12 Best Side by Side Video Apps & Split Screen Video Editors
- Sam Hajighasem
- 15 hours ago
- 9 min read
Side-by-side video layouts are everywhere now, from TikTok duets and podcast interviews to tutorial reactions and product reviews. A side-by-side video places two clips in one frame, while a split-screen video is the broader category that includes two-up, three-up, four-up, and other multi-screen grids. The right editor makes it fast to align, crop, and sync clips without fighting your timeline.
This listicle highlights the 12 best side-by-side video apps and split-screen video editors available across Windows, Mac, iPhone, Android, and the web. You will also find quick how-tos, platform-native options, and FAQs so you can split the video screen with confidence.
Key takeaways:
Side-by-side video is a subtype of split-screen video, where two clips are placed next to each other in a single frame.
Choose your tool based on device, skill level, and output format (9:16 vertical, 1:1 square, 16:9 landscape).
Best overall for most creators: Riverside. Great desktop picks include iMovie, Filmora, and Premiere Pro. On mobile, try InShot, Splice, or LumaFusion.
What is by side-by-side video, and how is it different from a split screen?
Side-by-side video shows two panels next to each other in a single composition. Split-screen video is the umbrella term: it can be two-up, three-up, four-up, a video collage, or even dynamic layouts that switch by speaker. If your intent is simple comparisons, reactions, interviews, or duets, a side-by-side layout is the fastest way to tell your story clearly.
The 12 Best Side-by-Side Video Apps and Split-Screen Video Editors
1) Riverside (Web, iOS, Android) — Best overall
Ideal for: Creators of all levels who want studio-quality recording and instant side-by-side layouts with minimal editing.
Pricing: Free plan; paid plans from roughly 24–29 dollars per month.
Why it stands out: Riverside records each participant locally (up to 4K) and syncs tracks automatically. In the built-in editor, pick a side-by-side layout in seconds, switch between full and split views, and export to the right aspect ratio for TikTok, YouTube, or Reels. Smart Scenes lets you auto-switch layouts to highlight the active speaker.
Key features:
One-click side-by-side and grid layouts
Separate audio and video tracks per guest for clean edits
Screen share captured as its own track
Noise reduction and AI audio enhancement
Text-based editing and Magic Clips for social-ready cutdowns
2) Final Cut Pro (Mac) — Pro-grade Mac editing
Ideal for: Professional editors who want Apple Silicon speed and deep control.
Pricing: 299.99 dollars a lifetime license.
Why it stands out: Use compound clips, precise resizing, and snapping tools to build side-by-side or multi-screen compositions with cinematic polish. Plugins extend layouts and motion graphics.
Key features:
Compound clips for grouped edits
Magnetic timeline with powerful organization
Optimized for Apple Silicon rendering
3) iMovie (Mac, iOS) — Best free for beginners
Ideal for: Beginners and casual creators who want a simple split screen.
Pricing: Free.
Why it stands out: Drag your second clip above the first on the timeline, open Video Overlay settings, and choose Split Screen. Add or remove a divider, swap positions, and adjust zoom with a few taps.
Key features:
Split-screen overlay mode with easy controls
Built-in music, sound effects, and stabilization
Seamless iPhone-to-Mac workflow
4) Adobe Premiere Pro (Windows, Mac) — Industry standard for power users
Ideal for: Professional producers who need precision and Creative Cloud integration.
Pricing: 22.99 per month; full Creative Cloud plan available.
Why it stands out: Build advanced side-by-side or multi-camera layouts with keyframe animation, crop and transform, guides, and rulers for pixel-perfect alignment.
Key features:
Keyframe-driven layout animation
Multicam sequence editing
Customizable borders and graphic elements
5) Filmora (Windows, Mac) — Templates and speed
Ideal for: Intermediate users who want ready-made layouts and flexible controls.
Pricing: Free plan; paid from 49.99 per year.
Why it stands out: Choose from a large library of split-screen templates to make two-up or multi-screen collages quickly, then tweak borders, timing, and motion effects.
Key features:
Split-screen templates and presets
Motion and animation controls
Picture-in-picture and adjustable borders
6) Camtasia (Windows, Mac) — Best for educators and trainers
Ideal for: Teachers, trainers, and demo creators.
Pricing: Often listed around 179.88 dollars per year; check current pricing.
Why it stands out: Combine screen recordings with camera footage, place clips side by side, and add quizzes, callouts, and cursor effects for interactive learning.
Key features:
Multitrack timeline with easy crop and resize
Screen capture plus webcam for two-up lessons
Annotations, transitions, and quizzes
7) Videoleap (Android) — AI-assisted mobile editing
Ideal for: Mobile-first creators who want creative effects.
Pricing: Free plan; paid from $5.99 per month.
Why it stands out: Use overlay layers and masking to place clips side by side, then enhance with AI tools like background generation and object removal.
Key features:
Overlay and masking for layouts
Blending modes and AI effects
Templates for social outputs
8) InShot (iOS, Android) — Fast and friendly for social
Ideal for: Social media creators who prioritize speed.
Pricing: Free plan; paid from $4.99 per month or $19.99 per year.
Why it stands out: Tap Canvas, pick a side-by-side frame, and export in vertical or landscape. Great for quick dual video posts.
Key features:
Picture-in-picture and borders
Text, stickers, and transitions
One-tap aspect ratio switching
9) KineMaster (iOS, Android) — Precision on the go
Ideal for: Intermediate users who want timeline control and audio tools.
Pricing: Free plan; paid from $8.99 per month or $44.99 per year.
Why it stands out: Create side-by-side video with mask presets, frame-accurate trimming, multiple layers, and blending modes.
Key features:
Multi-layer timeline with key controls
Mask and crop for precise two-up layouts
4K export and asset marketplace
10) Splice (iOS) — Pro-feel mobile editor
Ideal for: iPhone creators who want fast, clean side-by-side workflows.
Pricing: Free; optional paid features.
Why it stands out: Import clips, use overlay to line up a two-panel layout, fine-tune framing, and export in 4K. Intuitive even for newcomers.
Key features:
Aspect ratio presets
Built-in animations and custom effects
Direct share to social platforms
11) Detail (iOS) — Reaction and interview specialists
Ideal for: Reaction videos, podcast clips, and quick edits.
Pricing: Free version; paid from about 4.99 dollars per month.
Why it stands out: Connect multiple devices for multi-angle capture, then assemble side-by-side layouts. Text-based editing lets you cut by editing the transcript.
Key features:
Multi-camera capture via iPhone and guests
Teleprompter and podcast clip tools
Dynamic reaction video workflows
12) LumaFusion (iOS) — Most powerful mobile timeline
Ideal for: Skilled editors who want desktop-level control on iPad or iPhone.
Pricing: $29.99 for a lifetime license.
Why it stands out: Layer up to 12 video tracks and build precise two-up layouts with keyframing, color correction, snapping, and multicam.
Key features:
Robust multitrack timeline
Keyframe animation and color tools
Multicam Studio for complex edits
Other good split-screen video editors and online options
VEED split screen video (Web): Free, browser-based editor to put two videos side by side, create picture-in-picture, auto-subtitle, and export without installing software. Good for quick social projects and multi-screen collages.
Canva split screen video (Web, apps): Drag-and-drop layouts, grids, and frames to build two-up or four-up designs fast. Ideal for templated brand content.
Kapwing (Web): Timeline editor with customizable split layouts, captions, and stock assets. Great for teams and quick collaboration.
CapCut split screen (Mobile, Desktop): Use Overlay plus Mask or the Split Screen presets to place two clips side by side. Popular with TikTok editors.
Side-by-side video (iOS, 7logic OU): Simple collages with vertical or horizontal layouts, ratios for Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Note the weekly subscription and App Store reviews; privacy label says no data collected.
Platform-native ways to create split-screen video
TikTok Duet and Split effects: Record a reaction or side-by-side duet natively; great for quick takes.
Instagram Layout in Stories: Combine clips in a split view for Stories; you can download and repurpose as a Reel.
Facebook Live Bring a Friend (mobile): Go live split screen with a guest right from the app.
Note: YouTube has no native split-screen editor. Prepare your two-up video externally, then upload.
How to make a side-by-side video step-by-step
Riverside workflow (fastest from record to publish)
1) Open your project, choose the recording to edit, and click Edit.
2) In the Layout tab, pick Grid or another side-by-side layout; apply it to all similar scenes if needed.
3) Adjust aspect ratio to 16:9, 9:16, or 1:1 based on platform.
4) Trim with the text-based editor, generate Magic Clips for social, and export.
Pro tip: Use Smart Scenes to auto-switch between full-screen speaker view and side-by-side for higher engagement.
iMovie split screen (Mac and iPhone)
Mac:
1) Add both clips to a project. Place the second clip above the first in the timeline.
2) Select the top clip, open Video Overlay settings, and choose Split Screen.
3) Swap positions, adjust the divider, and set zoom to fit.
iPhone:
1) Set the playhead where you want the second clip to appear. Tap the plus button and add the second clip as a split screen.
2) Use on-screen controls to swap sides, add or remove a divider, and reposition.
3) Export with the correct aspect ratio for your platform.
CapCut split screen (mobile)
1) Create a project and add your first clip.
2) Tap Overlay to add the second clip, then use Mask or Split Screen presets.
3) Resize, crop, and align. Adjust timing and transitions. Export.
Buying guide — how to pick a split-screen video editor
Skill level: Beginners should favor iMovie, InShot, or VEED. Intermediates can try Filmora and KineMaster. Pros may prefer Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, or LumaFusion.
Device workflow: If you record and edit on a phone, choose InShot, Splice, or KineMaster. For cross-device recording and editing, Riverside streamlines everything.
Output formats: Make sure your editor quickly exports 9:16 (TikTok, Shorts, Reels), 1:1, and 16:9.
Audio control: Separate tracks per speaker are essential for interviews and podcasts. Riverside, LumaFusion, Premiere Pro, and KineMaster offer strong audio workflows.
Templates and speed: If you publish frequently, templates in Filmora, Canva, and VEED save time.
Budget: Free or low-cost options exist on every platform; premium tools justify pricing with speed, stability, and advanced controls.
SEO-friendly FAQs about side-by-side video apps
What is the best app to make side-by-side videos?
For most creators, Riverside is the best overall side-by-side video app because it records each participant locally in high quality, then assembles side-by-side layouts automatically in the editor. If you want free and simple, iMovie and InShot are great. For deep control, try Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, or LumaFusion.
How do I put two videos side by side in iMovie?
On Mac, stack the second clip above the first, select the top clip, open Video Overlay, and choose Split Screen. On iPhone, set the playhead, tap plus to insert the second clip as a split screen, then swap positions or add a divider as needed.
Which side-by-side video editors are free?
iMovie (Mac, iOS)
InShot (free plan)
KineMaster (free plan)
Splice (free)
VEED (free online tools)
CapCut (free)
Note: Free plans may watermark exports or limit features.
What’s the difference between split-screen and side-by-side video?
Side-by-side video is a two-up layout within the larger split-screen family. Split screen can include three or more panels, picture-in-picture, or dynamic grids that change during playback.
How to put two videos side by side on an iPhone?
Use iMovie or InShot. In iMovie, add both clips to a project and choose Split Screen. In InShot, import clips, set Canvas and layout, and export in your preferred ratio.
What about Android?
InShot, KineMaster, CapCut, and Videoleap all let you split the video screen. Add both clips, use overlay and mask or a split screen preset, align, and export.
Can AI help with split-screen editing?
Yes. Riverside uses AI-driven Smart Scenes to switch layouts by active speaker. Many editors now offer AI noise reduction, auto-subtitles, and template recommendations to speed up workflows.
Practical tips to optimize your split-screen video
Frame consistency: Match resolution, frame rate, and color temperature between clips to avoid jarring differences.
Audio clarity: Prioritize mic quality; record separate tracks when possible so you can balance voices independently.
Visual balance: Add subtle borders or background color to separate panels and improve readability.
Aspect ratios: Choose 9:16 for TikTok, Reels, and Shorts; 16:9 for YouTube; 1:1 for some feeds. Export multiple versions when possible.
Hook and pacing: Start with a clear visual hook and cut dead air. For reactions, punch in on key moments; for interviews, switch between full-screen and side by side to maintain engagement.
Conclusion:
If your goal is clarity, engagement, and speed, choose a side-by-side video app that matches your workflow. For most creators, Riverside offers the most seamless path from recording to a polished side-by-side video, thanks to local 4K capture, automatic layouts, and simple exports. Beginners can start free with iMovie, InShot, or VEED, while advanced editors will love the precision in Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, and LumaFusion. Whatever you pick, keep your split-screen video clean, balanced, and optimized for platform-specific aspect ratios so your content stands out and performs.
If you want a faster, cleaner workflow to publish side-by-side video across TikTok, Reels, and YouTube, our agency builds record-to-edit pipelines and brand templates so your split-screen video and split video screen layouts stay polished and on spec.
