Best Free Video Trimmers 2026: 6 Options Compared

Trimming a clip is the simplest edit, and the best tool depends on whether you want to keep the original quality. LosslessCut cuts without re-encoding, so a trim takes seconds and the video stays identical, though cuts snap to keyframes for some formats. Avidemux is a small desktop editor for cutting, filtering and encoding, and it supports re-encoding when needed. Shotcut is a full editor, heavier than you need for one cut but with accurate frame control and no watermark. Online tools save the install: Clipchamp exports up to 1080p with no watermark, while Kapwing, VEED and CapCut offer more features but impose limits, watermarks or paid exports. If you only want to share a section, an online trimmer is fastest. If you work with large files or care about exact quality, use a desktop tool, because uploading a multi-gigabyte recording is slow. Always check that the exported length and audio sync look right, particularly after a lossless cut where the first frames can freeze until the next keyframe. Keep the original file until you have watched the trimmed version end to end.

LosslessCut

GPL-2.0 FFmpeg GUI for lossless trimming and merging without re-encoding, on Windows, macOS and Linux. Fast and keeps quality; cut points may snap to keyframes.

Price: Free (Free and open source; app-store builds exist for Mac, Windows and Snap) (LosslessCut pricing, checked 2026-10-23).

Platforms and license: Windows, macOS, Linux. GPL-2.0 (open source).

Project activity: 45.3k GitHub stars · latest release v3.70.1 (Oct 19, 2026) · last commit Oct 27, 2026

Best for: Fast, lossless cuts.

Worth knowing: Cross-platform FFmpeg GUI for lossless trimming, merging and remuxing without re-encoding, and for extracting audio and subtitle tracks.

Avidemux

GPL editor for simple cutting, filtering and encoding on Linux, BSD, macOS and Windows. Light and quick for a single cut, with an older interface.

Price: Free (Avidemux pricing, checked 2026-10-23).

Platforms and license: Windows, macOS, Linux. GPL-2.0 (open source).

Project activity: 984 GitHub stars · latest release 2.8.1 (Sep 21, 2022) · last commit Oct 26, 2026

Best for: Cutting and re-encoding a clip.

Shotcut

GPL-3.0 full editor for Windows, macOS and Linux with precise cuts and no watermark. More than you need for one trim, but useful if edits follow.

Price: Free (Shotcut pricing, checked 2026-10-23).

Platforms and license: Desktop. GPL-3.0 (open source).

Project activity: 15.5k GitHub stars · latest release v26.9.27 (Sep 28, 2026) · last commit Oct 27, 2026

Best for: Trimming plus further editing.

Clipchamp

Free exports up to 1080p with no watermark in the browser or Windows app. Premium stock and effects are paid extras.

Price: Free (Free: export up to 1080p with no watermark; premium stock assets, premium filters and effects, and brand kit not included) (Clipchamp pricing, checked 2026-10-23).

Platforms and license: Web, Windows. Proprietary.

Best for: Online trimming without a mark.

Compare: Clipchamp alternatives

Kapwing

Browser editor with a trim tool. Free exports are 720p with a watermark; Pro is $16 a month. Handy when you cannot install software.

Price: Free (Free: 10 credits, watermarked exports, 720p, up to 4 minutes per video, 30 minutes of export a month, 2 GB uploads, 5 GB storage kept for 3 days); paid from $16 per month (Pro, 1,000 credits; the page has a monthly/annual toggle with 33% off annual but does not state which the $16 is) (Kapwing pricing, checked 2026-10-24).

Platforms and license: Web. Proprietary.

Best for: Quick online cuts.

Compare: Kapwing alternatives

CapCut

Free plan with basic editing tools on desktop, mobile and web. Good for trimming clips before posting, with Pro at $19.99 a month.

Price: Free (Free plan includes free templates and basic editing tools; the page gives no numeric limits); paid from $19.99 per month (Pro, monthly; $179.99 billed yearly) (CapCut pricing, checked 2026-10-22).

Platforms and license: Desktop, Mobile, Web. Proprietary.

Best for: Trimming on a phone.

Compare: CapCut alternatives

Which one to pick

• You want the original quality kept: LosslessCut
• You need a desktop tool with a few extra filters: Avidemux
• You want an online tool with no watermark: Clipchamp
• You want to trim on your phone: CapCut