Looking for the best video tools?
You’ve heard that video marketing is a big deal.
All the social media sites love it, YouTube is huge, and platforms like TikTok seem to make it compulsory.
But you’ve got no idea where to start!
The secret about video marketing is that you don’t always have to be on camera. There are lots of different types of video.
And if you do go on-camera, there are great tools to help make that video just how you want it.
To help you out, here are the best video tools that make video marketing easy.
We’ll cover:
- Video making apps for desktop and mobile
- Video editing apps for desktop and mobile
- Screen recording apps for desktop and mobile
Let’s find the perfect one for you!
Why video marketing is so important
Before we dive into the different tools, let’s take a moment to consider why it’s worth learning a new app.
Because video marketing is HUGE and there’s no ignoring it!
92% of marketers say it is an important part of their strategy. 89% say that it gives them a good return on investment (ROI).
80% of marketers say it has helped increase sales. And for many of us, the important one – 87% say it has increased traffic to their website.
People spent nearly two hours a day on average watching videos online.
But it isn’t just a case of “create random video and get loads of traffic.”
Using the right tools to create the right video is crucial.
That’s why finding the best video tools is the starting point to video marketing success.
Video making apps
Video making apps are where you can create a video from scratch, or edit existing footage you have.
That means you can make those videos of yourself and then edit them. Or you can use still shots to create a video.
Plus loads of variations in-between.
Desktop only
Animaker
Animaker is a video making app that offers the option to create animated videos.
It has a wide range of templates to make video creation easy.
There are explainer videos, slideshow styles, and even text animation.
It features over 100 million stock video and photos and over 1000 templates.
Normal video can be up to 4K resolution, and there’s instant resizing for different platforms, so you can get just the right size for each social media site.
There’s a free plan to get started with 5 downloads a month. Then various upgrade options available annual and monthly.
InVideo
InVideo offers a wide range of video making tools in one place with two different plans, both of which have a free trial option.
There are hundreds of different templates to help get your creativity flowing.
Or you can choose from one of the categories of video types to get some help. Examples include 15 second bite sized ads, customer reviews and listicles.
It also includes a video editor feature, and you can make intros and outros for YouTube and other sites.
There’s a meme generator and slideshow maker. You can even use their ad templates for video ads.
Highlights of this online video editor:
- 4000+ fully customizable templates covering every major use or industry.
- Pre-built elements in your asset library such as CTAs, stickers, and overlays.
- Library of 8M+ stock images, video clips, and music from premium sources like Shutterstock and iStock.
- Powerful yet easy editor that will allow you to change and customize every template from the ground up.
- Auto text-to-speech + ability to add your own voice-overs.
- 24*7 live chat support + community of more than 20K creators and marketers.
Beware: InVideo has an aggressive onboarding process of emails and phone calls with no apparent way to opt out of it.
ONLY sign up with Google or Facebook if you wish to avoid being pestered like that. I am told this “will ensure that they don’t ever get a phone call or pestering emails.” If you experience a different result, please let me know.
If you don’t use a social login, you will be required to supply a mobile number when you sign up. And you will get called! The ones I received were from Silver Spring MD.
I won’t link to this company until they show me they’re compliant with GDPR rules as well.
Lumen5
Lumen5 is a desktop video maker with an extensive range of templates.
Plus, it has a smart AI system to generate video content from a blog post you connect.
Clever features like keyword highlighting also make the video jump out more. Or move text positions to get the most from a photo.
There are millions of stock photos, video clips, and audio files including music to use.
Or you can add your own voiceover.
There are all of the usual social media formats, and you can easily resize a video.
It has a free plan to create 3 videos a month with their watermark. Or various upgrade options either monthly or yearly.
Typito
Typito is another desktop-based video creation tool that has something a little different.
You can add banners to your videos that are animated and say whatever you need.
It includes lots of styles and fonts to use, which makes them great for calls to action.
It also includes the ability to add captions and a brand kit.
There are over 20 formats and more than 500 templates to help.
The free option lets you create 4 videos a month, then there are additional monthly or annual upgrade options.
Wave
Wave is a video maker with 200 million stock video, audio clips, and images available inside to help you make videos.
There’s a ton of templates to use, and it’s easy to add captions.
Wave also works as a hosting platform for your video. So if you didn’t want to download your video to upload it to YouTube, you can embed straight from Wave.
If you do this, you can access video analytics to see who’s viewing your video.
It creates everything from a video Facebook Page cover photo, to an animated text generator.
Plus there’s royalty free music if you want to start making videos for TikTok or Instagram Reels.
There’s a free version with limits to what you can access, and two upgrade offers, paid monthly or annually.
Desktop + app
Adobe Spark
Adobe Spark is primarily a desktop app, but there’s also a smartphone app for Android and iOS to create on the go.
Coming from the Adobe suite, it is a high-quality video and graphic creator.
You can use existing footage or access stock photos.
There’s a range of templates as well as professional themes to make from scratch.
You can share straight from the desktop app or via your smartphone.
It’s free to use for the starter plan. There are two levels of upgrade to unlock advanced features, both available annually or monthly. Or free with your Creative Cloud subscription!
Try Adobe Spark now! I’m an Adobe affiliate, so I may earn a referral fee if you purchase a plan.
• • • Click here to try Adobe Spark! • • •
Clipchamp
Clipchamp is a video maker and editor all in one that includes a stock library of images. It’s available both on desktop and on an iOS app.
The app has plenty of video templates to help, as well as standard sizes for the main social platforms.
You can make intros and memes as well as montages.
There’s also a range of tools including editing, trimming, and even screen recording.
There’s a free plan for the basic features, and three upgrade options to add more features. Billing is monthly or annually.
Video editing apps
These apps are more about taking the video you’ve made and improving it.
They’re the best way to get a finished video that’s high quality.
You can often add features to the videos as well, such as captions or GIFs, to enhance them.
Desktop only
Headliner
Headliner is a video editing app with a range of handy tools.
You can edit and publish up to 2-hour-long videos with it.
It also creates an audio and video transcript to help with engagement and accessibility.
There are multiple size formats to use, and you can add GIFs and images as well as video.
You can export in high definition 1080p. And even add text animations.
The free plan gives you 5 videos a month with 10 minutes of transcription. Then there are two upgrade options that can be paid monthly or annually.
Windows Movie Maker (Windows PC only)
Windows Movie Maker is the Microsoft software to make videos that’s only available for Windows PCs.
The app lets you make videos from clips, music, and photos.
The free version contains basic functions like video joining and adding background music.
There’s also a Pro version to add more features such as slow and fast motion and full HD output.
Head over to the Microsoft store to get it.
Desktop + app
Adobe Rush
Adobe’s Rush is a video editing program that works on both desktop and has mobile apps for iOS and Android.
It’s an all-in-one video editing app that makes it quick to create and share video.
It has a range of video editing features and also things like tailored transitions and speed adjustment.
You can add audio and customize titles.
With a paid plan, you can sync projects across devices – start on a smartphone and finish on desktop.
There’s a free plan for 3 exports a month while the paid plan offers unlimited exports and the sync feature as well as added storage.
FilmoraGo
FilmoraGo is an app-based option that also has a desktop version you can download.
It is a great option if you are starting out with recording videos on your phone.
It has a range of editing options including trim, transitions, crop, and speed control.
You can also do voice over, add audio, or even text.
There are different effects including filters and stickers to make things interesting.
It is completely free and there is a Filmora X version that adds extra features and is a paid product.
iMovie (Mac)
iMovie is the built-in software that comes with any Apple device that allows you to edit your videos.
There’s both a Mac version and an iOS to use on iPhones or iPads.
It creates 4K resolution videos with titles, music, and effects.
There’s built-in music and the ability to record voiceovers.
There’s also a range of filters to give your video a particular style.
There’s no cost involved, but it’s only available for Apple devices. If you see it for Windows, it’s not an Apple product and not the same.
Movavi
Movavi is a comprehensive video editing software that operates on both Windows and Mac, as well as both main smartphone systems.
You can use the video editor to quickly edit your video content.
Then there’s a video suite to add more comprehensive edits.
You can create a slideshow and also convert video into different file formats.
It has screen recording features and a range of stock video, audio, and photos.
Movavi offers their tools in packages so you can buy for a year depending on what you need and what devices you use.
Screen recording apps
The final type of video tool is the screen recording apps.
We’ve all seen them in action, where someone demonstrates something by doing it and records their screen.
You can then take the video and run it through one of the video editors if needed.
Desktop only
Soapbox by Wistia
Soapbox comes from Wistia and is their screen recording feature. It works on both Windows PCs and on Macs and uses the latest version of Chrome.
You can easily record your screen and then use other features in the app to edit it.
Or use the basic features in Soapbox to create transitions and a unique thumbnail.
The free version has the basic features while upgrades allow you to download the video and track engagement with it.
Desktop + app
Loom
Loom is one of the most popular screen recording options and works on both desktop and on iOS so you can use it on Apple smartphones.
You can quickly record your screen, with or without you appearing in it.
It does have some editing features built in and you can share from it.
You can set videos to public or just for people with the link.
The basic screen recording is free to use for up to 100 videos and 5 minutes in length.
There’s an upgrade option that brings in video drawing tools, calls to action and custom branding.
The best video tools for any video
Having the best video tools for any project makes video marketing much easier.
From recording your screen to a full video production, there’s software to help.
Or take those still photos and make them into a video that algorithms will love.
Experiment with different ones as most have a free option to get started. Then see what works best for your style.
Then tell us below, what’s your favorite video tool?
Damian says
Thank you so much for taking out time to write this post. I have been thinking about how to start a Youtube channel but don’t know how to create videos. I have opened about 4-5 channels but get frustrated after discovering I can’t create video. But this post has helped me today. Thanks once more.
Louise Myers says
Keep trying, it’s not too hard, and these tools will help.