When it comes to editing music videos, there are a few key apps that stand out as popular choices among both professionals and hobbyists. The app you choose will depend on your specific needs, video quality requirements, and budget. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the top options for music video editing apps and examine the pros and cons of each one.
iMovie
For iPhone users, iMovie is one of the most convenient options for basic music video editing. As an Apple app, iMovie is designed to integrate seamlessly with iPhone or iPad footage. The app allows you to combine multiple clips, add titles/credits, adjust color and lighting, and lay your edited video over custom or premade soundtracks.
Key features of iMovie for music video editing:
- Intuitive drag-and-drop interface
- Multiple video/audio tracks for layering clips
- Range of filters, effects, and color adjustment tools
- Slow motion, picture-in-picture, green screen, and split screen options
- Royalty-free music and sound effects library
- One-tap theme templates with titles, transitions, etc.
As a free app designed for mobile users, iMovie is ideal for basic editing needs. However, it lacks some pro-level features like detailed audio editing, chroma keying, and granular export options. For more complex music videos, an upgraded tool may be required.
Adobe Premiere Rush
Adobe Premiere Rush is a scaled-down take on Adobe’s pro-grade Premiere Pro software that is optimized for mobile devices. It gives you access to many of Premiere Pro’s core features in an intuitive interface that works well on iOS and Android.
Some key features of Premiere Rush for music video editing:
- Import video from phone gallery or film directly in app
- Add titles, transitions, color filters, auto reframe, and more
- Audio ducking to automatically lower music volume for voiceovers
- royalty-free music library included
- Export at resolutions up to 4K
For more advanced editing capabilities in a mobile-friendly package, Premiere Rush is a top choice. The subscription pricing may deter some casual users, but it unlocks pro-level features difficult to find in free mobile apps.
Adobe Premiere Pro
When it comes to professional music video editing for films, TV, or online, Adobe Premiere Pro is an industry-standard option. Unlike Rush, Premiere Pro is a full desktop NLE (non-linear editing program) with extensive tools for multi-cam editing, color correction, motion graphics, audio mixing, and more.
Some key features of Premiere Pro for pro music video editing:
- Support for up to 256 video/audio tracks
- Tools like chroma keying, masking, tracking for complex VFX
- Adobe Sensei AI helps auto reframe shots, reduce noise, etc.
- Integration with After Effects for motion graphics/animation
- Use Lumetri tools for professional color grading
The learning curve for Premiere Pro is steep, but for professional music video editors, it provides the most robust toolset available. Top studios use Premiere Pro to produce high-end work for music, film, and television.
Final Cut Pro
For Mac users, Final Cut Pro offers a compelling alternative to Premiere Pro. Like Premiere, Final Cut Pro is a fully featured professional NLE used by video editors worldwide. Some advantages of Final Cut Pro include:
- Optimized for macOS performance
- Intuitive design with magnetic timeline
- Support for workflows like HDR, 360° VR, and HEVC
- Apple ecosystem integration with Photos, iMovie, Logic Pro, etc.
Final Cut offers most of the same capabilities as Premiere, including multi-cam editing, extensive effects, and robust color grading tools. For Mac-based video professionals, it’s an excellent option for editing high-end music videos.
DaVinci Resolve
DaVinci Resolve is another full professional NLE like Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro. However, DaVinci offers some unique advantages that make it a top choice for some music video editors:
- Included audio editing, color grading, and VFX tools
- Facial recognition and AI-powered smart editing features
- Superior color science and HDR support
- Free version available with pro upgrade option
DaVinci Resolve integrates editing, post-production, and visual effects in one app. For music videos with intensive color grading or VFX needs, Resolve provides an efficient end-to-end workflow. The free version makes it easy to get started.
Wondershare Filmora
Filmora from Wondershare is a popular option for semi-pro and hobbyist music video editors. As a lower-cost desktop app, Filmora provides a solid set of features without the complexity and price tag of top pro software.
Key features of Filmora for music video editing:
- Intuitive drag-and-drop interface
- Integrated audio editing tools
- Good selection of effects, text styles, transitions
- Automatic beat sync feature for perfect timing
- Royalty-free music and visual effect packs
- Supports 4K resolution
For creators looking for something more advanced than iMovie, but not ready for professional tools, Filmora hits a sweet spot. It provides solid capabilities and an easy learning curve.
Shotcut
If you’re looking for free, open-source music video editing software, Shotcut is one of the best options. As a community-built project, Shotcut offers surprisingly robust tools at no cost. Features include:
- Support for 4K, HDR, and VR formats
- Keyframe animation for advanced edits
- Wide range of audio and video filters
- Highly configurable interface
- Compatible with Linux, Mac, and Windows
Considering the price, Shotcut provides a ton of video editing power. The interface can be confusing for beginners, but the community support is excellent. For free music video editing, Shotcut is hard to beat.
Conclusion
The ideal music video editing app for you depends on your budget, platform, and skill level as an editor. Here’s a quick summary of the options we covered:
Beginner/Casual Users
- iMovie – Best free option for iPhone
- Adobe Premiere Rush – Pro features for mobile users
- Wondershare Filmora – Solid desktop features for lower cost
Professional Editors
- Adobe Premiere Pro – Industry standard for studios
- Final Cut Pro – Top choice for Mac editors
- DaVinci Resolve – Great for color and VFX-heavy videos
Open Source Option
- Shotcut – Fully featured editor for free
The best advice is to choose an app aligned with your skill level and needs. Look for free trial versions so you can test out the workflow. With the right editing tools, you’ll be ready to produce stunning music videos in no time!
