Olive review (2026): is it any good?
Free open-source video editor, still in alpha
Olive report card
Good · out of 4.0 · graded Nov 13, 2026
Best for trying a free open-source editor
Olive is a free, open-source video editor for Windows, Mac and Linux. Its own README calls it alpha software that is highly unstable, and the project site shows only a notice that it will return.
Who Olive is for
- Fits if you want a free editor and can live with crashes
- Works for people who like testing open-source software
Who Olive is not for
- 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
Why Olive gets a 2.8
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 run, with no paid tier.
- AFree plan and trialFree outright, with no paid tier to buy into.
- CFeaturesNon-linear timeline editing on three systems, but alpha software the README calls highly unstable.
- CEase of useNo store rating on record, and a timeline editor has a learning curve with no vendor support.
- CPlatforms and integrationsWindows, Mac and Linux, but a program for computers only; no phone or web version.
What these grades rest on. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from the Olive project's own pages on 13 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/olive#review"><img src="https://toolgpa.com/badge/olive.svg" alt="Olive: 2.8 GPA on ToolGPA" width="196" height="56"></a>Where Olive stands among screen recording and video tools
Olive's GPA of 2.8 is higher than 104 of the 133 other screen recording and video tools we grade, and level with 15.
It stands best on free plan and trial (A, above 117 of 133) and worst on features (C, above 0).
Olive has no paid plan.
On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 2.0 out of 4. Nothing scores higher for less, though at least one tool matches that score at a lower price.
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 134 screen recording and video tools we grade, cut by the letter each got. Olive’s own letter is outlined.
- AValue for moneyAbove 102 of 133, level with 31
- AFree plan and trialAbove 117 of 133, level with 16
- CFeaturesAbove 0 of 133, level with 77
- CEase of useAbove 2 of 133, level with 84
- CPlatforms and integrationsAbove 17 of 133, level with 49
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 102 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 Olive, or make your own?
Keep it
Olive 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 2.8 is higher than 104 of the 133 other screen recording and video tools we grade.
What you could not
- A video editor.
- Apps for macOS, Windows and Linux that stay in step with each other.
What this rests on. Olive’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 Olive?
Olive is a free non-linear video editor for Windows, macOS and Linux, released under the GPL-3.0 license. Its GitHub page calls it alpha software that is highly unstable. The project's website currently says Olive will return and points to old downloads on GitHub, so treat it as a project on hold.
Worth knowing
- 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
- 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.
Olive pricing
As of Nov 13, 2026, Olive is free to use.
- Starts at
- Free
- Free plan
- None
- Free trial
- None listed
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Open-source editor under GPL-3.0; the project asks for support through Patreon. |
Read from github.com on Nov 13, 2026. Prices change, so confirm with Olive before you buy.
Olive alternatives
- Olive vs Shotcut
Free
- Olive vs DaVinci Resolve
Free plan · from $94.99
Common questions
Does Olive have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. Olive is listed for Windows, macOS and Linux.
Does Olive have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. Olive is listed for Windows, macOS and Linux.
Is Olive open source?
Yes. Olive 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 13, 2026.