Best free option: Kdenlive (Strong). Switching saves about $295 USD one-time.
$295 USDone-time
$445 CAD
Every pick below has a free version.
2 alternatives
Covers most of the same work, with trade-offs noted on each card.
Best for open-source editing on any desktop
Free on Windows, macOS and Linux with no account. Covers editing well; color, effects and audio work is lighter than in Resolve.
Right for specific needs, or not yet mature enough to recommend widely.
Best for simple edits in a light open-source editor
Free on Windows, macOS and Linux. Simple and stable, but it covers editing only and leaves out grading, compositing and audio post tools.
Sponsor this page: $149 for 30 days. Sponsors appear above the ranking, labeled; the ranking itself is not for sale.
How each alternative covers what people use DaVinci Resolve for. Numbers link to editor notes.
| Feature | Kdenlive | Shotcut |
|---|---|---|
| Editing | ||
| Multi-track timeline editing | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-camera editing | PartialNote 1A multicam tool exists with fewer controls | NoNote 2No multicam editing |
| Color | ||
| Node-based color grading and HDR | PartialNote 3Color wheels, curves, scopes and LUT effects, with no node-based grading | PartialNote 4Color grading and LUT filters, with limited scopes |
| Effects | ||
| Node-based compositing and motion graphics | NoNote 5Layers and composite transitions only; no node-based compositing | NoNote 6Keyframed filters and blend modes only |
| Audio | ||
| Multi-track audio mixing and repair | PartialNote 7Audio mixer and effects; no dedicated mastering page | PartialNote 8Audio filters, loudness meter and ducking; no mixer page |
| Captions | ||
| Subtitles and captions | YesNote 9Subtitle tracks, SRT import and export, and speech-to-text | PartialNote 10Subtitle tracks; no text-based editing |
| AI | ||
| AI tools: Magic Mask and noise reduction | PartialNote 11Speech-to-text runs on models you download; few other AI tools | No |
| Parity score | 57% | 36% |
Not covered by any free alternative yet: Multi-camera editing, Node-based color grading and HDR, Node-based compositing and motion graphics, Multi-track audio mixing and repair, AI tools: Magic Mask and noise reduction. See all feature gaps
Can each alternative open and save DaVinci Resolve files?
| Format | Kdenlive | Shotcut |
|---|---|---|
| .drp | NoNote 1DaVinci Resolve project archives do not open | NoNote 2DaVinci Resolve project archives do not open |
| .mp4 | Opens and savesFull fidelity | Opens and savesFull fidelity |
| .mov | Opens and savesFull fidelity | Opens and savesFull fidelity |
| .xml | NoNote 3Timelines move as OpenTimelineIO rather than Final Cut Pro or Premiere XML | NoNote 4It saves MLT XML projects but does not read Final Cut Pro or Premiere XML |
| .fcpxml | NoNote 5Timelines move as OpenTimelineIO rather than FCPXML | No |
| .prproj | NoNote 6Premiere projects do not open | NoNote 7Premiere projects do not open |
| .aep | NoNote 8After Effects projects do not open | NoNote 9After Effects projects do not open |
Switching saves about $295 USD / $445 CAD one-time. Prices checked .
Based on DaVinci Resolve Studio, one-time purchase. Price source.
Last verified . Ranking: tier first, then the published score.
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DaVinci Resolve is a product of Blackmagic Design, named here for comparison only. Platforms listed for DaVinci Resolve: Windows, macOS, Linux.