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.
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.
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.
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.
Why people leave HitFilm
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Ranked alternatives
Ordered by Alt Score. Click any score to see the breakdown.
Feature comparison
How HitFilm compares with its alternatives, feature by feature.
| Video editing checklist | HitFilm | Filmora | Premiere Pro | DaVinci Resolve | Final Cut Pro | Lightworks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | ||||||
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| License | ||||||
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| Timeline tracks (limit) | ||||||
| 4K/8K export | ||||||
| Watermark on free tier | ||||||
| Proxy editing | ||||||
| Color grading (scopes, LUTs) | ||||||
| Motion graphics / keyframing | ||||||
| Audio mixing | ||||||
| Speed ramping | ||||||
| Plugins ecosystem | ||||||
| Hardware encoding | ||||||
| Collaboration | ||||||
| Direct publish to platforms |
FAQ
Yes. Filmora, DaVinci Resolve and Lightworks have a free tier or are fully free. Free-tier limits in the comparison table are verified and dated.
Shotcut, Kdenlive and OpenShot — every license claim links its source.