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Alternatives · Screen Recording

Lightworks alternatives

As of Nov 12, 2026, the highest-graded Lightworks alternative is DaVinci Resolve (3.4 GPA). It's also the best free one.

Lightworks compared with 4 alternatives: DaVinci Resolve, Shotcut, Kdenlive and Adobe Premiere.

Lightworks has a free plan. Paid plans start at $20 per user / month on Create, paid monthly. All 4 alternatives are free or have a free plan.

Listings checked up to Nov 12, 2026 · Where the facts come from

Black Friday: is there a Lightworks sale?

At a glance

ToolPriceFree planRuns on
LightworksThis toolFree plan · from $20/moYesmacOS, Windows, Linux
DaVinci ResolveFree plan · from $94.99YesmacOS, Windows, Linux, iOS
ShotcutFreeFreemacOS, Windows, Linux
KdenliveFreeFreemacOS, Windows, Linux
Adobe PremiereFree plan · from $22.99/moYesmacOS, Windows, iOS, Android

Price against what you get

Lightworks starts at $20 a month for each person and scores 2.0 out of 4 on features, ease of use and platforms. 1 of the 3 alternatives on this chart scores higher and starts lower: Kdenlive.

Adobe Premiere scores higher without starting lower. Shotcut starts lower without scoring higher.

Features, ease of use and platforms, averaged

C2.0B3.0A4.0Free$2$5$10$20$50$100More for lessCosts more, scores moreCosts less, scores lessCosts more, scores lessLightworksShotcutKdenliveAdobe Premiere

What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →

  • The best score at each price
  • Has a free plan
  • No free plan
The full chart of screen recording and video tools, and the best at every price

How each one differs from Lightworks

  1. DaVinci Resolve

    Video editing, color, effects and audio post-production in one app

    • DaVinci Resolve starts at $94.99 for Studio on iPad (in-app purchase); $236 for desktop Studio (was $295).
    • DaVinci Resolve also lists an iOS app.
    • DaVinci Resolve also covers noise cancellation.

    Suits: Editors and colorists who want editing, color, effects and audio in one app

    DaVinci Resolve vs LightworksDaVinci Resolve pricing and details

  2. Shotcut

    Free open-source video editor for Windows, Mac and Linux

    • Shotcut is free.
    • Shotcut is open source, according to its own site.
    • Shotcut also covers screen recording.

    Suits: People who want a free editor with no watermark or account

    Shotcut vs LightworksShotcut pricing and details

  3. Kdenlive

    Free, open-source non-linear video editor from the KDE community

    • Kdenlive is free.
    • Kdenlive is open source, according to its own site.
    • Kdenlive also covers transcription.

    Suits: Editors who want a free, open-source desktop editor

    Kdenlive vs LightworksKdenlive pricing and details

  4. Adobe Premiere

    Professional video editor for desktop, with a free mobile app

    • Adobe Premiere starts at US$22.99 per month, on an annual plan billed monthly.
    • Adobe Premiere also lists iOS and Android apps.
    • Adobe Premiere lists no Linux app, which Lightworks has.
    • Adobe Premiere also covers transcription, noise cancellation and templates.

    Suits: Professional editors who also use other Creative Cloud apps

    Adobe Premiere vs LightworksAdobe Premiere pricing and details

Limits worth knowing in Lightworks

  • The Free plan exports up to 1080p and uploads only to YouTube and Vimeo; 4K needs Create and 8K needs Pro.
  • The yearly and one-time license prices sit behind toggles on the pricing page and were not read, so only monthly prices are recorded.
  • Some Linux functionality is restricted, and the advanced transitions, advanced titles and TotalFX are not available on Linux.
  • The pricing page showed the Free plan as £0 and the paid plans in dollars, and says prices are offered in USD, GBP and EUR.
Lightworks pricing and details

Common questions

What are the alternatives to Lightworks?

The alternatives to Lightworks in this directory are DaVinci Resolve, Shotcut, Kdenlive and Adobe Premiere. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Lightworks.

Is there a free alternative to Lightworks?

Yes. Shotcut and Kdenlive are free to use. DaVinci Resolve and Adobe Premiere have a free plan alongside paid ones.

Which Lightworks alternatives work on Android?

The Lightworks listing does not include an Android app. Adobe Premiere lists one.

Which Lightworks alternatives work on iOS?

The Lightworks listing does not include an iOS app. DaVinci Resolve and Adobe Premiere list one.

Is there an open-source alternative to Lightworks?

Shotcut and Kdenlive are described as open source on their own sites.

When were these prices checked?

Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 5, 2026 to Nov 12, 2026. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.

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