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Free, open-source, cross-platform video editor with wide format support and advanced features.

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Reviews onG2SourceForge
59 reviews tracked

The Bottom Line

Entry price

Free, no paid tier

Biggest pro

Free video editor

Biggest con

UI dated

TL;DR - Shotcut

  • Free, open-source, and cross-platform video editor.
  • Supports a wide range of audio/video formats and 4K/8K resolutions with native timeline editing.
  • Offers extensive audio and video editing features, filters, and transitions.
Pricing: Free forever
Best for: Individuals & startups
4.5/5 across review platforms

What is Shotcut?

Editorial review
Shotcut is a powerful and versatile free, open-source video editor designed for Windows, Mac, and Linux. It stands out for its extensive format support, leveraging FFmpeg to handle hundreds of audio and video formats and codecs without the need for import, enabling native editing directly on the timeline. This allows users to mix and match resolutions and frame rates within a single project, offering significant flexibility for diverse video production needs. It also supports 4K and 8K resolutions, Blackmagic Design SDI and HDMI for input/monitoring, and various capture options including screen, webcam, and audio. The software provides a sleek and intuitive interface with multiple dockable panels for media properties, recent files, playlists, filters, and more. Shotcut is equipped with a comprehensive suite of audio and video features, including advanced color correction, a wide array of video filters and transitions, audio mixing, and subtitle support. Its editing capabilities include trimming, cut/copy/paste, multi-track timeline with waveforms, and object motion tracking, making it suitable for both beginners and experienced video editors looking for a robust, cost-free solution.

Available on: Windows, macOS, Linux

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Free video editor
  • Open source
  • Cross-platform
  • Good for beginners
  • Active development

Cons

  • UI dated
  • Learning curve
  • Performance varies
  • Feature gaps
  • Better alternatives exist

Ratings Across the Web

4.5(59 reviews)

Ratings aggregated from independent review platforms. Learn more

Key Features

Video editorOpen sourceCross-platformWide format supportAudio featuresHardware encoding

Pricing Plans

Free

Free

  • Open source (GPLv3)
  • All features included
  • No watermarks
  • Up to 8K resolution

Reviews

4.5/5

Across 59 verified user reviews on G2, SourceForge

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Shotcut FAQ

What is Shotcut?

Shotcut is a free, open-source video editor available for Windows, Mac, and Linux, known for its wide format support and professional features.

What formats does Shotcut support?

Shotcut supports hundreds of audio and video formats natively through FFmpeg, so you rarely need to convert files before editing.

Is Shotcut good for YouTube?

Yes, Shotcut offers all the features needed for YouTube video production including multi-track editing, filters, transitions, and various export presets.

Source: shotcut.org