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Software · head to head

Shotcut vs Filmora

Shotcut logo

Shotcut

Software

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

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
F

Filmora

Software

Edit faster, smarter and easier

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Shotcut has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Shotcut interface is dense and less polished than commercial competitors like VEGAS Pro.; Filmora basic annual subscription is $49.99/year and includes only 1GB of cloud storage and 500 AI conversations a month; Advanced raises it to $59.99/year for 10GB and 1,000 AI credits

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Shotcut and Filmora actually diverge.

Attributes where Shotcut and Filmora differ
AttributeShotcutFilmora
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelopen-sourceone-time
Free tierYesNo
Platformswindows, mac, linuxWeb
Founded2004Unknown

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

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 Shotcut

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

Only in Filmora

Nothing recorded that Shotcut does not also cover.

What people use each for

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

Shotcut

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

Filmora

No use cases recorded yet. See the Filmora review.

Where each one falls short

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

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.

Filmora

  • Basic annual subscription is $49.99/year and includes only 1GB of cloud storage and 500 AI conversations a month; Advanced raises it to $59.99/year for 10GB and 1,000 AI credits
  • Perpetual license requires a separate purchase for Windows versus Mac and only includes updates within that major version, not future major upgrades

Pricing, plan by plan

Shotcut

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

Filmora

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Filmora review.

Which should you pick?

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

Choose Filmora if

Nothing in the data separates Filmora from Shotcut on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.

Filmora review

Questions people ask

Is Shotcut or Filmora better?
Neither clearly leads. Shotcut starts at Free and Filmora at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Shotcut or Filmora?
Shotcut has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Shotcut and On request for Filmora.
Does Shotcut or Filmora run on more platforms?
Shotcut runs on windows, mac, linux. Filmora runs on Web.
Can I use Shotcut for free?
Yes. Shotcut has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Filmora starts at On request.
What is Shotcut best used for?
Shotcut is most often used for free cross-platform video editing, working with mixed-format footage in one project, 4k video editing without a subscription, capturing footage from blackmagic sdi/hdmi hardware. Of those, free cross-platform video editing and working with mixed-format footage in one project are not what Filmora is typically brought in for.
What can Shotcut do that Filmora cannot?
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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Related pages

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