The Best Free Video Editing Apps
With so many options out there, finding the best video apps for your needs can be a challenge. The best video apps help you convert your video clips into interesting stories that you can share. The best video editing apps may be limited to specific platforms, and the best free video editing apps may not have all the features you would like to work with.
Before you invest in a top-performance video editing app, try one of the best free video editing apps. In this article, we’ll explore the best video editing apps, some of their features, and how they compare to the best free video editing apps. The demand for video editing apps is increasing with the rise of social networks like TikTok, the most-downloaded mobile app in the world in 2021, according to Statista.
What Is a Video Editing App?
A video editing app is a tool that you can use to create and manipulate video content. Ideally, the end result is a professional-looking video that is engaging and interesting to watch. If you’d like to pursue video editing professionally, you can take advantage of a range of resources to learn video and photo editing.
Why Do People Use Video Editing Apps?
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People use video editing apps because they don’t require as much hardware as their desktop counterparts. The best free video editing apps also have intuitive, user-friendly interfaces, which makes them easier to learn and use. Mobile video editing apps allow you to work on your video clips on the go.
How the Best Video Editing Apps Can Help You Create Content
The best video apps can help you create engaging content in a matter of minutes. They combine a simple interface with advanced tools for editing, including advanced features such as integrating music and incorporating special effects. Whether you’re interested in basic video editing or professional editing, there are a variety of apps you can use.
Import and Export
A good video editing app allows you to easily import and export your videos or images across social media platforms like YouTube and Instagram. This saves you time as you don’t have to worry about reformatting the video separately for each platform you share it on.
Audio and Video File Integration
The best video apps have a database of music you can choose from or give you the option to select music from your own collection. Video apps allow you to shoot your video within the app. You will also be able to manipulate, arrange, and reorder your clips and images within the app with a simple drag-and-drop interface.
Advanced Tools
The best free video apps offer a selection of advanced tools to help you polish your work. These advanced features include incorporating text, special effects, chroma key, video stabilization, additional sound effects, visual effects, color correction on a green screen, and so much more.
The 10 Best Video Editing Apps: Overview
| App | Availability | Notable Features | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| ActionDirector | Android | In-app recording, support for Ultra HD 4K video | $15 per year |
| Adobe Premiere Rush | iOS, Android, Windows, macOS | 4K capability, YouTube exporting | $9.99 per month |
| Filmmaker Pro | iOS | Color grading, video filter functionality | $7.99 per month |
| Filmr | iOS, Android | No ads, unlimited video imports, extensive royalty-free music library | $11.49 per month |
| InShot | iOS, Android | Merging clips, multiple ratios and formats | $3.99 per month |
| KineMaster | iOS, Android | Keyframe animation tool, multiple layers | $3.99 per month |
| Magisto | iOS, Android | Easy to use, intuitive, AI-driven | $4.99 per month |
| PowerDirector | iOS, Android | 4K quality, multi-timeline video editing, video stabilizer | $19.99 per month |
| Splice | iOS, Android | Quick, intuitive video editing | $9.99 per month |
| Wondershare FilmoraGo | iOS, Android | Social networking collaboration, supports for multiple languages | $6.99 per month |
The Best Video Editing Apps to Make Your Life Easier
Video producers of all experience levels, from beginners to professional editors, have plenty of choices when it comes to mobile video editing applications. Below, we provide helpful information on some of the best options.
ActionDirector | $15 per year
- Best Feature of Paid Version: Relatively affordable
- Biggest Downside of Paid Version: Contains ads
This is a good app for anyone who’s into making action-packed videos and has an Android mobile device. It has precise speed controls, video stabilization, and a selection of action effects and transitions, including fast and slow-motion options. Its Ultra HD 4K video support enables you to easily share across social networks.
Adobe Premiere Rush | $9.99 per month
- Best Feature of Paid Version: Quick performance
- Biggest Downside of Paid Version: Cannot select file type on export
The Adobe Premiere Rush video editor is a scaled-down version of Adobe Premiere Pro. It is ideal for vloggers who want to produce content fast or make some quick edits. It has a simple interface that enables you to move from shooting to editing to sharing videos in minutes. You can shoot content within the app or import video content through Adobe’s Creative Cloud.
Filmmaker Pro | $7.99 per month
- Best Feature of Paid Version: Unlimited number of projects
- Biggest Downside of Paid Version: Available only for Apple devices
This app delivers high-quality videos at a professional level. It boasts a variety of advanced video editor and audio track features, text overlay, illustrations and stickers, and it incorporates a drawing tool and green screen options. The app is free to download, but its standout features require a subscription plan.
KineMaster | $3.99 per month
- Best Feature of Paid Version: Wide variety of features at a low price
- Biggest Downside of Paid Version: Can lag
This is a fully stocked, easy-to-use video editing app, loaded with powerful tools for advanced users. Apart from effects, images, and transitions, you have access to ducking and volume envelope audio tools. Whereas many video editing software options for mobile devices offer the ability to create vertical videos, with the mobile version of KineMaster, you’re limited to a landscape format.
Magisto | $4.99 per month
- Best Feature of Paid Version: Intuitive
- Biggest Downside of Paid Version: Lacks 4K exporting
Magisto is an intuitive, automated video editing app that uses artificial intelligence. This makes it a powerful tool for beginners. You can easily make short videos from preset templates, choosing the style, graphics, effects, color filters, footage, and music. Your final product can also be shared across platforms in the form of beautifully presented video collages or photo slideshows.
PowerDirector | $19.99 per month
- Best Feature of Paid Version: Professional quality
- Biggest Downside of Paid Version: Can be buggy
This app is ideal for vloggers and anyone wishing to share high-quality videos. It is jam-packed with powerful video editing features such as video stabilizing, audio effects, animated titles, and precision editing tools. You can quickly and easily export your videos to 4K resolution.
The Best Free Video Editing Apps
Not all video editing apps need a monthly or annual subscription to be useful. There are some pretty good video editing apps with free versions. They have similar features and still offer a great video editing experience. Below are some of the best free video editing apps.
Filmr
- Best Feature: No ads
- Biggest Downside: Watermark in the free version
Filmr is a great video editor with an intuitive interface. You can import an unlimited number of videos and images. It has a huge free music library and a myriad of special effects. Additionally, you can select the video format you want to work with because the aspect ratio switches with ease. However, to get rid of the watermark, you will have to subscribe to Filmr Pro.
InShot
- Best Feature: Powerful HD editing
- Biggest Downside: Watermark and ads
InShot is a video and photo editing app with powerful features. It has a wide range of features to choose from, including voiceovers, sound effects, emojis, filters, and picture-in-picture options. This is ideal for beginners, particularly those interested in posting on social network platforms. To remove the ads and watermark, however, you will need to pay for the premium features.
Splice
- Best Feature: Intuitive
- Biggest Downside: Subscription is relatively pricey
This app allows you to create video collages by splicing together different video files. It has an easy-to-use platform. You can easily edit layers of video and export your completed work. This app takes the power of desktop version video editing and puts it in the palm of your hand.
Wondershare FilmoraGo
- Best Feature: Easy mode
- Biggest Downside: Watermark in free version
Wondershare Filmora Go is a great starter video editing app. It is suitable for beginners who want to get the hang of editing videos. With easy-to-use tools such as color match, split screen, video effects, motion tracking, audio ducking, and green screen, it is ideal for most purposes. Additionally, many tutorials are available through the learning community.
Which of the Best Video Editing Apps Should I Choose?
You can choose any video editing app, depending on your needs and aptitude. If you’re a beginner, avoid a steep learning curve and start with simple videos. Consider selecting an app that’s easy to use. An advanced user has more leeway in choice. Getting a paid video editing app will allow you to experiment with features that basic versions lack.
Also, consider your audience because that will determine the type of videos you should create. This in turn will help you determine which features you need in a video editing app. According to Payscale, professionals with video editing skills earn an average of $52,000 a year. Getting started with one of the apps on this list could lead to a lucrative career as a video editor.
Best Video Editing Apps FAQ
Yes, there are alternatives to video editing apps. You can use desktop software such as Pinnacle Studio. You could also turn to professional software like Adobe Premiere Pro and challenge yourself to learn Adobe After Effects. Video editing software is a huge market, expected to reach over $3 billion by 2027, according to a report from The Insight Partners.
Yes, you can use Blender to edit your videos. Blender can be used for a variety of functions beyond video editing, but this doesn’t mean that it’s not a viable option. Here are some Blender projects to sharpen your skills and build a portfolio.
Yes, professional video editors can use video editing apps. There are many professional video editors who have to work on the go, such as journalists. Having video editing apps handy helps them work quickly to deliver their product in real-time.
A watermark is text and/or symbols placed over videos or photos indicating the software that was used to create them. It is common to see image credit watermarks on stock photos. In most cases, to remove the watermark, a fee must be paid, such as a subscription or a one-time removal fee.
