Compare
Cap vs Kdenlive
Focused on screen recording rather than full-featured video editing
Which to pick
Pick Cap if you want…
- Open-source Loom alternative
- Screen capture and quick demos
- Integrations with Google Drive, Chrome extension or CLI (on Cap's list, not Kdenlive's)
Pick Kdenlive if you want…
- Open-source cross-platform video editing
- A free, open-source tool
- Integrations with Linux, Windows or macOS (on Kdenlive's list, not Cap's)
Side by side
- What it is
- Cap:Cap is an open-source screen recorder for macOS, Windows and Linux that lets you capture, edit and instantly share videos or screenshots via a link.
- Kdenlive:Kdenlive is a free, open-source non-linear video editor for Linux, Windows, macOS and BSD.
- Best for
- Cap:Open-source Loom alternative
- Kdenlive:Open-source cross-platform video editing
- Who it’s for
- Cap:Developers, teams and creators needing fast screen capture, editing and shareable links.
- Kdenlive:Video creators and editors looking for a cross-platform, community-driven editor.
- Pricing
- Cap:Freemium
- Kdenlive:Free
- Plans
- Cap:Free $0 · Desktop License $29 per license, per year per year
- Kdenlive:—
- Open source
- Cap:Yes, 23,115 GitHub stars
- Kdenlive:Yes, 5,808 GitHub stars
- Works with
- Cap:Google Drive, Chrome extension, CLI
- Kdenlive:Linux, Windows, macOS, BSD, Glaxnimate
Cap features
- Instant Mode. Record and upload in real time; a share link is copied to the clipboard as soon as you stop.
- Studio Mode. Local 4K/60fps recording with separate tracks and a built-in editor for backgrounds, zoom, captions and more.
- Screenshot Mode. Hotkey capture of windows or areas, then beautify with padding, shadows and copy to clipboard.
- Cap AI. Auto-generated titles, summaries, chapters and searchable transcripts for every recording.
- Custom Storage. Connect to your own Google Drive, S3 bucket or self-host the platform for full data ownership.
- Team Workspaces. Organize recordings, manage permissions, add comments and reactions with timestamp links.
Kdenlive features
- Asset Management. Ingest any audio/video format, view metadata, use proxies and tag/filter assets in bins.
- Flexible Editing. Non-linear timeline with multicam, 3-point editing, nested sequences and automatic backups.
- Audio Tools. Mixers, built-in voiceover recording and visual audio spectrum for precise sound shaping.
- Effects & Transitions. Hundreds of effects, keyframe animation and smooth transitions at any workflow level.
- Color Grading. Apply LUTs, basic corrections or detailed grading with histogram, vectorscope and waveform analysis.
- Subtitles & Text. Automatic transcription, styling options and integration with Glaxnimate for motion graphics.
Cap vs Kdenlive FAQ
Is Cap or Kdenlive free?+
Cap has a free plan and paid plans. Kdenlive is free.
Is Cap or Kdenlive open source?+
Yes, both are open source: Cap (CapSoftware/Cap on GitHub) and Kdenlive (KDE/kdenlive on GitHub, GPL-3.0 license).
Do Cap and Kdenlive integrate with the same tools?+
Their integration lists don't overlap: Cap lists Google Drive, Chrome extension and CLI; Kdenlive lists Linux, Windows, macOS, BSD and 1 more.
On DevHunt
Based on each tool's website and DevHunt data. Details may change; check the official sites.