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Classically, video editing is a complicated process requiring powerful programs like Adobe Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro X. However, for the everyday user, a powerful piece of (expensive) desktop software is often unnecessary to achieve great looking videos. With this in mind, current advancements in mobile technology allow us to carry a full video editing tool right in our pockets. Mobile video editing tools are plentiful, but not all are created equal and many have different pros and cons for video editing depending on what you are planning to create. So before you start editing, it’s good to think about your goals for the video you want to edit.
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Video editing tools come in all shapes and sizes.
Read more: How to Edit Videos on iPhone: Introducing YouCam Video
What is a selfie video?
By now we are all pros at taking and editing selfies, filters, lighting, fine edits, no problem. But what about making those edits for your selfie videos? If you’re not quite sure about what counts as a selfie video, it can be anything that includes a video of you and your face, just like a photo selfie, but in video form. Common places to find a selfie video include, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Tumblr and more.
Editing apps for Videos: Standard Features
There are a wide range of tools available depending on the app you choose. However, many of the best video editing apps will have a standard set of tools for you to use. These should include:
- Import videos and photos from your camera, mobile phone, or film them from the app itself.
- Scrub through the video as you edit it.
- Add music to the video.
- Choose an aspect ratio that fits with your target platform (TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Vimeo, and so on).
- Export video with at least 480p quality.
- Either save the video to your camera roll or to the app’s cloud service.
- Add text and common shapes at the minimum.
- Speed up or slow down the video by 1-2X.
- Stickers, filters, gifs, and unique fonts.
- Professional transitions between shots.
- Premium music choices and quality stock footage.
- High-definition exports (720p, 1080p, or 4K).
- Layering, masks, and green-screen detection technologies.
- Multi-track editing and timelines.
- Extreme speeding up and extreme slowing down of the footage (>4X).
- No branded watermark.
In the sea of video editing features make sure you know what is available.
Which Video Editing Tool Is Right For You?
Choosing the right tool for editing your videos is important. From professional tools that edit film to editing videos for social platforms like TikTok or YouTube, there is something to suit a wide variety of needs. When thinking about the right video editing tool for you, there are several things you need to consider before you choose. The main points to consider when looking for the right video editing software for you are:- What is the type of video you are editing (who is the target audience)?
- What length of video do you want to edit?
- What are the main things you will need when editing your videos?
- Is there any special consideration for editing your videos?
Who or what are you editing your videos for?
What type of video are you editing?
Knowing who your video is for or what platform you plan to share it to is important when considering video editing tools. Platform choice will make a difference in various editing decisions including:- Aspect ratio.
- Add music to your video.
- Use of stickers, filters or gifs.
- Add text or not.
- Transitions you use, etc.
In comparison, creating a video for TikTok or Instagram, you’re most likely going to need more creative video editing tools at your disposal to create an eye-catching post.
What length of video do you want to edit?
This is inherently linked to the platform you want to upload your video to. Optimizing your videos depends on the platform you want to upload your content to. For example, YouTube values longer content that makes viewers stay on the platform, whereas TikTok videos can only be 60 seconds long so you need to decide what platform you are optimizing for before you start.
TikTok, YouTube, Instagram all need different video lengths.
What are the main things you will need when editing your videos?
Do you want to be able to add text, filters or stickers to your videos? Or do you need more advanced video editing tools like cutting and transitions? There are so many tools that you might use, if you know exactly what you will need to edit your videos you will be able to find the video editing app that’s the best fit for you.Is there any special consideration for editing your videos?
Finally, are there any other special considerations that you need to think about for your videos? For example, will you need to add subtitles for the hard of hearing or for foreign language users? Or maybe you have a specific need that you are editing your video for. For example, if you want to edit a selfie video you made for TikTok you might need something more creative for your editing.
Do you need any special video editing features?
Best Video Editing Apps For Mobile
There’s a wide range of classic video editing apps available so we’ve picked five of the top video editing apps for mobile to compare for you.1. Adobe Premiere Rush (cross-platform)
Straight out of the gate this app is clearly designed for those creating specifically for YouTube. Premiere Rush is much easier to use than Adobe’s more complex desktop tools, such as Premiere Pro, After Effects, and Audition. Premiere Rush focuses on producing clips for social, so you can edit and upload quickly and easily. As an example, you can export your videos in the specific aspect ratio required for your social platform of choice One big plus for Premiere Rush is the ability to edit your clips across platforms, so if you're a professional working on Premiere Pro, you can tweak your video on iPhone or tablet using Premiere Rush.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Cross-platform
- Useful export options
Cons
- Full version needs subscription
- Limited editing control
2. Quik (cross-platform)
The official new name of the Go-Pro app, Quik is dedicated to making your adventure footage look extra sleek. It automatically imports your footage and makes it easy to sync clips to music, add photos, titles and time lapse sequences, and include graphs based on your stats.
Pros
- Easy interface
- Sync songs to footage
- Horizontal levelling
Cons
- Can’t edit templates
3. LumaFusion (iOS)
The attraction of LumaFusion is that it is easy to use but packs a punch with features. It includes advanced features insert/overwrite, color correction, fully featured audio mixer, support for vertical video, slow/fast motion (forward and reverse), and advanced title creation tools. This combined with a lot of sharing and exporting options make this app a strong contender. One thing you can’t do is sync between devices, so you can’t start editing on your iPhone and continue on your iPad as of yet.
Pros
- Advanced features
- No subscription needed
Cons
- iOS only
- No iCloud syncing
4. KineMaster (Android, iOS)
For professional use, KineMaster is one of the surest bets. Sporting high-end features such as blending modes, chroma keying, and audio mixing, you can shoot, edit and export your footage on your phone or tablet. Plus, it’s available for both iOS and Android. If you’re looking for granular frame-by-frame editing, this is your bet. KineMaster boasts advanced features, including instant edit previews, precise volume envelope control, color LUT filters, speed controls, chroma key compositing and 3D transitions. The main downside is the app adds watermarks to videos that require a subscription to remove.
Pros
- Advanced features
- Multi-track editing
- Precision control
Cons
- Watermarks on free version
5. iMovie (Apple devices)
Perfect for beginners, iMovie is great if you want to get started editing videos. It has all the basic features such as adding titles, music, voiceovers and photos. It is integrated in all apple devices and fits perfectly into the Apple ecosystem as you’d expect.
Pros
- Free for Apple users
- Easy to use
Cons
- Not the most feature-rich
- Not the most powerful
Specific Selfie Video Editing Apps
Of course classic video editing apps have their place, but sometimes you need something a little more specific. One area of special video editing apps are apps that can help you spruce up your selfie videos. Selfie video editing is a fairly niche concept, but with the rise of social platforms like TikTok, being able to edit your selfie in video format has never been more in demand. These apps often include basic editing functions you’d expect from a video editing app such as clip selection, add music, different aspect ratio, export functions etc. In addition to this, selfie video editing can take a number of forms, from simple color correction or an addition of a filter, to more advanced tools including retouch & face shaping to adding makeup.
Some core capabilities that selfie video apps can achieve include:
- Full makeup looks, including subtle day looks, smoldering night time looks, fresh dewy makeup looks.
- Full range of makeup tools including, eyebrow shaping, eyeliner, eyelashes, eyeshadow, lip color, blush, foundation and more.
- Retouch tools including, eye shape, nose shape, lip shape, cheek & jawline reshape and more.
- Teeth whitening.
- Eye color changer.
- Hair color changer, including single color, two-toned, ombré styles & more.
Selfie Video Editing With YouCam Video
For the (relatively) new field of selfie video editing, YouCam Video has everything you need to create a refined and sophisticated selfie video. The wide range of pro selfie video editing tools includes easy-to-use effects, mean you can create the exact style you want on your selfie videos in just a few moments. What’s more, YouCam Video also allows you to add an extra dimension to your selfie video with face retouch features, options to apply makeup and full makeup looks, change hair color, apply filters, and more.
In the ever expanding world of video editing apps there is such a wide variety out there, from apps that are designed for basic video editing, to highly specialized apps designed for a specific editing need. The key to finding the right app for you is ultimately knowing precisely what you want to achieve and which level of editing tools you need.
Read more about selfie video editing: Discover the Best Video Editing App for Your Selfie Videos
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