LosslessCut for MAC
Free, open-source tool to cut, trim and merge video and audio in seconds, with no re-encoding and no quality loss.
LosslessCut Overview
LosslessCut is a free tool for quickly cutting video and audio files without losing quality. Normal video editors re-encode the whole file for every change, which can take hours and lowers the quality each time. LosslessCut instead cuts the data stream and copies it over directly, so trimming a large recording takes seconds. It is ideal for cutting out commercials, trimming phone or camera clips, or pulling a single track out of a file. It is built on FFmpeg and made by Mikael Finstad.
LosslessCut is free and open source under the GPL-2.0 license, and the download from GitHub will always stay free. A paid version on the Mac App Store supports the developer. LosslessCut needs macOS 12 Monterey or later and has separate downloads for Apple Silicon and Intel Macs.
Key Features
LosslessCut does the quick jobs a full video editor makes slow.
- Lossless cutting: trim or cut out parts of video and audio without re-encoding.
- Merge: join files with identical codec settings into one, losslessly.
- Track editing: combine tracks from several files, or remove an audio or video track.
- Extract: save all tracks of a file, or just the music, video or subtitles.
- Remux: change the container, for example from TS or MKV to MP4 or MOV.
- Snapshots: take full-resolution JPEG or PNG frames from a video.
- Timeline: zoom, jump frame by frame or keyframe by keyframe, with thumbnails and a waveform.
- Segments: label cut segments, auto-save them per project, and export or import them as CSV.
What’s New in Version 3.70.1
LosslessCut 3.70 updates FFmpeg and improves metadata editing.
- Bundled FFmpeg upgraded to 8.1, fixing a security issue
- New Theme setting: follow the system, or choose dark or light
- Metadata editor: copy metadata from another track or file, and apply a value to all tracks of the same type
- Warns when an HEVC track lacks the hvc1 tag needed by Apple devices
- .llc project files now open with a double-click
- Faster trackpad pinch zoom on the timeline
LosslessCut FAQ
Is LosslessCut free?
Yes. The download from GitHub is free and open source under the GPL-2.0 license, and the developer says it will always stay free. A paid Mac App Store version exists to support development.
What is the difference between the GitHub and Mac App Store versions?
Both are LosslessCut. The Mac App Store version costs money, updates through the App Store and supports the developer; the GitHub version is free. The developer's FAQ lists the small differences.
How can LosslessCut cut video without losing quality?
It does not re-encode. It cuts the existing data stream and copies it to the new file, which is why it is so fast and the picture stays exactly the same.
Why does my cut start a little before the point I chose?
A lossless cut can only start on a keyframe. LosslessCut lets you jump between keyframes on the timeline so you can choose a cut point that matches one.
Can LosslessCut join several videos?
Yes, as long as the files have the same codec settings, for example clips from the same camera.
Can LosslessCut remove or extract an audio track?
Yes. You can remove a track, add or replace one, or extract the audio, video or subtitle tracks to separate files.
Which macOS version does LosslessCut need?
LosslessCut needs macOS 12 Monterey or later. Older versions of LosslessCut still work on older macOS versions.
Does LosslessCut run on Apple Silicon?
Yes. There are separate downloads for Apple Silicon and Intel Macs.
Which formats does LosslessCut support?
It works with most formats FFmpeg can read, such as MP4, MOV, MKV, TS and common audio files, and can remux between compatible formats.
Where does the LosslessCut download on losslesscut.FULLMAC.app come from?
The download button leads to the official LosslessCut releases on GitHub at https://github.com/mifi/lossless-cut/releases/latest. losslesscut.FULLMAC.app does not change or repackage the app.
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