Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Lightworks VS Cinelerra

Compare Lightworks VS Cinelerra and see what are their differences

Lightworks logo Lightworks

Lightworks is an editing powerhouse, delivering unparalleled speed and flexibility, fully...

Cinelerra logo Cinelerra

Cinelerra is a highly advanced and professional non-linear video editing software, but still...
  • Lightworks Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-14
  • Cinelerra Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-03-14

Lightworks features and specs

  • Professional-grade Editing Tools
    Lightworks offers industry-standard editing tools that are used in professional film editing, including support for multi-camera editing, advanced trimming, and various video and audio effects.
  • Extensive Format Support
    Lightworks supports a wide range of video formats, making it highly versatile for different types of projects.
  • High Precision
    The software is known for its high-precision editing capabilities, allowing for frame-accurate video editing which is essential for professional-grade video production.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    Lightworks works on multiple operating systems including Windows, Mac, and Linux, providing flexibility for users who work on different platforms.
  • Real-time Effects
    The software supports real-time effects, allowing editors to see the impact of their changes without having to render the video first.
  • Collaborative Editing
    Lightworks offers collaborative features that make it easier for multiple editors to work on the same project simultaneously.
  • Free Version Available
    Lightworks offers a free version with a substantial set of features, making it accessible for beginners and independent filmmakers.

Possible disadvantages of Lightworks

  • Steep Learning Curve
    Although Lightworks is feature-rich, it has a steep learning curve that may be challenging for beginners.
  • Free Version Limitations
    The free version has some limitations, such as restricted export options—maximum resolution of 720p and limited export formats, which may not be suitable for all projects.
  • User Interface
    Some users find the user interface to be less intuitive compared to other video editing software, which can slow down the learning process.
  • System Requirements
    Lightworks requires a relatively powerful computer to run smoothly, which could be an issue for users with older or less powerful systems.
  • Customer Support
    The support for the free version is limited to community forums and documentation, which may not be sufficient for users needing immediate or more detailed help.
  • Price of Premium Version
    The premium version, which includes additional features and higher export resolutions, can be relatively expensive compared to other video editing software.

Cinelerra features and specs

  • Open Source
    Cinelerra is an open-source video editing software, allowing users to access its source code, customize it to fit their needs, and benefit from community support and contributions.
  • Advanced Features
    It offers a wide range of advanced video editing features such as real-time processing, high-resolution rendering, and multi-track editing, catering to professional users.
  • High Compatibility
    Cinelerra supports a variety of video and audio formats, making it compatible with different types of media inputs and outputs.
  • Linux Focus
    It is designed primarily for Linux, making it one of the few dedicated professional-grade video editors available for this operating system.
  • Community Support
    There is an active community of users and developers who provide support, updates, and share plugins and tutorials.

Possible disadvantages of Cinelerra

  • Steep Learning Curve
    Its complex interface and advanced features can be intimidating for beginners, requiring a significant time investment to learn.
  • Limited Cross-Platform Availability
    While primarily a Linux application, support for other operating systems like Windows and macOS is limited or requires additional tools like compatibility layers.
  • Occasional Stability Issues
    Users have reported instability and crashes during intensive tasks, which can disrupt work and result in lost progress if not frequently saved.
  • Less Intuitive Interface
    The user interface is considered less intuitive compared to more mainstream video editing software, potentially slowing down workflow.
  • Sparse Official Documentation
    Official documentation may be sparse or outdated, making it difficult to find information on specific features or troubleshooting tips.

Lightworks videos

Review: EditShare Lightworks from the perspective of a Premiere Pro editor

More videos:

  • Review - Is Lightworks Actually Free?
  • Review - Lightworks vs Kdenlive | Comparing FREE Video Editors

Cinelerra videos

Cinelerra-GG Infinity: Quick And Easy Video Editing Tutorial For Beginners.

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Lightworks and Cinelerra)
Video Editors
78 78%
22% 22
Video
76 76%
24% 24
Video Tools
83 83%
17% 17
Marketing Videos
72 72%
28% 28

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Lightworks and Cinelerra

Lightworks Reviews

10 Best Video Editors for YouTube in 2024
Lightworks stands out as a professional video editing tool with robust multi-track editing and dynamic real-time effects. It’s perfect for semi-professional or experienced YouTubers who require advanced editing capabilities without an initial cost, as the free version is feature-rich but restricts exports to 720p. To access higher resolutions, upgrading to the pro version is...
13 Best Green Screen Software For Windows (2024)
Lightworks is a video editing software for newcomers and pros in the film world. It has easy-to-use green screen tools for creating high-quality chroma key effects in your videos. Popular with YouTuber experts, Light Works has several features that make it a leading choice for creating green-screen videos.
Source: mixilab.com
Windows Best Video Editing Software
Lightworks has a user-friendly interface that makes it simple to get started. Lightworks is a video editing software that comes with a library of detailed video tutorials, making it one of the more accessible and simple to learn Linux video editing software options on this list.
Best Free Video Editing Software for Linux
Both Resolve and Lightworks have their issues as well; Resolve’s being it only supports CentOS 7 and has features locked away behind Resolve Studio, and Lightwork’s is the same locked down features with the added subscription/license model. 720p in 2020? Get out of here. If you make you living in video, then by all means spring for the licensed copies of these – but for the...
Source: itsfoss.com
The Complete List of Video Marketing Tools (Updated for 2022)
Lightworks is a capable, versatile, and valuable video editor that almost anyone can learn-- even the amateurs. If you’re working on video production and suddenly need an advanced tool for post-production, this tool can provide you with anything you need. The color correction, filters, video effects features can help to get your audio and visuals just right.

Cinelerra Reviews

Best Free Video Editing Software for Linux
Cinelerra has been available since 1998 and has been downloaded over 5 million times. It was the first video editor to provide non-linear editing on 64-bit systems back in 2003. It was a go-to video editor for Linux users at that time, but it lost its sheen after some developers abandoned the project.
Source: itsfoss.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Lightworks seems to be a lot more popular than Cinelerra. While we know about 19 links to Lightworks, we've tracked only 1 mention of Cinelerra. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Lightworks mentions (19)

  • Lightworks Pro 2024 Crack Download
    Turn off the antivirus that you have on your system. Source: over 1 year ago
  • Creative logos vs the periodic table
    Haven't done video editing in a long time, but what's wrong with lightworks? Source: over 2 years ago
  • Looking for Lightworks Console
    It is always good to know different editing systems if you plan on doing this for a career. Lightworks is a very good editing system that lets you focus on the editing itself without bogging you down in lots of effects and many different panels. Lightworks has a free version which makes it very advantageous to start out with. It does have a bit of a learning curve but the people on the forum @ lwks.com are great... Source: over 2 years ago
  • What's some really useful software?
    Lightworks is a decent video editor, also great for a gaming video editing, though there are alternatives. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Daily Megathread - 09/08/2022
    No time like the present to learn a new hobby! Source: over 2 years ago
View more

Cinelerra mentions (1)

  • Any good Free video editing software?
    I personally use cinelerra and it reminds me of sony vegas a lot. Source: over 2 years ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Lightworks and Cinelerra, you can also consider the following products

DaVinci Resolve - Revolutionary new tools for editing, color correction and professional audio post production, all in a single application!

VirtualDub - VirtualDub is a video capture/processing utility for 32-bit and 64-bit Windows platforms...

Kdenlive - Free and open-source, full-featured video editor.

Adobe Premiere Pro - Edit video faster than ever before with the powerful, more connected Adobe Premiere® Pro CC.

Final Cut Pro - Professional, non-linear video editing software created by Apple Inc.

iMovie - Turn your videos into movie magic.