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Lightworks alternatives: 5 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Lightworks: free plan exports only up to 1080p, and smaller community and fewer tutorials. We ranked 5 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Lightworks, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. DaVinci Resolve currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Kdenlive logoKdenliveOpen sourceYesLinux, Windows, macOS4 of 462.6
  1. Kdenlive logo

    1. KdenliveTop pick

    Best for: Linux users and anyone wanting a full-featured free editor without subscriptions

    Open sourceLinux, Windows, macOS

    62.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Lightworks

    Fully open source with no export restrictions.

    Pros

    • Free and open source with no watermark
    • Proxy editing, keyframes and local speech-to-text subtitles
    • Runs on Linux, Windows and macOS

    Cons

    • Interface is dense for beginners
    • Stability can vary between releases
    • Lacks advanced tracking and collaboration tools
    Visit Kdenlive Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.387
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Kdenlive a good Lightworks alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    License
    GPL-3.0
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    Linux, Windows, macOS, BSD
    Checked Oct 25, 2026kdenlive.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Open source
    Yes
    Checked Oct 25, 2026kdenlive.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Linux packages
    AppImage and Flatpak
    Checked Oct 25, 2026kdenlive.org(opens source in a new tab)

The best Lightworks alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

DaVinci Resolve logo

Best Lightworks alternative for most people

DaVinci Resolve

Free professional suite on Linux too, with far stronger colour tools.

Kdenlive logo

Best Lightworks alternative for a free option

Kdenlive

Fully open source with no export restrictions.

DaVinci Resolve logo

Best Lightworks alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

DaVinci Resolve

Free professional suite on Linux too, with far stronger colour tools.

Kdenlive logo

Best Lightworks alternative for open source

Kdenlive

Fully open source with no export restrictions.

Adobe Premiere logo

Best Lightworks alternative for Mac

Adobe Premiere

Larger ecosystem and easier collaboration with other editors.

Vegas Pro logo

Best Lightworks alternative for Windows

Vegas Pro

Windows editor with fast timeline editing and strong audio.

DaVinci Resolve logo

Best Lightworks alternative for Linux

DaVinci Resolve

Free professional suite on Linux too, with far stronger colour tools.

Lightworks alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Lightworks?

DaVinci Resolve ranks first right now. Free professional suite on Linux too, with far stronger colour tools. Kdenlive and Adobe Premiere follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Lightworks?

Yes. DaVinci Resolve (free plan + paid) and Kdenlive (open source) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to Lightworks?

Yes: Kdenlive.

Which Lightworks alternatives work on Linux?

DaVinci Resolve and Kdenlive run on Linux.

Why do people switch from Lightworks?

The complaints we hear most: free plan exports only up to 1080p; smaller community and fewer tutorials; interface takes time to learn.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces Lightworks, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.