MP4Joiner vs Bandicut: Free Joiner or Paid Cutter-Joiner?
Bandicut and MP4Joiner are the two tools in this category that understand the same truth: joining video does not have to mean re-encoding it. Bandicut (by Bandisoft, the Bandicam company) is a paid Windows cutter and joiner whose high-speed mode joins same-format clips without re-encoding. MP4Joiner is a free, open-source joiner built around the same stream-copy idea. The real differences are where each tool puts its emphasis — and the price tag.
Side by side
| Dimension | Bandicut | MP4Joiner (MP4Tools 3.8) |
|---|---|---|
| Emphasis | Cutting first: extract or remove segments precisely, then join what remains | Joining first: assemble a list of clips into one file; splitting handled by the bundled MP4Splitter |
| Lossless mode | High-speed mode joins/cuts same-format clips without re-encoding; an encoding mode exists for precise cuts and format changes | Direct stream copy by default when clip parameters match; optional force re-encode for mismatched clips |
| Cut precision | Frame-level cutting is a headline feature (in encoding mode) | Simple cut function for trimming a clip within the joiner; not a frame-editing tool |
| Formats | Works with a range of common video formats | MP4-family only (plus audio-file joining) |
| Platforms | Windows only | Windows and macOS; Linux from source |
| Price model | Paid license after a trial — see the official site for current pricing. This site has no affiliate arrangement with Bandicut | Free and open source (GNU GPL), no paid tier |
| Interface | Modern, actively maintained commercial UI | Functional but older interface; current version 3.8 dates from 2019 |
Where each one wins
Bandicut wins when cutting is the main job. If you regularly pull highlights out of long recordings, remove middles, and need cuts at exact frames, a cutter-first tool with a maintained interface earns its license fee. Its high-speed mode respects the same lossless principle for straightforward same-format joins. You can check current terms on the official Bandicut page — a plain link; we earn nothing from it.
MP4Joiner wins when joining is the main job. If your task is “these clips, in this order, one file” — especially with a splitting task alongside — a free specialist does it in seconds, on Windows or Mac, with nothing to buy and no trial limits to think about. Start with the download page and the joining guide.
Bottom line: pay for Bandicut when precise cutting is your daily work; keep your money when all you need is a fast, lossless join. Both conclusions respect the same rule — don’t re-encode what you don’t have to.
More options by scenario are in our best MP4 joiners roundup, and joining questions are covered in the FAQ. This page contains no affiliate links. See our affiliate disclosure.