What’s better than an easy-to-use editing app for your iPad or iPhone?
A free one, of course!
If you’re in the market, check out this handy little list. For those of you using Android, this post is from an Apple-based perspective but check out the bottom of this post for a list of several highly rated Android apps.
All of these video editing programs function in a similar manner. If you filmed on your tablet, it’s super simple since all your media is already there!
1. iMovie
Rating: 4/5
Compatibility: All Apple products
Cost: Always free
Pros
-Intuitive drag and drop functionality so rearranging clips (and audio) is easy
-Made by Apple, so there is lots of support
-Straightforward and has all the basic features needed to edit a simple video (text with different backgrounds, edit/rearrange audio)
Cons
-Not for Android or Windows
Expert Opinion
I would recommend this app above the others. It works on all Apple platforms and gives you more control than the other programs. I gave it a four out of five just because it’s completely Apple-based.
Rating: 3/5
Compatibility: iOS (iPhone/iPad only)
Cost: Free or $3.99 for full version
Pros
-Rearranging clips and moving audio/text throughout the timeline is easy
-Text can be put over backgrounds, not just over video or pictures
-Lots of save and share options at the end
Cons
-Audio can only be added from iTunes or recorded within the app
-You have to navigate to another window in order to preview your cut, which is a little clunky
-Only for tablets/phones
Expert Opinion
Overall, this program is pretty good. It lost points because of the audio limitation and its layout.
3. Cute Cut
Rating: 3/5
Compatibility: iOS, Mac OS, Android, Windows
Cost: Free or $5.99
Pros
-Can also be used on laptops/desktop computers
-Layout lets you preview while editing
-In and out points are clear so editing is easy
-You can draw! (forgive my drawing on the example!)
Cons
-Have to hit a checkmark to confirm changes before editing something else, which is more of a nuisance than a problem
-Backgrounds (for text) are controlled universally, not for individual blocks of text
Expert Opinion
Cute Cut is pretty easy to use, but has some limitations. However, there is a “Pro” version, which may solve that problem.
4. VideoToolbox
Rating: 2/5
Compatibility: iOS (iPhone/iPad)
Cost: Always free
Pros
-The opening screen offers different features: if you just want a slideshow, it will make it automatically for you
-When you make a cut, the sound effect is cute. It’s also easy to make cuts—you hit the scissors. Nice call back to splicing and old school film editing
-Adding text is simple and easy to customize
Cons
-You can’t change the text background, but you can put it over video clips and stills
-Audio has to either be added through iTunes or through their library, but can’t be trimmed. It will automatically fade out when the video ends
-Only works on iPhone/tablet
-The screen won’t change to landscape (this might just be an issue for iPhones)
Expert Opinion
Although this app is easy to use, it doesn’t let you do much customization. If you are making a slideshow though, this one is pretty ideal.
For those Android users out there, here are some recommendations to get you started.
VidTrim
Cost: Free, Pro $3.99
Video Maker Pro Free
Cost: Free
AndroVid Video Editor
Cost: Free, Pro $1.99
Video Editor
Cost: Free
