Professional-grade video editing does not require a subscription or a massive budget.
Shotcut is a free, open-source, and cross-platform video editor that provides a powerful feature set for creators on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Utilizing the robust FFmpeg framework, this application supports hundreds of audio and video formats, allowing for native timeline editing without the need for prior file import or conversion.
Despite its zero-cost model, the software offers advanced capabilities like 4K resolution support, Blackmagic Design integration, and flexible multi-format timelines within a single project.
In This Post
Shotcut Quick Start
Optimizing Preview Performance with Hardware Decoding
- Navigate to Settings > Preview Scaling.
- Select a lower resolution, such as 540p or 360p, to reduce the processing load.
- Ensure the Use Hardware Decoder option is checked (default for v26.1+) to offload decoding to your GPU hardware (Media Foundation/VA-API/Video Toolbox).
- For heavy projects, go to Properties for a clip and select Convert to Proxy to generate low-resolution files for editing.
Why: Preview scaling and hardware decoding are essential for maintaining smooth playback (scrubbing and seeking) when working with high-resolution (HD/4K) or high-bitrate video sources on mid-range hardware.
Switching to Linear 10-bit Processing Mode
- Go to Settings > Processing Mode.
- Change the selection from the default Native 8-bit CPU to Linear 10-bit CPU or Linear 10-bit GPU/CPU (Experimental).
- Restart the application to apply the change.
Why: The Linear 10-bit modes offer significantly better color accuracy, particularly when applying filters or working with 10-bit source footage, which is crucial for professional color grading workflows .
Download Shotcut
Size – 74 MB
Windows
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Linux
Mac
New in This Version
- Added Settings > Preview Scaling > Use Hardware Decoder (defaults ON) to reduce CPU usage during preview.
- Added the Blend Mode filter and track option for the Linear 10-bit GPU/CPU processing mode.
- Increased the maximum resolution in Video Mode and Export to 8640 for 8K VR180 video.
- Added converting a project between GPU & CPU processing modes.
- Improved the appearance of outline on many of the text filters.
For complete changelog, visit the official release notes.
Technical Requirements
Minimum
- OS: 64-bit Windows 10 (build 1809) – 11, macOS 12+, or 64-bit Linux (glibc 2.35+)
- Processor: x86-64 Intel or AMD, or 64-bit ARM; at least one 2 GHz core for SD video
- RAM: 4 GB (for SD video editing)
- Graphics: OpenGL 2.0 (Linux) or Direct3D 11 (Windows)
Recommended
- Processor: 4 cores for HD, and 8 cores for 4K video
- RAM: 8 GB (for HD) or 16 GB (for 4K video editing)
Technical Specifications
| Software Name | Shotcut |
|---|---|
| Version | 26.1.30 |
| License | Free (Open Source) |
| OS Support | Windows 10/11, macOS 12+, 64-bit Linux (glibc 2.35+) |
| Language | Multi-language |
| Developer | Meltytech, LLC |
| Homepage | https://shotcut.org/ |
| Changelogurl | https://shotcut.org/news/ |
| Last Updated | January 2026 |
What We Like & What Could Be Better
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Completely free and open-source with no watermarks or feature limitations | The interface can be overwhelming for absolute beginners |
| Native timeline editing supports multi-format, multi-resolution, and multi-frame-rate projects | Performance can be demanding on lower-end systems, especially for 4K editing |
| Extensive format support due to integration with FFmpeg | |
| Highly customizable and dockable interface panels | |
| Supports advanced features like 8K VR180 video and hardware decoding |
Key Features
- Native Timeline Editing: The software supports native editing of hundreds of audio and video formats, eliminating the time-consuming import step and allowing users to mix different resolutions and frame rates on the same timeline without conversion.
- Advanced Video Processing Modes: Users can select from various processing modes, including Native 8-bit CPU, Linear 10-bit CPU, and the experimental Linear 10-bit GPU/CPU mode, which offers enhanced color accuracy and performance for demanding projects .
- Hardware Decoding for Preview: Version 26.1 introduces a new option under Settings > Preview Scaling to utilize hardware decoding (VA-API on Linux, Media Foundation on Windows, Video Toolbox on macOS) to reduce CPU load during preview.
- 8K VR180 Video Support: The maximum resolution for video mode and export has been significantly increased to 8640, specifically accommodating the demands of high-resolution 8K VR180 video production.
- Blackmagic Design Integration: For professional workflows, Shotcut includes support for Blackmagic Design SDI and HDMI devices, enabling both input capture and external preview monitoring.
- Blend Mode Filter: A new Blend Mode filter and track option has been added, specifically designed to work with the Linear 10-bit GPU/CPU processing mode for more creative compositing and visual effects.
Common Questions
Is Shotcut completely free to use?
Shotcut is 100% free and open-source software, meaning there are no hidden costs, watermarks, or limitations on resolution or time.
What are the minimum RAM requirements for Shotcut?
The minimum required RAM is 4 GB for editing Standard Definition (SD) video, but 8 GB is recommended for HD and 16 GB for 4K projects.
Does Shotcut support 4K video editing?
Yes, it supports resolutions up to 4K natively, and the latest version has expanded support up to 8640 resolution for 8K VR180 video.
How do I get the latest Shotcut download?
The latest version, Shotcut 26.1.30, is available for download on the official website for Windows, macOS, and Linux platforms.
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