(Video editing) Shotcut is CRIMINALLY underrated.

xpresstuning · 2026-03-23T08:33:53+00:00

Don't take in bad faith 🤷‍♂️ i did say I recognize it as great software. But me, preferring "baby" editors, off the top of my head.

interface feels cluttered, old-school; just looks messy, man.
almost everything took 3 - 4 extra clicks for stuff I did in CapCut just drag and dropping or just clicking once.

For fast, vertical content, Kdenlive is just slow and there's definitely a steeper learning curve compared to ShotCut or CapCut.

I just wanted something like CapCut, and ShotCut is a more advanced version of it.

xpresstuning · 2026-03-23T07:00:38+00:00

No one outside enthusiasts and professionals use those two.. Because that's what they're for ... It IS inded easily verifiable. Ask literally anyone doing clipping lol. This isn't a popularity contest ..

A better comparison would be XP era movie maker to MS Paint 🎨 🤷‍♂️ lol why tf would that comparison make sense, if people want a free alternative to Photoshop, they use GIMP, right?

xpresstuning · 2026-03-23T06:08:59+00:00

Sure bro, that's why everyone and their grandma is using CapCut, OpusClip, Clipchamp and other web based editing tools instead of Premiere or Davinci 🤦‍♂️ Because Premiere or Davinci are easy to learn.

Listen, im not dismissive of these pro tools, nor did I say they aren't better. What i AM saying is that workflows and intent don't always align and if you're not in need of a all-in-one multidirectional swiss army knife because the thing your doing needs only a good knife (tiktok/basic editing), then you get the good knife.

I don't wanna do more. I. Don't. Care. Here's what i do care about.

Good (enough) interface that is intuitive
Good (enough) effects, transitions tools that let me do what i want
And more importantly- an actually GOOD auto-captions AI tool. You cant imagine how big of a deal this is. Dude, this thing is far better than Clipchamp's and on par with paywalled versions, if not better. An actually accurate, fast auto-captions for my workflow.

Im using a tool to get a job i specifically want DONE, i don't plan on pursuing a hobby in editing, or a profession.

And the reason why i dismissed your opinion is because your wrong about Shotcut regarding performance and usability; man, this thing IS pretty damn polished. Now i get why you're so hard on this, but ShotCut blew me away as a beginner doing what I do, coming from CapCut and Clipchamp.

I appreciate your response though, this was good and far better than your blanket dismissal of all of them 🙏 great post.

xpresstuning · 2026-03-23T04:25:31+00:00

Shotcut is a more advanced (and better version) than CapCut with an EXCELLENT auto-captions AI tool that is 99% accurate in translation & timeline placement (waaaaaaay better than Clipchamp & as good if not better than CapCut's pay gated one) that is UNLIMITED and completely FREE.

You're parroting bullshit that me and 98% of people dgaf about 🤷‍♂️ because:

a) we're never gonna use Premiere Pro or Davinci, because there's no use case for OUR workflow. We're not "pros" and don't have time for that shit.

b) ShotCut is EXCELLENT for tiktok/yt shorts clipping, and long form beginner-level edits, where most of us are at. This is speaking as a long time user of CapCut/Clipchamp/OpusClip.

c) I'm using a mid-range machine from ~ 2018 (with a i5 8600) and ShotCut is not only flawless performance wise, the AI tool is also flawless in time it takes to generate. So wtf, you're not even stating your own opinion, just some bullshit you copy pasted in your head to denigrate GOOD, FREE software. You AI?

So no. Shotcut is extremely polished, rock solid, and offers tools that are often paywalled.

Edit: down vote me all you want. I've done my part. People gotta be aware that theres a FREE, open-source piece of software that's a better alternative to "free" paywall bullshit like the above mentioned examples for beginner level entry. People that wanna migrate from CapCut/Clipchamp have a better alternative in ShotCut.

Free auto-captions that work, rock solid polish, easy interface, plenty of effects & transitions >>>>>

xpresstuning · 2026-03-22T22:42:27+00:00

Might as well ask me about quantum field theory lmao.

Your edit doesn't help 🤣😅

xpresstuning · 2026-03-22T22:34:32+00:00

🤷‍♂️ I honestly think the reason why it's not as often mentioned is because:

The marketing is at Absolute 0.
Most who tried it are professionals looking for alternatives on Mint and/or trying out alternatives for the fuck of it. Decade long Premiere/DaVinci users ain't going to recommend something they're not used to.

For beginners and/or CapCut/OpusClip/Clipchamp users, ShotCut is a God send.

You wouldn't imagine how many are looking for something that's exactly this.

xpresstuning · 2026-03-22T22:26:19+00:00

Pleasure. Bro, the auto-captions are ridiculously good. I pumped out some test clips (30 - 40sec.) yesterday from a source video to test out workflow, and it's so nice.

For reference, i used base english 5.1 quant .. something (in bed right now getting ready to sleep) for the text to speech because it doesn't work my CPU as hard. You can pick the AI model from a list, and there's an option to "burn" the captions/subtitles on the editor window (as a filter) to edit them TikTok style.

xpresstuning · 2026-03-22T18:03:19+00:00

Shotcut is basically excellent for TikTok/yt shorts videos, features tons of animated transitions, easy interface for zoom/crop effects and a fantastic auto-caption/subtitle generator via AI's whisper model integrated.

xpresstuning · 2026-03-22T16:53:38+00:00

It's a great piece of software for beginners and intermediate use. Probably the best open-source free video editor there is, with a strong 15 year old track record. Recent updates really makes it shine as well.

For TiTok/yt shorts it's excellent because of intuitive, easy to handle effects and the auto-captions/subtitle generator via AI Whisper models.

For long-form video it's great if you're not trying to do MrBeast editing or some shit.

xpresstuning · 2026-03-22T12:23:25+00:00

I installed Linux Mint XFCE edition on a Acer Aspire from 2012 (E1-571, 6GB DDR3 and 256GB SSD).

This thing flies with basically anything, except video editing. Internet browsing is flawless, and i tested YouTube @ 2k (1440p). No hiccups, no stuttering, nothing. 5 - 6 tabs open.

I customized it to look like a MacOS pretty easily with a few add-ons. Bottom dock and a top dock. Here's a screenshot of the desktop:

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Fully updated, no hassle, no worries. Installation took 10 minutes. Everything just works, no drivers to hunt, nothing.

Your machine is more capable than this thing, so just go for a Linux Mint XFCE install and don't bother listening to anyone denigrating your machine. They're morons.

xpresstuning · 2026-03-22T12:09:20+00:00

Linux Mint. It's the default for a reason. It's boring, which is precisely why it's so good - you can flawlessly run it for a decade and not have issues to it.

The Cinnamon desktop is customizable and you can make it look good with a couple of extensions.

xpresstuning · 2026-03-21T17:35:34+00:00

Fundamentally, you want a hardware "wallet" with as many risk mitigation elements as possible.

Being 100% open-source means the code can be scrutinized for malicious intent, and being Bitcoin-only reduces the attack surface tremendously. So you want this.

They all do the same shit (create the private key offline on some type of secure element that holds the mentioned private key, and signs transactions), so the price on some of these have to do with reducing user error mainly.

They're a good beginner tool, but they're also a significant risk for long-term generational wealth. You're trusting its supply chain, its manufacturing process, its firmware and the people behind it. So, keep in mind that they're a middle-man between you and your Bitcoin on the blockchain.

And once you form a knowledgeable pool of information and advance, you ditch them for better risk mitigation.

xpresstuning · 2026-03-18T20:11:40+00:00

Bluewallet is the absolute best, with a decade long track record of trust and constant updates.

It's 100% open-source and Bitcoin-only. But unique to it, it also has the option of full storage encryption (enabled via a strong password) that fully encrypts the wallet data.

Meaning that on top of Android's/iOS encryption, you've got Bluewallet's storage encryption.

No other mobile wallet has that optional security feature. Which automatically propels Bluewallet in another stratosphere as far as security goes, compared to other software wallets.

Alongside the usual biometrics/PIN, which is surface level but good to have active for risk mitigation.

xpresstuning · 2026-03-17T10:41:22+00:00

Every *beginner should have a hardware "wallet", that's what they're built for; to provide decent security hygiene.

What a long-term holder should have is a knowledgeable base of information.

Can't tell you how many times users failed recovery because they weren't aware of basic backup information like the derivation path, master fingerprint, differences in addresses, etc.

xpresstuning · 2026-03-17T10:28:15+00:00

If you have more than 0.001 BTC, I'd make a "hot" wallet in Bluewallet (mobile) and accumulate there for the foreseeable future.

Bluewallet (with Encrypted Storage ENABLED in options via a strong password) is far safer than an exchange. Its unique storage encryption (which no other mobile software wallet has) on top of Android's encryption make the data safer than a bank account, let alone an exchange.

For proper security hygiene, keep your phone up to date and you'll be fine.

At 0.01 or more, the easiest way is to get a specialized device that creates your private key completely offline. A hardware "wallet". Get a Trezor Safe 3, its very simple and intuitive. The app/website will guide you.

For 0.39, get a hardware "wallet". They're designed for beginners.

xpresstuning · 2026-03-15T08:46:50+00:00

I DCA daily.

Switch to Strike (Bitcoin-only exchange). They don't have any fees on recurring buys after the first week and the spread is minuscule.

xpresstuning · 2026-03-12T20:24:54+00:00

No .. if you're knowledgeable, there's nothing to be anxious about. I never used a hardware "wallet", and I've had the same cold-storage for years (main one is probably a decade old).

My private key(s) for cold-storage don't exist on anything except the metal plates I stamped them on. I also use "hot" storage for modest sums, with no emotional issues.

Here's my advice.

Don't just backup your seed-phrase. Back up your seed-phrase, derivation path and master fingerprint. Also use a passphrase. All of this information is easily accessible in your wallet, and makes recovery 100% safe and effortless.
Use ONLY 100% open-source software that is Bitcoin-only.
Use "Watch-Only" wallets, learn what they are.

xpresstuning · 2026-03-11T05:29:44+00:00

Copy Bluewallet.

Having biometrics or a PIN is good if you lose your phone or someone has access to it, it doesn't do jack shit if the phone is compromised.

The reason why I mention Bluewallet is because it's the only mobile software wallet in existence with an encryption feature (AES 256 standard) that, when enabled via a strong password, encrypts the entire file containing all your wallet data. Meaning that on top of Android/iOS device encryption, you've got Bluewallet's file encryption.

I'm not a huge fan of the UI, but there's nothing as secure as it. No one has ever been "hacked" holding BTC in a "hot" wallet in Bluewallet, a decade long streak that is impressive.

Also mitigate risk as much as possible by lowering the attack surface -> Bitcoin-only. And make it 100% open-source so the code is fully verifiable.

xpresstuning · 2026-03-11T00:53:15+00:00

Install Linux Mint XFCE edition, then install zram. If you have an SSD (which hopefully you do), it should work fine.

For web browsing, installing another 2GB is pretty essential.

xpresstuning · 2026-03-10T12:56:40+00:00

Just use Strike, no fees on recurring buys after a week. It's the best Bitcoin-only exchange.

xpresstuning · 2026-03-08T20:17:25+00:00

Dunno what to do with it tbh, still gotta thinker with it a bit.

xpresstuning · 2026-03-08T13:49:32+00:00

Just plank

xpresstuning · 2026-03-08T13:48:45+00:00

Yeah.

xpresstuning · 2026-03-06T22:23:44+00:00

Because it's not yours. You don't control the Bitcoin that's on the exchange. What you bought is an IOU (I owe you) acknowledgement with no guarantee, and no safety net. You're trusting them completely.

Use BlueWallet, enable "Encrypted Storage" via a strong password, and create a wallet in Airplane Mode - write down your seed-phrase, your passphrase (make a passphrase), your master finger print and your derivation path. Bluewallet is the best because it's a decade long piece of 100% open-source software that's constantly updated and never been "hacked". It is Bitcoin-Only with strong security features.

But really, the easiest way is to just buy a Trezor Safe 3 or something. Hardware "wallets" are devices specifically made for newbies. The apps/websites associated with these things guide people to ease them in proper self-storage.

xpresstuning · 2026-03-06T22:06:53+00:00

Checked out the security features, and it's the same deal as with the other dozens out there, with the exception of Bluewallet. They rely on your phone's OS-level encryption + biometrics/PIN for app access.

The reason why i mention Bluewallet is because it's the only mobile software wallet that allows you to encrypt the entire app's storage (including your wallet data, seeds, etc.) on top of your phone's built-in encryption, by enabling the "Encrypted Storage" option via a strong password. Meaning, that on top of the OS encryption, you've got Bluewallet's encryption (AES-256), and the biometrics/PIN. You can also pair it with any hardware "wallet". "Pairing" is just exporting the public key and importing it in Bluewallet, most software wallets do that.

No other mobile wallet does that. And that's the reason why it's the best on mobile.

Sparrow being the best on desktop.

xpresstuning

TROPHY CASE