How to Overlay a Picture on a Video – 6 Different Ways

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Joey Edits
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Key takeaways

  • I tested six tools that let you add images to video on desktop, online, and mobile.
  • My top picks include Movavi Video Editor, iMovie, InShot, CapCut, Kapwing, and Clipchamp.
  • Each program makes it easy to overlay images on video on your favorite device.
  • I focused on usability, MP4 export options, and overall editing experience.

There are many reasons why I want to overlay a picture on a video. Images are great for a picture-in-picture effect or for adding a logo, effects, or other graphics. This isn’t just a pro-level feature anymore. Today’s editors make overlays simple for anyone. You can do it in minutes. Even on your phone while waiting for your coffee.

After testing dozens of programs myself, I’ve narrowed it down to the six best ways to overlay a picture on a video. I’ve included options for Windows, Mac, and mobile devices. Each one works smoothly, letting you insert a photo in a video, fine-tune it, and export it.

My top picks

  1. Best desktop software for adding images to video: Movavi Video Editor – powerful, fast, and beginner-friendly.
  2. Best free option for Apple users: iMovie – comes preinstalled and makes adding overlays simple and clean.
  3. Best for quick edits on the go: InShot – easy mobile app for adding logos, photos, and text overlays.
  4. Best online tool for teams: Kapwing – perfect for browser editing, collaboration, and exporting MP4 overlays.
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Comparison table: Best tools to add an image to a video

Tool

Platform

Best for

Download

Windows, macOS

Fast, beginner-friendly desktop editing

macOS, iOS

Simple editing for Apple users

Web

Browser editing and collaboration

How to add a picture to a video

Why I picked it: I like Movavi Video Editor because it’s fast and intuitive. When I needed to put a picture over a video or overlay a logo, it handled it without a problem.

Movavi Video Editor is built for creators who want control. This powerful app will help you not only add a picture to a video, but also edit your video clips – cut and join, add funny stickers, apply creative filters, and more. The latest version introduced improved MP4 rendering, faster project loading, and smoother 4K playback.

Ratings

4.7/5

How to overlay a picture on a video in Movavi Video Editor

Step 1. Install Movavi Video Editor

First of all, download the distribution file and install the software. As soon as the installation process is completed, open the program.

Step 2. Add your video

Now it’s time to add a video clip. Click the Add Files button and choose the video on which you want to overlay a picture. Drag and drop your file from the Project files to the Timeline.

Step 3. Add a photo to a video

To add an image to the video, you need to add it to your project first. Drag-and-drop your picture to the timeline from the folder in which it's located. Move the picture above your video on the timeline to create an overlay track. You can add more than one image if you need to. If you want to add a logo over the video, make sure the image has a transparent background and is saved as a PNG file.

Step 4. Edit the picture layer

Adjust the overlay settings. Open the Tools tab, click Position, and select the desired overlay mode (Picture in picture, Logo, Overlap, Side by side, or Trio). Next, adjust the angle value, picture size, and location in the preview section.

Step 5. Save the edited video

Click the Export button, select the desired video format, destination folder, quality, and new file name if needed. You can also define additional video and audio settings. Then click the Start button. Once the export is complete, the folder containing your video will open automatically.

Pros:
  • Very user-friendly interface

  • Drag-and-drop timeline and quick editing tools save time

  • Good performance on standard hardware

  • Regular updates and new features

Cons:
  • The trial version is limited

Why I picked it: I use iMovie when I want something simple that still looks polished. It’s free and preinstalled.

iMovie is a free video editing program. It comes pre-installed on most Mac products, so you don’t need to buy or download extra software to use it. With iMovie, you can easily add an image to a video using picture-in-picture or cutaway modes. It’s good for creating vlogs, tutorials, and family videos.

Ratings

4.3/5

How to add a picture to a video with iMovie

Step 1. Create a new project in iMovie

Open up the iMovie app from Finder or Launchpad and create a new project.

Step 2. Upload your files

Click on File and then Import Media and locate the video and picture that you plan to use and import them to the project.

Step 3. Position the files on the timeline

Select the video clip or section of a clip that you want to use as the background for your picture-in-picture. Drag it above another clip in the timeline. When you see the green Add (+) icon, release the mouse button to place it.

Step 4. Choose Picture-in-Picture mode

Click the pop-up menu on the left side of the preview window and select Picture in Picture. This enables the overlay controls, letting you adjust how the two clips appear together.

Step 5. Adjust placement and style

Drag the image to where you want it to appear on the screen. Use the available controls to resize it or apply transition effects, borders, and shadows for a more customized look.

Step 6. Export or share the finished video

When the edit looks right, click File > Share to open the export menu. Choose how you want to share your video — upload directly to YouTube or Vimeo, send it by email, or save it as a file on your computer.

Pros:
  • Free to download for Apple users

  • Easy to use and straightforward

  • Great performance on a Mac

Cons:

Why I picked it: I tested Kapwing for quick overlays on social clips. It’s fully online and doesn’t need a download, making it ideal for group projects.

Kapwing allows users to upload, edit, and export videos directly in their browser. It supports MP4 exports and cloud-based storage, making it ideal for creators who switch between devices. The free plan includes most editing tools, while paid tiers remove the watermark and unlock longer export durations. They have a page dedicated to the release notes which is helpful to learn about bug fixes or updates.

Ratings

4.5/5

How to add a picture to a video using Kapwing

Step 1. Open Kapwing Studio

Create a new project to open the Studio editor.

Step 2. Upload your files

Upload your video and image by clicking Upload or dragging the files directly into the browser window. The video appears on the canvas automatically.

Step 3. Position the image

Drag the image onto the video canvas and move it to the desired position. Resize or rotate it by pulling the corner handles. You can also layer multiple images if needed.

Step 4. Adjust the appearance

In the toolbar on the right, use opacity, fade, and animation options to style your overlay. Adjust the duration by trimming the image clip in the timeline.

Step 5. Export the video

Click Export Project > Export as MP4. Once processing is complete, download your finished video or copy the link to share it directly online.

Pros:
Cons:

Why I picked it: I like how Clipchamp lets me add images to video online without installing anything. It’s built by Microsoft and works directly in a browser.

Clipchamp is an online video editor. It’s built to handle everyday editing tasks, like trimming clips, combining scenes, and adding image overlays. Users can import media, add a photo or logo layer, and adjust its size or duration on the timeline with minimal effort. The platform includes templates, transitions, and stock media. There’s a long list of the latest Clipchamp updates, including features like AI-powered noise suppression.

Ratings

4.3/5

How to overlay an image on a video using Clipchamp

Step 1. Open Clipchamp and create a new video

Go to the Clipchamp website and sign in. Click Create a video from the dashboard. A blank project will open with the editor and timeline.

Step 2. Upload your media

Click Import media and upload your main video and the image you want to overlay. Both files will appear in the media panel on the left.

Step 3. Add the video to the timeline

Drag your video from the media panel down to the timeline. This will be your background clip.

Step 4. Add the image on top of the video

Drag the image from the media panel and drop it directly on top of the video in the timeline. Clipchamp will place it on its own track so it appears over the video.

Step 5. Position and resize the image

Click the image in the preview window. Drag it to the corner or area where you want it to show. Use the white handles to make it bigger or smaller. If you want the image to stay on screen longer or shorter, drag the ends of the image clip in the timeline.

Step 6. Export the video

When everything looks right, click Export in the top right. Choose the resolution (usually 1080p) and export as MP4. Download the finished video to your computer.

Pros:
Cons:

Quick summary: Best tools to add an image to a video

  1. Best overall for video editing: Movavi Video Editor

  2. Best for online collaboration: Kapwing

  3. Best for TikTok/Shorts creators: CapCut

Why I picked it: When I’m traveling, I rely on InShot to make quick video edits. It lets me insert a photo in a video in a few minutes using my phone.

InShot is a mobile video editing app. You can add images, stickers, or text on top of videos with just a few taps. The app’s interface is simple. It’s easy to import a video, overlay a photo or logo, and adjust its placement on the timeline. I liked that feature a lot. The app also includes trimming, cropping, speed control, filters, and basic audio tools. They even have a YouTube channel dedicated to the latest updates.

Ratings

How to add a picture to a video on InShot

Step 1. Open InShot and create a new video project

Open the InShot app and tap Video > New Project. Select the main video clip you want to edit and add it to the timeline.

Step 2. Add a photo overlay

Tap the Sticker or Image/PIP option to add a picture, logo, or graphic over the video. Choose the image from your device’s gallery.

Step 3. Position and resize the overlay

Drag the image to where you want it to appear on the screen. Pinch to resize or rotate it, and drag the edges of the image clip in the timeline to set how long it stays visible.

Step 4. Adjust effects and transitions

Use the editing tools to change opacity, apply a fade effect, or add a simple animation. Preview the video to make sure the overlay looks right.

Step 5. Export the finished video

Tap Save, choose the format, select the quality, and save the file to your device. The video will be ready to upload or share.

Pros:
Cons:

Why I picked it: CapCut is one of the most popular mobile editing apps. It’s perfect for adding quick overlays, filters, and transitions right from a phone. I like that the app’s layout is easy to navigate, and it allows users to layer images, videos, and text with just a few taps.

CapCut is a free all-in-one video editor for Android and iPhone. It lets users overlay photos,

logos, and graphics on videos and customize them with effects, animations, or keyframes. The app also supports HD and 4K exports in MP4 format, making it a solid option for both casual creators and short-form content professionals. There are also some new AI-powered enhancements that I can’t wait to try out!

Ratings

How to add a picture to a video on CapCut

Step 1. Start a new project

Open the CapCut app and tap New Project. Choose the video you want to edit and add it to the timeline.

Step 2. Add a photo overlay

Tap Overlay > Add Overlay, then select the image you want to place on top of the video. The image will appear on a separate track above the main clip.

Step 3. Position and resize the image

Drag the image to where you want it to appear on the screen. Use pinch gestures to resize or rotate it. Adjust the clip’s duration in the timeline to control how long the image stays visible.

Step 4. Customize the overlay

Open the Animation tools to add motion effects such as fade, slide, or zoom. You can also apply filters, shadows, or transparency for a more polished look.

Step 5. Export the finished video

When the edit is complete, tap Export. Choose the resolution, frame rate, and format (MP4 by default). Save the finished video to your device, ready for sharing or uploading.

Pros:
  • Completely free

  • Great for TikTok and Reels

  • You can remove the watermark at the end

Cons:
  • Occasional in-app ads

  • Fewer advanced controls than desktop editors

How to choose the best tool to add an image to a video

When deciding which program to use, think about your goals and the type of device you prefer. Each of these tools fits a different kind of user and editing style:

  • Movavi Video Editor – best choice for beginners and creators who want a fast, desktop-friendly editor that makes adding images simple.
  • iMovie – ideal for Apple users who need an easy, reliable way to layer photos, logos, or graphics.
  • InShot – perfect for quick mobile edits when you want to insert a photo in a video while on the go.
  • CapCut – great for social media videos like TikToks or Reels that need overlays, text, and short effects.
  • Kapwing – best for teams or creators who prefer browser-based editing and cloud storage.
  • Clipchamp – ideal for anyone who wants to add image overlays online without installing software.

If you’re just starting out, go with Movavi Video Editor or iMovie for the most user-friendly experience. If you create on your phone, InShot and CapCut will save you time. And for quick web-based projects, Kapwing and Clipchamp are both excellent options.

No matter which you choose, all six make it easy to add an image to video and export clean, professional results in MP4 format.

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*The free version of Movavi Video Editor may have the following restrictions depending on the build: watermark on exported clips, 60-second video or 1/2 audio length limit, and/or some advanced features unavailable when exporting videos.

Movavi Video Editor

Frequently asked questions

How can I add a logo to my video?

To add a logo to your video, you’ll need to use a desktop or an online video editing program. If you prefer using a desktop app, try Movavi Video Editor.

Download Movavi Video Editor for Windows

Download Movavi Video Editor for Mac

  1. Install the program and run it on your PC.
  2. In the new window that appears, click the Add Files button. Select your video and your logo in the dialog box. The files will appear in the Project files.
  3. Drag the video and the picture onto the Timeline.
  4. Move your picture to the overlay track.
  5. In the Postion menu, select the Logo option and position the picture on the video.
  6. Click Export to save the result. In the dialog box, choose the output format, quality, and destination folder. Change the file name if you wish. Once you’re happy, click Start. The resulting file will open in the specified folder.

How do I overlay a picture on a video?

Use Movavi Video Editor.

  1. Download and install Movavi Video Editor on your PC.
    Download Movavi Video Editor for Windows
    Download Movavi Video Editor for Mac
  2. Launch the program and click Add Files and select the video and picture you want to work with. The files will appear in the Project files. Drag and drop them onto the Timeline.
  3. Select the image and drag it to a position above the Video Track. An overlay track will appear.
  4. By default, the elements are overlaid in Picture-in-picture mode. Double-click on the image to edit it in the preview screen. Here, you can adjust the size of the picture by dragging on the edges and position it on the video. You can also choose Side by side or Cover overlay modes. To do this, open the drop-down list above the preview screen and select your preferred option.
  5. Click the Export button. Choose the destination folder, video format, and quality. Name the file, if you wish, then click Start.

If you also want to learn how to overlay videos, read the detailed guide by following the link below.

How to overlay videos

How can I edit a video and add a picture?

Read this article if you want to learn how to add a picture to a video. You can also find detailed information on how to create a video montage in our complete guide.

How to make a video montage

How can I insert a picture into a video?

You can insert a picture into a video using almost any modern video editor. On desktop, tools like Movavi Video Editor and iMovie let you drag an image onto a separate track above your clip and adjust its position in the preview window. If you prefer online options, Clipchamp and Kapwing let you upload your files, layer an image over the video, and export the finished project as an MP4.

How do you put a photo on top of a video on an iPhone?

You can do this using iMovie or mobile apps like InShot and CapCut. In iMovie, open a new project, drag your video to the timeline, then import a photo and select Picture-in-Picture mode from the overlay settings. In InShot or CapCut, simply tap Overlay or Sticker, select your image, and position it where you want on the screen. Adjust the duration and export your final video in MP4 format.

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