5 Best Alternatives to Shotcut Video Editor in 2024 [Windows, Mac]

Every year, the video editing world gets more crowded with new entrants into the video editing market. Unfortunately, this can make it challenging to find the right editing software for you. Whether you have been using Shotcut and are looking for a better option or trying to decide if Shotcut is suitable for you, this guide can help.

To facilitate your decision, we will give you a brief background on Shotcut, then examine the top five alternatives by looking at each option and the benefits you can receive from using them. By the end, you should have a good sense of what video editor will fit your needs the best.

• Top 3 Alternatives to Shotcut Video Editor Snapshot
• What is Shotcut Video Editor?
• 5 Best Alternatives to Shotcut Video Editor
1. PowerDirector - Best Overall
2. Final Cut Pro - Best for Professionals Using Mac
3. Adobe Premiere Pro - Best for Professionals Using Windows
4. iMovie - Best for Amateurs Using Mac
5. EaseUS Video Editor - Best for Amateurs Using Windows
• Best Alternatives to Shotcut Video Editor Comparison Chart
• How to Edit With an Alternative to Shotcut Video Editor
• Download the Best Alternatives to Shotcut Video Editor for Free
• Shotcut Video Editor FAQ

Top 3 Alternatives to Shotcut Video Editor Snapshot

What is Shotcut Video Editor?

Shotcut is an open-source video editing program. The software offers many features, including support for 4K resolutions, multi-format timelines, key frameable effects, and more. 

The timeline automatically adjusts to your needs as you upload files onto the software. In addition, different settings can be selected depending on your desired quality - such as resolution, aspect ratio, codecs, frames per second, scanning mode, and field order. 

Shotcut offers customizable filters and effects - for example, color correction and noise removal. However, despite its impressive feature set,  it lacks many features you expect in a video editor. Shotcut has a bit of a learning curve and is not as user-friendly as some video editors on our list.

5 Best Alternatives to Shotcut Video Editor

1. PowerDirector – Best Overall

Compatibility: Windows, Mac

Overall Rating: 10 / 10

Beginner-friendly: 10 / 10

Key Features

• Full featured timeline editor
• 360-degree and 4K support
• AI-powered tools
• Royalty-free stock library

With PowerDirector at your fingertips, you'll never need more when it comes to high-quality video editing and effects. This easy-to-use program allows even beginners to make Hollywood-level movies at home. 

You can cut and assemble your footage. Then, add titles, motion graphics, and eye-catching video effects. PowerDirector even includes a wide range of AI-powered features, from object detection to sky replacement, so you can focus on what matters most - your story - instead of getting bogged down in tedious editing work.

Once you perfect your cut, you can edit your sound and color grade. Then export in all the most popular formats and 4k surround sound. With so many features available for all skill levels, there is no other video editor like it.

Reasons to Recommend

• Video intro templates and designer
• Fantastic collection of stylized transitions
• Includes plug-in for live streaming and screen recording

2. Final Cut Pro - Best for Professionals Using Mac

Image from BolderVideo.

Compatibility: Mac

Overall Rating: 9 / 10

Beginner-friendly: 5 / 10

Key Features

• Magnetic Timeline
• 360-degree video editing
• Color correction and grading
• HDR support

Final Cut Pro is an excellent alternative to Shotcut for professionals using Macs. It is a full-featured video editing program that has been around for years and has all the features and tools you need to create high-quality videos. Plus, it's backed by Apple, so you know it has a sleek design and will run smoothly on any machine. 

Final Cut Pro includes a few features to speed up the editing process. For example, you can create Compound Clips to bundle separate video and audio clips into a single movable package. And create Auditions for trying out different takes.

There are a few downsides to Final Cut Pro. Like most things Apple, it is very expensive. Also, if you are new to editing, you will find it very difficult to use as it has a steep learning curve.

3. Adobe Premiere Pro - Best for Professionals Using Windows

Image from Adobe.

Compatibility: Windows, Mac

Overall Rating: 9 / 10

Beginner-friendly: 5 / 10

Key Features

• 8K, VR, and 360-degree video editing
• Color shift
• Works seamlessly with other Adobe Creative Cloud products

With its innovative tools and reliable workflows, Adobe Premiere Pro earns its position as one of the industry's best video editing programs. It allows professionals to take their production skills to the next level. 

The importing process is simple, and text can be generated automatically using the Create Transcript feature. Auto Frame intelligently reframes your footage to your aspect ratio of choice. And you can access Adobe Stock directly in the software for an additional cost.

Adobe Premiere Pro is an excellent choice if you have a background in editing; otherwise, be prepared to spend a lot of time learning the software. Also, be prepared to pay a high subscription as this is a professional program.

4. iMovie – Best for Amateurs Using Mac

Image from DesignBuckle.

Compatibility: Mac

Overall Rating: 8 / 10

Beginner-friendly: 9 / 10

Key Features

• 4K resolution video editing
• Title animations
• Video filters
• Speed controls

iMovie comes bundled with Mac OS. It is just one of many easy-to-use, intuitive software designed to simplify the video creation process - everything from importing footage to editing without leaving its user interface. 

This is a good option for making content out of home movies that can be uploaded directly to social media. One of the best aspects of iMovie is that it saves all your information in Apple's cloud, allowing you to edit your project on any device - from an iPhone to a MacBook. 

iMovie is not a professional editor and shouldn't be used for professional projects; it doesn't have the capabilities to handle them. However, iMovie is a good choice if you are looking for a cheap option to do basic editing only.

5. EaseUS Video Editor – Best for Amateurs Using Windows

Image from EaseUS.

Compatibility: Windows

Overall Rating: 7 / 10

Beginner-friendly: 8 / 10

Key Features

• Timeline video editing
• Basic video effects
• Record narrations

The EaseUS Video Editor for PC is an intuitive video editing software that makes it easy to edit your videos for sharing your videos. It comes with loads of basic editing tools, transitions, and drag-and-drop features -everything you need to make simple videos. 

The editor will help you improve your videos by utilizing video effects. You can easily record narration plus import and mix audio. It supports various file formats, including MP4, AVI, WMV, MKV, and MOV.

However, EaseUS is a scaled-back editor, so if you want to do any advanced video work, you will need to install another video editing software.

Best Alternatives to Shotcut Video Editor Comparison Chart

How to Edit with an Alternative to Shotcut Video Editor?

You can use these steps if you want to edit videos using the best alternative to Shotcut Video Editor, PowerDirector:

1. Download PowerDirector onto your PC for free and start a new project.
2. Select the Import Media button at the top left of the page and choose what media you want to edit from your computer.

3. Drag your video clips and any other audio or photo files to the timeline in order of preference.
4. To split your clips, drag the timeline play head to the position on the timeline where you would like to cut. Then click the Split icon above the timeline to cut the clip at that position. Delete the portion you don’t need.
5. Open the Transition Room. Drag and drop a transition to where you want it applied to a clip.

6. Add a title to your video by navigating to the Title Room. Drag one of the preset titles to the timeline. Double click on it to open Title Designer to edit your title.

7. Continue editing until you are happy with your project, then Produce it.

Download the Best Alternatives to Shotcut Video Editor for Free

Finding an easily accessible video editing software that doesn't require previous editing experience while providing professional results can be challenging. But luckily, PowerDirector does just that. It is free to download and includes various straightforward tools for creating professional-level videos. 

Want to edit videos like a pro? Download PowerDirector now.