Best video editing apps for entrepreneurs

From Facebook and Instagram Stories to YouTube, video has undeniably become an essential tool for marketing your business. In fact, 87% of consumers said they want to see more video content from brands, according to The State of Video Marketing in 2019 report by HubSpot.

If you’re like many small-business owners, you probably use your phone to create your video content. Editing your video is something you can do on the go, too, giving it just enough polish to look professional.

This is a list of 10 user-friendly video apps. Mostly free or have paid versions worth the bulk.

The 10 best video editing apps for mobile

1. Quik
2. Adobe Premiere Clip
3. Splice
4. InShot
5. KineMaster
6. iMovie
7. WeVideo
8. PicPlayPost
9. Magisto
10. FilmoraGo

1. Quik

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:

• Ability to add photos
• Create time-lapse sequences
• Access to 100-plus free songs
• Automatically sync 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 and premium support, for $4.99 per month with a 30-day free trial.

Best for: Automated quick editing

2. Adobe Premiere Clip

Adobe Premiere Clip is a video-editing app with two modes. A fully automated mode trims and transforms clips in minutes on your smartphone or tablet, allowing you to post immediately. A fully customized mode lets you take more time to add personal touches, such as special overlay designs and sound effects. Adobe Premiere Clip also has a built-in music library to add a soundtrack.

Features include:

• Drag and drop clips and photos
• Adjust exposure, lighting and sound levels
• Auto mix music volume during dialogue
• Add titles, transitions and slow-motion effects
• Adobe Creative Cloud support
• Sync with other Adobe products

Cons:

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

Available for iOS and Android

Price: Basic plan is free. Users can upgrade to Adobe Premiere Pro for $20.99 per month, which includes cinematic color tools, flexibility with camera formats, video tutorials, and sound refinement.

Best for: Simplified mobile video editing

3. Splice

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. And Splice has high Apple Store ratings, which means users find it valuable.

Features include:

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

Cons:

• Only available on iOS devices
• Users report that it crashes often

Available for iOS

Price: Free

Best for: Combining multiple clips

4. InShot

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, effects, and voice-over narrations
• Text and emoji overlays
• Video effects
• Easily share videos
• Blur the background

Cons:

• The free version includes ads and a watermark.
• Users report that trimming videos on your smartphone can be tricky

Available for iOS and Android

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

Best for: No frills editing for Instagram Stories

5. KineMaster

If you’re ready to move up to professional features, KineMaster offers a video-editing app that is 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 up to 10 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
• Layer your video with text, graphics, images, recorded audio and handwriting
• Green-screen support
• Instant preview options

Cons:

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

Available for: iOS and Android

Price: Basic plan is free. Users can upgrade to the Pro Edition for $4.99 month.

Best for: Advanced video creators who want to edit on the go

6. iMovie

Apple users who are new at 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 voiceover. 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 Apple devices

Available for: iOS

Price: Free

Best for: Beginner iPhone and iPad video users

7. WeVideo

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

Cons:

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

Available for iOS and Android

Price: Basic plan is free. Users can choose upgraded plans that start at $4.99 per month for access to a greater choice of royalty-free video clips, images, and music.

Best for: Experienced users who want to take their videos to the next level

8. PicPlayPost

Note: Website auto-plays music.

If you want to create video from pictures, PicPlayPost is an easy-to-use app that allows you to 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:

• MP4 audio
• Customizable video output
• The frame ratio for Instagram Stories
• Adjust video speed
• Split-screen transitions
• How-to videos help you get started

Cons:

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

Available for: iOS and Android

Price: Basic plan is free, with in-app purchases available

Best for: Business owners who want to share photos in video format

9. Magisto

If you want an easy-to-use video-editing app, Magisto uses AI to create content in minutes with three simple steps. Choose the editing style, add footage, and pick music. The tool will automatically edit and create your video. The tool also makes music suggestions to match the theme, or you can use music from your own library. Magisto is a popular choice and has 90 million users.

Features include:

• Facial recognition, filters, effects, and auto cropping
• Creates professional-looking videos
• Impressive auto-editing ability
• Distribute videos across marketing channels
• AI used end to end
• iStock integration for high quality stock images and video footage

Cons:

• Automated features force you to give up control
• Users report that it’s difficult to cancel premium subscriptions

Available for: iOS and Android

Price: Basic plan is free. Premium and Professional subscriptions start at $4.99 per month and offer access to a wider range of editing tools.

Best for: Professional looking videos fast

10. FilmoraGo

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 only available on its desktop app
• Users report that it’s not as intuitive to use as other editing apps

Available for iOS and Android

Price: Free

Best for: Adding text, themes, and overlays to customize your videos.

Video content is unquestionably engaging, and it’s starting to dominate 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. Free video editing software for desktops and mobiles 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 phone, download one of these editing apps, and press “record.” You never know if your business will create the next viral video.