Reels have become one of the most popular ways for people to create and share short videos on social media. Reels allow users to record and edit 15 to 60 second multi-clip videos with audio, effects, and creative tools. The videos are designed to be entertaining, engaging, and shareable. Reels first gained major popularity when launched on Instagram in 2020 as a competitor to TikTok. Since then, other platforms like Facebook and YouTube have also introduced reels. This has led to an explosion in the number of reels being produced and shared across social media. But what apps do people actually use to edit these short form video clips? There are a few main options people are turning to.
Top Apps for Editing Reels
Instagram Reels
Instagram Reels comes built directly into the Instagram app, so it’s one of the easiest options for Instagram users to get started with editing reels. The Reels editing tools allow you to string multiple video clips together, use Instagram’s catalogue of audio and music, add AR effects, timers and countdowns, interact with your camera roll, alter speed, and more. The editing capabilities make Instagram Reels a top choice for quickly customizing creative videos up to 30 seconds to share on your Instagram feed or stories.
TikTok
Although TikTok videos can now be up to 10 minutes long, the platform is still best known for its original 15 to 60 second video format that inspired reels. The TikTok app provides a suite of intuitive editing tools for combining clips, using sounds and music, adding texts and stickers, employing filters and special effects, and more. The app makes it easy for creators to get inventive with short videos. And TikTok has the added benefit of being able to not only save reels to your camera roll, but also share them directly to the TikTok community within the app.
CapCut
CapCut is a free video editing app made specifically for short form social media videos. While you can’t post directly to TikTok or Instagram from CapCut, it provides professional-grade editing tools to enhance your reels before saving them to your camera roll. CapCut offers precise clip slicing, music syncing, filter presets, transitions, templates, stickers, special effects, text overlays, and more. Advanced editors can use keyframes, speed controls, layering, and green screens. The user-friendly interface makes complex edits simple for beginners too.
Adobe Premiere Rush
Adobe Premiere Rush is a streamlined video editing app created by Adobe that works well for compiling and refining reels. It’s capabilities are more advanced than some mobile editing apps while still being quick and user-friendly. Premiere Rush allows you to import clips, arrange them on a timeline complete with transitions, add titles, use color filters, employ motion graphics, and more. The app is free with some capabilities limited, or you can pay a subscription for full access. Your edited videos can then be exported to share on various platforms.
Splice
Splice is a free video editor from GoPro geared for mobile and web use. It makes slicing clips, mixing in audio, applying effects and transitions, adding text, and tinkering with speed a breeze. The intuitive interface and pre-loaded audio content help you quickly arrange a professional-looking reel on the go. And options to change aspect ratios or resize dimensions allow flexibility. Once complete, Splice videos can be saved directly to your camera roll or social platforms. The simplicity makes Splice a top choice for quick and easy mobile reel editing.
Vlogit
Vlogit bills itself as an “all-in-one video & vlog editor” designed specifically for crafting high-quality short videos suitable for platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram. It provides a digital workspace for combining multiple clips, integrating audio, employing filters and AR effects, adding stylized text, adjusting speed, and more to create eye-catching reels. The tools aim to help elevate smartphone videos with more professional editing capabilities than some basic mobile apps provide.
Inshot
As another free video editing app made for social media content creators, Inshot offers a straightforward toolkit for sprucing up reels on your phone or tablet. Convenient features allow you to trim, split, merge, duplicate, and rearrange clips on the timeline. You can layer videos and pictures, incorporate music or voiceovers, use filters and effects, add animated stickers and text overlays, adjust speed, and crop dimensions. Inshot makes crafting compelling reels that will stand out in the Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube feeds enjoyable and engaging.
VivaVideo
VivaVideo is a free video editing app with advanced tools and templates tailored specifically for creating beautiful reels and short videos. User-friendly functions allow you to edit multi clips into a single video, trim and merge clips, adjust speed, add music and filters, employ stylish transitions, incorporate text, apply AR effects, and more. Reels can be shared directly to Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, and other popular platforms. Overall, VivaVideo provides one of the most comprehensive reel editing experiences free for mobile devices.
Key Reel Editing Features
When evaluating which reel editing app is best for your needs, it helps to consider which key features will be most important for your video creation process. Here are some of the top capabilities to look for:
- Multi-clip editing – Ability to import and stitch together different short video clips into one reel
- Trimming/splitting tools – Precisely cut clips and divide longer footage into sections
- Music/audio integration – Incorporate background music, voiceovers, sound effects
- Text overlays – Add stylized text captions or titles
- AR effects/filters – Enhance or alter footage using effects and presets
- Stickers – Include animated stickers and graphics
- Speed adjustment – Speed up or slow down clip playback
- Aspect ratio editing – Resize footage or alter dimensions
- Transitions – Add transitions between clips
- Templates – Use pre-made templates for quick editing
Prioritizing which features you need access to can help determine the best reel editor for your videos. Advanced digital tools like layering, green screens, and keyframing may not be necessary for quick mobile editing. But options for slicing clips precisely, integrating music, adding stylized text, and employing filters or effects are usually key.
Choosing the Right Reel Editor for You
With the top apps covered, how do you decide which reel editor is the best fit? Here are a few factors to consider:
Platforms You Publish On
If you primarily share reels on one main platform like Instagram or TikTok, choosing an editor integrated with that platform can be advantageous. The Instagram app makes it easy to publish reels directly to your feed. TikTok has a robust set of editing tools built-in as well. CapCut does not allow direct publishing, but offers professional capabilities for enhancing TikTok or Instagram content.
Editing Experience Level
Beginners may want to choose an app like Splice or VivaVideo that offers lots of presets and templates for easy reel creation. CapCut has advanced capabilities, but also an intuitive interface suitable for first-time editors. Adobe Premiere Rush has a steeper learning curve best for those already comfortable with video editing. Consider how much time you want to spend learning to use the editing tools.
Editing on the Go
If you tend to shoot and edit footage on your smartphone or tablet while traveling or out and about, mobile apps like Inshot, VivaVideo, or Splice are great portable options. They allow you to compile high-quality reels anywhere using just your mobile device. Desktop options like Premiere Rush may have more capabilities but lack the on-the-go accessibility.
Advanced Editing Needs
Apps like CapCut, Premiere Rush, and Vlogit offer more advanced features than the basic editing apps. If you want to employ complex edits, audio, overlays, graphics, effects and more, these editors have the expanded toolkits to bring your vision to life at a higher skill level. Basic mobile apps can still meet many users’ needs, but turn to the advanced options for more versatility.
Cost
Many popular reel editing apps like Inshot, VivaVideo, and Splice are entirely free to use with no watermarks or subscription fees. This makes them easily accessible options. Some apps like CapCut offer free versions alongside upgraded pro options. Adobe Premiere Rush requires a paid subscription plan for full functionality. Whether you want a free editor or are willing to invest in pro tools can steer your choice.
How to Choose the Best Reel Editor for Your Needs
Here are some recommendations for choosing the right reel editing app based on your video content and goals:
For Instagram Reels Specifically
Use the built-in Instagram Reels editor or Inshot for easy publishing directly within the Instagram app.
For Beginner Mobile Editors
Try user-friendly VivaVideo, Splice, or Inshot on your smartphone or tablet.
For Quick On-the-Go Editing
Use mobile apps like Splice or Inshot to edit anytime, anywhere on your device.
For Advanced Editing Capabilities
Use desktop programs like Premiere Rush or advanced mobile apps like CapCut or Vlogit.
For Templates and Presets
Choose an option like VivaVideo that offers lots of pre-made editing templates.
For Direct TikTok Publishing
Use the TikTok app’s built-in editor or export your polished reels from CapCut.
For Professional Music Integration
Select an editor like CapCut that provides music content and synchronization.
For Free Basic Editing
Stick to no-cost apps like VivaVideo, Splice, or Inshot.
Prioritize the features that align with your goals, experience level, platforms, and budget. Testing different reel editors can help determine which feels like the best creative fit.
Conclusion
Reels have become a popular new short-form video format to create and share engaging social media content. A variety of mobile apps provide intuitive editing tools to customize your clips into professional-looking reels. Top options like Inshot, VivaVideo, CapCut, Splice, and TikTok offer easy multi-clip editing, music integration, filters and effects, text overlays, and more. Choosing the right reel editor for your needs depends on factors like where you will share the content, how advanced of an editor you are, and what device you create on. Testing out different editors can help you determine which intuitive interface fits your style best. Taking advantage of user-friendly reel editing apps allows anyone to produce eye-catching short videos that will wow their social media followers.