10 Best Linux Video Editing Software in 2022

LINUX is a free-of-cost operating system and video editors working on this OS need attention. Let’s find out some top-quality video editing software for LINUX OS.

Having good video editing software is an essential need for anyone starting from an amateur who is trying his hands on this technology, to a YouTuber or an expert editing professional. As you are looking for a LINUX video editor, with several useful features and tools! But finding the right tool among the crowd of so many varieties of confusingly named software can be challenging.

With Linux contributing almost 25% of all the computers throughout the world, it is very important to shed some light on the OS as well. Many of you must have faced the problem that most famous video editors are available out there for either Windows or Mac. Such as iMovie and Windows Movie Maker.

There is a handful of software for Linux operating systems. That is why we have carefully prepared this list of the 10 Best video editing software for Linux for your convenience.

Can I use Adobe Premiere Pro CC on LINUX?

Surely, this is first-choice for video editors, without any questions. People are willing to spend the charges for it and give the wings to their creativity.

Therefore, even LINUX users also looking for ways to use it on this OS. While Windows & Mac users have a great advantage, but LINUX doesn’t have that liberty.

However, now this is possible by using PlayonLinux. It needs to be separately installed, in order to use Adobe Premiere Pro CC or other Adobe software. Basically, PlayonLinux allows Linux OS to run Adobe Premiere Pro by reading Windows or Mac applications.

Best Linux Video Editing Software in 2022

Each software has some distinct feature that makes them one of its kind. We are going to provide a comprehensive description of each of the software with their advantages and disadvantages and features that make them good choices. First of all, let us look at the quick summary and comparison between these free video editors for Linux.

#1. KDEnlive

It is currently one of the best video editors for Linux. The best part about this software is that it is an absolutely free and open-source platform with a host of interesting and useful features. Most of the editing process in KDEnlive is performed by the MLT framework as this software is based on the KDE and the QT frameworks libraries.

This software offers features like a multitrack timeline, a clip list, customizable layout support, keyframe special effects, automatic backup, and transitions. Another practical feature of this editor is Proxy Editing. It automatically creates a low-resolution version of the original video for a lightweight editing experience.  KDEnlive is supported in almost all Linux distribution packages.

Reasons to go for it

• Proxy editing
• Multi-track editing
• Varieties of video and audio formats
• Easy-to-use
• Wide range of transitions and effects
• Auto-save
• Configurable interface
• Key-frameable effects
• Allows correct balance between audio and video

Pros:

• All-purpose editing
• Comparatively easy to operate for people with basic editing knowledge

Cons:

•  Beginners may find it a bit confusing
• Applications from KDE frameworks have a reputation for bloating

#2. Shotcut

Shotcut is the second name in this list of Linux-friendly video editors. It is also one open-source, cross-platform, and free software. If you compare this software with the previous one, it is much easier to operate for both expert and novice users than KDEnlive. Its stunning features include filters and transitions, native timeline editing, multitrack timeline, etc. Moreover, it also allows you to edit the 4K videos and audio.

The software supports audio mixing, JACK transport sync, 5.1 surround sound, stereo, and mono sound. Also, it has external monitoring support. However, it is not recommended for professional editing jobs. 

Reasons to go for it

• Native timeline editing option
• Supports varied formats of image, audio, and videos
• Capable of combining frame rates and resolutions
• Multitrack timeline along with waveforms and thumbnails
• Audio mixing effects and filters
• Allows trimming on the source video with the ripple option
• Supports clip scaling, resizing, cutting, rotating, trimming, and snapping

Pros:

• Supports editing 4K videos
• Easy-to-use software for ordinary needs
• Available on all operating systems

Cons:

• Too many unnecessary functions increase the complexity for the users

#3. Lightworks Free

If you are looking for a professional video maker and editor, this should be your ideal choice. It has many features that enable you to edit like a pro. This NLE (non-linear editing) software has won awards for its vast range of capabilities including, Blu-Ray, 4K, SD, and even HD videos. Besides, it also has drag-and-drop support and low-resolution proxy workflows.

This professional video editor is also a cross-platform software, as it is available for all Windows, macOS, and Linux systems. However, Lightworks is not an open-source platform. It has both a free and a pro version. The pro version software supports more video formats than the previous one.

Reasons to go for it

• Intuitive and simple UI
• Easy trimming and timeline editing
• Proxy workflows with Low-Resolution for 4K videos 
• Drag-and-drop support
• Can be used across all OS platforms
• Ready-to-use VFX and audio
• Import and export function from different platforms like YouTube, Vimeo, etc.

Pros:

• Apt for professionals
• Plenty of useful features

Cons:

• The free version has limited options

#4. OpenShot

The next in the list of 10 Best video editing software for Linux is OpenShot. However, this editor can top this list if we rank according to its user-friendly interface. And not only that, but it is also sure to win your hearts with its bunch of superb features.

It offers easy features for novice users and also supports advanced editing for expert users. OpenShot has been developed with Python codes. This editor is supported in all OSs of Linux, Mac, and Windows, and it also allows exporting videos from other sources. 

Reasons to go for it

• Cross-platform availability
• Unlimited layers or tracks
• Wide range of image, audio, and video support
• Trimming, scaling, resizing, rotation, snapping, and cutting
• 2D animation support through image sequences and 3D animated effects
• Digital effects available, such as gamma, hue, brightness, chroma-key, greyscale, etc.
• Audio editing and mixing

Pros:

• Great software for average works
• Available for all OS – macOS, Linux, and Windows

Cons:

• It will not be able to cater to all sorts of advanced editing needs
• It is simple to handle, but for complete beginners, it will be somewhat tough to understand

#5. Flowblade

Flowblade is a non-linear multitrack editor exclusively for Linux. There is no Windows or macOS-supported version of this software yet. This open-source and free software comes in a very modern and stylish user interface. Not only the outer appearance, but it is also quite fast and error-free as it is written and developed in Python codes. It has quite a few great features and supports a vast range of images, videos, and audio formats.

Reasons to go for it

• General tasks like merge, split, overwrite, etc. can be done over the simple interface
• Allows Proxy editing
• Supports drag and drop feature
• A vast range of audio, video, image format support
• Filters and transition
• Batch rendering

Pros:

• It is a good general purpose platform
• Lightweight software

Cons:

• Does not support other OS platforms

#6. DaVinci Resolve Free

It is perhaps the most advanced and professional editor available in the market dedicated to Linux. In fact, it is widely used in the movie production houses in Hollywood by the best of the professionals in the field.

It is packed with incredible features for color correction, professional audio post-production, editing, and so on. DaVinci Resolve is thus an all-in-one editor that enables multiple editors to work on the same platform as the colorists, assistants, VFX artists, and even the sound designers. 

Reasons to go for it

• Allows editing multiple footages captured by several cameras concurrently
• High-efficiency playback engine
• Audio overlays
• Speed effects
• Non-linear editing (NLE) for VFX
• Filter and transition effects
• Timeline curve editor

Pros:

• Cross-platform availability
• Highly professional experience

Cons:

• Not an open-source platform
• The free version does not all the features

#7. Blender

Blender is also a professional industry-level editor similar to DaVinci Resolve. But it is more accessible for people as it is a free platform. However, this cross-platform software specializes in 3D animation editing rather than general use. It is greatly used for animation, VFX, 3D modeling, game creation, pipeline, and simulation.

This open-source video editor even has a reputation for being used in the making of the Spider-man series. It offers a vast range of editing and audio mixing features. It can be mentioned as the best open-source and free video editing software.

Reasons to go for it

• Luma waveform, Live preview, histogram displays, and chroma vector-scope
• Waveform visualization, audio scrubbing, syncing and mixing
• Allows maximum 32 slots for adding images, audio, video, masks, effects, and scenes
• Supports features like speed control, transitions, filters, keyframes, adjustment layers, and more 

Pros:

• Great Professional software
• Available across platforms

Cons:

• Too complicated for novice editors

#8. LiVES

LiVES is yet another video editor software for Linux that is user-friendly and powerful at the same time. However, it is a new member of this community. The application comes with a considerable collection of filters and special effects that allows primary functions like cutting, combining, re-encoding, and saving them.

Same as the other leading contenders, LiVES also accommodates TV cards and live firewire cameras. It also offers uninterrupted playbacks at varying frame rates. It has many audio editing options too. The functions and features have a provision to be extended further by the RFX plugins. 

Reasons to go for it

• Flawless back-up and restore option
• Smooth playback
• Supports fixed and variable frame rates
• An immediate blending of clips
• Accurate frame cutting
• Customizable transitions and effects
• Multiple and dynamic effects

Pros:

• User-friendly
• Useful general-purpose software

Cons:

• Not available on other platforms

#9. Cinelerra

Cinelerra is the last inclusion in this list of Best video editors for Linux with over 5 million users. This software is quite old compared to the other contenders on this list. It was quite popular in the industry at the time of its launch and a few following years. But it received a jolt of abandonment after a few developers left the project.

However, currently, it has made an impactful come-back to the industry and again started to be trusted by its advanced as well as novice users. On the developer’s page, Cinelerra has been mentioned to be software that is designed for artists from artists.

Reasons to go for it

• HD video support
• Several effects available
• Split pane editing
• Non-linear editing
• Built-in frame reading
• Allows unlimited layers

Pros:

• Apt for all-purpose uses

Cons:

• Not favorable for the beginners

The Bottom Line

Thus, after reading this article, you must have understood that having a Linux operating system does not limit your possibilities of editing. We have mentioned here the most prominent and useful Linux video editing software. But there are many other options out there apart from these editors.

May Linux does not support the adobe products, but there are good alternatives. In order to choose the right product, you need to understand the requirements of your task, whether you need a basic tool or an advanced one or a simple tool, that can perform just cutting and merging of clips. Accordingly, you may pick from this list. So, without any further delay, get your suitable software and get started with your video editing job.