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Video Production · head to head

Kdenlive vs Riverside.fm

Kdenlive logo

Kdenlive

Video Production

Free, open-source non-linear video editor from the KDE community

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Riverside.fm logo

Riverside.fm

Video Production

High-quality remote podcast and video recording platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Kdenlive relies on volunteer development so release cadence and bug fixes can be slower than commercial tools.; Riverside.fm free plan limited to 2 hours of multi-track recording and adds a watermark
  • They diverge on capability: Kdenlive covers Multi-track timeline, Riverside.fm covers Remote recording.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Kdenlive and Riverside.fm actually diverge.

Attributes where Kdenlive and Riverside.fm differ
AttributeKdenliveRiverside.fm
Pricing modelopen-sourcefreemium
Platformswindows, mac, linuxWeb, Ios, Android
FoundedUnknown2019

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

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 Kdenlive

  • Multi-track timeline
  • Proxy editing
  • Wide format support
  • Titler tool
  • Effects and transitions
  • Cross-platform

Only in Riverside.fm

  • Remote recording
  • High-quality capture
  • Automatic transcription
  • Video editing
  • Live streaming
  • Distribution tools
  • Zapier
  • IFTTT

What people use each for

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

Kdenlive

  • Free video editing for hobbyistsnot Riverside.fm
  • Linux-native video productionnot Riverside.fm
  • Educational video editingnot Riverside.fm
  • Community/open-source project video worknot Riverside.fm

Riverside.fm

  • Remote podcast and video interview recording with multi-track separationnot Kdenlive

Where each one falls short

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

Kdenlive

  • Relies on volunteer development so release cadence and bug fixes can be slower than commercial tools.
  • Lacks built-in advanced VFX/compositing found in tools like DaVinci Resolve.
  • Performance and stability can vary depending on system configuration and GPU drivers.
  • No official cloud collaboration or review features.

Riverside.fm

  • Free plan limited to 2 hours of multi-track recording and adds a watermark
  • Pro plan at $29 per month caps separate-track recording at 5 hours per month
  • Business plan with unlimited storage and SSO is quote only, requiring contact with sales

Pricing, plan by plan

Kdenlive

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

Riverside.fm

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 2 hours of multi-track recordings
    • 720p video quality
    • 44.1 kHz audio
  • Pro$29/month
    • $24 per month annual
    • 4K video and 48kHz audio
    • No watermark
  • Grow$39/month
    • $34 per month annual
    • 1080p live streaming
    • Social media scheduling
  • Webinar$99/month
    • $79 per month annual
    • Host webinars up to 100 registrants
    • Lead capture tools

Which should you pick?

Choose Kdenlive if

  • You need multi-track timeline.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on windows, mac, linux.
  • You also want proxy editing.
Kdenlive review

Choose Riverside.fm if

  • You need remote recording.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want high-quality capture.
Riverside.fm review

Questions people ask

Is Kdenlive or Riverside.fm better?
Neither clearly leads. Kdenlive starts at Free and Riverside.fm at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Kdenlive or Riverside.fm?
Kdenlive starts at Free and Riverside.fm at Free.
Does Kdenlive or Riverside.fm run on more platforms?
Kdenlive runs on windows, mac, linux. Riverside.fm runs on Web, Ios, Android.
Can I use Kdenlive for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Kdenlive best used for?
Kdenlive is most often used for free video editing for hobbyists, linux-native video production, educational video editing, community/open-source project video work. Of those, free video editing for hobbyists and linux-native video production are not what Riverside.fm is typically brought in for.
What can Kdenlive do that Riverside.fm cannot?
Kdenlive covers Multi-track timeline, Proxy editing, Wide format support, Titler tool. Riverside.fm covers Remote recording, High-quality capture, Automatic transcription, Video editing.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Kdenlive: Is Kdenlive free to use?

Yes, Kdenlive is completely free and open source, distributed under the GPL license with no cost to download or use, though donations to KDE e.V. are welcomed.

Source
Riverside.fm: How much does Riverside FM cost?

Pro plan is $29/month ($24 annually), Grow is $39/month ($34 annually), and Webinar is $99/month ($79 annually). A Free plan with 2 hours recording is available. Business plan requires contacting sales.

Source
Kdenlive: What platforms does Kdenlive support?

Kdenlive runs on Linux, Windows, macOS, and BSD.

Source
Riverside.fm: Does Riverside FM offer annual billing discounts?

Yes, annual billing provides up to 20% discount compared to monthly rates. Specific savings vary by plan tier.

Source
Kdenlive: Where can I get help with Kdenlive?

Users can consult the user manual at docs.kdenlive.org, join the community Matrix channel, or ask on the KDE discussion forum.

Source
Riverside.fm: What is included in the Free plan?

The Free plan includes 2 hours of multi-track recordings, 720p video quality, 44.1 kHz audio, unlimited single-track recording, and a Riverside watermark on exports.

Source
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