Lightworks is a non-linear editing system for cutting and mastering digital video on Windows. It costs nothing to download, and it is listed here among the free video editors that add no watermark.
What a non-linear editor solves
A non-linear editing system lets you work on clips in any order instead of recording them in sequence. Lightworks is built for editing and mastering digital video this way. It is listed with the video editors and in our group of free editors without a watermark.
Version 2025.2.56356 in numbers
The current build is 2025.2.56356 and the installer is 97.2 MB, small for a full editor. It is free and the license is proprietary, so it is free to use but not open source.
If you want alternatives, consider OpenShot Video Editor, Kdenlive, Shotcut, and CapCut.
Check before installing
The package ID is LWKS.Lightworks, and the developer is LWKS Software Ltd. with a site at lwks.com. Compare the version with the one on the developer site before you run the installer.
What's new in 2025.2.56356
The latest update was on January 12, 2026, with version 2025.2.56356.
Lightworks pros and cons
Pros
- Free to use
- Small 97.2 MB installer
- Built for editing and mastering digital video
- Published by LWKS Software Ltd., with its own website
Cons
- Proprietary license, not open source
- Proprietary license, so the source is not open
- Installer is a 97.2 MB download
Is Lightworks safe?
Lightworks is published by LWKS Software Ltd. under a proprietary license, and version 2025.2.56356 was last updated on 2026-01-12. As with any installer, run a scan on the 97.2 MB file before you open it.
How to install Lightworks
- Press the download button to get the official file.
- Run the installer you saved and confirm the Windows security prompt if the publisher matches.
- Follow the setup steps, then start Lightworks from the Start menu.
