Our verdict: Lightworks offers a professional editing timeline for free, without a watermark. The catch is export: the free plan only outputs up to 720p MP4 with YouTube and Vimeo presets. It suits learning and web videos, but 1080p and 4K work requires a paid plan.
About Lightworks
Lightworks is an editing system with a long history in film and TV, now developed by LWKS Software Ltd in the UK. It runs on Windows, macOS and Linux, and the free plan includes the full timeline, automatic saving, built-in effects, titles and transitions with no watermark.
To use it you need a free LWKS account: you sign in to download and to activate the app. The free licence expires every 90 days and is renewed by signing in again. Exports in the free plan are limited to H.264 MP4 at up to 720p; Create raises this to 4K and Pro to 8K with more formats.
What it does well
- Professional timeline. Trimming, multicam, keyframes and up to 64 video tracks per sequence.
- No watermark. Free exports are clean, without a Lightworks logo burned in.
- Instant auto-save. Every change is saved automatically, with no Save button needed.
- Effects and titles. Built-in effects, titles and advanced transitions in the free plan.
- Proxy editing. Works with lighter proxy files for smooth editing on slower PCs.
Who it is for
Good fit
People learning professional editing and creators who publish web videos at 720p.
Look elsewhere
Anyone who needs 1080p or 4K export, or wants to edit without an online account.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Professional editing tools for free
- No watermark
- Automatic saving
- Runs on Windows, macOS and Linux
Cons
- Free plan exports only up to 720p MP4
- Account sign-in required, and the free licence must be renewed every 90 days
- Commercial use of free exports requires the Lightworks logo in the video
How to install Lightworks
Create a free account at app.lwks.com, sign in and download the Windows installer from the Downloads page. Lightworks needs an internet connection to install and activate. Sign in inside the app at least every 90 days to renew the free licence. If you publish commercial videos made with the free plan, LWKS asks you to show the Lightworks logo at the end.
Questions about Lightworks
Is Lightworks free?
Yes, there is a free plan with no watermark, but it exports only H.264 MP4 at up to 720p. Higher resolutions and more formats need the paid Create or Pro plans.
Why is Lightworks only exporting 720p?
The free plan is limited to 720p YouTube and Vimeo exports. Lightworks Create exports up to 4K and Pro up to 8K.
Do I need an account for Lightworks?
Yes. You sign in to download and activate it, and the free licence is renewed by signing in every 90 days.
