DaVinci Resolve vs Shotcut
Both are free video editing & conversion tools. Here is how they actually differ.
DaVinci Resolve and Shotcut at a glance
| Feature | DaVinci Resolve | Shotcut |
|---|---|---|
| Developer | Blackmagic Design | Meltytech, LLC |
| Licence | Free tier | Open Source |
| Cost | Free tier | Free |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile | No | No |
| Source code | Closed | Public |
DaVinci Resolve: what it's good at
DaVinci Resolve is genuine professional post-production software used on feature films and commercials, combining editing, industry-leading colour grading, visual effects and audio post in one application. The free version is remarkably complete rather than crippled.
- Industry-standard colour grading
- Full non-linear editor plus Fusion VFX
- Fairlight audio post-production
- Free version is fully usable for real work
Shotcut: what it's good at
Shotcut is an approachable open-source non-linear editor that handles a very wide range of formats natively through FFmpeg. It hits a good balance between capability and learning curve for everyday editing work.
- Wide native format support via FFmpeg
- Timeline editing with filters and transitions
- Four-point and ripple editing
- 4K resolution support
Which should you choose?
Both are free, so the honest answer is that you can install either and decide for yourself — that is the advantage of free software over a paid trial.
Both run on Windows, macOS, Linux. If open source matters to you, Shotcut publishes its source code and DaVinci Resolve does not.
We deliberately do not publish a star rating for either. We have no way to verify a rating that would be honest at scale, and an invented one would be worse than none — so we give you the facts and let you decide.
Frequently asked questions
Is DaVinci Resolve better than Shotcut?
Neither is universally better. DaVinci Resolve hollywood-grade editing and colour grading, free, while Shotcut straightforward open-source video editor with wide format support. The right pick depends on your platform and workflow.
Are both really free?
DaVinci Resolve is free tier and Shotcut is open source. Both can be downloaded without paying.
Can I install both?
Yes. Since neither costs anything, installing both and comparing them on your own files is usually the fastest way to decide.