OpenShot review (2026): is it any good?
Free, open-source video editor for Linux, Mac and Windows
OpenShot report card
Very good · out of 4.0 · graded Nov 12, 2026
Best for a free, simple desktop video editor
OpenShot is a free, open-source video editor with unlimited tracks, keyframes, more than 400 transitions and a built-in recorder. It's desktop only, and the Mac download described is an Intel installer.
Who OpenShot is for
- Fits if you want a free editor with no watermark for home videos
- Works for people who also want a built-in screen and webcam recorder
Who OpenShot is not for
- Skip it if you have an Apple silicon Mac, since the page only describes an Intel installer
- Not for you if you need a phone or browser editor, as it's desktop only
- Too light for team editing, since nothing on the site covers sharing or cloud projects
Why OpenShot 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 site says no subscriptions or watermarks, and donations are optional.
- AFree plan and trialThe full editor is free on all platforms, with no project limits, per the site.
- BFeaturesUnlimited tracks, keyframes, transitions, titles, color grading and a screen recorder. 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, Linux and Chrome OS installers, and no phone or browser version.
What these grades rest on. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from OpenShot'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/openshot#review"><img src="https://toolgpa.com/badge/openshot.svg" alt="OpenShot: 3.0 GPA on ToolGPA" width="196" height="56"></a>Where OpenShot stands among screen recording and video tools
OpenShot'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).
OpenShot 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. OpenShot’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 OpenShot, or make your own?
Keep it
OpenShot 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.
- Recording the screen with its sound, and somewhere to keep the video.
- 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. OpenShot’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 OpenShot?
OpenShot is an open-source video editor made by OpenShot Studios, LLC. It offers an unlimited-track timeline, keyframe animation, color grading, more than 400 transitions, editable titles and a built-in screen and webcam recorder. The site says it has no subscriptions, watermarks or project limits.
Worth knowing
- Desktop only: the download page lists Windows, Linux, macOS and Chrome OS installers.
- The macOS download is described as a 64-bit Intel installer; the page does not mention a separate Apple silicon build.
Key features
- Timeline editing
- Video, audio and images go on unlimited tracks with snapping, waveforms and frame-by-frame stepping. Project files move between Linux, macOS and Windows.
- Keyframe animation
- Position, scale, rotation, opacity, volume and effect settings can be animated with linear, constant or Bezier interpolation.
- Transitions and effects
- More than 400 transition patterns, plus effects such as chroma key, blur and lens flare.
- Titles
- More than 40 editable 2D title templates, custom SVG templates, and 3D animated titles rendered with Blender.
- Color grading
- Color wheels, curves and LUTs, with waveform, histogram, vectorscope and RGB parade scopes.
- Built-in recorder
- Captures a screen, window or region plus a webcam and microphone, and places each recording on its own timeline track.
OpenShot pricing
As of Nov 12, 2026, OpenShot is free to use.
- Starts at
- Free
- Free plan
- Free to download and use, with no subscriptions, watermarks or project limits, according to the site.
- Free trial
- None listed
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | The full editor on Windows, macOS and Linux. Donations are optional. |
Read from openshot.org on Nov 12, 2026. Prices change, so confirm with OpenShot before you buy.
Works with
- Blender
- FFmpeg
OpenShot alternatives
- OpenShot vs DaVinci Resolve
Free plan · from $94.99
- OpenShot vs WeVideo
Free plan · from $4.99/mo
- OpenShot vs Wondershare Filmora
Free plan · from $49.99/yr
Common questions
Does OpenShot have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 12, 2026. OpenShot is listed for Windows, macOS and Linux.
Does OpenShot have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 12, 2026. OpenShot is listed for Windows, macOS and Linux.
Is OpenShot open source?
Yes. OpenShot 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.