# Alternatives to HitFilm

Editing with VFX compositing built in.

HitFilm is one of 18 apps in Video editing; its Alt Score is still building. None of its 12 checklist rows are verified yet.

Source: https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/hitfilm/
Category: Video editing

## Overview

- **Who it's for**: Beginner-to-intermediate filmmakers, YouTubers, and other content creators who want video editing and visual effects work in one application rather than juggling separate NLE and compositing tools.
- **What you get**: HitFilm combines a timeline-based non-linear video editor with a full compositing environment for VFX, including layered 2D/3D compositing, green-screen keying, motion tracking, particle simulation, and hundreds of built-in effects and presets. The free tier covers core editing and VFX with HD export; paid Creator and Pro tiers add 4K/8K export, extra plugins (such as Mocha HitFilm planar tracking and 3D object/camera tracking tools), and access to Artlist's stock footage, music, and sound effects library. A companion still-image editor, Imerge, is bundled with paid plans.
- **How it works**: Import and cut footage on the editing timeline, then switch to the compositing view to layer VFX, keying, and tracking onto clips, and export the finished video at the resolution allowed by your plan.

## Profile

- **License**: ?
- **Pricing model**: ?
- **Starts at**: ?
- **Platforms**: ?

## Ranked alternatives

| # | App | Alt Score | Licence | Platforms |
|---|-----|-----------|---------|-----------|
| 1 | [Filmora](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/filmora.md) | 93 | Proprietary | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android |
| 2 | [Premiere Pro](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/premiere-pro.md) | 93 | Proprietary | Windows, macOS |
| 3 | [DaVinci Resolve](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/davinci-resolve.md) | 89 | Proprietary | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| 4 | [Final Cut Pro](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/final-cut-pro.md) | 85 | Proprietary | macOS |
| 5 | [Lightworks](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/lightworks.md) | 85 | Proprietary | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| 6 | [VSDC](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/vsdc.md) | 85 | Proprietary | Windows |
| 7 | [Shotcut](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/shotcut.md) | 81 | GPL-3.0 | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| 8 | [CapCut](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/capcut.md) | 78 | Proprietary | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android |
| 9 | [Kdenlive](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/kdenlive.md) | 78 | GPL-3.0 | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| 10 | [VEGAS Pro](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/vegas-pro.md) | 78 | Proprietary | Windows |
| 11 | [LumaFusion](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/lumafusion.md) | 66 | Proprietary | iOS, Android |
| 12 | [Kapwing](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/kapwing.md) | 62 | Proprietary | Web |
| 13 | [OpenShot](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/openshot.md) | 62 | GPL-3.0 | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| 14 | [Clipchamp](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/clipchamp.md) | 59 | Proprietary | Web, Windows, iOS |
| 15 | [VEED](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/veed.md) | 55 | Proprietary | Web |
| 16 | [iMovie](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/imovie.md) | 48 | Proprietary | macOS, iOS |
| 17 | [Descript](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/descript.md) | 44 | Proprietary | Windows, macOS, Web |

Alt Score = Verified coverage (90%) + Visibility (10%). See https://altcatalog.com/how-alt-score-works/

## Feature comparison

Legend: Yes / No / Partial / ? (not verified).

| Video editing checklist | HitFilm | Filmora | Premiere Pro | DaVinci Resolve | Final Cut Pro | Lightworks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | ? | Freemium | Subscription | Freemium | One-time | Freemium |
| Starts at | ? | $19.99/month | ? | $295 one-time | $299.99 one-time | ? |
| License | ? | Proprietary | Proprietary | Proprietary | Proprietary | Proprietary |
| Platforms | ? | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android | Windows, macOS | Windows, macOS, Linux | macOS | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Timeline tracks (limit) | ? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 4K/8K export | ? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Partial |
| Watermark on free tier | ? | Yes | ? | ? | ? | No |
| Proxy editing | ? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Color grading (scopes, LUTs) | ? | Partial | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Motion graphics / keyframing | ? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Audio mixing | ? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Speed ramping | ? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Plugins ecosystem | ? | Partial | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Hardware encoding | ? | Yes | Yes | Partial | Yes | Partial |
| Collaboration | ? | Yes | Yes | Yes | ? | Yes |
| Direct publish to platforms | ? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |

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Ranked by verified data, never by who paid. https://altcatalog.com/trust/