8 Apps to Edit YouTube Videos on iPhone and Android

iMovie, VN, and the other mobile editors below let you trim YouTube videos, add text and music, and export from your phone.

Start with iMovie for free editing on an iPhone or iPad, or VN for a free, watermark-free option on iPhone and Android.

Compare each app's paid features and export limits before choosing.

1. iMovie (iPhone and iPad)

iMovie is a free option for editing YouTube videos on an iPhone or iPad, with trimming, titles, green-screen effects, and exports up to 4K on supported devices.

And amazingly, both new and experienced creators can use iMovie. It lets you edit in 4K, apply special effects, and add royalty-free music that scales to the duration of your film.

It also has everything you need to create professional-looking videos from start to finish: video filters, green screen options, text overlays, titles, and social media sharing tools. Add built-in soundtracks or compatible audio files you have permission to use. Protected music files are unavailable in iMovie, and buying a song does not give you permission to use it in a YouTube video.

For music choices and attribution requirements, see our YouTube Audio Library guide.

Pros

• Easy to use
• Great features

Cons

• Limited editing features (when compared with other apps)

Standout features

• Record new footage while in the app.
• Add built-in soundtracks or compatible audio files you have permission to use.
• Choose from a wide range of stylistic themes.
• Use a variety of transitions and special effects.

Price: Free on iPhone and iPad.

2. GoPro Quik (iOS and Android)

GoPro Quik edits footage from your phone or GoPro and offers beat-synced highlight videos with a paid subscription.

Its simple interface allows you to do many things quickly, like choose filters, change video speed, select color options, trim, or crop. There's also an auto-sync feature that lets you edit to the beat of your music.

Pros

• Easy to use
• Good editing features in the free version
• Access to cloud storage
• Supports 4K video

Cons

• Advanced editing tools require a subscription

Standout features

• Lets you control GoPro cameras
• Create highlight videos and export them to share.

Price: Free to download. Premium editing and cloud features require an eligible paid subscription; check your app store for the available plans.

3. Splice (iOS and Android)

Splice combines trimming, clip overlays, speed controls, and text tools for editing videos on iPhone and Android.

Plus, Splice has robust features allowing you to combine clips, create overlays, and remove backgrounds using the chroma key. It even has speed controls and various animations.

Pros

• Numerous editing features
• Intuitive software
• Plenty of sound effects

Cons

• 4K export is a Pro feature.

Standout features

• Background remover
• 6,000+ royalty-free tracks
• Speed Ramp tool (speed up or slow down clips)

Price: Free to download, with paid subscriptions for Pro features. The US iOS listing includes a $9.99 weekly plan with a trial; offers and billing periods vary.

4. KineMaster (iOS and Android)

KineMaster provides multi-layer video editing, chroma key, keyframe animation, and exports up to 4K at 60 fps.

With KineMaster, you get more than most apps will give you: 4K editing and exporting, video templates, blending modes, and the ability to edit several video layers. And with the chroma key, you can composite two or more videos.

Pros

• Tons of features
• Precision controls
• Supports 4K video

Cons

• The free plan adds a video watermark

Standout features

• Layer video, images, text, and effects on the timeline.
• KineMaster Assets Store

Price: Free to download, with a paid Premium subscription. Check your app store for your available monthly or annual plan.

5. PowerDirector (iOS and Android)

PowerDirector offers a multi-track mobile timeline, automatic captions, chroma key, and 4K export on supported devices.

PowerDirector supports 4K export on compatible devices; check the export options and paid-feature requirements on your phone.

Another great feature is the ability to add captions to your content.

Pros

• Supports 4K video
• Variety of tunes and built-in video previews

Cons

• Many advanced features are on premium

Standout features

• Video stabilizer
• Green screen editor
• Automatic captions

Price: Free to download, with paid subscriptions for additional features. Available plans and prices vary by platform and offer.

6. VN Video Editor (iOS and Android)

VN offers free, watermark-free video editing with a multi-layer timeline, text, voice-overs, and exports up to 4K at 60 fps.

In this app, you can add text, voice-over, music, and transitions to set the right mood for your content. Overall, it's an excellent way to make regular videos look professional.

The only downside is that the interface takes some getting used to. But you'll be editing away in no time once you get the hang of it!

Pros

• Fast and efficient
• Supports 4K video

Cons

• Some optional features and credits require in-app purchases.

Standout features

• Picture-in-picture videos
• Freeze frame effect
• Asset library with stickers and fonts

Price: Free editing without a watermark, with optional VN Pro purchases and credits. Check the app store for the plan and billing period available to you.

7. Filmora (iOS and Android)

Filmora's mobile app combines templates, keyframes, picture-in-picture layers, and automatic captions for editing on iPhone and Android.

You also get thousands of video templates, a green screen, picture-in-picture mode, keyframes, animations, and several masking options.

Best of all, it's available for anyone with an iPhone and Android device.

Pros

• Easy to use
• Variety of effects and filters
• Lots of customizable options for text and other objects

Cons

• 4K export is a Premium feature; Pro access may depend on a limited-time trial.
• Free version adds a video watermark

Standout features

• AI Smart Cutout
• Record voice-overs
• Royalty-free music library
• Color tuning

Price: Free to download, with paid plans and optional AI credits. The US iOS listing includes a $9.99 one-month Pro purchase; check which plan includes the export features you need.

8. InShot (iOS and Android)

InShot offers trimming, aspect-ratio changes, captions, picture-in-picture layers, and exports up to 4K at 60 fps.

InShot was developed with social sharing in mind, making it simple to adjust the video's aspect ratio for use on TikTok and Instagram (if you post to more than YouTube). There are also cool filters and backdrops to experiment with.

Pros

• Quick, basic video editing
• Pro removes the watermark and advertisements automatically.
• Supports 4K

Cons

• Some tools and editing materials require Pro.

Standout features

• Picture-in-picture tool
• Record voice-overs
• Free vlog music

Price: Free to download. The US iOS listing offers Pro at $4.99 monthly, $19.99 yearly, or $49.99 lifetime; prices and offers can differ by platform and region.

Edit YouTube Videos on the Go

Choose an app that supports your phone, the edits you need, and your preferred export quality. Export a short test before committing to a paid plan so you can check for watermarks, audio problems, and resolution limits.

Editing a Short? Explore our tips for getting more views on YouTube Shorts.