Kdenlive vs Shotcut

Kdenlive9.0Visit Shotcut8.9Visit

Higher score Kdenlive #5 in Video Creation And Editing Software 9.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 3 features Visit Kdenlive

vs

Shotcut #6 in Video Creation And Editing Software 8.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 3 features Visit Shotcut

• Kdenlive fits best

  Budget-conscious desktop editors wanting broad control

• Shotcut fits best

  Free desktop editors working with varied formats

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Side by side

Feature	Kdenlive 9.0/10 Visit ↗	Shotcut 8.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.0	8.9
Ranking	#5 in Video Creation And Editing Software	#6 in Video Creation And Editing Software
Best for	Budget-conscious desktop editors wanting broad control	Free desktop editors working with varied formats
Pricing model	Free	Free
Starting price	Free plan	Free plan
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop
Platforms	Windows, macOS, Linux	Windows, macOS, Linux
Support	Community, Docs	Community, Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market	Solo, Small business
Features Kdenlive 0/3 · Shotcut 0/3
Watermark-free export	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Team collaboration	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Included stock media	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Specs
Platforms	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Max export resolution	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Max video length	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	Multitrack timelines, 3-point editing, and multicam editing Proxy workflows and keyframeable effects for detailed editing UHD/4K rendering presets across Linux, Windows, and macOS	Edits mixed resolutions and frame rates on a multitrack timeline Includes subtitle tools, audio mixing, filters, and color grading Supports proxy workflows, capture, and 4K/8K export
Cons	Desktop-only, with no web or mobile app Support is through community channels and documentation No verified team collaboration features	Desktop-only deployment does not suit browser-based editing No listed integrations or collaboration features Support is through community and documentation
Our verdict	Kdenlive is a free, GPL-licensed desktop video editor developed within the KDE community. It suits individual creators, educators, and production teams who want detailed editing control without paying for a license or subscription.… Read the review →	Shotcut is a free, open-source desktop video editor from Meltytech, LLC, available for Windows, macOS, and Linux. It is suited to solo editors and small teams who want a locally run editor for varied media formats, rather than a… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Kdenlive — where it wins

  • Multitrack timelines, 3-point editing, and multicam editing
  • Proxy workflows and keyframeable effects for detailed editing
  • UHD/4K rendering presets across Linux, Windows, and macOS

  Where it doesn't

  • Desktop-only, with no web or mobile app
  • Support is through community channels and documentation
  • No verified team collaboration features

• Shotcut — where it wins

  • Edits mixed resolutions and frame rates on a multitrack timeline
  • Includes subtitle tools, audio mixing, filters, and color grading
  • Supports proxy workflows, capture, and 4K/8K export

  Where it doesn't

  • Desktop-only deployment does not suit browser-based editing
  • No listed integrations or collaboration features
  • Support is through community and documentation

• Kdenlive9.0/10 · Free plan

  A capable free desktop editor with multitrack, multicam, proxy, and UHD/4K workflows.

  Visit KdenliveFull verdict →
• Shotcut8.9/10 · Free plan

  A capable desktop editor for mixed-format projects, with multitrack tools and 4K/8K export.

  Visit ShotcutFull verdict →