saasrankedSoftware, ranked on the facts

video editor · KDE

Kdenlive

Free, open-source video editor from KDE with multicam, proxies, scopes and automatic transcription.

73/100

#4 of 12 video editors
Facts checked 8 Oct 2026

In short

Kdenlive suits people who want a free editor with multicam and proxies1,4. Its code is public under GPL-3.03. The catch: GPU render presets are labelled experimental, the docs list no general stabilisation effect, and an audit found a serious flaw in project-file handling, fixed in 26.04.14,10.

Best for: People who want free multicam and proxy editing on Windows, macOS or Linux.

Where the points come from

Systems4 of 10
Price and licence24 of 30
Output8 of 16
Editing tools37 of 44

Systems 4 of 10 points

RuleWhat is publishedPoints
Other systemsmacOS, LinuxDownload page offers Windows, Linux and macOS builds; no iOS, Android or web editor is listed2.4 / 10

Price and licence 24 of 30 points

RuleWhat is publishedPoints
Free versionYesDescribed as a free and open-source video editor with no time limit; the download page asks for donations1,2.8 / 8
One-time licenceNoNo licence is sold; the editor is free software1,2.0 / 6
Cheapest paid plan$0Entirely free; the download page asks only for donations2.12 / 12
Open-source appsYesRepository is licensed GPL-3.03.4 / 4

Output 8 of 16 points

RuleWhat is publishedPoints
4K exportYesRender docs list an Ultra-High Definition (4K) preset category4.4 / 4
8K exportNot publishedNot published on the vendor's render documentation page4.0 / 3
10-bit and HDRYesRender docs list a 10 Bit preset category and an NVENC H265 ABR 10 bit preset4.4 / 4
GPU-accelerated exportNoNVENC, VAAPI and VideoToolbox render presets sit under a "Hardware Accelerated (experimental)" heading, so we do not count them4.0 / 5

Editing tools 37 of 44 points

RuleWhat is publishedPoints
Multi-camera editingYesHome page lists multicam and 3-point editing1.6 / 6
Colour grading with scopesYesHome page lists histogram, vectorscope, RGB parade and waveform; docs list a Video Waveform Monitor1,7.6 / 6
Automatic captionsYesSubtitles with automatic transcription via VOSK or Whisper once a speech model is installed1,5.5 / 5
Motion trackingYesMotion Tracker is listed among the Alpha, Mask and Keying effects6.4 / 4
Multitrack audio and noise reductionYesTracks can be added from the timeline track header; the LADSPA list includes a Noise Suppressor for Voice8,11.4 / 4
Proxy editingYesHome page lists proxies for smooth playback on low-end systems1.4 / 4
Third-party plug-insYesEffects come from the LADSPA library8; Bluescreen0r lists its source library as frei0r12.4 / 4
Shared projectsNot publishedNot published on the vendor's home page or documentation pages1,9.0 / 3
Green-screen keyingYesChroma Key: Basic and Chroma Key: Advanced effects are listed6.4 / 4
Video stabilisationNot publishedNot published; the effects list names only a VR360 Stabilize effect for 360-degree footage9.0 / 4

The rule behind each line: how we score video editors.

Plans and prices

As the vendor lists them, before tax. Prices are in US dollars unless the plan shows euros; the points use US dollars, with euros converted at the ECB rate.

PlanPrice as listedPer monthNotes
Kdenlive1 personFree1,2$0Free and open source; donations requested

Strengths

  • Free, with downloads for Windows, macOS and Linux2.
  • Source code is public under GPL-3.03.
  • Multicam, proxy clips, scopes, Motion Tracker and chroma-key effects are documented1,6,7.
  • Automatic transcription creates subtitles using VOSK or Whisper5.

Limits

  • Hardware-accelerated render presets are labelled experimental4.
  • The docs say full colour range rendering with 10-bit does not work with effects yet4.
  • The effects docs list only a 360-degree stabiliser, not a general one9.
  • Speech-to-text needs a speech model installed and set up first5.

Concerns on record

  • Kdenlive says a security audit by Radically Open Security found one serious flaw: opening a malicious project file could run code. It was fixed in 26.04.1 (9 May 2026), and Kdenlive knew of no exploitation10.

Other video editors

  1. 1
    DaVinci ResolvePeople who want one editor for cutting, colour grading and sound without a subscription
    87/100
    $8.19/mocheapest paid plan
  2. 2
    ShotcutPeople who want a free editor with no paid tier
    79/100
    $0cheapest paid plan
  3. 3
    Wondershare FilmoraHome creators who want a one-time purchase with colour scopes, proxies and plug-in support
    75/100
    $2.22/mocheapest paid plan
  4. 5
    CyberLink PowerDirectorHome editors who want multicam, tracking and HDR export without a subscription
    66/100
    $3.89/mocheapest paid plan

All 12 video editors

Sources

  1. Kdenlive, KDE. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  2. Download Kdenlive, KDE. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  3. KDE/kdenlive, GitHub. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  4. Render, Kdenlive documentation. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  5. Speech to Text, Kdenlive documentation. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  6. Alpha, Mask and Keying effects, Kdenlive documentation. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  7. Utility effects, Kdenlive documentation. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  8. LADSPA plugins, Kdenlive documentation. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  9. Video effects list, Kdenlive documentation. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  10. Kdenlive 26.04.1 released, KDE. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  11. Timeline, Kdenlive documentation. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  12. Bluescreen0r, Kdenlive documentation. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.

Website: kdenlive.org · Markdown version · We are not affiliated with KDE.