Alternatives / Filmora
Looking for an open source Filmora alternative? We compared 5 open source video editors by license, platforms, editing features, ease of use, and pricing. They range from a quick lossless cutter and a browser editor to full multi-track editors for desktop.
Written by Maxime DERAME
Last updated:
| Alternative | Best for | License |
|---|---|---|
| OpenCut | Simple private editing in the browser | MIT |
| LosslessCut | Fast lossless trimming | GPL-2.0 |
| Shotcut | Free professional-grade editing | GPL-3.0 |
| OpenShot | Beginners and simple projects | GPL-3.0 |
| Kdenlive | Advanced editing and color correction | GPL-3.0 |
We looked for open-source video editors that overlap with Filmora's core: a timeline editor with transitions, effects, titles, and export. We verified each project's license, recent activity, stars, and platforms in its repository. Filmora also bundles stock media, templates, and AI features, which open-source editors generally do not, so we compare editing capabilities and ease of use. See our methodology for the full criteria.
Kdenlive and Shotcut are full non-linear editors with multi-track timelines and professional features. OpenShot is the easiest to learn. OpenCut is a simpler, privacy-focused editor in the browser and on desktop. LosslessCut is not an editor in the usual sense: it trims, cuts, and merges without re-encoding, which is fast but not for frame-level effects or compositing.
OpenShot and OpenCut are the closest to Filmora's beginner-friendly approach, with simple timelines, titles, transitions, and keyframes. Shotcut and Kdenlive offer much deeper control, including color grading, proxy editing, and wide format and 4K support, but take more time to learn.
OpenCut is MIT. LosslessCut is GPL-2.0, and Shotcut, OpenShot, and Kdenlive are GPL-3.0. LosslessCut is free on GitHub, with paid versions available through the Mac App Store and Microsoft Store that support its development.
Shotcut, OpenShot, Kdenlive, and LosslessCut run on Windows, macOS, and Linux, and Kdenlive also supports BSD. OpenCut works in the browser, so it runs wherever you have one, and keeps processing on your device.
All five projects were updated within days or weeks of this update. OpenCut is the youngest and fastest-growing of the group.
Filmora is a proprietary video editor sold by subscription or perpetual license, with watermarks on the free version and many effects, templates, and AI features behind paid tiers. Open-source editors are free, have no watermarks or accounts, and let you inspect the code, at the cost of fewer bundled templates and a steeper learning curve.
| Alternative | Type | License | Platforms | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OpenCut | Timeline editor | MIT | Browser, desktop | Simple, private editing |
| LosslessCut | Lossless cutter | GPL-2.0 | Windows, macOS, Linux | Trimming without re-encoding |
| Shotcut | Non-linear editor | GPL-3.0 | Windows, macOS, Linux | Professional features |
| OpenShot | Non-linear editor | GPL-3.0 | Windows, macOS, Linux | Beginners |
| Kdenlive | Non-linear editor | GPL-3.0 | Windows, macOS, Linux, BSD | Advanced editing and color |
Want the easiest full editor to learn
OpenShot offers a multi-track timeline with unlimited layers, transitions, keyframe animation, titles, and effects in a beginner-friendly interface.
Want a simple editor that keeps files private
OpenCut is a local-first editor with a simple timeline that processes video on your device, needs no account, and is MIT licensed.
Want professional-grade editing for free
Shotcut supports hundreds of formats, 4K, hardware devices, filters, keyframes, and capture, with no account or subscription.
Need advanced color grading and compositing
Kdenlive offers an unlimited multi-track timeline, color correction, proxy editing, and wide format support built on the MLT Framework.
Just need to cut or join clips quickly
LosslessCut trims, splits, and merges media without re-encoding, which is fast and preserves quality.