If you’re marketing your ecommerce business on Instagram, you’re likely well aware of the changes the platform has gone through over the years. Remember when it was truly a chronological feed of only still photos – and NO ads? A lot has changed for the platform with more than 2 billion monthly active users. Now we have videos, Instagram Stories, paid ads, and even IGTV. And with that comes apps, like Instagram video editor apps.
That’s why it’s important to incorporate a mix of content types into your Instagram marketing strategy, including videos – especially considering the fact that more than half of consumers actually want to see brands put out more video content for them to consume.
But it’s not as easy as simply shooting and posting. You also want to edit your clips. To do that, check out this list of the best Instagram video editors for ecommerce brands.
A Color Story is all about the filters. This video editor app contains more than 300 of them (some free, some paid). You can also add fun effects like lighting flares and leaks, fogs of color, and a grainy effect. There are just over 20 tools to use, but the color enhancements and filters are what this Instagram video editor is all about.
What people love about it
Saves your edits as filters so you can apply the same look to other videos
Truly enhances the color and aesthetic of your videos
Offers plenty of free filters to choose from if you’re on a tight budget
Allows for grid planning so you can see how your videos and photos will look together on your Instagram profile
Where it can improve
Make it easier to see how far you’ve adjusted each effect – some reviewers have suggested added a numerical weighting system for more consistency across videos
Add the option to bulk edit a batch of videos and photos
Sync purchased filters and packages across devices
Another Adobe spot on the list, Premiere Rush is more primed for the social-sharing aspect of making Instagram videos. Shoot, edit, and share all within the app – while also syncing up to the cloud, making your shots accessible from other CC products. The free version limits you to three exports, or you can pay for unlimited shares (included with your CC subscription, if you have that kind of money). Editing options include adding audio and graphics, trimming, color enhancements, titles, transitions, voiceover, and noise reduction.
What people love about it
Built-in automations you can add to your clips
Resizes videos and rearranges them from landscape to portrait (and vice a versa) to make them ready for The Gram
Customizable text and titles
Good as a standalone option (unlike Premiere Clip)
Where it can improve
Needs to work better for videos shot outside of the app
No search functionality to find clips you want to edit
No option to extract audio from video
You can’t speed up or slow down video speed
Exporting can be slow, so it’s not good if you’re in a rush
Anchor is the best app to make videos for Instagram from podcast audio clips. If podcasts are part of your ecommerce strategy, you can use it to record the audio, trim clips you want to share on Instagram, and turn them into videos you can share (up to two minutes long). It’ll automatically transcribe and automate your videos.
What people love about it
Many call it the easiest way to create video clips from podcast audio
Great customer support
Creates permalinks for clips
Where it can improve
The audio quality isn’t the best, so if podcasting is a major part of your strategy, you may need to upgrade your recording setup
Animoto is all about the slideshow. If you’ have several photos and/or videos you want to put together for an Instagram video, this is the way to go. Choose from more than 100 slideshow styles, upload your shots or clips, add music from the song library, throw on some text, and then post it to your feed. Videos up to ten minutes are free, so you won’t need to upgrade to the paid version if you’re just looking to post to your Instagram feed. Keep this in mind if you’re using Instagram Stories or IGTV, though.
What people love about it
Easy to use and share to Instagram
The free version has access to all features — it just limits you to ten-minute videos
Lots of character space for captions
Great customer support
Where it can improve
The Animoto logo shows up at the end of your video (but if you time it right, you can make it end after the one-minute mark so it cuts off in Instagram)
BeeCut is one of the most beginner-friendly video editors out there, so if you have advanced editing chops, this may not be the one for you. Add filters and transitions, crop, rotate, and create slideshows with a series of still images. Video outputs go up to 1080 pixels ((in layman’s terms, good quality).
What people love about it
Easy to use
Basic editing options that any beginner would need
Option to add or remove intros and outros
Where it can improve
It takes a while to export videos, especially if you’re going for the fancy 1080 pixels
The app needs to work on its reputation for crashing frequently
When Boomerang first hit the scene, we were all obsessed with jumping up and down and making funny videos. The fascination has worn off a bit (that’s good, because now they’re not hogging your audience’s feed), but Boomerang still makes engaging video content for Instagram. Open the app to record a quick video, and it’ll format it so the action loops, both forwards and in reverse.
What people love about it
Boomerang is owned by Instagram, so it’s a seamless transition to share to the network
Reliable
Accessible to “videographers” of all skill levels
Where it can improve
You have to shoot the video in-app, so you can’t upload pre-recorded clips and turn them into Boomerangs
Only offers one type of video and no editing options
FlipaClip is another fun one to say, but instead of spelling out your words, this one lets you create animated videos for Instagram. If you’re a pro animator, you’ll find it too basic for your needs, but it makes animated videos a possibility for those new to the skillset. Draw your designs, add audio, and customize it with skins (their version of filters). You can also use real-world photos or videos as backgrounds (what they call layers).
What people love about it
Makes basic animated videos possible even without an in-house or outsourced animator
Over time, users have become really skilled and improved the quality of their videos – though busy ecommerce entrepreneurs may not have time for that
Where it can improve
This Instagram video editor app is too simple for skilled animators
If you sell food and beverage products, Foodie is targeted to you. There are more than 30 filters to choose from, each of which are ideal for those bird’s-eye views and straight-on photos but also work for videos. You can also do basic edits like adjusting color, brightness, and contrast. If you’re out in the wild, you can also mute the background noise to block any unsavory or unwanted commentary.
What people love about it
The filters are and still make the food look natural
The app itself takes high-quality photos and videos
You can do more edits than simply using the filters
Where it can improve
Users would love to see more filters and the ability to crop clips – there’s also no 16:9 ratio available
There have also been reports of not being able to save videos
Needs improvement for night-time shots or in low-light settings
GIPHY Cam is another Instagram video editor app that’s made with a sole purpose in mind: the ability to turn videos into animated GIFs. Upload or record a video, choose a clip you want to turn into a GIF, and then edit it with filters, stickers, text, frames, and special effects. You can also turn live photos into GIFs.
What people love about it
Convenient way to create animated GIFs with limited technical know-how
Super quick and easy process
Where it can improve
No customer support
GIFs have a grainy quality, which is pretty typical of this file format, but brands, in particular, would benefit from higher-quality visuals – it’s not great for highlighting specific product features
Cropping functionality leaves a lot to be desired and creates a zoomed-in image
Ever hear of “vertical video syndrome” (VVS)? It’s when everyone shoots smartphone videos vertically instead of the more aesthetically pleasing horizontal video format we’re used to seeing on computers and TVs. Horizon is essentially the antidote to VVS. Even if you hold your phone vertically or rotate it while shooting, Horizon will shoot horizontal videos.
What people love about it
Straightforward and easy to use
Captures still photos while you record video
Shoots square videos perfect for Instagram
Where it can improve
The free version has Horizon’s logo in your video, so you’ll have to pay if you want to get rid of it
You have to shoot video within the app – it won’t fix pre-recorded clips
The Android version has fewer features than its iOS counterpart
InShot has it all: trim clips, change footage speed, add filters and text, zoom in and out, incorporate your own music, rotate the frame, incorporate special effects, and even use stop motion. You can also reframe your clips to fit Instagram’s standard square ratio. While you can do a ton, InShot maintains a simple and easy-to-use interface – even the most inexperienced video editors can perfect their clips.
What people love about it
Comprehensive editing options
Easy to get started
Imports your own audio and video – you don’t need to shoot within the app
Where it can improve
Transition options can be limited
You have to pay if you want to get rid of the InShot branding and watermark
Kinemaster is another all-in-one app for videos on Instagram. Trim clips, add multiple audio files, incorporate text and effects, blend and edit backgrounds, and adjust the speed of your footage to go faster or slower. Not happy with the voiceover? You can record a new one within the app as you edit. Instant preview will let you see all your manipulations, well, instantly. And it has something InShot doesn’t: full green screen support. It’s as close to a desktop video editor as you can get.
What people love about it
Tons of editing options – seriously, tons – especially in comparison to other apps
Offers the ability to add animations to your videos
Did we mention all the editing options?
Where it can improve
This is another one where you have to pay to remove Kinemaster’s branding
Can be too robust for simple projects or beginners
If you want to create time lapse videos – great for showing behind-the-scenes “how it’s made” videos – check out Lapse It. Open the app, stabilize your phone, and start recording. You can add basic customizations before you record or after the fact (we recommend the latter). If the video is too long, easily remove frames to quicken the footage.
What people love about it
Straightforward and simple
Offers adjustable settings like zoom, white balance, and color saturation
Great for beginners
Where it can improve
Lacks manual focus
Video quality can suffer when you export and post to Instagram
While the name might have you believe this is a Lapse It competitor, Life Lapse is actually a great option for stop motion videos. Even though you’re not recording videos –instead you’re taking a bunch of still shots – Life Lapse puts them together in a single, cohesive video file format. No tripod, no problem: You can use a ghosted image of your previous shot to make sure the subjects are all aligned. Take horizontal or vertical videos, add filters, change the speed, and rearrange clips – all great features for unboxing videos.
What people love about it
No ads – yay!
Allows you to change the speed of both the video and audio
The developers are constantly making improvements and adding new features
Great customer support
Where it can improve
It’s free to download, but you have to pay to use it after your free trial has expired
Magisto is one of the few Instagram video editor apps on this list that is truly aimed at businesses. This is great news for ecommerce brands, as it comes with tools for marketers to analyze video performance. Choose your editing style (aka filter), upload your video, add music from the library, and let the app do the rest. That’s right: Magistor’s fancy-pants AI tech will edit your video for you. Time-pressed entrepreneurs rejoice.
What people love about it
We stated this before, but it’s worth reiterating: Magisto is made for businesses
Automated technology edits videos for you, so it’s a truly hands-off approach
Tiered paid options grant you access to different feature sets
Great customer support
Where it can improve
Takes some of the editing control out of your hands, which is sort of the point, but can be a deterrent if you have a specific vision in mind
You’re limited in video length – paid plans extend this limit, but you have to pay the highest tier if you want unlimited video length
Another all-in-one option on this list of best apps to make videos for Instagram is PicPlayPost. Like the others, it has special effects, stickers, text overlay, transitions, audio, 9:16 ratio for Instagram Stories, and more. But its competitive advantages are 4K video quality and the option to make videos up to 30 minutes long.
What people love about it
Makes video collages
Allows you to add multiple audio files and overlays
The app developers constantly upgrade the tool with more features
Where it can improve
You have to pay for all but the most basic features
Quik is made by and for GoPro videos, but you can use it to edit videos even without one. Like Magisto, it can automatically edit your uploaded video footage. But if you want more control over your edits, manually choose from options like clip trimming, transitions, and audio.
What people love about it
The app will automatically time transitions to match the beat of the music you put on it
Has one of the best music libraries out there
GoPro cameras are great for stabilization – and Quik doesn’t skimp either
Where it can improve
A bit limited in terms of manual editing and control – not ideal for the hands-on editor
In case you haven’t guessed, Slow Motion Video FX is for creating slow-motion Instagram videos. You can also speed footage up. The most fun part about it is what it does to audio, making slow-mos sound super deep and sped-up clips more high-pitched. You can choose to either speed up or slow down the whole clip or just sections of your shot.
What people love about it
Allows you to manipulate specific sections of your video for the effects
Stop Motion Studio is another stop motion video maker app for Instagram. These videos are reminiscent of “Wallace and Gromit” – claymation films that were popular back in the ’80s. To set up your shot, you can either import photos you’ve already taken or use the in-app overlay mode to capture your frames. Add titles, audio, and faded transitions. Fix color, remove or insert frames, and use the square format so it’s IG-ready.
What people love about it
Gives a frame-by-frame preview and uses the grid view to easily align your subject with other frames
Green screen allows you to manipulate the background
Erases any unwanted elements captured in your shot
High-quality, 4K video output
Where it can improve
You have to pay to enjoy all these awesome features
VideoShow is an all-in-one video editor with the standard features: trim clips, add stickers and text, choose music or sound effects (or both), incorporate transitions, and fix color. You can also draw your own creations and blur the background to put your product front and center.
What people love about it
Compresses your videos so you can reduce the file size
Zooms footage in or outto focus on the areas you want to highlight
Lots of transitions and music to choose from
Where it can improve
You have to pay to get rid of VideoShow’s watermark
User reviews claim the app to be glitchy, as many people can’t download their videos
VivaVideo is a collage-making video app. Trim and merge photos or video clips, adjust footage speed, and add stickers, special effects and music. You can also use storyboard editing so you can see how your video will play out and tell the story you’re trying to convey. Plus, it’ll shoot in 4k for high-quality video.
What people love about it
Just as robust as the more expensive options
Great if you’re on a tablet but limited for phones
VSCO CAM made a splash as a photo editor, but it’s since extended into video editing as well. The key here is in its filters: VSCO has tons of presets you can choose from. You can also do the basics, like color, exposure, temperature and contrast adjustments, cropping, borders, and manipulation of skin tones. The interface is intuitive even for beginners.
What people love about it
VSCO is more than just an editor – it’s a community – so you can share your video creations to new potential customers or even collaborators
We already touched on this, but VSCO’s filter game is strong
Where it can improve
If you uninstall and then reinstall the app, you can lose your files
You have to pay to access most of the useful features and filters
People love the editing but dislike everything else about the app (ads, pushes to upgrade, changes to how files are organized, etc.)
WeVideo has it all: trimming, rearranging clips, option to import videos, titles and captions, music or voiceover, blurred background, animation, and slow motion. You can also upgrade for 4K video, access to the stock content library, and cinema-worthy effects like green screen.
What people love about it
Videos are of exceptionally high quality
Accessible for beginners
Where it can improve
You have to upgrade to the paid version to get rid of WeVideo’s watermark and gain access to the coolest features
No customer support
Too simple compared to other paid all-in-one video editors
Wondershare’s FilmoraGo has two promises that set it apart: no watermark and no time limit. Those advantages aside, the app is also easy to get started. Upload your videos, choose a theme, add music and filters, and then you’re ready to share. You can also edit transitions and add titles.
What people love about it
No watermark – you don’t have to worry about someone else’s branding mucking up yours
Allows you to put your video in reverse for a fun effect
Offers instant preview so you can see what your video looks like without saving and exporting
Where it can improve
Users have complained about glitches with saving and downloading video files – a major bummer when you’ve spent time perfecting your clip
Funimate is a great app for editing videos with sleek transistions, and cool effects. Although you need to go pro to remove the watermark the app is worth trying out. It is a must if you want to build a brand through video on Instagram. You can easily share videos on Tiktok, Musically, Instagram, Youtube, and Facebook in seconds!
What people love about it
It is a great place to share your art and build a community
Accessible for beginners
Where it can improve
Some of the more popular effects are only available with a pro account
Youcut isn’t a cut above the rest, but it’s still a great basic video editor – also with the promise of no watermark. The editing features cover the standard clipping, rotating, color fixes, footage speed manipulation, music, and filters. You can also create slideshows, flip your shot, splice the video into two, and change the aspect ratio specifically for Instagram Stories.
What people love about it
It’s worth mentioning again because it’s such a differentiator, but there is no Youcut watermark on your videos
Easy to edit video quickly
Intuitive and easy to use, even for beginners
Where it can improve
Another rare Android-only option – it’s not available to you if you have an iPhone
PowerDirector will make you feel like a real-life director (sort of). It’s got a whole list of editing options – from slow-mo to reverse video to voice overs and other audio functionalities. Crop the frame, trim clips, stabilize the shot, and fix color and white balance.
What people love about it
This is one of the few video editors that allows for high-quality 4K video files
Can rotate your video – once or multiple times throughout for a fun (dizzying) effect
Edits backgrounds and uses green screen or blue screen effects
Where it can improve
Apple loyalists have plenty of options to choose from, but this one’s for us Android fans
Clipomatic is fun to say and to use – and it’ll turn what you say into transcribed captions on any video. Record your video in the app to see the captions, and then edit how the captions look on your clip. The app is multilingual and can understand 40 languages. You can also add filters to your videos.
What people love about it
Provides the ability to record in IG-friendly square format or in full
Changes captions if the app misunderstood what was said
Makes your Instagram videos more accessible to a wider audience and those who have hearing impairments
Where it can improve
User reviews have complained about video quality, expressing that they wish it were better
The app is only available for iPhone users (boo for us Android fans!)
Users have expressed that they’d like to see more seamless integration with Instagram
You have to speak clearly, so if anyone is a fast talker or has a strong accent, you might want to do this manually (you’ve got plenty of other options to choose from here)
LumaFusion is another comprehensive video editor – it has all the bells and whistles like changing video speed, adjusting the aspect ratio, options to import videos, add effects and music, and choose from tons of transitions. Plus, LumaFusion hasdigital asset management on lock: Add notes, color code, sort, and tag your projects, so you can come back to them later.
What people love about it
Offers tons of tutorials and support content to help you learn how to make Instagram video edits
Truly a comprehensive video editor – you don’t need complementary computer software or programs
Support for 360-degree video editing (not available on Instagram… yet – we’re watching you, Facebook!)
Where it can improve
Only available on iOS devices
User shared having trouble getting audio to sync up the way they want
Mojo is a basic video editor with text overlays, the ability to add audio, and the option to change the aspect ratio. Choose from more than 100 templates or make edits on your own – and then add your logo for more brand recognition. Mojo is a great option for Instagram Stories in particular, as it seems to be exactly what the app was designed for.
What people love about it
Super simple to use – ideal for beginners
Great integration and options for Instagram Stories
Offers option to add your own logo
Where it can improve
Android users miss out — Mojo is only available for iPhone users
Lacksan “undo” button, so if you mess up, you’re stuck with it or you have to start all over
Another GoPro creation, Splice is essentially a trimmed-down version of Quik. Trim clips, add transitions, adjust footage speed, add filters and text overlays, and automatically sync your video to the music you’ve chosen.
What people love about it
Simple and easy to use — it’s not overwhelming for beginners like some of the all-in-one options
Where it can improve
Only available for iOS
Can be too basic and limiting if you want more editing options
Summary
The best Instagram video editor and creator for you and your business really depends on your budget and the type of video you’re trying to create.
There are a bunch of all-in-one editors to choose from, or you can go the simple and often free route. And then, of course, there are the niche editors for things like stop motion, timelapse, animations, captions, and other video types. It’s all about your unique needs.
