Nine video editing programs for Linux compared
Video technology has exploded in the past several years: Video capability is now a standard feature on most high-end mobile phones, and a menagerie of other inexpensive video devices now inhabit the high-tech landscape. But eye-witness footage alone does not make for a compelling film. The new legions of camera users need editing tools to cut out the rough parts and assemble the snippets into polished products. No fewer than nine free video editing programs vie for the favor of Linux-conscious filmmakers. All these tools are capable of editing videos, arranging them into a new work of art, and furnishing them with effects.
The proprietary but free Lightworks joined the lineup at the start of 2014. In this article, I explore the crowded field of Linux video editing alternatives, including Cinelerra, Flowblade, Kdenlive, Kino, Lightworks, LiVES, OpenShot, Pitivi, and Shotcut. Most of these tools are guided by the methods of professional video editing programs like Adobe Premiere Pro: You drag and drop movie snippets on a timeline to create your video, and when you're finished editing, you export the video into a new file.
Cinelerra
Adam Williams attaches great importance to a stable program. He therefore updates his video editing program Cinelerra [1] only once a year, and each version has only a few new features. Williams's website provides an archive with a binary version for the 64-bit version of Ubuntu 14.04, whereas users of other distributions have to compile the source text themselves.
[...]
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
US / Canada
UK / Australia
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
Fedora 42 Available with Two New Spins
The latest release from the Fedora Project includes the usual updates, a new kernel, an official KDE Plasma spin, and a new System76 spin.
-
So Long, ArcoLinux
The ArcoLinux distribution is the latest Linux distribution to shut down.
-
What Open Source Pros Look for in a Job Role
Learn what professionals in technical and non-technical roles say is most important when seeking a new position.
-
Asahi Linux Runs into Issues with M4 Support
Due to Apple Silicon changes, the Asahi Linux project is at odds with adding support for the M4 chips.
-
Plasma 6.3.4 Now Available
Although not a major release, Plasma 6.3.4 does fix some bugs and offer a subtle change for the Plasma sidebar.
-
Linux Kernel 6.15 First Release Candidate Now Available
Linux Torvalds has announced that the release candidate for the final release of the Linux 6.15 series is now available.
-
Akamai Will Host kernel.org
The organization dedicated to cloud-based solutions has agreed to host kernel.org to deliver long-term stability for the development team.
-
Linux Kernel 6.14 Released
The latest Linux kernel has arrived with extra Rust support and more.
-
EndeavorOS Mercury Neo Available
A new release from the EndeavorOS team ships with Plasma 6.3 and other goodies.
-
Fedora 42 Beta Has Arrived
The Fedora Project has announced the availability of the first beta release for version 42 of the open-source distribution.