Kapwing vs Lightworks

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Our analysts compared Kapwing vs Lightworks based on data from our 400+ point analysis of Video Editing Software, user reviews and our own crowdsourced data from our free software selection platform.

Product Basics

Kapwing is a versatile software platform designed for video editing and content creation. It offers a range of tools that allow users to edit videos, create memes, add subtitles, and more, all within a user-friendly interface. This makes it particularly suitable for content creators, social media managers, educators, and marketing professionals who require efficient and accessible video editing solutions. Industries such as digital marketing, education, and entertainment can greatly benefit from its capabilities.

One of the standout features of Kapwing is its collaborative functionality, enabling multiple users to work on the same project simultaneously. Additionally, it supports a wide array of file formats and provides cloud storage, ensuring that projects are easily accessible from any device. Users appreciate its intuitive design, which simplifies complex editing tasks, making it accessible even for those with limited technical expertise.

Pricing for Kapwing varies, typically offering both free and premium plans, with the latter providing advanced features and higher usage limits. For precise pricing details tailored to specific needs, it is recommended to contact SelectHub for a personalized quote.

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Lightworks is a comprehensive video editing software designed to manage tasks such as trimming, color correction, and audio editing. It is particularly well-suited for professional filmmakers, video editors, and content creators in industries like film production, broadcasting, and digital marketing. This software offers a range of powerful features, including multi-cam editing, real-time effects, and advanced color grading, which make it a versatile tool for high-quality video production.

One of the unique benefits of Lightworks is its intuitive user interface, which allows for efficient workflow management. Additionally, it supports a wide array of file formats and resolutions, making it adaptable to various project requirements. Users often praise its robust performance and the ability to handle complex editing tasks with ease.

In comparison to similar products, Lightworks stands out for its professional-grade features and user-friendly design. Pricing details can vary, so it is recommended to contact SelectHub for a personalized quote based on specific needs.

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$16 Monthly, Freemium
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$9.99 Monthly, Freemium
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Product Insights

  • Time Efficiency: Kapwing's intuitive interface allows users to quickly edit videos, saving valuable time compared to more complex software.
  • Accessibility: As a web-based tool, Kapwing can be accessed from any device with an internet connection, eliminating the need for high-end hardware.
  • Collaboration: Teams can work together seamlessly on projects in real-time, enhancing productivity and ensuring consistency across edits.
  • Cost-Effective: Kapwing offers a range of pricing plans, including a free tier, making it accessible for individuals and small businesses without significant financial investment.
  • Versatility: The platform supports a wide array of media formats and editing tools, enabling users to create diverse content from social media clips to professional presentations.
  • Learning Curve: With user-friendly tutorials and a straightforward design, new users can quickly become proficient, reducing the time spent on training.
  • Cloud Storage: Projects are saved in the cloud, ensuring that work is not lost and can be accessed from anywhere, providing peace of mind and flexibility.
  • Integration: Kapwing integrates with various social media platforms, allowing for direct uploads and streamlined content distribution.
  • Customization: Users can personalize their videos with text, images, and effects, enabling unique and engaging content creation.
  • Support: Kapwing offers robust customer support and a comprehensive help center, ensuring users can resolve issues and continue their work without significant downtime.
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  • Professional-Grade Editing: Lightworks offers advanced editing tools that are used in Hollywood productions, ensuring high-quality results for any project.
  • Multi-Platform Compatibility: Available on Windows, Mac, and Linux, Lightworks allows you to work seamlessly across different operating systems.
  • Real-Time Collaboration: The software supports collaborative workflows, enabling multiple editors to work on the same project simultaneously, which enhances productivity.
  • Extensive Format Support: Lightworks can handle a wide range of video formats, from SD to 4K, making it versatile for various types of media projects.
  • Efficient Workflow: With customizable keyboard shortcuts and a user-friendly interface, Lightworks streamlines the editing process, saving valuable time.
  • High-Quality Export Options: The software provides numerous export presets, including direct uploads to platforms like YouTube and Vimeo, ensuring your content is ready for distribution.
  • Advanced Effects and Transitions: Lightworks includes a rich library of effects and transitions, allowing you to enhance your videos with professional-grade visual elements.
  • Scalable Performance: Optimized for both low-end and high-end systems, Lightworks ensures smooth performance regardless of your hardware capabilities.
  • Comprehensive Training Resources: Access to extensive tutorials and a supportive user community helps you quickly master the software and troubleshoot any issues.
  • Cost-Effective Solutions: Offering both free and affordable pro versions, Lightworks provides powerful editing capabilities without breaking the bank.
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  • Online Video Editor: Edit videos directly in your web browser without the need for software downloads or installations.
  • Collaborative Editing: Work on video projects with team members in real-time, allowing for seamless collaboration and feedback.
  • Wide Format Support: Import and export videos in various formats including MP4, MOV, AVI, and more, ensuring compatibility with different platforms.
  • Subtitles and Captions: Automatically generate subtitles and captions for your videos, or manually add and edit them for accuracy.
  • Templates Library: Access a diverse range of pre-made templates for different video types, such as social media posts, presentations, and advertisements.
  • Audio Editing Tools: Add, trim, and adjust audio tracks within your video projects, including background music and voiceovers.
  • Text and Image Overlays: Enhance your videos with customizable text and image overlays to convey additional information or branding.
  • Green Screen Effects: Utilize chroma key technology to replace backgrounds in your videos, creating professional-looking effects.
  • Video Trimming and Splitting: Easily cut and split video clips to remove unwanted sections or create shorter segments.
  • Speed Adjustment: Modify the playback speed of your videos to create slow-motion or time-lapse effects.
  • Aspect Ratio Adjustment: Change the aspect ratio of your videos to fit different platforms, such as Instagram, YouTube, or TikTok.
  • Cloud Storage Integration: Save and access your video projects from cloud storage services like Google Drive and Dropbox.
  • Export Options: Export your finished videos in various resolutions and formats, including HD and 4K, to meet different quality requirements.
  • Custom Watermarks: Add personalized watermarks to your videos to protect your content and reinforce your brand identity.
  • GIF Creation: Create animated GIFs from video clips or images, perfect for sharing on social media and messaging platforms.
  • Screen Recording: Capture your screen activity to create tutorials, presentations, or gameplay videos with ease.
  • Video Resizing: Resize your videos to fit specific dimensions without compromising quality, ideal for various social media platforms.
  • Stock Media Library: Access a vast library of stock images, videos, and audio tracks to enhance your video projects.
  • Customizable Animations: Apply and customize animations to text and images within your videos to create dynamic visual effects.
  • Project Management: Organize and manage multiple video projects within the platform, keeping your work streamlined and efficient.
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  • Non-Linear Editing: Allows for flexible editing where you can make changes without affecting the rest of the timeline.
  • Multicam Editing: Supports simultaneous editing of footage from multiple cameras, ideal for complex projects like live events.
  • Real-Time Effects: Offers a variety of real-time effects, including color correction and transitions, to enhance your video without rendering delays.
  • Advanced Trimming: Provides precise trimming tools, enabling frame-accurate edits for a polished final product.
  • Wide Format Support: Compatible with a broad range of video formats, including 4K, ProRes, and DNxHD, ensuring versatility in your projects.
  • Customizable Interface: Features a flexible user interface that can be tailored to fit your workflow preferences, improving efficiency.
  • Project Sharing: Facilitates collaboration by allowing multiple users to work on the same project simultaneously, streamlining team efforts.
  • Export Options: Provides various export settings, including direct upload to platforms like YouTube and Vimeo, as well as customizable output formats.
  • Keyboard Shortcuts: Extensive support for keyboard shortcuts to speed up the editing process and improve productivity.
  • Proxy Workflow: Enables editing with lower-resolution proxies to ensure smooth performance, especially on less powerful hardware.
  • Audio Editing Tools: Includes comprehensive audio editing features such as waveform visualization, audio mixing, and effects.
  • Asset Management: Offers robust media management tools to organize and locate your assets efficiently, including bins and metadata tagging.
  • Third-Party Plugin Support: Compatible with various third-party plugins, allowing for extended functionality and specialized effects.
  • Cross-Platform Availability: Available on Windows, Mac, and Linux, providing flexibility regardless of your operating system.
  • Free and Pro Versions: Offers both a free version with essential features and a pro version with advanced capabilities, catering to different user needs.
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Product Ranking

#4

among all
Video Editing Software

#11

among all
Video Editing Software

Find out who the leaders are

Analyst Rating Summary

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86
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Collaboration
Basic Editing Tools
Audio Editing Tools
Integrations
Advanced Editing Tools
Platform Capabilities
Audio Editing Tools
Basic Editing Tools
Integrations

Analyst Ratings for Functional Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

Kapwing
Lightworks
+ Add Product + Add Product
Advanced Editing Tools Audio Editing Tools Basic Editing Tools Collaboration Platform Capabilities 73 95 96 100 80 97 93 86 71 94 0 25 50 75 100
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Analyst Ratings for Technical Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

86%
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Awards

SelectHub research analysts have evaluated Kapwing and concluded it earns best-in-class honors for Collaboration and Integrations.

Collaboration Award
Integrations Award

SelectHub research analysts have evaluated Lightworks and concluded it earns best-in-class honors for Platform Capabilities and Integrations.

Platform Capabilities Award
Integrations Award

Synopsis of User Ratings and Reviews

User-Friendly Interface: Kapwing's drag-and-drop interface makes it simple to navigate and utilize various editing tools, even for beginners.
Comprehensive Feature Set: From basic trimming and text addition to advanced features like automatic subtitling and AI-powered editing, Kapwing offers a wide array of tools to cater to diverse video editing needs.
Collaborative Editing: Real-time and asynchronous collaboration features make it easy for teams to work together on video projects, streamlining workflows and enhancing productivity.
Cloud-Based Accessibility: Being entirely web-based, Kapwing allows users to access projects and edit videos from any device with internet access, offering flexibility and convenience.
Cost-Effective Solution: Kapwing's free plan provides a robust set of features suitable for basic editing, while the Pro plan offers advanced capabilities at a competitive price point, making it a budget-friendly choice for businesses.
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Intuitive Interface: Lightworks boasts a user-friendly interface that simplifies video editing, making it easy for both beginners and experienced editors to navigate and utilize its features effectively.
Cost Effective: Lightworks offers a free version without watermarks, making it a budget-friendly option for businesses and individuals.
Professional Features: Despite its free availability, Lightworks doesn't skimp on professional-grade features. It includes advanced tools like color grading and keyframing, enabling users to achieve high-quality results.
Third-Party Integration: Lightworks seamlessly integrates with popular third-party applications such as Blackmagic Fusion and Boris FX, providing users with expanded options for visual effects and motion graphics.
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Occasional Software Glitches: Some users have reported experiencing occasional glitches and bugs, particularly when using the free version of the software, which could potentially disrupt workflow.
Free Version Limitations: The free version of the software has limitations such as limited storage space and caps on video lengths, which might not be suitable for businesses with larger video editing needs.
Subscription Cost for Advanced Features: While Kapwing offers basic features for free, access to more advanced features requires a paid subscription, which some businesses might find expensive depending on their budget and needs.
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Steep Learning Curve: While considered user-friendly, some find the initial learning phase challenging and time-consuming.
Stability Concerns: Users have reported instances of crashes and bugs, especially in recently released versions, potentially disrupting workflow.
Limited Free Version: The free version, while offering a good starting point, lacks some advanced features that may be essential for professional business needs, potentially requiring an upgrade to a paid version.
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Can Kapwing help users take wing and soar to new heights in the world of video editing? User reviews from the past year suggest that Kapwing is a capable video editing platform that shines in its ease of use and breadth of features, making it a favorite among casual users and content creators. Many appreciate the intuitive drag-and-drop interface, which makes the platform accessible even for beginners. The availability of a free version, despite its limitations, further lowers the barrier to entry for casual users. However, some users have voiced concerns about the platform's performance, particularly with the AI-powered features and timeline adjustments. Glitches and technical issues, while not universal, have been reported frequently enough to warrant attention. Additionally, the limitations of the free version, such as the storage cap and restricted access to advanced features, can be frustrating for some. While the paid plans unlock the full potential of Kapwing, some users find the pricing structure to be a bit steep compared to competitors like Adobe Premiere Rush or Canva. Kapwing's collaborative editing feature, allowing multiple users to work on a project simultaneously, is a significant differentiating factor that caters to team-based workflows. This feature, coupled with its cloud-based accessibility and support for various video formats, makes it a practical choice for teams working remotely or across different devices. Overall, Kapwing is best suited for individuals and teams who prioritize ease of use and collaborative features in their video editing workflow, especially if their needs fall within the scope of the free version or they are willing to invest in a paid plan for advanced capabilities.

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Is Lightworks the lightning rod for video editing software, or does it leave users in the dark? While Lightworks offers a robust suite of professional-grade video editing features, user experiences over the past year have been somewhat mixed. Many appreciate its user-friendly interface, making it a relatively easy program to learn, especially for those new to video editing. The free version, a rarity in the industry for not slapping watermarks on exported videos, is a significant draw for budget-conscious creators. However, this generosity comes with a caveat: several advanced features are locked behind paywalls, requiring users to shell out for the paid versions to unlock the software's full potential. A recurring pain point in user reviews is the occasional instability of the software. Reports of crashes and bugs, while not widespread, are frequent enough to cause concern, potentially disrupting workflow and leading to frustration. This inconsistency in performance, coupled with the limitations of the free version, has led some users to jump ship to competitors like DaVinci Resolve, which, while boasting a steeper learning curve, offers a more comprehensive free version and a reputation for stability. In conclusion, Lightworks is a decent choice for beginners dipping their toes into the video editing waters or casual users who don't require the bells and whistles of more advanced software. Its intuitive interface and the allure of a watermark-free experience make it an attractive proposition. However, professionals or serious hobbyists might find the occasional stability issues and the limitations of the free version to be dealbreakers, steering them towards more robust alternatives.

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Screenshots

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