Comprehensive Guide to YouTube Video Captioning

How To Add Captions to YouTube Videos

Richard Bennett

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

By captioning your YouTube videos you help to make them accessible to more potential viewers. Subtitles are useful to viewers who have hearing impairments, whose first language is different from yours, or who are unable to watch your video with sound. Closed captioning can also be useful for you as a YouTuber because it helps with your SEO, or search engine optimization. Practicing better SEO can get your videos ranked higher in search results. Google and YouTube both index subtitles and transcripts much like they do your video’s description, unless you use automated captions.

This article will first explain how you can turn on subtitles for the videos you watch and then walk you through adding captions to your own videos.

How To Turn On Captions on YouTube

In order for you to be able to view subtitles for a YouTube video the uploader of the video will need to have added them, unless you change your account settings to display automatic captions.

To toggle subtitles on and off click on the Closed Captioning icon in the bottom right of your video player.

If the creator of the video has not added captions then you can enable automatic captions by going into your Account Settings and selecting Playback. Check the box next to Always Show Captions, and then check Show Automatic Captions by Speech Recognition. These captions may be flawed, but you will still be able to see the more accurate user submitted captions on videos that have them. The Always Show Captions feature may be useful not only to the hearing impaired, but to users who do not speak the same language as the video producer.

If you want to change the language of the subtitles click on the settings icon (the one that looks like a gear) next to the closed captioning icon and choose your language next to Subtitles/CC . If the language you want is not there select Auto-Translate and then pick a language. Google Translate will be used to generate subtitles in your chosen language.

Adding YouTube Captions in 4 Steps

1. Go to Video Manager in your Creator Studio and then look at your videos. Decide which one you want to add captions to.

2. Click on the drop-down menu next to the video you want to add captions to and choose Subtitles and CC.

3. Select Add New Subtitles or CC.

4. Choose whether to create your captions, upload a file that has them, transcribe your video, use automatic captioning, or use captioning software.

Create Subtitles or Closed Captions will allow you to create your subtitles on YouTube.

Upload A File allows you to upload a pre-made subtitle file from your computer. Supported file types include SubRip (.srt) and SubViewer (.sbv). You cannot use a word or PDF document for your subtitles.

Transcribe and Set Timings is where you can type a transcript of your video and set timings to sync it to your video. This differs from Create Subtitles or Closed Captions in that your transcript is all typed in to one text field.

Use Automatic Captioning will automatically use speech recognition technology to create captions. You can edit these auto-generated captions later if there are mistakes.

Use Captioning Software or Services is what you choose if you want to use a program or service to create the subtitles for your video.

The easiest way to add subtitles to your videos is to use Automatic Captioning. However, Automatic Captioning is imperfect and may result in your viewers getting a sloppy, skewed, interpretation of your video. Automatic captions are also not indexed by YouTube and Google the way subtitles you create or upload are. This means that they will not have any value to your SEO strategy. If you do not input your own captions or transcript you are missing out on an opportunity for better search engine rankings. Automatic Captions are great if you do not have time to input subtitles and need a temporary solution, though.

Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

By captioning your YouTube videos you help to make them accessible to more potential viewers. Subtitles are useful to viewers who have hearing impairments, whose first language is different from yours, or who are unable to watch your video with sound. Closed captioning can also be useful for you as a YouTuber because it helps with your SEO, or search engine optimization. Practicing better SEO can get your videos ranked higher in search results. Google and YouTube both index subtitles and transcripts much like they do your video’s description, unless you use automated captions.

This article will first explain how you can turn on subtitles for the videos you watch and then walk you through adding captions to your own videos.

How To Turn On Captions on YouTube

In order for you to be able to view subtitles for a YouTube video the uploader of the video will need to have added them, unless you change your account settings to display automatic captions.

To toggle subtitles on and off click on the Closed Captioning icon in the bottom right of your video player.

If the creator of the video has not added captions then you can enable automatic captions by going into your Account Settings and selecting Playback. Check the box next to Always Show Captions, and then check Show Automatic Captions by Speech Recognition. These captions may be flawed, but you will still be able to see the more accurate user submitted captions on videos that have them. The Always Show Captions feature may be useful not only to the hearing impaired, but to users who do not speak the same language as the video producer.

If you want to change the language of the subtitles click on the settings icon (the one that looks like a gear) next to the closed captioning icon and choose your language next to Subtitles/CC . If the language you want is not there select Auto-Translate and then pick a language. Google Translate will be used to generate subtitles in your chosen language.

Adding YouTube Captions in 4 Steps

1. Go to Video Manager in your Creator Studio and then look at your videos. Decide which one you want to add captions to.

2. Click on the drop-down menu next to the video you want to add captions to and choose Subtitles and CC.

3. Select Add New Subtitles or CC.

4. Choose whether to create your captions, upload a file that has them, transcribe your video, use automatic captioning, or use captioning software.

Create Subtitles or Closed Captions will allow you to create your subtitles on YouTube.

Upload A File allows you to upload a pre-made subtitle file from your computer. Supported file types include SubRip (.srt) and SubViewer (.sbv). You cannot use a word or PDF document for your subtitles.

Transcribe and Set Timings is where you can type a transcript of your video and set timings to sync it to your video. This differs from Create Subtitles or Closed Captions in that your transcript is all typed in to one text field.

Use Automatic Captioning will automatically use speech recognition technology to create captions. You can edit these auto-generated captions later if there are mistakes.

Use Captioning Software or Services is what you choose if you want to use a program or service to create the subtitles for your video.

The easiest way to add subtitles to your videos is to use Automatic Captioning. However, Automatic Captioning is imperfect and may result in your viewers getting a sloppy, skewed, interpretation of your video. Automatic captions are also not indexed by YouTube and Google the way subtitles you create or upload are. This means that they will not have any value to your SEO strategy. If you do not input your own captions or transcript you are missing out on an opportunity for better search engine rankings. Automatic Captions are great if you do not have time to input subtitles and need a temporary solution, though.

Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

By captioning your YouTube videos you help to make them accessible to more potential viewers. Subtitles are useful to viewers who have hearing impairments, whose first language is different from yours, or who are unable to watch your video with sound. Closed captioning can also be useful for you as a YouTuber because it helps with your SEO, or search engine optimization. Practicing better SEO can get your videos ranked higher in search results. Google and YouTube both index subtitles and transcripts much like they do your video’s description, unless you use automated captions.

This article will first explain how you can turn on subtitles for the videos you watch and then walk you through adding captions to your own videos.

How To Turn On Captions on YouTube

In order for you to be able to view subtitles for a YouTube video the uploader of the video will need to have added them, unless you change your account settings to display automatic captions.

To toggle subtitles on and off click on the Closed Captioning icon in the bottom right of your video player.

If the creator of the video has not added captions then you can enable automatic captions by going into your Account Settings and selecting Playback. Check the box next to Always Show Captions, and then check Show Automatic Captions by Speech Recognition. These captions may be flawed, but you will still be able to see the more accurate user submitted captions on videos that have them. The Always Show Captions feature may be useful not only to the hearing impaired, but to users who do not speak the same language as the video producer.

If you want to change the language of the subtitles click on the settings icon (the one that looks like a gear) next to the closed captioning icon and choose your language next to Subtitles/CC . If the language you want is not there select Auto-Translate and then pick a language. Google Translate will be used to generate subtitles in your chosen language.

Adding YouTube Captions in 4 Steps

1. Go to Video Manager in your Creator Studio and then look at your videos. Decide which one you want to add captions to.

2. Click on the drop-down menu next to the video you want to add captions to and choose Subtitles and CC.

3. Select Add New Subtitles or CC.

4. Choose whether to create your captions, upload a file that has them, transcribe your video, use automatic captioning, or use captioning software.

Create Subtitles or Closed Captions will allow you to create your subtitles on YouTube.

Upload A File allows you to upload a pre-made subtitle file from your computer. Supported file types include SubRip (.srt) and SubViewer (.sbv). You cannot use a word or PDF document for your subtitles.

Transcribe and Set Timings is where you can type a transcript of your video and set timings to sync it to your video. This differs from Create Subtitles or Closed Captions in that your transcript is all typed in to one text field.

Use Automatic Captioning will automatically use speech recognition technology to create captions. You can edit these auto-generated captions later if there are mistakes.

Use Captioning Software or Services is what you choose if you want to use a program or service to create the subtitles for your video.

The easiest way to add subtitles to your videos is to use Automatic Captioning. However, Automatic Captioning is imperfect and may result in your viewers getting a sloppy, skewed, interpretation of your video. Automatic captions are also not indexed by YouTube and Google the way subtitles you create or upload are. This means that they will not have any value to your SEO strategy. If you do not input your own captions or transcript you are missing out on an opportunity for better search engine rankings. Automatic Captions are great if you do not have time to input subtitles and need a temporary solution, though.

Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

By captioning your YouTube videos you help to make them accessible to more potential viewers. Subtitles are useful to viewers who have hearing impairments, whose first language is different from yours, or who are unable to watch your video with sound. Closed captioning can also be useful for you as a YouTuber because it helps with your SEO, or search engine optimization. Practicing better SEO can get your videos ranked higher in search results. Google and YouTube both index subtitles and transcripts much like they do your video’s description, unless you use automated captions.

This article will first explain how you can turn on subtitles for the videos you watch and then walk you through adding captions to your own videos.

How To Turn On Captions on YouTube

In order for you to be able to view subtitles for a YouTube video the uploader of the video will need to have added them, unless you change your account settings to display automatic captions.

To toggle subtitles on and off click on the Closed Captioning icon in the bottom right of your video player.

If the creator of the video has not added captions then you can enable automatic captions by going into your Account Settings and selecting Playback. Check the box next to Always Show Captions, and then check Show Automatic Captions by Speech Recognition. These captions may be flawed, but you will still be able to see the more accurate user submitted captions on videos that have them. The Always Show Captions feature may be useful not only to the hearing impaired, but to users who do not speak the same language as the video producer.

If you want to change the language of the subtitles click on the settings icon (the one that looks like a gear) next to the closed captioning icon and choose your language next to Subtitles/CC . If the language you want is not there select Auto-Translate and then pick a language. Google Translate will be used to generate subtitles in your chosen language.

Adding YouTube Captions in 4 Steps

1. Go to Video Manager in your Creator Studio and then look at your videos. Decide which one you want to add captions to.

2. Click on the drop-down menu next to the video you want to add captions to and choose Subtitles and CC.

3. Select Add New Subtitles or CC.

4. Choose whether to create your captions, upload a file that has them, transcribe your video, use automatic captioning, or use captioning software.

Create Subtitles or Closed Captions will allow you to create your subtitles on YouTube.

Upload A File allows you to upload a pre-made subtitle file from your computer. Supported file types include SubRip (.srt) and SubViewer (.sbv). You cannot use a word or PDF document for your subtitles.

Transcribe and Set Timings is where you can type a transcript of your video and set timings to sync it to your video. This differs from Create Subtitles or Closed Captions in that your transcript is all typed in to one text field.

Use Automatic Captioning will automatically use speech recognition technology to create captions. You can edit these auto-generated captions later if there are mistakes.

Use Captioning Software or Services is what you choose if you want to use a program or service to create the subtitles for your video.

The easiest way to add subtitles to your videos is to use Automatic Captioning. However, Automatic Captioning is imperfect and may result in your viewers getting a sloppy, skewed, interpretation of your video. Automatic captions are also not indexed by YouTube and Google the way subtitles you create or upload are. This means that they will not have any value to your SEO strategy. If you do not input your own captions or transcript you are missing out on an opportunity for better search engine rankings. Automatic Captions are great if you do not have time to input subtitles and need a temporary solution, though.

Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Richard Bennett

Top 8 Linux-Compatible Cutting Apps

Best 8 YouTube Editing Software for Linux

Richard Bennett

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

It is true that the number of software available for Mac and Windows by far outnumber those available for Linux. Though Linux is still growing, it is always a difficult task to find specific software such as those for YouTube video editing. For Linux users, sometimes it becomes necessary to switch back to Windows whenever you need to edit your videos. Presented here are the best 8 YouTube editing software for Linux so that you avoid the back and forth movement whenever you want to work on your videos for YouTube-:

---

If you looking for a video editor simple yet powerful, here I recommend an easy-to-use video editing software - Wondershare Filmora (for Win and Mac) which not only allows you cut, crop, rotate, and split your videos in minutes, but also simplify the advanced video editing like green screen effect and PIP. You can also find over 300 video effects like Wedding, Gaming, Education, Beauty, Fashion, etc.

---

1. Open Shot

Open Shot is a feature rich, multiplatform video editor and one of the best you will ever find for Linux, Mac and Windows. The program is written in Python and it has support for many different video and audio formats and also, it has a drag and drop feature to make the editing process simpler and easier. The following are some of the features you can expect to find in this YouTube video editor-:

• Video cutting, trimming, scaling and resizing
• 3D animated titles
• Video effects and speed changes
• Digital zooming and video transitions
• Easy Gnome integration and also has a drag and drop feature.

2. Pitivi

Pitivi is great open source YouTube video editing software for Linux. The software uses the Gstreamer framework for the importation and exportation as well as the rendition of media. With Pitive, you can accomplish simple video editing tasks such as trimming, splitting, cutting, snapping and mixing. It also allows you to link audio and video clips into a single clip. One other thing admirable about this software is that it is available in multiple languages and it has a comprehensive documentation, easy to read, understand and follow.

3. Lightworks

This is a professional video editing tool designed for Linux and it can be used by everyone, thanks to its rich features and intuitive interface. Both its free and paid versions have all the features needed for a decent video editing experience. However, it is not only restricted to Linux, but it can also be used on Windows and Mac as well. Some of the highlights for the software include the following-:

• Trimming and a wide variety of effects
• Frame accurate capture tool
• Drag and drop feature
• Wide container support and Vimeo export
• Export and import functionalities
• Advanced multicam editing in realtime

4. Blender

Blender is advanced and professional video editing software packed with exciting features, which makes it admirable for professional YouTube video editing. Some of the features it has include-: 3D modeling, N-Gon support, animation toolset, automatic skinning and sculpting, physically accurate shaders, open shading language to help users custom shaders, grid and bridge fill among others.

5. KDEnlive

This is another open source video editing software highly recommended for those interested in YouTube video editing software for Linux. Its functioning relies on a few other projects such as MLT and FFmpeg video frameworks. The design is suited to cover the basic needs of video editing to semi professional needs. Some of the features of this software include-:

• Creating custom profiles
• Configurable keyboard shortcuts
• Mixing video, audio and image files
• Ability to export to standard formats
• Multitrack edition which comes together with a timeframe
• Supports a wide range of camcorders

6. Cinelerra

Ever since its release in 2002, Cinelerra has been downloaded millions of times making it one of the best YouTube video editing software for Linux. It is ideal for both beginners and professionals and it comes loaded with a variety of features needed for a decent video editing experience. They features include but are not limited to the following-:

• Professionally designed UI
• Deck Control
• Different special effects
• Audio editing with unlimited number of layers
• Dual link
• Built-in frame renderer

7. Shotcut

Shotcut is another YouTube video editing software for Linux and it is an interesting one because its UI looks more like a media player and not an editor. The software makes editing video very simple with the set of awesome features it has. For basic uses, it will work just fine, but if you need more powerful options, especially for advanced or professional video recording, then it may not be the best. However, with the features it has, it qualifies as a decent YouTube video editor for Linux.

8. LiVES

LiVES is a powerful yet simple to use YouTube video editing software for Linux. But it is not only designed to be used on Linux, it is expandable and can be used across other platforms via the RFX plugins. The main features of this platform include-:

• Multiple and dynamic loading of effects
• Supports variable and fixed frame rates
• A smooth playback done on variable rates
• Frame accurate cutting
• Loads and edits almost every video format through the mplayer

Installing the software is relatively easy and it will suffice for most of your needs for a YouTube video editor.

Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

It is true that the number of software available for Mac and Windows by far outnumber those available for Linux. Though Linux is still growing, it is always a difficult task to find specific software such as those for YouTube video editing. For Linux users, sometimes it becomes necessary to switch back to Windows whenever you need to edit your videos. Presented here are the best 8 YouTube editing software for Linux so that you avoid the back and forth movement whenever you want to work on your videos for YouTube-:

---

If you looking for a video editor simple yet powerful, here I recommend an easy-to-use video editing software - Wondershare Filmora (for Win and Mac) which not only allows you cut, crop, rotate, and split your videos in minutes, but also simplify the advanced video editing like green screen effect and PIP. You can also find over 300 video effects like Wedding, Gaming, Education, Beauty, Fashion, etc.

---

1. Open Shot

Open Shot is a feature rich, multiplatform video editor and one of the best you will ever find for Linux, Mac and Windows. The program is written in Python and it has support for many different video and audio formats and also, it has a drag and drop feature to make the editing process simpler and easier. The following are some of the features you can expect to find in this YouTube video editor-:

• Video cutting, trimming, scaling and resizing
• 3D animated titles
• Video effects and speed changes
• Digital zooming and video transitions
• Easy Gnome integration and also has a drag and drop feature.

2. Pitivi

Pitivi is great open source YouTube video editing software for Linux. The software uses the Gstreamer framework for the importation and exportation as well as the rendition of media. With Pitive, you can accomplish simple video editing tasks such as trimming, splitting, cutting, snapping and mixing. It also allows you to link audio and video clips into a single clip. One other thing admirable about this software is that it is available in multiple languages and it has a comprehensive documentation, easy to read, understand and follow.

3. Lightworks

This is a professional video editing tool designed for Linux and it can be used by everyone, thanks to its rich features and intuitive interface. Both its free and paid versions have all the features needed for a decent video editing experience. However, it is not only restricted to Linux, but it can also be used on Windows and Mac as well. Some of the highlights for the software include the following-:

• Trimming and a wide variety of effects
• Frame accurate capture tool
• Drag and drop feature
• Wide container support and Vimeo export
• Export and import functionalities
• Advanced multicam editing in realtime

4. Blender

Blender is advanced and professional video editing software packed with exciting features, which makes it admirable for professional YouTube video editing. Some of the features it has include-: 3D modeling, N-Gon support, animation toolset, automatic skinning and sculpting, physically accurate shaders, open shading language to help users custom shaders, grid and bridge fill among others.

5. KDEnlive

This is another open source video editing software highly recommended for those interested in YouTube video editing software for Linux. Its functioning relies on a few other projects such as MLT and FFmpeg video frameworks. The design is suited to cover the basic needs of video editing to semi professional needs. Some of the features of this software include-:

• Creating custom profiles
• Configurable keyboard shortcuts
• Mixing video, audio and image files
• Ability to export to standard formats
• Multitrack edition which comes together with a timeframe
• Supports a wide range of camcorders

6. Cinelerra

Ever since its release in 2002, Cinelerra has been downloaded millions of times making it one of the best YouTube video editing software for Linux. It is ideal for both beginners and professionals and it comes loaded with a variety of features needed for a decent video editing experience. They features include but are not limited to the following-:

• Professionally designed UI
• Deck Control
• Different special effects
• Audio editing with unlimited number of layers
• Dual link
• Built-in frame renderer

7. Shotcut

Shotcut is another YouTube video editing software for Linux and it is an interesting one because its UI looks more like a media player and not an editor. The software makes editing video very simple with the set of awesome features it has. For basic uses, it will work just fine, but if you need more powerful options, especially for advanced or professional video recording, then it may not be the best. However, with the features it has, it qualifies as a decent YouTube video editor for Linux.

8. LiVES

LiVES is a powerful yet simple to use YouTube video editing software for Linux. But it is not only designed to be used on Linux, it is expandable and can be used across other platforms via the RFX plugins. The main features of this platform include-:

• Multiple and dynamic loading of effects
• Supports variable and fixed frame rates
• A smooth playback done on variable rates
• Frame accurate cutting
• Loads and edits almost every video format through the mplayer

Installing the software is relatively easy and it will suffice for most of your needs for a YouTube video editor.

Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

It is true that the number of software available for Mac and Windows by far outnumber those available for Linux. Though Linux is still growing, it is always a difficult task to find specific software such as those for YouTube video editing. For Linux users, sometimes it becomes necessary to switch back to Windows whenever you need to edit your videos. Presented here are the best 8 YouTube editing software for Linux so that you avoid the back and forth movement whenever you want to work on your videos for YouTube-:

---

If you looking for a video editor simple yet powerful, here I recommend an easy-to-use video editing software - Wondershare Filmora (for Win and Mac) which not only allows you cut, crop, rotate, and split your videos in minutes, but also simplify the advanced video editing like green screen effect and PIP. You can also find over 300 video effects like Wedding, Gaming, Education, Beauty, Fashion, etc.

---

1. Open Shot

Open Shot is a feature rich, multiplatform video editor and one of the best you will ever find for Linux, Mac and Windows. The program is written in Python and it has support for many different video and audio formats and also, it has a drag and drop feature to make the editing process simpler and easier. The following are some of the features you can expect to find in this YouTube video editor-:

• Video cutting, trimming, scaling and resizing
• 3D animated titles
• Video effects and speed changes
• Digital zooming and video transitions
• Easy Gnome integration and also has a drag and drop feature.

2. Pitivi

Pitivi is great open source YouTube video editing software for Linux. The software uses the Gstreamer framework for the importation and exportation as well as the rendition of media. With Pitive, you can accomplish simple video editing tasks such as trimming, splitting, cutting, snapping and mixing. It also allows you to link audio and video clips into a single clip. One other thing admirable about this software is that it is available in multiple languages and it has a comprehensive documentation, easy to read, understand and follow.

3. Lightworks

This is a professional video editing tool designed for Linux and it can be used by everyone, thanks to its rich features and intuitive interface. Both its free and paid versions have all the features needed for a decent video editing experience. However, it is not only restricted to Linux, but it can also be used on Windows and Mac as well. Some of the highlights for the software include the following-:

• Trimming and a wide variety of effects
• Frame accurate capture tool
• Drag and drop feature
• Wide container support and Vimeo export
• Export and import functionalities
• Advanced multicam editing in realtime

4. Blender

Blender is advanced and professional video editing software packed with exciting features, which makes it admirable for professional YouTube video editing. Some of the features it has include-: 3D modeling, N-Gon support, animation toolset, automatic skinning and sculpting, physically accurate shaders, open shading language to help users custom shaders, grid and bridge fill among others.

5. KDEnlive

This is another open source video editing software highly recommended for those interested in YouTube video editing software for Linux. Its functioning relies on a few other projects such as MLT and FFmpeg video frameworks. The design is suited to cover the basic needs of video editing to semi professional needs. Some of the features of this software include-:

• Creating custom profiles
• Configurable keyboard shortcuts
• Mixing video, audio and image files
• Ability to export to standard formats
• Multitrack edition which comes together with a timeframe
• Supports a wide range of camcorders

6. Cinelerra

Ever since its release in 2002, Cinelerra has been downloaded millions of times making it one of the best YouTube video editing software for Linux. It is ideal for both beginners and professionals and it comes loaded with a variety of features needed for a decent video editing experience. They features include but are not limited to the following-:

• Professionally designed UI
• Deck Control
• Different special effects
• Audio editing with unlimited number of layers
• Dual link
• Built-in frame renderer

7. Shotcut

Shotcut is another YouTube video editing software for Linux and it is an interesting one because its UI looks more like a media player and not an editor. The software makes editing video very simple with the set of awesome features it has. For basic uses, it will work just fine, but if you need more powerful options, especially for advanced or professional video recording, then it may not be the best. However, with the features it has, it qualifies as a decent YouTube video editor for Linux.

8. LiVES

LiVES is a powerful yet simple to use YouTube video editing software for Linux. But it is not only designed to be used on Linux, it is expandable and can be used across other platforms via the RFX plugins. The main features of this platform include-:

• Multiple and dynamic loading of effects
• Supports variable and fixed frame rates
• A smooth playback done on variable rates
• Frame accurate cutting
• Loads and edits almost every video format through the mplayer

Installing the software is relatively easy and it will suffice for most of your needs for a YouTube video editor.

Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

It is true that the number of software available for Mac and Windows by far outnumber those available for Linux. Though Linux is still growing, it is always a difficult task to find specific software such as those for YouTube video editing. For Linux users, sometimes it becomes necessary to switch back to Windows whenever you need to edit your videos. Presented here are the best 8 YouTube editing software for Linux so that you avoid the back and forth movement whenever you want to work on your videos for YouTube-:

---

If you looking for a video editor simple yet powerful, here I recommend an easy-to-use video editing software - Wondershare Filmora (for Win and Mac) which not only allows you cut, crop, rotate, and split your videos in minutes, but also simplify the advanced video editing like green screen effect and PIP. You can also find over 300 video effects like Wedding, Gaming, Education, Beauty, Fashion, etc.

---

1. Open Shot

Open Shot is a feature rich, multiplatform video editor and one of the best you will ever find for Linux, Mac and Windows. The program is written in Python and it has support for many different video and audio formats and also, it has a drag and drop feature to make the editing process simpler and easier. The following are some of the features you can expect to find in this YouTube video editor-:

• Video cutting, trimming, scaling and resizing
• 3D animated titles
• Video effects and speed changes
• Digital zooming and video transitions
• Easy Gnome integration and also has a drag and drop feature.

2. Pitivi

Pitivi is great open source YouTube video editing software for Linux. The software uses the Gstreamer framework for the importation and exportation as well as the rendition of media. With Pitive, you can accomplish simple video editing tasks such as trimming, splitting, cutting, snapping and mixing. It also allows you to link audio and video clips into a single clip. One other thing admirable about this software is that it is available in multiple languages and it has a comprehensive documentation, easy to read, understand and follow.

3. Lightworks

This is a professional video editing tool designed for Linux and it can be used by everyone, thanks to its rich features and intuitive interface. Both its free and paid versions have all the features needed for a decent video editing experience. However, it is not only restricted to Linux, but it can also be used on Windows and Mac as well. Some of the highlights for the software include the following-:

• Trimming and a wide variety of effects
• Frame accurate capture tool
• Drag and drop feature
• Wide container support and Vimeo export
• Export and import functionalities
• Advanced multicam editing in realtime

4. Blender

Blender is advanced and professional video editing software packed with exciting features, which makes it admirable for professional YouTube video editing. Some of the features it has include-: 3D modeling, N-Gon support, animation toolset, automatic skinning and sculpting, physically accurate shaders, open shading language to help users custom shaders, grid and bridge fill among others.

5. KDEnlive

This is another open source video editing software highly recommended for those interested in YouTube video editing software for Linux. Its functioning relies on a few other projects such as MLT and FFmpeg video frameworks. The design is suited to cover the basic needs of video editing to semi professional needs. Some of the features of this software include-:

• Creating custom profiles
• Configurable keyboard shortcuts
• Mixing video, audio and image files
• Ability to export to standard formats
• Multitrack edition which comes together with a timeframe
• Supports a wide range of camcorders

6. Cinelerra

Ever since its release in 2002, Cinelerra has been downloaded millions of times making it one of the best YouTube video editing software for Linux. It is ideal for both beginners and professionals and it comes loaded with a variety of features needed for a decent video editing experience. They features include but are not limited to the following-:

• Professionally designed UI
• Deck Control
• Different special effects
• Audio editing with unlimited number of layers
• Dual link
• Built-in frame renderer

7. Shotcut

Shotcut is another YouTube video editing software for Linux and it is an interesting one because its UI looks more like a media player and not an editor. The software makes editing video very simple with the set of awesome features it has. For basic uses, it will work just fine, but if you need more powerful options, especially for advanced or professional video recording, then it may not be the best. However, with the features it has, it qualifies as a decent YouTube video editor for Linux.

8. LiVES

LiVES is a powerful yet simple to use YouTube video editing software for Linux. But it is not only designed to be used on Linux, it is expandable and can be used across other platforms via the RFX plugins. The main features of this platform include-:

• Multiple and dynamic loading of effects
• Supports variable and fixed frame rates
• A smooth playback done on variable rates
• Frame accurate cutting
• Loads and edits almost every video format through the mplayer

Installing the software is relatively easy and it will suffice for most of your needs for a YouTube video editor.

Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.

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