How to Merge Two Videos Together on Your Computer

The fastest way depends on what you already have installed

You can merge two videos using free software that runs on Windows, Mac, or Linux — no subscription needed. The simplest route is usually DaVinci Resolve (free version) or OpenShot, both of which let you drag videos onto a timeline, place them end-to-end, and export the result. If you use Windows and want something even simpler, the built-in Photos app can join two clips in under a minute, though it offers fewer options for editing. On Mac, iMovie comes pre-installed and works the same way.

The choice between them comes down to how much control you want. The Photos app and iMovie are fastest if you just need the videos joined with no effects or transitions. DaVinci Resolve and OpenShot give you more control — you can add transitions between clips, adjust audio levels, trim the start or end of each video, and export in different formats. All of them handle the core task the same way: you import both videos, place them on a timeline one after the other, and export.

Key Takeaways

Windows Photos app and Mac iMovie are the fastest options if you want to join two videos with no editing — both take under two minutes.
DaVinci Resolve (free version) and OpenShot let you add transitions, adjust audio, trim clips, and control the output format.
All of these tools work by importing your videos, placing them on a timeline end-to-end, and exporting the merged result.
The video format (MP4, MOV, AVI) usually does not matter — most tools accept all common formats and can export to any format you choose.
Merging videos on your computer keeps your files private and does not require uploading to a website.

Using Windows Photos app (fastest on Windows)

Open the Photos app (built into Windows 10 and later), click the folder icon to open your video files, and select the first video. Click the three-dot menu at the top right and choose Edit & Create, then Create a video with music. This opens the video editor.

In the editor, click the plus icon in the left panel to add the second video. Drag both videos onto the timeline at the bottom in the order you want them. The videos will appear as separate clips on the timeline — they are already set to play one after the other. Click the export button (the down arrow) at the top right, choose your resolution, and click Export. The merged video will save to your Videos folder.

This method works best if both videos are already the same resolution and frame rate. If one is sideways or a different size, the Photos app will letterbox it (add black bars) rather than stretch it. For more control over how videos fit together, use DaVinci Resolve instead.

Using DaVinci Resolve (most control, free)

Download DaVinci Resolve from Blackmagic Design's website (the free version is all you need). 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 first video file. Double-click it to import it. Repeat for the second video.

Drag the first video from the Media Pool onto the timeline at the bottom. It will appear as a clip. Drag the second video onto the timeline to the right of the first clip — it will snap into place and play immediately after. If you want a transition between them (a fade or dissolve), right-click the space between the two clips and choose Add Transition. To export, go to File > Export, choose your format (MP4 is standard), and click Export.

DaVinci Resolve handles videos of different resolutions and frame rates better than the Photos app — it will scale them to match your project settings automatically. You can also trim the start or end of each clip by dragging the edges on the timeline, adjust audio levels by clicking the audio track, and add effects. The learning curve is steeper than the Photos app, but the tool is powerful enough for most video work.

Using OpenShot (lightweight alternative)

Download OpenShot from openshot.org and install it. Open the program and go to File > Import Files. Select your first video and click Open. Repeat to import the second video. Both will appear in the Project Files panel on the left.

Drag the first video onto the timeline at the bottom. Drag the second video onto the timeline to the right of the first. They will appear as separate clips in order. To add a transition, click the small icon between the two clips on the timeline and choose a transition type. To export, go to File > Export Video, choose your format and quality, and click Export.

OpenShot is lighter on system resources than DaVinci Resolve and has a simpler interface, but it is less powerful. It works well for straightforward merges with basic transitions. If you need to adjust audio levels, color-correct, or add effects, DaVinci Resolve is the better choice.

Using Mac iMovie (built-in, fastest on Mac)

Open iMovie (in your Applications folder). Click File > New Movie. In the media browser on the left, navigate to your first video and drag it onto the timeline at the bottom. Drag your second video onto the timeline to the right of the first clip.

The two clips will appear in order on the timeline. If you want to add a transition, click the transition icon (looks like two overlapping squares) between the clips and choose a style. To export, click File > Share > File, choose your resolution, and click Next. Name the file and click Save.

iMovie is the fastest option on Mac because it is already installed. It handles the basics well but offers fewer advanced options than DaVinci Resolve. If you need more control over audio, color, or effects, use DaVinci Resolve instead.

Handling videos of different sizes or frame rates

If your two videos have different resolutions (one is 1080p, the other is 720p) or different frame rates (one is 30fps, the other is 60fps), the software will handle it automatically — but the result depends on which tool you use. The Photos app and iMovie will letterbox smaller videos (add black bars) to fit the larger one. DaVinci Resolve and OpenShot will scale videos to match your project settings, which usually looks better.

To avoid scaling issues, set your project resolution before you import. In DaVinci Resolve, go to Project Settings (bottom right) and choose your resolution. In OpenShot, go to File > Project Properties and set the resolution. Then import your videos — they will scale to match.

Frame rate mismatches are less visible to the eye but can cause audio sync issues. All of these tools will resample the audio to match the project frame rate, so this is usually not a problem. If you notice audio drifting out of sync after export, re-export with a lower frame rate (24fps or 30fps instead of 60fps).

Choosing a file format for export

MP4 is the safest choice for most situations — it plays on Windows, Mac, phones, and most websites. MOV works well on Mac and some editing software. AVI is older and larger but compatible with older systems. WebM is smaller and good for uploading to websites, but does not play on all devices.

When you export, the software will ask you to choose a codec (the compression method). H.264 is the standard and works everywhere. H.265 is newer and creates smaller files, but older devices may not play it. Stick with H.264 unless you have a specific reason to use something else.

The bitrate (quality setting) matters more than the format. Higher bitrate means better quality but larger file size. For videos you plan to share or upload, 5000–8000 kbps is a good middle ground. For archival or professional use, 15000 kbps or higher. All of these tools let you choose the bitrate when you export.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to convert my videos to the same format before merging?

No. All of these tools accept MP4, MOV, AVI, and most other common formats in the same project. You can merge an MP4 and a MOV file without converting either one first. The software handles the conversion during export.

Will merging videos reduce the quality?

Only if you export at a lower bitrate than the original. If you export at the same bitrate as your source videos, the quality stays the same. If you export at a higher bitrate, the quality does not improve — you are just making the file larger. Choose a bitrate that matches your original videos or slightly higher.

Can I merge more than two videos?

Yes. All of these tools let you add as many clips as you want to the timeline. Drag each video onto the timeline in order, and they will play one after another. The process is the same whether you are merging two videos or ten.

What if one video is sideways or upside down?

In DaVinci Resolve and OpenShot, right-click the clip on the timeline and look for a rotate or transform option. In the Photos app and iMovie, you may need to rotate the video before importing it using your phone's camera app or a separate tool. DaVinci Resolve handles this most easily.

Can I merge videos without downloading software?

Yes, but uploading videos to a website means your files leave your computer. If privacy is a concern, use one of the desktop tools listed above instead. If you do use a website, check its privacy policy to see how long it keeps your files.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.