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Lightworks

lwks.com

Free plan WindowsmacOSLinuxAPI
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Spec score 8.9 #16 of 155 in Video Editing Software

What it is

Lightworks is a desktop non-linear editor for assembling video, audio, graphics, and effects into a finished programme. It runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux, with timeline editing, transitions, automatic saving, and simple visual effects. Lightworks supports shared project spaces on network storage, while ShareLinks let users share sequences and collect comments tied to specific moments. The maker describes it for projects ranging from social clips and YouTube videos to documentaries, music videos, and feature films. The Free plan is listed at free; plan details list 720p HD export, while the welcome guide says the Free tier exports up to 1080p, including portrait formats. Create adds 4K export, social media templates, motion graphics, colour controls, audio EQ, LUT support, high-resolution proxy editing, and NewBlue Titler Pro. Pro adds 10-bit support, audio and video plugin support, advanced video effects, export interchange formats, advanced colour scopes, and cloud export or upload. Some Linux functionality may be restricted by third-party limitations.

Spec sheet

What it does
Lightworks is a non-linear editor for assembling video, audio, graphics and effects into finished programmes.Read 15 Oct 2026 · lwks.com
Product
Lightworks is a non-linear editor for assembling video, audio, graphics, and effects into a finished programme.Read 8 Oct 2026 · lwks.com
Intended users
The maker describes Lightworks as a professional editor used for social clips, YouTube videos, documentaries, music videos, and feature films.Read 8 Oct 2026 · lwks.com
Free plan
YesRead 20 Sep 2026 · lwks.com
Integrations
The privacy policy lists cloud and photo services including Box, Dropbox, Google Drive, Google Photos, OneDrive, pCloud, and IOGates, plus Pond5 and Pexels stock media.Read 8 Oct 2026 · lwks.com
Support
Lightworks provides in-app searchable help, video tutorials, a community forum, and a user portal for account and licence management.Read 8 Oct 2026 · lwks.com
2026 changes
The v2026 knowledge-base introduction describes refreshed UI, multi-tab layouts, project spaces, an audio mixer, conform/relink tools and a combined export panel.Read 15 Oct 2026 · lwks.com
4K export
YesRead 20 Sep 2026 · lwks.com
API and SDKs
Official materials document plugin and interchange integrations but provide no public Lightworks API or SDK documentation.Read 15 Oct 2026 · lwks.com
Audio
Lightworks includes audio levelling, equalisation, native audio effects and voice-over recording directly onto a sequence.Read 15 Oct 2026 · lwks.com
Automatic saving
Projects are saved continuously every few seconds and have no Save or Save As command.Read 15 Oct 2026 · lwks.com
Cloud integrations
The knowledge base names Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive and pCloud as cloud libraries and export destinations.Read 15 Oct 2026 · lwks.com
Collaboration
Shared project spaces can run on network storage, while ShareLinks attach comments and replies to timeline points.Read 15 Oct 2026 · lwks.com
Company headquarters
The registered office is 16 Belmont Crescent, Swindon, SN1 4EY, United Kingdom.Read 15 Oct 2026 · lwks.com
Company incorporation
LWKS Software Ltd was incorporated on 5 August 2020 as a private limited company.Read 15 Oct 2026 · open.endole.co.uk
Company size
Endole classifies LWKS Software Ltd as micro-sized and reports 12 employees in its latest profile data.Read 15 Oct 2026 · open.endole.co.uk
Core editing
The editor supports three-point editing, insert, replace, overwrite, delete, remove and split operations on a timeline.Read 15 Oct 2026 · lwks.com
Current release
The releases page lists Lightworks 2025.2, with Windows, macOS, Linux RPM, DEB, Snap and Flatpak installers.Read 15 Oct 2026 · lwks.com
Desktop app
YesRead 20 Sep 2026 · lwks.com
Documentation
LWKS publishes a knowledge base covering editing, effects, exporting, preferences, troubleshooting, collaboration and advanced workflows.Read 15 Oct 2026 · lwks.com
Editing
Lightworks provides timeline editing, advanced transitions, automatic saving, and simple visual effects.Read 8 Oct 2026 · lwks.com
Effects
The product includes built-in effects, titles, transitions, masks, colour correction and OpenFX compatibility.Read 15 Oct 2026 · lwks.com
Export
The Free tier exports up to 1080p, including portrait formats, according to the Lightworks welcome guide.Read 8 Oct 2026 · lwks.com
Features
Create adds 4K export, social media templates, NewBlue Titler Pro, motion graphics, colour controls, audio EQ, LUT support, and high-resolution proxy editing.Read 8 Oct 2026 · lwks.com
Formats
The technical specification lists MXF, QuickTime, AVI, MP4, MTS, M2TS, MPEG, WMV, TS, M2V, ASF, VOB and MKV container support.Read 15 Oct 2026 · lwks.com
Industry history
TV Tech reported that Lightworks had more than one million installed users and had been used on films including Pulp Fiction and The King's Speech.Read 15 Oct 2026 · tvtechnology.com
Installation
An internet connection is required to install Lightworks and register licences.Read 15 Oct 2026 · lwks.com
Interchange
Pro supports AAF, XML, OMF, EDL, film cutting lists and Reaper interchange, with AAF presets for Avid Media Composer, Pro Tools and Resolve.Read 15 Oct 2026 · lwks.com
Licence
LWKS states that Lightworks is commercial software; its EULA grants a limited, non-exclusive licence and prohibits modification, reverse engineering and redistribution.Read 15 Oct 2026 · lwks.com
Licensing
Lightworks uses account-based licensing; users can use it as a guest for a limited period before registration is required.Read 8 Oct 2026 · lwks.com
Limit: G2 learning curve
G2 reviewers repeatedly describe the interface as confusing for beginners and note limited title, subtitle and end-credit options.Read 15 Oct 2026 · g2.com
Limit: GetApp interface
GetApp feedback includes a long learning curve because many operations rely on keyboard shortcuts rather than menus.Read 15 Oct 2026 · getapp.com
Limit: PCWorld export
PCWorld reports that the free edition is limited to 720p MPEG-4/H.264 export and offers little guided tutorial help.Read 15 Oct 2026 · pcworld.com
Limit: TechRadar
TechRadar says the interface can look intimidating and takes time to master.Read 15 Oct 2026 · techradar.com
Mobile app
NoRead 20 Sep 2026 · lwks.com
Multicam
Its technical specifications describe real-time multicamera editing with unlimited sources subject to hardware and storage.Read 15 Oct 2026 · lwks.com
Notable update
The January 2026 2025.2-56356 patch fixed an audio-fade crash, low AAC export bitrates and Windows application-name display.Read 15 Oct 2026 · lwks.com
Open-source components
The commercial application includes FFmpeg libraries under LGPL v2.1 and code from OpenSSL and GoPro CineForm.Read 15 Oct 2026 · lwks.com
Ownership news
EditShare announced on 15 September 2020 that it sold Lightworks and QScan assets and associated personnel to LWKS Software Ltd; transaction terms were undisclosed.Read 15 Oct 2026 · editshare.com
Platform limitation
Lightworks supports Windows, macOS, and Linux, and its pricing page notes that some Linux functionality may be restricted by third-party limitations.Read 8 Oct 2026 · lwks.com
Plugin extensibility
Supported third-party technologies include AU, VST, LADSPA, OpenFX, Waves, Melda, Sonnox, Boris, NewBlue and Blackmagic Fusion.Read 15 Oct 2026 · lwks.com
Praise: G2 workflow
G2 reviewers praise organized editing control, multiple timelines, customizable shortcuts, efficient handling of large footage and 4K export.Read 15 Oct 2026 · g2.com
Praise: GetApp usability
GetApp reviewers praise trimming, audio adjustment and cutting as achievable with little prior editing experience, plus plentiful tutorials.Read 15 Oct 2026 · getapp.com
Praise: PCWorld
PCWorld highlights professional-level editing at no cost, broad import support, an effective VFX panel and direct YouTube/Vimeo export.Read 15 Oct 2026 · pcworld.com
Praise: TechRadar
TechRadar calls Lightworks fast, flexible and unusually powerful, with a well-designed timeline, real-time effects and background rendering.Read 15 Oct 2026 · techradar.com
Professional tools
Pro adds 10-bit support, audio and video plugin support, advanced video effects, export interchange formats, advanced colour scopes, and cloud export/upload.Read 8 Oct 2026 · lwks.com
Rating on Capterra
4.2 out of 5 from 34 reviewsRead 15 Oct 2026 · capterra.com
Rating on G2
3.6 out of 5 from 31 reviewsRead 15 Oct 2026 · g2.com
Rating on GetApp
4.2 out of 5 from 34 reviewsRead 15 Oct 2026 · getapp.com
Security and privacy
Application analytics are opt-in and off by default; LWKS says it uses technical and organisational measures and does not sell personal data.Read 15 Oct 2026 · lwks.com
Stock integrations
The pricing comparison lists Pexels and Pond5 stock-media integrations.Read 15 Oct 2026 · lwks.com
System requirements
Supported systems include Windows 8+, macOS 10.14+, Ubuntu/Lubuntu/Xubuntu 20.04+, Mint 17+ and Fedora 34+; recommended hardware includes an i7-class CPU, 4GB RAM, 1GB GPU and 200MB disk.Read 15 Oct 2026 · lwks.com
Team collaboration
YesRead 20 Sep 2026 · lwks.com

Plans and prices

Free Free £0 user / pay month, year or once Timeline editing · 720p HD export · automatic saving · advanced transitions · simple VFX · no watermark Read 15 Oct 2026 · lwks.com
Create Priced on request User / pay monthly, yearly or once 4K export · social templates · NewBlue Titler Pro · motion graphics · colour controls · audio EQ · LUT support · proxy editing Read 15 Oct 2026 · lwks.com
Pro Priced on request User / pay monthly, yearly or once 10-bit support · audio/video plugins · more formats · advanced effects · custom formats · interchange exports · advanced scopes · cloud export/upload Read 15 Oct 2026 · lwks.com

Every Lightworks plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux
  • ShareLinks collect comments tied to specific moments
  • Free plan is listed at free
  • Create adds 4K export and editing tools

Limits

  • Free plan export details differ between plan listing and welcome guide
  • Some Linux functionality may be restricted
  • Free tier cannot be downloaded on mobile or tablet

Who it suits

Lightworks suits desktop editors working on projects from social clips to feature films, with versions for Windows, macOS, and Linux. Teams can use shared project spaces and ShareLinks for collaboration.

Verdict

Lightworks offers a free desktop tier and paid feature tiers, including 4K export in Create and additional professional tools in Pro. Check the listed Free export details carefully, and note that some Linux functionality may be restricted.

Where Specifiction places it

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