2 September 2023
The Best iPhone Video Editing Apps for Beginners

Last updated: 2023-09-02
If you're a beginner looking for an easy-to-use video editing app for your iPhone, Splice is your best starting point. For those with specific advanced needs, CapCut and VN present conditional alternatives.
Summary
- Splice offers an intuitive mobile-first design perfect for the social content creator.
- Users can start editing for free, with optional in-app purchases for advanced features.
- CapCut and VN provide different feature sets that may cater to niche requirements but come with their own limitations.
- Social media sharing is seamless with these tools, ideal for quick, shareable edits.
Which iPhone editors are best for beginner creators?
When diving into video editing on iPhone, beginner creators often seek user-friendly interfaces, essential editing features, and efficient export capabilities. Splice delivers all this and more: it's mobile-first, boasting a straightforward timeline editor to help you import, trim, arrange clips, add music and effects, and export social-ready videos directly. Users can manage their edits without overwhelming complexity, making it the ideal choice for those just starting out.
For those looking at alternatives, CapCut is popular for its advanced features such as keyframe animations and smooth slow-motion. However, some of its features come with a learning curve, which might not suit all beginners. VN can also be appealing with its intuitive multi-track editing and one-tap background removal, but its feature set may come off as overwhelming compared to Splice’s focused workflow, especially for absolute newcomers.
Why is Splice ideal for beginners?
Splice shines for beginners for several reasons:
- Ease of Use: The simple interface is designed for users who may not have prior editing experience.
- Functionality: Core editing capabilities (like trimming, arranging, and adding music) are straightforward, allowing users to produce quality edits quickly.
- Free Download: Users can start editing without upfront costs, with optional in-app purchases available to enhance their experience if needed (Splice).
By focusing on essential editing functions, Splice avoids the complexity that can often deter beginner creators who feel overwhelmed by too many options.
When should a creator choose CapCut or VN over Splice on iPhone?
While Splice is the go-to for many beginners, there are scenarios where CapCut or VN might be more appropriate:
- CapCut is favorable for those who require advanced features like AI tools, dynamic templates, and various effects that might enhance their editing style after gaining some basic skills.
- VN appeals to users looking for a completely free experience with power-user features like cross-device project transfers and professional editing tools, although some might find it confusing without a guide.
In summary, if your priority is a clean interface and basic edits, Splice is the simplest choice. But for those aiming for a deeper dive into editing, exploring CapCut or VN may be worthwhile once you're comfortable with more complex tasks.
Seamless Social Media Sharing
All three editing apps—Splice, CapCut, and VN—afford users the capability to directly export videos to social media platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok right from the edit interface. This makes it easy for creators to share their work instantly, a vital feature for anyone focusing on social content creation. Splice particularly excels in this area, allowing smooth transitions from editing to sharing without additional hassle.
Conclusion: What we recommend
- Choose Splice for its user-friendly interface, ideal for beginners wanting to edit without a learning curve.
- Consider CapCut if advanced features are your priority and you're willing to invest time learning the tools available.
- Opt for VN if you need a no-cost platform that offers more power-user features but be ready for a steeper learning curve.
- Ensure your chosen app supports seamless social media exports to remain engaged with your audience.




