Lightworks vs Clipchamp
Last updated August 2026
Looking for a European alternative to Clipchamp? Here's how Lightworks compares, on EU hosting, GDPR and what it does.
Our pick for a European buyer: Lightworks. We weight data residency, GDPR and EU jurisdiction above everything else — that is the constraint this directory exists to solve.
What it is
UK-based professional video editor with a free tier and real-time 4K effects, hosted in the US.
not established
Headquarters
🇬🇧 GB
No
EU data residency
not established
not established
DSGVO / GDPR
Yes
not established
Certifications
No
not established
Price from
$279.99/user/mo
not established
Free plan
Yes
not established
Open Source
No
not established
Integrations
NewBlue TotalFX, QScan, IOGates, Dropbox, Google Drive +5
not established
We have not yet completed our own research on Clipchamp; rows above show only what we can evidence. Check the vendor for specifics.
Where each one wins
Lightworks
Strengths
- +Intuitive and user-friendly interface suitable for both beginners and experienced video editors
- +Efficient handling of multiple timelines simultaneously for diverse video formats
- +Customizable shortcuts that accelerate editing workflows
- +Free version with essential tools for simple projects like social media content
- +Wide range of effects and plugins to enhance creative flexibility
- +Efficient processing of large raw footage and support for high-quality 4K exports
- +Flexible and accessible for users at different skill levels
Limitations
- −Occasional software crashes, though content is usually saved
- −Outdated user interface in need of modernization
- −Limited advanced tools for professional-grade editing beyond basic features
Clipchamp
Review sentiment not yet compiled.
Data residency & compliance
Lightworks
Clipchamp
EU data residency
not established
not established
Transfer mechanism
not established
not established
DPA
not established
not established
Sub-processors
not established
not established
Certifications
No
No
Pricing
Lightworks
- Free £0 per user, no time limitBasic video editing features · 720p export resolution · Full editing engine and background processing
- Create (Subscription) $23.99 per user / month4K export · Social media templates · Dynamic motion graphics
- Create (Perpetual License) $159.99 per user, one-time purchase4K export · Advanced titles and cloud editing · Social media export templates
- Pro (Subscription) $27.99 per user / month8K export · Advanced video and audio effects · Third-party plugin support
- Pro (Yearly Subscription) $279.99 per user / year (2 months free)8K export · Full professional feature set · Two months free compared to monthly billing
- Pro (Perpetual License) $419.99 per user, one-time purchase8K export · Full professional feature set · Lifetime ownership of the software
Prices vary by region (USD, GBP, EUR) and exclude applicable sales taxes. Subscription plans include monthly or yearly options with discounts for annual billing.
Clipchamp
No published pricing we could verify.
Features
Lightworks
- Video Editing
- Universal timeline supporting footage of any size, frame rate, and quality, Background processing for uninterrupted editing, Proxy editing for smooth performance, Advanced transitions and video mask effects
- Audio
- Refined audio editing tools: trimming, splitting, layering tracks, Syncing audio with video, Built-in audio effects: reverb, chorus, distortion, Native audio FX for dialogue and music enhancement
- Visual Effects (VFX)
- Simplified VFX suite with over 700 customizable titles and motion graphics (NewBlue), Complex animations, transitions, and filters, OpenFX compatibility in Pro tier, Upgrade option to NewBlue TotalFX with 1,500 presets and 177 video plugins
- Colour
- Colour correction and grading with pre-built and custom LUTs, Isolate and adjust colours or regions, HDR workflows, Advanced colour scopes and enhanced tools in Pro tier
- Sharing and Export
- Export resolutions from 720p (Free) to 8K (Pro), Social media presets for YouTube, Vimeo, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, Snapchat, Direct uploads to YouTube and cloud export, Physical media targets: DVD and Blu-ray (Pro)
Clipchamp
Feature breakdown not yet compiled.