Lightworks VS OpenShot

Compare Lightworks VS OpenShot and see what are their differences

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Lightworks

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

OpenShot

OpenShot is a open source video editing program.

Landing page //
2023-09-14

Landing page //
2022-12-18

Lightworks

Website: lwks.com
$ Details: -

Edit details

OpenShot

Website: openshot.org
$ Details

Edit details

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.

OpenShot features and specs

Open Source
OpenShot is an open-source project, which means it’s free to use, and the source code is available for anyone to modify and improve.
Cross-Platform
The software is available on multiple operating systems, including Windows, Mac, and Linux, making it versatile and accessible to a wide range of users.
User-Friendly Interface
OpenShot has a straightforward and intuitive user interface, which makes it easy for beginners to start editing videos.
Wide Range of Features
Despite being free, OpenShot offers a comprehensive set of features, including unlimited tracks, video transitions, audio mixing, and more.
Community Support
Being an open-source project, there is a robust community of users and developers who offer support, tutorials, and plugins.

Possible disadvantages of OpenShot

Performance Issues
Some users report that OpenShot can be slow and occasionally unstable, especially when working with large projects or high-resolution videos.
Limited Advanced Features
While it offers a broad set of basic features, some advanced features found in professional video editing software are lacking.
Learning Curve
Although user-friendly, beginners may still find a learning curve when first starting out, particularly if they have no prior video editing experience.
Inconsistent Updates
The update schedule can be inconsistent, which sometimes leads to prolonged periods without new features or bug fixes.
Export Times
Users have reported that export times can be long compared to other video editing software, especially for complex projects.

Lightworks videos

+ Add

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

OpenShot videos

+ Add

OpenShot Video Editor Review (2019)

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Lightworks and OpenShot)

OpenShot

Video Editors

51 51%

Video Editors

49% 49

Video

48 48%

Video

52% 52

Video Tools

42 42%

Video Tools

58% 58

Marketing Videos

100 100%

Marketing Videos

0% 0

User comments

Share your experience with using Lightworks and OpenShot. For example, how are they different and which one is better?

Reviews

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

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...

Source: www.animotica.com

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.

Source: videomakerlab.com

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.

Source: breadnbeyond.com

OpenShot Reviews

11 Best Video-Making Tools for Kids (2025)

OpenShot is a free, open-source video editor known for its ease of use and 3D animation features. It’s designed for entry-level editors, providing basic video trimming, text overlays, and transitions. Kids can experiment with more advanced effects like time-lapse and slow-motion with its multi-track timeline, making it a fun, beginner-friendly option.

Source: www.animotica.com

10 Best Video Editors for YouTube in 2024

OpenShot stands out as a free, open-source video editor offering a user-friendly drag-and-drop interface with multi-track support. It’s perfect for those seeking simplicity while handling basic tasks like trimming and adding transitions, making it an excellent option for beginner YouTubers. However, its lack of advanced features and occasional performance hitches might not...

Source: www.animotica.com

5 Best Video Editors for Low-End PC in 2024

OpenShot is an excellent option for those who need a straightforward, free video editor that’s easy to use. It’s particularly suitable for beginners or those looking for essential editing tools without the complexities of more advanced software.

Source: www.animotica.com

13 Best Green Screen Software For Windows (2024)

OpenShot is a free, open-source video editor offering impressive features, including chroma-key (green screen) functionality. It is user-friendly and can be an excellent choice for beginners just starting with green-screen video editing. At the same time, OpenShot packs enough power to cater to the needs of more seasoned editors, offering a multi-track timeline and various...

Source: mixilab.com

Top 20+ Free Video Cropping Software in 2022

Though Openshot is free and comes with many features to edit a video, it doesn't have a true cropping tool. The workaround is rather a compromise that uses the scale tool. You have to go all the way deep into the menu: right-click on a video > properties > scroll down to find Scale > set scale X and scale Y to some number. It actually zooms in your video, so that the edges...

Source: www.videoproc.com

Social recommendations and mentions

OpenShot might be a bit more popular than Lightworks. We know about 23 links to it since March 2021 and only 19 links to Lightworks. 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

OpenShot mentions (23)

open version 3.1.1 file in 1.4.3?
b. Or you can download the AppImage from openshot.org home page. Source: about 2 years ago
Crashes when I open it
Install v3.1.1-Release (official) from the openshot.org home page. Source: about 2 years ago
Two different versions?
On openshot.org you can download version 3 free of charge. Source: about 2 years ago
Help (filmora is shitty)
My video editor of choice is Kdenlive. It's modeled after Adobe Premiere (more or less), and has a bit of a learning curve. Olive is another promising option, but similarly tricky to master. Openshot is a pretty easy editor that works similarly. All of them are free and open source. Davinci Resolve is a professional-grade editor, and free, but not open source. Source: over 2 years ago
Updates?
Look at the help tab, click on the about. Here you'll find the version your running, the build #, and the build date. You can then go to the openshot.org website and compare. Source: over 2 years ago