Pros
✔️ Completely free
✔️ Emojis
✔️ Open-source
✔️ Device-specific export options
Cons
❌ Random crashes
❌ No separate audio and video tracks
❌ Underdeveloped transition effects
Final verdict
OpenShot is great, but some of its features, such as limited text options, editing tools, and video effects, may stop you from growing.
There are other programs as well if you want to grow in the video industry.
Specifications
Service type: Video Editing
Supported platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, and Chrome OS
Offline: Yes
Ease of use: Easy to use
Pricing: $0 per month
Rating
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
What is OpenShot
OpenShot is a free and open-source multi-track video editor that is possibly one of the easiest video editing programs right now.
Editing options
Good
As mentioned, OpeShot is easy to use, and the reason for that is we don’t see many editing tools. Here is the list of what is offered:
- Razor tool
- Video snapping
- Markers
- Project saving and opening
- Basic caption editor
However, you find plenty of clip-specific tools. Here are the video and audio options that we see:
- Video opacity
- Rotation
- Scale
- Volume
- Gravity
Bad
OpenShot has some unnecessary properties, and the reason for that is it shows all the audio and video properties whether you select an audio or video clip.
For example, you can actually rotate an audio clip. This won’t make any difference, but it is possible in OpenShot.
Tracks and timeline
Good
The app supports multi-track editing, and each project comes with five tracks. Of course, there is an option to add more. According to the official post, you can have as many tracks as you like.
Bad
There aren’t any separate audio and video tracks, and inserting video files on a track that has an audio clip is possible. Also, the color of the tracks is the same regardless of the placed object, so it’s hard to see which tracks have audio files and which have video.
Because of this feature, you can’t mute an audio track to test other sounds in the project.
Text tools
Good
It takes a different approach to titles. Text is separate from the effects and emojis, so you find an option in the main navigation. The text box shows many titles, and when you click on one, you see the properties, including the text, color, and background color.
After adjusting the title, we save it to the project files to use in multiple locations.
Bad
The app only offers static titles on its own, and once the title is added to the project files, you can’t edit it.
Another problem is that it supports animated titles, but you must install Blender (a free program) to use this feature.
Finally, the program offers advanced text features, but like animations, you must install the Inkscape (also free) tool.
Related: Kdenlive vs. Shotcut
OpenShot review: Audio effects
Good
I like that it has nine audio effects, and it supports adding multiple audio effects. We see an initial label on the clip when an audio effect is added. Each effect comes with properties to adjust the effect options.
bad
The tool allows adding audio effects to videos that even don’t have audio. Although it’s not a major issue, it is something I felt disclosing.
Video effects
Good
Like the audio effects, we have 18 video effects in OpenShot. The tool supports dragging and dropping the effect. Once the effect is added, you can right-click on it to adjust its properties.
Bad
Unlike some other programs, effects cover the whole video. For example, adding a blur makes the entire video blurry.
Transition effects
Good
OpenShot comes with over 400 transitions. All are free, and you don’t need an internet connection to use them. Each transition effect has:
- Brightness
- Contrast
- Duration
- Position
- Source image
Bad
OpenShot does not know where to place transitions. Other programs highlight the clip cuts, and they only allow adding a transition between two clips. In OpenShot, you can add an effect anywhere you like, even on an audio clip.
Another issue is that each transition has the default duration of ten seconds, which is a tremendous time for a transition effect. You need to adjust the effect’s length to see that perfect transition.
Emojis
Good
The feature that gives it a unique title is emojis. You find hundreds of emojis to add to the project. Of course, emojis are static, but you can adjust the size, opacity, gravity, and more.
The crashing issue
Occasionally, especially while editing effects, the program crashes. This is one of the worst editing problems because OpenShot does not save projects automatically. So, when it crashes, you have to start from the last saved point.
Should you get it?
OpenShot is good as long as you know what you are doing. Other programs have limitations for better editing. OpenShot has no limits, making it confusing to use, even though its interface looks easy.
There are other free and open-source programs such as Kdenlive and Shotcut that might interest you more.
Check out the OpenShot comparison with Kdenlive and Shotcut to see how it stands.
Summary
Open-source programs eliminate the money problem, which is what most people like. I hope the OpenShot review helped you understand the features of this tool. Please subscribe to the newsletter (floating somewhere above), so you can stay updated with any changes with this review.