Kdenlive
Best for open-source multi-track editing
License: Open source
- Windows
- macOS
- Linux
Status: Active
- MP4: opens and saves, full fidelity
- MOV: opens and saves, full fidelity
Kdenlive vs Shotcut
Two free alternatives to Adobe Premiere, side by side.
Shotcut
Best for quick edits in a simple open-source editor
License: Open source- Windows
- macOS
- Linux
Status: Active- MP4: opens and saves, full fidelity
- MOV: opens and saves, full fidelity
Side by side
| Fact | Kdenlive | Shotcut |
|---|---|---|
| License | License: Open sourceGPL-3.0-only | License: Open sourceGPL-3.0-or-later |
| Maintenance | Status: Active | Status: Active |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hostable | No | No |
| Works offline | Yes | Yes |
| No account needed | Yes | Yes |
| Parity with Adobe Premiere | 44% | 38% |
License classes: Open source and Open source. Status rules: Active means a commit in the last 90 days. See the methodology.
Feature parity with Adobe Premiere
| Feature | Kdenlive | Shotcut |
|---|---|---|
| Editing | ||
| Multi-track timeline editing | Yes | YesNote 1Multi-track timeline with ripple edits |
| Multi-camera editing | PartialNote 2A multicam tool exists with fewer controls | NoNote 3No multicam editing |
| Color | ||
| Color grading with scopes and LUTs | PartialNote 4Color wheels, curves, scopes and LUT effects, but no dedicated grading workspace | PartialNote 5Color grading and LUT filters, with limited scopes |
| Audio | ||
| Audio mixing and cleanup | PartialNote 6Audio mixer and effects; no dedicated audio editor | PartialNote 7Audio filters, loudness meter and ducking; no mixer page |
| Graphics | ||
| Titles and keyframed effects | PartialNote 8Title editor and keyframes; motion graphics are basic | PartialNote 9Text and keyframed filters; no title templates |
| Captions | ||
| Captions and text-based editing | PartialNote 10Subtitle tracks and speech-to-text with a model you download | PartialNote 11Subtitle tracks; no text-based editing |
| AI | ||
| Generative Extend | No | No |
| Integration | ||
| Dynamic Link with After Effects and Audition | No | No |
- Shotcut, Multi-track timeline editing: Multi-track timeline with ripple edits
- Kdenlive, Multi-camera editing: A multicam tool exists with fewer controls
- Shotcut, Multi-camera editing: No multicam editing
- Kdenlive, Color grading with scopes and LUTs: Color wheels, curves, scopes and LUT effects, but no dedicated grading workspace
- Shotcut, Color grading with scopes and LUTs: Color grading and LUT filters, with limited scopes
- Kdenlive, Audio mixing and cleanup: Audio mixer and effects; no dedicated audio editor
- Shotcut, Audio mixing and cleanup: Audio filters, loudness meter and ducking; no mixer page
- Kdenlive, Titles and keyframed effects: Title editor and keyframes; motion graphics are basic
- Shotcut, Titles and keyframed effects: Text and keyframed filters; no title templates
- Kdenlive, Captions and text-based editing: Subtitle tracks and speech-to-text with a model you download
- Shotcut, Captions and text-based editing: Subtitle tracks; no text-based editing
File formats
| Format | Kdenlive | Shotcut |
|---|---|---|
| .prproj | NoNote 1Premiere projects do not open | NoNote 2Premiere projects do not open |
| .mp4 | Opens and savesFull fidelity | Opens and savesFull fidelity |
| .mov | Opens and savesFull fidelity | Opens and savesFull fidelity |
| .xml | NoNote 3Timelines move as OpenTimelineIO rather than Final Cut Pro or Premiere XML | NoNote 4It saves MLT XML projects but does not read Final Cut Pro or Premiere XML |
- Kdenlive, .prproj: Premiere projects do not open
- Shotcut, .prproj: Premiere projects do not open
- Kdenlive, .xml: Timelines move as OpenTimelineIO rather than Final Cut Pro or Premiere XML
- Shotcut, .xml: It saves MLT XML projects but does not read Final Cut Pro or Premiere XML