The Top 5 Free Apps to Merge or Split Video Files

Editing videos can be surprisingly complex. With a serious tool like Adobe Premiere Pro, it could take days to get comfortable with the application.

If all that you need to do is split MP4 files or merge video files together into a single, larger clip, you might be interested in a simpler option.

There are many free tools you can use for splitting and merging video files—the tricky part is finding the ones worth using. In this article, we’re going to run through the best apps for merging and splitting videos, plain and simple.

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MP4Tools is an open-source project that consists of two utilities: a tool used to join video files, and one that lets you split MP4 files. It’s a free video splicer and video splitter, all in one.

MP4Splitter is for splitting an MP4 video file into multiple pieces.

MP4Joiner, on the other hand, is for merging MP4 video files together.

No other video types are supported, but seeing as how MP4 is the most popular video format, that’s not a huge problem. In fact, it might actually be a benefit.

MP4Tools can split and merge MP4 videos without re-encoding. Re-encoding takes time and often results in a loss of quality, which is why MP4Tools can do instant cutting and splice videos together at source quality. This is why it’s our favorite free video merger app. You can force re-encoding if you’d like to, however.

Splitting is as easy as loading a video file, adding “split points,” and clicking Start Splitting. Merging is even easier: add the individual video files, then click Join.

Download: MP4Tools for Windows and Mac (Free)

2. Machete Video Editor

As far as lightweight video merger and editor apps are concerned, Machete Video Editor is one of the best. As long as you export your videos with the same settings as your source videos, it will not re-encode them, much like MP4Tools.

The downside to the Lite version of Machete is that it only works with AVI and WMV formats. To unlock FLV, MP4, MKV, MOV, and several additional audio formats, you’ll need to purchase the full version.

To split a video, click Play > Jump to time and navigate to a starting timestamp, then click the Set the beginning of a selection button. Navigate to an ending timestamp and click Set the end of a selection. Then, click Save the selection as to export the clip.

To merge videos, load the first clip (they don’t necessarily need to be in the correct order), then use Play > Jump to time to navigate to where you want to insert the next clip, and click Edit > Insert a file at the current position. Repeat for all clips, then go to File > Save As to finish.

Download: Machete Video Editor Lite for Windows (Free)

Download: Machete Video Editor for Windows ($19.95, free trial available)

Related: Online Video Editors and Converters You’re Going to Love

3. Format Factory

We hesitate to recommend Format Factory because it requires over 150 MB to install—a hefty amount of space if all you want to do is split and merge video clips. But, if you also need to convert between formats or rip from CDs and DVDs, this option might be worth your while.

To split a video, click the output format you want in the sidebar. Then, click Add File and load the video. Click Option, set the Start Time and End Time to wherever you want the split, then click OK. Lastly, click Start to begin the splitting task.

To join videos together, go to Utilities > Video Joiner in the sidebar. Set the proper Output Setting, then click Add File to load all of the individual clips. Lastly, once everything is in order, click OK and then Start to begin.

Download: Format Factory for Windows (Free)

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4. Avidemux

While Avidemux is technically a video editor, it’s quite simple when compared to something like Adobe Premiere. You only have to click a few buttons to do what you want, especially if all that you need is a tool to split and merge MP4 files.

Avidemux supports AVI, FLV, MP4, MPG, and MKV formats, which will generally have you covered in most cases. Avidemux is another way to merge videos free of an annoying re-encode, so long as your output settings are exactly the same as the input. You’ll be saving time and preserving video quality.

To split a video, load it and click Time at the bottom. Set the starting timestamp of the split and click the Set start marker button. Next, navigate to the ending timestamp of the split. Click Set end marker. Lastly, click File > Save to save everything between markers as a clip.

To use the merge video tool, load the first clip with File > Open, then load subsequent clips with File > Append. You must do it in the order that you want them merged. Save the combined video with File > Save.

Download: Avidemux for Windows, Mac, and Linux (Free)

5. Freemake Video Converter

Freemake Video Converter supports over 500 video and audio formats. It’s easy to use, but the free version adds a watermark.

For $9 per year (or a $19-lifetime payment), the watermarking is removed and the video conversions become even faster. Unfortunately, splitting and merging always re-encodes, but it’ll be time well-spent if you need edited media on a tight turnaround.

To split a video, load it in with the +Video button, then click to edit. Use the playback timeline and the Start Selection and Selection End buttons (under the Cutting section) to select a timeframe. When finished, click OK and then one of the output buttons at the bottom to export.

To merge videos, add as many clips as you want with +Video, and then enable the Join files toggle at the top right. Drag and drop to sequence the clips, then click one of the output buttons at the bottom to export.

Download: Freemake Video Converter for Windows (Free, in-app purchases available)

How to Splice Videos Together and Split Them Without Paying a Dime

The professional video editors in Hollywood have their work cut out for them, no pun intended. Some of us, though? Our needs really don’t go beyond the occasional need to split or combine video files.

If you happen to fall into this second category, any of these simple apps will help you merge video files or pull them apart, no problem at all. Download, install, and away you go.