How to Install OpenShot on Ubuntu 24.04, 22.04, or 20.04

OpenShot is a powerful, open-source video editor perfect for creators of all skill levels. It offers an intuitive interface and a wide array of features that simplify video editing without sacrificing functionality.

Here’s a quick overview of what OpenShot brings to the table:

• Cross-Platform: Available on Linux, Windows, and Mac.
• User-Friendly Interface: Easy to navigate, making it accessible for beginners.
• Drag and Drop Support: Simplifies video importing and timeline organization.
• Unlimited Tracks: Add as many layers as you need for watermarks, background videos, audio tracks, and more.
• Powerful Animation Framework: Keyframe-based animations allow precise control over effects and transitions.
• Built-in Title Editor: Create and customize titles, including 3D animations.
• Wide Format Support: Compatible with numerous video, audio, and image formats.
• Audio Editing: Integrate and edit audio files directly within the project.
• Advanced Timeline: Clip resizing, scaling, trimming, snapping, and cutting quickly.
• Video Effects Engine: Add over 400 preset effects, including color correction, chroma key, and transitions.

Let’s dive into the installation process on Ubuntu, which will provide you with three unique methods to install OpenShot using terminal commands and ensure your software is ready for your next creative project.

Method 1: Install OpenShot via APT

Update Ubuntu Before OpenShot Installation

Before diving into the installation process, ensuring that your Ubuntu system is up-to-date is essential. This will help prevent any package conflicts during the installation of OpenShot. To update your system, open a terminal and enter the following command:

sudo apt update

This command will update your package list with the latest versions available from Ubuntu repositories. After updating the package list, proceed to upgrade any outdated packages using the following command:

sudo apt upgrade

With your system now up-to-date, you can move forward with installing OpenShot.

Select Installation Option

There are two primary options for installing OpenShot on Ubuntu. The first method involves installing the version maintained by Ubuntu’s repository, while the second method utilizes the OpenShot PPA (Personal Package Archive) maintained by the OpenShot developers. Each method has its benefits, so choose the one that best suits your needs.

Option 1: Install OpenShot with the Ubuntu Repository

The first method involves installing OpenShot from the Ubuntu repository. This version is generally more stable and secure but may lag in updates, performance bug fixes, and new features. This method is for you if you prioritize stability over having the latest version.

To install OpenShot from the Ubuntu repository, run the following command in your terminal:

sudo apt install openshot-qt

Option 2: Install OpenShot via OpenShot PPA

The alternative method for installing OpenShot involves using the PPA maintained by the OpenShot Developers team. This PPA contains the latest stable or development releases, allowing you to access cutting-edge features and improvements. For most users, the stable PPA is the better choice.

To add the desired PPA to your system, use one of the following commands:

Import OpenShot stable PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:openshot.developers/ppa -y

Import OpenShot development PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:openshot.developers/libopenshot-daily -y

After adding the PPA to your system, update your repository list to reflect the new addition by running:

sudo apt update

Finally, execute the installation command to install OpenShot:

sudo apt install openshot-qt

Method 2: Install OpenShot via Flatpak and Flathub

This section will explore an alternative method to install OpenShot using the Flatpak package manager. Flatpak is a modern and versatile package manager, similar to Snap, that allows you to install sandboxed applications on Linux systems. Installing OpenShot using Flatpak ensures you will always have the latest version and run independently of your system libraries, increasing stability and security.

Note: If your system does not have Flatpak installed, please refer to our guide on How to Install Flatpak on Ubuntu for step-by-step instructions on installing the most recent supported version of Flatpak.

Enable Flathub For OpenShot Installation

Before installing OpenShot through Flatpak, you must enable the Flathub repository, a primary source for Flatpak applications. To enable Flathub, execute the following command in your terminal:

sudo flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo

This command adds the Flathub repository to your Flatpak configuration, ensuring you have access to various applications, including OpenShot.

Install OpenShot via Flatpak Command

With Flathub enabled, you can now install OpenShot using the flatpak install command. Run the following command in your terminal:

flatpak install flathub org.openshot.OpenShot -y

This command installs the OpenShot video editor from the Flathub repository, providing you with the latest version of the application.

Method 3: Install OpenShot via Snap

Snap provides a streamlined mechanism for software deployment and management. This segment will guide you through installing OpenShot, a renowned video editing application, with Snap.

Verify Snap’s Installation on Your Ubuntu System

Originated by Canonical (the minds behind Ubuntu), Snap stands as an adept solution for software management. Most Ubuntu versions come standard with Snap. However, on the off chance that it’s not on your system, it can be reintroduced with the command below:

sudo apt install snapd -y

This command will boot up the Snap Daemon (snapd), which governs the activities of your Snap applications.

Install OpenShot via Snap Command

With the preliminary steps completed, you are all set to get OpenShot up and running. Begin the installation by executing the command:

sudo snap install openshot-community --candidate

In this sequence, ‘sudo’ grants you the needed administrative rights, ‘snap’ activates the Snap package handler, ‘install’ commands the software’s setup, and ‘openshot-community—-candidate’ denotes the specific version of the OpenShot software you’re looking to install.

Launching OpenShot via CLI or GUI

After successfully installing OpenShot on your system, you can launch the application using various methods. This section will explore command-line and graphical user interface (GUI) methods to start OpenShot.

CLI Methods to Launch OpenShot

Depending on your chosen installation method, use one of the following commands to launch OpenShot from the command line:

APT Method to Launch OpenShot:

openshot-qt

Flatpak Method to Launch OpenShot:

flatpak run org.openshot.OpenShot

Snap Method to Launch OpenShot:

snap run openshot-community

GUI Method to Launch OpenShot

For those who prefer using the GUI, you can easily find and launch OpenShot through the desktop environment. Here’s the recommended method:

1. Click on Activities in the top-left corner of your screen.
2. Select Show Applications (usually represented by a grid icon) to display all installed applications.
3. Locate and click on the OpenShot Video Editor icon to launch the application.

Additional OpenShot Commands

Update OpenShot

Although most users receive updates through desktop notifications, it is a good practice to update OpenShot using the command line terminal. This ensures that your system processes the updates correctly. To update OpenShot, run the following command in your terminal:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

Flatpak installations can use the following command:

sudo flatpak update

Lastly, for installations done via the Snap package manager, run the following command to refresh all Snap installations:

snap refresh

Remove OpenShot

If you decide to uninstall OpenShot, the process is straightforward. The command you use depends on the installation method you initially used.

APT Method to Remove OpenShot

If you installed OpenShot using the APT package manager, execute the following command to remove it:

sudo apt remove openshot-qt

For users who installed OpenShot using the PPA and have not installed any other applications from the same PPA, you can safely remove the repository with the following command:

sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:openshot.developers/ppa -y

Or, if you installed it from the developer’s PPA, use this command:

sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:openshot.developers/libopenshot-daily -y

Flatpak Method to Remove OpenShot

Next, if you installed OpenShot using the Flatpak method, run the following command to uninstall the Flatpak version and delete its data:

flatpak uninstall --delete-data org.openshot.OpenShot -y

Snap Method to Remove OpenShot

Lastly, Snap installations of OpenShot only need to run the following command to remove the application:

sudo snap remove openshot-community

Closing Thoughts

We’ve explored three different methods for installing OpenShot on Ubuntu 24.04, 22.04, and 20.04 LTS. Hopefully, this guide has made the installation process clear and straightforward. OpenShot is a fantastic tool for your video editing needs, and now you’re all set to start creating. Happy editing! If you run into any issues, the OpenShot community is always an excellent resource for help.

Useful Links

Here are some valuable links related to using OpenShot:

• OpenShot Official Website: Visit the official OpenShot website for information about the video editor, features, and download options.
• OpenShot User Guide: Access the official user guide for more detailed information on OpenShot.
• OpenShot Forum: Join the OpenShot forum to ask questions, share solutions, and get support from other users.
• OpenShot Subreddit: Participate in the OpenShot subreddit to discuss issues, share tips, and connect with the OpenShot community.