LosslessCut

Audio & Video

Quickly cut and organize video or audio segments, copying media data where possible to avoid full re-encoding.

Use with conditions

Official website Repository

Last updatedRelease 2026-06-04

Open source licenseGPL-2.0

PlatformsWindows x64 · macOS Intel / Apple Silicon · Linux

DeploymentDesktop

About this project

LosslessCut is a graphical FFmpeg-based tool focused on operations that avoid re-encoding media. Its central workflow selects portions of audio or video for export, often to extract useful sections from longer recordings. Much of the speed comes from copying existing media data instead of encoding the entire video again, alongside tools for handling tracks.

Users open a file, mark segment boundaries, rearrange segments, and choose separate exports or a merged result. The tracks panel selects video, audio, and subtitle streams, while another container format can be chosen for output. Project files retain editing decisions such as segments. Exports normally create new files rather than modifying the source in place.

The documentation sets limits: this is not a complete multi-source nonlinear editing timeline, and complex workflows can require several operations. Lossless cutting does not always begin at the exact selected frame, and codec/container combinations have compatibility constraints. Store releases commonly follow GitHub versions, which the maintainer describes as public testing for newer functionality.

LosslessCut official repository README LosslessCut official usage documentation

Decision guide

Why it is worth a look

Basic cutting usually avoids complete re-encoding
Graphical interface for common FFmpeg operations
Official free manual downloads and store distribution

Before you use it

Frame-accurate cutting is constrained by keyframes and formats; Smart cut is experimental
The 3.69.0 Windows ARM package lacks ffmpeg and is not a stable path for ordinary users
Store and free manual-download versions differ in update handling

Manual setupLow

With an AI agentLow

DeploymentDesktop

Additional requirementsNot verified

Use a supported operating system; Have permission to install local applications; Some requirements have not been verified. Check the official setup instructions.

What it can do

Lossless audio/video cutting
Reorder and join compatible segments
Extract or replace audio tracks
Change media containers
Export frame snapshots
Save projects containing cut segments

Who it fits

Good for

Quickly removing unwanted portions of recordings; Valuing speed while accepting keyframe limitations

Not a fit

Needing multi-track effects, complex grading, or lossless cuts at arbitrary frames

Getting started

Choose a stable package for a supported architecture from official releases
Open a file and mark the segments to keep
Export to a new file and check video and audio before handling the original

Alternatives to consider

What it takes

Getting startedLow

Ongoing maintenanceLow

Failure impactModerate

Knowledge neededLow

Not selected for comparison.

Get help from an AI agent

DeploymentDesktop

Additional requirementsNot verified

With an AI agentLow

{
  "project": "LosslessCut",
  "decision": "Use with conditions",
  "purpose": "Quickly cut and organize video or audio segments, copying media data where possible to avoid full re-encoding.",
  "repository": "https://github.com/mifi/lossless-cut",
  "official_site": "https://losslesscut.app/",
  "deploy_shape": "Desktop",
  "additional_dependencies": "Use a supported operating system; Have permission to install local applications; Some requirements have not been verified. Check the official setup instructions.",
  "direct_setup": "Easy: use the official graphical installer",
  "ai_assisted_setup": "Easy: AI can explain platform choices, settings, and errors; successful troubleshooting is not guaranteed",
  "operational_burden": "Low: update regularly and independently back up personal data",
  "operational_risk": "Moderate: verify exported contents and timing before deleting originals",
  "knowledge_requirement": "Low: basic knowledge of installing applications, managing files, and backups",
  "license": "GPL-2.0",
  "install_steps": [
    "Choose a stable package for a supported architecture from official releases",
    "Open a file and mark the segments to keep",
    "Export to a new file and check video and audio before handling the original"
  ],
  "good_for": "Quickly removing unwanted portions of recordings; Valuing speed while accepting keyframe limitations",
  "avoid_if": "Needing multi-track effects, complex grading, or lossless cuts at arbitrary frames"
}