From TikTok to Instagram Stories and Reels to YouTube, video has undeniably become an essential tool for marketing your business. In fact, in an independent study performed by Wyzowl, 91% of businesses said they’re incorporating video marketing into their strategy in 2023.

You can edit your video right on your favorite iOS (iPhone or iPad) or Android device with a variety of free video editing software. To help you choose the tool that’s right for you, we created this list of the 15 best video editing apps that are user-friendly and free or have paid versions that add value.

1. Adobe Premiere Rush

Best for simplified mobile video editing

Adobe Premiere Rush is a video-editing app with two modes:

1. A fully automated mode trims and transforms clips in minutes on your smartphone or tablet, allowing you to post immediately.
2. A customized mode lets you take more time to add personal touches, such as special overlay designs and sound effects.

Adobe Premiere Rush also has a built-in music library to add a soundtrack.

Features include:

• Drag-and-drop clips and photos
• Adjustable exposure, lighting, and sound levels
• Auto mix music volume during dialogue
• Adobe Creative Cloud support
• Syncs with other Adobe products

Cons:

• No vertical editing ability, which is important for portrait mode
• Users report the automated editing is poor quality

Available for: iOS and Android

Price: Premiere Rush Starter is free. Users can upgrade to Adobe Express for $9.99 per month, which includes cinematic color tools, flexibility with camera formats, video tutorials, and sound refinement.

2. Quik

Best for automated quick editing

From the makers of the action camera GoPro, Quik is an app that was designed to edit video on the go. Simply capture your video, edit, and post. Quik makes it easy by searching your footage to find the best moments, automatically editing clips and adding transitions. You can also edit your footage manually if you want more control over the process.

Features include:

• Add photos
• Create time-lapse sequences
• Access more than 100 free songs
• Automatically syncs videos to music
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) editing assistance
• Wide variety of text fonts and emojis

Cons:

• Users report that Quik can have glitches at times
• Editing features aren’t as robust as other options

Available for: iOS and Android

Price: Quik offers a free basic plan. Users can upgrade to GoPro Plus, which offers a larger music library, unlimited storage, and premium support, for $1.99 per month or $9.99 per year.

3. Splice

Best for combining multiple clips

If you’re new to editing, Splice simplifies the process by offering an intuitive interface. As its name suggests, this tool helps you splice together clips to create a cohesive video with customizable transitions. The built-in music library makes adding a soundtrack easy.

Features include:

• Trim, cut, and crop footage
• Special effects, including animation, transitions, and filters
• Choice of title and transition styles
• A free music and sound library
• Sync your video to the beat of your soundtrack

Cons:

• Video editing features are limited compared to other tools
• Users report frequent crashes

Available for: iOS and Android

Price: Splice offers a free version as well as tiered subscriptions. Sounds+ is $12.99 per month ($129.99 per year) for 100 monthly sample download credits, access to both the desktop and mobile app, and the ability to preview sounds in your DAW with Bridge. For $19.99 per month ($199.99 per year), Creator offers 200 credits and adds beatmaker drum machine and astra synth plugins. Creator+ also includes the plug-ins, but ups the perks to 500 credits for $39.99 per month ($399.99 per year).

 4. InShot

Best for no-frills editing for Instagram Stories

If you want a simple video editor for creating Instagram Stories, InShot is an all-in-one tool. Easily trim your clips, change the speed of your footage, and add filters. You can also rotate footage, a feature not all editing apps provide. Highly rated on Google Play, this app is a popular choice.

Features include:

• Music, filters, stickers, and voiceover narrations
• Text and emoji overlays
• Video effects
• Easily share videos
• Blur the background

Cons:

• Free version includes ads and a watermark
• Users report trimming videos on your smartphone can be tricky

Available for: iOS and Android

Price: The basic plan is free. InShot also offers in-app purchases.

5. KineMaster

Best for advanced video creators

If you’re ready to move up to professional features, KineMaster offers a video-editing app more robust than some of the others. This tool allows you to edit frame by frame, for the most detailed results.

Dial in to adjust color, brightness, and video speed. You can also use unlimited layers on your video, including animation effects and handwriting. While this tool offers maximum power, its intuitive interface makes it easy to use.

Features include:

• More flexibility than other video-editing apps
• Special effects and music
• Backup and sharing abilities to keep projects safe
• Green-screen support
• Instant preview options
• Trending templates to help you get started

Cons:

• Free version includes watermark
• Users report issues with exporting videos

Available for: iOS and Android

Price: The basic plan is free. Users can upgrade to the Pro Edition for $3.99 per month.

6. iMovie

Best for beginner iPhone and iPad video users

Apple users who are new to video creation and editing should consider starting with iMovie, an intuitive drag-and-drop interface that’s easy to use. Quickly trim video clips, add music, and record voiceovers. iMovie comes preloaded on most iOS devices, which means you can get started right away.

Features include:

• 4K resolution for cinema quality
• Video effects and filters
• Music, voiceovers, titles, and photos
• TV- and movie-style templates
• Green-screen capabilities

Cons:

• Limited features might frustrate experienced editors
• Only available on iOS devices

Available for: iOS

Price: Free.

7. WeVideo

Best for collaborative video creation

For video creators who want more editing functions, WeVideo offers all of the basic editing and then some. Trim clips, apply filters, and add music, text, transitions, and video effects. The app also offers premium plans with advanced features, such as a library with commercially licensed music and up to 4K resolution.

Features include:

• Edit on any connected device
• Easy-to-use interface
• 1 GB of cloud storage for free plan
• Choice of editing modes
• Interactivity and collaboration
• Video analytics reporting

Cons:

• Free version has limited functionality
• Free version has watermarked videos

Available for: iOS and Android

Price: The basic plan is free but very limited. Users can choose upgraded plans starting at $4.99 per month for Power, with access to a greater choice of royalty-free video clips, images, and music. The Unlimited plan is $7.99 per month with 4K Ultra HD resolution, Professional is $19.99 monthly, and Business comes with three team licenses and collaboration tools for $36.99 per month.

8. PicPlayPost

Best for sharing photos in video format

If you want to create video from pictures, PicPlayPost is an easy-to-use app that lets you create automated slideshows and collages. Combine up to 365 photos, videos, and GIFs, and then upload a voiceover to explain the action or a soundtrack. You can also add custom watermarks and branded logos, as well as custom backgrounds.

Features include:

• Customizable video output
• The frame ratio for Instagram Stories
• Adjustable video speed
• Split-screen transitions
• Ability to add voiceover, music, and multiple songs
• Add text or watermarks
• Vertical or horizontal videos, in any format

Cons:

• Very basic editing; advanced features come with the paid upgrade
• Limited music and fonts

Available for: iOS and Android

Price: The basic plan is free, with in-app purchases available at varying prices.

 9. Vimeo Create

Best for professional-looking videos fast

If you want a free online video editor, Vimeo Create uses AI to automatically turn your existing product images and text into polished videos. Just answer a few questions about your product, add your footage and logo, and choose style customizations—Vimeo Create then automatically edits and makes your video. It even makes suggestions for colors, themes, music, and fonts (though you can also choose your own).

Vimeo is a popular video software solution with over 200 million users. Plus the app connects directly to your Shopify store, so you can publish your videos to your storefront, social media profiles, and other marketing assets.

Features include:

• More than 1,000 templates to choose from
• Brand your video with custom colors and logos
• Professional auto-editing ability
• Ability to share videos across marketing channels
• Easy Shopify integration

Cons:

• Access to unlimited stock footage and commercially licensed music available only with upgraded subscription
• Certain templates and editing options available only with upgrade

Available for: iOS and Android

Price: Vimeo Create has a free version. Starter ($12/month), Standard ($20/month), and Advanced subscriptions ($65/month) offer access to a wider range of editing tools and templates. Vimeo Create’s free software is available online, no download required.

10. FilmoraGo

Best for adding text, themes, and overlays to customize your videos

If you want a free video-editing app for creating Instagram Stories, FilmoraGo is a comprehensive tool that covers all of your basic needs. Add music from its built-in library or use your own music. FilmoraGo also lets you add overlay themes, text and titles, and elements.

Features include:

• Easily trim or split the video clip
• Rotate and crop the video to match the ratio needed
• Adjust the speed to play in slow motion or time lapse
• Add voiceover or audio tracks
• No limits or watermark

Cons:

• Advanced features, like green screen, are available only on its desktop app
• Users report it’s not as intuitive to use as other editing apps
• Only available for iOS devices

Available for: iOS

Price: Free.

11. Movavi Clips

Best for beginning video editors

If you’re new to video editing but still want to create high-quality videos, Movavi Clips is a great mobile app to start with. Movavi Clips is a free video editor that makes the learning curve to the editing process seem easy. What’s more, the free version gives you access to all of the basic video editing tools you’ll need as a beginner.

Features:

• User friendly and simple interface
• Sticker and text overlay
• Speed up and slow down video
• Can choose aspect ratio of video output

Cons:

• Watermark on videos made with free version of app
• Lots of advanced features only available with desktop version
• Only available for iPhones, iPads, and other Apple devices

Available for: iOS

Price: Free. Paid plans start at $2.49 per month (for any new features and removal of Movavi watermark).

12. LumaFusion

Best for mobile journalists, filmmakers, and professional video producers

LumaFusion is a powerful video editing app that gives you advanced tools. There isn’t a pro version or subscriptions or extra costs—it’s a one-time purchase and you get everything you need to make professional videos.

LumaFusion does have a few extras you can purchase, like Frame.io integration and Final Cut Pro video file exports, but that’s it. Everything else is included.

Features:

• Multitrack editor (up to six audio and video tracks)
• Can use preset transitions or make your own
• Add markers with notes to your timeline
• Keyframe audio levels, panning, and EQ
• Powerful color correction tools
• Layer effects; green screen, luma and chroma keys, blurs, styles, and colors

Cons:

• Best if used on an iPad
• No free trials or version

Available for: iOS and Android

Price: A one-time fee of $29.99, with the option to make additional in-app purchases.

13. Filmmaker Pro

Best for expert filmmakers

Filmmaker Pro’s free video editing app is great if you make a lot of videos. It allows you to create and manage an unlimited number of projects, so it’s perfect for the budding TikTok or Instagram star who wants to create daily content.

Features:

• Supports 4K video
• Can create and manage unlimited number of projects
• Auto save
• Picture-in-picture video, photo, and GIF
• Sound effects collection
• Motion tracking

Cons:

• Only available for iOS
• No refunds for unused portion of subscription once you purchase it
• Free version leaves watermarks on your videos

Available for: iOS

Price: Free. Premium is $7.99 per month or $35.99 per year.

14. ActionDirector

Best for action videos

ActionDirector is a video editing app geared toward creating action videos created by CyberLink for GoPro videos. With features like 4K uploads and being able to edit and filter 360-degree videos, it’s perfect for making those epic surfing and skydiving clips.

ActionDirector also has a lot of great presets that help make the most out of the videos you capture, no matter how shaky or dark they may be.

Features:

• Create 4K videos
• Lens correction
• Video stabilization
• Photo editing tools
• Add and mix your own tracks to create your own background music
• 360-degree video uploads

Cons:

• Free trial is very limited
• Pricey for an app

Available for: iOS and Android

Price: Free trial, then a one-time fee of $49.99 applies.

15. Clipchamp

Best for cloud storage capabilities

When you’re editing videos using mobile devices, storage can be a real issue. So finding a video editor like Clipchamp that’s designed to integrate with cloud solutions can solve a lot of problems.

Clipchamp also has a pretty good free version of its software, which supports features like green screens and screen recordings. You can create professional quality videos using just the free version of Clipchamp.

Features:

• Color balancing
• Works with cloud storage
• Multilayer video editing
• Supports screen recordings and green screens in free version

Cons:

• Non-free versions are expensive
• Only available for iOS

Available for: iOS

Price: Free, then $39.99 per month.

Get started with your video edits

Video content is unquestionably engaging, which is why it dominates social media. While it used to feel prohibitively expensive to film and edit, today all you need is a smartphone, an app, and a sense of adventure.

Video editing software for desktop and mobile have evened the playing field for small-business owners with modest marketing budgets. Now is the best time there’s ever been to create, polish, and distribute video content to your audience.

So grab your iPhone or Android device, download one of these editing apps, and press Record. You never know whether your business will create the next viral video.

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