Shotcut vs Lightworks : Which is Better?

Shotcut icon

Shotcut

Shotcut is a free and open-source cross-platform video editing application for FreeBSD, Linux, OS X and Windows. Developed by Meltytech

License: Open Source

Categories: Video & Movies

Apps available for Mac OS X Windows Linux

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Lightworks icon

Lightworks

Lightworks is a professional non-linear editing system (NLE) for editing and mastering digital video in various formats, including 2K and 4K resolutions, and television in PAL, NTSC, and high-definition formats. Developed by EditShare

License: Freemium

Categories: Video & Movies

Apps available for Mac OS X Windows Linux

Shotcut VS Lightworks

Shotcut is a free, open-source video editor that excels in simplicity and accessibility, making it ideal for beginners and casual users. In contrast, Lightworks is a professional-grade editing software with advanced features and collaborative tools, suited for filmmakers and serious video editors.

Shotcut

Pros:

  • Free and open-source
  • Wide format support
  • User-friendly interface
  • Strong community support
  • No watermarks on exports
  • Good for beginners
  • Multi-platform availability
  • Regular updates
  • Extensive video filters
  • Flexible timeline management

Cons:

  • Limited advanced features for professionals
  • Less stable than paid software
  • No collaborative editing
  • Fewer export options compared to Lightworks
  • Learning curve for advanced features
  • No cloud support
  • Limited customer support
  • No built-in motion graphics
  • Less efficient for large projects
  • No project templates

Lightworks

Pros:

  • Professional-grade features
  • High-quality output
  • Collaborative editing capabilities
  • Advanced color grading
  • Proxy editing support
  • Cloud storage integration
  • Customizable workspace
  • Project templates available
  • Motion graphics support
  • Robust audio editing tools

Cons:

  • High learning curve for beginners
  • Paid software with subscription model
  • Requires a powerful system
  • Complex interface
  • Limited free version
  • Less flexible for simple tasks
  • Heavy resource usage
  • Some features are advanced and not beginner-friendly
  • Potentially costly for full features
  • Limited format support in free version

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