Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Natron VS OpenShot

Compare Natron VS OpenShot and see what are their differences

Natron logo Natron

Natron is a piece of software designed for compositing purposes, and it is entirely free and open source. The software is node-based, which makes it easy to use and customize. Read more about Natron.

OpenShot logo OpenShot

OpenShot is a open source video editing program.
  • Natron Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-12-14
  • OpenShot Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-12-18

Natron features and specs

  • Open Source
    Natron is free and open-source software, allowing users to use, modify, and distribute it without any cost. This encourages community contributions and makes it accessible to a broad audience.
  • Cross-Platform
    Natron is available for multiple operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux, providing flexibility and ensuring a wide range of compatibility.
  • Node-Based Compositing
    Natron uses a node-based compositing workflow, which is highly efficient for complex visual effects tasks and allows for greater control and flexibility.
  • Wide Range of Plugins
    Natron supports OpenFX plugins, which expand its functionality and allow users to integrate third-party tools and effects into their workflows.
  • Strong Community Support
    The software has a robust community that actively engages in forums, shares tutorials, and develops additional resources, contributing to a collaborative environment for learning and improvement.

Possible disadvantages of Natron

  • Steeper Learning Curve
    Due to its node-based workflow and advanced features, Natron may have a steeper learning curve for beginners or those unfamiliar with node-based compositing.
  • Limited Development Resources
    As an open-source project, Natron's development relies heavily on community contributions and may not receive updates and new features as rapidly as commercial software.
  • Less Polished Interface
    Compared to some commercial compositing software, Natron's user interface may appear less polished or intuitive, potentially affecting user experience.
  • Performance Issues
    Users may experience performance issues or slower processing times, especially when handling large projects or high-resolution files, as Natron may not be as optimized as some paid alternatives.
  • Limited Documentation
    While there is community support, official documentation and tutorials may be limited, making it challenging for new users to find comprehensive resources for learning Natron effectively.

OpenShot features and specs

  • Open Source
    OpenShot is an open-source project, which means it’s free to use, and the source code is available for anyone to modify and improve.
  • Cross-Platform
    The software is available on multiple operating systems, including Windows, Mac, and Linux, making it versatile and accessible to a wide range of users.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    OpenShot has a straightforward and intuitive user interface, which makes it easy for beginners to start editing videos.
  • Wide Range of Features
    Despite being free, OpenShot offers a comprehensive set of features, including unlimited tracks, video transitions, audio mixing, and more.
  • Community Support
    Being an open-source project, there is a robust community of users and developers who offer support, tutorials, and plugins.

Possible disadvantages of OpenShot

  • Performance Issues
    Some users report that OpenShot can be slow and occasionally unstable, especially when working with large projects or high-resolution videos.
  • Limited Advanced Features
    While it offers a broad set of basic features, some advanced features found in professional video editing software are lacking.
  • Learning Curve
    Although user-friendly, beginners may still find a learning curve when first starting out, particularly if they have no prior video editing experience.
  • Inconsistent Updates
    The update schedule can be inconsistent, which sometimes leads to prolonged periods without new features or bug fixes.
  • Export Times
    Users have reported that export times can be long compared to other video editing software, especially for complex projects.

Analysis of Natron

Overall verdict

  • Natron is generally considered a good choice for those seeking an affordable and flexible compositing solution. While it may not have the extensive feature set of some commercial competitors, it provides a robust platform for many compositing tasks.

Why this product is good

  • Natron is a powerful open-source node-based compositing software that is highly regarded for its flexibility and support for various plugins. It is often praised for its intuitive interface that resembles industry-standard software, making it easier for users with prior experience in other compositing tools to adapt. Additionally, its cross-platform availability and active community support make it a viable option for both beginners and seasoned compositors.

Recommended for

    Natron is recommended for independent filmmakers, small studios, and hobbyists who need a cost-effective solution for visual effects and compositing work. It's also suitable for educators and students who are exploring compositing without investing in expensive software licenses.

Natron videos

Wayne Reviews Natron The FREE Open Source Compositing App

More videos:

  • Review - Natron vs the "Other Guys"
  • Review - Natron Trailer
  • Review - should you use natron
  • Review - why natron is king
  • Review - why choose natron

OpenShot videos

OpenShot Video Editor Review (2019)

More videos:

  • Review - Openshot Vs Kdenlive (Which Is The BEST Free Video Editor?) Geekoutdoors.com EP1050

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Natron and OpenShot)
Video
30 30%
70% 70
Video Editors
22 22%
78% 78
Video Tools
33 33%
67% 67
3D
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Natron and OpenShot

Natron Reviews

We have no reviews of Natron yet.
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OpenShot Reviews

11 Best Video-Making Tools for Kids (2025)
OpenShot is a free, open-source video editor known for its ease of use and 3D animation features. It’s designed for entry-level editors, providing basic video trimming, text overlays, and transitions. Kids can experiment with more advanced effects like time-lapse and slow-motion with its multi-track timeline, making it a fun, beginner-friendly option.
10 Best Video Editors for YouTube in 2024
OpenShot stands out as a free, open-source video editor offering a user-friendly drag-and-drop interface with multi-track support. It’s perfect for those seeking simplicity while handling basic tasks like trimming and adding transitions, making it an excellent option for beginner YouTubers. However, its lack of advanced features and occasional performance hitches might not...
5 Best Video Editors for Low-End PC in 2024
OpenShot is an excellent option for those who need a straightforward, free video editor that’s easy to use. It’s particularly suitable for beginners or those looking for essential editing tools without the complexities of more advanced software.
13 Best Green Screen Software For Windows (2024)
OpenShot is a free, open-source video editor offering impressive features, including chroma-key (green screen) functionality. It is user-friendly and can be an excellent choice for beginners just starting with green-screen video editing. At the same time, OpenShot packs enough power to cater to the needs of more seasoned editors, offering a multi-track timeline and various...
Source: mixilab.com
Top 20+ Free Video Cropping Software in 2022
Though Openshot is free and comes with many features to edit a video, it doesn't have a true cropping tool. The workaround is rather a compromise that uses the scale tool. You have to go all the way deep into the menu: right-click on a video > properties > scroll down to find Scale > set scale X and scale Y to some number. It actually zooms in your video, so that the edges...

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, OpenShot seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 23 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Natron mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Natron yet. Tracking of Natron recommendations started around Mar 2021.

OpenShot mentions (23)

  • open version 3.1.1 file in 1.4.3?
    b. Or you can download the AppImage from openshot.org home page. Source: about 2 years ago
  • Crashes when I open it
    Install v3.1.1-Release (official) from the openshot.org home page. Source: about 2 years ago
  • Two different versions?
    On openshot.org you can download version 3 free of charge. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Help (filmora is shitty)
    My video editor of choice is Kdenlive. It's modeled after Adobe Premiere (more or less), and has a bit of a learning curve. Olive is another promising option, but similarly tricky to master. Openshot is a pretty easy editor that works similarly. All of them are free and open source. Davinci Resolve is a professional-grade editor, and free, but not open source. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Updates?
    Look at the help tab, click on the about. Here you'll find the version your running, the build #, and the build date. You can then go to the openshot.org website and compare. Source: over 2 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Natron and OpenShot, you can also consider the following products

Blender - Blender is the open source, cross platform suite of tools for 3D creation.

Kdenlive - Free and open-source, full-featured video editor.

Adobe After Effects - Motion graphics and visual effects toolset .

Shotcut - Shotcut is a free, open source, cross-platform, non-linear video editor.

NUKE - Our industry-leading Nuke Studio, NukeX & Nuke offers cutting-edge toolkits covering node-based compositing, editorial and finishing.

DaVinci Resolve - Revolutionary new tools for editing, color correction and professional audio post production, all in a single application!