is its pricing structured?
Yes, Lightworks offers a free tier for users to get started, with paid plans available for more extensive usage and additional features. The software scales with user skill level, providing Free, Create, and Pro versions within the same ecosystem.
How does Lightworks facilitate efficient sharing and export of edited videos?
Lightworks streamlines the sharing process with effortless export options tailored for web, broadcast, and cinema. It also includes direct integrations for social media platforms and cloud storage, simplifying the distribution of finished projects.
Can Lightworks handle advanced color grading and audio editing tasks?
Yes, Lightworks provides advanced color grading tools, including support for LUTs and targeted adjustments, to enhance the visual quality of footage. It also offers extensive audio editing functionalities, allowing for comprehensive sound design within the software.
Source: lwks.com