Multimedia & graphics Windows
VapourSynth
Process video with Python scripts, chain filters and send frames to encoders with VapourSynth, a free, open-source video-processing framework for Windows.
- Operating system
- Windows 10 and newer
- Architecture
- x64
- Download package
- EXE installer
Requires 64-bit Python 3.12 or later. Publisher recommends pip as an alternative installation method. Windows 7 support ended with R73; GPU filters require Vulkan 1.4.
Link checked · Download guidance
What is VapourSynth?
VapourSynth builds repeatable video-processing workflows from Python scripts. Its C++ core handles frames while the Python module lets you combine filters, change frame properties and define the output. It suits users who want explicit control over processing rather than editing through a conventional timeline. The linked download is the publisher's R81 Windows x64 installer.
Scripts use the .vpy extension. The publisher's getting-started example loads media through the separately installed BestSource plugin, applies a filter and exposes the result for output. VSPipe can pass script output to applications such as FFmpeg or x264. Previewing is handled by companion applications such as VapourSynth Editor or VirtualDub2; the historical publisher screenshot shows VapourSynth Editor in 2014, not an interface bundled with the R81 framework.
The Windows installer requires 64-bit Python 3.12 or later. Existing users migrating from R73 or earlier need to account for the R74 packaging change: plugins in the old locations are no longer loaded. GPU processing also has its own requirement, Vulkan 1.4 support; it should not be assumed to work on every graphics device.
What it offers
- Create Python-based .vpy scripts that combine video-processing filters.
- Use frame-level multithreading in the C++ processing core.
- Attach metadata to individual frames and work with multiple colorspaces.
- Pipe script output to external encoders and media applications with VSPipe.
- Extend processing with native plugins, including source filters installed separately.
Good to know
- Requires Python scripting and a compatible 64-bit Python 3.12+ installation; this is not a standalone timeline editor.
- Upgrading from R73 or earlier requires attention to changed plugin paths; R74 and later do not load plugins from the previous locations.
- GPU filters require Vulkan 1.4 support.
Product images
Sources
References used for this listing. Retrieval dates do not indicate hands-on testing.
- VapourSynth - Download — normal browser observation ↗Retrieved
- About | VapourSynth ↗Retrieved
- Installing and Compiling — VapourSynth R80 documentation ↗Retrieved
- Getting Started — VapourSynth R80 documentation ↗Retrieved
- VapourSynth — release and migration announcements ↗Retrieved
- Release R81 · vapoursynth/vapoursynth ↗Retrieved
- VapourSynth R81 — publisher release assets ↗Retrieved
- vapoursynth/vapoursynth — source and license ↗Retrieved
- A New Editor | VapourSynth — historical UI screenshot ↗Retrieved
More in multimedia & graphics
View category ↗
1by1 2.17
Play music directly from folders with 1by1, a free Windows audio player with resume, gapless playback and file tools. Formats beyond MP3 need additional decoders.
3DVista Virtual Tour Pro
Build interactive 360° virtual tours from panoramas, videos and 3D models with 3DVista Virtual Tour Pro for Windows. Commercial software with a 30-day trial.
4DDiG Video Repair
Repair corrupted or unplayable videos in batches with the Video Repair tool in 4DDiG File Repair for Windows. A free trial is available; advanced features require a paid license.