Kdenlive as a Linux alternative to Windows Movie Maker

Updated October 18, 2026

Our verdict

Kdenlive is a strong replacement for Windows Movie Maker, though it targets a slightly more advanced user base. While Movie Maker was stripped-down and simple, Kdenlive offers a full non-linear editing experience with multi-track timelines and pro-level tools. For beginners, the interface may feel cluttered initially, but the learning curve is manageable. It covers all basic needs like trimming, transitions, and audio adjustments, plus much more. If you outgrow basic editing, Kdenlive scales with you. It is not a 1:1 clone, but it is a superior tool for anyone serious about video on Linux.

Feature parity95%

License: GPL-3.0-only
Price: Free
Latest version: 26.08.2 (October 8, 2026)
Rating: —

Install Kdenlive Website ↗

What works the same

Both are free and open-source (Kdenlive is GPL-3.0, Movie Maker was proprietary but free)
Both support basic video trimming, cutting, and concatenation
Both allow adding text overlays and simple transitions between clips
Both provide basic audio editing controls like volume adjustment and fades
Both export to common formats like MP4 and AVI

What is different

Kdenlive is a non-linear editor with multi-track timelines; Movie Maker was linear and single-track
Kdenlive includes advanced color correction, scopes, and motion tracking; Movie Maker had none
Kdenlive supports proxy editing for low-end hardware; Movie Maker did not
Movie Maker had direct upload integration to platforms like YouTube; Kdenlive requires manual export and upload
Kdenlive has a steeper learning curve due to its professional feature set

Opening your Windows Movie Maker files

Windows Movie Maker used the .wmz format for projects, which is proprietary and not supported by Kdenlive. You cannot open .wmz files directly. However, if you have the original source video and audio files, you can recreate the project in Kdenlive. Kdenlive exports to standard formats like MP4, AVI, MKV, and MOV, which are compatible with most platforms and devices. If you have existing .wmz projects, you must manually rebuild them using the original media assets.

Switching from Windows Movie Maker to Kdenlive, step by step

Install Kdenlive from your distribution’s package manager or Flathub
Gather all original video, audio, and image files used in your Movie Maker projects
Open Kdenlive and create a new project with the same resolution and frame rate as your original
Import your media files into the Kdenlive project bin
Drag clips to the timeline and recreate your cuts, transitions, and text overlays
Export your finished video using the Render tab, selecting MP4 or AVI as needed

Key features of Kdenlive

Multi‑track timeline with nested sequences
Proxy editing for smoother performance on low‑end hardware
Wide range of effects, transitions and AI‑powered tools
Color correction suite with scopes (histogram, vectorscope, etc.)
Audio post‑production tools and waveform meter
Motion tracking and keyframe animation
Configurable interface and shortcut mapping
Export to virtually any video/audio format

How to install Kdenlive on Linux

Flatpak (Flathub)flatpak install flathub org.kde.kdenlive

Ubuntu / Mintsudo apt install kdenlive

Debiansudo apt install kdenlive

Fedorasudo dnf install kdenlive

Arch / Manjarosudo pacman -S kdenlive

openSUSEsudo zypper install kdenlive

Frequently asked questions

Can I open my old Windows Movie Maker .wmz files in Kdenlive?

No, .wmz is a proprietary format not supported by Kdenlive. You must rebuild your projects using the original media files.

Is Kdenlive too complex for a beginner?

It is more complex than Movie Maker, but the interface is configurable. Start with the basic timeline and effects, and explore advanced features as needed.

Does Kdenlive support direct upload to YouTube or Vimeo?

No, Kdenlive does not have built-in upload functionality. You must export your video and upload it manually through the platform’s website or app.