Video Editing Apps

This app review was one of the most labor intensive because I decided I should try to create a video start to finish with each app to see how the process (I know most of them are super short). There was only one app listed here that I was so unhappy with the results that I decided not to post a video.

Best

iMovie (Free) iOS only - This app comes pre-installed on iPhones. The app allows users to make simple edits and easily create a video with transitions, music, and text easily. The app automates certain things like transitions, pans, and how test display but allows you to make changes. I thought the video I created was professional looking and was made with minimal effort on my part.

Example: https://youtu.be/DFGPHuHEWc0

Splice (Free) iOS only - Created by Go Pro this app gives users a lot of the functionality of iMovie with a some additional transitions, more music choices, a wider variety of text overlays, and filters. A great app that is easy to use. https://spliceapp.com/

Example: https://youtu.be/6xZGPr7-l0Y

WeVideo (Free, $3.99 for additional features) iOS, Android, Web - An easy to use app that gives control over text, trim video footage, filters, music, and voice over. There is no control over transitions. There is a watermark and end credit but they can be eliminated and additional features unlocked for $3.99. I did not review the web based editing but that looks like it would give some additional tools. I like that it works on multiple platforms. https://www.wevideo.com/

Example:https://youtu.be/CPV81KHBnTE

Good

Cute CUT (Free, $5.99 premium features) iOS and Android. - The video editor looks very professional giving users control of each video clip and picture in a stream like in a high-end program like Adobe Premier. The app will not allow any music it considers DRM (digital rights management) protected. I found the lack of transitions, filters, and small selection of text and music choices restrictive. Premium gets rid of the watermark and allows for videos of unlimited length. You can do some interesting things like draw on pictures or video. The share to Facebook portion kept returning an error for me. http://cutecut.mobivio.com/
Example: https://youtu.be/cQioXcuwnL8

Google Photos (Free) iOS and Android - This Google app that backs up and organizes your photos and videos already does so many cool things like creating folders, animations, photo edited copies, and will create a suggested video. If you tap the three dots in the top right, tap "create a movie", then tap on what you want included, music, text, and style. It doesn't have all the customization of some of the apps but it's pretty nice.
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.photos&hl=en
iOS: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/google-photos-free-photo-video/id962194608?mt=8

Example: https://youtu.be/VVPkgq7qarw

Magisto (Free, Subscription) iOS and Android - If you want to make movies out of your pictures and videos but you want to automate putting it all together this app is for you. You select or the app pulls pictures and videos does some editing or asks what style editing you would like, suggests some music and text, then makes it available for sharing. Users do not have any way to make choices as far as multiple text displays, transitions, music changes, etc. If you want to save or download the video it is .99 a download, $4.99 a month, or $19.99 a year. https://www.magisto.com/
Example: https://youtu.be/36VGsmjciXQ

Limited Use

VidTrim (Free, Pro $1.99) Android Only - The app allows users to trim video clips and merge them. There is some minor filters and sharing capability but does not do much more than allow very basic editing. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.goseet.VidTrim&hl=en

10 Amazing FREE Websites

1. College courses, no tuition

Class Central https://www.class-central.com/ lists hundreds of online class courses from the likes of Harvard, Stanford, and MIT.

2.  Self-destructing email addresses

With 10 Minute Mail https://10minutemail.com you can create a temporary email address that will automatically self-destruct in 10 minutes. This allows you to sign up for sites, lists, make comments, and sign up for deals without the unbearable spam you normally get.

3. Ambient Sound / White Noise

If you simply can't work/sleep/concentrate without some kind of comforting sounds, A Soft Murmur has you covered http://asoftmurmur.com/

 4. Learn another Language

Almost every language in the world is available to learn at Duolingo https://www.duolingo.com/ and you can take it on the go with their free app.

5. A massive documentary collection

There are documentaries on a wide variety of subjects and from award winning to amateur. Learn something new or simply be amazed http://documentaryheaven.com/

6. Automate Tasks

Do you want a message sent when you are on your way home? Would you like to get news stories on your favorite subject sent to your inbox? An automatic backup of your contacts to a spreadsheet? You can do this and a lot more with If This Then That https://ifttt.com/

7. New Fonts

Working on a document or a poster and you are looking for a font that would make it pop? Lost Type has you covered and they are all free for any use http://www.losttype.com/

8. Free Photo enhancement tools

The Adobe universe of tools is expensive and there is so much there that most people do not need. Pixlr https://pixlr.com is free and it has a light weight version called Express that allows for easy changes quickly. They also have apps you can download for your mobile device

9. Get Control over Your Finances

Mint https://www.mint.com/ helps you create a budget quickly and can automate tracking if you connect it to your bank and credit card accounts. It will send you alerts when you go over your budgeted amount, it has smart tracking of expenses, and has monthly summary of what you spent. The mobile app allows you to make corrections or view your progress quickly.

10. Create Graphics and Publications

There are expensive desktop programs that can allow you to create posters and graphics, but Canva https://www.canva.com/ is free and web based so you can use it without installing anything on your computer. The templates and free graphics and fonts make creating things a snap. There are items that cost money to use but you can import your own materials.