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In the media-saturated world we live in, having an array of top-notch audio-video tools really comes in handy. Trim a file, edit a video, maximize your audio – we all need to feed our social media streams, and companies always need audio-video content to best communicate with users.
This list of audio video apps is potentially a major cost saver. The following open source apps replace expensive commercial AV apps, often with very similar functionality.
If you have addition AV apps you’d like to recommend, please use the Comments section below. Happy downloading!
Video Editing
1. Cinelerra
Replaces: Adobe Premiere
Downloaded more than 1 million times, Cinelerra is a mature, high-quality video editor that can meet the needs of amateurs and professionals. It claims to be “the most widely used media production editing software in the world.” Operating System: Linux.
Replaces: Adobe Premiere
Another popular video editing tool, OpenShot has received rave reviews from critics. Key features include support for multiple file formats, unlimited tracks/layers, clip resizing, video transitions, compositing, title templates, 3D animated titles, scrolling credits, rotoscoping support and more. Operating System: Linux.
3. Kdenlive
Replaces: Adobe Premiere
With its intuitive interface, Kdenlive is a good video editing option for amateurs and hobbyists. Extensive help is available through the online documentation and forums. Operating System: Linux, OS X.
4. Avidemux
Replaces: Adobe Premiere
This editor is not as full-featured as some of the others, focusing instead on simple cutting, filtering and encoding. It is cross-platform and supports many popular codecs. Operating System: Windows, Linux, OS X, others.
5. Pitivi
Replaces: Adobe Premiere
Pitivi’s lofty goals is to allow “everyone on the planet to express themselves through filmmaking, with tools that they can own and improve.” It stands out for its particularly attractive interface. The team is currently raising funds to continue development. Operating System: Windows, Linux, OS X, others.
6. VirtualDub
Replaces: Adobe Premiere
Another streamlined option, VirtualDub is a Windows-only tool for video capture and processing. It is primarily useful for cleaning up AVI files. Operating System: Windows.
Replaces: Adobe Premiere
If you’re looking to create a slideshow video for a wedding, graduation, anniversary or other special event, PhotoFilmStrip is a good option. It supports HD video and offers the “Ken Burns” effect where the camera pans across the photos. Operating System: Windows, Linux.
8. LiVES
LiVES can be used to edit regular video or to create professional VJ performances. It supports the latest standards and is frame- and sample- accurate. Operating System: Windows, Linux, OS X.
Multimedia Library Management
9. Data Crow
Replaces: MediaMan
Made for highly organized people (or those who want to be), this “ultimate media cataloger and media organizer” manages both physical and digital copies of stuff—music, software, games, movies, photos, books, or any other kind of collection. It also includes a loan administration feature that lets you keep track of friends who have borrowed your things. Operating System: OS Independent.
10. Wwidd
Replaces: MediaMan
Wwidd describes itself as “Del.icio.us for your video collection.” It has powerful tagging and search capabilities, and it is very easy to use. Operating System: Windows, OS X, Linux.
Music Composition and Production
11. Hydrogen
Replaces: DrumCore
“Professional yet simple and intuitive,” Hydrogen is a drum machine for Linux only. The video on the site helps you quickly see how it works and what it can do. Operating System: Windows, Linux, OS X.
12. orDrumbox
Replaces: DrumCore
Another open source option for creating your own drum loops and feeds, orDrumbox offers an easy-to-use interface. Features include auto-composition, poly-rhythms, an arpeggiator, automatic sounds/track matching , custom soft-synths and low-fi rendering. Operating System: Windows, Linux, OS X.
13. Yoshimi
Replaces: Omnisphere Power Synth, Cakewalk Rapture
Yoshimi is a Linux-only software synthesizer forked from an older version of ZynAddSubFX. The project name comes from a song by The Flaming Lips. Operating System: Linux.
14. ZynAddSubFX
Replaces: Omnisphere Power Synth, Cakewalk Rapture
This software synthesizer comes in Windows and Linux versions. Features include real-time, polyphonic, multitimbral and microtonal capabilities and a long list of effects and filters. Operating System: Windows, Linux.
Replaces: FL Studio
A complete music production suite, LMMS was “made by musicians, for musicians.” It comes with plenty of instruments, samples, plug-ins, presets and sounds built in, so that the user can get started making music right away. Operating System: Windows, Linux, OS X.
16. TuxGuitar
Replaces: GuitarPro
TuxGuitar makes it easy to write guitar music in tablature or standard scores. It can also playback songs and add effects. Operating System: Windows, Linux, OS X.
17. MuseScore
Replaces: Finale
Software for creating sheet music can be tremendously expensive—especially if you are an underpaid musician or music teacher. MuseScore makes it easy to create beautiful sheet music using its WYSIWYG editor or keyboard input. Operating System: Windows, Linux, OS X.
Operating System
18. Ubuntu Studio
Replaces: Microsoft Windows
This Linux distribution was made for people who work with audio, graphics, video, photography or publishing files. It includes a wide range of tools for creative work, including many of those on this list.
19. Dyne:bolic
Replaces: Microsoft Windows
Dyne:bolic boasts that it is recommended by the Free Software Foundation. Like Ubuntu Studio, it’s an operating system for creative professionals and has a wide variety of audio and video production and editing tools built in.
20. Musix
Replaces: Microsoft Windows
Musix is a version of Linux created to meet the needs of musicians. Note that while much the website is in Spanish, the OS and help forums are available in English.
Screen Video Capture
21. CamStudio
Replaces: Camtasia
There’s no need to spend hundreds of dollars on screen video capture software when CamStudio can do the same thing for free. It records all on-screen and audio activity and creates AVI files. Operating System: Windows.
Replaces: Camtasia
Krut is similar to CamStudio, but it is cross-platform and records WAV and MOV files instead of AVI files. It also offers a timer-controlled recording option. Operating System: Windows, Linux, OS X.
23. Webinaria
Replaces: Camtasia
Like the other tools on this list, Webinaria records screen activity. The Webinaria website also allows you to share your recordings in a forum where they can be rated by others. Operating System: Windows, Linux, OS X.
Server Software
24. Ampache
Replaces: Helix, Adobe Media Server, QuickTime Broadcaster
This audio video streaming application and file manager allows users to set up a streaming server so that they can access their music and movies from any device. There is a demo server on the website so that you can see it in action. Operating System: Windows, Linux, OS X.
25. VideoLAN
Replaces: Helix, Adobe Media Server, QuickTime Broadcaster
Created by the group behind the VLC Media Player, VideoLAN can stream many different kinds of audio and video files. Note that many of the VideoLAN features are now also included in VLC. Operating System: Windows, Linux, OS X.
26. Subsonic
Replaces: Helix, Adobe Media Server, QuickTime Broadcaster
With Subsonic you can set up your own streaming media server, or you can subscribe to the premium service for Subsonic to host it for you for $1 per month. It offers a particularly attractive and easy-to-use interface. Operating System: Windows, Linux, OS X, Android, iOS, Windows Phone, BlackBerry, Roku, others.
27. AmpJuke
Replaces: Helix, Adobe Media Server, QuickTime Broadcaster
AmpJuke is a streaming music server that allows clients to connect via the Internet or a LAN. Key features include easy installation, last.fm integration, artist biography retrieval, tagging, transcoding and more. Operating System: Windows, Linux, OS X.
28. Mp3dj
Replaces: Helix, Adobe Media Server, QuickTime Broadcaster
This Java-based app allows users to search, browse and stream their music collections remotely. Listeners access the audio files through a web page with a built-in MP3 player. Operating System: Windows, Linux, OS X.
29. kPlaylist
Replaces: Helix, Adobe Media Server, QuickTime Broadcaster
kPlaylist leverages PHP and MySQL to create a streaming music server that lets users (and their friends) access their audio files from anywhere. Screenshots and a demo on the site allow you to see how it works before you download. Operating System: Windows, Linux.
Replaces: Helix, Adobe Media Server, QuickTime Broadcaster
Originally created by Apple but now supported by an open source community, the Darwin Streaming Server can stream QuickTime and MPEG-4 files. As you might expect, it is primarily targeted at Mac users although it does also run on other platforms. Operating System: Windows, Linux, OS X.
Replaces: Helix, Adobe Media Server, QuickTime Broadcaster
This multi-functional app can stream videos, audio or images to many different kinds of devices, including gaming consoles, TVs, smartphones, PCs and more. A helpful chart on the website shows how it compares to other streaming server software and services. Operating System: Windows, Linux, OS X.
Subtitles
32. Jubler
Replaces: EZTitles
Winner of several awards, Jubler can author new subtitles or edit, convert, transform or correct existing subtitles. It supports most popular subtitle formats. Operating System: Windows, Linux, OS X.
Replaces: EZTitles
With support for more than 60 different subtitle formats, Subtitle Workshop is a versatile, easy-to-use subtitle creator and editor. It supports style and color tags, and it includes an integrated video player. Operating System: Windows.
34. Amara
Replaces: EZTitles
This award-winning app aims to make it easier to create subtitles and translations for digital video. In addition to the open source subtitling software, the project also sponsors a collaborative subtitling website and an open protocol for subtitles. Operating System: Windows, Linux, OS X.
35. AHD Subtitles
Replaces: EZTitles
AHD creates subtitles automatically without the need for scripts. It provides “an extensive range of editing options and a large list of subtitle formats.” Operating System: Windows.
36. Aegisub
Replaces: EZTitles
This free tool focuses on making it fast and easy to create or edit subtitles. It includes built-in real-time preview capabilities. Operating System: Windows, Linux, OS X.
