Kdenlive: when to install it, and when not to
Kdenlive is a free, open-source non-linear video editor with multiple tracks, effects, transitions and a title editor. It covers the editing most people…
The short version
Kdenlive: The best free video editor that can actually replace a paid one, with multi-track timelines, proxies and keyframes. Steeper than CapCut, and it will not watermark your export.
| Licence / price | Free · Open source |
|---|---|
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Category | Media, Recording & Capture — 10 programs |
| Official download | https://kdenlive.org/download/ ↗ |
What it is for
Kdenlive is a free, open-source non-linear video editor with multiple tracks, effects, transitions and a title editor. It covers the editing most people actually need, a clip bin, proxy clips for smooth 4K playback, and it runs on Windows, macOS and Linux.
When to pick something else
It can crash on complex timelines, especially with mixed codecs, and the interface assumes you know what a keyframe is. Heavy projects benefit from proxy clips and a decent machine; on a weak laptop it will test your patience.
How it compares in Media, Recording & Capture
These are the alternatives we would consider for the same job. The notes are the same ones used on the main list, so there is no separate ranking hiding on this page.
| Program | Licence / price | Platforms | Why it is on the list |
|---|---|---|---|
| VLC Media Player Publisher's site ↗ | Free · Open source | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS | Plays the file Windows Media Player refuses to. No codec hunting, no third-party packs, no ads. It also handles DVD, network streams and screen capture, which is more than you will ever need. |
| mpv Publisher's site ↗ | Free · Open source | Windows, macOS, Linux | For people who care about video quality: precise scaling, smooth playback of 4K and high frame rate files, and keyboard control of everything. There is no settings window, which is the point and also the problem. |
| OBS Studio Publisher's site ↗ | Free · Open source | Windows, macOS, Linux | The standard for screen recording and live streaming, used by everyone from Twitch streamers to university lecturers. Expect one evening of setup before it clicks. |
| HandBrake Publisher's site ↗ | Free · Open source | Windows, macOS, Linux | Shrinks video files to a fraction of their size with no visible quality loss, and converts almost anything to MP4. Use the presets until you have a reason not to. |
| Audacity Publisher's site ↗ | Free · Open source | Windows, macOS, Linux | A full multi-track audio editor for free: record, cut, remove noise, normalise, export. Ignore the 2021 ownership scare, the licence is settled and the software is fine. |
| Shotcut Publisher's site ↗ | Free · Open source | Windows, macOS, Linux | The gentler free editor: native format support, no importing step, and a flatter learning curve than Kdenlive. Pick it if you edit occasionally rather than daily. |
| ShareX Publisher's site ↗ | Free · Open source | Windows | Screenshot, annotate, record the screen, then upload and copy a link in one keystroke, with workflows you can script. Far more powerful than Snipping Tool and correspondingly more overwhelming at first. |
| Flameshot Publisher's site ↗ | Free · Open source | Windows, macOS, Linux | Blur, highlight and arrow on screen before saving, with a clean and quick interface. The best simple annotating screenshot tool on Windows and the natural choice on Linux. |
| Greenshot Publisher's site ↗ | Free · Open source | Windows | The lightweight option if you want one fixed hotkey that grabs a region, opens an editor and copies to clipboard. Older and quieter than ShareX, which for many people is exactly right. |
Practical notes
- Turn on proxy clips for 4K footage so the preview stays smooth.
- Learn the keyboard cut shortcuts before a real project.
- Render to a sensible preset; the default may be heavier than you need.
Questions people ask
Is Kdenlive open source?
Yes, GPL, with binaries for the three major desktop platforms.
Is it good enough for YouTube?
For most talking-head and montage work, yes; studios needing advanced colour grading will outgrow it.
Why not just use a phone app?
Once you need multi-track, precise cuts and titles, a desktop editor saves time.
Where it appears in our guides
- This tool is covered in its category explainer.
See the full Media, Recording & Capture explainer for the other 9 programs in this category.
How to read this page. How to read this page. Platform, licence and publisher details come from our directory data. Where an independent review, audit or survey is mentioned, it is summarised in our own words with the source named and linked; our /sources page sets out that policy. The recommendation, the trade-offs and every 'skip it if' line are our editorial judgement. We do not run benchmarks, publish measured performance figures or host installers, and every download link goes to the publisher's own site. If a detail is out of date, our About page explains how to tell us.