The 10 Best Media Editing Applications for Linux

Are you a professional vlogger looking to improve the quality of your content? Or maybe you’re an aspiring director envisaging the next big picture with a photographer who wants to deliver photos that would make Annie Leibowitz (photographer) jealous.

Our list today compiles media editing applications that are accessible to every Linux user who wants to excel at media editing. And although the regular user can take advantage of this list, most of the apps have a steep learning curve so be ready to get your hands dirty.

1. Shotcut

Shotcut is a cross-platform application comes fully loaded with features that are guaranteed to meet your every editing need as it processes a plethora of audio, image and video formats. You will also find videos within the application teaches you how to utilize it.

Shotcut Video Editor for Linux
Shotcut Video Editor for Linux

Features

  • Cross-platform.
  • Hardware support.
  • Supports external monitoring.
  • A plethora of video and audio filters.
  • Supports 4K resolutions.

[mks_button size=”medium” title=”Download Shotcut for Linux” style=”squared” url=”https://www.shotcut.org/download/” target=”_blank” bg_color=”#529b30″ txt_color=”#FFFFFF” icon=”fa-download” icon_type=”fa” nofollow=”1″]

2. VidCutter

VidCutter application is probably, the most user-friendly on the list. If you are the regular person mentioned earlier, then you will be okay with Vidcutter.

VidCutter - Video Cutting and Joining Software
VidCutter – Video Cutting and Joining Software

Features

  • Cross-platform.
  • Free and open-source.
  • Supports all the popular video formats including WMV, MP3, FLV, AVI, MP4, MPEG ½, MOV, and 3GP.
  • Simple User Interface.

[mks_button size=”medium” title=”Download for VidCutter for Linux” style=”squared” url=”https://github.com/ozmartian/vidcutter” target=”_blank” bg_color=”#529b30″ txt_color=”#FFFFFF” icon=”fa-download” icon_type=”fa” nofollow=”1″]

3. FlowBlade

FlowBlade is a Python-based multi-faceted non-linear video editor that possesses a current user interface. It was designed in such a way that it would run smoothly and efficiently.

Flowblade Video Editor for Linux
Flowblade Video Editor for Linux

Features

  • Free and open source
  • Available for GNU/Linux distros only
  • Merges, overwrites and splits, effortlessly
  • Different types of image, audio and video formats
  • Supports proxy editing

[mks_button size=”medium” title=”Download for Flowblade for Linux” style=”squared” url=”https://github.com/jliljebl/flowblade” target=”_blank” bg_color=”#529b30″ txt_color=”#FFFFFF” icon=”fa-download” icon_type=”fa” nofollow=”1″]

4. Kdenlive

Kdenlive is a free and open source video-editing software from KDE that gives support for dual video monitors, clip list, customizable layout support, basic transitions, basic effects, and a multi-track timeline

It supports a plethora file formats and cameras. So if you are seeking an alternative for Linux to iMovie, this application should be at the top of the list of alternatives.

Kdenlive Video Editor for Linux
Kdenlive Video Editor for Linux

Features

  • Free and open source
  • Available for macOS, Windows and Linux
  • Different formatting for audio and video
  • Create tiles using text or images with ease
  • All-purpose video editor
  • Very easy to utilize

[mks_button size=”medium” title=”Download KdenLive for Linux” style=”squared” url=”https://kdenlive.org/download/” target=”_blank” bg_color=”#529b30″ txt_color=”#FFFFFF” icon=”fa-download” icon_type=”fa” nofollow=”1″]

5. Blender

Blender a professional editing application, best for graphic designers who are looking to make their 3D work come to life.

If you are not sold on it yet, how about checking out the Spider-Man series or other video projects where it was utilized.

Blender 3D Creation Tool for Linux
Blender 3D Creation Tool for Linux

Features

  • Free and open source
  • Available for Windows, macOS
  • Audio mixing, syncing, scrubbing and waveform visualization
  • Speed control, transitions, key-frames, adjustment layers filters, etc.

[mks_button size=”medium” title=”Download Blender for Linux” style=”squared” url=”https://www.blender.org/download/” target=”_blank” bg_color=”#529b30″ txt_color=”#FFFFFF” icon=”fa-download” icon_type=”fa” nofollow=”1″]

6. OpenShot

OpenShot is a multi-purpose video editing app for the operating system that is Linux. It can aid you in making videos with features such as transitions and effects.

OpenShot Video Editor for Linux
OpenShot Video Editor for Linux

Features

  • Free and open source; cross-platform, available on  Linux, macOS, and Windows
  • Support for a wide range of video, audio, and image formats
  • Desktop integration with drag and drop support
  • Clip resizing, scaling, trimming, snapping, rotation, and cutting
  • All-purpose video editor for average video editing needs
  • Video transitions with real-time previews
  • Title templates, title creation, sub-titles
  • Support for 2D animation via image sequences
  • 3D animated titles and effects
  • Audio mixing and editing

Bear in mind that the application may be a bit tricky if you are a novice.

[mks_button size=”medium” title=”Download OpenShot for Linux” style=”squared” url=”https://www.openshot.org/download/” target=”_blank” bg_color=”#529b30″ txt_color=”#FFFFFF” icon=”fa-download” icon_type=”fa” nofollow=”1″]

7. Cinelerra

Cinelerra a non-linear video editor has been here since circa 1999 and has been used over 5 million times! It was shelved for a bit but has been resurrected and here are some of the features you’ll find on it.

Cinelerra Video Editor
Cinelerra Video Editor

Features

  • Cross-platform, free, and open source
  • Non-linear editing
  • Support for HD videos
  • Built-in frame renderer
  • Various video effects
  • Unlimited layers
  • Split pane editing

Just like OpenShot, Cinelerra has a steep learning curve so start gathering your tutorial guides if it is your selection.

[mks_button size=”medium” title=”Download Cinelerra for Linux” style=”squared” url=”http://cinelerra.org/download” target=”_blank” bg_color=”#529b30″ txt_color=”#FFFFFF” icon=”fa-download” icon_type=”fa” nofollow=”1″]

8. Pitivi

Pitivi is a open-source, non-linear video editor for Linux was developed with the help of collaboration from a lot of open-source enthusiasts.

Pitivi Video Editor
Pitivi Video Editor

Features

  • Open source application
  • Available for Linux, Windows, and macOS
  • Supports simple media editing
  • Supports snapping, trimming, splitting
  • Audio and video clips can be connected
  • Capabilities for rendering media from the GStreamer framework

[mks_button size=”medium” title=”Download Pitivi for Linux” style=”squared” url=”http://www.pitivi.org/?go=download” target=”_blank” bg_color=”#529b30″ txt_color=”#FFFFFF” icon=”fa-download” icon_type=”fa” nofollow=”1″]

9. Ardour

Ardour is a free and open source audio editing application permits you to record, edit, mix, and even master! So if you are either an aspiring or professional musician or producer, this application is right or you!

Ardour Linux Audio Sound Editor
Ardour Linux Audio Sound Editor

Features

  • Flexible recording.
  • Automation, etc.
  • Infinite multichannel tracks.
  • Rendering audio files of different formats.
  • Extensible through plug-ins and In-line plug-in control.

[mks_button size=”medium” title=”Download Ardour for Linux” style=”squared” url=”http://community.ardour.org/download” target=”_blank” bg_color=”#529b30″ txt_color=”#FFFFFF” icon=”fa-download” icon_type=”fa” nofollow=”1″]

10. Rosegarden

Rosegarden application is great for composing music and the editing of it. It is actually meant for musicians and music composers, and is portable for home use!

Great understanding of music notations makes it interesting for users who know and understand music notations. Furthermore, it also has some basic support for digital audio.

Rosegarden Music Editor
Rosegarden Music Editor

Features

  • Open source application
  • Supports digital audio
  • Super easy to use
  • Uses music notation

[mks_button size=”medium” title=”Download Rosegarden for Linux” style=”squared” url=”https://www.rosegardenmusic.com/getting/” target=”_blank” bg_color=”#529b30″ txt_color=”#FFFFFF” icon=”fa-download” icon_type=”fa” nofollow=”1″]

That’s wraps up our list, folks!

You can find any video or audio editing feature you will need to get professional work done in any (if not all) of the apps listed above. Nevertheless, feel free to drop your comments and app suggestions in the discussion box below.

Divine Okoi is a cybersecurity postgrad with a passion for the open-source community. With 700+ articles covering different topics in IT, you can always trust him to inform you about the coolest tech.

Each tutorial at GeeksMint is created by a team of experienced writers so that it meets our high-quality writing standards.

4 thoughts on “The 10 Best Media Editing Applications for Linux”

    • Thanks for the suggestions. I haven’t heard of either before now.
      Do Reaper and landoleet work together or are they separate apps?

      Reply
  1. Excellent article as always!
    Out of curiosity, have you tried VLMC from Videolan? I haven’t yet so I’d like to know more about it compared with the ones on this list, since it is from the developers of VLC.

    Reply

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