OpenShotLinux
vs
DaVinci ResolveWindows
OpenShot as a Linux alternative to DaVinci Resolve
Updated
Our verdict
OpenShot can replace DaVinci Resolve for hobbyists and beginners who need basic non‑linear editing, simple color correction, and audio mixing, but it falls short for professional color grading, advanced VFX, and GPU‑accelerated rendering. The workflow is straightforward, but users who rely on Resolve’s high‑end tools will find OpenShot limited.
Feature parity
- License
- GPL-3.0-or-later
- Price
- Free
- Latest version
- 3.5.1 (April 2, 2026)
- Rating
- —
What works the same
- Both provide drag‑and‑drop timelines with unlimited tracks
- Support for most common video, audio, and image formats via FFmpeg
- Basic color correction and keyframe animation
- Audio mixing within the same interface
- Export to standard video codecs
What is different
- OpenShot lacks Resolve’s advanced color grading panels and HDR support
- No built‑in 3D compositing or node‑based VFX workflow
- GPU‑accelerated rendering is limited; OpenShot uses CPU or basic GPU support
- Resolve offers professional audio post‑production with Fairlight, absent in OpenShot
- Resolve supports high‑resolution 4K/8K editing and 10‑bit color, OpenShot is more modest
Opening your DaVinci Resolve files
OpenShot does not natively open DaVinci Resolve project files (.drp). Exporting from Resolve to a common format (e.g., MP4, MOV, or an image sequence) and then importing into OpenShot is the only reliable path. Importing Resolve’s proxy or cache files may work if they are standard codecs, but complex Resolve projects will not transfer directly.
Switching from DaVinci Resolve to OpenShot, step by step
- Export the Resolve project as an image sequence or a high‑quality video file (e.g., ProRes or DNxHD).
- Open OpenShot and create a new project with matching resolution and frame rate.
- Import the exported media into the timeline, preserving clip order.
- Re‑apply any basic color adjustments or audio edits within OpenShot.
- Export the finished project to the desired format.
- Verify the final output against the original Resolve render for quality.”
- faq
Key features of OpenShot
- Drag-and-drop timeline with unlimited tracks and layers
- Supports most video, audio, and image formats via FFmpeg
- Curve-based keyframe animations for precise control
- Integrated Blender 3D for animated title templates
- SVG support for scalable vector titles and overlays
- Real-time preview with multi-threaded playback
- AI-powered motion tracking and stabilization
- Built-in transitions, masks, and chroma key effects
How to install OpenShot on Linux
Flatpak (Flathub)
flatpak install flathub org.openshot.OpenShotUbuntu / Mint
sudo apt install openshot-qtDebian
sudo apt install openshot-qtFedora
sudo dnf install openshotopenSUSE
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