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Shotcut

by Shotcut

Free plan LinuxMacWindows

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Shotcut's own site

What Shotcut is

Shotcut is a free, open-source desktop video editor for Linux, macOS, and Windows. It supports timeline editing without a separate import step, with multitrack projects that can combine different resolutions and frame rates. Shotcut lists support for 4K and 8K resolutions. Audio and video format support comes through FFmpeg, alongside common image formats including AVIF, GIF, JPEG, PNG, SVG, TIFF, and WebP. Editing features include audio mixing and automatic ducking, compositing, color grading, speed ramping, and object motion tracking. It also lists Frei0r video generator plugins and Glaxnimate support for Lottie and rawr animations; VST2 and LV2 audio plugins are marked work-in-progress. Capture options include webcams and Blackmagic Design SDI and HDMI, with hardware-accelerated decoding, scaling, and encoding. Minimum RAM requirements are 4 GB for SD, 8 GB for HD, and 16 GB for 4K. Shotcut says it collects no personal information and needs no network access for activation or usage analytics. It is GPLv3 software and free for commercial use.

Who it suits

Shotcut suits people who want a free desktop editor with multitrack timelines, broad media-format support, and tools for audio, color, and motion. The listed RAM requirements can help users assess fit for their intended resolution.

What it does well

  • Free and licensed for commercial use.
  • Edits on a timeline without an import step.
  • Supports 4K and 8K resolutions.
  • Includes audio mixing, grading, and motion tracking.
  • Does not require network access for activation.

What to know first

  • Minimum RAM for 4K is 16 GB.
  • VST2 and LV2 audio plugins are work-in-progress.
  • Sub-clip extraction without encoding is not frame accurate.

Plans

PlanBilled and limitsPrice
ShotcutFree, open source video editor · Windows, macOS, LinuxFree

As shotcut.org lists them, read 7 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Getting started

  1. Visit the Shotcut website.
  2. Download Shotcut for Linux, macOS, or Windows.
  3. Check the listed operating-system and RAM requirements for your target resolution.
  4. Open the desktop editor and start a timeline project.

Verdict

Shotcut combines timeline editing, extensive format support, and a range of audio and video tools at no cost. Check its memory requirements and the stated sub-clip limitation before choosing it for a workflow.

Questions

Is Shotcut free?

Yes. Shotcut is listed as free and open source, with a free plan and no free trial.

Which operating systems does Shotcut support?

Shotcut is available for Linux, macOS, and Windows. Its FAQ lists 64-bit Linux with glibc 2.35 or later, macOS 12–27, and 64-bit Windows 10 build 1809–11.

Can Shotcut be used commercially?

Yes. Its FAQ says Shotcut is free for commercial use under the GPLv3 license.

What resolution and memory requirements does it list?

Shotcut lists 4K and 8K resolution support. Minimum RAM is 4 GB for SD, 8 GB for HD, and 16 GB for 4K.

Does Shotcut require internet access for activation or analytics?

Shotcut says it does not require network access for activation, subscription checks, or usage analytics.

Facts from Shotcut's own pages

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

Where Shotcut stands on Freedom251

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