For a command line tool for video transcoding, the first results are ffmpeg/ffmpeg, mifi/editly (Editly is a headless, programmatic video engine that runs from the command line and can trim clips and export to multiple formats via FFmpeg, fitting the request for a video trimming and conversion tool, though it is more of a full automated assembler than a simple trimmer) and sindresorhus/gifski (Gifski converts videos to high-quality animated GIFs but is a macOS desktop app rather than a command-line tool for general video trimming, splitting, or multi-format conversion). zulko/moviepy and mifi/lossless-cut round out the shortlist. Compare the match explanations and check the project documentation against your requirements.
Command line utilities for cutting, trimming, and converting video files between various digital media formats.
FFmpeg is a cross-platform multimedia framework designed for the recording, conversion, and streaming of audio and video content. It functions as a comprehensive toolkit that provides both a command-line utility for direct media manipulation and a collection of low-level libraries for integration into custom applications. At its core, the project utilizes a packet-based stream engine and a format-agnostic abstraction layer to handle diverse media standards, containers, and network protocols. The framework distinguishes itself through a modular, graph-based filter execution model that allows f
FFmpeg is the definitive command-line multimedia framework that natively supports trimming, splitting, format conversion, lossless cutting, batch processing, subtitle handling, and a vast filter graph for effects—directly matching your need for a video editing/conversion tool from the terminal.
Editly is a headless, programmatic video engine and automated assembler. It functions as a declarative video editor that generates MP4 and GIF exports from structured data or code, removing the need for a manual graphical user interface. The system is distinguished by its ability to integrate GLSL fragment shaders as visual layers within a programmatic timeline. It uses a configuration-based model to define clips, layers, and audio tracks, allowing for reproducible video assembly and the generation of custom programmatic graphics. The engine covers a broad range of media production capabilit
Editly is a headless, programmatic video engine that runs from the command line and can trim clips and export to multiple formats via FFmpeg, fitting the request for a video trimming and conversion tool, though it is more of a full automated assembler than a simple trimmer.
Gifski is a native macOS desktop application and video processing utility designed to convert video files into high-quality animated GIFs. It functions as a video-to-GIF converter that allows for the adjustment of frame rates and dimensions to balance visual fidelity with file size. The tool features capabilities for animation loop generation, including the creation of bounce effects by reversing video playback. It employs palette-based color quantization and error-diffusion dithering to maintain color accuracy and reduce banding in the final output. The application integrates with macOS sys
Gifski converts videos to high-quality animated GIFs but is a macOS desktop app rather than a command-line tool for general video trimming, splitting, or multi-format conversion.
MoviePy is a Python video editing library and automated video processor designed for programmatically cutting, concatenating, and manipulating video and audio files. It serves as a non-linear video editor and an interface for FFmpeg to handle the reading, writing, and conversion of diverse media formats and codecs. The library enables automated video composition through the layering of multiple video and audio streams using transparency and coordinate-based positioning. It supports dynamic content generation by inserting text overlays and performing custom video frame processing where raw fra
MoviePy is a Python library for programmatic video editing, not a standalone command-line tool — you would need to write your own script to use it at the terminal, so it does not directly serve the visitor's request for a ready-to-use command-line trimming and conversion tool.
LosslessCut is a desktop application designed for the precise editing of video and audio files without re-encoding the underlying media streams. By performing stream copying and container remuxing, the software allows users to cut, merge, and rearrange media segments while maintaining the original bit-perfect quality of the source content. The application distinguishes itself by utilizing a stream-copying data pipeline that transfers raw media packets directly from source to destination, significantly reducing processing time compared to traditional transcoding workflows. It also functions as
LosslessCut is a desktop GUI application for lossless video cutting and remuxing, not a command-line tool; while it handles lossless cutting and format conversion, it lacks the command-line interface the visitor requires.
Gifify is a tool for converting video files into optimized animated GIFs. It functions as a video to GIF converter and optimization utility that extracts specific clips from video files and burns text or subtitle overlays directly into the frames. The project differentiates itself through specialized GIF optimization, using lossy compression, color count limiting, and custom color palette generation to reduce file sizes. It also provides precise control over the output by allowing users to adjust playback speed, reverse playback direction, and resize dimensions. The software covers a broad s
Gifify is a command-line tool for converting video clips into optimized animated GIFs with trimming and subtitle overlay, but it only outputs GIFs rather than supporting general video format conversion between multiple containers and codecs as this search requires.
HandBrake is an open-source media converter and video transcoding application designed to process digital video and audio files. It functions as a desktop utility that converts media from nearly any format into widely supported codecs, facilitating video format conversion and the optimization of files for specific playback requirements. The software serves as a tool for digital media archiving, allowing users to compress and preserve high-quality video into manageable formats. It also functions as a DVD and Blu-ray ripper, enabling the extraction and conversion of content from physical optica
HandBrake is a desktop video transcoder with a command-line interface, but it re-encodes rather than offering lossless cutting and is not designed as a dedicated CLI trimming tool—so it covers conversion and filtering but not the full feature set you’d need from a command-line video editor.
VERT is a media conversion platform designed to transform images, audio, video, and documents into various formats. It functions as a batch file processor that allows users to apply consistent conversion settings and custom naming patterns to multiple assets simultaneously, bundling the final outputs into compressed archives for streamlined organization. The system distinguishes itself through a distributed architecture that routes heavy media transcoding tasks across local hardware or remote server infrastructure. This approach optimizes performance by balancing computational workloads, allo
VERT is a batch media conversion platform with a web interface rather than a command-line tool, and though it supports format conversion via ffmpeg, it does not advertise the trimming or splitting of videos that this search specifically requires.
Pyvideotrans is an automated video localization platform designed to transcribe, translate, and dub media content for international distribution. It functions as an end-to-end workflow that combines speech recognition, text translation, and synthetic voice generation to process video files into localized versions. The system distinguishes itself by offering a choice between local model inference for privacy and integration with third-party cloud services via user-provided credentials. This architecture allows users to maintain control over their billing and data security while utilizing modul
This repo is a video localization platform for transcription, translation, and dubbing, not a command-line tool for trimming, splitting, and converting video formats as requested.
Shotcut is a professional-grade, cross-platform non-linear video editor built on the MLT multimedia framework. It provides a comprehensive suite for post-production, supporting multi-track timeline editing, high-fidelity color processing, and complex visual effects. The application is designed to handle diverse audio and video formats natively, ensuring high-resolution and HDR workflows are managed within a unified environment. The software distinguishes itself through a modular architecture that emphasizes performance and precision. It utilizes a GPU-accelerated rendering pipeline and proxy-
Shotcut is a full GUI-based non-linear video editor, not a command-line tool; while it can trim and convert video, it does not match the request for a CLI-focused utility.
Auto-subs is an AI transcription and automatic captioning tool that converts spoken audio from video files into synchronized subtitles. It functions as a subtitle generator and a transcription bridge, enabling the conversion of speech to text with automatic speaker identification and multi-language translation support. The software prioritizes data privacy by utilizing on-device AI inference to process audio and video files locally on the user's hardware. It distinguishes itself by offering deep integration with professional video editing workflows, allowing users to export timing and transcr
This tool generates subtitles and transcriptions from video audio, but does not trim, split, or convert video files, so it is not the command-line video editor/converter you are looking for.
GSYVideoPlayer is a versatile video player framework for Android that acts as a multi-engine playback wrapper. It provides a unified playback interface to control different video playback kernels, such as ExoPlayer, IJKplayer, and MediaPlayer, ensuring compatibility across diverse mobile hardware. The framework distinguishes itself through a flexible architecture that allows for core component swapping, enabling the replacement of playback engines, managers, or rendering layers. It includes a dedicated video caching manager for local storage and a customizable media UI component that supports
GSYVideoPlayer is an Android video playback framework, not a command-line tool for trimming, splitting, or converting videos — it helps build player apps, not process files from the terminal.
| Repository | Stars | Language | License | Last push |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ffmpeg/ffmpeg | 61.2K | C | NOASSERTION | |
| mifi/editly | 5.4K | TypeScript | MIT | |
| sindresorhus/gifski |
| 8.5K |
| Swift |
| MIT |
| zulko/moviepy | 14.7K | Python | MIT |
| mifi/lossless-cut | 41.4K | TypeScript | GPL-2.0 |
| vvo/gifify | 6.3K | JavaScript | ISC |
| handbrake/handbrake | 22.4K | C | other |
| vert-sh/vert | 14K | Svelte | agpl-3.0 |
| jianchang512/pyvideotrans | 18K | Python | GPL-3.0 |
| mltframework/shotcut | 13.5K | C++ | gpl-3.0 |