AppBreakup
Submit an app

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
1DaVinci Resolve logoDaVinci ResolveFree plan + paidNoWindows, macOS, Linux +14 of 466.5
2Kdenlive logoKdenliveOpen sourceYesLinux, Windows, macOS4 of 462.6
3Adobe Premiere logoAdobe PremierePaidNoWindows, macOS, iOS4 of 459.6
4Vegas Pro logoVegas ProPaidNoWindows4 of 455.3
5Avid Media Composer logoAvid Media ComposerPaidNoWindows, macOS0 of 046.7
  1. DaVinci Resolve logo

    1. DaVinci ResolveTop pick

    Best for: Editors and colourists who want pro tools without a subscription

    Free plan + paidWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS

    66.5

    score / 100

    Why switch from Lightworks

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

    Pros

    • Free version is enough for most professional work
    • Industry-leading colour grading
    • Studio is a one-time purchase with free updates

    Cons

    • Steep learning curve across many pages
    • Needs a powerful GPU for smooth playback
    • Some AI and format features are Studio only
    Visit DaVinci Resolve Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.3100
    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 DaVinci Resolve a good Lightworks alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Free version
    Yes
    Checked Oct 25, 2026blackmagicdesign.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Free version limits
    Up to Ultra HD at 60fps
    Checked Oct 25, 2026blackmagicdesign.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    Mac, Windows, Linux
    Checked Oct 25, 2026blackmagicdesign.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Studio extras
    AI Neural Engine, extra Resolve FX
    Checked Oct 25, 2026blackmagicdesign.com(opens source in a new tab)
  2. Kdenlive logo

    2. Kdenlive

    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)
  3. Adobe Premiere logo

    3. Adobe Premiere

    Best for: Professional editors and teams already working in Adobe Creative Cloud

    PaidWindows, macOS, iOS

    59.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Lightworks

    Larger ecosystem and easier collaboration with other editors.

    Pros

    • Industry-standard editor with a large talent pool and tutorials
    • Tight integration with After Effects, Audition and Photoshop
    • Text-based editing and AI masking speed up rough cuts

    Cons

    • Subscription only, with no perpetual licence
    • Heavy on hardware for complex timelines
    • Generative AI features consume credits
    Visit Adobe Premiere Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.377
    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 Adobe Premiere a good Lightworks alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Free trial
    7 days
    Checked Oct 25, 2026adobe.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Refund window
    14 days after the trial
    Checked Oct 25, 2026adobe.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Text-based editing
    Yes
    Checked Oct 25, 2026adobe.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Mobile app
    Free Premiere on mobile
    Checked Oct 25, 2026adobe.com(opens source in a new tab)
  4. Vegas Pro logo

    4. Vegas Pro

    Best for: Windows editors who like a fast, flexible timeline and strong audio tools

    PaidWindows

    55.3

    score / 100

    Why switch from Lightworks

    Windows editor with fast timeline editing and strong audio.

    Pros

    • Fast, flexible timeline editing
    • Strong audio tools and Boris FX effects
    • Licence works on two computers

    Cons

    • Windows only
    • Development has been uneven through ownership changes
    • Smaller plugin and tutorial ecosystem than Premiere
    Visit Vegas Pro Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.363
    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 Vegas Pro a good Lightworks alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Free trial
    15 days, all features
    Checked Oct 25, 2026vegascreativesoftware.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Owner
    Boris FX
    Checked Oct 25, 2026vegascreativesoftware.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Installs per licence
    Two computers
    Checked Oct 25, 2026vegascreativesoftware.com(opens source in a new tab)
    AI reframing
    Widescreen to vertical or square
    Checked Oct 25, 2026vegascreativesoftware.com(opens source in a new tab)
  5. Avid Media Composer logo

    5. Avid Media Composer

    Best for: Film and TV editors working in teams with shared media and assistants

    PaidWindows, macOS

    46.7

    score / 100

    Why switch from Lightworks

    The film and TV standard for long-form and team workflows.

    Pros

    • Industry standard for film and scripted TV
    • Excellent media management and team collaboration
    • Script-based and multicam editing for long-form work

    Cons

    • Expensive and complex for solo creators
    • Interface feels dated next to newer editors
    • Overkill for social or short-form video
    Visit Avid Media Composer Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.369
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1515
    Votes ×0.150

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

    Is Avid Media Composer a good Lightworks alternative?

    Verified facts

    0 of 0 verified

    No sourced facts yet.

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.