Cost / License
- Free
- Open Source
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Flathub
- Flatpak




CapCut provides a free video editor with AI tools like automatic captions, text-to-speech, and background removal, plus templates, effects, and royalty-free music. Users appreciate its mobile-friendly approach that makes trimming and merging straightforward, though some report more features being pushed behind paywalls recently and express privacy concerns related to Bytedance.
Kdenlive is the top-ranked alternative and offers open-source multi-track editing with AI subtitle generation for serious desktop workflows. Shotcut ranks second as an open-source option with multi-format timelines and frame-accurate seeking across platforms. Omniclip positions itself as fully free and open-source in the browser, targeting users tired of paying to unlock editor features.
Camtasia includes built-in screen capture plus editing, making it better suited for tutorials and demos that start with recording. The landscape spans from mobile-first social editors to pro desktop suites and open-source tools.
Open source alternatives like Kdenlive, Shotcut, and OpenShot provide transparent licensing and full desktop timelines without relying on CapCut. Linux users have native options in Kdenlive, DaVinci Resolve, and Shotcut, giving desktop editors alternatives beyond mobile-centric workflows.
Web-based editors like Clipchamp, Omniclip, and Mastershot run in browsers, helpful when you can't install software on work or school machines. For privacy-focused users, Omniclip and OpenCut offer self-hosting options on your own infrastructure. Android users have mobile-first options in InShot, YouTube Create, and LightCut with effects, music, and captions for creators who rarely touch desktop editors. Windows-only desktop suites like VEGAS Pro, Pinnacle Studio, and Corel VideoStudio target users who want dedicated pro-style desktop workflows exclusively on Windows systems.




VSDC Free Video Editor allows you to add quick changes to a video file as well as create a more complex project involving advanced post-production techniques.




VN, a professional mobile video editor, allows you to become a director of your own life via VN video editor maker. Simple, but powerful as desktop editor, VN is suitable for both beginners and professional users.




With iMovie for iOS and macOS, you can enjoy your videos like never before. It’s easy to browse your clips and create Hollywood-style trailers and stunning 4K-resolution movies. You can even start editing on iPhone or iPad, then finish on your Mac.




All your video needs in one place. Use Clipchamp’s free video editor to create beautiful videos today.




Cinelerra is a highly advanced and professional non-linear video editing software, but still remains open source. Cinelerra solves three main tasks: capturing, editing and compositing.




Non-linear editor for Windows supporting HD, 4K, and 360 video, unlimited tracks, advanced effects, multi-camera editing, screen recording, stop motion, enhanced keyframe controls, audio layering, split screen, selective color, and disc or web export.




Empower your video and photo editing with advanced AI tools, including instant presets, seamless slow-motion, smart tracking, and 4K output resolution, perfect for social sharing.



LumaFusion offers powerful features and an elegant UI. The simple-start timeline gives new users an intuitive head start, and professionals will find all the powerful features they need.




Consumer video editing software offering AI-powered automation, beginner-friendly guided edits, creative effects, easy trimming and merging, media organization, movie and collage creation, social sharing, mobile and web access, and support for Windows and Mac.




YouTube's official editing app, offering a range of features such as filters, effects, royalty-free music, voiceover, auto-captions & more, to enhance your videos without complex editing tools.



YouCut is a clear, capable, and affordable video editing app for Android and iOS. In addition to the standard clip joining, trimming and splitting, you get cool effects, filters, transitions, PiP, background music, speedup/slowdown, and text overlays.


