Alternatives to Shotcut
A free cross-platform video editor with a multi-track timeline that edits most formats without importing them first. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.
The original
Shotcut
A free cross-platform video editor with a multi-track timeline that edits most formats without importing them first.
Replacements
Listings that take over the same core job as Shotcut.
Kdenlive
KDE’s free video editor, with a multi-track timeline, proxy editing and a large effect set.
Kdenlive is also free and GPL-3.0, adding multicam, three-point editing, nested sequences and automatic project backups, though its Windows and macOS builds historically lag Linux for stability.
DaVinci Resolve
Professional editing, colour grading, visual effects and audio post in one program, with a free version that is genuinely capable.
DaVinci Resolve adds reference colour grading, visual effects and audio post, but it is closed source, demanding on hardware, and its free version caps output resolution.
OpenShot
A free video editor with unlimited tracks, keyframe animation, transitions and titles, aimed at people who are not professional editors.
OpenShot is a free GPL-3.0 editor aimed at non-professionals, with curve-based keyframes and 3D titles, though stability on long or complex timelines is a recurring complaint.
Adobe Premiere
Adobe's professional video editing and post-production application for Windows and macOS, formerly Premiere Pro.
Adobe Premiere is a paid professional editor for Windows and macOS only, widely used in film and broadcast, and works alongside other Adobe creative apps.
Lightworks
Professional video editor with a free tier limited to 720p exports.
Lightworks is a closed source professional editor for Windows, Mac and Linux whose free tier caps exports at 720p, with a steeper learning curve than simpler editors.
Flowblade
Edit multitrack video projects on Linux.
Flowblade is a free GPL-3.0 multitrack editor with clips, audio, filters and layered compositions, but its desktop support targets Linux rather than Windows or macOS.
VEGAS Pro
Long-running professional video editor with strong audio-editing tools.
VEGAS Pro is paid, Windows-only professional editing software with strong audio editing tools built in and a long track record of timeline-driven editing.
Final Cut Pro
Apple's professional video editor for Mac and iPad, with editing, audio, motion graphics and color grading.
Final Cut Pro is a paid Apple-only editor for Mac and iPad, with a one-time purchase option, built-in captions, motion graphics and colour grading.
Also worth comparing
These listings name Shotcut as their own alternative, so the relationship runs both ways.
Adobe Premiere Elements
A consumer video editor from Adobe with guided edits and automated editing tools.
Shotcut is a free, open-source multi-track editor for Windows, macOS and Linux that edits most formats natively, with a panel interface that takes some arranging.
CapCut
Free video editor with templates, effects, and text overlays for social media.
Shotcut is free and open source under GPL-3.0 for Windows, macOS and Linux with a multi-track timeline, but it has no phone or tablet version and no social templates.
Cinelerra-GG Infinity
A non-linear video editor for Linux with 8K timelines, multicam editing and color grading tools.
Shotcut is a free, open-source editor for Windows, macOS and Linux that edits most formats natively and mixes resolutions and frame rates in one timeline.
Filmora
A consumer video editor from Wondershare with a timeline, effects, captions and AI features.
Shotcut is a free, GPL-3.0 multi-track editor for Windows, macOS and Linux with keyframes and filters, but no mobile version or AI features.
iMovie
Apple's free video editor for making and sharing movies on Mac, iPhone and iPad.
Shotcut is a free open source multi-track editor for Windows, macOS and Linux, but it has no phone or tablet version and its panels need arranging.
Movavi Video Editor
A consumer desktop video editor for Windows and macOS with effects, titles and automatic subtitles.
Shotcut is free and open source with Linux builds and a multi-track timeline, though its panel interface needs some arranging first.
Pinnacle Studio
A consumer and prosumer video editing suite for Windows, currently at version 26.
Shotcut is free and open source under GPL-3.0, runs on Windows, macOS and Linux, and edits most formats natively on a multi-track timeline.
PowerDirector
CyberLink's consumer video editor with AI tools for editing, effects and generated footage.
Shotcut is a free open-source multi-track editor for Windows, macOS and Linux, without the bundled AI tools and asset library.
VideoStudio
A consumer video editor for Windows aimed at turning home footage into finished movies.
Shotcut is free and open source under GPL-3.0, runs on Windows, macOS and Linux, and edits most formats natively on a multi-track timeline.
Similar software
Related functionality, not a direct replacement.
LosslessCut
Trims and joins video and audio without re-encoding, so a cut takes seconds instead of an hour.
HandBrake
A video converter that turns files and unprotected discs into MP4, MKV or WebM with presets for common devices.
Avidemux
A simple video editor for cutting, filtering and encoding, aimed at trimming and converting rather than full editing.
FFmpeg
The command that converts, cuts, streams and inspects essentially any audio or video file in existence.
OBS Studio
The standard free tool for recording a screen and for live streaming, built around scenes and sources.
Glaxnimate
Vector animation and motion design application.
