# Kdenlive vs Lightworks

| Attribute | Kdenlive | Lightworks |
|---|---|---|
| **vioscaleAI score** | 46.2 (77% (high)) | 46.5 (54% (medium)) |
| activity.commits_last_30d | 100 | - |
| adoption.dependent_repos | 0 | - |
| adoption.github_stars | 5,865 | - |
| content.faq | `[{"answer":"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. It is indexed under Video Editing Software.","source":"https://kdenlive.org/","question":"What is Kdenlive?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"Kdenlive is open source, so it can be self-hosted and used at no licence cost. It is released under the GPL-3.0 licence. Pricing changes often, so verify at source before relying on it.","source":"https://kdenlive.org/","question":"Is Kdenlive free to use?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"Kdenlive supports Windows, macOS and Linux. Platforms we have not confirmed are simply not listed here rather than ruled out.","source":"https://kdenlive.org/","question":"What platforms does Kdenlive support?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"Yes. Kdenlive can be deployed self-hosted, so it does not have to run on the vendor's infrastructure.","source":"https://kdenlive.org/","question":"Can Kdenlive be self-hosted?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"We have confirmed 6 integrations for Kdenlive, including Piave, Natron, Blender, Ardour, Elgato Stream Deck and OpenTimelineIO. This is what we could verify from public sources, so the vendor may support others we have not indexed.","source":"https://kdenlive.org/","question":"What does Kdenlive integrate with?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"Yes. Kdenlive is published under the GPL-3.0 licence, a copyleft licence, so check its terms before embedding it in a closed-source product. Licence terms can change between releases, so verify against the repository for the version you intend to use.","source":"https://github.com/KDE/kdenlive","question":"Is Kdenlive open source?","confidence":0.95},{"answer":"Kdenlive is available worldwide. The vendor is headquartered in Germany.","source":"https://kdenlive.org/","question":"Where is Kdenlive available?","confidence":0.75}]` | `[{"answer":"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. It is indexed under Video Editing Software.","source":"https://lwks.com/pricing","question":"What is Lightworks?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"Lightworks offers a free tier, so you can start without paying. Paid plans are also available: Free, Create and Pro. Pricing changes often, so verify at source before relying on it.","source":"https://lwks.com/pricing","question":"Is Lightworks free?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"Lightworks supports Windows, macOS and Linux. Platforms we have not confirmed are simply not listed here rather than ruled out.","source":"https://lwks.com/pricing","question":"What platforms does Lightworks support?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"We have only confirmed a cloud / SaaS deployment for Lightworks, so it appears to be vendor-hosted. If a self-hosted option exists we have not found it documented publicly.","source":"https://lwks.com/pricing","question":"Can Lightworks be self-hosted?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"We have confirmed 4 integrations for Lightworks, including Dropbox, Google Drive, NewBlue Titler Pro and NewBlue TotalFX. This is what we could verify from public sources, so the vendor may support others we have not indexed.","source":"https://lwks.com/pricing","question":"What does Lightworks integrate with?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"We have independently confirmed GDPR for Lightworks. Certifications we do not list are ones we have not been able to verify from public sources, which is not the same as Lightworks not holding them. Always confirm compliance directly before you rely on it.","source":"https://lwks.com/privacy-and-cookie-policy","question":"What security certifications does Lightworks have?","confidence":0.7},{"answer":"Lightworks is available worldwide. Its primary markets are the United Kingdom and the United States. The vendor is headquartered in the United Kingdom.","source":"https://lwks.com/pricing","question":"Where is Lightworks available?","confidence":0.75}]` |
| deployment.options | `{"self_hosted":true}` | `{"cloud":true}` |
| description.long | A non-linear video editor available for Linux, Windows, macOS, and BSD systems. | 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. |
| features.capabilities | `{"hdr_4k8k":false,"multicam":true,"ai_features":true,"free_or_oss":true,"codec_breadth":"FFmpeg-based codec support, handles nearly all video and audio formats","color_grading":true,"pricing_model":"open_source","gpu_acceleration":true,"platform_breadth":"Windows, macOS, Linux","professional_nle":true,"cloud_collaboration":false}` | `{"hdr_4k8k":true,"free_or_oss":true,"codec_breadth":"ProRes, AVID DNxHD, AVID DNxHR, H.264, AVC-Intra, Cineform","color_grading":true,"pricing_model":"freemium","platform_breadth":"Windows, macOS, Linux","professional_nle":true,"cloud_collaboration":true}` |
| integrations.count | 6 | 4 |
| integrations.list | `[{"name":"Piave"},{"name":"Natron"},{"name":"Blender"},{"name":"Ardour"},{"name":"Elgato Stream Deck"},{"name":"OpenTimelineIO"}]` | `[{"name":"Dropbox","native":true,"category":"cloud_storage","direction":"bidirectional"},{"name":"Google Drive","native":true,"category":"cloud_storage","direction":"bidirectional"},{"name":"NewBlue Titler Pro","native":true},{"name":"NewBlue TotalFX","native":true}]` |
| language.primary | C++ | - |
| license.spdx | GPL-3.0 | - |
| market.availability | `{"hqCountry":"DE","primaryMarkets":[],"availabilityScope":"global","availableCountries":[],"notAvailableCountries":[]}` | `{"hqCountry":"GB","primaryMarkets":["GB","US"],"availabilityScope":"global","availableCountries":[],"notAvailableCountries":[]}` |
| platform.support | `{"mac":true,"linux":true,"windows":true}` | `{"mac":true,"linux":true,"windows":true}` |
| pricing | `{"type":"open_source","summary":"Free and open source, no licensing fees","freeTier":true,"sourceUrl":"https://kdenlive.org/","retrievedAt":"2026-08-14T21:53:00.654Z"}` | `{"type":"freemium","plans":[{"free":true,"name":"Free","features":["Timeline Editing","720p HD Export","Automatic Saving","Advanced Transitions","Simple VFX"],"description":"Beginner-friendly tier with unlimited availability","contactSales":false},{"free":false,"name":"Create","features":["4K Video Export","Social Media Templates","NewBlue Titler Pro","Dynamic Motion Graphics","Powerful Colour Controls","Advanced Audio EQ","Quick LUT Support","High Res Proxy Editing","High Res Timeline Rendering"],"description":"Subscription tier for editors seeking advanced features","contactSales":false},{"free":false,"name":"Pro","features":["10-Bit Support","Audio and Video Plugin Support","Increased File Formats","Advanced Video Effects","Custom Format Creation","Support for NewBlue TotalFX","Export Interchange Formats","Advanced Colour Scopes","In Timeline QC","Cloud Export/Upload"],"description":"Fully featured professional tier","contactSales":false}],"summary":"Free tier; subscription and perpetual (pay-once) options available","currency":"USD","freeTier":true,"sourceUrl":"https://lwks.com/pricing","retrievedAt":"2026-08-31T15:10:33.313Z","billingPeriods":["month","year"]}` |
| pricing.free_tier | yes | yes |
| pricing.model | open_source | freemium |
| pricing.price_level | free | low |
| pricing.transparent | yes | no |
| reliability.status_page | yes | - |
| security.gdpr | - | yes |
| security.scorecard | 4.5 | - |
| security.vulnerabilities | `{"count":0,"source":"https://advisories.ecosyste.ms/api/v1/advisories?ecosystem=go&package_name=github.com%2FKDE%2Fkdenlive&per_page=100","last_12m":0,"max_severity":null}` | - |

## Capabilities (Video Editing Software)

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

*Source: vioscaleAI. Generated 2026-10-16T19:27:50.950Z. "-" = undocumented, not absent.*