The best video editing apps for iPhone

It wasn't long ago that the idea of editing video on a mobile phone was absurd. The iPhone has changed the game in so many areas and mobile video editing is no exception.

There are, however, some obvious difficulties that go along with mobile video editing. The screen size is the first thing that comes to mind. Sure, iPhone screen sizes received a significant bump a few years ago, but the size is still less than ideal for full on video editing.

Thankfully, there’s a handful of iPhone app developers who have taken the constraints into consideration. It’s easy to get lost in the endless list of mediocre video editing apps in the App Store. The difficult part is tracking down the apps that are worthwhile. We have done some of that work for you, and here are a few of our favorite video editing apps for the iPhone.

Videoshop

Videoshop has become one of the staple video editing app for the iPhone. It provides loads of editing tools enabling you to do just about anything you can imagine to your videos. Crucially, the developers managed to keep the interface clean and easy to use, and features continue to be added keeping the app fresh.

The list of features includes adding filters, video effects, text overlays, styles or themes, voiceovers, music and sound effects. You can also trim clips, add photos, crop both photos and video, speed up or slow down a clip, apply a slow-motion effect and even play a clip in reverse just to name a few. As you can tell, this list is exhaustive, especially for an iPhone app.

Unlike many apps in the App Store, it’s clear the developer of Videoshop is committed to making the app better. For only $1.99 on the App Store Videoshop is a no brainer if you are looking for an easy to use video editing tool for your iPhone.

While Videoshop is an exceptional app, some iPhone users may get intimidated by it’s laundry list of features. If you are looking for a simpler and more automated experience, this next app is aimed at you.

Replay

You may be familiar with Replay from the stage time the app received during an Apple keynote event a few years ago. Compared to Videoshop, Replay takes a completely different approach to video editing. This app is focused on doing most of the editing work for you.

The app is a breeze to use. You simply pick the video clips and photos you want to include in your video and Replay will create a video for you complete with creative transitions, music and overlays.

Once the video is completed, you have the option to go back and edit certain aspects of the video. For example, you can choose different music, transitions, filters and overlay text. Also, you have the option to dig in a bit deeper and rearrange the clips was well.

Replay is free to download on the App Store, but requires a $14.99 in-app purchase to unlock all the many video styles and remove watermarks. The price may seem a bit steep, but it’s a good deal considering you get automated professional looking video in a matter of minutes.

Vee for Video

Vee for Video pitches itself as more of an all-in-one video solution for iPhone. The app features a robust catalogue of editing features, but it’s also a place where you can film you videos to begin with.

By shooting directly in the app, you can avoid taking up space in your camera roll. It also allows you to skip uploading videos as well. Once you shoot footage on the app, it’s immediately available to edit.

Vee also excels in simplicity, which is necessary to be a compelling video editing app for iPhone. The app features an intuitive drag-and-drop interface. You can reorder a clip by simply dragging it around with your finger through a timeline of other clips. To add transitions, it just takes a simple tap between clips.

Vee for Video is available for $1.99 on the App Store.