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Shotcut
Shotcut · founded 2004
What it is
Shotcut is a free, open-source desktop video editor for Linux, macOS, and Windows. It supports direct timeline editing without an import step, with multiple tracks and projects that can mix resolutions and frame rates. The editor lists support for 4K and 8K resolutions, and handles audio and video formats through FFmpeg alongside image formats such as AVIF, JPEG, PNG, SVG, TIFF, and WebP. Tools include audio mixing and automatic ducking, compositing, color grading, speed ramping, and object motion tracking. Shotcut also lists Frei0r video generator plugins, Glaxnimate support for Lottie and rawr animations, and VST2 and LV2 audio plugins marked work-in-progress. Capture and preview options include webcams and Blackmagic Design SDI and HDMI, with hardware-accelerated decoding, scaling, and encoding. Minimum memory requirements are 4 GB for SD, 8 GB for HD, and 16 GB for 4K. Shotcut is licensed under GPLv3 and is free for commercial use. Its FAQ notes that extracting a sub-clip without encoding is not frame accurate and has pitfalls.
For and against
For
- Free and open source under GPLv3
- Edits on a timeline without an import step
- Supports 4K and 8K resolutions
- Available for Linux, macOS, and Windows
Against
- VST2 and LV2 audio plugins are work-in-progress
- Sub-clip extraction without encoding is not frame accurate
The verdict
Shotcut offers a broad set of editing tools across three desktop platforms at no cost. Its memory requirements and non-frame-accurate sub-clip extraction are worth noting before use.
Who it suits
Shotcut suits desktop users looking for a free editor with timeline-based video and audio tools. Its listed resolutions and memory requirements can help users assess fit for their projects.
Plans and prices
Shotcut
Free, open source video editor · Windows, macOS, Linux
Read 7 Oct 2026 · shotcut.org
On the record
- Audio and video tools
- Listed features include audio mixing, automatic audio ducking, video compositing, color grading, speed ramping, and object motion tracking.shotcut.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Desktop app
- Yesshotcut.org · read 20 Sep 2026
- Download security
- Shotcut pledges that downloads from its website are free of malware, spyware, and adware, and says that guarantee applies when downloading from its website.shotcut.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Editing
- Shotcut supports native timeline editing without requiring an import step, with multitrack timelines and mixed resolutions and frame rates in a project.shotcut.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Formats
- Shotcut supports audio and video formats through FFmpeg and popular image formats including AVIF, BMP, GIF, JPEG, PNG, SVG, TIFF, and WebP.shotcut.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- 4K export
- Yesshotcut.org · read 20 Sep 2026
- Hardware
- Shotcut lists Blackmagic Design SDI and HDMI support for capture and preview monitoring, webcam capture, and hardware accelerated decoding, scaling, and encoding.shotcut.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- Shotcut lists FFmpeg format support, Frei0r video generator plugins, VST2 and LV2 audio plugins marked work-in-progress, and Glaxnimate for editing Lottie and rawr animations.shotcut.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- License and commercial use
- The FAQ says Shotcut is free for commercial use because it is made available under the GPLv3 license.shotcut.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Network and activation
- Shotcut says it does not require network access to activate, check a subscription, or send usage analytics.shotcut.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Notable limitation
- The FAQ says extracting a sub-clip without encoding is not frame accurate and notes that it has pitfalls.shotcut.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Privacy
- Shotcut says its software does not collect, store, or share personal information and does not send usage activity to its server.shotcut.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Product
- Shotcut is a free, open source, cross-platform video editor.shotcut.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Requirements
- The FAQ lists minimum RAM of 4 GB for SD, 8 GB for HD, and 16 GB for 4K, plus 64-bit Windows 10 build 1809–11, macOS 12–27, or 64-bit Linux with glibc 2.35 or later.shotcut.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Resolution
- Shotcut lists support for 4K and 8K resolutions.shotcut.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Support resources
- Shotcut links to an online user guide, forum tutorials, FAQs, getting started guides, and tutorial videos.shotcut.org · read 7 Oct 2026
