How to Easily Edit QuickTime Videos (MOV) on Mac and Windows for Free

QuickTime videos (also known as MOV files) are a distinct video format developed by Apple Inc. They are often compressed by the MPEG-4 codec and saved in the QuickTime file format (QTFF).

To edit a QuickTime video or a MOV file, you don’t need a fancy video editor like Premiere Pro to do so. In this post, we will be introducing you to 4 free and flexible options to easily trim, split and add audio, visual effects to your QuickTime videos in clicks.

Here’s What You Will Learn:

How to Edit QuickTime Videos Using FlexClip (Mac, Windows, Best Option)

The first option we recommend to you (both Mac and Windows users) would be using FlexClip, a feature-packed online video editor that will get your creative juices flowing when it comes to video editing.

How to edit QuickTime videos by FlexClip video editor online

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With FlexClip, not only can you easily trim, split your QuickTime videos, add animated texts, video filters, transitions, and change video speed, you may also create picture-in-picture effects and enjoy easy access to over 4M royalty-free stock assets, including HD videos, images, music, and GIFs. No software download and editing experience is needed.

Besides, don't forget to check out tons of designer-made and fully-customizable video templates which allow you to edit QuickTime videos 10x faster in clicks away.

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Typography Trailer

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Cosmetics New Collection

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Drag and drop your clips, images, and audio files from your local PC or directly upload them from your mobile phone by scanning the QR code.

Upload QuickTime videos or MOV files from your PC or phone.

Click the “+” button to add the MOV files to the intuitive timeline. Drag the slider inward to trim the clips or use the Split tool to cut a clip into two parts. To reorder the sequence of clips on the timeline, simply drag and drop the slider as you wish.

Trim, split clips and adjust the sequence for the rough cut on the timeline.

Click the Text tab on the left sidebar > scroll down and select an animated text preset, such as lower thirds, callout titles, etc. > customize the texts, fonts, color schemes, spacing, layer, styles, motions, opacity, and duration, etc.

Add text animations to QuickTime videos and customize their styles and motions, etc.

Move the playhead to find the video movement you want to add B roll. Click the “Picture-in-Picture” icon, then the clip will be added as a video overlay over another video. You may use a crop mask to add styles to the B roll and set duration and motion to achieve the great visual effects you prefer.

Use picture-in-picture effect to add B roll for the storytelling.

To add rhythm and vibes to QuickTime videos, click the "Music" tab and add multiple layers of BGM and sound effects to bring your QuickTime videos to life. You can trim, split, and duplicate music/SFX as well.

Add royalty-free music or sound effects to QuickTime videos.

Go to the “Element” tab to add dynamic elements like moving shapes, arrows, bubbles, emojis, social icons, illustrations, etc. to spice up the video. Besides, video transitions, speed control, color-grading, image background remover, etc. are also available.

Add video transitions, add logo icons, and make more edits.

Here is the resulting QuickTime video from the example above:

Edit QuickTime videos (MOV files) into a compelling video by FlexClip

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Done with the editing. You can download the video to your local PC or directly share it to YouTube, Google Drive, Dropbox. Besides, clickable links and embed code are also available for repurposing your videos.

How to Edit QuickTime Videos by QuickTime Player (Mac)

If you are using Mac, Apple’s pre-installed desktop app QuickTime Player may also do you some favor for the basic editing of a QuickTime video. Yet, since QuickTime Player is essentially a media player, so the editing feature is so limited.

Use QuickTime Player to trim, split and merge QuickTime videos

Trim a QuickTime Video by QuickTime Player

Launch your QuickTime Player > go to “File” and hit “Open File” to play your QuickTime video > head to “Edit” and select the “Trim” option from the drop-down menu > drag the trimmer slider to trim the video > finally, go to “File” and hit “Save”.

Split a QuickTime Video by QuickTime Player

Open the clip in QuickTime Player > go to “View” and select “Show Clips” in the drop-down menu > then a small red playhead will appear > drag the playhead to the place where you want to split the video > hit “Command+ Y” and the video will be split into two > click “Done”

Merge Multiple QuickTime Videos by QuickTime Player

Open one clip first in the QuickTime Player > head to “Edit” and hit “Add Clip to End” > browse through your folder to add another video and press “Choose Media” > go back to “Edit” and select “Insert Clip After Selection” > insert the third clip > click “Done”. Then 3 clips are successfully merged.

Another shortcut is that after you add the first clip, then use keyboard hotkey “ Command+E” and drag and drop the clips to the edit pane you want to merge. Finally, hit “Done”. Of course, you can easily drag and drop the clips to adjust their order.

Rotate and Flip a QuickTime Video by QuickTime Player

Open a clip in QuickTime Player > go to “Edit” > in the drop-down menu, you can select “Rotate Left/Right”, “Flip Horizontally/Vertically” to achieve the effect you need.

How to Edit QuickTime Videos by iMovie (Mac)

As opposed to QuickTime Player, iMovie, another free built-in app on Mac, enjoys more powerful editing features. For Mac users, using iMovie is also a viable option to edit QuickTime videos.

Use iMovie to edit QuickTime videos

Split QuickTime Videos by iMovie

Open your clip in iMovie > drag the slider of settings to extend the clip, so you can see details of each frame > move the playhead to the place you want to split a video > use “Command + B” to split the video. Then you drag either clip to remove the unwanted frames.

Add Audio to QuickTime Videos by iMovie

Go to the “Audio” tab > select a sound effect and drag and drop it to the timeline > drag the centerline of the audio down or up to adjust its volume

Add Video Overlay to a QuickTime Video by iMovie

Upload two clips to iMovie’s media library > add one clip on the timeline > drag and drop the second video above the first video > click the “Cutaway” tab above > select “Picture in Picture” in the drop-down menu > the second video will be added as a video overlay on the first video

Color Correct a QuickTime Video by iMovie

Move the play head to the one clip > go to the second “Color Correction” icon above > drag the slider to adjust the shadow, mid-tone, highlight, and color tone of the clip.

Of course, you can also easily add video filters, a background texture or a video transition to a QuickTime video from the main menu above.

How to Edit QuickTime Videos by Windows 10 Video Editor

For Windows 10 users, the pre-installed free Window 10 video editor is another alternative to editing a QuickTime video.

Use Windows 10 video editor to edit QuickTime videos

Go to the taskbar > enter “video editor” and click “Open”

On the main menu, you can add a video card as an intro of your video or trim, split, or add texts, motion, even 3D effects, and filters to the clips. You may change the video speed as well.

Now, It’s Your Move

So, given the flexibility, adaptability, and huge stock assets, FlexClip is arguably the best video editor to edit QuickTime videos so long as you have access to the internet. If you only want some basic editing like trimming or splitting the QuickTime video, then using iMovie, QuickTime Player, or Windows 10 video editor also works.

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Frank /

Passionate about photography, video-making and travel, Frank is a seasoned copywriter and a beloved father of 2-year-old daughter at FlexClip. He is always keen to share his latest discovery about video marketing and tricks to relive your memories through videos and images.