MKVToolNix
With MKVToolNix, add video, audio, subtitles and chapters into an MKV file without recoding those tracks.
Developer Moritz Bunkus
Version 102.0 · Open source · Windows · macOS · Linux
Looking for an alternative to MKVToolNix?Compare Avidemux, VidCutter, LosslessCut.Compare alternativesAn MKV file is a container for different tracks. MKVToolNix lets you choose which video, audio and subtitles are recorded and what language or standard status they get. For example, you can leave out an unnecessary audio track or add an appropriate subtitle file. The app does not automatically change the used video codec or image quality. If a television does not support a codec, only another container will not solve it. Also check that subtitles and audio are part of the recording timing before processing a large file.
Compare MKVToolNix with alternatives
If you only want to delete fragments or merge files, you don't always have to encode again. Without recompression, you can retain the original quality and export faster, but precise snippets can be limited by keyframes and container support. For color correction and effects you need a full editor.
| Software | What can it do? | Platform and licence |
|---|---|---|
| MKVToolNixYou are viewing this app | You manage video, audio and subtitle tracks in Matroska files, including merge and split. You don't mount effects or images on a normal timeline. | Windows, macOS, LinuxOpen source |
| AvidemuxView this alternative | You cut video, apply filters and choose to copy or re-encrypt by stream. That gives more control over simple conversion and cutting tasks. | Windows, macOS, LinuxOpen source |
| VidCutterView this alternative | You select video fragments and merge them into a targeted cut interface. The support depends on the source format and the playback and export components. | Windows, macOS, LinuxOpen source |
| LosslessCutView this alternative | You cut and combine supported media files without recoding. When exactly cut, the place of keyframes plays a role. | Windows, macOS, LinuxGPL-2.0-or-later |
Choose an alternative to explore its features, system requirements and download options.
Who is it for?
You use MKVToolNix to repack and reorder existing media streams. For smallering by recoding or for extensive editing, you need other software.
Getting started
Download the official package for your platform and open MKVToolNix GUI. Add a source file and choose a different output file name than the original.
Privacy
You process the files locally. Inserted tags, chapters and file names may contain information you do not want to share; please check it when creating an exchange file.
Good to know
MKVToolNix bundles and changes tracks in containers, but does not automatically convert an unsupported codec. Check what your playback device really supports.
Please note
Test the result on the player for which it is intended. Container support says nothing about supporting any audio, video or subtitle codec.
Advantages
- You can merge tracks without recoding.
- You can set languages and standard tracks.
- You can leave unnecessary traces.
Things to consider
- You don't automatically change the codec.
- Time codes and subtitles have to match.
- Not every player supports all MKV content.
Download MKVToolNix
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Provider’s website · mkvtoolnix.download
Version history
102.0 Security
You will get a security correction for reading AVI files and recovery for automatically executed actions.
- Specially created AVI files could cause invalid memory access in mkvmerge. The processing of the ODML index has been modified for this purpose.
- If you use the action to perform a program after a task, variables will be replaced in the arguments. That didn't work right since version 100.
101.0
The update fixes the disappearance of a last small TrueHD frame and updates the Matroska libraries.
The updated libraries also correct invalid memory access on certain corrupted input. Windows icons and task execution have also been improved.
Report a new version
Our verdict
MKVToolNix is the right kind of tool when content is good and only packaging or track selection needs to change. For compression, an encoder is a better addition.
Choose this route if image and sound are already good and you want to bring together a subtitle or other audio track. Determine which tracks are retained and which language is chosen by default. Check the result on your playback device, because available tracks and automatic selection are not the same. If you want to change a smaller file by changing quality settings, that step is part of recoding and not just another package.
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