Shotcut vs Kdenlive

Shotcut: what it's good at

Shotcut is an approachable open-source non-linear editor that handles a very wide range of formats natively through FFmpeg. It hits a good balance between capability and learning curve for everyday editing work.

• Wide native format support via FFmpeg
• Timeline editing with filters and transitions
• Four-point and ripple editing
• 4K resolution support

Kdenlive: what it's good at

Kdenlive is a long-established open-source non-linear editor supporting unlimited video and audio tracks, proxy editing for smooth work on modest hardware, and a broad set of effects and transitions.

• Unlimited video and audio tracks
• Proxy editing for large files
• Wide range of effects and transitions
• Automatic project backup

Which should you choose?

Both are free, so the honest answer is that you can install either and decide for yourself — that is the advantage of free software over a paid trial.

Both run on Windows, macOS, Linux. Both are open source, so neither locks you in.

We deliberately do not publish a star rating for either. We have no way to verify a rating that would be honest at scale, and an invented one would be worse than none — so we give you the facts and let you decide.

Frequently asked questions

Is Shotcut better than Kdenlive?

Neither is universally better. Shotcut straightforward open-source video editor with wide format support, while Kdenlive mature multi-track open-source video editor. The right pick depends on your platform and workflow.

Are both really free?

Shotcut is open source and Kdenlive is open source. Both can be downloaded without paying.

Can I install both?

Yes. Since neither costs anything, installing both and comparing them on your own files is usually the fastest way to decide.