Skip to content
SPECIFICTION
Get listed

Shotcut

shotcut.org

Free plan WindowsmacOSLinux
Visit shotcut.org
Spec score 8.5 #34 of 155 in Video Editing Software

What it is

Shotcut is a free, open-source desktop video editor for Linux, macOS, and Windows. It edits directly on a timeline without an import step, supports multitrack projects, and allows mixed resolutions and frame rates. Shotcut lists 4K and 8K support, with audio and video formats handled through FFmpeg and image formats including AVIF, BMP, GIF, JPEG, PNG, SVG, TIFF, and WebP. Tools include audio mixing, automatic ducking, video compositing, color grading, speed ramping, and object motion tracking. The editor lists Frei0r generators, Glaxnimate animation editing, and VST2 and LV2 audio plugins marked work-in-progress. Webcam and Blackmagic Design SDI or HDMI capture are supported, along with hardware-accelerated decoding, scaling, and encoding. Minimum memory is 4 GB for SD, 8 GB for HD, and 16 GB for 4K. Shotcut says it collects no personal information or usage activity and requires no network activation. GPLv3 licensing permits commercial use. The listed plan costs nothing.

Spec sheet

Product
Shotcut is a free, open source, cross-platform video editor.Read 7 Oct 2026 · shotcut.org
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.Read 7 Oct 2026 · shotcut.org
Free plan
YesRead 20 Sep 2026 · shotcut.org
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.Read 7 Oct 2026 · shotcut.org
Privacy
Shotcut says its software does not collect, store, or share personal information and does not send usage activity to its server.Read 7 Oct 2026 · shotcut.org
Founded
2004Read 28 Sep 2026 · shotcut.org
4K export
YesRead 20 Sep 2026 · shotcut.org
Audio and video tools
Listed features include audio mixing, automatic audio ducking, video compositing, color grading, speed ramping, and object motion tracking.Read 7 Oct 2026 · shotcut.org
Desktop app
YesRead 20 Sep 2026 · shotcut.org
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.Read 7 Oct 2026 · shotcut.org
Editing
Shotcut supports native timeline editing without requiring an import step, with multitrack timelines and mixed resolutions and frame rates in a project.Read 7 Oct 2026 · shotcut.org
Formats
Shotcut supports audio and video formats through FFmpeg and popular image formats including AVIF, BMP, GIF, JPEG, PNG, SVG, TIFF, and WebP.Read 7 Oct 2026 · shotcut.org
Hardware
Shotcut lists Blackmagic Design SDI and HDMI support for capture and preview monitoring, webcam capture, and hardware accelerated decoding, scaling, and encoding.Read 7 Oct 2026 · shotcut.org
License and commercial use
The FAQ says Shotcut is free for commercial use because it is made available under the GPLv3 license.Read 7 Oct 2026 · shotcut.org
Network and activation
Shotcut says it does not require network access to activate, check a subscription, or send usage analytics.Read 7 Oct 2026 · shotcut.org
Notable limitation
The FAQ says extracting a sub-clip without encoding is not frame accurate and notes that it has pitfalls.Read 7 Oct 2026 · shotcut.org
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.Read 7 Oct 2026 · shotcut.org
Resolution
Shotcut lists support for 4K and 8K resolutions.Read 7 Oct 2026 · shotcut.org
Support resources
Shotcut links to an online user guide, forum tutorials, FAQs, getting started guides, and tutorial videos.Read 7 Oct 2026 · shotcut.org

Plans and prices

Shotcut Free Free, open source video editor · Windows, macOS, Linux Read 7 Oct 2026 · shotcut.org

Every Shotcut plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free GPLv3 software for commercial use
  • 4K and 8K support listed
  • Timeline editing needs no import step
  • Hardware-accelerated processing available
  • No network activation or usage analytics

Limits

  • VST2 and LV2 support is work-in-progress
  • Sub-clip extraction without encoding is not frame accurate
  • 4K requires at least 16 GB RAM

Who it suits

It suits desktop editors on Linux, macOS, or Windows who want free GPLv3 software with multitrack, high-resolution, and format support. Users should review the stated memory requirements for their target resolution.

Verdict

Shotcut offers a broad desktop editing toolset, high-resolution support, and extensive format handling without subscription activation or usage analytics. Its documented hardware, plugin, and capture options are balanced by the stated sub-clip limitation and memory requirements.

Where Specifiction places it

Alternatives to ShotcutAll alternatives →