Kdenlive vs Olive (2026): which should you pick?
As of Nov 13, 2026, Kdenlive grades higher than Olive: 3.0 against 2.8 out of 4.0.
Checked Nov 12, 2026 and Nov 13, 2026 · graded Nov 12, 2026 and Nov 13, 2026 by ToolGPA
Kdenlive grades higher on features. They get the same grade on value for money, the free plan, ease of use and platforms.
Price, platforms and features side by side. The table says where each price was read and when.
Kdenlive
Free, open-source non-linear video editor from the KDE community
Which one is for you
Pick Kdenlive if
- Fits if you want a free editor for projects with several tracks
- Works for people who edit on Linux
Look elsewhere if
- Skip it if you need a phone or browser editor, since it's desktop only
- Watch out: daily builds can be unstable and can corrupt existing projects
- Tight if your computer is old, because Windows needs 10 and macOS needs 13
- Not for you if you want templates and a quick result, since it's a full editor with a learning curve
Pick Olive if
- Fits if you want a free editor and can live with crashes
- Works for people who like testing open-source software
Look elsewhere if
- Skip it if you need to finish a project, as the README calls it alpha and highly unstable
- Watch out: the project website shows only a notice that Olive will return, with links to old downloads
- Not for you if you want support, as help is a wiki and an unofficial Discord
- Skip it if you want a phone or web editor, as it runs on computers only
How we grade them
| 3.0GPAKdenliveVery good | 2.8GPAOliveGood | |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | AFree to download and use, and anyone can run it. The project asks for optional donations. | AFree to download and run, with no paid tier. |
| Free plan and trial | AThe full editor is free on all three systems, with no caps or watermark. | AFree outright, with no paid tier to buy into. |
| Features | BMulti-track timeline, proxies, hundreds of effects with keyframes, color tools, audio mixing and subtitles. Nothing in the listing is missing from the core editing job. | CNon-linear timeline editing on three systems, but alpha software the README calls highly unstable. |
| Ease of use | CNo store rating on record, and a timeline editor has a learning curve. | CNo store rating on record, and a timeline editor has a learning curve with no vendor support. |
| Platforms and integrations | CDesktop only: Windows, Mac and Linux, with no mobile or browser version. | CWindows, Mac and Linux, but a program for computers only; no phone or web version. |
| Best for | free multi-track video editing | trying a free open-source editor |
The GPA is the average of the five grades: an A is 4 points, an F is none. The full reasons are on each tool's page: Kdenlive and Olive. How we grade
Price against what you get
Kdenlive has no paid plan and scores 2.3 out of 4 on features, ease of use and platforms. Olive has no paid plan and scores 2.0.
Kdenlive scores higher for the same starting price. Of the other screen recording and video tools on the chart, none scores higher than Kdenlive for less, and none scores higher than Olive for less.
Features, ease of use and platforms, averaged
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
Where they differ
- Kdenlive also covers transcription.
At a glance
| Kdenlive | Olive | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free | Free |
| Starts at | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Free to download and use on Windows, macOS and Linux; the site asks for optional donations. | None |
| Free trial | None listed | None listed |
| macOS | ||
| Windows | ||
| Linux | ||
| Made by | KDE | Olive Team |
| Price read from | kdenlive.org | github.com |
| Checked | Nov 12, 2026 | Nov 13, 2026 |
Worth knowing
Kdenlive
- Desktop only: the download page lists Windows, Linux and macOS builds, with no mobile or browser version.
- Windows needs version 10 or newer, and macOS needs 13 (Ventura) or newer.
- Daily builds are offered for testing, and the site warns they can be unstable and can corrupt existing projects.
Olive
- The README calls Olive alpha software and considered highly unstable; use it at your own risk.
- The project website currently shows only a notice that Olive will return and links to old downloads.
- There is no hosted or paid support; help comes from the wiki and an unofficial Discord.
Key features
Kdenlive
- Multi-track timeline
- A non-linear workflow with multicam and 3-point editing, nested sequences, markers and automatic backups.
- Proxies and asset bins
- Imports footage in most audio and video formats, shows metadata, and can use proxies for smoother playback on slower machines. Clips can be tagged and sorted into several bins.
- Effects and transitions
- Hundreds of audio and video effects that can be keyframed, plus transitions and layer compositions.
- Color tools
- LUTs, basic corrections and detailed grading, with histogram, vectorscope, RGB parade and waveform views.
- Subtitles and titles
- Subtitles can be created with automatic transcription. Simple title clips are built in, and projects can connect to Glaxnimate for motion graphics.
- Audio mixing
- Audio mixers, built-in voiceover recording and an audio spectrum view.
Olive
- Non-linear timeline editing
- A timeline editor for cutting and arranging video, built as a free alternative to commercial editors.
- Windows, macOS and Linux
- The README says Olive runs on all three desktop systems, with build instructions for each.
- Open source
- The code is public on GitHub under GPL-3.0, and anyone can compile it from source.
- Two download lines
- GitHub lists a 0.1.0 alpha binary and a 0.2.0 unstable development build.
Plans
Kdenlive
Free$0
The full editor on Windows, macOS and Linux. The project asks for optional donations.
Olive
Free$0
Open-source editor under GPL-3.0; the project asks for support through Patreon.
Common questions
Which is cheaper, Kdenlive or Olive?
As of Nov 13, 2026, both Kdenlive and Olive are free to use.
Which has a free plan, Kdenlive or Olive?
As of Nov 13, 2026, both Kdenlive and Olive have a free plan.
More comparisons
How this page was made
- The verdict at the top follows a fixed rule. When both tools are in the same category and either is in our top three for it, the verdict follows that ranking: the higher-placed tool is our pick. The top three weigh who each tool suits as well as its grades, so a pick can go against the GPA. Otherwise the page does not pick one and says which grades higher: the higher GPA first; on a tie, the one with a free plan, then the one that starts cheaper in dollars a month, counted the same way for both; if they are still level, what the choice depends on.
- The grades are our own, from each tool’s review or report card. The GPA is their average.
- Prices, plans and platforms come from each tool’s listing. The table above says where each price was read and when.
- The differences and the answers to the questions are worked out from those listings.