Shotcut

Free open-source video

Shotcut is the open-source video editor that doesn't get the DaVinci Resolve treatment but is genuinely useful. For Linux-curious or budget-conscious podcasters, it handles 4K and multicam without asking for a dime.

Shotcut is a free open-source video editor that has matured into a credible cross-platform NLE for budget-conscious video podcasters. It runs on Mac, Windows, and Linux, handles 4K timelines, supports a wide range of codecs natively, and includes basic colour, audio, and effects tools. For podcasters cutting a one-camera or two-camera video show without the Hollywood ambitions of Resolve, Shotcut covers the ground. The interface is functional rather than beautiful, with a panel-based layout that you customise to taste. The audio mixing surface is more limited than a paid editor, which matters for podcasters since audio is half the product; in practice you'll often edit audio separately in Audacity or a DAW and bring it back in. The big sell against Resolve is Linux support, which Resolve technically has but with hardware-specific quirks. Shotcut runs everywhere with no fuss. Stability has improved over the years, but very long timelines or projects with dozens of effects nodes can still trip the app up. Save often. For a podcaster who only needs to edit visuals at a basic level, Shotcut is a real alternative to learning Resolve or paying for Premiere. The development cadence is steady and the community is patient with newcomers.