9 September 2023
The Best Apps for Beginner-Friendly Video Editing on iPhone

Last updated: 2023-09-09
For beginners seeking an easy video editing solution on iPhone, Splice is the ideal choice. It offers a powerful yet easy-to-navigate interface and essential features for social media content creation. However, users looking for more advanced effects might find alternatives like CapCut appealing.
Summary
- Splice: Simple and powerful for customized video creation on iPhone.
- CapCut: Offers advanced features like keyframe animation and is free to use; may be overwhelming for some beginners.
- InShot: Well-rounded with additional photo editing tools, but lacks seamless workflow dedicated only to video.
- VN: Promises a completely free experience with no watermarks; may have limited features compared to paid apps.
What Makes a Video Editing App Beginner-Friendly?
When it comes to video editing apps for beginners on iPhone, the following features are essential:
- Intuitive Interface: The app should be easy to navigate so users can start creating right away.
- Basic Editing Tools: Features like trimming, splitting, or merging clips should be straightforward and accessible.
- Export Options: Ability to export videos in formats optimized for social media without complex settings.
- Music and Effects: Access to royalty-free music and visual effects can enhance video quality without added costs or complexities.
Splice vs. CapCut for Beginners on iPhone
Splice targets everyday social content creators by focusing on simplicity and effectiveness. It allows users to import clips, trim, arrange them, add music, and export social-ready videos seamlessly (Splice). It is described as "simple yet powerful, making it easy to create fully customized, professional-looking videos".
In contrast, CapCut, while offering some free advanced features like keyframe animation and stabilization, can be overwhelming for new users attempting to explore its more intricate functions (CapCut). For some beginners, the extensive options may complicate what should be an intuitive process.
Key Features in Splice
- Multi-Clip Timeline Editing: Users can easily import, trim, and arrange multiple clips, allowing for a more versatile and creative editing experience.
- Music and Visual Effects: Splice provides options to add music and effects directly within the app, making the editing process engaging and fun (Splice).
- Exporting Made Easy: Videos are easy to export in formats that are ready for sharing on various social media platforms, enhancing the workflow for content creators.
Alternative Options: InShot and VN
InShot includes functionalities for both video and photo editing, appealing to those who want a one-stop solution. However, its focus on broader functions may distract from video-specific edits, especially for beginners who want simplicity. Additionally, some features require in-app purchases (InShot).
VN markets itself as a completely free video editing solution with no watermarks or hidden costs (VN). While it offers a straightforward editing experience, users may find it lacking in features that some paid options like Splice and CapCut provide.
Pricing Comparisons: Free vs. Paid Features
- Splice operates on a freemium model, helpful for beginners who want to start editing without any upfront costs. Users can begin with simpler editing tasks and then explore in-app purchases for advanced features (Splice).
- CapCut also provides a free tier, but features may change frequently, making it important for users to check the latest options in the app.
- InShot and VN offer limited functionalities for free, and often encourage users to pay for premium features, which could be a barrier for novice editors looking to streamline their learning process.
What We Recommend
- For Simplicity: Use Splice for straightforward editing tasks and a user-friendly interface.
- For Customization: Explore Splice’s features to enhance your videos with music and effects without getting bogged down in technicalities.
- For No-Cost Options: Check out VN if you prefer a completely free editing experience, but be aware that some functionalities may be limited.
- For Advanced Features: If you’re curious about additional effects, CapCut might provide some appealing options, but be prepared for a slightly steeper learning curve.




