Put Two Videos Side by Side: How to Compare

This guide explains how to put two videos side by side for comparison, analysis, or reaction content. You can do it in a video editor, a media player, or with a simple browser tool — the best method depends on whether you need to edit, just watch, or share the result.

Formula

The calculator above works out the difference between two video durations and the total time you would need to watch both videos side by side. The formula is:

Duration difference = Video 1 duration − Video 2 duration

Total time = Video 1 duration + Video 2 duration

Where both durations are in minutes. The difference is positive when Video 1 is longer, negative when Video 2 is longer, and zero when they are equal.

Worked Example

Using the default values: Video 1 is 5 minutes, Video 2 is 3 minutes.

1. Duration difference = 5 − 3 = 2 minutes
2. Total side-by-side time = 5 + 3 = 8 minutes

So Video 1 is 2 minutes longer, and watching both side by side would take 8 minutes of your attention.

Why Put Two Videos Side by Side?

People compare videos for many reasons: checking a side-by-side product demo, comparing a before-and-after edit, analyzing a sports technique, or creating a reaction video. Side-by-side viewing lets you see differences that are hard to spot when watching one after the other. It is also useful for verifying that two versions of the same clip are identical in timing and content.

For example, a video editor might place a raw clip next to the color-graded version to check consistency. A gamer might compare two settings to see which looks better. A teacher might show a student’s attempt next to a model performance.

How to Put Two Videos Side by Side in a Video Editor

Most non-linear editors (NLEs) make this easy. The general steps are:

1. Import both video files into your project.
2. Create a new sequence or timeline with the same resolution as your final output (e.g., 1920×1080).
3. Drag Video 1 to the left half of the frame and Video 2 to the right half. In most editors, you can do this by scaling the clips to 50% width and positioning them at x=25% and x=75%.
4. Adjust the timeline so both clips start at the same time. If one video is longer, you can trim the end or extend the shorter one with a freeze frame.
5. Export the result as a single video file.

Popular editors like Adobe Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, Final Cut Pro, and even free ones like Shotcut or OpenShot all support this workflow. The exact menu names vary, but the principle is the same: scale and position each clip.

How to Put Two Videos Side by Side Without Editing

If you just want to watch two videos at the same time without exporting a new file, you can use a media player that supports multiple instances.

• VLC Media Player: Open the first video, then open a second VLC window and drag the second video into it. Position the two windows manually on your screen. VLC does not have a built-in side-by-side mode, but you can resize the windows.
• IINA (macOS): Open two videos in separate windows and arrange them.
• Browser tabs: Play both videos in two browser tabs and use the browser’s split-screen feature (e.g., Windows 11 Snap Layouts or macOS Split View) to place them side by side.

This method is quick and requires no rendering, but it does not produce a single video file. It is ideal for casual comparison or live viewing.

How to Put Two Videos Side by Side Online

Several free web tools let you upload two videos and generate a side-by-side composite. These are convenient if you do not want to install software. The typical workflow is:

1. Upload both videos to the website.
2. Choose the layout (left/right or top/bottom).
3. Set the output resolution and frame rate.
4. Click “Create� or “Merge� and download the result.

Be aware of privacy issues: uploading sensitive footage to a third-party site may not be safe. Also, most free online tools have file size limits (often around 500 MB) and may add a watermark.

Common Problems and How to Avoid Them

Several issues come up when putting videos side by side:

• Different resolutions: If one video is 1920×1080 and the other is 1280×720, the smaller one will look stretched or have black bars. Scale both to the same height to avoid distortion.
• Different frame rates: A 30 fps video next to a 60 fps video can appear jerky. Convert both to the same frame rate before compositing.
• Audio sync: If you are comparing audio, make sure both clips start at the same moment. Use a clap or a visual cue to align them.
• Aspect ratio mismatch: A 16:9 video next to a 4:3 video will leave empty space. Use a background color or blur to fill the gap.

Always check the output on a real screen before sharing, because what looks fine in the editor may look different after export.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I put two videos side by side in VLC?

VLC does not have a built-in side-by-side feature, but you can open two VLC windows and arrange them manually. This works for viewing but not for creating a single video file.

How do I put two videos side by side on my phone?

Mobile video editing apps like CapCut, InShot, and KineMaster allow you to place two clips on the same timeline and resize them. The steps are similar to desktop editors: import both clips, scale them to 50%, and position them left and right.

What is the best resolution for side-by-side videos?

Use the resolution of your target platform. For YouTube, 1920×1080 is standard. If each video is 1920×1080, you will need a 3840×1080 canvas to keep full quality, but this is uncommon. Most people use 1920×1080 and scale each video to 960×1080.

Can I put two videos side by side with different lengths?

Yes. The shorter video will simply end before the longer one. You can either leave the remaining space blank, freeze the last frame of the shorter video, or trim the longer video to match.

Is there a free way to put videos side by side?

Yes. Free video editors like DaVinci Resolve, Shotcut, and OpenShot offer this capability. Online tools like Clideo or Kapwing also have free tiers, but they often limit file size and add watermarks.

Do I need to convert videos before putting them side by side?

Most editors accept common formats like MP4, MOV, and AVI without conversion. If one video is in an unusual format, it is safer to convert it to MP4 (H.264) first to avoid compatibility issues.

Related

• Outlook Change Customize Navigation Pane Font Size
• Fix Nginx Failed to Read PID from File on Startup
• Green Chemistry Lab: Cut Waste and Costs

in t | Video 1 duration | min | 5 | 0
in s | Video 2 duration | min | 3 | 0
out diff | Duration difference | min | t - s | 1
out total | Total side-by-side time | min | t + s | 1