Trim Video on Mac

QuickTime can trim videos, but it's limited. It re-encodes your video (slow, quality loss), struggles with non-Apple formats, and lacks precise controls. JustTrimVideo gives you instant, lossless trimming right in Safari or Chrome - no app needed.

Why Not Just Use QuickTime?

QuickTime's "Trim" feature re-encodes your video, which means quality loss and slow processing. A 5-minute 4K video can take 10+ minutes to save. JustTrimVideo uses stream copy - instant results with zero quality loss.

QuickTime Limitations

  • Re-encodes everything: Even a simple trim requires full video processing
  • Limited format support: Can't open MKV, AVI, or many other formats without conversion
  • No precise timecode entry: You're stuck dragging sliders
  • Slow on large files: 4K and long videos take forever to export
  • Quality degradation: Each save reduces quality slightly

How to Trim Video on Mac

  1. 1
    Open JustTrimVideo in Safari or Chrome

    No download required. Works in any modern browser on your Mac.

  2. 2
    Select your video file

    Works with MOV, MP4, MKV, AVI, and more - formats QuickTime can't even open.

  3. 3
    Set trim points and download

    Use I/O keys or enter exact timecodes. Download is instant - no waiting for re-encoding.

JustTrimVideo vs QuickTime

Feature JustTrimVideo QuickTime
Processing Instant (stream copy) Slow (re-encodes)
Quality Lossless Degrades each save
MKV support Yes No
Timecode entry Precise input Slider only
Installation None (browser) Pre-installed

Common Mac Video Sources

iPhone Videos

MOV/HEVC files transferred via AirDrop or Photos

Screen Recordings

Command+Shift+5 recordings in MOV format

Downloaded Videos

MKV and other formats QuickTime can't handle

Camera Footage

SD card imports from cameras and drones

iMovie Alternative?

If you just need to trim (not add effects, transitions, or titles), JustTrimVideo is faster than launching iMovie. iMovie also re-encodes on export, so you lose quality. For simple cuts, browser-based trimming is the way to go.

Related Pages

Trim MOV Online Trim Video on iPhone All Devices Lossless Video Trimmer

Ready to trim on your Mac?

Go to the Video Trimmer →