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Game Development · head to head

LÖVE vs Shotcut

LÖVE logo

LÖVE

Game Development

Framework for making 2D games in Lua

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
S

Shotcut

Video Production

Free, open-source, cross-platform video editor built on the MLT framework

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: LÖVE lOVE is a 2D-only framework, with no 3D pipeline; Shotcut interface is dense and less polished than commercial competitors like VEGAS Pro.
  • They diverge on capability: LÖVE covers Lua scripting, Shotcut covers Native timeline editing.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which LÖVE and Shotcut actually diverge.

Attributes where LÖVE and Shotcut differ
AttributeLÖVEShotcut
Pricing modelfreeopen-source
PlatformsWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Webwindows, mac, linux
CategoryGame DevelopmentVideo Production
Founded20082004

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in LÖVE

  • Lua scripting
  • Graphics rendering
  • Physics engine (Box2D)
  • Audio support
  • Input handling
  • File I/O
  • Vector math
  • Animation support

Only in Shotcut

  • Native timeline editing
  • Wide format support
  • 4K resolution support
  • Blackmagic Design SDI/HDMI capture
  • Multi-format timelines
  • Text and audio filters

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

LÖVE

  • Making 2D games in Luanot Shotcut
  • Rapid prototyping of 2D gameplaynot Shotcut
  • Shipping small 2D games to desktop and mobile from one Lua codebasenot Shotcut

Shotcut

  • Free cross-platform video editingnot LÖVE
  • Working with mixed-format footage in one projectnot LÖVE
  • 4K video editing without a subscriptionnot LÖVE
  • Capturing footage from Blackmagic SDI/HDMI hardwarenot LÖVE

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

LÖVE

  • LOVE is a 2D-only framework, with no 3D pipeline
  • Games must be written in Lua, with no other supported scripting language
  • Supported platforms are limited to Windows Vista and later, macOS 10.11 and later, Linux, Android and iOS
  • The iOS build is distributed as source and libraries rather than a ready installer
  • There is no commercial support offering; help is through community forums, Discord and a subreddit

Shotcut

  • Interface is dense and less polished than commercial competitors like VEGAS Pro.
  • No built-in cloud collaboration or team review features.
  • Performance on very large 4K projects can lag on modest hardware.
  • Community-driven support model means no official paid support channel.

Pricing, plan by plan

LÖVE

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full framework
    • Lua scripting
    • Cross-platform support

Shotcut

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full editor
    • All filters and effects
    • Community support

Which should you pick?

Choose LÖVE if

  • You need lua scripting.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web.
  • You also want graphics rendering.
LÖVE review

Choose Shotcut if

  • You need native timeline editing.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on windows, mac, linux.
  • You also want wide format support.
Shotcut review

Questions people ask

Is LÖVE or Shotcut better?
Neither clearly leads. LÖVE starts at Free and Shotcut at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, LÖVE or Shotcut?
LÖVE starts at Free and Shotcut at Free.
Does LÖVE or Shotcut run on more platforms?
LÖVE runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web. Shotcut runs on windows, mac, linux.
Can I use LÖVE for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is LÖVE best used for?
LÖVE is most often used for making 2d games in lua, rapid prototyping of 2d gameplay, shipping small 2d games to desktop and mobile from one lua codebase. Of those, making 2d games in lua and rapid prototyping of 2d gameplay are not what Shotcut is typically brought in for.
What can LÖVE do that Shotcut cannot?
LÖVE covers Lua scripting, Graphics rendering, Physics engine (Box2D), Audio support. Shotcut covers Native timeline editing, Wide format support, 4K resolution support, Blackmagic Design SDI/HDMI capture.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Shotcut: Is Shotcut free for commercial use?

Yes. Shotcut is distributed under the GPLv3 license, which grants the freedom to run the program for any purpose, including commercial use, at no cost.

Source
Shotcut: Does Shotcut collect personal data?

No. Shotcut does not collect, store, or share any personal information, and it requires no network connection for activation or usage tracking.

Source
Shotcut: What operating systems does Shotcut support?

Shotcut supports Windows 10 (build 1809) and later, macOS 12-26, and 64-bit Linux with glibc 2.35 or higher.

Source
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