How to Make Side-by-Side Video
Side-by-side videos are often used to show "Before" and "After" states, create video collages, display parallel dancing, or for any creative idea you have.
Side-by-side videos are a popular and effective way to show multiple clips in one frame. In this article, we’ll look at what these videos are, their pros and cons, and give you a step-by-step guide to making your own using Clideo’s online video editor. Whether you’re a content creator, teacher, social media fan, or just curious about video editing, you’ll learn how to use the split screen effect for storytelling, comparisons, tutorials, and more.
What is a side-by-side or split-screen video
A side-by-side video, also known as a split-screen video, is a creative way to show two or more video clips at the same time in one frame. The clips are usually placed next to each other, either horizontally or vertically.
This format lets you watch different perspectives, scenes, or moments at the same time, which can make your storytelling more engaging. Split-screen videos are used for reaction videos, comparisons like before-and-after shots, tutorials, interviews, and multi-angle event coverage. They work well whenever you want to show more than one thing at once.
Split-screen videos appear on platforms like YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and in professional presentations. Content creators, teachers, marketers, and influencers use this format to make their content more dynamic and interactive. It helps engage audiences in ways that single-screen videos often can’t.
- Reach more viewers. Split-screen videos can attract a wider audience. Whether people prefer visual content or detailed information, this format can meet both needs. It helps you cater to different preferences and viewing habits.
- More creative options. Split-screen videos let you try different styles and formats, making your videos more engaging and dynamic. This helps your creative work stand out online, where it can be hard to get noticed.
- Easier understanding. You can mix spoken explanations with visual demonstrations to make complex ideas easier to understand. This is especially helpful for teaching or explaining detailed topics. It also supports different learning styles, leading to better understanding among viewers.
- Keep viewers engaged. Showing several perspectives or actions at once helps keep your audience interested for longer and can lower bounce rates. This can improve your content’s performance on social media platforms.
- Too much information. Displaying too much at once can overwhelm viewers and make the story confusing, even for experienced creators. It’s important to balance the content. Before adding yet another clip, ask yourself, "What’s the single insight the viewer must retain?"
- Distracting visuals. When several visual elements compete for attention, some viewers may have trouble focusing and could miss your main message or lose track of the story. Careful planning and design can help avoid this problem.
- Less focus on quality. Using split screen too much can make your content look flashy but shallow, with style taking over substance. This can make your videos feel less meaningful and may reduce engagement.
- Hard to create. Making split-screen videos with perfect timing requires good editing skills and the right software. Without these, the process can be frustrating and take a lot of time. Learning these skills takes practice, but using quality software can make it easier and save time.
How to put two video files side by side
Many social media platforms let you create video comparisons, but often you can’t share those results elsewhere. You may need video editing software that can create split-screen effects and handle all your other editing needs.
You asked, and we listened! Clideo offers separate tools for editing tasks like adding sound, muting, applying filters, cutting, reversing, and flipping. There is also an all-in-one video editor that can handle all these functions and more.
With Clideo, you can edit videos on any device without needing to upload and download files repeatedly, which saves valuable storage space on your laptop. You can use Clideo video editor on your laptop or mobile browser, or get the iOS Video Editor app if you prefer editing on your phone. The editor is multi-functional and designed to be user-friendly.
Let’s get started! Here’s how to make a comparison or reaction side-by-side video.
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Upload video clips to the split-screen video editor
Open Clideo's Video Editor in any browser and on any device and hit the "Get started" button.
Next, click the "+" icon on the left sidebar or the "Upload" button to add your video clips. You can also drag and drop files from your computer. You’ll need at least two videos or images to place side by side. If your upload stalls or doesn't progress, try importing files from Google Drive or Dropbox. You can also use the built-in stock libraries with videos, images, music, GIFs, emojis, stickers, shapes, and more.
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Create a split-screen video
Choose an aspect ratio (vertical, square, or horizontal) by clicking "Canvas" and set a background color if needed.
All the videos you uploaded will be automatically added to the timeline (if not, just click the thumbnail in the "Media" section). In the timeline, place one file under another to make sure they play simultaneously, and adjust their lengths using the yellow handles.
In the player, you might see only one video at first if they are the same size. Click the video to make it active, then drag a side or corner handle to crop or resize it. The second video or image will appear behind the first. Adjust and move the videos until they look right.
Add other elements you might need to create a mood or add extra details. Use the "Elements" libraries in the left sidebar to find stickers, emojis, or GIFs. If you want to add a caption, click "Text" and choose a preset. You can adjust all the settings in the editor’s left pane, including the text, font, color, and other features.
Then adjust the duration of the text on the timeline and position it in the player.
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Process and save the video with a split-screen effect
When you are done, hit the "Export" button at the top right and choose the output resolution. Free accounts may avail of 480p and 720p quality. To save the project in HD or 4K quality, consider upgrading to Clideo Pro. You can also create a GIF if your project is no longer than 30 seconds.
After the clip is processed, you can review it one more time, save it to your device, upload it to cloud storage, or return to editing if needed.
If you are interested in other all-in-one video editor options and features, as well as other video editing tools, you can find more information in our Help Center.
Creative tips
Making a good side-by-side video takes more than just putting clips next to each other. To keep your audience interested without overwhelming them, try these best practices:
- Limit the number of videos: Avoid overcrowding the screen with too many clips. Stick to two or three videos to maintain clarity and focus.
- Use consistent color schemes and styles: Harmonize the look of your videos by adjusting brightness, contrast, or applying similar filters. This creates a cohesive visual experience that’s easier on the eyes.
- Balance motion and stillness: If one clip is very dynamic, try pairing it with a calmer video. This contrast helps prevent sensory overload and guides viewer attention effectively.
- Apply smooth transitions: Use subtle transitions between clips or sections to create a natural flow. Avoid abrupt cuts that may distract or confuse viewers.
- Incorporate clear focal points: Make sure each video has a clear subject or action that draws attention. Avoid cluttered scenes that compete for focus.
- Use captions and text sparingly: Add concise text or labels to provide context, but don’t overcrowd the screen with too much information.
- Synchronize audio thoughtfully: If your split-screen videos have sound, balance audio levels or mute some tracks to avoid cacophony.
By following these tips, you can make split-screen videos that are interesting, engaging, and easy to follow. This will help your content connect with viewers and improve your storytelling.
To create a video with two videos side by side with Clideo, simply upload your clips to the online video editor, drag them onto the timeline stacked vertically, resize and position them side by side within the single frame, and then export the final split-screen video.
Yes, Clideo's video editor lets you add music or audio to your split-screen video. You can upload your own audio files or use the built-in audio library. You can also record or generate a voiceover.
Absolutely! Clideo supports adding text or captions to your videos. You can also use the Add Subtitle tool to create, edit, and synchronize longer subtitles for your split-screen video.
Clideo supports all major video formats, including MP4, MOV, AVI, and MKV. You can upload and work with almost any video file you have, making it easy to create split-screen videos regardless of your source material.
Yes, Clideo works on phones, tablets, and computers. You can use it via your mobile browser or the iOS app, making video editing easy on any device.
Yes, you have full control over the layout of your split-screen video. You can stack videos horizontally or vertically, resize, crop, and reposition clips, and adjust playback settings such as speed.
Making a side-by-side video with Clideo is easy, even for beginners. Whether you want to compare clips, tell stories, or show different perspectives, Clideo offers tools for trimming, resizing, arranging, and adding music, voiceover, and text. You can create professional-looking videos with ease.
