Comparison · Video editing software
Avid Media Composer vs Shotcut: which is better in 2026?
Avid Media Composer86.0#5 in best video editing software
Shotcut86.5#4 in best video editing software
Shotcut86.5#4 in best video editing softwareShotcut ranks higher in our list of video editing software (#4 against #5, score 86.5 against 86.0), but the gap is small and the better choice depends on what you need.
- 86.0Editorial score86.5
- 2Platforms3
- YesFree to useYes
- NoOpen sourceYes
Which should you choose?
Choose Avid Media Composer if you want
Professional film and TV editing.
The editing system that film, TV and news studios use, on Mac and PC, with a free Media Composer First tier. Paid tiers are annual subscriptions from $259.99 a year, while DaVinci Resolve here has a free version.
Choose Shotcut if you want
Free open-source editing on any desktop.
A free, open-source editor for Windows, macOS and Linux that edits media without importing it first. Its timeline takes time to learn, and it is less focused on color grading than DaVinci Resolve.
The main differences
- Only Shotcut runs on Linux.
- Shotcut is open source; Avid Media Composer is not.
Side by side
| Avid Media Composer | Shotcut | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 86.0 | 86.5 |
| Rank in list | #5 of 10 | #4 of 10 |
| Price | Free plan, paid upgradesFree Media Composer First; paid annual Standard, Ultimate and Enterprise | Free and open sourceFree and open source under GPLv3 |
| Free to use | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | No | Yes |
| Platforms | WindowsmacOSWindows, macOS | WindowsmacOSLinuxWindows, macOS, Linux |
| Made by | Avid Technology, Inc. | Meltytech |
| Best for | Professional film and TV editing | Free open-source editing on any desktop |
| Strengths |
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| Limits |
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| Links | Visit site | Visit site |
Questions about Avid Media Composer vs Shotcut
- Is Shotcut better than Avid Media Composer?
- Shotcut ranks higher in our list of video editing software (#4 against #5, score 86.5 against 86.0), but the gap is small and the better choice depends on what you need. Avid Media Composer is best for: professional film and TV editing. Shotcut is best for: free open-source editing on any desktop.
- Which is cheaper, Avid Media Composer or Shotcut?
- Avid Media Composer: Free Media Composer First; paid annual Standard, Ultimate and Enterprise. Shotcut: Free and open source under GPLv3.
- Do Avid Media Composer and Shotcut run on the same platforms?
- Avid Media Composer supports Windows, macOS. Shotcut supports Windows, macOS, Linux.
Choosing between the two
Learning Center
1:17How to decide between two good optionsSettle a close call by sorting it by how hard it is to undo, setting a deadline, scoring the criteria as a tie-breaker and writing down why you chose.
1:20How to compare products fairly: what to keep in mindDefine the job, cap the must-haves, compare like with like, count total cost over one period and weigh the criteria. Includes a worked example.Read more about Avid Media Composer and Shotcut
All articles- Comparisons · 5 min readDaVinci Resolve vs Adobe Premiere Pro: Which Video Editor Fits You?DaVinci Resolve offers a free editor with color grading and audio, while Premiere Pro is a subscription timeline editor tied to Adobe apps. Compare the two.
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