Format comparison
For most editors, export a PNG sequence — it is the most reliable transparent timer-overlay format and imports losslessly into Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, Final Cut Pro, and CapCut. Use WebM (VP9 + alpha) when you want a single transparent video file for Chrome or Firefox workflows and OBS, and MOV (HEVC + alpha) on Safari and macOS, where it is the native pick for Final Cut Pro. Convert the PNG sequence to ProRes 4444 only when you need a lossless master inside a professional editor. The table below compares every Time Overlay export format by editor support, browser support, and transparency quality.
| Format | Transparency | Premiere Pro | DaVinci Resolve | Final Cut Pro | CapCut | OBS / Streamlabs | Exports in | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PNG sequencePNG image sequence (zipped) | Lossless | Native | Native | Native | Works | Works | Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari | The default for any editor. Master-grade, lossless transparency that Premiere, DaVinci, and Final Cut import natively as an image sequence. |
| WebM (VP8 + alpha)WebM · VP8 + alpha | Compressed | Works | Works | Unreliable | Works | Native | Chrome, Edge, Firefox | Quick streaming overlays. Drops into OBS and Streamlabs as a Media Source with the background already cut out, and plays back cheaply. |
| WebM (VP9 + alpha)WebM · VP9 + alpha | High | Works | Works | Unreliable | Works | Works | Chrome, Edge, Firefox | A single transparent video file for Chrome, Edge, and Firefox 130+ workflows, OBS, CapCut, and Premiere or DaVinci. |
| MOV (HEVC + alpha)MOV · HEVC + alpha | High | Works | Works | Native | Works | Works | Safari | Apple workflows. The native transparent video pick for Final Cut Pro, and clean inside Premiere and DaVinci on macOS. |
| ProRes 4444 (via ffmpeg)Apple ProRes 4444 (via ffmpeg) | Lossless | Native | Native | Native | No | No | — | A lossless alpha master inside Premiere, DaVinci, or Final Cut, converted from a PNG sequence with the bundled script. |
File-size and export-time benchmarks are measured per release and published here once recorded.
Pick this first unless you specifically need a single video file. It is the most reliable transparent handoff and works in every browser.
Best for: The default for any editor. Master-grade, lossless transparency that Premiere, DaVinci, and Final Cut import natively as an image sequence.
Watch out: Largest on disk and a folder of frames rather than a single file. Silent — no embedded audio.
The fast single-file path for streaming. For editing, prefer VP9 or a PNG sequence.
Best for: Quick streaming overlays. Drops into OBS and Streamlabs as a Media Source with the background already cut out, and plays back cheaply.
Watch out: More compressed alpha edges than VP9, and unreliable in Safari before 17 and inside Final Cut Pro on macOS.
The best single-file transparent format on non-Apple platforms. On macOS, reach for HEVC or PNG instead.
Best for: A single transparent video file for Chrome, Edge, and Firefox 130+ workflows, OBS, CapCut, and Premiere or DaVinci.
Watch out: Cannot be exported in Safari, and Final Cut Pro playback on macOS is unreliable.
The right single-file format if you are on a Mac in Safari. Off Apple, use VP9.
Best for: Apple workflows. The native transparent video pick for Final Cut Pro, and clean inside Premiere and DaVinci on macOS.
Watch out: Can only be exported from Safari 17.4+ on macOS — not available in Chrome, Edge, or Firefox.
Use only when you need a true lossless master in a pro editor. Otherwise the PNG sequence is enough.
Best for: A lossless alpha master inside Premiere, DaVinci, or Final Cut, converted from a PNG sequence with the bundled script.
Watch out: Not a direct browser export and very large on disk. Not meant for CapCut or live streaming software.
A PNG sequence is the most reliable transparent timer-overlay format for editing. Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, and Final Cut Pro import it natively with lossless, unambiguous alpha. Use WebM (VP9 + alpha) or MOV (HEVC + alpha) when you specifically want a single video file instead of a folder of frames.
On macOS, use a PNG sequence or MOV (HEVC + alpha) for Final Cut Pro. WebM playback inside Final Cut is historically unreliable, so avoid VP8/VP9 WebM there. HEVC + alpha exports from Safari 17.4+ and imports as native transparent media.
Export WebM (with alpha) for OBS or Streamlabs — it drops in as a Media Source with the background already cut out. If playback is heavy, fall back to a PNG sequence routed through an Image Slideshow Source; the transparency is identical.
Only when you need a lossless alpha master inside a professional editor. ProRes 4444 is converted from the PNG sequence with the bundled ffmpeg script. For most edits, the PNG sequence itself is already lossless and sufficient.