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Shotcut vs Lightworks: catalog facts
Shotcut	Lightworks
Free Free and open source. The project accepts donations and the website carries advertising…	Freemium Free tier limited to 720p exports; paid tiers unlock higher resolutions and features.
Windows, macOS, Linux	Windows, macOS, Linux
Native editing of hundreds of formats through FFmpeg, with no import or transcode step Multi-format timelines: different resolutions and frame rates in one project	Professional-grade editing tools available in a free tier Cross-platform on Windows, Mac and Linux
The panel-based interface takes some arranging before it feels comfortable Smooth playback of high bitrate footage on modest hardware needs proxy clips	Free tier capped at 720p export resolution Interface has a learning curve compared to simpler editors
Downloadable app	Downloadable app
Open source	Closed source
License: GPL-3.0	License not stated
No account needed	Not stated if an account is needed
Works offline	Not stated if it works offline
Official website Full listing and sources Checked September 20, 2026	Official website Full listing and sources Checked September 22, 2026

Catalog facts only. Anything “not stated” is unconfirmed. Check full listings for details.