Top 8 Open Source Video Editors in 2024

Top 8 Open Source Video Editors in 2024-feature image
July 19, 2024 Reviewed By : Aakash Vishwakarma .7 Min read

Videos are one of the most important elements of your marketing plan and making them requires a lot of time and effort. But what if you want to up your game?

An ordinary video editor won’t be sufficient for you. You need something better, something more personalized like an open source video editing software.

We have got a list of the top 8 free open-source video editors with their pros, cons, and platform compatibility that will help you choose the right one.

8 Best Free and Open Source Video Editing Software

Let’s check out different video editing software that are free and open source.

Open Source Video EditorsCompatible PlatformsBest For
Openshot Video EditorWindows, MacOS, Linux
Beginners, Hobbyists, Educators, Students, YouTubers, Social Media Creators
ShotcutWindows, MacOS, LinuxYouTubers, Social Media Creators, Non-Profits, Small Businesses, Beginners
KdenliveWindows, MacOS, LinuxIntermediate Users or Professionals, Linux Users, Enthusiasts
FlowbladeLinuxLinux Users, Content Creators
LiVESLinux, BSDBasic Editors, Casual Users
AvidemuxWindows, MacOS, LinuxProfessional Video Editors
OliveWindows, MacOS, Linux
Beginners, Educators, Linux Users, Students
PitiviLinuxLinux users, Beginners

1. OpenShot Video Editor

openshot video editor screenshot

Openshot Video Editor is one of the most user-friendly, open-source video editing software. It comes with all the basic features of video editing such as trim & slice, title editor, time effects, slow motion, and more. In addition to this, users get access to unlimited video effects like inverting colours, brightness adjustments, 3D animations, presets, etc.

Also, in Openshot video editor, you can visualize audio files as waveforms while editing and even import them into your project files.

Compatible Platforms: Openshot is a free open-source video editing software for Windows, macOS, and Linux.

openshotvideoeditor logo

OpenShot Video Editor

3.9

Starting Price

Price on Request

OpenShot Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Powerful animation frameworks
  • Work on unlimited layersAccess title templates
  • Drag and drop feature
  • Available in 70+ languages

Cons

  • Users might face a slowdown at times
  • Limited features for professional video editors

2. Shotcut

shotcut screenshot

Shotcut video editor is a free open-source video editing software that offers an extensive range of video editing features. In addition to this, it enhances the user experience of audio editing with features like audio scopes, volume control, audio filters, tone generators, and more.

With Shotcut, editors can also access 360-degree video filters, multiple blending, video transitions, etc. Some other editing features by Shotcut include 3-point editing, editing history, presets for filters and exports, timeline markers, and more.

Compatible Platforms: Shotcut is one of those widely used open-source video editors for macOS, Windows, and GNU/ Linux.

shotcut logo

Shotcut

3.7

Starting Price

Price on Request

Shotcut Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Multi-format audio and video support
  • Transport and device options
  • Wide choice of audio and video filters
  • Works on multitrack timelines
  • You can create voiceovers with text to read
  • User shortcut keys for quick operations

Cons

  • Takes up a lot of space on your system
  • More advanced features can be complex for beginners.

Suggested Read: List of Top Free Video Editing Software in India

3. Kdenlive

Kdenlive screenshot

Kdenlive is a popular video editing tool that allows users to lock or mute video and audio tracks at their convenience with multi-track editing. You can also use any video or audio format without converting or re-encoding it. 

To customize and personalize your video editing experience, you can save custom interface layouts that might suit your workflow. Additionally, you can play around or experiment with multiple effects for colour correction, audio adjustments, and other transform options.

Compatible Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, Ubuntu.

Kdenlivelogo

Kdenlive

Starting Price

Price on Request

kdenlive Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Multiple video and audio effects and transitions are available
  • Balance videos with video and audio scopes
  • Automatic backup is created for project files
  • Download wipes, render profiles, and title templates from Kdenlive’s interface

Cons

  • Not suitable for beginners
  • Unpredictable crashes

4. Flowblade

Flowblade screenshot

Flowblade video editing software offers an extensive range of features that include trim, slip, roll, ripple trim, spacer, and more. The video editor allows users to insert, append, and overwrite ranges and clips while adding clips to the timeline.

Flowblade makes audio editing easy, especially for beginners, by displaying audio levels, muting audio tracks, changing the speed of music clips, etc. Video editors can also access multiple audio and video filters such as blur, distort, transform, alpha, etc.

Compatible Platforms: Flowblade is the best among open-source video editors that is available for Linux.

Flowblade Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Supports multiple file formats
  • Drag and drop videos on the timeline
  • Name your markers on the timeline
  • Change the speed of the clips
  • Access multiple audio and video filters

Cons

  • Lags with heavy footage

5. LiVES

LiVES screenshot

LiVES is one of the best open-source editing software that also works great as a Video Jockey (VJ) tool. The powerful video editor tool has a simple user interface that can work as well as any other professional film editing software.

In addition to some basic video editing features, LiVES open source video editor offers multiple real-time editing options such as allowing the VJ to control the audio and video in a live show. You can easily switch between transitions, design a customized keymap, add effects, scratch forward and backwards, etc. The software allows its users to have complete control over their live presentations.

Compatible Platforms: LiVES is a free, open-source video editing tool for Linux and BSD.

LiVES Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Works a LIVE VJ tool
  • You can record audio in real-time
  • Helps add real-time video effects
  • Offers clip editor & multitrack window
  • Supports 50+ file formats

Cons

  • Beginners might take some time to understand the tool

Suggested Read: Best Wedding Video Editors for Marriage Video Editing

6. Avidemux

Avidemux screenshot

Avidemux is a simple and free open-source video editing software that can be a great choice for beginners. You can easily cut, filter, encode, and export to create quick videos. Avidemux also automates tasks using job queuing, projects, and scripting capabilities.

Avidemux is great if you don’t want to make a lot of changes or modifications to your video and produce quick videos. Further, you can change the sharpening of your video and decrease noise to enhance the video quality.

Compatible Platforms: Avidemux is an open-source video for Linux, Windows, and macOS.

Avidemux Pros and Cons

Pros

  • You can simultaneously edit multiple videos
  • Helps add stickers to your videos
  • Supports multiple file formats
  • Multiple aesthetic options to enhance your video

Cons

  • Users might face lags at times
  • Not suitable for experts

7. Olive

Olive screenshot

Olive has launched its new version which is a rewrite from scratch to help you create stunning videos with cutting-edge features. This is one of the best open-source video editors that gives you complete control over how you want to render your video with node-based composting. Node enables you to connect any effect to any other effect without adhering to a fixed pipeline for rendering.

Also, Olive ensures that video editors get a smooth playback experience with a quick pre-render of frames in the background. To enhance the performance, you can also manually specify the cache limit, although the higher limit will give a better performance.

Compatible Platforms: Olive is an open-source video editing software for macOS, Windows, and Linux.

Olive Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Realistic colour management
  • Create virtual effects without coding
  • Strong and quick disk cache
  • Smooth playback even with 4K footage

Cons

  • The new version has some bugs

8. Pitivi

Pitivi screenshot

Pitivi video editing software works with multiple types of video formats. It creates automatic video backups to keep them safe and accessible. With Pitivi, you can work on audio waveforms to balance your audio and give your videos a professional touch.

Further, this tool generates waveforms, clip proxies, and thumbnails in the background without disturbing your workflow.

Compatible Platforms: Pitivi is a free open-source video editor available only for Linux.

Pitivi Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Beginner friendly
  • Work on multiple file formats
  • Helps use multiple animated effects
  • You can auto-save projects

Cons

  • Might face bugs while editing
  • Doesn’t support heavy files

Suggested Read: Best Instagram Video Editing Apps for PC & Mobile

FAQs

  1. Is there any open source video editor?

    Yes, PowerDirector, Olive, Lightworks, etc., are open source video editors.

  2. Is Filmora video editor open source?

    Yes, Filmora video editor is one of the best open source video editors available for beginners to start video editing.

  3. Which is the best open source video editor?

    Openshot, Pitivi, and Flowblade are the best open source video editing software.

  4. What software do most video editors use?

    Most video editors use Blender, Openshot, Kdenlive, and similar open source video editing software. They all offer industry-standard features for professional video editors.

  5. Which editing software is best for beginners?

    Pitivi and Flowblade are the open source editing software that is best for beginners.

  6. Can I edit a video for free?

    Yes, you can easily edit videos for free with open source video editing tools like Natron, Avidemux, Shotcut, etc.

Related Categories: Video Editing Software | Video Making Software | Animation Software | Audio Mixing Software

Written by Riya Malhotra

Riya Malhotra is a technical content writer with over 4 years of experience. Her diverse writing style roots from her experience in different industries, including fashion, lifestyle, compliance, and IT. Riya's adaptable writing style, strong research skills, and subject knowledge has helped her earn various recognitions in the... Read more

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