vioscale
Comparison

Kdenlive vs Lightworks

No clear leader: Lightworks (45.6) and Kdenlive (41.3) are within the 5-point margin; treat as a tie. The attribute-by-attribute breakdown below, with a source and date on every value, is the honest way to compare them.

Kdenlive full profile →Lightworks full profile →
Machine formatsJSONMarkdownGraphQLor send Accept: application/json
Kdenlive41
Lightworks46
Score
Vioscale score
Kdenlive41 / 100low · 31%
Lightworks46 / 100low · 40%
Pricing
Free tier
Kdenlive✓
Lightworks✓
Model
Kdenliveopen_source
Lightworksfreemium
Price level
Kdenlivefree
Lightworkslow
Transparent
Kdenlive✓
Lightworks✗
Integrations
Count
Kdenlive6
Lightworks4
Security
Gdpr
Kdenlive–
Lightworks✓
Scorecard
Kdenlive4.5
Lightworks–
Vulnerabilities
Reliability
Status page
Kdenlive✓
Lightworks–
Adoption
Dependent repos
Kdenlive0
Lightworks–
Github stars
Kdenlive5,522
Lightworks–
Activity
Commits last 30d
Kdenlive85
Lightworks–
License
Spdx
KdenliveGPL-3.0
Lightworks–
Language
Primary
KdenliveC++
Lightworks–
Market
Availability

Capabilities

Feature-by-feature on the axes that matter for video editing software. “-” means undocumented, not absent.

Editing
Professional NLE (multi-track finishing)
Kdenlive✓
Lightworks✓
Colour grading
Kdenlive✗
Lightworks✓
Multicam editing
Kdenlive✗
Lightworks-
Technical
4K/8K + HDR support
Kdenlive✗
Lightworks✓
Codec breadth (ProRes / HEVC / AV1 / RAW)
KdenliveFFmpeg-based codec support, handles nearly all video and audio formats
LightworksProRes, AVID DNxHD, AVID DNxHR, H.264, AVC-Intra, Cineform
GPU acceleration
Kdenlive✓
Lightworks-
AI
AI features (captions / text-to-video / voice)
Kdenlive✗
Lightworks-
Capture
Screen recording built-in
Kdenlive-
Lightworks-
Platform
Platform breadth (Win / macOS / Linux / iOS / Android / Web)
KdenliveWindows, macOS, Linux
LightworksWindows, macOS, Linux
Collaboration
Cloud collaboration / team review
Kdenlive✗
Lightworks✓
Pricing
Pricing model
KdenliveOpen-source
LightworksFreemium
Free / open-source available
Kdenlive✓
Lightworks✓

What each one is

The product in its own terms, so the numbers below have context.

Kdenlive

A free, open-source video editing application available on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Built using MLT Framework and FFmpeg, it provides a comprehensive set of editing tools, effects, and features without licensing requirements or subscriptions.

Independently observed

Lightworks

Desktop-based video editing platform supporting timeline editing, color grading, visual effects, and cloud collaboration. Offers perpetual ownership or subscription options across Windows, Mac, and Linux.

Independently observed

Pricing

List pricing as published by each vendor, with the date we read it. Always verify at the source before you buy.

Kdenlive

Open sourceFree tier

Free and open source, no licensing fees

as of verify ↗

Lightworks

freemiumFree tier

Free tier; subscription and perpetual (pay-once) options available

  • FreeFree
    • Timeline Editing
    • 720p HD Export
    • Automatic Saving
    • Advanced Transitions
    • Simple VFX
  • Create-
    • 4K Video Export
    • Social Media Templates
    • NewBlue Titler Pro
    • Dynamic Motion Graphics
    • Powerful Colour Controls
    • +4 more
  • Pro-
    • 10-Bit Support
    • Audio and Video Plugin Support
    • Increased File Formats
    • Advanced Video Effects
    • Custom Format Creation
    • +5 more
as of verify ↗

Platform & deployment

Where each product runs and how it can be hosted. A dash means undocumented, not unsupported.

Platforms
macOS
Kdenlive✓
Lightworks✓
Windows
Kdenlive✓
Lightworks✓
Linux
Kdenlive✓
Lightworks✓
Deployment
Cloud / SaaS
Kdenlive✗
Lightworks✓
Self-hosted
Kdenlive✓
Lightworks✗

Integrations

What each product connects to. Counts come from the vendor's own integration directory where one exists.

Kdenlive

6 total
  • Piave
  • Natron
  • Blender
  • Ardour
  • Elgato Stream Deck
  • OpenTimelineIO
Independently observed

Lightworks

4 total
  • Dropbox
  • Google Drive
  • NewBlue Titler Pro
  • NewBlue TotalFX
Independently observed

Comparison generated from independently-sourced facts. Every value links to its source and retrieval date. See the method.