Kdenlive review (2026): is it any good?
Free, open-source non-linear video editor from the KDE community
Kdenlive report card
Very good · out of 4.0 · graded Nov 12, 2026
Best for free multi-track video editing
Kdenlive is a free multi-track video editor from the KDE community for Windows, Mac and Linux, with effects, keyframes, color grading and subtitles. It's desktop only, has a learning curve, and its daily builds can corrupt projects.
Who Kdenlive is for
- Fits if you want a free editor for projects with several tracks
- Works for people who edit on Linux
Who Kdenlive is not for
- 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
Why Kdenlive gets a 3.0
Five grades, each with its reason. The GPA is their average: an A is 4 points, an F is none.
- AValue for moneyFree to download and use, and anyone can run it. The project asks for optional donations.
- AFree plan and trialThe full editor is free on all three systems, with no caps or watermark.
- BFeaturesMulti-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.
- CEase of useNo store rating on record, and a timeline editor has a learning curve.
- CPlatforms and integrationsDesktop only: Windows, Mac and Linux, with no mobile or browser version.
What these grades rest on. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from Kdenlive's own pages on 12 November 2026. Not based on using the product, and shorter than our full reviews. How we review and grade.
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<a href="https://toolgpa.com/tools/kdenlive#review"><img src="https://toolgpa.com/badge/kdenlive.svg" alt="Kdenlive: 3.0 GPA on ToolGPA" width="196" height="56"></a>Where Kdenlive stands among screen recording and video tools
Kdenlive's GPA of 3.0 is higher than 75 of the 84 other screen recording and video tools we grade, and level with 6.
It stands best on free plan and trial (A, above 74 of 84) and worst on ease of use (C, above 1).
Kdenlive has no paid plan.
On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 2.3 out of 4, and no tool on the category's chart scores higher without costing more.
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 85 screen recording and video tools we grade, cut by the letter each got. Kdenlive’s own letter is outlined.
- AValue for moneyAbove 67 of 84, level with 17
- AFree plan and trialAbove 74 of 84, level with 10
- BFeaturesAbove 49 of 84, level with 33
- CEase of useAbove 1 of 84, level with 49
- CPlatforms and integrationsAbove 6 of 84, level with 24
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 71 screen recording and video tools. Further left costs less, and higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. Point at a dot to see which tool it is.
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
Keep Kdenlive, or make your own?
Keep it
Kdenlive is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
And it is not the kind of software a weekend replaces. It is one of the better ones too: its GPA of 3.0 is higher than 75 of the 84 other screen recording and video tools we grade.
What you could not
- A video editor.
- Speech turned into text you can trust.
- Apps for macOS, Windows and Linux that stay in step with each other.
- The depth: we grade its features B, which means it covers the whole job.
What this rests on. Kdenlive’s listing: what it does, where it runs, what it plugs into and what it costs. It is a judgement about the kind of software this is. We have not built a replacement for it, and making your own means looking after it too. How we decide, and every tool’s verdict.
What is Kdenlive?
Kdenlive is a non-linear video editor developed by the KDE community. It covers multi-track editing, effects and transitions with keyframes, color correction with scopes, audio mixing and subtitles, and it is free to download. Donations are requested but not required.
Worth knowing
- 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.
Key features
- 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.
Kdenlive pricing
As of Nov 12, 2026, Kdenlive is free to use.
- Starts at
- Free
- Free plan
- Free to download and use on Windows, macOS and Linux; the site asks for optional donations.
- Free trial
- None listed
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | The full editor on Windows, macOS and Linux. The project asks for optional donations. |
Read from kdenlive.org on Nov 12, 2026. Prices change, so confirm with Kdenlive before you buy.
Works with
- Glaxnimate
Kdenlive alternatives
- Kdenlive vs DaVinci Resolve
Free plan · from $94.99
Common questions
Does Kdenlive have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 12, 2026. Kdenlive is listed for Windows, macOS and Linux.
Does Kdenlive have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 12, 2026. Kdenlive is listed for Windows, macOS and Linux.
Is Kdenlive open source?
Yes. Kdenlive is open source, according to its own site.
Sources for this page
The prices, plans, platforms and features above were read from these pages on Nov 12, 2026.