In today’s digital environment, nothing tells a story quite like video. Whether it’s a promotional video for your new business or a journalistic interview about the recent elections, the motion picture provides a sense of place and gives personality to a story like no other medium. However, not everyone has the time or expertise to be the next Steven Spielberg, and high-end software might not be in your budget. That’s why we’re thankful for all the free and easy-to-use video software on the web and in the app market, and we want you to take advantage of the resources out there. Here are our favorites:
1. Adobe Premiere Clip
Adobe Premiere is the go-to source for most professionals’ video editing needs, so why would its mobile app be any different? Much like iMovie, Adobe Premiere Clip packs the punch of its desktop counterpart in a simple, drag-and-drop interface. Adjusting exposure, audio and adding titles are a sinch. Available for Andriod and iOS, users can even send their Adobe Premiere Clip videos to Premiere Pro CC on their desktop for more detailed and professional editing.
2. Video Editor Filmmaker Pro
This free app gives you unlimited possibilities and provides a wide range of video editing options. With 4k support and professional features like photo motion (Ken Burns effect) and the ability to add green screens, the Filmmaker Pro app brings the heat. The color coded timeline makes editing feel organized, and it even implements gestures (like long-pressing on clips) for increased control on a small screen. This app seems to have everything you’d need in a mobile editor.
3 & 4. Quik & Splice
This one’s a two-fer. Both of these apps are part of GoPro’s “mobile creative suite” with different functionality and user experience. Quik is pretty self-explanatory: a quick and simple way to create and share GoPro or smartphone videos. Lots of automation, without much manual control. Splice is for more advanced video editing, offering the “performance of a desktop editor, optimized for your mobile device” with unique components like free music and sound effects to enhance your story. Side note: Lifehacker even gave Splice the prize of “Best Video Editor for iPhone.” No matter which app you use, they’ll both suit your video needs.
5. Videolicious
Videolicious is used by many journalist and freelance videographers because it provides a quick, easy way to get a high quality video product to the masses. With professional-grade features like voiceover narration, clip editing, and the ability to add logos and other branding visuals, this app is used by “millions of employees at leading media companies and brands.” For larger organizations, it also provides a web dashboard for approving videos for publication.
6. FilmoraGo
FilmoraGo is Wondershare’s version of its powerful desktop video editor, Filmora. With the ability to grab photos and video content straight from social media sites (and of course your Smartphone), the FilmoraGo app is a great editor for your on-the-go lifestyle. Truly a free product, there are no distracting watermark or time limitations here. Along with a full array of editing features, FilmoraGo sets itself apart with special functions like picture-in-picture and reverse video. All in all, a powerful and fun product.
7. PowerDirector
PowerDirector is an Android-only app that provides all the functionality of a pocket video editor you could ask for: effects, speed control, voice over, even photo editing. This app allows you to share your videos directly to YouTube and Facebook. It’s got a 4.4 rating on the Google Play Store with over 210,000 downloads.
Honorable Mention: iMovie
The only reason this isn’t higher on the list is that iMove does cost $4.99 in the App Store. However, iMovie is one of the simplest, yet most full-featured video editors out there. This Apple-only free app is available both for desktop and mobile devices, and it can do some pretty heavy lifting. The desktop version provides a user-friendly interface for dragging in video clips, adding titles, transitions, audio and a wide range of manual controls like exposure, image stabilization and even custom narration. The iMovie mobile app is free for download in the App Store, and it’s basically a mini version of its desktop counterpart. With most of the bells and whistles you’d expect (text, fades, music), it’s meant to be a quick but powerful editor when you’re on-the-go.