OpenShot
OpenShot Studios, LLC
OpenShot Video Editor is a free and open-source video editor available for Linux, Mac, and Windows. It's designed to be easy to use, quick to learn, and surprisingly powerful video editor.
User Sentiments
Top Likes
- Free and open-source
- Easy to use interface, especially for beginners
- Cross-platform compatibility (Mac, Windows, Linux)
- Regular updates and improvements
- Unlimited tracks/layers
Top Dislikes
- Can be unstable and buggy
- Performance issues with previewing and editing large files
- Limited advanced features compared to paid software
- Some tools and effects are basic or confusing
- Occasional crashes and slow rendering
Popular Comments
TechRadar - Steve Paris
2022-07-18
OpenShot is a free video editor that mostly goes from strength to strength with each new release. The interface is extremely flexible, and the new tools mostly add useful features. There are still some confusing elements though and puzzling ways of doing things.
G2 - Verified User
2024-01-23
Simple to Use, Easy to Get Used To. Very easy to upload media and graphics, music quality does not seem to lower either.
Capterra - Verified User
2025
Overall it is user friendly and if you are a beginner to video editing this is a perfect tool for you! ... The thing I love the most about OpenShot is that you have an unlimited tracks that you can place during editing your videos.
Reddit User
2019-05-06
It's not a high quality video editor by any means, but it's good enough for any user who wants to join and split a bunch of clips to make a short video...It loaded the clips just fine, though it did have difficulty playing them. They would start off fine, but begin to skip and stutter after a few seconds.
MacUpdate User - Jstarz
2024-12-24
Openshot is a great program for simple video editing, and is free, open source, and cross platform! It's not as powerful or feature rich as paid programs, but it's great for basic editing and for those who are just starting out.
Software Advice User - Haris M.
2025
My overall experience with this software is very amazing and i strongly recommend Openshot video editor to the professionals who are looking for exciting video editing experience.
Detailed Review
OpenShot is a free and open-source video editor that is available on Mac, Windows, and Linux operating systems. It aims to provide an accessible and user-friendly video editing experience, particularly for beginners and those working on simpler projects. The software boasts a straightforward interface with a timeline-based editing approach, making it relatively easy to learn and use compared to more complex professional video editors.
Standout Features
- Cross-Platform Compatibility: Works seamlessly across macOS, Windows, and Linux.
- Free and Open-Source: Completely free to use and distribute, making it a cost-effective option.
- User-Friendly Interface: Intuitive drag-and-drop interface with a simple layout, suitable for beginners.
- Wide Format Support: Supports a large variety of video, audio, and image formats thanks to the FFmpeg library.
- Unlimited Tracks/Layers: Allows users to add unlimited video and audio tracks for complex projects.
- Keyframe Animations: Offers powerful curve-based keyframe animations for dynamic effects.
- Real-time Previews: Provides real-time previews of transitions and effects as you edit.
- Digital Video Effects: Includes a range of video effects such as brightness, chroma key (green screen), transitions and more.
Conclusion
OpenShot is a decent option for Mac users seeking a free and easy-to-use video editor for basic to intermediate projects. Its open-source nature and cross-platform availability are major advantages. It's particularly well-suited for users who are new to video editing or who need to perform simple editing tasks like trimming, adding transitions, and creating basic titles. However, users requiring advanced features, demanding performance for large projects, or seeking rock-solid stability might find OpenShot lacking compared to paid alternatives. While it has improved over time, some reviews mention occasional instability and performance issues, especially with previewing and rendering. For more complex and professional video editing on Mac, applications like Final Cut Pro or Adobe Premiere Pro might be more appropriate, albeit at a cost.
