Searching for the best video production and editing apps can be tough considering there are countless solutions out there in the app market, for both iOS and Google Play for Android. Whether you’re looking to make a quick compilation of video clips you have handy, add some effects to an existing movie, or take it a step further and get into near-professional movie making on your smart device, we’ve got you covered in today’s guide. Just as saw in our photo editing and music making apps article, there are some hidden gems out there we’ve been able to find through our own uses and research, both paid and free. Let’s get into our top picks for the best apps for video editing and production.
The best video editing apps
iMovie
The iMovie offers so many great editing features that it is hard to decide where to begin. Although one of the biggest cons of this is the lack of Android support (sorry Droid users, keep down the list as we have a lot of great options for you as well), we’ll still list it first since it’s made for what we’re looking for — advanced video editing. From making your very own movie trailers ranging from 14 templates all the way to creating an entire movie, this app gives us many options for a varying population depending on your own needs. It uses a sleek design and Multi-Touch signs that enable you to tell your own stories and is equipped with a 3D touch on iPhone 6’s to start your very own film from home. In addition, you can choose from 8 different themes with matching titles, transitions, and music. What makes the iMovie app one of the best however, is the simplicity of transferring projects and films between your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch by simply using Airdrop or iCloud Drive. It’s safe to say that this one is not only easy to use, but fun and without a doubt will make your home movie much more memorable.
Quik
In a matter of seconds, Quik allows you to create custom designed videos straight from the convenience of your personal gallery, photo albums or Facebook pictures. This is an unparalled application made by GoPro that takes your own footage and essentially recreates these moments with added transitions and effects. What makes this one of the best apps for video editing is that with these recreated video stories come a lighthearted and fun-filled music theme synced for your enjoyment. You can add up to 75 photos and video clips from the photo destination of your choice, or you can simply have Quik do it for you. This video app also comes with your choice of 22 video styles, each containing specifically designed transitions and graphics. Choose from 80 free songs or you can even use a personalized song of your choice. There is certainly no doubt that Quik creates a video of epic proportions, with a touch of sentimental value. The user reviews will back us up on that.
InShot
InShot is highly regarded and even a Google Play award winner, as this video editing application contains pretty much anything you need when it comes to optimizing your perfect video. This app is fully equipped with video merger, allowing multiple videos with unique effects, as well video converter, video cut and trim, and photo editor pro. It also enables an easier way to edit unique filters and colorful backgrounds with the ‘photo editor pro feature’ in case you need it. InShot also has a few extra features, such as rotate, flip and zoom, as well as multiple supported ratios. There are a lot of solutions out there to choose from, but what makes this considered the best video editing app available is its ability to integrate so many unique features into one. There is not much that this app cannot do when it comes to meeting your editing needs, it also adds a little bit a fun with its audio and music capabilities. We love that it’s available for both iOS and Droid, too. Did we mention it’s free?
Videorama
Here’s another pick as arguably the best app for editing and creating videos (iOS only unfortunately) simply out of your personalized videos and photos. This specific application contains fast, real-time previews as well as some nifty Special FX. Videorama allows you to take your own images and turn them into videos or even slideshows. It is easy to use and is allows you to customize the speed and format of your videos in a way that you like. In addition, it comes with music and sound effects including hundreds of sound choices that will make your video sound, more specifically realistic in-person FX. You can either specifically design your own sounds from your personalized library or select them from a list of cinematic music themes pending each individual occasion. If you are interested in making your home designed movie or slide show, this is a versatile application that includes never before seen features which will without a doubt make your film as good as you imagined it.
Splice
Next on our list, we have arguably another one of the best video editing apps to date made by GoPro again. This straightforward application is only available for iOS; however, it’s incredibly easy to use and simplifies the creation of your videos on either iPhone or iPad. What makes the splice so unique is that it gives you the power to create a professional-looking video on your mobile device. Splice offers trim, crop, effect, and animation features that differentiate it from other video editing applications available. In addition, the app includes a custom audio system which enable you to choose from a huge selection of music and sound effects. The unique features combined with the sophisticated design of this application shores up any question that we have when finding the differentiating factor between this movie editing app with the rest. We love how easy it is to use. When you think about Splice, just picture the performance of a desktop or laptop editor but instead used at the convenience of your mobile device (or at least as close you can get right now).
Adobe Premiere Clip
We’re all aware of the original and famous Adobe Premiere, right? Well, this isn’t exactly a carbon copy of the software; however, it at least shares the name to give us confidence and also provides some awesome capabilities if you’re looking to make some photo slideshows or presentations. This is a free video editor that allows you to self-create your own quality video clips in a speedy and amusing fashion. It is perfect for those of you who like to edit and create personalized videos from your very own device, and then send to your computer or desktop where you can further edit just like a professional. The beauty of Premiere Clip is that it will simply do the editing for you (syncs music with your photos as a slideshow), add visual interest to images with photo motion (slow and subtle zoom), as well as give you an easy grid view to combine the photos you need. Their original Premiere was super high in our video editing software for a reason; you just can’t go wrong with Adobe — they know what they’re doing when it comes to video anything. Not to mention it’s free, so give it a go to see if it’s what you’re searching for even though the reviews are a bit low since it isn’t exactly a “video editor” in the literal sense.
PowerDirector
PowerDirector is one of the best video editor apps for Android (no iOS version available right now) that contains not only free video effects, but a powerful timeline video editing and slow motion feature as well. This one comes with full HD movie making power that is going to help create your movie with an unparalleled HD picture by using simple video FX, transitions, and audio soundtracks. What this app offers that might be harder to find in alternative options and in our opinion is the biggest standout is the nifty slow-motion feature. This is a movie editor that enables you to slow down your video image for action shots, funny skits, or really any use may need. The slow-motion editor allows you to change video speed throughout the film even if it is not so easy to do natively. It also offers definitive video collage effects which offer the best footage to the scene you are creating. Whether you are making an action-packed thriller or just a home video documenting something fun, PowerDirector is going to make life a whole lot easier when it comes to documenting your moments in the best way possible.
VivaVideo
Next let’s talk about the VivaVideo video editor. It’s hard to refute its popularity when you just look at the numbers and they claim over 200 million users worldwide are using VivaVideo today. This app for video editing enables you to create the best possible videos and photo slideshows while barely lifting a finger. Equipped with video speed control containing slow and fast motion, HD cameras, and multiple camera lenses, it’s very telling why so many people consider this the best of the best when it comes to bells and whistles and other fancy features other apps don’t necessarily have. VivaVideo also allows you to create other fun clips, such as lip-sync and duet videos, in addition to custom designed memes that you can send to your friends. There’s not a whole lot this one is not being raved for as there is hardly anything this brand-new video editor cannot do.
Pinnacle Studio Pro
As we near the end of our list, here’s an iOS only app that’s another already-known software turned-app. Pinnacle Studio Pro offers a new and improved video maker, making it one of the best video editing apps of the year since it’s so versatile. It is conveniently a one-time purchase and definitely isn’t free, however this means when you purchase it once for your iPhone you will be able to also download it to your iPad. For those of you aspiring big screen video production makers, start here as the Pinnacle Studio pro offers an easy to use application that enables easy editing access as well as creating your favorite images with a soundtrack of your choice. The application allows you to create your edited movie with images from your home gallery or even places such as Facebook. There is not a lot the Pinnacle Studio Pro can’t do as it is equipped to work with any media device outside of your cell phone. If you are in the market for a video editing app and are able to spend a few bucks, this is your one spot stop so let the Pinnacle Studio Pro assist you in making your movie production dreams a reality. Unfortunately no Android version at the moment.
Magisto
To cap off our list, Magisto video editor and movie creator app is the perfect fit for those of you who want to recreate your favorite scene or music video and share it with all of your friends and family. Easily capable of sharing via all social media outlets, it offers you all of the necessities to tell your story on-screen at no price at all. Magisto is being used by over 90 million people worldwide. This application is primarily used for creating music videos, integrating a music player that helps the user choose all the best sounds that best fit each particular image. It’s more simplistic than the other “advanced” apps we’ve listed thus far, however if it fits your niche and needs it may be what you had in mind. There is no charge in downloading this app so for you introductory film editors who want a great start to your future video making endeavors, look no further as Magisto offers a unique spin to editing videos on your smart device. Now that we’ve highlighted all of our picks, which app did you end up going with?