Introduction

Shotcut is a free, open-source, cross-platform video editor designed to provide professional-level editing tools without any subscription or watermark restrictions. Developed on the powerful MLT multimedia framework, Shotcut offers a modern editing experience suitable for beginners and professionals alike.

Key Features

Cross-Platform Support

Available on Windows, macOS, and Linux, Shotcut provides a consistent editing experience across multiple operating systems. With portable builds and AppImage/Flatpak support, installation and updates are simple and flexible.

Wide Format Support

Thanks to FFmpeg integration, Shotcut supports hundreds of audio and video formats and codecs. Edit high-definition and 4K videos with no need for format conversion. Native timeline editing lets you mix different resolutions and frame rates in the same project.

Advanced Editing Tools

Shotcut provides professional editing features including multi-track timeline, trimming, ripple editing, keyframing, and real-time preview. Use proxy editing to handle large projects smoothly on mid-range hardware.

Video & Audio Filters

Enhance your content with a variety of effects and filters. Shotcut includes color grading, chroma key (green screen), text overlays, blur, sharpening, and new advanced filters such as Motion Tracking and Stabilizer v2. Audio editing is equally robust, with EQ, compressor, reverb, and loudness normalization filters.

Hardware Acceleration

Leverage modern GPUs for faster rendering and smoother previews. Shotcut supports OpenGL, Vulkan, and hardware encoding via Intel Quick Sync, NVIDIA NVENC, and AMD AMF on supported platforms.

Customizable UI

The interface is fully dockable and customizable, allowing editors to create their preferred workspace. Dark mode and UI refinements ensure a comfortable editing environment.

System Requirements

Shotcut runs on Windows 10/11, macOS 11+, and Linux distributions. Minimum requirements include a CPU with SSE2 support, 4 GB of RAM (8 GB recommended), OpenGL 2.0 GPU, and 500 MB free disk space. For advanced GPU-accelerated features, Vulkan or DirectX 11/Metal support is recommended.

Installation

On Linux, Shotcut can be installed via package managers or Flatpak. Windows and macOS users can download official builds directly from the Shotcut website or GitHub releases.

Use Cases

Shotcut is ideal for YouTubers, educators, filmmakers, and hobbyists looking for powerful editing without expensive licenses. It supports workflows from basic video trimming to complex multi-track editing with effects, making it a versatile choice for content creators.

Conclusion

Shotcut combines the freedom of open-source software with professional-grade features, making it one of the best free video editors available. With continuous updates and an active community, it remains a top choice for anyone seeking a reliable, cross-platform video editing solution.