OpenShot review covering the free, open-source video editor's features, cross-platform support, pricing, and alternatives like Shotcut and Kdenlive.
OpenShot is a free, open-source video editor built to give Linux, Windows, and Mac users a stable, approachable alternative to expensive commercial editing software. It was started in 2008 by developer Jonathan Thomas after he noticed a lack of good Linux video editors when he switched to Ubuntu.
The application is written in Python with a C++ rendering engine (libopenshot) and a PyQt5 interface, and it is distributed under the GPLv3 open-source license, meaning the source code is freely available to inspect, modify, and redistribute.
OpenShot offers unlimited tracks and layers, drag-and-drop editing, a wide range of video transitions and effects, key-framed animations, 3D animated titles, and audio waveform visualization for precise audio-video syncing.
It also supports chroma key (green screen) compositing, time effects like slow motion and reverse playback, and broad file format compatibility through FFmpeg, making it capable of handling most common video, audio, and image formats without additional plugins.
OpenShot is completely free to download and use, with no paid tiers, subscriptions, watermarks, or feature restrictions of any kind.
The project is sustained through voluntary donations and community contributions rather than commercial licensing, consistent with its open-source, non-profit-style development model.
Yes, OpenShot is entirely free and open source under the GPLv3 license, with no paid tiers or watermarks.
OpenShot runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, and ChromeOS.
OpenShot was created by developer Jonathan Thomas in August 2008.
OpenShot's interface is built with Python and PyQt5, while its rendering engine, libopenshot, is written in C++.
Yes, OpenShot includes chroma key compositing for removing green-screen backgrounds.
All three are free, open-source video editors; OpenShot is generally considered the most beginner-friendly, while Shotcut and Kdenlive offer more advanced editing controls for experienced users.
OpenShot is best suited for hobbyists, students, and small content creators; larger professional productions often prefer tools like DaVinci Resolve or Adobe Premiere Pro for advanced color grading and stability at scale.