Shotcut is a free, open-source video editor for Windows, macOS, and Linux that delivers a real timeline editing experience with no cost, no watermarks, and no subscriptions.
Shotcut is developed by Meltytech on the MLT framework and FFmpeg, which gives it exceptionally wide format support: hundreds of audio, video, and image formats open natively, and clips go straight onto the timeline without importing or transcoding. It handles resolutions up to 4K and beyond, with a deep library of keyframable video and audio filters, color and audio scopes and meters, and tools like proxy editing that keep heavy footage responsive on modest hardware. Recent releases keep it modern — version 26.9 (September 2026) added adjustment clips for applying effects across tracks and automatic audio ducking that lowers music under dialogue. The interface is panel-based and fully rearrangeable, capture works from screen, webcam, and audio devices, and exports cover virtually any format through FFmpeg presets. It is updated frequently and translated into dozens of languages by its community. Project files use an open format other MLT-based tools can read.
Shotcut is completely free and open source under the GPL license. Download it from shotcut.org — there are no paid tiers, watermarks, or locked features.
Shotcut is for budget-conscious creators, Linux users, teachers, and hobbyists who want a capable, honest editor that costs nothing and never holds their projects hostage to a subscription or an account sign-up.