Shotcut
Shotcut is a free, open-source desktop video editor for Linux, macOS, and Windows.
What Shotcut is
Shotcut is a free, open-source desktop video editor for Linux, macOS, and Windows. It supports editing directly on a multitrack timeline without an import step, and projects can mix resolutions and frame rates. The editor lists support for 4K and 8K resolutions, with audio and video formats handled through FFmpeg and popular image formats including AVIF, BMP, GIF, 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 editing for Lottie and rawr animations, and VST2 and LV2 audio plugins marked as work-in-progress. Capture and monitoring options include webcams and Blackmagic Design SDI and HDMI, alongside hardware-accelerated decoding, scaling, and encoding. Minimum RAM is listed as 4 GB for SD, 8 GB for HD, and 16 GB for 4K. Shotcut says it does not collect personal information or require network access for activation, subscription checks, or usage analytics. The FAQ notes that extracting sub-clips without encoding is not frame accurate and has pitfalls.
Good
- Free for commercial use under GPLv3.
- Edits on a timeline without an import step.
- Supports 4K and 8K resolutions.
- Lists hardware-accelerated decoding, scaling, and encoding.
Watch out
- VST2 and LV2 audio plugins are work-in-progress.
- Sub-clip extraction without encoding is not frame accurate.
- Minimum RAM for 4K is 16 GB.
Who it suits
Shotcut suits desktop users who want multitrack editing across Linux, macOS, or Windows, including projects with mixed resolutions and frame rates. Its listed tools and plugin support may also suit users working with audio, compositing, or animation.
Verdict
Shotcut provides a broad set of timeline editing and capture features without charging for commercial use. Check its memory requirements for the resolution you plan to edit, and account for the stated sub-clip extraction limitation.
Plans and prices
From Shotcut's own pricing page, checked 7 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Shotcut | Free | Free, open source video editor · Windows, macOS, Linux |
The facts
Each one read from Shotcut's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- 4K export
- Yeschecked 20 Sep 2026
- Audio and video tools
- Listed features include audio mixing, automatic audio ducking, video compositing, color grading, speed ramping, and object motion tracking.checked 7 Oct 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.checked 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.checked 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.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Hardware
- Shotcut lists Blackmagic Design SDI and HDMI support for capture and preview monitoring, webcam capture, and hardware accelerated decoding, scaling, and encoding.checked 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.checked 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.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Network and activation
- Shotcut says it does not require network access to activate, check a subscription, or send usage analytics.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Notable limitation
- The FAQ says extracting a sub-clip without encoding is not frame accurate and notes that it has pitfalls.checked 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.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Product
- Shotcut is a free, open source, cross-platform video editor.checked 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.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Resolution
- Shotcut lists support for 4K and 8K resolutions.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Support resources
- Shotcut links to an online user guide, forum tutorials, FAQs, getting started guides, and tutorial videos.checked 7 Oct 2026
Where it runs
- Desktop app
- Yeschecked 20 Sep 2026
- Platforms
- Shotcut is available for Windows, Linux, and macOS; its download page lists Windows 10/11, macOS 12–27, and specified Linux distributions for current downloads.checked 7 Oct 2026
The company
- Founded
- 2004checked 28 Sep 2026
Money
- Free plan
- Yeschecked 20 Sep 2026
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