saasrankedSoftware, ranked on the facts

video editor · Meltytech, LLC

Shotcut

Free, open-source video editor for Windows, macOS and Linux with proxy editing, HDR and 10-bit support.

79/100

#2 of 12 video editors
Facts checked 8 Oct 2026

In short

Shotcut suits anyone who wants an editor at no cost, on any desktop system2,4. It lists scopes, tracking, proxies, chroma key and plug-ins, and its code is public1,3. The catch: the features page names no multicam tool and no shared projects, and its VST and OpenFX support is marked work in progress1.

Best for: People who want a free editor with no paid tier.

Where the points come from

Systems4 of 10
Price and licence24 of 30
Output16 of 16
Editing tools35 of 44

Systems 4 of 10 points

RuleWhat is publishedPoints
Other systemsmacOS, LinuxDownload page lists Windows, macOS and Linux builds; it lists no iOS, Android or web version2.4 / 10

Price and licence 24 of 30 points

RuleWhat is publishedPoints
Free versionYesFree for all use; no time limit, and the download and features pages mention no watermark1,2,4.8 / 8
One-time licenceNoNo licence is sold; Shotcut is free software4.0 / 6
Cheapest paid plan$0Entirely free; no paid plan is listed2,4.12 / 12
Open-source appsYesRepository is licensed GPLv33.4 / 4

Output 16 of 16 points

RuleWhat is publishedPoints
4K exportYesFeatures page lists support for 4K and 8K resolutions1.4 / 4
8K exportYesFeatures page lists support for 4K and 8K resolutions1.3 / 3
10-bit and HDRYesLists 10-bit video end-to-end and HDR10 (PQ) and HLG HDR1.4 / 4
GPU-accelerated exportYesFeatures page lists hardware encoding and decoding; the Hardware Encoding doc names NVIDIA NVENC. Windows is not named on that page1,6.5 / 5

Editing tools 35 of 44 points

RuleWhat is publishedPoints
Multi-camera editingNot publishedNot published on the vendor's features page1.0 / 6
Colour grading with scopesYesLists Histogram, RGB Parade, RGB Waveform, Waveform and Vectorscope video scopes1.6 / 6
Automatic captionsYesLists converting spoken word to subtitle text1.5 / 5
Motion trackingYesLists object motion tracking1.4 / 4
Multitrack audio and noise reductionYesMultitrack timeline with inserted tracks, and an audio Reduce Noise filter (RNNoise)1.4 / 4
Proxy editingYesLists low-resolution proxy editing to speed up seeking1.4 / 4
Third-party plug-insYesLists Frei0r plug-ins; VST2, LV2 and OpenFX support is marked work in progress1.4 / 4
Shared projectsNot publishedNot published on the vendor's features page1.0 / 3
Green-screen keyingYesLists Chroma Key: Advanced and Chroma Key: Simple filters1.4 / 4
Video stabilisationYesLists a Stabilize video filter1.4 / 4

The rule behind each line: how we score video editors.

Plans and prices

As the vendor lists them, before tax. Prices are in US dollars unless the plan shows euros; the points use US dollars, with euros converted at the ECB rate.

PlanPrice as listedPer monthNotes
Shotcut1 personFree2,4$0Free and open source; no paid tier listed

Strengths

  • Free, with downloads for Windows, macOS and Linux2,4.
  • Source code is public under GPLv33.
  • Lists 4K and 8K support, 10-bit video, and HDR10 and HLG1,5.
  • Includes object motion tracking, proxy editing, scopes, stabilisation and audio noise reduction (RNNoise)1.

Limits

  • The features page lists no multicam tool1.
  • VST2, LV2 and OpenFX plug-in support is marked work in progress1.
  • HDR10 metadata is not embedded when you export with a hardware encoder5.
  • The features page names no collaboration or shared-project feature1.

Other video editors

  1. 1
    DaVinci ResolvePeople who want one editor for cutting, colour grading and sound without a subscription
    87/100
    $8.19/mocheapest paid plan
  2. 3
    Wondershare FilmoraHome creators who want a one-time purchase with colour scopes, proxies and plug-in support
    75/100
    $2.22/mocheapest paid plan
  3. 4
    KdenlivePeople who want free multicam and proxy editing on Windows, macOS or Linux
    73/100
    $0cheapest paid plan
  4. 5
    CyberLink PowerDirectorHome editors who want multicam, tracking and HDR export without a subscription
    66/100
    $3.89/mocheapest paid plan

Shotcut vs DaVinci Resolve · Shotcut vs Wondershare Filmora · All 12 video editors

Sources

  1. Shotcut features, Shotcut. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  2. Download Shotcut, Shotcut. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  3. mltframework/shotcut, GitHub. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  4. Shotcut, Shotcut. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  5. New Version 26.6: High Dynamic Range, Shotcut. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  6. Hardware Encoding, Shotcut Forum (documentation). Accessed 8 Oct 2026.

Website: shotcut.org · Markdown version · We are not affiliated with Meltytech, LLC.