Shotcut 26.1.16 beta

Shotcut delivers professional-grade video editing capabilities without the price tag of commercial software.

Built on the powerful FFmpeg framework, this open-source editor handles virtually any media format you throw at it while providing the advanced tools serious creators need.

Download Shotcut and start editing immediately with no account registration, no watermarks, and no subscription fees.

Why Choose Shotcut for Video Editing?

Shotcut stands apart from basic video editors by offering features typically found only in expensive commercial software.

The native timeline editing supports mixing different video resolutions and frame rates in the same project - something that frustrates users of simpler editors.

Whether you're working with 4K footage from your camera alongside 1080p screen recordings, Shotcut handles the complexity automatically.

The software processes video through hardware acceleration on NVIDIA, AMD, and Intel GPUs, dramatically reducing export times compared to CPU-only rendering. Projects that previously took hours now complete in minutes.

Comprehensive Format Support

Shotcut accepts every major video and audio format without requiring additional codec installations. Import and export files in MP4, AVI, MOV, MKV, WEBM, FLV, OGG, M4A, and dozens more.

The software works natively with professional formats including MXF and MLT XML, making it suitable for broadcast workflows alongside consumer projects.

For image sequences and graphics, Shotcut supports BMP, JPEG, PNG, GIF, TGA, TIFF, and SVG formats. Create slideshows, add watermarks, or incorporate motion graphics directly into your timeline.

Preview your work using VLC Media Player or MPC-BE to verify playback compatibility across different devices before final export.

Professional Editing Features

Multi-Track Timeline: Stack unlimited video and audio tracks to create complex compositions with picture-in-picture effects, split screens, and synchronized multi-camera edits.

Video Filters: Apply crop, blur, glow, mirror, saturation, sharpen, and dozens of other effects. The filter stack allows combining multiple effects on single clips with precise parameter control.

Color Grading: Professional Color Wheels provide intuitive control over shadows, midtones, and highlights. Correct footage from different cameras to achieve consistent color throughout your project.

Audio Tools: Balance, gain, and pan controls solve common audio problems. Normalize volume levels across clips or create spatial audio effects for immersive viewing experiences.

3-Point Editing: Professional insert and overwrite editing modes speed up assembly for experienced editors working with large amounts of source material.

Keyframe Animation

Animate any filter parameter over time using Shotcut's keyframe system.

Create smooth zoom effects, animated text reveals, or gradual color transitions.

The visual keyframe editor displays curves for precise timing control.

Export and Rendering Options

Export to any format supported by FFmpeg, including H.264, H.265/HEVC, VP8, VP9, and ProRes.

Built-in presets target specific platforms like YouTube, Vimeo, and social media services with optimal settings pre-configured.

For faster encoding on dedicated projects, consider HandBrake for batch processing or FFmpeg Batch AV Converter for large-scale format conversion tasks.

Interface Customization

Choose between native OS appearance or custom dark and light themes.

The interface adapts to your workflow with detachable panels, customizable toolbars, and savable layouts.

Beginners appreciate the simplified view while power users configure complex multi-monitor setups.

System Requirements

• Operating System: Windows 7 or later, macOS 10.14 or later, Linux.
• RAM: 4GB minimum, 8GB recommended for HD editing, 16GB for 4K.
• GPU: OpenGL 2.0 compatible graphics for GPU-accelerated effects.
• Storage: SSD recommended for smooth timeline scrubbing.

Alternatives to Consider

For quick trimming without re-encoding, LosslessCut cuts video in seconds while preserving original quality.

Users needing Hollywood-grade color correction should explore DaVinci Resolve, which offers professional tools completely free.

Other capable free editors include Kdenlive, OpenShot Video Editor, and VSDC Free Video Editor.

For simpler projects, Windows Movie Maker provides a gentler learning curve.

Capture enthusiasts working with legacy formats may prefer VirtualDub2 for its specialized video capture and processing capabilities.

Latest Version Updates

The current release includes enhanced Mask: Apply filter support, improved timeline ripple-trim functionality, BT.2020 color space preview, and the ability to embed markers as chapters during export.

Audio export now defaults to Average Bitrate encoding for AAC, Opus, and MP3 formats, improving output quality consistency.

Download Shotcut and access professional video editing tools on Windows, Mac, or Linux without spending a dollar.