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Video cutters are now a must-have tool for content creators, social media users, and even regular hobbyists. They can help you cut away unwanted sections, split long videos into shorter clips, or even merge multiple elements together.

But how do you pick the software or service? There are a lot of different options on the market, so it can be hard to choose the best one for your needs.

We will show you the top 15 video cutting tools, both desktop programs and online platforms, in this article. We hope to help you find the perfect choice for your requirements.

Top 15 best video cutters

1. Icecream Video Editor

This free video editor for Windows offers a range of features, such as applying filters and effects, and more.

You can effortlessly divide your video into multiple parts or erase unwanted segments:

• Select the moment on the timeline and click the "Split" button.
• Use the trimming tool to set the initial and concluding parts that you wish to retain. Then press "Trim" to save your changes.

If you need to rearrange the clips, drag and drop them on the timeline in the desired order. This will help create a focused narrative that captures the viewer's attention.

Once you have the segments, export the final in the desired format, like MP4 or WebM, or even convert to MP3. You can generate a link to share the project with other people through social networks.

Despite being favorable to non-technical users, this free video cutter does not compromise on the quality. You will receive professional-level clips that retain their resolution and quality of sound.

Overall, Icecream Video Editor offers a great alternative for those looking for powerful yet uncomplicated software. With its intuitive interface and comprehensive toolset, it makes creating stunning videos easier than ever before!

2. iMovie

iMovie is a free editing software for macOS and iOS devices. It enables users to quickly create videos, offering a multitude of features such as transitions, titles, captions, music, sound effects, and more.

The clip cutter makes it easy to divide a video into parts and join them with other files into one movie.

The program also provides tools for video trimming, adding transitions between them, and cropping to the desired size.

The app includes "Smart Collections" which automatically organizes all the content in your library. You can sort the files according to criteria like date taken, location, type of media, or favorite clips. This is very convenient if you have a large collection.

With its simple interface and powerful editing features, iMovie is an ideal choice for anyone who desires to easily cut their videos.

3. Movie Maker

Movie Maker is a video cutter and editor from Microsoft.

It was pre-installed on Windows XP and later versions, but was discontinued with the release of Windows 10. Don't worry, it doesn't mean you can't use it if you have Windows 10 or 11. It is still available in the Microsoft Store.

Whether you are trying to split an hour-long lecture into shorter pieces or cut important moments from an event, the "Split video" and "Trim video" tools will help you effectively edit the length.

You can try the timeline to view and navigate through the clips. Put the vertical line where you want to cut and press "Add splinter". Adjust the time scale for a more precise video cutting.

The software is user-friendly and provides other tools, such as combining clips, adding music and text, and cropping. You can even create collages with videos and photos.

4. Microsoft Photos

The Photos application is a free photo-editing software included in the Windows 10 operating system. Despite the name of the software, it also allows you to view and edit the video length.

The app includes a "Trim" feature which facilitates quickly cutting out unwanted sections. Simply open the clip and click "Trim" in the upper left part of the screen. Then adjust the start and end points.

It allows users to conveniently view, organize, and modify their photos and videos. The app has an easy interface that makes it a convenient option.

Furthermore, it has powerful tools for creating slideshows and albums.

5. Clipchamp

Clipchamp is a powerful app for Windows users. Its straightforward layout with simple tools and multiple editing features will help you get professional-looking results in minutes.

The software allows you to trim your footage down to a specific length or remove unwanted sections. You can split videos, rearrange the clips, duplicate, copy, and paste them.

The program also provides several other editing options. You can add text, transitions, filters, and effects, as well as adjust the brightness, contrast, and saturation levels. You can mute the sound or save as audio.

There is a paid plan, but the only extra features it offers are the export of 4K resolution and premium stock, filters, and effects. The free version is more than enough for everyday needs. There won't be any watermarks if you don't use pro features.

Overall, Clipchamp is an excellent choice for anyone seeking software equipped with powerful tools. It's intuitive and packed with things that make it effortless to create high-quality projects free of charge.

6. Davinci Resolve

Davinci Resolve serves as a powerful editing program.

You can swiftly cut clips, add transitions, and rearrange your timeline using drag-and-drop functions. Plus, its view makes it easy to keep track of all your edits.

In addition to cutting videos, you can try the program to color grade your footage with advanced curves and tracking tools. It also offers professional audio recording and mixing capabilities with full control over volume levels, panning, and more.

This all-in-one suite allows you to edit, color grade, and mix projects from start to finish. Additionally, the software includes an extensive library of stock elements, royalty-free music, and sound effects.

DaVinci Resolve has been used for editing films and TV shows, including Avatar, American Horror Story, Pirates of the Caribbean, Big Bang Theory, Criminal Minds, La La Land, The Walking Dead, and others.

Overall, Davinci Resolve is a great option. It offers an extensive collection of functions that allow you to produce beautiful results from beginning to end.

7. Adobe Premiere Rush

Adobe Premiere Rush is one of the best free video cutters and editors available. Even beginners can quickly learn the basics and start working.

The person can quickly access the tools they need without searching through menus or settings. Plus, the software supports keyboard shortcuts (the S key to split the video), making it easy to create projects efficiently.

After you've cut your MP4 or other type, you can quickly add transitions between clips, ensuring a smooth workflow and professional-looking results.

The program also comes with a variety of video editing options, allowing you to loop, crop, and rotate clips. There are options for adding titles, voiceovers, audio effects, and more.

In summary, Adobe Premiere Rush is a powerful yet easy tool for professional-level clips in no time at all. Its ability to quickly make changes makes it perfect for breaking footage into smaller chunks or larger projects alike.

8. Lightworks

Lightworks is a powerful editor. It is utilized by filmmakers and broadcasters around the world to produce magnificent clips.

The video-cutting software enables people to trim, break apart, and join elements effortlessly. It also has an extensive selection of transitions, effects, and titles for giving your projects a professional look.

The interface has a drag-and-drop system, which makes it easy to move clips around the timeline. There are also advanced features such as multi-track editing and keyframe animation.

If you are used to the keyboard layout of another program (Adobe Premiere, Apple Final Cut, Blackmagic Resolve, etc.), you can choose its layout in Lightworks.

Overall, Lightworks provides an outstanding option for those searching for a powerful editing software with numerous features.

9. VLC Media Player

VLC Media Player is an open-source, cross-platform multimedia player. It supports a wide variety of formats, including DVD, Blu-ray, 3D, and Ultra HD (4K).

The program allows you to edit the video length. You need to move the slider to the beginning of the segment you want to keep. Then click "Record", play the content, and hit the same button. The trimmed clip will be saved in the original folder.

Aside from cutting videos, the media player also allows you to convert to other extensions, including audio.

Overall, VLC Media Player is an incredibly versatile tool that lets you play all sorts of files and even edit them.

10. Gihosoft Free Video Cutter

Gihosoft has software that enables you to easily split large files into smaller pieces.

It has a straightforward interface. All you need to do is select a start and end time for the clip they want to cut. You can do so by choosing the moment on the timeline or by manually setting the time in the text box.

This software allows you to add multiple files, crop each of them to the desired length, rearrange their order, and merge the clips into one project.

Overall, Gihosoft Free Video Cutter is a great program for people who only want to edit the length and don't need any additional functions.

11. Kapwing

Kapwing is an online multimedia editing platform that allows you to create and edit clips, images, and GIFs. It provides a variety of tools, including adding text, incorporating subtitles, and more.

You can use "Split" to divide the video into parts (the S key shortcut). If you need to change the length, there is the "Trim" function available.

Users can export their edited content in various formats. You can even make a GIF from your result.

The service offers further resources for seasoned people, such as layering or adding background audio. With its library of free stock images and music, you can easily generate content without any concerns about copyright issues.

Whether you're a beginner or an experienced editor, Kapwing has something for everyone.

12. Clideo

Clideo is a web-based platform. You can cut your video online without the need to download any software.

The platform allows you to either extract or delete the selected segment. You can also choose to add a fade-in or fade-out effect before saving.

It allows users to change the file format, enabling even to extract the audio track from video.

Overall, if you are aiming to alter content in any manner, Clideo has everything you need.

13. Video Candy

Video Candy is a platform that offers a simple interface. It allows users to remove unwanted parts in a few clicks. Utilizing its simple drag-and-drop tools, you can rapidly cut clips without any prior experience.

You can either drag the playhead along the timeline to choose the section you want to keep or select the specific cut timing.

Once you've picked the part you want to keep, you can fade to black or remove the audio if needed. The result will be securely stored and prepared for downloading, editing, or sharing.

The service also offers other tools such as merger, cropper, resizer, and even screen recorder. With their help, you can perform various tasks within the same platform.

Overall, Video Candy is great for beginners and experienced editors alike. You can quickly trim your videos without worrying about complex software.

14. Media Cope

Media Cope is a versatile multimedia software solution designed to streamline the management and editing of audio, video, and image files. With its comprehensive suite of features, you can efficiently organize and convert content.

It provides powerful editing tools for both audio and video. You can trim, merge, or split tracks with precision, adjusting volume levels and applying effects as needed. Similarly, editing capabilities allow for tasks such as cutting scenes, merging clips, and setting parameters like resolution and frame rate.

To expedite workflow efficiency, Media Cope supports batch media processing, enabling you to apply changes to multiple files simultaneously.

15. iPhone built-in video cutter

The default Photos app offers intuitive controls, with a timeline slider that allows you to select the exact portion you wish to keep. This functionality is seamless and doesn't require additional software or complex steps.

For a more detailed edit, users can also rotate video or set the aspect ratio in addition to trimming.

FAQ

Is it possible to cut a video without changing its quality?

Yes, as long as the software you're using is not re-encoding when making cuts (this is often referred to as "lossless"), the quality shouldn't degrade.

What is the difference between cutting a video and trimming it?

In strict terms, cutting refers to splitting into different sections. Trimming shortens the content by removing footage from the beginning or end. However, they are often utilized interchangeably.

Do video cutters also support audio files?

Yes, many apps let you work with sound as well. You can usually trim it, remove the track, and even replace.

Can I cut videos on my smartphone?

Absolutely. Both iOS and Android offer native applications for basic editing. Plus, you can try online services that provide more advanced tools.

Do I need to convert to a specific format before cutting?

Not necessarily. Most modern editing software can handle a variety of common formats (e.g., MP4, MOV, AVI).

Does cutting the video reduce its size?

Yes, removing sections reduces its duration and therefore the size of the file. If the file is still too large for your needs, you can use a video compressor.

Can I join the parts I cut from different videos into a new one?

Yes. This process is called merging, and many editing tools offer this feature.

Why are there sync issues?

These can occur if you split the video at non-keyframe points, causing the frames to shift and the audio to become misaligned. To avoid this, ensure your clip is cut at keyframe positions.

Tips on using any video cutter

1. Create a backup before you start cutting it. You never know what could go wrong!
2. Check the format to make sure it's compatible with the app. Converting to MP4, a widely accepted format, may help if you're having compatibility trouble.
3. Organize files into folders so they're easier to locate and open when you're ready to cut your video.
4. Trim unwanted footage first, then add effects and transitions if needed. This will help avoid any awkward pauses between different clips.
5. Check the levels. Low or distorted audio can have a negative effect on your final product.
6. Preview the result before saving it. This will provide you with the opportunity to make any last-minute adjustments if needed.
7. Be creative with your editing and don't be afraid to experiment. You may discover unexpected features and create something unique!

Conclusion

As you can see, each of the options listed above has its unique features, pros, and cons. Some are more suited for professionals who need a wide range of advanced tools, while others cater more to beginners or those who prefer simplicity and ease of use.

Remember that the best video cutter is not necessarily the most expensive or the most feature-rich. It's the one that fits your specific needs and tech-savviness.

Give the video trimming tools mentioned in this article a try to see which one can make you the maestro of your editing process. Experiment with different applications until you discover the one that best suits your style and needs.