The open-source video editor Shotcut has released version 26.1, introducing hardware video decoding as a default feature across platforms, except for NVIDIA GPUs on Linux. This update aims to reduce CPU usage and improve efficiency during playback and export. Additional enhancements include new processing modes and higher resolution support.
Shotcut 26.1, a major update to the free, cross-platform video editing software built with Qt, became available on January 31, 2026. Supporting GNU/Linux, macOS, and Windows, the release highlights hardware video decoding enabled by default on all platforms except Linux systems equipped with NVIDIA GPUs. Users can toggle this feature via Settings > Preview Scaling > Use Hardware Decoder.
On Linux, the decoding leverages the Video Acceleration API (VA-API); Windows uses Media Foundation, while macOS employs Video Toolbox. The feature supports only hardware-compatible codecs and automatically reverts to software decoding when necessary. It lowers CPU load, which helps reduce battery consumption and system heat, though benefits are more pronounced in Linear 10-bit CPU processing mode or on lower-powered processors. The impact on seeking and scrubbing remains limited.
For exports, an option under Export > Codec > Use hardware decoder cuts CPU usage without resolution or frame rate restrictions, but it is off by default due to potential increases in export times and its persistent setting across sessions.
Other improvements encompass converting projects between GPU and CPU modes, a new Blend Mode filter and track option for Linear 10-bit processing, and an elevated maximum resolution of 8640 for 8K VR180 videos in Video Mode and Export. The update refines outline appearances in text filters like Text: Simple, Typewriter, GPS Text, Subtitle Burn In, and Timer. Bulk proxy generation now updates clips, Timeline > Add Generator and New Generator > Add To Timeline avoid seeking, and Mask: From File filter keyframe defaults suit multi-track transitions better. Various bugs have been addressed, with full details in the release notes.
Shotcut 26.1 is downloadable from the official website, including a universal AppImage for Linux distributions.
