this post was submitted on 04 Feb 2026
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Are there any lightweight linux video editors? (self.linux)
submitted 18 hours ago* (last edited 18 hours ago) by Im28xwa to c/linux@lemmy.ml
39 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

All the ones that keep getting recommended have a UI like a cockpit of a Boeing 747 (kdenlive, shotcut, openshot, DaVinci resolve) which is so overwhelming, all I want is just make some cuts, blur a face, or something on the screen, and maybe add some subtitles.

I just want something simple, I am not gonna make the next Avatar movie.

I have a feeling there is nothing like this on linux but hey maybe one of you actually knows of one.

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[–] ToTheGraveMyLove@sh.itjust.works 5 points 17 hours ago (2 children)

How do you edit video without a UI?

[–] HelloRoot@lemy.lol 30 points 17 hours ago* (last edited 17 hours ago) (2 children) 
# CUT (fast, keyframe-aligned, no re-encode)
ffmpeg -ss 00:01:30 -to 00:02:10 -i input.mp4 -c copy cut.mp4

# CUT (accurate, re-encode)
ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -ss 00:01:30 -to 00:02:10 -c:v libx264 -c:a aac cut.mp4


# MERGE / CONCATENATE (same codecs, no re-encode)
printf "file 'a.mp4'\nfile 'b.mp4'\n" > list.txt
ffmpeg -f concat -safe 0 -i list.txt -c copy merged.mp4


# MERGE (different formats, re-encode)
ffmpeg -i a.mp4 -i b.mp4 -filter_complex \
"[0:v][0:a][1:v][1:a]concat=n=2:v=1:a=1[v][a]" \
-map "[v]" -map "[a]" merged.mp4


# TRANSITION (video crossfade, keep audio from first clip)
ffmpeg -i a.mp4 -i b.mp4 -filter_complex \
"[0:v][1:v]xfade=transition=fade:duration=1:offset=4[v]" \
-map "[v]" -map 0:a transition.mp4


# ADD TEXT (overlay)
ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -vf \
"drawtext=text='Hello world':x=20:y=20:fontsize=32:fontcolor=white" \
-c:a copy text.mp4


# ADD AUDIO TRACK (replace existing audio)
ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -i music.mp3 \
-map 0:v -map 1:a -c:v copy -shortest out.mp4


# ADD AUDIO TRACK (mix with existing audio)
ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -i music.mp3 -filter_complex \
"[0:a][1:a]amix=inputs=2:duration=shortest[a]" \
-map 0:v -map "[a]" out.mp4


# CHANGE SPEED (2x video, drop audio)
ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -vf "setpts=0.5*PTS" -an fast.mp4


# SCALE / RESIZE
ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -vf scale=1280:720 resized.mp4


# SUBTITLES (burn in)
ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -vf subtitles=subs.srt out.mp4

Check out the docs for more https://ffmpeg.org/ffmpeg-doc.html

[–] ToTheGraveMyLove@sh.itjust.works 10 points 17 hours ago (2 children)

Very interesting, but seems way more complicated than just using a UI. 😂

[–] HelloRoot@lemy.lol 8 points 16 hours ago* (last edited 16 hours ago) (1 children)

I super agree. I try to do as much as possible on Linux via GUI because I can remember where a button is, but I can't remember all the flags and parameter quirks of each command.

I just enjoy looking shit up for strangers on the internet and being a smartass ...

[–] ToTheGraveMyLove@sh.itjust.works 6 points 16 hours ago (1 children)

I have no problem using the terminal, its very useful, but trying to edit a video like that seems like an exercise in masochism.

[–] HelloRoot@lemy.lol 1 points 16 hours ago

for me even typing "sudo pacman -Syu" is masochism compared to just pressing the "Update" button in the gui package manager.

[–] lime@feddit.nu 4 points 15 hours ago

for one video, absolutely. for fifty? it's a lifesaver.

[–] mrbn@lemmy.ca 1 points 12 hours ago

Nice, I'll be adding some if these to my recipes.