Best Open Source Photo & Video Editors Software
Browse 12 production-ready, self-hostable open-source tools in Photo & Video Editors. Eliminate per-seat SaaS costs, retain complete data ownership, and claim $100K+ in startup cloud hosting credits.
Top Open-Source Photo & Video Editors Software Compared
Direct overview of top-ranked solutions by community stars and license
| Tool Name | GitHub Stars | License | Replaces Proprietary | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OpenCut | ★ 97,000 | MIT | CapCut, Adobe Premiere Pro | View Stack → |
| LosslessCut | ★ 46,000 | GPL-2.0 | CapCut, Adobe Premiere Pro | View Stack → |
| Audacity | ★ 19,000 | Open Source | Ableton Live, Logic Pro | View Stack → |
| Shotcut | ★ 16,000 | GPL-3.0 | CapCut, Adobe Premiere Pro | View Stack → |
| Compositor | ★ 13,373 | MIT | Adobe Photoshop, Affinity Photo | View Stack → |
All 12 Photo & Video Editors Open Source Tools
Ranked by GitHub community stars & active adoption
OpenCut
MITBrowser-based, open source video editor built for privacy. No installs, no account required, works on any platform.
LosslessCut
GPL-2.0Desktop app for lossless video and audio editing. Cut, trim, merge, and remux files in seconds without re-encoding, using FFmpeg under the hood.
Audacity
Open SourceFree, open-source audio editor and recorder for all platforms. Record, edit, mix and enhance audio with professional tools. Perfect for music, podcasts, and…
Shotcut
GPL-3.0Free, open-source video editor supporting 4K resolution, hundreds of formats, and professional features like Blackmagic Design integration across Windows…
Compositor
MITMac-native Photoshop alternative built around compositing and post-processing workflows, with layers, masks, blend modes, filters, and background removal.
RAWmakase
MITNon-destructive RAW photo editor for macOS, Linux, and Windows that reads Lightroom catalogs, presets, and camera profiles. Free, MIT licensed, built in Rust.
RawTherapee
GPL-3.0Free, cross-platform raw image processor with 32-bit floating point engine, advanced demosaicing algorithms, and professional-grade editing tools for…
OpenShot
GPL-3.0A free, open-source video editor for Linux, Mac, and Windows with animation, effects, multi-track editing, and 3D title rendering.
GIMP
Open SourceFree, open-source image editor with professional tools for photo manipulation, digital art creation, and graphic design. Cross-platform support.
Darktable
GPL-3.0Open source photography workflow application for RAW development. Non-destructive editing, professional color management, and GPU acceleration for…
Krita
GPL-3.0Free and open source painting program built by artists for artists. Features professional brushes, layers, animation tools, and drawing assistants for all…
Kdenlive
GPL-3.0Cross-platform non-linear video editor offering professional features for free. Edit videos on Linux, Windows, macOS, and BSD with advanced tools and effects.
Frequently Asked Questions: Open Source Photo & Video Editors
What are the best open source Photo & Video Editors tools in 2026?
The highest-ranked open-source software in Photo & Video Editors is OpenCut with over 97,000 GitHub stars. Other leading tools include LosslessCut, Audacity, Shotcut, Compositor. All are vetted for production self-hosting.
Can I self-host Photo & Video Editors open source tools on my own cloud?
Yes. Tools listed in this category support self-hosting via Docker, Docker Compose, Kubernetes, or Helm on AWS, Google Cloud, DigitalOcean, Hetzner, or bare metal with zero per-seat licensing fees.
How can early-stage startups get free cloud credits to host Photo & Video Editors tools?
Founders can claim up to $100,000 in AWS Activate, $350,000 in Google Cloud for Startups, and $1,000 in DigitalOcean credits via Startupbricks Perks (startupbricks.in/perks) to deploy self-hosted stacks at zero infrastructure cost.
What proprietary SaaS does open source Photo & Video Editors software replace?
Open-source tools in this category replace proprietary commercial platforms including CapCut, Adobe Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, Filmora, Final Cut Pro, Ableton Live, Logic Pro, Adobe Audition, Pro Tools, Adobe Photoshop. Switching gives your team 100% data custody, security control, and zero recurring seat costs.
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