Machete Video Editor review
A focused, low-cost choice for Windows users who need lossless file edits.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Machete Video Editor is a Windows desktop utility for straightforward video and audio file editing. It is aimed at users who need to cut, copy, paste, delete, split or join compatible media without re-encoding. Supported formats include AVI, FLV, WMV, WebM, MKV, MP4, MOV, 3GP, MP3 and WAV. Its feature set also covers audio or video stream extraction, audio replacement, metadata tag editing, remuxing and frame export. This makes it a practical fit for quick file-level edits rather than timeline-based production.
Pricing is simple across the available editions. Machete Video Editor Lite is a free edition with lossless editing and support for AVI and WMV video. The 14-day trial is fully functional Windows desktop software. Machete 5.1 costs $21.95 as a one-time purchase and includes the full Windows video editor, a registration key and free upgrades when available. Buyers who need the broader format support and complete feature set should choose Machete 5.1; users working only with AVI or WMV can start with Lite.
The product’s main strength is its narrow focus on preserving original quality during common file operations. Users can join files with matching formats, extract streams, replace audio and remux video while retaining quality, then save individual frames as BMP, PNG or JPEG files. That focus also defines its boundary: Machete is not positioned as a full non-linear editor for timeline-based production. Choose it for quick, lossless changes on Windows; choose another category of editor if you need a broader production workflow, and choose Lite only when its smaller format set is sufficient.
Machete Video Editor pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Edits video without re-encoding or quality loss
- Cuts, joins, extracts, remuxes and replaces audio streams
- Includes metadata editing and BMP, PNG and JPEG frame export
- Where it doesn't
- Windows desktop software only
- Not designed for full timeline-based video production
- The free Lite edition supports only AVI and WMV video
Machete Video Editor fact sheet, pricing and score →
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
Last updated · How we research and update