The simplest way to merge videos depends on what you already have installed

You can merge two videos using free software that comes with Windows or Mac, or with free programs you download. The easiest route depends on your operating system and whether you want to add transitions, text, or music between the clips. Most people can do this in under an hour once they pick their tool.

Windows users have the quickest built-in option: Photos app, which lets you combine clips without installing anything. Mac users can use iMovie the same way. If you want more control over timing, effects, or audio, you'll need to download a separate program — but free options like DaVinci Resolve, Shotcut, or OpenShot work on both Windows and Mac.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows Photos app and Mac iMovie can merge two videos in minutes without downloading software, though they offer limited editing options.
  • DaVinci Resolve, Shotcut, and OpenShot are free programs that work on Windows, Mac, and Linux and give you control over transitions, audio, and timing.
  • Before you start, make sure both video files are in a common format like MP4 or MOV, or the software may refuse to open them.
  • The merged video will be a new file — your original videos stay unchanged.

Merging videos in Windows Photos app (no download needed)

Open the Photos app on your Windows computer — it comes pre-installed. Click the folder icon at the top left, then navigate to the folder where your two video files are stored. Select the first video, then hold Ctrl and click the second video to select both.

Right-click either selected video and choose "Create" from the menu, then select "Create a video with music." Photos will open a timeline view with both videos already placed in order. You can drag them to reorder if needed, add a transition between them by clicking the transition icon between the clips, and then click "Finish video" at the top right. Photos will save the merged video as a new file in your Videos folder.

This method works fastest if you just want the two videos back-to-back with no effects. If you need to trim the start or end of either clip, or adjust audio levels, you'll need a different tool.

Merging videos in Mac iMovie (no download needed)

Open iMovie, which comes installed on all modern Macs. Click "Create New" and select "Movie." Drag your first video file into the timeline at the bottom of the screen. Then drag your second video file directly after it — iMovie will snap them together automatically.

If you want a transition between them, click the transition icon (it looks like two overlapping circles) between the two clips in the timeline and choose a style. When you're done, go to File > Share > File and choose where to save your merged video. iMovie will create a new file without changing your originals.

iMovie is simpler than most free programs but also more limited — you can't easily adjust audio levels or add text overlays. For those features, you need external software.

Using DaVinci Resolve for more control (free download)

DaVinci Resolve is free video editing software that runs on Windows, Mac, and Linux. Download it from blackmagicdesign.com/products/davinciresolve. Install it, then open the program and create a new project.

In the media pool on the left, click the folder icon and navigate to your video files. Drag your first video into the timeline at the bottom. Then drag your second video directly after it. DaVinci will place them end-to-end. If you want a transition, right-click the space between them and select "Add Transition," then choose a style from the menu.

To export your merged video, go to the Deliver tab at the top, make sure the format is set to MP4 (or your preferred format), and click "Add to Render Queue." Then click "Start Render." DaVinci will create a new file and save it to the location you specified.

DaVinci is more powerful than Photos or iMovie — you can adjust audio levels, add text, color-correct clips, and use more sophisticated transitions. The learning curve is steeper, but the free version has everything most people need.

Using Shotcut or OpenShot (lightweight free alternatives)

Shotcut and OpenShot are simpler than DaVinci Resolve but more flexible than Photos or iMovie. Download Shotcut from shotcut.org or OpenShot from openshot.org, then install it.

In Shotcut, go to File > Open and select your first video. Then go to File > Open as Layers and select your second video. Shotcut will add the second video to a new track in the timeline. Drag the second clip so it starts exactly when the first one ends. To export, go to File > Export and choose MP4 as your format, then click Export.

OpenShot works similarly: drag your first video into the timeline, then drag your second video after it. You can add transitions by dragging a transition icon between the two clips. Go to File > Export Video to save your merged file.

Both programs are lighter and faster than DaVinci Resolve on older computers, though they have fewer advanced features. Pick whichever interface feels more natural to you — they produce the same quality result.

Preparing your video files before you merge them

Before you start, check that both videos are in the same format. The most common formats are MP4, MOV, and AVI. If one video is in a different format, you may need to convert it first. Many free online converters exist, but a safer option is to use Shotcut or OpenShot to open the file and export it as MP4 — this also ensures the video will work with any merging tool.

You don't need to worry about resolution (1080p, 4K, etc.) or frame rate (30fps, 60fps) being different between the two videos — all the tools mentioned here will handle mismatches automatically. However, if one video is much higher quality than the other, the merged result will match the lower quality one.

Make sure you have enough free disk space on your computer. The merged video will be roughly the size of both original videos added together, so if you have two 1GB videos, you'll need at least 2GB free.

Troubleshooting common problems

If a program refuses to open one of your videos, the file may be corrupted or in an unsupported format. Try opening it in a video player first to confirm it plays. If it does, try converting it to MP4 using an online converter or by opening it in Shotcut and exporting as MP4.

If the merged video plays but the audio is out of sync or missing, the original files may have audio codec issues. This is rare but happens with some phone recordings. Open the file in Shotcut, export it as MP4, and try merging again — Shotcut will re-encode the audio and usually fix the problem.

If the merged file is much larger than you expected, the software may have re-encoded the video instead of copying it directly. This is normal and doesn't affect quality, but it takes longer. To speed up future merges, use a tool that supports "copy mode" or "passthrough" — DaVinci Resolve has this option in the Deliver tab.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I merge more than two videos at once?

Yes. In Photos or iMovie, select all the videos you want to merge before creating the project, and they'll all appear in the timeline. In DaVinci Resolve, Shotcut, or OpenShot, drag as many videos as you want into the timeline in the order you want them. The process is the same whether you're merging two or ten videos.

Will merging videos reduce the quality?

Not if you use a tool that copies the video data directly without re-encoding. Photos, iMovie, and Shotcut can do this. DaVinci Resolve and OpenShot re-encode by default, which takes longer but doesn't noticeably reduce quality — you're still saving at high bitrate. The quality loss is only visible if you export at a much lower bitrate than the originals.

What if the two videos have different aspect ratios?

All the tools mentioned here will handle this automatically by adding black bars to the narrower video so both fit the same frame. If you don't want the black bars, you'll need to crop or resize one of the videos before merging, which requires more advanced editing.

Can I add a fade or transition between the videos?

Yes. Photos, iMovie, DaVinci Resolve, Shotcut, and OpenShot all have built-in transitions. In most programs, you click or drag a transition icon between the two clips in the timeline and choose a style like fade, slide, or dissolve. The transition usually lasts one second by default, but you can adjust the length.

How long does it take to merge two videos?

If you're just copying the videos end-to-end with no effects, it depends on the file size and your computer speed — typically a few seconds to a few minutes. If you're adding transitions or re-encoding, it can take 5 to 30 minutes for a 10-minute video. You can usually do other work while the program renders in the background.