Best Video Editing Apps for iPhone [2023]
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Having a powerful video editing tool right at your fingertips is essential as a content creator. With the ever-improving capabilities of smartphones, the iPhone has become a popular choice for on-the-go video editing. Whether you're a casual vlogger, social media enthusiast, or a professional content creator, there's an abundance of free and paid iPhone video editing apps available on the App Store.
Continue reading to learn about common features of video editing apps and what kinds of content you can edit effectively using your smartphone. Then check out our list of free and paid video editing apps for iPhone users categorized by what features and capabilities you need most.
Using an iPhone for Video Editing
Native platform apps may work moderately well for shorter videos where you’re simply adding a common filter or using a sound from the music library, but what about creators looking to make their videos stand out? Video editing apps for iPhone users have evolved to a point where creators can shoot and edit their media on one device without sacrificing quality.
Whether you want to edit shorter videos for social media platforms like Instagram or TikTok, or you're working on longer, more detailed projects, content creators who choose the right video editing apps for iPhone devices can handle almost anything.
Equipment Note: Make sure you’re using the right iPhone for your content. To learn which model is right for you, check out our guide comparing the iPhone 15 camera vs 14 after this.
Common Features of a Video Editing App for iPhone
Before we get into the best video editing apps for iPhone users let’s look at some of the common features you can expect to find. The capabilities of these apps have evolved significantly, allowing users to create a wide range of content. Whether you want to edit shorter videos for social media platforms like Instagram or TikTok, or you're working on longer, more detailed projects, there's an app for you.
On the best video editing app for iPhone users, you should expect to have features for:
- Cutting and trimming clips
- Adding music or sound effects
- Inserting text or captions
- Applying filters
On more powerful video editing apps for iPhone creators, you may also see options for:
- Color grading
- Special effects
- Artificial intelligence (AI) video editing
Creator Note: When you look at native app features of various platforms like Instagram Reels vs TikTok, it’s clear to see that each has its own set of pros and cons. For quality consistency as well as having all the tools you need in one spot, you should consider third-party video editing apps for iPhone devices, instead.
Best Video Editing Apps for iPhone
Choosing the best video editing app for iPhone users depends on what your needs are and the kind of content you’re creating. Are you shooting action videos? Music videos? Learning how to make an instructional video for YouTube main channel playlists? This smartphone stands as a powerful and versatile tool for running the iPhone video editing apps you need to elevate your media.
We’re breaking down the best video editing apps for iPhone in 2023 to help you decide which is right for you:
- Video editing apps for AI assistance
- Video editing apps for lightweight editing
- Video editing apps for detailed editing
1. iPhone Video Editing Apps for AI Assistance
PicPlayPost
Key features: Powerful AI video editing and creation capabilities, add multiple songs, supports all formats for photos, video, GIFs, and live photos, can create a custom watermark.
A powerful video editor app, PicPlayPost elevates your content creation to the next level. It’s a professional video editor and maker that will easily rank as one of the best video editing apps for iPhone users.
With this video editing app, you get access to:
- AI video editing capabilities
- Create up to 30-minute videos
- Trim, speed up, slow down videos
- Add multiple songs
PicPlayPost offers an all in one video editing solution for long or short video edits as well as photo and video collages. AI video editing capabilities allows you to create stand out content using their proprietary collage cross over feature as well as time saving ways to create content with automated video templates. Apply AI powered filters, stickers, text, transitions, voice over, and music. The AI video editing app also lets you share 4K resolution videos (collages and slideshows) as well as add your own logo (text or image) to protect your media.
Easy to use, this app makes it simple to create stunning picture & video collages, slideshows, and live wallpapers at any skill level without sacrificing quality.
Roll
Key features: Powerful AI video editing and making capabilities, add multiple songs, supports all formats for photos, video, GIFs, and live photos, can create a custom watermark.
The Roll video editing app gives creators the use of multicam effects that can be used to capture wide and close-up multi-camera shots simultaneously. It also harnesses some AI-generated professional camera movements like dolly in/out, crane, and pan with sliders.
One of the biggest drawbacks to Roll is that it’s not a full-fledged AI video editing app. While you can do editing on the app, its AI features are bound to a web-based version of the tool. Still, it’s worth considering if you don’t mind the need to switch between devices instead of just getting to work on your iPhone for ease.
2. iPhone Video Editing Apps for Lightweight Editing
Quik
Key features: Good for basic cuts and edits, can be used to pull media from iPhone or social media accounts, offers filters, can change video background music.
One of the best video editing apps for iPhone users when you just need to do some basic edits and cuts is Quik. It’s a video editing app from GoPro that allows you to produce professional videos with a few clicks. One of its more unique points is that it allows you to import photos or videos from your iPhone library as well as your Facebook or Instagram account.
Quik offers creators the chance to switch between cinematic and square formats as well as add filters to video. Easily swap background music or add a title card to your video to finish it off.
This is an easy iPhone video editing app to use, but may not be ideal for creators needing more serious video editing done.
Splice
Key features: Good for lightweight editing, generate a video based on selected sections, easily add effects, text, or crop videos, can share videos with a link or on social media.
Another app from GoPro, Splice also makes our list of best video editing apps for iPhone users looking for lightweight editing. It’s simple to use and great for achieving a professional look without the need for hiring a video editor.
To get started, import your media and select the most important parts. Choose the music you want to add and the app will automatically clip the entire video according to the sections you marked. Creators can crop, add effects, and add text to their videos easily. Once you’ve finished editing your video, this app allows you to share the video with links or on social media. You can also save it to your iPhone camera roll.
3. iPhone Video Editing Apps for Detailed Editing
Filmmaker Pro
Key features: Great for detailed editing, a wide array of video editing tools and options, free and paid options for creators.
Diving further into the best video editing apps for iPhone users, Filmmaker Pro should make any list for its detailed editing capabilities. Offering both free and paid versions of the app, there are plenty of ways for creators to use it to their advantage.
Filmmaker Pro lets you manage video editing projects with color-coded timelines and optimizes itself for familiarity with smartphone users by letting you reposition assets with a long press. For editing detailed videos, this app offers 46 professional grade transition options, the ability to adjust playback speed, 30 filters, options for trimming, splitting, or duplicating clips, plus tools for video grading like adjusting brightness, contrast, saturation, exposure, and white balance.
To add to all those editing tools, Filmmaker Pro also has a generous library of sound effects and 100+ royalty-free music tracks from which to choose. It’s important to note that the free version does have a watermark. You’ll need to upgrade to the paid version to export your video without it.
InShot Video Editor
Key features: Great for detailed editing, a wide array of video editing tools and options, free and paid options for creators.
Not only is InShot Video Editor one of the best video editing apps for iPhone users, but it’s also among the easiest to use. Its user-friendly interface takes some of the intimidation away from creators looking to level up their video editing apps for iPhone devices.
The app has all the features you expect to find like cut, trim, delete, merge, and adjusting video. It also provides music options from an in-app library or you can add your own. InShot Video Editor supports stickers, emojis, filters, effects, transitions, color correction plus voice over layering and a wide array of sound effects you can select.
One of the ways this app stands out is the options it provides for rotating and flipping videos. Unfortunately, another way it stands out is the number of ads creators encounter on the free version.
Choosing the best video editing apps for iPhone devices depends on your specific needs and skill level. Whether you're editing short clips for social media or working on more intricate projects, the App Store offers a diverse range of options like Splice, PicPlayPost, or Quik. Experiment with different apps to find the one that aligns with your creative vision and streamlines your creative process.