Point SiftVid at a folder. Watch it read every filename and build a searchable index. Find any clip in under a second. No manual tagging. No upload required. No subscription to someone else's content.
Click “Open folder” and choose the directory where your videos live. SiftVid works with any folder structure — perfectly organised or complete chaos. It reads every video file it can find, including files inside subdirectories.
Any video format works: MP4, MKV, MOV, AVI, WebM. SiftVid indexes the filenames regardless of whether your browser can play the format. The index is stored locally in your browser's IndexedDB — nothing is uploaded.
Flat folder, nested directories, multiple drives — SiftVid walks the entire tree and indexes everything it finds.
MP4, MKV, MOV, AVI, WebM. The search index is built from filenames, so every file is searchable regardless of codec.
The free tier uses the browser File System Access API. Your files never leave your computer until you explicitly upload them.
Names, locations, and identifiers are extracted from filenames automatically. Type any name and every matching clip surfaces instantly — no manual tagging required.
Folder names become searchable tags. A clip inside Weddings/2024/Ceremony is automatically tagged 'Weddings', '2024', and 'Ceremony'.
File metadata — duration, file size, resolution, codec — is extracted and indexed so you can sort and filter by it instantly.
SiftVid reads every filename and extracts every meaningful token: names, tags, dates, categories, and folder structure. No AI API calls. No cloud processing. The extraction runs entirely in your browser in a background worker.
For a library of 30,000 files, this takes about 5 seconds on a modern laptop. With a premium plan, the index is cached and subsequent loads take under 1 second regardless of library size.
Type any keyword and results appear as you type. The search is fuzzy-tolerant: it catches typos and finds 40% more results than exact matching alone. Add Boolean operators to narrow results: +ceremony -cutaway finds all ceremony clips that are not cutaways.
Use the four-state tag chips to filter by category: neutral (ignored), required (+), excluded (-), or locked. Sort any view by newest, oldest, longest, shortest, or largest. Sort persists as you switch between search, categories, and tags.
Typo-tolerant search with +require and -exclude operators. Finds matches that exact search misses.
Hover over any thumbnail to watch a 5-second clip preview. No clicks, no waiting, no full-screen.
Set an A point and a B point while a video plays. The player loops that segment continuously — ideal for reviewing a specific play, shot, or technique.
Hit the dice button to jump to a random video from your filtered results. Filter first, then randomise — you get serendipity with guardrails.
Most features work with zero payment, zero credit card, forever. Premium adds encrypted cloud backup and cross-device access for your search index.
| Feature | Free | Pro / Studio |
|---|---|---|
| Local library search | Yes | Yes |
| Fuzzy + Boolean search | Yes | Yes |
| Auto-tagging from filenames | Yes | Yes |
| A-B section loop | Yes | Yes |
| Favorites & pinning | Yes | Yes |
| Sort everywhere | Yes | Yes |
| Random discovery | Yes | Yes |
| Preview on hover | Yes | Yes |
| Encrypted cloud backup | No | Yes |
| Cloud-cached search index | No | Yes |
| Cross-device access | No | Yes |
The free tier works immediately in your browser. No install, no credit card, no account required to start.