I've been using DaVinci Resolve extensively, and the version 20.2 update brought some impressive improvements. The new AI Cinematic Haze effect uses AI-generated depth maps to add atmospheric scattering, and the multi-layer support in the 3D renderer opens up creative possibilities I hadn't explored before.

When splitting videos, I appreciate the precision timeline controls and the ability to work with footage up to 32K resolution in the Studio version. The support for ProRes RAW decoding across all platforms was a game-changer for my workflow. The Cut page now has a safe trimming mode that prevents accidental overwrites, which saved me from several mistakes. I tested the improved ripple editing features, and they make rearranging split clips much smoother.

Testing Clipchamp felt refreshing because everything happens right in the browser – no downloads required. The February 2025 update added highly requested features like dark and light mode, so I immediately switched to dark mode for comfortable editing – personal preference. The improved asset grouping lets me select multiple elements and combine them into one track item, making timeline management much cleaner.

I found the timestamp display feature incredibly useful for precise cuts – hovering over the timeline shows exact timestamps, eliminating guesswork. The collapsible sidebar and timeline give me more screen real estate when working on complex splits. When I tested the silence removal feature, it automatically identified and deleted unwanted pauses from my voiceovers, saving me significant editing time.

VLC isn't a traditional splitter. I tested the recording feature by playing my video and hitting record at the exact moment I wanted a segment to start, then stopping when the segment ended. It's a workaround rather than a precision splitting tool, but it works for basic needs. The big advantage is that VLC supports virtually every video format imaginable, so I never had to convert files before working with them.

The 3.0.21 update added Super Resolution and VQ Enhancement filtering with AMD GPUs, plus NVIDIA TrueHDR support. Version 3.0.22 is coming soon with Qt6 support and a dark mode option for Windows and Linux users. At CES 2025, the VLC project demonstrated offline AI-powered translation and subtitling features that show where they're headed next.

I used Shotcut for several projects. The interface took some getting used to, but the editing capabilities are solid. I used the blade tool on the timeline to cut clips, then saved each segment separately. The multi-track timeline supports unlimited video and audio tracks, which proved useful for complex projects with multiple split segments.

Recent updates have added some practical features. The July 2025 version 25.07.26 introduced a Whisper.cpp model downloader for Speech to Text, which made adding subtitles to split clips much easier. The System theme now follows your operating system palette on Windows and macOS dark mode, giving it a more modern look. Version 25.05.11 from May 2025 added a Freeze Frame feature to the timeline and adjustable track header widths. The Alpha Strobe video filter and Track Auto Fade audio filter help eliminate clicks and pops when switching between clips–a problem I'd noticed in earlier projects.

Shotcut is open-source, so it's completely free with no watermarks or export limitations. I tested it with 4K footage. Rendering took time, but the output quality was excellent. Batch encoding lets you export multiple segments overnight. The extensive filter library means you can apply color correction or effects to individual segments before exporting.

Coming from the Apple ecosystem, using iMovie felt natural from the start. When I wanted to split a video in two parts, I simply scrubbed through the timeline, positioned my cursor where I wanted the split, and clicked the split button. The interface shows a clear preview of each frame, making it easy to find the exact moment for cutting.

The August 2024 update fixed an annoying bug I'd run into before – audio wouldn't play when using arrow keys to step through clips. It also stopped the app from freezing when I used three-finger trackpad gestures. The November 2023 update brought faster HEVC and H.264 exports by processing multiple video segments at once, but you need macOS Sonoma and one of the higher-end M1/M2/M3 Max chips to use it.

I tested the 4K video editing capabilities, and iMovie handled high-resolution footage smoothly on my MacBook. The pre-set themes and trailers are helpful for creating polished videos quickly from split segments. What I particularly enjoyed was the seamless integration with other Apple products – I could start a project on my iPhone and finish it on my Mac using iCloud sync. The magnetic timeline automatically keeps clips connected, which prevented gaps when rearranging split segments.

When I tested Kdenlive, I was immediately impressed by how logical the interface felt compared to other open-source editors. Splitting videos is straightforward – I used the razor tool on the timeline to cut clips into parts at precise points, and the magnetic timeline kept everything aligned. The massive range of effects including advanced tools for chroma keying, syncing clips, and motion tracking gave me creative options I didn't expect from free software.

The platform has put out some solid updates as of late. The August 2025 version 25.08.2 brought important stability fixes including resolved crashes when working with nested sequences and improved subtitle handling. The 25.08.1 release added features I immediately put to use. The new speech detection for automatic subtitle generation worked remarkably well, and the improved proxy workflow automatically generates lower-resolution versions of 4K footage for smooth editing on my mid-range laptop.

What stood out during testing was the stability. Earlier versions had occasional crashes, but the current release handles large projects with multiple tracks without issues. The keyframe system works across all parameters, so I could animate effects on individual split segments. I particularly appreciated the support for a wide range of formats including H.264, HEVC, and AV1 – no format conversion needed before editing.

I found OpenShot refreshingly approachable when I tested it. The drag-and-drop interface reminded me of iMovie but with more power under the hood. When splitting videos, I used the razor tool to cut clips on the timeline, and the latest 3.2.1 release added a new “Cosmic Dusk” theme that modernizes the look.

The ripple delete feature automatically closes gaps when I removed segments, keeping my timeline clean. I tested the unlimited layers capability by stacking multiple split segments with overlays, and OpenShot handled it without slowing down. The 3D animations and title editor let me add professional touches to my split clips. One feature I really appreciated was the audio waveform visualization – it made finding specific moments in dialogue much easier when deciding where to split.

Using Lightworks felt like stepping into a professional editing bay. The interface is keyboard-shortcut driven, which took time to learn, but once I got comfortable, my splitting workflow became fast. I tested the multi-track timeline with several video layers, and Lightworks handled complex edits smoothly. The precision trimming tools let me make frame-accurate cuts – essential when splitting videos for professional projects.

The 2025.1 release (October 2024) brought a reworked video playback engine that made editing noticeably faster and more responsive across Windows, macOS, and Linux. Export options expanded to include AVID DNxHR in both MXF and MOV formats, plus customizable uncompressed formats and UltraHD support up to 8K. I liked the new SVG file import for masks – makes creating custom effects much easier. The UI got cleaner too, with the ability to create folders directly in the Import panel and better bin organization options.

When I exported my split segments, I appreciated the wide format support, though the free version limits exports to 720p. The Boris FX integration provides professional-quality effects that I didn't expect in a free editor.

Adobe^® Express has a polished interface that feels familiar if you've used other Adobe products. I used the timeline editor for splitting videos – it provides frame-by-frame precision for cuts. The quick actions menu includes one-click background removal and automatic caption generation, which saves time when working with split segments that need subtitles. The 2025 updates keep adding more AI-powered features.

The real advantage is the Adobe ecosystem integration. Adobe^® Express connects seamlessly with Adobe Stock, giving you access to millions of high-quality assets. If you already have a Creative Cloud subscription, it's included, which makes it cost-effective. I used the social media scheduling feature to plan posts with my split video segments directly from the platform without switching tools.

123Apps lets you start splitting videos immediately without signing up. The interface uses a simple timeline where you drag sliders to define the segment you want to keep. I tested uploads with various formats (MP4, AVI, MOV), and all worked without conversion. The 500 MB file size limit works fine for most short videos.

What makes 123Apps different is the complete toolkit. Beyond video splitting, you get audio editors, PDF converters, and image tools all in one place. Processing happens quickly on their servers. The platform offers basic editing features like trimming, rotating, and adding text for quick edits. The free version exports at lower quality, but it's functional for simple tasks.

Testing Canva's video editor opened my eyes to how seamlessly video splitting integrates with design work. When I imported videos into Canva, the timeline editor appeared at the bottom, letting me trim and split clips with precision. What impressed me was how I could immediately add text overlays, graphics, and animations to my split segments without switching tools. I tested the drag-and-drop interface with multiple video layers, and everything stayed synchronized.

The April 2025 Canva Create event brought Visual Suite 2.0 with major AI updates. Canva AI works as a conversational design partner–you can generate and edit designs, text, and images through simple prompts. The new Designable images feature lets you upload directly from your camera roll, make adjustments, and post straight to social media. Background Generator changes photo backgrounds with a text prompt, adjusting lighting and mood automatically. Canva's massive template library includes thousands of video templates specifically for social media, which helped me create polished content from split segments in minutes.

InVideo takes a different approach with its AI-first video creation. Input a script, and the platform automatically generates video segments from stock footage – essentially creating pre-split content. However, the traditional editor works well too. I was able to import footage and use the timeline to split clips with precision. The template library includes thousands of pre-made sequences you can customize, and the stock media library is extensive. InVideo automatically suggests where to split content based on script timing, though you can override these suggestions manually.

The June 2025 v4.0 update introduced AI Twins, a major shift in how the platform works. Upload a 30-second video of yourself, and InVideo creates a digital clone–voice, expressions, gestures – that works in 50+ languages. For product videos, paste a product link or upload photos, and the platform generates ad-ready visuals in different contexts. This "Conversational Creation" workflow means you describe what you want in text, and InVideo handles scripting, avatars, visuals, and voiceovers. The AI voice cloning feature adds consistent narration across multiple segments without re-recording.

Testing Clideo felt like using a tool designed for one purpose done well. When I needed to split a video, I clicked on the “Split Video” tool, uploaded my file, and used the simple timeline to mark cut points. The interface is minimalist – no overwhelming menus or options to navigate.

And I appreciated that Clideo offers specific tools for different tasks: one for splitting, another for merging, another for compressing. This specialization meant each tool loaded quickly and worked efficiently. I tested the subtitle adding feature alongside splitting, and the combination workflow was smooth. The platform processes videos on their servers, and I could download results or save them to Google Drive or Dropbox. However, I noticed the free version adds watermarks to all exports, which limits its usefulness for professional work.