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Linux · Sound & Video

Avidemux

Avidemux is a free, open‑source video editor for simple cutting, filtering and encoding.

Open sourceFreeFlatpak
5.0 · 1 votes
License
GPL-2.0+
Latest version
2.8.1 (September 15, 2022)
Developer
Avidemux Team
Installs
4,426 (Flathub, 30 days)
Install Website ↗
Main Window
Main Window
Media Information Window
Media Information Window

What is Avidemux?

Avidemux started in 2002 as a lightweight alternative to heavier editors. It grew steadily, adding a GUI based on Qt and a command‑line interface, and has been maintained by the Avidemux Team through version 2.8.1 released in 2022.

The program is aimed at users who need quick, non‑linear edits—trimming, joining, applying basic filters—without the complexity of professional suites. It supports a wide range of formats via FFmpeg and can export to many codecs.

Compared with Ulead VideoStudio or VirtualDub, Avidemux feels more modern because of its Qt UI and cross‑platform consistency, but it lacks the depth of effects and project‑management features found in those Windows tools.

Best for: Quick, straightforward video edits and format conversion on Linux.

Key features of Avidemux

  • Non‑linear cutting and joining
  • Basic filters (blur, sharpen, color correction)
  • Batch processing via command line
  • Support for most common video/audio codecs through FFmpeg
  • Export to multiple formats
  • Two‑pane preview and real‑time playback
  • Keyboard shortcuts for fast editing
  • Cross‑platform (Linux, Windows, macOS)

Pros

  • Free and open source
  • Lightweight and fast
  • Stable across many Linux distros
  • Good integration with FFmpeg for codec support
  • Command‑line mode for scripting

Cons

  • Limited advanced effects and transitions
  • No multi‑track timeline
  • GTK port discontinued, only Qt UI available
  • Learning curve for command‑line usage

Windows programs Avidemux replaces

Ulead VideoStudioVirtualDub

How to install Avidemux on Linux

Flatpak (Flathub)flatpak install flathub org.avidemux.Avidemux
Arch / Manjarosudo pacman -S avidemux-cli

Tips for Windows users

If you come from Ulead VideoStudio or VirtualDub, expect a simpler interface: use the “Cut” and “Join” tabs for trimming, and the “Filters” tab for basic adjustments. File formats are handled by FFmpeg, so most AVI, MP4, MKV, and MOV files open without issue. Keyboard shortcuts differ; Avidemux uses Ctrl+S for save, Ctrl+Z for undo, and F5 to preview. Workflow is linear: load a file, set start/end points, apply filters, then export—no project files or timelines to manage.

Recent releases

  • 2.8.1 —

Avidemux: frequently asked questions

Does Avidemux support 4K video?

Yes, as long as FFmpeg on your system can decode and encode the codec, Avidemux can handle 4K files, but performance depends on your hardware.

Can I use Avidemux for batch conversion?

Use the command‑line interface (avidemux2_cli) with a script or the GUI’s “Batch” feature to process multiple files.

Is there a way to add subtitles?

Subtitles can be added via the “Filters” tab by inserting a subtitle filter, or by using the command line with the –subtitles option.

Why does my export fail with certain codecs?

The failure usually means the FFmpeg build on your distro lacks the required codec support; install the full FFmpeg package or compile it yourself.

Updated