Alternatives / DaVinci Resolve
These tools cover different parts of DaVinci Resolve's workflow, from full desktop nonlinear editors to fast lossless trimming and browser-based editing. No project in this list reproduces Resolve's combined professional color grading, Fusion compositing, Fairlight audio, and collaborative post-production.
Written by Maxime DERAME
Last updated:
Kdenlive, Shotcut, OpenShot, and Resolve are traditional nonlinear editors that decode footage, apply effects and transitions, and render output. LosslessCut often copies compatible encoded streams without re-encoding. That makes simple cuts very fast, but it is not a creative multi-track editor for compositing, effects, and color grading.
Kdenlive is one of the closest open-source options for a conventional editing workflow, with multi-track timelines, proxy workflows, effects, keyframes, color adjustments, scopes, audio, titles, subtitles, and high-resolution editing. Resolve remains substantially stronger in professional finishing through its Color page, Fusion, Fairlight, advanced tracking, collaboration, and specialized hardware integration.
Shotcut is a general-purpose alternative built around FFmpeg and MLT, with extensive format compatibility, filters, audio adjustments, delivery tools, and Blackmagic Design SDI and HDMI workflows. It can cover many independent editing workflows but is less suitable when advanced color grading or compositing is the main reason for using Resolve.
Resolve's dedicated grading environment includes node workflows, primary and secondary correction, Power Windows, tracking, HDR tools, color management, curves, qualifiers, scopes, and LUTs. Kdenlive, Shotcut, and newer OpenShot releases provide useful color correction and scopes, but not the same complete professional grading environment.
Resolve integrates the Fusion node compositor and Fairlight audio environment. None of the five projects listed here provides a direct equivalent to Fusion, and the editors do not reproduce the full Fairlight workflow. Complex productions may pair an editor with Blender or Natron for compositing and a separate open-source audio application.
OpenCut uses a browser-based workflow for minimal installation, cross-platform access, a modern interface, and local processing. Browser editing is less mature for very large projects, extensive effects chains, complex codecs, and GPU-heavy post-production than established desktop editors.
Editors look for alternatives to DaVinci Resolve for open-source software, Linux-friendly workflows, lighter desktop tools, browser-based editing, no proprietary license or account, simpler installation, or more control over their environment. Resolve combines editing, color grading, visual effects, motion graphics, audio post-production, and delivery; open alternatives generally specialize in fewer parts of that workflow.
| Alternative | Type | License | GitHub stars | Full NLE | Color tools | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OpenCut | Browser video editor | MIT | ~90.6k | Developing | Basic / evolving | Browser-based editing |
| LosslessCut | Lossless cutter | GPL-2.0 | ~44k | No | No | Fast trimming without re-encoding |
| Shotcut | Desktop NLE | GPL-3.0 | ~15.3k | Yes | Yes | Cross-platform editing |
| OpenShot | Desktop NLE | GPL-3.0 | ~6.5k | Yes | Yes | Beginner-friendly editing |
| Kdenlive | Desktop NLE | GPL-3.0 | ~5.7k mirror | Yes | Yes | Advanced open-source editing |
Want the closest open-source desktop video editor
Kdenlive and Shotcut both provide mature multi-track timelines, effects, keyframes, proxy workflows, and broad format support.
Need advanced traditional editing on Linux
Kdenlive is developed within KDE, has a mature Linux workflow, and also supports Windows and macOS.
Want broad codec and hardware support
Shotcut uses FFmpeg and MLT for broad format support and includes Blackmagic Design input and monitoring workflows.
Want a beginner-friendly full editor
OpenShot emphasizes accessibility while offering multi-track editing, effects, keyframes, titles, color tools, and recording workflows.
Need to trim video without re-encoding
LosslessCut copies compatible encoded streams directly for fast cuts, splitting, remuxing, and track extraction instead of rendering a full timeline.
Want a browser-based video editor
OpenCut offers an MIT-licensed browser workflow with local processing and a modern cross-platform interface.
Need professional color grading
Kdenlive and Shotcut have useful color correction and scopes, but none of these projects matches Resolve's dedicated professional Color page.
Need VFX and compositing
None of these five includes a Fusion-equivalent node compositor; a separate tool such as Blender or Natron may be needed.
Want the largest GitHub community
OpenCut has the largest star count in this list despite being younger; raw popularity does not indicate professional feature depth or maturity.