Stamp Time and Date on Videos Software: Top 10 Tools for 2025

How to Stamp Time and Date on Videos: Software Comparisons & TipsAdding a visible time and date stamp to video footage is a common need in security, documentation, legal evidence, sports coaching, and personal archiving. A clear timestamp can establish when an event occurred, help synchronize multiple camera feeds, and make video logs searchable. This article explains why and when to stamp timestamps, compares popular software across platforms, walks through step-by-step workflows for several tools, covers customization and quality concerns, and offers troubleshooting and best-practice tips.

Why Add Time & Date Stamps to Video?

Verification and evidence: Stamped timestamps make it easier to prove when an event occurred.
Organization: Timestamps simplify searching and indexing long video archives.
Synchronization: When you record from multiple cameras, matching timestamps helps align footage.
Context for viewers: Audiences instantly understand when footage was captured, which is important for reports, vlogs, and tutorials.

Types of Timestamping Workflows

Live, in-camera stamping — Many security cameras and some consumer camcorders can burn time/date directly into the video while recording. This is the most reliable method for evidentiary needs because the timestamp is captured at source.
Post-processing (burn-in) — You add a visible timestamp during editing after recording. This allows formatting and correction but is less defensible for strict chain-of-custody evidence unless you preserve original files and logs.
Metadata-only timestamps — Some workflows rely on embedded metadata (EXIF/MP4 tags) without visible burn-in. This keeps visuals clean but requires compatible players or tools to display the data.

Key Features to Look For

Ability to read original file creation/modification time or external log (e.g., GPS/recorder logs).
Support for bulk processing (batch timestamping).
Customization: font, size, color, position, time zone, and format (⁄₂₄ hr).
Frame-accurate placement and support for variable frame rates.
Preserve original quality (avoid re-encoding where possible) or use high-quality encoders.
Watermark/timestamp transparency options.
Export formats compatibility with your workflow (MP4, MOV, AVI, etc.).
Command-line or scripting support for automation (useful for large camera fleets).

Software Comparisons

Below is a concise comparison of notable tools across desktop and mobile platforms.

Software	Platforms	Best for	Batch processing	Customization	Cost
Avidemux	Windows, macOS, Linux	Simple free edits & frame-accurate cutting	Limited	Basic text overlays via filters	Free
FFmpeg	Windows, macOS, Linux	Power users, automation, format support	Yes (scriptable)	Very flexible via drawtext	Free
Shotcut	Windows, macOS, Linux	Free, GUI-based editing with filters	Yes	Good text filter options	Free
DaVinci Resolve	Windows, macOS, Linux	Professional editing & color + powerful overlays	Project-level batching	Extensive styling, macros	Free / Paid Studio
VideoProc Converter	Windows, macOS	Fast transcoding with overlay options	Yes	Basic overlay choices	Paid (trial)
Timestamp Camera	Android, iOS	Mobile live stamping while recording	N/A	Many presets, GPS, speed, custom text	Freemium
Movavi Video Editor	Windows, macOS	Consumer-friendly interface	Yes	Templates and text customization	Paid (trial)
ExifTool + MP4Box	Windows, macOS, Linux	Metadata-focused workflows	Yes (scriptable)	Metadata only (no burn-in)	Free

How to Choose the Right Tool

For forensic-grade evidence use: prefer in-camera stamping or keep original footage + use tools that log edits and avoid destructive re-encoding.
For bulk camera fleets and automation: use FFmpeg scripts or a command-line toolchain.
For non-technical users who want a visual editor: Shotcut, Movavi, or DaVinci Resolve (free tier) are good choices.
For mobile-only workflows: Timestamp Camera or similar apps provide convenient live stamps with GPS/speed overlays.

Step-by-Step Guides

1) FFmpeg — Burn a timestamp using file metadata or system time

FFmpeg is powerful for automated, batch-friendly timestamping. Two common approaches are using the file’s modification time or embedding current system time.

Burn using file modification time (Unix/macOS example for one file):

Install FFmpeg.
Get file mod time and format it as drawtext-compatible string.
Use drawtext to burn the time on each frame.

Example command pattern (conceptual):

ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -vf "drawtext=fontfile=/path/to/font.ttf:text='%{localtime:FILE_MOD_UNIX}':x=10:y=10:fontsize=24:fontcolor=white:box=1:boxcolor=0x00000099" -c:a copy output.mp4

Notes:

Replace FILE_MOD_UNIX with a shell-substituted epoch time. Exact escaping varies by shell and FFmpeg build.
Use -c:a copy to avoid re-encoding audio; video will be re-encoded when using drawtext.

For true batch processing, wrap the ffmpeg call in a shell script that extracts each file’s timestamp (stat or exiftool) and applies it.

2) Shotcut — Add time/date text overlay (GUI)

Open Shotcut and create a new project with the same resolution/frame rate as your footage.
Drag the video to the timeline.
Open Filters, click +, choose Text: HTML (or Text: Simple).
In the text box, type the timestamp or use a text token if Shotcut supports dynamic metadata (varies by version).
Adjust font, size, color, position, and duration.
Export using a high-quality preset.

Shotcut is friendly for one-off edits and small batches (use playlists/exports for multiple files).

3) DaVinci Resolve — Professional overlay, templates, and scripting

Import your clips into Media Pool.
Create a Timeline and drag clip(s) onto it.
Open the Effects Library > Titles and choose Text or Text+ for Fusion-style controls.
Place the title above the clip on the timeline and adjust settings in the Inspector (font, size, color, position).
For automation, use Resolve’s scripting API (Python/Lua) to apply consistent titles across projects.

Text+ gives motion, expressions, and variable formatting; useful for advanced overlays and polished output.

4) Mobile: Timestamp Camera (Android/iOS)

Install Timestamp Camera (or similar).
In app settings select date/time, format, font, color, and position. Optionally enable GPS and speed overlays.
Record video with timestamp burned in live.
Export/share directly from the app.

Mobile live-stamping is convenient but ensure app permissions and storage settings (disable cloud backups if privacy is a concern).

Customization Tips

Positioning: top-left or bottom-right are common; pick a spot that doesn’t obscure important visuals.
Contrast: use a semi-transparent box (background) or outline to keep timestamp readable against varying scenes.
Font and size: use a monospaced or clear sans-serif at a size appropriate for target display. For 4K video you’ll need larger font sizes than for 720p.
Time format: prefer ISO-like format (YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS) for sorting and international clarity.
Time zone handling: store/display time zone (e.g., UTC offset) when accuracy matters.
Frame accuracy: be careful with variable frame rate (VFR) footage — timestamps derived from file metadata may not match exact frames. If frame-level accuracy is required, use tools that can read frame timestamps from container metadata or camera logs.

Quality and Performance Considerations

Re-encoding: Burn-in overlays usually require video re-encoding. Choose a high-quality codec and bitrate to minimize quality loss. Use two-pass or CRF settings where supported.
Hardware acceleration: For large batches, use GPU-accelerated encoders (NVENC, QSV, AMF) but verify overlay compatibility.
Preserve originals: Always keep original files untouched when timestamps are for legal/documentary use.

Automation and Batch Processing Examples

FFmpeg + shell scripting: loop over files, extract timestamp with stat or exiftool, run ffmpeg drawtext per file.
DaVinci Resolve scripting: Python scripts can apply titles to many clips according to a CSV of timestamps.
Watch folders: Some commercial tools support watch-folder processing where files dropped into a folder are auto-stamped and archived.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Timestamp blurry or pixelated: increase font size or export at higher bitrate; use vector fonts (TTF/OTF) at sufficient resolution.
Wrong time shown: verify camera clock, time zone, and whether you’re using file modification time vs. embedded metadata.
Timestamp missing after upload: some streaming platforms re-encode videos; burn the timestamp into the final exported file before upload.
Performance slow: use hardware encoders and batch processing; consider downscaling temporarily for preview passes.

Legal and Ethical Notes

Do not alter timestamps if they serve as legal evidence; keep original files and document any edits.
When stamping identifiable people, consider privacy and local laws — adding timestamps doesn’t remove other privacy concerns.

Quick Recommendations (by use case)

Forensic/evidence: use in-camera stamping + preserve originals; if post-processing is required, document chain-of-custody.
Automation/large fleets: FFmpeg scripts or server-side tools with watch-folder capability.
Professional quality: DaVinci Resolve (Text+) or Adobe Premiere Pro with Motion Graphics templates.
Easy/generic: Shotcut or Movavi for straightforward GUI-based edits.
Mobile: Timestamp Camera (Android/iOS) for live stamping with GPS/speed overlays.

Closing Notes

Timestamps add valuable context and utility to video footage. Choose the workflow that balances evidentiary reliability, visual quality, and automation needs. Keep originals, document changes, and use the right tool for the scale of the job.