Shotcut 25.12 lets editors work with full 10-bit video and accurate colour processing, delivering professional-grade results across Linux, macOS, and Windows — all free and open source.
Shotcut 25.12 introduces full 10-bit video editing support in the CPU pipeline, ending previous compromises between GPU-only effects and basic CPU filters. Most CPU filters, transitions, and blending options now handle 10- and 12-bit sources, enabling consistent high-quality editing throughout projects, though a few filters remain 8-bit due to upstream dependencies.
The update also adds linear colour processing options to the CPU path, previously limited to GPU filters. Editors can now choose between four processing modes: Native 8-bit CPU (fast, more filters), Native 10-bit CPU (slower, better quality), Linear 10-bit CPU (slowest, highest quality), and Linear 10-bit GPU/CPU (experimental). Linear processing enhances colour accuracy for cropping, scaling, and compositing, with performance optimisations planned for upcoming releases, according to Shotcut developers.
Additional improvements include an easier filter browser, a visual preset browser for the HTML generator, new HTML presets (Chrome and Neon Flux), NVIDIA nvenc hardware encoding for Linux screen recording, improved VA-API hardware encoder support, enhanced VP8/VP9 WebM presets, and extensive bug fixes for dissolves, export errors, alpha channel issues, nested clips, and Windows on ARM encoding.
As free, open source, and cross-platform software, Shotcut is available on Linux, macOS, and Windows via standalone binaries, AppImage, Flatpak, or Snap, enabling community-driven updates, high customisability, and professional-level features at no cost. Shotcut 25.12 cements its position as a top choice for Linux and cross-platform users seeking high-quality video editing without compromise.
