{"id":2870,"date":"2023-01-31T13:39:16","date_gmt":"2023-01-31T13:39:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/buzzvoice.com\/blog\/?p=2870"},"modified":"2026-05-30T19:21:57","modified_gmt":"2026-05-30T19:21:57","slug":"best-instagram-reels-editing-apps","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buzzvoice.com\/blog\/best-instagram-reels-editing-apps\/","title":{"rendered":"The Best Instagram Reels Editing Apps of 2023"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

7 Top Apps and Tools for Editing Instagram Reels [Updated for 2023]<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
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Wear many hats<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To excel on Instagram and accomplish cardinal objectives, influencers, social media managers, business owners, and marketers are compelled to hone a diverse skill set.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Say hello to Jane, confectionery vendor, who moonlights as a photographer<\/em>, videographer<\/em>, designer<\/em>, editor<\/em>, copywriter<\/em>, researcher<\/em>, optimization specialist<\/em>, creative director<\/em>, ad manager<\/a><\/em>, and whatnot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Faced with a dizzying array of tasks to complete on the clock, leveraging the best tools amp up productivity and nudge you that much closer to your marketing goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Edit like a pro<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re on this page, you\u2019re likely looking for the best Instagram reels editing apps that are user-friendly, stable, offer an eclectic mix of advanced controls, and allow you to easily create Instagram reels using photos<\/a> to craft engaging, scroll-stopping content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We have just what you\u2019re foraging for. The ultimate compilation of excellent reel editors that serve up sur-reel results regardless of the degree of familiarity you have with recording and tweaking videos<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s jump right in!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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7 Best Video Editors to Create Epic Instagram Reels<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

1. InShot:<\/strong> Overall Best App for Editing Instagram Reels<\/em> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"InShot<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Platforms<\/span>: Android<\/a>, iOS<\/a>; Website<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pricing<\/span>: Free<\/em>; In-App Purchases<\/em>; Premium Subscriptions<\/em> ($3.99<\/strong>\/mo., $14.99 <\/strong>-$17.99<\/strong>\/yr., $34.99 <\/strong>– $39.99<\/strong> for Lifetime Access); 7 Days Free Trial<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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InShot is a fan favorite and makes the strongest claim to being \u201cthe<\/strong>\u201d go-to app for on-the-go editing of Instagram reels. The numbers tell it all. More than 500 million downloads<\/strong>, upwards of 15 million reviews<\/strong> on all platforms with an outstanding 4.8\/5.0 mean rating<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As far as votes of confidence goes, it does not get louder or clearer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Driving its widespread adoption is the seamless mashup of basic, intermediate, and advanced controls presented in a UX that fully imbues the KISS (keep it simple, stupid<\/em>) design principle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Right off the bat, you can reorient a clip to the recommended vertical aspect ratio through the \u2018Canvas\u2019 menu. Trim, merge, and duplicate <\/strong>videos; add transitions<\/strong>; and apply varied filters and effects<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"InShot<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Beyond these basic functionalities, InShot offers you complete control over uber-precise speed adjustments<\/strong>, from 0.2x<\/em> to 100x<\/em>. Tweak the contrast, shadows, blur level, and saturation<\/strong>. Import your preferred soundtrack, append voiceovers<\/strong> and sound effects<\/strong>, or extract audio<\/strong> from another video.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The PiP (Picture-in-Picture) mode is great for creating enthralling reaction videos in a tick. Fiddle with the background, employ the green screen effect<\/strong>, and pick colors<\/strong> from the video that you can use to match the color of text added for instance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking of text, use the keyframe feature to animate texts<\/strong>, stickers<\/strong>, and PiP layer<\/strong>. And for expert tips and tutorials on how to use its large collection of features, the regularly updated official InShot YouTube channel<\/a> is a fantastic resource.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most <\/strong>functionalities are available to use on your Android<\/a>, iPhone, and iPad<\/a> at zero cost. Certain packs and modes (such as exporting in 4K\/60fps) are paywalled. However, you\u2019d find, as we did, that the one-time flat fee of $34.99<\/strong> ($39.99 <\/strong>on iOS<\/a>) for lifetime access is a steal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Related Article: 10 Best Reel Editing App Free for iOS: From Free to Pro Plans<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A trial for 7 days<\/em> and a cheap $3.99 pro sub for one month<\/em> grants ample opportunity to scan through all that InShot has to offer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. KineMaster:<\/strong> Best Runner-up Instagram Reels Editing App<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"KineMaster<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Platforms<\/span>: Android<\/a>, iOS<\/a>; Website<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pricing<\/span>: Free<\/em>; Premium Subscriptions<\/em> ($11.99<\/strong>\/mo., $79.99<\/strong>\/yr.)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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KineMaster assessed the familiar, traditional process of adding then editing a clip to your liking; and sought out an ancillary stab at efficiently creating eye-popping and polished videos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They settled on stockpiling templates<\/strong> that amateur and experienced editors alike can rejig or take inspiration from for their needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the \u2018Home\u2019 tab, search for the perfect template by keywords<\/em>, title<\/em>, or category<\/em>. Furthermore, through the \u2018Me\u2019 tab, you can create a free KineMaster account<\/strong> where you can store your favorite templates and get to them quickly whenever you desire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Modify a preferred template or imported clip using a dynamic array of tools, functionalities, and thousands of visual & audio effects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"KineMaster<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Combine multiple layers<\/strong> of sounds, special effects, and graphics. Record voiceovers<\/strong>, use the voice changer<\/strong>, and perform professional-grade audio ducking<\/strong>. Engage in advanced color grading<\/strong> and install custom fonts<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Composite two or more videos<\/strong> with the help of the Chroma Key VFX feature<\/em>, leverage the keyframe feature<\/em> to make your footage pop with custom motion graphics<\/strong>, and turn to the Magic Remover tool<\/em> to alter the backgrounds of videos<\/strong> with a single tap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The free version of the KineMaster editor is sufficient for many, but we aren\u2019t particularly enthused by the recent substantive hike in subscription fees. A premium subscription eliminates the watermark and ads as well as grant unrestricted access to the KineMaster Asset Store<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Canva:<\/strong> Best Web App for IG Reels<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Canva<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Platforms:<\/span> Android<\/a>, iOS<\/a>, Mac<\/a>, Windows<\/a> (Microsoft Store<\/a>); Website<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pricing<\/span>: Free<\/em>; Premium Subscriptions<\/em> ($12.99 <\/strong>– $14.99<\/strong>\/mo., $119.99 <\/strong>-$149.90<\/strong>\/yr.); 30 Days Free Trial<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Canva shot to fame as a novel, intuitive drag-and-drop web tool to create spectacular graphics. Today, it is a far more vivacious, all-in-one hub, presenting content creators with the opportunity to design and edit a multitude of media types; from business cards, flyers, and brochures to Instagram Reels and Stories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Staying true to its heritage, you can fluidly edit footage on a browser of any device. In addition, you can customize clips on every major platform via apps and software for Android<\/a>, iOS<\/a>, Mac<\/a>, and Windows<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The biggest draw of Canva\u2019s Video Editor is the astounding compendium of templates, effects, and elements at your fingertips. Resize<\/strong>, crop<\/strong>, and flip<\/strong> videos. Add stickers<\/strong>, change fonts<\/strong>, and animate illustrations<\/strong>. Collaboration<\/strong> with team members is a cinch\u2014share edits at whatever stage of completion with anyone or involve others in the editing process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Canva<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Best of all, while all tools including the video editor can be used for free with more than 250,000 free templates and more than a million free photos and graphics; on a pro sub you gain unlimited access to the even more expansive library comprising 600,000+ templates<\/strong>, 100 million and counting premium elements<\/strong> (including stock photos, audios, stickers, and videos), and 1TB of cloud storage<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consequently, as opposed to subscribing for a dedicated video editing app, you get an all-purpose premium tool for only $12.99<\/strong>\/mo. ($14.99<\/strong>\/mo. for teams of up to 5) and $119.99<\/strong>\/yr. ($149.90<\/strong>\/yr. for teams of up to 5).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A generous 30-day trial<\/strong> offer is available to all new users.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. VN:<\/strong> Best Freemium Video Editor for Insta Reels<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"VN<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Platforms<\/span>: Android<\/a>, iOS<\/a>, Mac<\/a>; Website<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pricing<\/span>: Free<\/em>; Premium Subscriptions<\/em> ($9.99<\/strong>\/mo., $69.99<\/strong>\/yr.)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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A common characteristic shared by some of the best video editors is the inclusion of a visible watermark that can only be removed when you subscribe to a premium plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

VN (VlogNow) takes a sledgehammer to this practice. Videos edited on the free version of the VN video editor lack watermark or brand logos as would be the case if you edited with the Instagram native app. At this point, you ponder what the catch is?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Technically, there is none. The VN video editor covers the basics\u2014resize, trim, crop, reverse<\/strong>; use of transitions and effects<\/strong> like blur and pixelate<\/em>; and zooming<\/strong> into frames. As well as hold its own against paid competition, with the availability of multi-track editing<\/strong>, the ability to record voiceovers<\/strong>, keyframe animation<\/strong> to introduce dynamism to static elements, precisely reorder frames and clips<\/strong>, speed curve<\/strong> for adjusting the speed of the video, export footage with framerates of up to 120 fps, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"VN<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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In fairness, VN\u2019s stack of effects, filters, and templates is quite tame, but that is par for the course for freemium apps in the content creation space, and does make up for it in some way with the option to import your own audio, clips, and elements<\/strong> to embellish your footage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

VN is available on Android<\/a>, iPhone, iPad<\/a>, and Mac<\/a>. A premium package that eliminates ads<\/em>, allows you to create unlimited projects<\/em> (the free plan is limited to 100 projects), and marginally expands the selection of elements<\/em> is available, but it is not a must-have to create high-quality Instagram reels. The free version would do for many.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alternatives to VN include CapCut<\/a> by ByteDance (parent company of TikTok) and Quik<\/a> by GoPro (the famous action camera brand).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Adobe Premiere Rush:<\/strong> Best Reels Editing App for Prosumers<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Platforms<\/span>: Android<\/a>, iOS<\/a>, Mac<\/a>, Windows<\/a>; Website<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pricing<\/span>: Free<\/em>; Premium Subscriptions<\/em> ($9.99<\/strong>\/mo., $99.99<\/strong>\/yr.); 7 Days Free Trial<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Adobe is the most recognizable name in the creative field and the Premiere Rush is the behemoth\u2019s strategic attempt to compete favorably in the nascent \u2018shoot-and-share\u2019 mobile video space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rush is the scaled-down version of and gateway product to the award-winning Adobe Premiere Pro video editing software. Set the canvas to the ideal 9:16 ratio for Instagram Reels. Mesh more than half a dozen tracks<\/strong> and zoom<\/strong> into a track\u2019s timeline for precise modification. Leverage Adobe\u2019s iconic palette of tools for unrivalled tweaking of the clip\u2019s color, shadow, highlight, and exposure<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Adobe<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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With an Adobe ID, sync<\/strong> your progress across the entire ecosystem of Rush apps; although you\u2019d need a premium sub to use Rush\u2019s desktop apps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Templates, overlays, and transitions<\/strong>; royalty-free soundtracks<\/strong>; speed adjustment<\/strong>; animated titles\/text<\/strong>, Picture-in-Picture<\/strong>, and unlimited export of videos<\/strong> that you can record on the app with the built-in camera<\/strong> are some of the other superb features smartphone videographers cheer for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We particularly laud Adobe for not blemishing videos created on the free version of Premiere Rush with a watermark, as is obtainable on Canva, VN, and CapCut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That said, a premium subscription\u2014the Adobe Express license\u2014offers a rich trove of benefits. Including 100GB cloud storage<\/strong> (a massive jump from 2GB<\/em> on the free version); bundled access<\/strong> to Adobe Express<\/em> (create social graphics), Adobe Photoshop Express<\/em> (mobile app for editing pics), Adobe Spark Video<\/em> (create video slideshows), and Adobe Spark Page<\/em> (create web pages); Adobe\u2019s exclusive retinue of 20,000+ fonts<\/strong>; and more than 160 million Adobe Stock photos<\/strong> as well as other premium assets<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. Clips:<\/strong> Best Editing App for IG Reels on iPhones<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Clips<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Platforms<\/span>: iOS<\/a>; Website<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pricing<\/span>: Free<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Clips is Apple\u2019s very own entry-level app for editing videos on the go. It is exclusive to the iPhone and iPad and permanently free to use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To put it plainly, Clips by Apple should be a staple video editor for any creator who owns an iDevice and seek to create professional Instagram Reels with an artistic flair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The careful selection of functionalities hit all the right notes and draw on innovations within Apple\u2019s gilt-edged ecosystem. Get creative with expressive Memojis<\/strong>, AR Spaces<\/strong> to switch up your real-world environment to entertaining, immersive augmented reality backgrounds like a dance floor, and 360\u00ba Selfie Scenes<\/strong> with special sound effects and filters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Clips<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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As you speak, captions appear on screen in real-time<\/strong> thanks to auto transcribing. Refine and style up the text afterwards. Add sounds from your library<\/strong> or that were created on other music apps, and use iCloud<\/strong> to sync to the cloud and edit same video on any iOS device you own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For finer controls and advanced functionalities like green screen, check out iMovie<\/a>, a more decked-out yet completely FREE app developed by Apple and available on iOS, iPadOS<\/a>, and MacOS<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

7. FilmoraGo<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Platforms<\/span>: Android<\/a>, iOS<\/a>; Website<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pricing<\/span>: Free<\/em>; Premium Subscriptions<\/em> ($2.99 <\/strong>– $5.99<\/strong>\/mo., $20.99 <\/strong>– $35.99<\/strong>\/yr., $69.99<\/strong>\/yr. for Cross-Platform Access, $29.99<\/strong> – $59.99<\/strong> for Lifetime Access); 3 Days Free Trial<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Filmora (formerly FilmoraGo) is the quintessential pro-grade mobile video editor for the astute content creator. It competes favorably with our top picks\u2014InShot<\/a> and KineMaster<\/a>\u2014offering virtually every basic, intermediate, advanced, and premium editing tool and effect type you\u2019d expect from a first-rate mobile editing app for Instagram Reels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First off, you can resize, trim, crop, split, merge, duplicate, flip, rotate, <\/strong>and reverse<\/strong> clips. Add and work with myriad templates, transitions, filters, effects, stickers, overlays, text, audio, <\/strong>and emojis<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Filmora supports speed adjustments, keyframes, Picture-in-Picture, chroma key, split screen, <\/strong>and AI Smart Cutout<\/strong> to eliminate any detail or artifact with high accuracy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Filmora<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Pick a recording of your choice from its robust royalty-free music library<\/strong> or from your own personal library, tack on any of a multitude of sound effects<\/strong>, extract music<\/strong>, split audio<\/strong>, and record voiceovers<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Color grading<\/strong>, cluster of text fonts and styles<\/strong>, ability to animate elements<\/strong>, masking<\/strong>, progress bar inclusion<\/strong>, speech-to-text and text-to-speech<\/strong>; round up a feature-rich lineup of functionalities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most controls are available on the free version of the app, but as with InShot and KineMaster, you\u2019ll have to tolerate a watermark. Upgrade to Filmora Pro on monthly and annual subscriptions to remove watermarks, ads, and gain access to more elements. A Perpetual license<\/em> can be yours for a one-time fee of $29.99<\/strong> to $59.99<\/strong> depending on platform. Interestingly, both pro license types can only be used on the platform you subbed on. To use Filmora on all platforms\u2014Android<\/a>, iPhone, iPad<\/a>, Mac<\/a>, and Windows<\/a>\u2014you\u2019d have to sub to the Cross-Platform Plan<\/em> or All Platform Pro license<\/em> for $59.99<\/strong> to $69.99<\/strong>\/yr. A 3-day trial period<\/em> is available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Instagram In-App Reel Editor<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the early days after Instagram Reels reel-ease<\/em>, it was imperative to turn to third-party video editors to produce eye-catching and professional videos that stood out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That is beginning to change with Instagram devoting ample resources to enhancing the capabilities of its built-in video editor for Reels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Native<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Yes, you can now:<\/p>\n\n\n\n