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New In 2024, Video Editing vs Visual Effects Premiere vs After Effects Explained
Video Editing vs Visual Effects: Premiere vs After Effects Explained
After Effects VS Adobe Premiere, 9 Differences Tell You Which One is Better?
Benjamin Arango
Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions
This is perhaps the most asked question regarding video processing on the internet. And looking at the product descriptions on the Adobe site gives us a clue why. There seems to be a large overlap between the two programs, and technically there is, although as we shall see capability doesn’t always mean suitability, so the similarities are not quite as pronounced as they would appear.
With that in mind, it is worth looking at the key differences between After Effects and Premiere to get a clearer understanding of what is best for which situation and why you would pick one program over the other. So below are the 9 points that I will make a comparison.
Comparison Table
| After Effects | Adobe Premiere | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $31.49/month | $31.49/month |
| Offcial Features | Create motion graphics and visual effects | Professional video and film editing |
| Includes 100GB of cloud storage | Includes 100GB of cloud storage | |
| Support | Phone/Live/Ticket/Training | Phone/Live/Ticket/Training |
| Users | Advanced/Average | Advanced/Average/Naive |
| Device | Win/Mac/Android/iPhone | Win/Mac/Android/iPhone |
This is a basic tutorial about Adobe Premiere, professional video editing software. However, if video editing is new to you, consider Wondershare Filmora , which is a powerful but easy-to-use tool for users just starting out. Download the free trial version below.
Download Mac Version ](https://tools.techidaily.com/wondershare/filmora/download/ )
After Effects VS Adobe Premiere
1Timeline
There are numerous editing differences between the two programs, but we will start with the timeline as it perhaps best illustrates the different focus of each package. Premiere has a very detailed timeline panel with a huge amount of functionality built in to move through and manipulate the contents of a project. After Effects, on the other hand, has less options for dealing with multiple clips and is designed to deal with the composite components in a more user friendly way.
The upshot of this would be the basic premise of the differences, for editing clips into a movie, whilst both can perform the task to an extent, Premiere’s timeline interface makes it a much easier process with many more options to make technical editing easier for the user.
2Editing
In addition to the timeline, Premiere has an interface and toolset built for precise editing and clip manipulation, both audio and video. This is not surprising of course, Premiere is after all first and foremost an editing package. By contrast, whilst there is editing functionality within After Effects, it is neither as user friendly, nor remotely as comprehensive a tool set, and as such would not be a suitable environment for extensive editing workflow.
This is perhaps the crux of the differences between the two packages, for editing work Premiere offers a complete toolset far beyond the requirements for many projects, but as comprehensive as one wishes, whilst After Effects is focus more on composites and motion video work and has an editing tool set that is not conducive to efficiency and ease of use.
3Audio Mixer
In today’s market the audio component on a video product can be as important as the visual aspects, the audio clip mixer within Premiere is a professional grade tool designed to offer precise control over a projects audio output and includes the ability to use VST3 industry standard plugins. Because After Effects is primarily a composite application it lacks the finesse of Premiere where audio is concerned. Again this shouldn’t be read as being an inferior program, it simply has a different focus.
4Mercury Playback Engine
In terms of perceived functionality probably not the top of the list, but Premiere uses this to employ either software (useful) or hardware (brilliant), assuming you have a compatible graphics card, accelerated real time renderless viewing of clips and sequences. This creates a much faster workflow for editing than is possible with After Effects beyond the previously mentioned tools and interface restrictions.
5 Multicam
In terms of editing this is where After Effects just isn’t comparable at all, the multi camera interface within Premiere is exceptionally featured and allows on the fly angle changes and edits and the ability to sync a single shot through numerous camera simultaneously. As said, the editing functionality on offer here is what Premiere exists for, and whilst both Premiere and After Effects are video manipulation packages, editing and composting are very different focuses, and the products reflect those differences.
6Media Management
Often overlooked but very important for project fidelity, the media management facilities within Premiere are designed around the needs of editing production and enable a much easier organizational approach for large projects than that of After Effects.
7Masking
This is where After Effects comes to the fore. The ability to create masks that track through scenes is a fundamental component of After Effects workflow and why it is so good for effects creation and compositing. None of these effects are readily achievable within Premiere as it ships, and even add ons will never achieve the fluidity and ease of use the purpose designed interface provides.
8 Camera Tracker
The 3D camera tracker within After Effects is an incredibly useful tool designed to replicate the camera movements within a given scene to allow new layers to be added that precisely match the original scene, essential for composite work and simply not possible within Premiere.
9 Effects
The collection of specific tools within After Effects for applying motion control effects, for color control, blurring shadows transitions and titles is vast, and whilst Premiere includes some of its own, it is clear that here After Effects has the edge and it once again highlights the different approach taken by each program. Premiere is primarily an editing application, it is designed to enable the fastest, most efficient and highest quality non-linear editing of a project possible. Within that framework it includes the ability, both natively and with plugins, to incorporate a limited range transitions and effects to aid the editing process.
After Effects, however, is an application built around effects, it is designed to allow an almost unlimited variety of effects, transitions and animations to be incorporated into a project via compositing and as such has a wealth of tools to enable the efficient workflow of those tasks, including some editing tools that would likely be needed for that job.
Conclusion
I’ve seen it explained before in terms of Word and Excel. You can compose a letter in Excel and create a spreadsheet in Word with the tables functionality, but the end result will take much longer and never be quite as good doing it that way. This perhaps is the best way to explain the relationship between Premiere and After Effects.
Yes, a spec sheet makes the two programs seem somewhat comparable, but it is the focus of each application that shows why they differ so much. Ultimately, the best use of these programs is together, they complement each other perfectly.
Benjamin Arango
Benjamin Arango is a writer and a lover of all things video.
Follow @Benjamin Arango
Benjamin Arango
Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions
This is perhaps the most asked question regarding video processing on the internet. And looking at the product descriptions on the Adobe site gives us a clue why. There seems to be a large overlap between the two programs, and technically there is, although as we shall see capability doesn’t always mean suitability, so the similarities are not quite as pronounced as they would appear.
With that in mind, it is worth looking at the key differences between After Effects and Premiere to get a clearer understanding of what is best for which situation and why you would pick one program over the other. So below are the 9 points that I will make a comparison.
Comparison Table
| After Effects | Adobe Premiere | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $31.49/month | $31.49/month |
| Offcial Features | Create motion graphics and visual effects | Professional video and film editing |
| Includes 100GB of cloud storage | Includes 100GB of cloud storage | |
| Support | Phone/Live/Ticket/Training | Phone/Live/Ticket/Training |
| Users | Advanced/Average | Advanced/Average/Naive |
| Device | Win/Mac/Android/iPhone | Win/Mac/Android/iPhone |
This is a basic tutorial about Adobe Premiere, professional video editing software. However, if video editing is new to you, consider Wondershare Filmora , which is a powerful but easy-to-use tool for users just starting out. Download the free trial version below.
Download Mac Version ](https://tools.techidaily.com/wondershare/filmora/download/ )
After Effects VS Adobe Premiere
1Timeline
There are numerous editing differences between the two programs, but we will start with the timeline as it perhaps best illustrates the different focus of each package. Premiere has a very detailed timeline panel with a huge amount of functionality built in to move through and manipulate the contents of a project. After Effects, on the other hand, has less options for dealing with multiple clips and is designed to deal with the composite components in a more user friendly way.
The upshot of this would be the basic premise of the differences, for editing clips into a movie, whilst both can perform the task to an extent, Premiere’s timeline interface makes it a much easier process with many more options to make technical editing easier for the user.
2Editing
In addition to the timeline, Premiere has an interface and toolset built for precise editing and clip manipulation, both audio and video. This is not surprising of course, Premiere is after all first and foremost an editing package. By contrast, whilst there is editing functionality within After Effects, it is neither as user friendly, nor remotely as comprehensive a tool set, and as such would not be a suitable environment for extensive editing workflow.
This is perhaps the crux of the differences between the two packages, for editing work Premiere offers a complete toolset far beyond the requirements for many projects, but as comprehensive as one wishes, whilst After Effects is focus more on composites and motion video work and has an editing tool set that is not conducive to efficiency and ease of use.
3Audio Mixer
In today’s market the audio component on a video product can be as important as the visual aspects, the audio clip mixer within Premiere is a professional grade tool designed to offer precise control over a projects audio output and includes the ability to use VST3 industry standard plugins. Because After Effects is primarily a composite application it lacks the finesse of Premiere where audio is concerned. Again this shouldn’t be read as being an inferior program, it simply has a different focus.
4Mercury Playback Engine
In terms of perceived functionality probably not the top of the list, but Premiere uses this to employ either software (useful) or hardware (brilliant), assuming you have a compatible graphics card, accelerated real time renderless viewing of clips and sequences. This creates a much faster workflow for editing than is possible with After Effects beyond the previously mentioned tools and interface restrictions.
5 Multicam
In terms of editing this is where After Effects just isn’t comparable at all, the multi camera interface within Premiere is exceptionally featured and allows on the fly angle changes and edits and the ability to sync a single shot through numerous camera simultaneously. As said, the editing functionality on offer here is what Premiere exists for, and whilst both Premiere and After Effects are video manipulation packages, editing and composting are very different focuses, and the products reflect those differences.
6Media Management
Often overlooked but very important for project fidelity, the media management facilities within Premiere are designed around the needs of editing production and enable a much easier organizational approach for large projects than that of After Effects.
7Masking
This is where After Effects comes to the fore. The ability to create masks that track through scenes is a fundamental component of After Effects workflow and why it is so good for effects creation and compositing. None of these effects are readily achievable within Premiere as it ships, and even add ons will never achieve the fluidity and ease of use the purpose designed interface provides.
8 Camera Tracker
The 3D camera tracker within After Effects is an incredibly useful tool designed to replicate the camera movements within a given scene to allow new layers to be added that precisely match the original scene, essential for composite work and simply not possible within Premiere.
9 Effects
The collection of specific tools within After Effects for applying motion control effects, for color control, blurring shadows transitions and titles is vast, and whilst Premiere includes some of its own, it is clear that here After Effects has the edge and it once again highlights the different approach taken by each program. Premiere is primarily an editing application, it is designed to enable the fastest, most efficient and highest quality non-linear editing of a project possible. Within that framework it includes the ability, both natively and with plugins, to incorporate a limited range transitions and effects to aid the editing process.
After Effects, however, is an application built around effects, it is designed to allow an almost unlimited variety of effects, transitions and animations to be incorporated into a project via compositing and as such has a wealth of tools to enable the efficient workflow of those tasks, including some editing tools that would likely be needed for that job.
Conclusion
I’ve seen it explained before in terms of Word and Excel. You can compose a letter in Excel and create a spreadsheet in Word with the tables functionality, but the end result will take much longer and never be quite as good doing it that way. This perhaps is the best way to explain the relationship between Premiere and After Effects.
Yes, a spec sheet makes the two programs seem somewhat comparable, but it is the focus of each application that shows why they differ so much. Ultimately, the best use of these programs is together, they complement each other perfectly.
Benjamin Arango
Benjamin Arango is a writer and a lover of all things video.
Follow @Benjamin Arango
Benjamin Arango
Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions
This is perhaps the most asked question regarding video processing on the internet. And looking at the product descriptions on the Adobe site gives us a clue why. There seems to be a large overlap between the two programs, and technically there is, although as we shall see capability doesn’t always mean suitability, so the similarities are not quite as pronounced as they would appear.
With that in mind, it is worth looking at the key differences between After Effects and Premiere to get a clearer understanding of what is best for which situation and why you would pick one program over the other. So below are the 9 points that I will make a comparison.
Comparison Table
| After Effects | Adobe Premiere | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $31.49/month | $31.49/month |
| Offcial Features | Create motion graphics and visual effects | Professional video and film editing |
| Includes 100GB of cloud storage | Includes 100GB of cloud storage | |
| Support | Phone/Live/Ticket/Training | Phone/Live/Ticket/Training |
| Users | Advanced/Average | Advanced/Average/Naive |
| Device | Win/Mac/Android/iPhone | Win/Mac/Android/iPhone |
This is a basic tutorial about Adobe Premiere, professional video editing software. However, if video editing is new to you, consider Wondershare Filmora , which is a powerful but easy-to-use tool for users just starting out. Download the free trial version below.
Download Mac Version ](https://tools.techidaily.com/wondershare/filmora/download/ )
After Effects VS Adobe Premiere
1Timeline
There are numerous editing differences between the two programs, but we will start with the timeline as it perhaps best illustrates the different focus of each package. Premiere has a very detailed timeline panel with a huge amount of functionality built in to move through and manipulate the contents of a project. After Effects, on the other hand, has less options for dealing with multiple clips and is designed to deal with the composite components in a more user friendly way.
The upshot of this would be the basic premise of the differences, for editing clips into a movie, whilst both can perform the task to an extent, Premiere’s timeline interface makes it a much easier process with many more options to make technical editing easier for the user.
2Editing
In addition to the timeline, Premiere has an interface and toolset built for precise editing and clip manipulation, both audio and video. This is not surprising of course, Premiere is after all first and foremost an editing package. By contrast, whilst there is editing functionality within After Effects, it is neither as user friendly, nor remotely as comprehensive a tool set, and as such would not be a suitable environment for extensive editing workflow.
This is perhaps the crux of the differences between the two packages, for editing work Premiere offers a complete toolset far beyond the requirements for many projects, but as comprehensive as one wishes, whilst After Effects is focus more on composites and motion video work and has an editing tool set that is not conducive to efficiency and ease of use.
3Audio Mixer
In today’s market the audio component on a video product can be as important as the visual aspects, the audio clip mixer within Premiere is a professional grade tool designed to offer precise control over a projects audio output and includes the ability to use VST3 industry standard plugins. Because After Effects is primarily a composite application it lacks the finesse of Premiere where audio is concerned. Again this shouldn’t be read as being an inferior program, it simply has a different focus.
4Mercury Playback Engine
In terms of perceived functionality probably not the top of the list, but Premiere uses this to employ either software (useful) or hardware (brilliant), assuming you have a compatible graphics card, accelerated real time renderless viewing of clips and sequences. This creates a much faster workflow for editing than is possible with After Effects beyond the previously mentioned tools and interface restrictions.
5 Multicam
In terms of editing this is where After Effects just isn’t comparable at all, the multi camera interface within Premiere is exceptionally featured and allows on the fly angle changes and edits and the ability to sync a single shot through numerous camera simultaneously. As said, the editing functionality on offer here is what Premiere exists for, and whilst both Premiere and After Effects are video manipulation packages, editing and composting are very different focuses, and the products reflect those differences.
6Media Management
Often overlooked but very important for project fidelity, the media management facilities within Premiere are designed around the needs of editing production and enable a much easier organizational approach for large projects than that of After Effects.
7Masking
This is where After Effects comes to the fore. The ability to create masks that track through scenes is a fundamental component of After Effects workflow and why it is so good for effects creation and compositing. None of these effects are readily achievable within Premiere as it ships, and even add ons will never achieve the fluidity and ease of use the purpose designed interface provides.
8 Camera Tracker
The 3D camera tracker within After Effects is an incredibly useful tool designed to replicate the camera movements within a given scene to allow new layers to be added that precisely match the original scene, essential for composite work and simply not possible within Premiere.
9 Effects
The collection of specific tools within After Effects for applying motion control effects, for color control, blurring shadows transitions and titles is vast, and whilst Premiere includes some of its own, it is clear that here After Effects has the edge and it once again highlights the different approach taken by each program. Premiere is primarily an editing application, it is designed to enable the fastest, most efficient and highest quality non-linear editing of a project possible. Within that framework it includes the ability, both natively and with plugins, to incorporate a limited range transitions and effects to aid the editing process.
After Effects, however, is an application built around effects, it is designed to allow an almost unlimited variety of effects, transitions and animations to be incorporated into a project via compositing and as such has a wealth of tools to enable the efficient workflow of those tasks, including some editing tools that would likely be needed for that job.
Conclusion
I’ve seen it explained before in terms of Word and Excel. You can compose a letter in Excel and create a spreadsheet in Word with the tables functionality, but the end result will take much longer and never be quite as good doing it that way. This perhaps is the best way to explain the relationship between Premiere and After Effects.
Yes, a spec sheet makes the two programs seem somewhat comparable, but it is the focus of each application that shows why they differ so much. Ultimately, the best use of these programs is together, they complement each other perfectly.
Benjamin Arango
Benjamin Arango is a writer and a lover of all things video.
Follow @Benjamin Arango
Benjamin Arango
Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions
This is perhaps the most asked question regarding video processing on the internet. And looking at the product descriptions on the Adobe site gives us a clue why. There seems to be a large overlap between the two programs, and technically there is, although as we shall see capability doesn’t always mean suitability, so the similarities are not quite as pronounced as they would appear.
With that in mind, it is worth looking at the key differences between After Effects and Premiere to get a clearer understanding of what is best for which situation and why you would pick one program over the other. So below are the 9 points that I will make a comparison.
Comparison Table
| After Effects | Adobe Premiere | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $31.49/month | $31.49/month |
| Offcial Features | Create motion graphics and visual effects | Professional video and film editing |
| Includes 100GB of cloud storage | Includes 100GB of cloud storage | |
| Support | Phone/Live/Ticket/Training | Phone/Live/Ticket/Training |
| Users | Advanced/Average | Advanced/Average/Naive |
| Device | Win/Mac/Android/iPhone | Win/Mac/Android/iPhone |
This is a basic tutorial about Adobe Premiere, professional video editing software. However, if video editing is new to you, consider Wondershare Filmora , which is a powerful but easy-to-use tool for users just starting out. Download the free trial version below.
Download Mac Version ](https://tools.techidaily.com/wondershare/filmora/download/ )
After Effects VS Adobe Premiere
1Timeline
There are numerous editing differences between the two programs, but we will start with the timeline as it perhaps best illustrates the different focus of each package. Premiere has a very detailed timeline panel with a huge amount of functionality built in to move through and manipulate the contents of a project. After Effects, on the other hand, has less options for dealing with multiple clips and is designed to deal with the composite components in a more user friendly way.
The upshot of this would be the basic premise of the differences, for editing clips into a movie, whilst both can perform the task to an extent, Premiere’s timeline interface makes it a much easier process with many more options to make technical editing easier for the user.
2Editing
In addition to the timeline, Premiere has an interface and toolset built for precise editing and clip manipulation, both audio and video. This is not surprising of course, Premiere is after all first and foremost an editing package. By contrast, whilst there is editing functionality within After Effects, it is neither as user friendly, nor remotely as comprehensive a tool set, and as such would not be a suitable environment for extensive editing workflow.
This is perhaps the crux of the differences between the two packages, for editing work Premiere offers a complete toolset far beyond the requirements for many projects, but as comprehensive as one wishes, whilst After Effects is focus more on composites and motion video work and has an editing tool set that is not conducive to efficiency and ease of use.
3Audio Mixer
In today’s market the audio component on a video product can be as important as the visual aspects, the audio clip mixer within Premiere is a professional grade tool designed to offer precise control over a projects audio output and includes the ability to use VST3 industry standard plugins. Because After Effects is primarily a composite application it lacks the finesse of Premiere where audio is concerned. Again this shouldn’t be read as being an inferior program, it simply has a different focus.
4Mercury Playback Engine
In terms of perceived functionality probably not the top of the list, but Premiere uses this to employ either software (useful) or hardware (brilliant), assuming you have a compatible graphics card, accelerated real time renderless viewing of clips and sequences. This creates a much faster workflow for editing than is possible with After Effects beyond the previously mentioned tools and interface restrictions.
5 Multicam
In terms of editing this is where After Effects just isn’t comparable at all, the multi camera interface within Premiere is exceptionally featured and allows on the fly angle changes and edits and the ability to sync a single shot through numerous camera simultaneously. As said, the editing functionality on offer here is what Premiere exists for, and whilst both Premiere and After Effects are video manipulation packages, editing and composting are very different focuses, and the products reflect those differences.
6Media Management
Often overlooked but very important for project fidelity, the media management facilities within Premiere are designed around the needs of editing production and enable a much easier organizational approach for large projects than that of After Effects.
7Masking
This is where After Effects comes to the fore. The ability to create masks that track through scenes is a fundamental component of After Effects workflow and why it is so good for effects creation and compositing. None of these effects are readily achievable within Premiere as it ships, and even add ons will never achieve the fluidity and ease of use the purpose designed interface provides.
8 Camera Tracker
The 3D camera tracker within After Effects is an incredibly useful tool designed to replicate the camera movements within a given scene to allow new layers to be added that precisely match the original scene, essential for composite work and simply not possible within Premiere.
9 Effects
The collection of specific tools within After Effects for applying motion control effects, for color control, blurring shadows transitions and titles is vast, and whilst Premiere includes some of its own, it is clear that here After Effects has the edge and it once again highlights the different approach taken by each program. Premiere is primarily an editing application, it is designed to enable the fastest, most efficient and highest quality non-linear editing of a project possible. Within that framework it includes the ability, both natively and with plugins, to incorporate a limited range transitions and effects to aid the editing process.
After Effects, however, is an application built around effects, it is designed to allow an almost unlimited variety of effects, transitions and animations to be incorporated into a project via compositing and as such has a wealth of tools to enable the efficient workflow of those tasks, including some editing tools that would likely be needed for that job.
Conclusion
I’ve seen it explained before in terms of Word and Excel. You can compose a letter in Excel and create a spreadsheet in Word with the tables functionality, but the end result will take much longer and never be quite as good doing it that way. This perhaps is the best way to explain the relationship between Premiere and After Effects.
Yes, a spec sheet makes the two programs seem somewhat comparable, but it is the focus of each application that shows why they differ so much. Ultimately, the best use of these programs is together, they complement each other perfectly.
Benjamin Arango
Benjamin Arango is a writer and a lover of all things video.
Follow @Benjamin Arango
Looking for VSDC on Mac? Try These Alternative Video Editors
VSDC Free Video Editor for Mac: Get Best Alternatives
Richard Bennett
Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions
VSDC is one of the most popular freeware software among beginners and intermediate-level video editors. But it is limited only to Windows users. Even after multiple requests from the users and tech-critics, VSDC isn’t likely to release a VSDC Mac version soon. So, it is best to look for VSDC alternatives for Mac.
Scroll down to find the best alternatives to VSDC for a Mac.
- Part 1: Best VSDC for Mac Alternative - Filmora for Mac (Recommended)
- Part 2: Top 3 VSDC Video Editor for Mac Alternatives
Part 1: Best VSDC for Mac Alternative - Filmora for Mac (Recommended)
Although not completely free, Wondershare Filmora is one of the most suitable video-editing tool for Mac users. Not only is it superior to the VSDC, but it is also considered one of the most powerful utilities in the video-editing realm by critics and users. Why? Well…
- Starting with the simple interface that includes an array of features to distinguish as a sophisticated video editing tool for Mac.
- The regular addition of new features like Auto Reframe to smartly crop your video and integration of the cloud-based stock library are what make this software powerful and superior
- Plus, you can choose the presets and edit up to 4K videos at 60fps. The drag-and-drop feature allows you to add media files, and the preview section lets you see the edited video in real-time.
- The timeline is simple yet powerful, and the customizable settings allow you to use the combination of mouse, keyboard, and icons controls and make the video-editing process seamless.
So, it is not tough to discern why Filmora is considered as one of the most authoritative video editor for Mac users. Moreover, as mentioned, the software is not absolutely free. Still, you can use most of its features in free version.
Part 2: Top 3 VSDC Video Editor for Mac Alternatives
After reviewing hundreds of freeware software, we have come up with the three best VSDC alternatives.
1. ShotCut
A simple, free, and open-source software that makes the video-making process straightforward. Filled with interesting ideas and powerful features, the greatest thing about ShotCut is that besides being free — it is regularly updated and maintained by the vendor. The interface has a three-panel view and adding media files is as simple as dragging and dropping.
The software also includes rich features like keyframing, color correction, transition and lets you edit up to 4K resolution video with ease. But unlike VSDC, ShotCut does not have multiple preset transition effects and includes only 24 basic wipe-in or out effects. Still, the software has sophisticated features like Chroma Key and allows you to utilize third-party addons for text and titles as the application does not have many of them.
Pros:
- Lightweight for a sophisticated video-editor
- The interface is simple and convenient and allows you to customize the toggles as per your preference
- Numerous output options — supports major formats and offers you to export the footage in any format
- Completely free platforms plus cross-platform support
Cons:
- The app does not allow you to create layers automatically.
- It could be tough for a newbie to work on ShotCut.
- The application takes too long to show the applied effects; even simple transition effects suffer from latency.
2. OpenShot
Another free and open-source program, OpenShot, has the ability to give you high-quality output with minimal effort. The software includes all the basic functions like resizing, scaling, trimming, and audio mixing with real-time previews. Plus, it also incorporates features for animated-based keyframing and creating 2D animation with image sequencing.
Moreover, like the VSDC, there are also presets to give 3D effects like snowfall, text, and lens flares, and other effects to the video. Nonetheless, if you want to take these into your hand and need more flexibility over transition, effects, filters, and more then you will have to look elsewhere. Because although great, OpenShot does have gaps and excludes critical features, meaning if you want to give artistic effects and personalize the video as much as possible, OpenShot is not suitable for you.
Pros:
- OpenShot user-friendly, intuitive interface enables users to utilize all the editing functions effortlessly.
- The dedicated preview-video section allows you to view the edited video in real-time and see if everything is done perfectly or not.
- Includes some basic 2D and 3D transition, plus it also includes filters and effects.
- Audio equalizer lets you work on every aspect of the audio and tune the music finely.
Cons:
- Many users have criticized the OpenShot video editor for lagging and crashing issues while editing high-resolution videos
- Even after multiple requests from the users, OpenShot does not support GPU acceleration for encoding and decoding the video files.
- Some critical features are missing.
3. Avidemux
Like VSDC, Avidemux is also a freeware that includes all the basic options to edit the video and is much suitable for beginner-level users. However, if you are intermediate or expert in video editing, Avidemux is not the one you need. The reason: Avidemux does have basic options like cutting, trimming, splitting, and more. Still, when it comes to sophisticated features like creative effects, transition, Avidemux does not have dedicated functions for that. Moreover, as usual for the video editors, the Timeline feature is also missing from the software.
Of course, in comparison to VSDC, Avidemux falls short. Because all it can do is the basic video editing, encoding, and de-noising. Other than that, it cannot boast about anything. Still, given the simple interface, Avidemux is perfect for newbies who do not have much experience with video editing. Be that as it may, if you are serious regarding video-editing, you should get a more powerful video editor on Mac.
Pros:
- The simple interface allows even the naivest users to use the application to the fullest
- The application has all the basic video-editing features like cutting, splitting, trimming
- Avidemux is excellent for encoding options; one of the industry’s finest, in fact.
- Sharpening and de-noising filters to give fine details to the video
Cons:
- Avidemux does not have advanced video-editing options like effects and transition
- Lack the much important timeline feature
Part 3: Final Words
VSDC is a powerful and unique tool. The above-listed freeware like ShotCut, OpenShot, and Avidemux are good alternatives to it. But after reviewing several video editors — this is the closest we came to finding something similar to VSDC. And understanding that Mac users will need all the powerful functions that VSDC incorporates, Filmora for Mac that includes everything that VSDC has and more! The Filmora for Mac is also free to utilize, so you can simply download the software and edit videos like professionals.
Richard Bennett
Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.
Follow @Richard Bennett
Richard Bennett
Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions
VSDC is one of the most popular freeware software among beginners and intermediate-level video editors. But it is limited only to Windows users. Even after multiple requests from the users and tech-critics, VSDC isn’t likely to release a VSDC Mac version soon. So, it is best to look for VSDC alternatives for Mac.
Scroll down to find the best alternatives to VSDC for a Mac.
- Part 1: Best VSDC for Mac Alternative - Filmora for Mac (Recommended)
- Part 2: Top 3 VSDC Video Editor for Mac Alternatives
Part 1: Best VSDC for Mac Alternative - Filmora for Mac (Recommended)
Although not completely free, Wondershare Filmora is one of the most suitable video-editing tool for Mac users. Not only is it superior to the VSDC, but it is also considered one of the most powerful utilities in the video-editing realm by critics and users. Why? Well…
- Starting with the simple interface that includes an array of features to distinguish as a sophisticated video editing tool for Mac.
- The regular addition of new features like Auto Reframe to smartly crop your video and integration of the cloud-based stock library are what make this software powerful and superior
- Plus, you can choose the presets and edit up to 4K videos at 60fps. The drag-and-drop feature allows you to add media files, and the preview section lets you see the edited video in real-time.
- The timeline is simple yet powerful, and the customizable settings allow you to use the combination of mouse, keyboard, and icons controls and make the video-editing process seamless.
So, it is not tough to discern why Filmora is considered as one of the most authoritative video editor for Mac users. Moreover, as mentioned, the software is not absolutely free. Still, you can use most of its features in free version.
Part 2: Top 3 VSDC Video Editor for Mac Alternatives
After reviewing hundreds of freeware software, we have come up with the three best VSDC alternatives.
1. ShotCut
A simple, free, and open-source software that makes the video-making process straightforward. Filled with interesting ideas and powerful features, the greatest thing about ShotCut is that besides being free — it is regularly updated and maintained by the vendor. The interface has a three-panel view and adding media files is as simple as dragging and dropping.
The software also includes rich features like keyframing, color correction, transition and lets you edit up to 4K resolution video with ease. But unlike VSDC, ShotCut does not have multiple preset transition effects and includes only 24 basic wipe-in or out effects. Still, the software has sophisticated features like Chroma Key and allows you to utilize third-party addons for text and titles as the application does not have many of them.
Pros:
- Lightweight for a sophisticated video-editor
- The interface is simple and convenient and allows you to customize the toggles as per your preference
- Numerous output options — supports major formats and offers you to export the footage in any format
- Completely free platforms plus cross-platform support
Cons:
- The app does not allow you to create layers automatically.
- It could be tough for a newbie to work on ShotCut.
- The application takes too long to show the applied effects; even simple transition effects suffer from latency.
2. OpenShot
Another free and open-source program, OpenShot, has the ability to give you high-quality output with minimal effort. The software includes all the basic functions like resizing, scaling, trimming, and audio mixing with real-time previews. Plus, it also incorporates features for animated-based keyframing and creating 2D animation with image sequencing.
Moreover, like the VSDC, there are also presets to give 3D effects like snowfall, text, and lens flares, and other effects to the video. Nonetheless, if you want to take these into your hand and need more flexibility over transition, effects, filters, and more then you will have to look elsewhere. Because although great, OpenShot does have gaps and excludes critical features, meaning if you want to give artistic effects and personalize the video as much as possible, OpenShot is not suitable for you.
Pros:
- OpenShot user-friendly, intuitive interface enables users to utilize all the editing functions effortlessly.
- The dedicated preview-video section allows you to view the edited video in real-time and see if everything is done perfectly or not.
- Includes some basic 2D and 3D transition, plus it also includes filters and effects.
- Audio equalizer lets you work on every aspect of the audio and tune the music finely.
Cons:
- Many users have criticized the OpenShot video editor for lagging and crashing issues while editing high-resolution videos
- Even after multiple requests from the users, OpenShot does not support GPU acceleration for encoding and decoding the video files.
- Some critical features are missing.
3. Avidemux
Like VSDC, Avidemux is also a freeware that includes all the basic options to edit the video and is much suitable for beginner-level users. However, if you are intermediate or expert in video editing, Avidemux is not the one you need. The reason: Avidemux does have basic options like cutting, trimming, splitting, and more. Still, when it comes to sophisticated features like creative effects, transition, Avidemux does not have dedicated functions for that. Moreover, as usual for the video editors, the Timeline feature is also missing from the software.
Of course, in comparison to VSDC, Avidemux falls short. Because all it can do is the basic video editing, encoding, and de-noising. Other than that, it cannot boast about anything. Still, given the simple interface, Avidemux is perfect for newbies who do not have much experience with video editing. Be that as it may, if you are serious regarding video-editing, you should get a more powerful video editor on Mac.
Pros:
- The simple interface allows even the naivest users to use the application to the fullest
- The application has all the basic video-editing features like cutting, splitting, trimming
- Avidemux is excellent for encoding options; one of the industry’s finest, in fact.
- Sharpening and de-noising filters to give fine details to the video
Cons:
- Avidemux does not have advanced video-editing options like effects and transition
- Lack the much important timeline feature
Part 3: Final Words
VSDC is a powerful and unique tool. The above-listed freeware like ShotCut, OpenShot, and Avidemux are good alternatives to it. But after reviewing several video editors — this is the closest we came to finding something similar to VSDC. And understanding that Mac users will need all the powerful functions that VSDC incorporates, Filmora for Mac that includes everything that VSDC has and more! The Filmora for Mac is also free to utilize, so you can simply download the software and edit videos like professionals.
Richard Bennett
Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.
Follow @Richard Bennett
Richard Bennett
Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions
VSDC is one of the most popular freeware software among beginners and intermediate-level video editors. But it is limited only to Windows users. Even after multiple requests from the users and tech-critics, VSDC isn’t likely to release a VSDC Mac version soon. So, it is best to look for VSDC alternatives for Mac.
Scroll down to find the best alternatives to VSDC for a Mac.
- Part 1: Best VSDC for Mac Alternative - Filmora for Mac (Recommended)
- Part 2: Top 3 VSDC Video Editor for Mac Alternatives
Part 1: Best VSDC for Mac Alternative - Filmora for Mac (Recommended)
Although not completely free, Wondershare Filmora is one of the most suitable video-editing tool for Mac users. Not only is it superior to the VSDC, but it is also considered one of the most powerful utilities in the video-editing realm by critics and users. Why? Well…
- Starting with the simple interface that includes an array of features to distinguish as a sophisticated video editing tool for Mac.
- The regular addition of new features like Auto Reframe to smartly crop your video and integration of the cloud-based stock library are what make this software powerful and superior
- Plus, you can choose the presets and edit up to 4K videos at 60fps. The drag-and-drop feature allows you to add media files, and the preview section lets you see the edited video in real-time.
- The timeline is simple yet powerful, and the customizable settings allow you to use the combination of mouse, keyboard, and icons controls and make the video-editing process seamless.
So, it is not tough to discern why Filmora is considered as one of the most authoritative video editor for Mac users. Moreover, as mentioned, the software is not absolutely free. Still, you can use most of its features in free version.
Part 2: Top 3 VSDC Video Editor for Mac Alternatives
After reviewing hundreds of freeware software, we have come up with the three best VSDC alternatives.
1. ShotCut
A simple, free, and open-source software that makes the video-making process straightforward. Filled with interesting ideas and powerful features, the greatest thing about ShotCut is that besides being free — it is regularly updated and maintained by the vendor. The interface has a three-panel view and adding media files is as simple as dragging and dropping.
The software also includes rich features like keyframing, color correction, transition and lets you edit up to 4K resolution video with ease. But unlike VSDC, ShotCut does not have multiple preset transition effects and includes only 24 basic wipe-in or out effects. Still, the software has sophisticated features like Chroma Key and allows you to utilize third-party addons for text and titles as the application does not have many of them.
Pros:
- Lightweight for a sophisticated video-editor
- The interface is simple and convenient and allows you to customize the toggles as per your preference
- Numerous output options — supports major formats and offers you to export the footage in any format
- Completely free platforms plus cross-platform support
Cons:
- The app does not allow you to create layers automatically.
- It could be tough for a newbie to work on ShotCut.
- The application takes too long to show the applied effects; even simple transition effects suffer from latency.
2. OpenShot
Another free and open-source program, OpenShot, has the ability to give you high-quality output with minimal effort. The software includes all the basic functions like resizing, scaling, trimming, and audio mixing with real-time previews. Plus, it also incorporates features for animated-based keyframing and creating 2D animation with image sequencing.
Moreover, like the VSDC, there are also presets to give 3D effects like snowfall, text, and lens flares, and other effects to the video. Nonetheless, if you want to take these into your hand and need more flexibility over transition, effects, filters, and more then you will have to look elsewhere. Because although great, OpenShot does have gaps and excludes critical features, meaning if you want to give artistic effects and personalize the video as much as possible, OpenShot is not suitable for you.
Pros:
- OpenShot user-friendly, intuitive interface enables users to utilize all the editing functions effortlessly.
- The dedicated preview-video section allows you to view the edited video in real-time and see if everything is done perfectly or not.
- Includes some basic 2D and 3D transition, plus it also includes filters and effects.
- Audio equalizer lets you work on every aspect of the audio and tune the music finely.
Cons:
- Many users have criticized the OpenShot video editor for lagging and crashing issues while editing high-resolution videos
- Even after multiple requests from the users, OpenShot does not support GPU acceleration for encoding and decoding the video files.
- Some critical features are missing.
3. Avidemux
Like VSDC, Avidemux is also a freeware that includes all the basic options to edit the video and is much suitable for beginner-level users. However, if you are intermediate or expert in video editing, Avidemux is not the one you need. The reason: Avidemux does have basic options like cutting, trimming, splitting, and more. Still, when it comes to sophisticated features like creative effects, transition, Avidemux does not have dedicated functions for that. Moreover, as usual for the video editors, the Timeline feature is also missing from the software.
Of course, in comparison to VSDC, Avidemux falls short. Because all it can do is the basic video editing, encoding, and de-noising. Other than that, it cannot boast about anything. Still, given the simple interface, Avidemux is perfect for newbies who do not have much experience with video editing. Be that as it may, if you are serious regarding video-editing, you should get a more powerful video editor on Mac.
Pros:
- The simple interface allows even the naivest users to use the application to the fullest
- The application has all the basic video-editing features like cutting, splitting, trimming
- Avidemux is excellent for encoding options; one of the industry’s finest, in fact.
- Sharpening and de-noising filters to give fine details to the video
Cons:
- Avidemux does not have advanced video-editing options like effects and transition
- Lack the much important timeline feature
Part 3: Final Words
VSDC is a powerful and unique tool. The above-listed freeware like ShotCut, OpenShot, and Avidemux are good alternatives to it. But after reviewing several video editors — this is the closest we came to finding something similar to VSDC. And understanding that Mac users will need all the powerful functions that VSDC incorporates, Filmora for Mac that includes everything that VSDC has and more! The Filmora for Mac is also free to utilize, so you can simply download the software and edit videos like professionals.
Richard Bennett
Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.
Follow @Richard Bennett
Richard Bennett
Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions
VSDC is one of the most popular freeware software among beginners and intermediate-level video editors. But it is limited only to Windows users. Even after multiple requests from the users and tech-critics, VSDC isn’t likely to release a VSDC Mac version soon. So, it is best to look for VSDC alternatives for Mac.
Scroll down to find the best alternatives to VSDC for a Mac.
- Part 1: Best VSDC for Mac Alternative - Filmora for Mac (Recommended)
- Part 2: Top 3 VSDC Video Editor for Mac Alternatives
Part 1: Best VSDC for Mac Alternative - Filmora for Mac (Recommended)
Although not completely free, Wondershare Filmora is one of the most suitable video-editing tool for Mac users. Not only is it superior to the VSDC, but it is also considered one of the most powerful utilities in the video-editing realm by critics and users. Why? Well…
- Starting with the simple interface that includes an array of features to distinguish as a sophisticated video editing tool for Mac.
- The regular addition of new features like Auto Reframe to smartly crop your video and integration of the cloud-based stock library are what make this software powerful and superior
- Plus, you can choose the presets and edit up to 4K videos at 60fps. The drag-and-drop feature allows you to add media files, and the preview section lets you see the edited video in real-time.
- The timeline is simple yet powerful, and the customizable settings allow you to use the combination of mouse, keyboard, and icons controls and make the video-editing process seamless.
So, it is not tough to discern why Filmora is considered as one of the most authoritative video editor for Mac users. Moreover, as mentioned, the software is not absolutely free. Still, you can use most of its features in free version.
Part 2: Top 3 VSDC Video Editor for Mac Alternatives
After reviewing hundreds of freeware software, we have come up with the three best VSDC alternatives.
1. ShotCut
A simple, free, and open-source software that makes the video-making process straightforward. Filled with interesting ideas and powerful features, the greatest thing about ShotCut is that besides being free — it is regularly updated and maintained by the vendor. The interface has a three-panel view and adding media files is as simple as dragging and dropping.
The software also includes rich features like keyframing, color correction, transition and lets you edit up to 4K resolution video with ease. But unlike VSDC, ShotCut does not have multiple preset transition effects and includes only 24 basic wipe-in or out effects. Still, the software has sophisticated features like Chroma Key and allows you to utilize third-party addons for text and titles as the application does not have many of them.
Pros:
- Lightweight for a sophisticated video-editor
- The interface is simple and convenient and allows you to customize the toggles as per your preference
- Numerous output options — supports major formats and offers you to export the footage in any format
- Completely free platforms plus cross-platform support
Cons:
- The app does not allow you to create layers automatically.
- It could be tough for a newbie to work on ShotCut.
- The application takes too long to show the applied effects; even simple transition effects suffer from latency.
2. OpenShot
Another free and open-source program, OpenShot, has the ability to give you high-quality output with minimal effort. The software includes all the basic functions like resizing, scaling, trimming, and audio mixing with real-time previews. Plus, it also incorporates features for animated-based keyframing and creating 2D animation with image sequencing.
Moreover, like the VSDC, there are also presets to give 3D effects like snowfall, text, and lens flares, and other effects to the video. Nonetheless, if you want to take these into your hand and need more flexibility over transition, effects, filters, and more then you will have to look elsewhere. Because although great, OpenShot does have gaps and excludes critical features, meaning if you want to give artistic effects and personalize the video as much as possible, OpenShot is not suitable for you.
Pros:
- OpenShot user-friendly, intuitive interface enables users to utilize all the editing functions effortlessly.
- The dedicated preview-video section allows you to view the edited video in real-time and see if everything is done perfectly or not.
- Includes some basic 2D and 3D transition, plus it also includes filters and effects.
- Audio equalizer lets you work on every aspect of the audio and tune the music finely.
Cons:
- Many users have criticized the OpenShot video editor for lagging and crashing issues while editing high-resolution videos
- Even after multiple requests from the users, OpenShot does not support GPU acceleration for encoding and decoding the video files.
- Some critical features are missing.
3. Avidemux
Like VSDC, Avidemux is also a freeware that includes all the basic options to edit the video and is much suitable for beginner-level users. However, if you are intermediate or expert in video editing, Avidemux is not the one you need. The reason: Avidemux does have basic options like cutting, trimming, splitting, and more. Still, when it comes to sophisticated features like creative effects, transition, Avidemux does not have dedicated functions for that. Moreover, as usual for the video editors, the Timeline feature is also missing from the software.
Of course, in comparison to VSDC, Avidemux falls short. Because all it can do is the basic video editing, encoding, and de-noising. Other than that, it cannot boast about anything. Still, given the simple interface, Avidemux is perfect for newbies who do not have much experience with video editing. Be that as it may, if you are serious regarding video-editing, you should get a more powerful video editor on Mac.
Pros:
- The simple interface allows even the naivest users to use the application to the fullest
- The application has all the basic video-editing features like cutting, splitting, trimming
- Avidemux is excellent for encoding options; one of the industry’s finest, in fact.
- Sharpening and de-noising filters to give fine details to the video
Cons:
- Avidemux does not have advanced video-editing options like effects and transition
- Lack the much important timeline feature
Part 3: Final Words
VSDC is a powerful and unique tool. The above-listed freeware like ShotCut, OpenShot, and Avidemux are good alternatives to it. But after reviewing several video editors — this is the closest we came to finding something similar to VSDC. And understanding that Mac users will need all the powerful functions that VSDC incorporates, Filmora for Mac that includes everything that VSDC has and more! The Filmora for Mac is also free to utilize, so you can simply download the software and edit videos like professionals.
Richard Bennett
Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.
Follow @Richard Bennett
Unlock Cinematic Excellence: Easy Tips for Creating Stunning Videos
How to Easily Make Professional-looking Movies and Slideshow
Liza Brown
Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions
What a magic movie maker means to you? In my opinion, it should not only provide all common video edits that you need to stitch your photo/video clips together to make a complete movie, but also turns them quickly to professional-looking movie or slideshows that will impress everyone. Since you’re here, you probably look for such a magic video maker that make magical videos like this:
Download Mac Version ](https://tools.techidaily.com/wondershare/filmora/download/ )
What you need is a user-friendly way to put together film while helping you to add fancy creative effects and perfect for sharing. Wondershare Filmora for example is known for simple ways to connect your video and create a final film.
In this article, we’ll show you a step-by-step tutorial on how to make your video magical with Wondershare Filmora, and all steps are quick and easy. Get below free trial now.
Download Mac Version ](https://tools.techidaily.com/wondershare/filmora/download/ )
1 Import your media files
The magic media maker provides a User’s Album to manage your source files, and keep them intact for convenient access. To import your videos, audio or images to this program, simply click “Import” to browse your file folder or drag them directly to the primary window.
All imported files will show as thumbnails in the left pane. When they come into place, drag and drop these files to their corresponding Timeline.
2 Create your own masterpiece with handy tools
Now, go ahead to edit and personalize your videos. With comfortable Timeline-based editing and comprehensive drag-n-drop feature, you’ll find it easier than ever to get started in the world of video editing. The most important: this application features everything you need.
Basic Edit: Double click a video clip on the Timeline to pop up the editing panel. Here, you can rotate, crop, adjust brightness, contrast, saturation in the video pane, or change volume, pitch, set fade in/fade out effect in the audio pane. Apart from this, you can do cutting, copying, splitting, removing audio, etc. by a right menu click.
Add Elements: Adding elements like smooth transitions and colorful visual filters will polish your video instantly. And this magic video editor can do this by simple drag-n-drop. Click “Text”, “ Effect”, “PIP”, “Transition”, “Intro/Credit”, or “Sound” tab above the Timeline, you’ll see hundreds of free templates available to touch up your videos. Just pick your favorite one and drag them to the position to apply. When it comes into place, you can even adjust the play duration and set animation to achieve more.
Advanced Edit: The advanced editing for this Magic movie editor refers to the professional video editing tools like tilt-shift , mosaic , jump cut, face-off , and flash-n-hold that makes your video extraordinary. To do this, just click the “Power Tools” icon above the Timeline, and you’ll come to a window that helps you complete all the above effect in a click.
3. Save and share your creation
When you’re satisfied with the result in the previewing window, simply hit “Create” to save your creation. You can show off your video on popular video sharing sites like youtube , Facebook, Twitter, or save it in all popular formats to play on the go. Apart from that, you can also burn it to DVD with excellent quality to watch it on TV.
Congratulations! You’ve just made a stunning video ready to share. It’s pretty easy, fast, cool to create a home movie with this magic movie maker, right? Download the free trial and get started now!
Download Mac Version ](https://tools.techidaily.com/wondershare/filmora/download/ )
Liza Brown
Liza Brown is a writer and a lover of all things video.
Follow @Liza Brown
Liza Brown
Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions
What a magic movie maker means to you? In my opinion, it should not only provide all common video edits that you need to stitch your photo/video clips together to make a complete movie, but also turns them quickly to professional-looking movie or slideshows that will impress everyone. Since you’re here, you probably look for such a magic video maker that make magical videos like this:
Download Mac Version ](https://tools.techidaily.com/wondershare/filmora/download/ )
What you need is a user-friendly way to put together film while helping you to add fancy creative effects and perfect for sharing. Wondershare Filmora for example is known for simple ways to connect your video and create a final film.
In this article, we’ll show you a step-by-step tutorial on how to make your video magical with Wondershare Filmora, and all steps are quick and easy. Get below free trial now.
Download Mac Version ](https://tools.techidaily.com/wondershare/filmora/download/ )
1 Import your media files
The magic media maker provides a User’s Album to manage your source files, and keep them intact for convenient access. To import your videos, audio or images to this program, simply click “Import” to browse your file folder or drag them directly to the primary window.
All imported files will show as thumbnails in the left pane. When they come into place, drag and drop these files to their corresponding Timeline.
2 Create your own masterpiece with handy tools
Now, go ahead to edit and personalize your videos. With comfortable Timeline-based editing and comprehensive drag-n-drop feature, you’ll find it easier than ever to get started in the world of video editing. The most important: this application features everything you need.
Basic Edit: Double click a video clip on the Timeline to pop up the editing panel. Here, you can rotate, crop, adjust brightness, contrast, saturation in the video pane, or change volume, pitch, set fade in/fade out effect in the audio pane. Apart from this, you can do cutting, copying, splitting, removing audio, etc. by a right menu click.
Add Elements: Adding elements like smooth transitions and colorful visual filters will polish your video instantly. And this magic video editor can do this by simple drag-n-drop. Click “Text”, “ Effect”, “PIP”, “Transition”, “Intro/Credit”, or “Sound” tab above the Timeline, you’ll see hundreds of free templates available to touch up your videos. Just pick your favorite one and drag them to the position to apply. When it comes into place, you can even adjust the play duration and set animation to achieve more.
Advanced Edit: The advanced editing for this Magic movie editor refers to the professional video editing tools like tilt-shift , mosaic , jump cut, face-off , and flash-n-hold that makes your video extraordinary. To do this, just click the “Power Tools” icon above the Timeline, and you’ll come to a window that helps you complete all the above effect in a click.
3. Save and share your creation
When you’re satisfied with the result in the previewing window, simply hit “Create” to save your creation. You can show off your video on popular video sharing sites like youtube , Facebook, Twitter, or save it in all popular formats to play on the go. Apart from that, you can also burn it to DVD with excellent quality to watch it on TV.
Congratulations! You’ve just made a stunning video ready to share. It’s pretty easy, fast, cool to create a home movie with this magic movie maker, right? Download the free trial and get started now!
Download Mac Version ](https://tools.techidaily.com/wondershare/filmora/download/ )
Liza Brown
Liza Brown is a writer and a lover of all things video.
Follow @Liza Brown
Liza Brown
Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions
What a magic movie maker means to you? In my opinion, it should not only provide all common video edits that you need to stitch your photo/video clips together to make a complete movie, but also turns them quickly to professional-looking movie or slideshows that will impress everyone. Since you’re here, you probably look for such a magic video maker that make magical videos like this:
Download Mac Version ](https://tools.techidaily.com/wondershare/filmora/download/ )
What you need is a user-friendly way to put together film while helping you to add fancy creative effects and perfect for sharing. Wondershare Filmora for example is known for simple ways to connect your video and create a final film.
In this article, we’ll show you a step-by-step tutorial on how to make your video magical with Wondershare Filmora, and all steps are quick and easy. Get below free trial now.
Download Mac Version ](https://tools.techidaily.com/wondershare/filmora/download/ )
1 Import your media files
The magic media maker provides a User’s Album to manage your source files, and keep them intact for convenient access. To import your videos, audio or images to this program, simply click “Import” to browse your file folder or drag them directly to the primary window.
All imported files will show as thumbnails in the left pane. When they come into place, drag and drop these files to their corresponding Timeline.
2 Create your own masterpiece with handy tools
Now, go ahead to edit and personalize your videos. With comfortable Timeline-based editing and comprehensive drag-n-drop feature, you’ll find it easier than ever to get started in the world of video editing. The most important: this application features everything you need.
Basic Edit: Double click a video clip on the Timeline to pop up the editing panel. Here, you can rotate, crop, adjust brightness, contrast, saturation in the video pane, or change volume, pitch, set fade in/fade out effect in the audio pane. Apart from this, you can do cutting, copying, splitting, removing audio, etc. by a right menu click.
Add Elements: Adding elements like smooth transitions and colorful visual filters will polish your video instantly. And this magic video editor can do this by simple drag-n-drop. Click “Text”, “ Effect”, “PIP”, “Transition”, “Intro/Credit”, or “Sound” tab above the Timeline, you’ll see hundreds of free templates available to touch up your videos. Just pick your favorite one and drag them to the position to apply. When it comes into place, you can even adjust the play duration and set animation to achieve more.
Advanced Edit: The advanced editing for this Magic movie editor refers to the professional video editing tools like tilt-shift , mosaic , jump cut, face-off , and flash-n-hold that makes your video extraordinary. To do this, just click the “Power Tools” icon above the Timeline, and you’ll come to a window that helps you complete all the above effect in a click.
3. Save and share your creation
When you’re satisfied with the result in the previewing window, simply hit “Create” to save your creation. You can show off your video on popular video sharing sites like youtube , Facebook, Twitter, or save it in all popular formats to play on the go. Apart from that, you can also burn it to DVD with excellent quality to watch it on TV.
Congratulations! You’ve just made a stunning video ready to share. It’s pretty easy, fast, cool to create a home movie with this magic movie maker, right? Download the free trial and get started now!
Download Mac Version ](https://tools.techidaily.com/wondershare/filmora/download/ )
Liza Brown
Liza Brown is a writer and a lover of all things video.
Follow @Liza Brown
Liza Brown
Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions
What a magic movie maker means to you? In my opinion, it should not only provide all common video edits that you need to stitch your photo/video clips together to make a complete movie, but also turns them quickly to professional-looking movie or slideshows that will impress everyone. Since you’re here, you probably look for such a magic video maker that make magical videos like this:
Download Mac Version ](https://tools.techidaily.com/wondershare/filmora/download/ )
What you need is a user-friendly way to put together film while helping you to add fancy creative effects and perfect for sharing. Wondershare Filmora for example is known for simple ways to connect your video and create a final film.
In this article, we’ll show you a step-by-step tutorial on how to make your video magical with Wondershare Filmora, and all steps are quick and easy. Get below free trial now.
Download Mac Version ](https://tools.techidaily.com/wondershare/filmora/download/ )
1 Import your media files
The magic media maker provides a User’s Album to manage your source files, and keep them intact for convenient access. To import your videos, audio or images to this program, simply click “Import” to browse your file folder or drag them directly to the primary window.
All imported files will show as thumbnails in the left pane. When they come into place, drag and drop these files to their corresponding Timeline.
2 Create your own masterpiece with handy tools
Now, go ahead to edit and personalize your videos. With comfortable Timeline-based editing and comprehensive drag-n-drop feature, you’ll find it easier than ever to get started in the world of video editing. The most important: this application features everything you need.
Basic Edit: Double click a video clip on the Timeline to pop up the editing panel. Here, you can rotate, crop, adjust brightness, contrast, saturation in the video pane, or change volume, pitch, set fade in/fade out effect in the audio pane. Apart from this, you can do cutting, copying, splitting, removing audio, etc. by a right menu click.
Add Elements: Adding elements like smooth transitions and colorful visual filters will polish your video instantly. And this magic video editor can do this by simple drag-n-drop. Click “Text”, “ Effect”, “PIP”, “Transition”, “Intro/Credit”, or “Sound” tab above the Timeline, you’ll see hundreds of free templates available to touch up your videos. Just pick your favorite one and drag them to the position to apply. When it comes into place, you can even adjust the play duration and set animation to achieve more.
Advanced Edit: The advanced editing for this Magic movie editor refers to the professional video editing tools like tilt-shift , mosaic , jump cut, face-off , and flash-n-hold that makes your video extraordinary. To do this, just click the “Power Tools” icon above the Timeline, and you’ll come to a window that helps you complete all the above effect in a click.
3. Save and share your creation
When you’re satisfied with the result in the previewing window, simply hit “Create” to save your creation. You can show off your video on popular video sharing sites like youtube , Facebook, Twitter, or save it in all popular formats to play on the go. Apart from that, you can also burn it to DVD with excellent quality to watch it on TV.
Congratulations! You’ve just made a stunning video ready to share. It’s pretty easy, fast, cool to create a home movie with this magic movie maker, right? Download the free trial and get started now!
Download Mac Version ](https://tools.techidaily.com/wondershare/filmora/download/ )
Liza Brown
Liza Brown is a writer and a lover of all things video.
Follow @Liza Brown
Here Are some of the Best Free and Paid Split-Screen Video Editors and Makers that You Can Use Online and Offline
Best Split Screen Video Editor [Online & Offline]
Ollie Mattison
Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions
The effect that comes up after adding two or more screens in a single frame is called split screen, and the tool that enables the users to do this is a split screen video editor. These split screens have significant importance in post-production tasks. That said, the following sections discuss about the tools that enable you to create split screen videos, and explain the process of doing so.
As mentioned above, the split screen effect lets you add two or more screens in a single frame. When multiple activities occur at the same time but at different locations, they all can be shown on one screen by placing their corresponding footages side-by-side or in any other arrangement that the split screen video maker allows.
Best Split Screen Video Editing Software for Windows and Mac [Free & Paid]
After understanding what split screen is, it becomes both obvious and mandatory to know about some of the most used split screen video editor applications, and how they help you in adding the effect to your movies. Following is a list of a couple of such programs:
1. iMovie
A proprietary of Apple, iMovie is available for both iOS and macOS, and is absolutely free of cost. Even though the tool lacks some advanced options for fine editing, it still offers a good platform to those planning their career in post-production industry. With simple UI, it is easy to learn iMovie.
The step-by-step instructions given below explain how to use iMovie to add split screen effect to your videos:
Step 1: Add Footages to iMovie
After importing the footages to the Media Bin in iMovie, drag the first one to the Timeline, and then drag the second one above the first layer.
Step 2: Select the Split Screen Effect
Select the top video layer in the Timeline, and choose Split Screen from the screen type drop-down list at the top.
Step 3: Select Split Screen Preset
Choose a position for the selected layer from the Position drop-down list at the top, and use the Slide slider to adjust the speed of the appearance of the footage.
Pros
- iMovie is free to download and use
- The program is available for both macOS and iOS
Cons
- Allows only up to two videos to be used in split screen
You can get iMovie from here: https://www.apple.com/in/imovie/
2. Wondershare Filmora Editor
One of the most robust apps that is compared with post-production applications like Adobe Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro X, Wondershare Filmora is also a video editor that helps split screen easily. The software is available for Windows and Mac computers, and provides prompt technical support to its consumers. Although Filmora that packed with more advanced tools is also available, most of the times Filmora serves the purpose pretty well.
You can learn how to add split screen effect in Wondershare Filmora by following the steps given below:
Step 1: Import Footages to Filmora
Launch Wondershare Filmora, click anywhere inside the Media window in the upper-left section, and import all the videos you want to use to create the split screen effect.
Step 2: Choose a Split Screen Preset
Click Split Screen from the standard toolbar at the top, click and drag your preferred preset to the Timeline, and then extend the duration of the effect in the Timeline by dragging its handle.
Step 3: Add Videos to Split Screen
Click ADVANCED from the bottom-right area of the Media pane, on the Advanced Split Screen Edit box, drag the first video from the left pane, and drop it on your preferred section in the right. Repeat the process to add all the other videos to their corresponding sections. Adjust their time of appearance by dragging their thumbnail in the Timeline of the box, and click OK.
Pros
- Wondershare Filmora is lightweight and is less resource intensive
- Allows as many as 6 videos to be added to create split screen effect
- Has 30+ split screen presets
Cons
- A couple of windows are required to be opened while working with split screen
3 . VSDC
VSDC is a free and efficient split screen video maker. In fact, the program is a full-fledged post-production application that can be used to edit the videos to prepare industry-standard clips for presentations, broadcasting, and commercial and private distribution. The best thing about VSDC is, it is absolutely free of cost, and doesn’t add any watermarks to the output files.
The instructions given below explain how to use the split screen feature in VSDC:
Step 1: Add Video Footages
Click Add object from the standard toolbar at the top, click Video, and select and add the first footage to the preview window. Repeat the process to add more video(s) as needed.
Step 2: Add Split Screen Effect
Grab any of the side handles of the video you added last, and drag it inward to reduce its size proportionally. Repeat the process to reduce the size of the other video(s) that is/are now revealed from beneath the one you just adjusted in order to create the split screen effect.
Pros
- Absolutely free to use
- Allows practically unlimited number of footages to be added to create the split screen videos
Cons
- No presets for automatic video positioning are available for split screen effect
You can get VSDC free video editor from here: http://www.videosoftdev.com/
4. Shotcut
A free and opensource editing tool, Shotcut can also be used as a split screen video maker to produce industry-standard movies and documentaries. Shotcut is available for FreeBSD, Windows, Linux, and macOS, and comes in both x64 and x86 variants. Being a free program, Shotcut doesn’t require any activation or registration.
The procedure that follows explains how to use Shortcut as a free split screen video editor:
Step 1: Add Clips to the Timeline
Import the footages to the Shotcut’s media bin, drag one of the clips from the bin to the Timeline at the bottom, and then press Ctrl + I on your keyboard to add more video tracks. You can press this shortcut key for another couple of times depending on the number films you want to use for the split screen effect. Next, drag each film from the bin to their corresponding tracks. Note: Make sure NOT to place all the clips on the same track, and that each of them is on a different, its own, video layer.
Step 2: Adjust the First Video
Select the last video you added to the Timeline (it should be the topmost track), click Filters from above the Timeline, click the + button from the upper-left corner, click Size and Position from the list that appears next, and select the clip’s position from the Preset drop-down list.
Step 3: Adjust Other Videos
Select the second video in the Timeline and repeat the process to set its position, and do the same for all other footages that you added in order to create the split screen effect.
Pros
- Available for FreeBSD, Windows, Linux, and macOS platforms
- If using presets, as many as 4 videos can be added for split screen effect
Cons
- Working with split screen manually may require practice and some calculations to position the clips on the screen correctly
You can get Shotcut from here: https://shotcut.org/
5. Lightworks
Used by the professionals to edit and prepare movies like Pulp Fiction, The Cure, L.A. Confidential, Bruce Almighty, The Wolf of Wall Street, etc., Lightworks is, in true means, a complete and full-fledged post-production application to create industry-standard outputs. The main reason for the app’s wide userbase is that it is a cross-platform software that is available for Linux, Mac, and Windows computers.
To use Lightworks as split screen video maker, you can follow the instructions given below:
Step 1: Add Tracks in Timeline
After importing the clips to Lightworks, leave them in the Media Bin for now, right-click anywhere in the Timeline at the bottom, go to Tracks, click Add multiple, and from the Number to add drop-down list, choose the number of tracks you want to add to the Timeline. Click Add to confirm the changes.
Step 2: Disable Auto Sync
Right-click anywhere in the Timeline, and click to deselect Auto track sync.
Step 3: Add Clips to Timeline
Drag the clips from the Media Bin to the Timeline. Make sure to place each footage on a different track, and that all the tracks are on top of each other. Optionally, right-click the audio that was added along with the clips, and click Remove from the context menu. Use this method to remove all the audios or leave the one you want to have. Note: Removing the audio tracks ensures that they do not overlap during the playback.
Step 4: Enable Split Screen
Click VFX from above the preview window, click the + (Add new effects) icon from the top of the left pane, select the DVE category from the upper-right corner of the left pane, scroll down the left pane to the Split-screen Presets section, and double-click your preferred split screen preset to add the effect to the participating clips.
Pros
- Even the free variant has split screen feature
- A complete post-production tool that doesn’t require any other program for finalizing the things
Cons
- Not many split screen presets are available
Download Lightworks free version from here: https://www.lwks.com/
6. Adobe Premiere Pro
One of the most appreciated and widely used post-production applications for Windows and Mac computers, Adobe Premiere Pro has been professionals’ first choice when it comes to video editing, irrespective of the fact that it has a steep learning curve, and is also a resource intensive software to work with.
The steps below explain how to use Adobe Premiere Pro as a split screen video maker:
Step 1: Add Videos to Timeline
After importing the clips to the Project window, drag each of them to the Timeline, and place them in their separate tracks one above the other.
Step 2: Position and Crop
Select the topmost video track in the Timeline, go to Effect Controls panel from the top of the upper-left pane, and use the Position slider to position the video to your preferred area of the screen. Repeat this process for all the clips in the Timeline you want to add to split screen.
Step 3: Crop the Clips
Search for the Crop effect in the Effects pane present at the lower-left corner, drag and drop the effect on each of the clips in the timeline, and use the Crop slider in the Effect Controls pane to crop the videos as needed. Optionally use the keyframes to add sliding animations to give more professional look to the split screen effect.
Pros
- Most robust and efficient video editing tool
- Allows practically unlimited number of videos to be used for split screen
Cons
- Requires subscription that needs to be renewed regularly
For more details about making split screen with Pr, check How to create a split screen in Premiere Pro
7. Final Cut Pro X
Available only for Mac computers at the time of this writing, Final Cut Pro X or FCPX gives tough competition to Adobe Premiere Pro. Since Apple devices are famous for their speedy processing, professionals any day prefer FCPX over Adobe Premiere Pro if they own a Mac PC running macOS.
You can use FCPX as split screen video maker by following the steps given below:
Step 1: Place Footages in the Timeline
As mentioned earlier, add the clips on top of each other on separate tracks in the Timeline of FCPX.
Step 2: Position and Crop
Select the first clip in the Timeline, from the Transform section of the Video Inspector pane in the right, use the Position slider to move the clip to your preferred side of the screen, and use the sliders from the Crop section to crop the footage to adjust the portion of interest. Repeat the process for the other video tracks as well to get your desired split screen effect in Final Cut Pro X.
Pros
- Offers quick and easy way to add split screen effect
- Allows practically unlimited number of videos to be used for split screen
Cons
- Doesn’t have any particular preset for split screen effect
You may also like: How to create a PIP video with Final Cut Pro X
Best Free Online Split Screen Video Editors
Apart from the desktop programs discussed above, there are a couple of web tools that can be used as split screen video maker online free. Two of the most used ones are introduced below:
1. Kapwing Collage Maker
Although Kapwing offers several other online tools like video resizer, meme generator, slideshow maker, etc., the solution that can be considered split screen video editor is Kapwing Collage Maker. This web app allows you to select a template to get started, and the rest of the process is simple.
The following steps explain how to create a split screen video with Kapwing:
Step 1: Add Clips to Preset
Go to the https://www.kapwing.com/collage link, click to select your preferred split screen preset, click REPLACE on one of the segments of the split screen on the next page, and select and upload the first video. Next, click REPLACE on the other segment(s), and select and upload the other videos as well.
Step 2: Reposition and Publish
Click and drag each of the added clips to reposition them on the screen, use the other tools to crop and adjust the videos as needed, and click Publish from the top-right corner. Note: Optionally you can click Timeline from the top of the preview window, adjust the timings and other settings as needed on the next page, and click Done. After this, you can go ahead and hit Publish to create the split screen effect out of the uploaded videos.
Pros
- Free to use
- Allows as many as 4 videos to create split screen effect
Cons
- Requires you to register and sign in to remove the watermark from the output file
2. WeVideo
Yet another split screen video maker online free solution, WeVideo offers almost desktop program-like experience while creating split screen effects. Even though all the subscription plans that the vendor offers are chargeable, the Education plan can be tried for 30 days for free, post which the teachers are required to pay to continue using the web tool.
The following steps explain how to get split screen effect with WeVideo:
Step 1: Import Videos
Visit https://www.wevideo.com and on the main window, click Video from under the Create a new section at the top, select a layout on the Let’s get started box, and click START EDITING from the bottom right corner. Next, click ADD in the My media window in the upper-left section, click BROWSE TO SELECT on the Import media box, and add the videos you want to use in the split screen effect.
Step 2: Add Clips to Timeline
As explained earlier, drag the videos from the My media pane and drop them in the Timeline. Make sure to place every video in its separate layer, and that all the layers are on top of each other.
Step 3: Create Split Screen Effect
Select any clip in the Timeline, and click the Open clip editor icon from the upper-left area of the track. On the next page, use the Scale slider to reduce the size of the selected clip, and from the preview window in the right, drag to reposition the video to your preferred location on the screen. Click SAVE CHANGES from the bottom of the left pane to confirm the settings. Repeat the process for the second clip in the Timeline to resize and reposition it on the screen. Click FINISH from the upper-right corner, on the next box, enter a name for the video in the available field, click SET, choose your preferred settings on the next page, and click EXPORT from the bottom-right corner to produce the split screen video.
Pros
- Free to use
- Allows multiple videos to be used for split screen
Cons
- Paid subscription is needed to remove watermark from the outputs
FAQs About Split Screen Video Editors
Why you should use split screen effect in video?
There are a couple of reasons you may want to use split screen effect in your video. Some of the most common uses include:
- Showing multiple actions by the same or different characters at the same time, without changing the screen
- Comparing multiple objects or picture quality. This can be done only when the entities in question are placed side-by-side
- Making your video look more professional
- Showing different effects on the same screen
Can I create a split screen video with Windows Movie Maker or Windows 10 Photos app?
No, you cannot. Although these tools enable you to resize the videos, since they don’t allow multi-tracked Timelines, no video clips can be placed one above the other which is an essential part for any split screen video maker to create the effect. However, as discussed above, there are several post-production tools, offline and online, that allow you to make split screen videos easily and without any cost.
Conclusion
Split screen video editor tools are both paid and free. Regardless of the program you use to create the effect, the output files always look more professional and informative. Furthermore, things become way simpler if the split screen video maker has simple UI, is less resource intensive, and is easy to use as it is the case with Wondershare Filmora.
Ollie Mattison
Ollie Mattison is a writer and a lover of all things video.
Follow @Ollie Mattison
Ollie Mattison
Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions
The effect that comes up after adding two or more screens in a single frame is called split screen, and the tool that enables the users to do this is a split screen video editor. These split screens have significant importance in post-production tasks. That said, the following sections discuss about the tools that enable you to create split screen videos, and explain the process of doing so.
As mentioned above, the split screen effect lets you add two or more screens in a single frame. When multiple activities occur at the same time but at different locations, they all can be shown on one screen by placing their corresponding footages side-by-side or in any other arrangement that the split screen video maker allows.
Best Split Screen Video Editing Software for Windows and Mac [Free & Paid]
After understanding what split screen is, it becomes both obvious and mandatory to know about some of the most used split screen video editor applications, and how they help you in adding the effect to your movies. Following is a list of a couple of such programs:
1. iMovie
A proprietary of Apple, iMovie is available for both iOS and macOS, and is absolutely free of cost. Even though the tool lacks some advanced options for fine editing, it still offers a good platform to those planning their career in post-production industry. With simple UI, it is easy to learn iMovie.
The step-by-step instructions given below explain how to use iMovie to add split screen effect to your videos:
Step 1: Add Footages to iMovie
After importing the footages to the Media Bin in iMovie, drag the first one to the Timeline, and then drag the second one above the first layer.
Step 2: Select the Split Screen Effect
Select the top video layer in the Timeline, and choose Split Screen from the screen type drop-down list at the top.
Step 3: Select Split Screen Preset
Choose a position for the selected layer from the Position drop-down list at the top, and use the Slide slider to adjust the speed of the appearance of the footage.
Pros
- iMovie is free to download and use
- The program is available for both macOS and iOS
Cons
- Allows only up to two videos to be used in split screen
You can get iMovie from here: https://www.apple.com/in/imovie/
2. Wondershare Filmora Editor
One of the most robust apps that is compared with post-production applications like Adobe Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro X, Wondershare Filmora is also a video editor that helps split screen easily. The software is available for Windows and Mac computers, and provides prompt technical support to its consumers. Although Filmora that packed with more advanced tools is also available, most of the times Filmora serves the purpose pretty well.
You can learn how to add split screen effect in Wondershare Filmora by following the steps given below:
Step 1: Import Footages to Filmora
Launch Wondershare Filmora, click anywhere inside the Media window in the upper-left section, and import all the videos you want to use to create the split screen effect.
Step 2: Choose a Split Screen Preset
Click Split Screen from the standard toolbar at the top, click and drag your preferred preset to the Timeline, and then extend the duration of the effect in the Timeline by dragging its handle.
Step 3: Add Videos to Split Screen
Click ADVANCED from the bottom-right area of the Media pane, on the Advanced Split Screen Edit box, drag the first video from the left pane, and drop it on your preferred section in the right. Repeat the process to add all the other videos to their corresponding sections. Adjust their time of appearance by dragging their thumbnail in the Timeline of the box, and click OK.
Pros
- Wondershare Filmora is lightweight and is less resource intensive
- Allows as many as 6 videos to be added to create split screen effect
- Has 30+ split screen presets
Cons
- A couple of windows are required to be opened while working with split screen
3 . VSDC
VSDC is a free and efficient split screen video maker. In fact, the program is a full-fledged post-production application that can be used to edit the videos to prepare industry-standard clips for presentations, broadcasting, and commercial and private distribution. The best thing about VSDC is, it is absolutely free of cost, and doesn’t add any watermarks to the output files.
The instructions given below explain how to use the split screen feature in VSDC:
Step 1: Add Video Footages
Click Add object from the standard toolbar at the top, click Video, and select and add the first footage to the preview window. Repeat the process to add more video(s) as needed.
Step 2: Add Split Screen Effect
Grab any of the side handles of the video you added last, and drag it inward to reduce its size proportionally. Repeat the process to reduce the size of the other video(s) that is/are now revealed from beneath the one you just adjusted in order to create the split screen effect.
Pros
- Absolutely free to use
- Allows practically unlimited number of footages to be added to create the split screen videos
Cons
- No presets for automatic video positioning are available for split screen effect
You can get VSDC free video editor from here: http://www.videosoftdev.com/
4. Shotcut
A free and opensource editing tool, Shotcut can also be used as a split screen video maker to produce industry-standard movies and documentaries. Shotcut is available for FreeBSD, Windows, Linux, and macOS, and comes in both x64 and x86 variants. Being a free program, Shotcut doesn’t require any activation or registration.
The procedure that follows explains how to use Shortcut as a free split screen video editor:
Step 1: Add Clips to the Timeline
Import the footages to the Shotcut’s media bin, drag one of the clips from the bin to the Timeline at the bottom, and then press Ctrl + I on your keyboard to add more video tracks. You can press this shortcut key for another couple of times depending on the number films you want to use for the split screen effect. Next, drag each film from the bin to their corresponding tracks. Note: Make sure NOT to place all the clips on the same track, and that each of them is on a different, its own, video layer.
Step 2: Adjust the First Video
Select the last video you added to the Timeline (it should be the topmost track), click Filters from above the Timeline, click the + button from the upper-left corner, click Size and Position from the list that appears next, and select the clip’s position from the Preset drop-down list.
Step 3: Adjust Other Videos
Select the second video in the Timeline and repeat the process to set its position, and do the same for all other footages that you added in order to create the split screen effect.
Pros
- Available for FreeBSD, Windows, Linux, and macOS platforms
- If using presets, as many as 4 videos can be added for split screen effect
Cons
- Working with split screen manually may require practice and some calculations to position the clips on the screen correctly
You can get Shotcut from here: https://shotcut.org/
5. Lightworks
Used by the professionals to edit and prepare movies like Pulp Fiction, The Cure, L.A. Confidential, Bruce Almighty, The Wolf of Wall Street, etc., Lightworks is, in true means, a complete and full-fledged post-production application to create industry-standard outputs. The main reason for the app’s wide userbase is that it is a cross-platform software that is available for Linux, Mac, and Windows computers.
To use Lightworks as split screen video maker, you can follow the instructions given below:
Step 1: Add Tracks in Timeline
After importing the clips to Lightworks, leave them in the Media Bin for now, right-click anywhere in the Timeline at the bottom, go to Tracks, click Add multiple, and from the Number to add drop-down list, choose the number of tracks you want to add to the Timeline. Click Add to confirm the changes.
Step 2: Disable Auto Sync
Right-click anywhere in the Timeline, and click to deselect Auto track sync.
Step 3: Add Clips to Timeline
Drag the clips from the Media Bin to the Timeline. Make sure to place each footage on a different track, and that all the tracks are on top of each other. Optionally, right-click the audio that was added along with the clips, and click Remove from the context menu. Use this method to remove all the audios or leave the one you want to have. Note: Removing the audio tracks ensures that they do not overlap during the playback.
Step 4: Enable Split Screen
Click VFX from above the preview window, click the + (Add new effects) icon from the top of the left pane, select the DVE category from the upper-right corner of the left pane, scroll down the left pane to the Split-screen Presets section, and double-click your preferred split screen preset to add the effect to the participating clips.
Pros
- Even the free variant has split screen feature
- A complete post-production tool that doesn’t require any other program for finalizing the things
Cons
- Not many split screen presets are available
Download Lightworks free version from here: https://www.lwks.com/
6. Adobe Premiere Pro
One of the most appreciated and widely used post-production applications for Windows and Mac computers, Adobe Premiere Pro has been professionals’ first choice when it comes to video editing, irrespective of the fact that it has a steep learning curve, and is also a resource intensive software to work with.
The steps below explain how to use Adobe Premiere Pro as a split screen video maker:
Step 1: Add Videos to Timeline
After importing the clips to the Project window, drag each of them to the Timeline, and place them in their separate tracks one above the other.
Step 2: Position and Crop
Select the topmost video track in the Timeline, go to Effect Controls panel from the top of the upper-left pane, and use the Position slider to position the video to your preferred area of the screen. Repeat this process for all the clips in the Timeline you want to add to split screen.
Step 3: Crop the Clips
Search for the Crop effect in the Effects pane present at the lower-left corner, drag and drop the effect on each of the clips in the timeline, and use the Crop slider in the Effect Controls pane to crop the videos as needed. Optionally use the keyframes to add sliding animations to give more professional look to the split screen effect.
Pros
- Most robust and efficient video editing tool
- Allows practically unlimited number of videos to be used for split screen
Cons
- Requires subscription that needs to be renewed regularly
For more details about making split screen with Pr, check How to create a split screen in Premiere Pro
7. Final Cut Pro X
Available only for Mac computers at the time of this writing, Final Cut Pro X or FCPX gives tough competition to Adobe Premiere Pro. Since Apple devices are famous for their speedy processing, professionals any day prefer FCPX over Adobe Premiere Pro if they own a Mac PC running macOS.
You can use FCPX as split screen video maker by following the steps given below:
Step 1: Place Footages in the Timeline
As mentioned earlier, add the clips on top of each other on separate tracks in the Timeline of FCPX.
Step 2: Position and Crop
Select the first clip in the Timeline, from the Transform section of the Video Inspector pane in the right, use the Position slider to move the clip to your preferred side of the screen, and use the sliders from the Crop section to crop the footage to adjust the portion of interest. Repeat the process for the other video tracks as well to get your desired split screen effect in Final Cut Pro X.
Pros
- Offers quick and easy way to add split screen effect
- Allows practically unlimited number of videos to be used for split screen
Cons
- Doesn’t have any particular preset for split screen effect
You may also like: How to create a PIP video with Final Cut Pro X
Best Free Online Split Screen Video Editors
Apart from the desktop programs discussed above, there are a couple of web tools that can be used as split screen video maker online free. Two of the most used ones are introduced below:
1. Kapwing Collage Maker
Although Kapwing offers several other online tools like video resizer, meme generator, slideshow maker, etc., the solution that can be considered split screen video editor is Kapwing Collage Maker. This web app allows you to select a template to get started, and the rest of the process is simple.
The following steps explain how to create a split screen video with Kapwing:
Step 1: Add Clips to Preset
Go to the https://www.kapwing.com/collage link, click to select your preferred split screen preset, click REPLACE on one of the segments of the split screen on the next page, and select and upload the first video. Next, click REPLACE on the other segment(s), and select and upload the other videos as well.
Step 2: Reposition and Publish
Click and drag each of the added clips to reposition them on the screen, use the other tools to crop and adjust the videos as needed, and click Publish from the top-right corner. Note: Optionally you can click Timeline from the top of the preview window, adjust the timings and other settings as needed on the next page, and click Done. After this, you can go ahead and hit Publish to create the split screen effect out of the uploaded videos.
Pros
- Free to use
- Allows as many as 4 videos to create split screen effect
Cons
- Requires you to register and sign in to remove the watermark from the output file
2. WeVideo
Yet another split screen video maker online free solution, WeVideo offers almost desktop program-like experience while creating split screen effects. Even though all the subscription plans that the vendor offers are chargeable, the Education plan can be tried for 30 days for free, post which the teachers are required to pay to continue using the web tool.
The following steps explain how to get split screen effect with WeVideo:
Step 1: Import Videos
Visit https://www.wevideo.com and on the main window, click Video from under the Create a new section at the top, select a layout on the Let’s get started box, and click START EDITING from the bottom right corner. Next, click ADD in the My media window in the upper-left section, click BROWSE TO SELECT on the Import media box, and add the videos you want to use in the split screen effect.
Step 2: Add Clips to Timeline
As explained earlier, drag the videos from the My media pane and drop them in the Timeline. Make sure to place every video in its separate layer, and that all the layers are on top of each other.
Step 3: Create Split Screen Effect
Select any clip in the Timeline, and click the Open clip editor icon from the upper-left area of the track. On the next page, use the Scale slider to reduce the size of the selected clip, and from the preview window in the right, drag to reposition the video to your preferred location on the screen. Click SAVE CHANGES from the bottom of the left pane to confirm the settings. Repeat the process for the second clip in the Timeline to resize and reposition it on the screen. Click FINISH from the upper-right corner, on the next box, enter a name for the video in the available field, click SET, choose your preferred settings on the next page, and click EXPORT from the bottom-right corner to produce the split screen video.
Pros
- Free to use
- Allows multiple videos to be used for split screen
Cons
- Paid subscription is needed to remove watermark from the outputs
FAQs About Split Screen Video Editors
Why you should use split screen effect in video?
There are a couple of reasons you may want to use split screen effect in your video. Some of the most common uses include:
- Showing multiple actions by the same or different characters at the same time, without changing the screen
- Comparing multiple objects or picture quality. This can be done only when the entities in question are placed side-by-side
- Making your video look more professional
- Showing different effects on the same screen
Can I create a split screen video with Windows Movie Maker or Windows 10 Photos app?
No, you cannot. Although these tools enable you to resize the videos, since they don’t allow multi-tracked Timelines, no video clips can be placed one above the other which is an essential part for any split screen video maker to create the effect. However, as discussed above, there are several post-production tools, offline and online, that allow you to make split screen videos easily and without any cost.
Conclusion
Split screen video editor tools are both paid and free. Regardless of the program you use to create the effect, the output files always look more professional and informative. Furthermore, things become way simpler if the split screen video maker has simple UI, is less resource intensive, and is easy to use as it is the case with Wondershare Filmora.
Ollie Mattison
Ollie Mattison is a writer and a lover of all things video.
Follow @Ollie Mattison
Ollie Mattison
Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions
The effect that comes up after adding two or more screens in a single frame is called split screen, and the tool that enables the users to do this is a split screen video editor. These split screens have significant importance in post-production tasks. That said, the following sections discuss about the tools that enable you to create split screen videos, and explain the process of doing so.
As mentioned above, the split screen effect lets you add two or more screens in a single frame. When multiple activities occur at the same time but at different locations, they all can be shown on one screen by placing their corresponding footages side-by-side or in any other arrangement that the split screen video maker allows.
Best Split Screen Video Editing Software for Windows and Mac [Free & Paid]
After understanding what split screen is, it becomes both obvious and mandatory to know about some of the most used split screen video editor applications, and how they help you in adding the effect to your movies. Following is a list of a couple of such programs:
1. iMovie
A proprietary of Apple, iMovie is available for both iOS and macOS, and is absolutely free of cost. Even though the tool lacks some advanced options for fine editing, it still offers a good platform to those planning their career in post-production industry. With simple UI, it is easy to learn iMovie.
The step-by-step instructions given below explain how to use iMovie to add split screen effect to your videos:
Step 1: Add Footages to iMovie
After importing the footages to the Media Bin in iMovie, drag the first one to the Timeline, and then drag the second one above the first layer.
Step 2: Select the Split Screen Effect
Select the top video layer in the Timeline, and choose Split Screen from the screen type drop-down list at the top.
Step 3: Select Split Screen Preset
Choose a position for the selected layer from the Position drop-down list at the top, and use the Slide slider to adjust the speed of the appearance of the footage.
Pros
- iMovie is free to download and use
- The program is available for both macOS and iOS
Cons
- Allows only up to two videos to be used in split screen
You can get iMovie from here: https://www.apple.com/in/imovie/
2. Wondershare Filmora Editor
One of the most robust apps that is compared with post-production applications like Adobe Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro X, Wondershare Filmora is also a video editor that helps split screen easily. The software is available for Windows and Mac computers, and provides prompt technical support to its consumers. Although Filmora that packed with more advanced tools is also available, most of the times Filmora serves the purpose pretty well.
You can learn how to add split screen effect in Wondershare Filmora by following the steps given below:
Step 1: Import Footages to Filmora
Launch Wondershare Filmora, click anywhere inside the Media window in the upper-left section, and import all the videos you want to use to create the split screen effect.
Step 2: Choose a Split Screen Preset
Click Split Screen from the standard toolbar at the top, click and drag your preferred preset to the Timeline, and then extend the duration of the effect in the Timeline by dragging its handle.
Step 3: Add Videos to Split Screen
Click ADVANCED from the bottom-right area of the Media pane, on the Advanced Split Screen Edit box, drag the first video from the left pane, and drop it on your preferred section in the right. Repeat the process to add all the other videos to their corresponding sections. Adjust their time of appearance by dragging their thumbnail in the Timeline of the box, and click OK.
Pros
- Wondershare Filmora is lightweight and is less resource intensive
- Allows as many as 6 videos to be added to create split screen effect
- Has 30+ split screen presets
Cons
- A couple of windows are required to be opened while working with split screen
3 . VSDC
VSDC is a free and efficient split screen video maker. In fact, the program is a full-fledged post-production application that can be used to edit the videos to prepare industry-standard clips for presentations, broadcasting, and commercial and private distribution. The best thing about VSDC is, it is absolutely free of cost, and doesn’t add any watermarks to the output files.
The instructions given below explain how to use the split screen feature in VSDC:
Step 1: Add Video Footages
Click Add object from the standard toolbar at the top, click Video, and select and add the first footage to the preview window. Repeat the process to add more video(s) as needed.
Step 2: Add Split Screen Effect
Grab any of the side handles of the video you added last, and drag it inward to reduce its size proportionally. Repeat the process to reduce the size of the other video(s) that is/are now revealed from beneath the one you just adjusted in order to create the split screen effect.
Pros
- Absolutely free to use
- Allows practically unlimited number of footages to be added to create the split screen videos
Cons
- No presets for automatic video positioning are available for split screen effect
You can get VSDC free video editor from here: http://www.videosoftdev.com/
4. Shotcut
A free and opensource editing tool, Shotcut can also be used as a split screen video maker to produce industry-standard movies and documentaries. Shotcut is available for FreeBSD, Windows, Linux, and macOS, and comes in both x64 and x86 variants. Being a free program, Shotcut doesn’t require any activation or registration.
The procedure that follows explains how to use Shortcut as a free split screen video editor:
Step 1: Add Clips to the Timeline
Import the footages to the Shotcut’s media bin, drag one of the clips from the bin to the Timeline at the bottom, and then press Ctrl + I on your keyboard to add more video tracks. You can press this shortcut key for another couple of times depending on the number films you want to use for the split screen effect. Next, drag each film from the bin to their corresponding tracks. Note: Make sure NOT to place all the clips on the same track, and that each of them is on a different, its own, video layer.
Step 2: Adjust the First Video
Select the last video you added to the Timeline (it should be the topmost track), click Filters from above the Timeline, click the + button from the upper-left corner, click Size and Position from the list that appears next, and select the clip’s position from the Preset drop-down list.
Step 3: Adjust Other Videos
Select the second video in the Timeline and repeat the process to set its position, and do the same for all other footages that you added in order to create the split screen effect.
Pros
- Available for FreeBSD, Windows, Linux, and macOS platforms
- If using presets, as many as 4 videos can be added for split screen effect
Cons
- Working with split screen manually may require practice and some calculations to position the clips on the screen correctly
You can get Shotcut from here: https://shotcut.org/
5. Lightworks
Used by the professionals to edit and prepare movies like Pulp Fiction, The Cure, L.A. Confidential, Bruce Almighty, The Wolf of Wall Street, etc., Lightworks is, in true means, a complete and full-fledged post-production application to create industry-standard outputs. The main reason for the app’s wide userbase is that it is a cross-platform software that is available for Linux, Mac, and Windows computers.
To use Lightworks as split screen video maker, you can follow the instructions given below:
Step 1: Add Tracks in Timeline
After importing the clips to Lightworks, leave them in the Media Bin for now, right-click anywhere in the Timeline at the bottom, go to Tracks, click Add multiple, and from the Number to add drop-down list, choose the number of tracks you want to add to the Timeline. Click Add to confirm the changes.
Step 2: Disable Auto Sync
Right-click anywhere in the Timeline, and click to deselect Auto track sync.
Step 3: Add Clips to Timeline
Drag the clips from the Media Bin to the Timeline. Make sure to place each footage on a different track, and that all the tracks are on top of each other. Optionally, right-click the audio that was added along with the clips, and click Remove from the context menu. Use this method to remove all the audios or leave the one you want to have. Note: Removing the audio tracks ensures that they do not overlap during the playback.
Step 4: Enable Split Screen
Click VFX from above the preview window, click the + (Add new effects) icon from the top of the left pane, select the DVE category from the upper-right corner of the left pane, scroll down the left pane to the Split-screen Presets section, and double-click your preferred split screen preset to add the effect to the participating clips.
Pros
- Even the free variant has split screen feature
- A complete post-production tool that doesn’t require any other program for finalizing the things
Cons
- Not many split screen presets are available
Download Lightworks free version from here: https://www.lwks.com/
6. Adobe Premiere Pro
One of the most appreciated and widely used post-production applications for Windows and Mac computers, Adobe Premiere Pro has been professionals’ first choice when it comes to video editing, irrespective of the fact that it has a steep learning curve, and is also a resource intensive software to work with.
The steps below explain how to use Adobe Premiere Pro as a split screen video maker:
Step 1: Add Videos to Timeline
After importing the clips to the Project window, drag each of them to the Timeline, and place them in their separate tracks one above the other.
Step 2: Position and Crop
Select the topmost video track in the Timeline, go to Effect Controls panel from the top of the upper-left pane, and use the Position slider to position the video to your preferred area of the screen. Repeat this process for all the clips in the Timeline you want to add to split screen.
Step 3: Crop the Clips
Search for the Crop effect in the Effects pane present at the lower-left corner, drag and drop the effect on each of the clips in the timeline, and use the Crop slider in the Effect Controls pane to crop the videos as needed. Optionally use the keyframes to add sliding animations to give more professional look to the split screen effect.
Pros
- Most robust and efficient video editing tool
- Allows practically unlimited number of videos to be used for split screen
Cons
- Requires subscription that needs to be renewed regularly
For more details about making split screen with Pr, check How to create a split screen in Premiere Pro
7. Final Cut Pro X
Available only for Mac computers at the time of this writing, Final Cut Pro X or FCPX gives tough competition to Adobe Premiere Pro. Since Apple devices are famous for their speedy processing, professionals any day prefer FCPX over Adobe Premiere Pro if they own a Mac PC running macOS.
You can use FCPX as split screen video maker by following the steps given below:
Step 1: Place Footages in the Timeline
As mentioned earlier, add the clips on top of each other on separate tracks in the Timeline of FCPX.
Step 2: Position and Crop
Select the first clip in the Timeline, from the Transform section of the Video Inspector pane in the right, use the Position slider to move the clip to your preferred side of the screen, and use the sliders from the Crop section to crop the footage to adjust the portion of interest. Repeat the process for the other video tracks as well to get your desired split screen effect in Final Cut Pro X.
Pros
- Offers quick and easy way to add split screen effect
- Allows practically unlimited number of videos to be used for split screen
Cons
- Doesn’t have any particular preset for split screen effect
You may also like: How to create a PIP video with Final Cut Pro X
Best Free Online Split Screen Video Editors
Apart from the desktop programs discussed above, there are a couple of web tools that can be used as split screen video maker online free. Two of the most used ones are introduced below:
1. Kapwing Collage Maker
Although Kapwing offers several other online tools like video resizer, meme generator, slideshow maker, etc., the solution that can be considered split screen video editor is Kapwing Collage Maker. This web app allows you to select a template to get started, and the rest of the process is simple.
The following steps explain how to create a split screen video with Kapwing:
Step 1: Add Clips to Preset
Go to the https://www.kapwing.com/collage link, click to select your preferred split screen preset, click REPLACE on one of the segments of the split screen on the next page, and select and upload the first video. Next, click REPLACE on the other segment(s), and select and upload the other videos as well.
Step 2: Reposition and Publish
Click and drag each of the added clips to reposition them on the screen, use the other tools to crop and adjust the videos as needed, and click Publish from the top-right corner. Note: Optionally you can click Timeline from the top of the preview window, adjust the timings and other settings as needed on the next page, and click Done. After this, you can go ahead and hit Publish to create the split screen effect out of the uploaded videos.
Pros
- Free to use
- Allows as many as 4 videos to create split screen effect
Cons
- Requires you to register and sign in to remove the watermark from the output file
2. WeVideo
Yet another split screen video maker online free solution, WeVideo offers almost desktop program-like experience while creating split screen effects. Even though all the subscription plans that the vendor offers are chargeable, the Education plan can be tried for 30 days for free, post which the teachers are required to pay to continue using the web tool.
The following steps explain how to get split screen effect with WeVideo:
Step 1: Import Videos
Visit https://www.wevideo.com and on the main window, click Video from under the Create a new section at the top, select a layout on the Let’s get started box, and click START EDITING from the bottom right corner. Next, click ADD in the My media window in the upper-left section, click BROWSE TO SELECT on the Import media box, and add the videos you want to use in the split screen effect.
Step 2: Add Clips to Timeline
As explained earlier, drag the videos from the My media pane and drop them in the Timeline. Make sure to place every video in its separate layer, and that all the layers are on top of each other.
Step 3: Create Split Screen Effect
Select any clip in the Timeline, and click the Open clip editor icon from the upper-left area of the track. On the next page, use the Scale slider to reduce the size of the selected clip, and from the preview window in the right, drag to reposition the video to your preferred location on the screen. Click SAVE CHANGES from the bottom of the left pane to confirm the settings. Repeat the process for the second clip in the Timeline to resize and reposition it on the screen. Click FINISH from the upper-right corner, on the next box, enter a name for the video in the available field, click SET, choose your preferred settings on the next page, and click EXPORT from the bottom-right corner to produce the split screen video.
Pros
- Free to use
- Allows multiple videos to be used for split screen
Cons
- Paid subscription is needed to remove watermark from the outputs
FAQs About Split Screen Video Editors
Why you should use split screen effect in video?
There are a couple of reasons you may want to use split screen effect in your video. Some of the most common uses include:
- Showing multiple actions by the same or different characters at the same time, without changing the screen
- Comparing multiple objects or picture quality. This can be done only when the entities in question are placed side-by-side
- Making your video look more professional
- Showing different effects on the same screen
Can I create a split screen video with Windows Movie Maker or Windows 10 Photos app?
No, you cannot. Although these tools enable you to resize the videos, since they don’t allow multi-tracked Timelines, no video clips can be placed one above the other which is an essential part for any split screen video maker to create the effect. However, as discussed above, there are several post-production tools, offline and online, that allow you to make split screen videos easily and without any cost.
Conclusion
Split screen video editor tools are both paid and free. Regardless of the program you use to create the effect, the output files always look more professional and informative. Furthermore, things become way simpler if the split screen video maker has simple UI, is less resource intensive, and is easy to use as it is the case with Wondershare Filmora.
Ollie Mattison
Ollie Mattison is a writer and a lover of all things video.
Follow @Ollie Mattison
Ollie Mattison
Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions
The effect that comes up after adding two or more screens in a single frame is called split screen, and the tool that enables the users to do this is a split screen video editor. These split screens have significant importance in post-production tasks. That said, the following sections discuss about the tools that enable you to create split screen videos, and explain the process of doing so.
As mentioned above, the split screen effect lets you add two or more screens in a single frame. When multiple activities occur at the same time but at different locations, they all can be shown on one screen by placing their corresponding footages side-by-side or in any other arrangement that the split screen video maker allows.
Best Split Screen Video Editing Software for Windows and Mac [Free & Paid]
After understanding what split screen is, it becomes both obvious and mandatory to know about some of the most used split screen video editor applications, and how they help you in adding the effect to your movies. Following is a list of a couple of such programs:
1. iMovie
A proprietary of Apple, iMovie is available for both iOS and macOS, and is absolutely free of cost. Even though the tool lacks some advanced options for fine editing, it still offers a good platform to those planning their career in post-production industry. With simple UI, it is easy to learn iMovie.
The step-by-step instructions given below explain how to use iMovie to add split screen effect to your videos:
Step 1: Add Footages to iMovie
After importing the footages to the Media Bin in iMovie, drag the first one to the Timeline, and then drag the second one above the first layer.
Step 2: Select the Split Screen Effect
Select the top video layer in the Timeline, and choose Split Screen from the screen type drop-down list at the top.
Step 3: Select Split Screen Preset
Choose a position for the selected layer from the Position drop-down list at the top, and use the Slide slider to adjust the speed of the appearance of the footage.
Pros
- iMovie is free to download and use
- The program is available for both macOS and iOS
Cons
- Allows only up to two videos to be used in split screen
You can get iMovie from here: https://www.apple.com/in/imovie/
2. Wondershare Filmora Editor
One of the most robust apps that is compared with post-production applications like Adobe Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro X, Wondershare Filmora is also a video editor that helps split screen easily. The software is available for Windows and Mac computers, and provides prompt technical support to its consumers. Although Filmora that packed with more advanced tools is also available, most of the times Filmora serves the purpose pretty well.
You can learn how to add split screen effect in Wondershare Filmora by following the steps given below:
Step 1: Import Footages to Filmora
Launch Wondershare Filmora, click anywhere inside the Media window in the upper-left section, and import all the videos you want to use to create the split screen effect.
Step 2: Choose a Split Screen Preset
Click Split Screen from the standard toolbar at the top, click and drag your preferred preset to the Timeline, and then extend the duration of the effect in the Timeline by dragging its handle.
Step 3: Add Videos to Split Screen
Click ADVANCED from the bottom-right area of the Media pane, on the Advanced Split Screen Edit box, drag the first video from the left pane, and drop it on your preferred section in the right. Repeat the process to add all the other videos to their corresponding sections. Adjust their time of appearance by dragging their thumbnail in the Timeline of the box, and click OK.
Pros
- Wondershare Filmora is lightweight and is less resource intensive
- Allows as many as 6 videos to be added to create split screen effect
- Has 30+ split screen presets
Cons
- A couple of windows are required to be opened while working with split screen
3 . VSDC
VSDC is a free and efficient split screen video maker. In fact, the program is a full-fledged post-production application that can be used to edit the videos to prepare industry-standard clips for presentations, broadcasting, and commercial and private distribution. The best thing about VSDC is, it is absolutely free of cost, and doesn’t add any watermarks to the output files.
The instructions given below explain how to use the split screen feature in VSDC:
Step 1: Add Video Footages
Click Add object from the standard toolbar at the top, click Video, and select and add the first footage to the preview window. Repeat the process to add more video(s) as needed.
Step 2: Add Split Screen Effect
Grab any of the side handles of the video you added last, and drag it inward to reduce its size proportionally. Repeat the process to reduce the size of the other video(s) that is/are now revealed from beneath the one you just adjusted in order to create the split screen effect.
Pros
- Absolutely free to use
- Allows practically unlimited number of footages to be added to create the split screen videos
Cons
- No presets for automatic video positioning are available for split screen effect
You can get VSDC free video editor from here: http://www.videosoftdev.com/
4. Shotcut
A free and opensource editing tool, Shotcut can also be used as a split screen video maker to produce industry-standard movies and documentaries. Shotcut is available for FreeBSD, Windows, Linux, and macOS, and comes in both x64 and x86 variants. Being a free program, Shotcut doesn’t require any activation or registration.
The procedure that follows explains how to use Shortcut as a free split screen video editor:
Step 1: Add Clips to the Timeline
Import the footages to the Shotcut’s media bin, drag one of the clips from the bin to the Timeline at the bottom, and then press Ctrl + I on your keyboard to add more video tracks. You can press this shortcut key for another couple of times depending on the number films you want to use for the split screen effect. Next, drag each film from the bin to their corresponding tracks. Note: Make sure NOT to place all the clips on the same track, and that each of them is on a different, its own, video layer.
Step 2: Adjust the First Video
Select the last video you added to the Timeline (it should be the topmost track), click Filters from above the Timeline, click the + button from the upper-left corner, click Size and Position from the list that appears next, and select the clip’s position from the Preset drop-down list.
Step 3: Adjust Other Videos
Select the second video in the Timeline and repeat the process to set its position, and do the same for all other footages that you added in order to create the split screen effect.
Pros
- Available for FreeBSD, Windows, Linux, and macOS platforms
- If using presets, as many as 4 videos can be added for split screen effect
Cons
- Working with split screen manually may require practice and some calculations to position the clips on the screen correctly
You can get Shotcut from here: https://shotcut.org/
5. Lightworks
Used by the professionals to edit and prepare movies like Pulp Fiction, The Cure, L.A. Confidential, Bruce Almighty, The Wolf of Wall Street, etc., Lightworks is, in true means, a complete and full-fledged post-production application to create industry-standard outputs. The main reason for the app’s wide userbase is that it is a cross-platform software that is available for Linux, Mac, and Windows computers.
To use Lightworks as split screen video maker, you can follow the instructions given below:
Step 1: Add Tracks in Timeline
After importing the clips to Lightworks, leave them in the Media Bin for now, right-click anywhere in the Timeline at the bottom, go to Tracks, click Add multiple, and from the Number to add drop-down list, choose the number of tracks you want to add to the Timeline. Click Add to confirm the changes.
Step 2: Disable Auto Sync
Right-click anywhere in the Timeline, and click to deselect Auto track sync.
Step 3: Add Clips to Timeline
Drag the clips from the Media Bin to the Timeline. Make sure to place each footage on a different track, and that all the tracks are on top of each other. Optionally, right-click the audio that was added along with the clips, and click Remove from the context menu. Use this method to remove all the audios or leave the one you want to have. Note: Removing the audio tracks ensures that they do not overlap during the playback.
Step 4: Enable Split Screen
Click VFX from above the preview window, click the + (Add new effects) icon from the top of the left pane, select the DVE category from the upper-right corner of the left pane, scroll down the left pane to the Split-screen Presets section, and double-click your preferred split screen preset to add the effect to the participating clips.
Pros
- Even the free variant has split screen feature
- A complete post-production tool that doesn’t require any other program for finalizing the things
Cons
- Not many split screen presets are available
Download Lightworks free version from here: https://www.lwks.com/
6. Adobe Premiere Pro
One of the most appreciated and widely used post-production applications for Windows and Mac computers, Adobe Premiere Pro has been professionals’ first choice when it comes to video editing, irrespective of the fact that it has a steep learning curve, and is also a resource intensive software to work with.
The steps below explain how to use Adobe Premiere Pro as a split screen video maker:
Step 1: Add Videos to Timeline
After importing the clips to the Project window, drag each of them to the Timeline, and place them in their separate tracks one above the other.
Step 2: Position and Crop
Select the topmost video track in the Timeline, go to Effect Controls panel from the top of the upper-left pane, and use the Position slider to position the video to your preferred area of the screen. Repeat this process for all the clips in the Timeline you want to add to split screen.
Step 3: Crop the Clips
Search for the Crop effect in the Effects pane present at the lower-left corner, drag and drop the effect on each of the clips in the timeline, and use the Crop slider in the Effect Controls pane to crop the videos as needed. Optionally use the keyframes to add sliding animations to give more professional look to the split screen effect.
Pros
- Most robust and efficient video editing tool
- Allows practically unlimited number of videos to be used for split screen
Cons
- Requires subscription that needs to be renewed regularly
For more details about making split screen with Pr, check How to create a split screen in Premiere Pro
7. Final Cut Pro X
Available only for Mac computers at the time of this writing, Final Cut Pro X or FCPX gives tough competition to Adobe Premiere Pro. Since Apple devices are famous for their speedy processing, professionals any day prefer FCPX over Adobe Premiere Pro if they own a Mac PC running macOS.
You can use FCPX as split screen video maker by following the steps given below:
Step 1: Place Footages in the Timeline
As mentioned earlier, add the clips on top of each other on separate tracks in the Timeline of FCPX.
Step 2: Position and Crop
Select the first clip in the Timeline, from the Transform section of the Video Inspector pane in the right, use the Position slider to move the clip to your preferred side of the screen, and use the sliders from the Crop section to crop the footage to adjust the portion of interest. Repeat the process for the other video tracks as well to get your desired split screen effect in Final Cut Pro X.
Pros
- Offers quick and easy way to add split screen effect
- Allows practically unlimited number of videos to be used for split screen
Cons
- Doesn’t have any particular preset for split screen effect
You may also like: How to create a PIP video with Final Cut Pro X
Best Free Online Split Screen Video Editors
Apart from the desktop programs discussed above, there are a couple of web tools that can be used as split screen video maker online free. Two of the most used ones are introduced below:
1. Kapwing Collage Maker
Although Kapwing offers several other online tools like video resizer, meme generator, slideshow maker, etc., the solution that can be considered split screen video editor is Kapwing Collage Maker. This web app allows you to select a template to get started, and the rest of the process is simple.
The following steps explain how to create a split screen video with Kapwing:
Step 1: Add Clips to Preset
Go to the https://www.kapwing.com/collage link, click to select your preferred split screen preset, click REPLACE on one of the segments of the split screen on the next page, and select and upload the first video. Next, click REPLACE on the other segment(s), and select and upload the other videos as well.
Step 2: Reposition and Publish
Click and drag each of the added clips to reposition them on the screen, use the other tools to crop and adjust the videos as needed, and click Publish from the top-right corner. Note: Optionally you can click Timeline from the top of the preview window, adjust the timings and other settings as needed on the next page, and click Done. After this, you can go ahead and hit Publish to create the split screen effect out of the uploaded videos.
Pros
- Free to use
- Allows as many as 4 videos to create split screen effect
Cons
- Requires you to register and sign in to remove the watermark from the output file
2. WeVideo
Yet another split screen video maker online free solution, WeVideo offers almost desktop program-like experience while creating split screen effects. Even though all the subscription plans that the vendor offers are chargeable, the Education plan can be tried for 30 days for free, post which the teachers are required to pay to continue using the web tool.
The following steps explain how to get split screen effect with WeVideo:
Step 1: Import Videos
Visit https://www.wevideo.com and on the main window, click Video from under the Create a new section at the top, select a layout on the Let’s get started box, and click START EDITING from the bottom right corner. Next, click ADD in the My media window in the upper-left section, click BROWSE TO SELECT on the Import media box, and add the videos you want to use in the split screen effect.
Step 2: Add Clips to Timeline
As explained earlier, drag the videos from the My media pane and drop them in the Timeline. Make sure to place every video in its separate layer, and that all the layers are on top of each other.
Step 3: Create Split Screen Effect
Select any clip in the Timeline, and click the Open clip editor icon from the upper-left area of the track. On the next page, use the Scale slider to reduce the size of the selected clip, and from the preview window in the right, drag to reposition the video to your preferred location on the screen. Click SAVE CHANGES from the bottom of the left pane to confirm the settings. Repeat the process for the second clip in the Timeline to resize and reposition it on the screen. Click FINISH from the upper-right corner, on the next box, enter a name for the video in the available field, click SET, choose your preferred settings on the next page, and click EXPORT from the bottom-right corner to produce the split screen video.
Pros
- Free to use
- Allows multiple videos to be used for split screen
Cons
- Paid subscription is needed to remove watermark from the outputs
FAQs About Split Screen Video Editors
Why you should use split screen effect in video?
There are a couple of reasons you may want to use split screen effect in your video. Some of the most common uses include:
- Showing multiple actions by the same or different characters at the same time, without changing the screen
- Comparing multiple objects or picture quality. This can be done only when the entities in question are placed side-by-side
- Making your video look more professional
- Showing different effects on the same screen
Can I create a split screen video with Windows Movie Maker or Windows 10 Photos app?
No, you cannot. Although these tools enable you to resize the videos, since they don’t allow multi-tracked Timelines, no video clips can be placed one above the other which is an essential part for any split screen video maker to create the effect. However, as discussed above, there are several post-production tools, offline and online, that allow you to make split screen videos easily and without any cost.
Conclusion
Split screen video editor tools are both paid and free. Regardless of the program you use to create the effect, the output files always look more professional and informative. Furthermore, things become way simpler if the split screen video maker has simple UI, is less resource intensive, and is easy to use as it is the case with Wondershare Filmora.
Ollie Mattison
Ollie Mattison is a writer and a lover of all things video.
Follow @Ollie Mattison
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- Title: New In 2024, Video Editing vs Visual Effects Premiere vs After Effects Explained
- Author: Ava
- Created at : 2024-04-29 13:32:22
- Updated at : 2024-04-30 13:32:22
- Link: https://video-content-creator.techidaily.com/new-in-2024-video-editing-vs-visual-effects-premiere-vs-after-effects-explained/
- License: This work is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.
