DealHack Guides
11 Affordable Video Editing Tools Every Creator Should Know
September 04, 2024 · 13 minute read
Video is the undisputed king of digital content, capturing attention and driving engagement. Whether you aim to create viral social media posts, compelling marketing campaigns, or educational masterpieces, the right video editing tool is your secret weapon. But here’s the twist: you don’t need a massive budget to produce stunning, professional-quality videos. That’s where Dealhack steps in. As your ultimate guide to online shopping hacks and money-saving tips, we’ve scoured the market to bring you the 11 most affordable online video tools that deliver premium results without the premium price.
Ready to create standout videos and keep more money in your pocket? Let’s dive in!
In this post, you’ll learn:
About the top 11 affordable video tools that are accessible online.
Key features and benefits of each tool.
Pricing options that cater to different budgets.
How do these tools compare with high-end alternatives?
Expert Tips on selecting the best tool based on your specific needs.
Why Affordable Video Tools Are Essential
Video is not just a trend; it’s a necessity in the digital age. From social media influencers to small business owners, everyone needs video content to stay relevant. However, the cost of high-end video software can be prohibitive. That's why finding affordable options that don't compromise quality is essential. The tools we've selected are budget-friendly yet packed with features, making them perfect for anyone looking to enhance their video content without breaking the bank.
1. Clipchamp
Key Features:
User-Friendly Interface: Simplified editing with drag-and-drop functionality.
Extensive Stock Library: Access thousands of stock videos, images, and audio files.
Green Screen: Advanced features like green screen are available in premium plans.
Pricing:
Free Version: Basic features with watermarked exports.
Essentials Plan: $11.99/month for premium features and unlimited exports.
Why It’s Great: Clipchamp is ideal for beginners and small businesses looking for a simple yet robust video editing tool. Its intuitive interface and extensive stock library make it a standout choice for those on a budget.
Pro Tip: Utilize Clipchamp’s stock library to enhance your videos without additional costs. The more you explore its resources, the more creative and professional your videos appear, even on a budget.
2. WeVideo
Key Features:
Cloud-Based Editing: Access and edit videos from any device with internet connectivity.
4K Resolution: Supports ultra-high-definition video editing.
Green Screen Effects: Perfect for creating professional presentations and creative projects.
Pricing:
Power Plan: $3.24/month with limited publishing time.
Professional Plan: $12.99/month for unlimited publishing and advanced features.
Why It’s Great: WeVideo offers a cloud-based solution, making it accessible from anywhere. Its affordable pricing and high-end features like 4K resolution make it a favorite among educators and content creators.
Pro Tip: Use WeVideo’s cloud-based platform to collaborate with team members seamlessly. Share your projects in real time and get feedback instantly, which can significantly speed up the video production process.
3. Animoto
Key Features:
Quick Video Creation: Easily create videos in minutes using drag-and-drop features.
Customizable Templates: Choose from a wide variety of templates for different occasions.
Licensed Music Library: Access a vast library of music tracks to complement your videos.
Pricing:
Free Plan: Basic video creation with Animoto branding.
Professional Plan: $15/month with HD video exports and brand customization.
Why It’s Great: Animoto is perfect for social media marketers and small businesses needing to create professional-looking videos quickly. The platform’s affordable pricing and ease of use make it popular.
Pro Tip: Use Animoto’s customizable templates to maintain brand consistency across all your videos. Customize fonts, colors, and logos once and apply them to all future projects to save time and ensure uniformity.
4. InVideo
Key Features:
Text-to-Video: Automatically convert text into engaging video content.
Voiceover and Subtitles: Add voiceovers and subtitles directly within the tool.
Template Library: Over 5,000 customizable templates for various video formats.
Pricing:
Free Plan: Limited features with watermarked exports.
Business Plan: $15/month for premium features and no watermark.
Why It’s Great: InVideo is a versatile tool for content creators and marketers. It offers many templates and tools, allowing users to create high-quality videos with minimal effort.
Pro Tip: Leverage InVideo’s text-to-video feature to quickly repurpose blog content into engaging video summaries. This is a great way to expand your content reach with minimal effort.
5. Kapwing
Key Features:
Collaboration Tools: Real-time collaboration on video projects.
Subtitles and Transcription: Automatically generate and edit subtitles.
Meme Generator: Create viral memes and social media content with ease.
Pricing:
Free Plan: Basic features with some limitations.
Pro Plan: $16/month for full feature access and no watermark.
Why It’s Great: Kapwing is perfect for solo creators and teams. The platform’s collaboration tools and subtitle features make it an excellent choice for anyone looking to produce content for social media.
Pro Tip: Collaborate with your team on Kapwing to streamline your content creation process. The ability to work on projects simultaneously with others can save time and ensure a cohesive final product.
6. Powtoon
Key Features:
Animation Capabilities: Create animated videos and presentations with ease.
Customizable Characters and Templates: Access a wide range of pre-built templates and characters.
Engagement Tools: Features like infographics and animated charts to enhance your presentations.
Pricing:
Free Plan: Limited features with Powtoon branding.
Pro Plan: $15/month with HD video exports and premium assets.
Why It’s Great: Powtoon is particularly useful for educators and businesses that need to create engaging presentations. Its affordable pricing and robust animation tools make it a top choice for professional-looking animated content.
Pro Tip: Experiment with Powtoon’s animation features to create engaging, stand-out explainer videos. Animated content is a powerful tool for breaking down complex ideas and keeping your audience’s attention
7. FlexClip
Key Features:
User-Friendly Interface: A simple drag-and-drop editor that makes video creation easy.
Extensive Stock Library: Access to millions of stock photos, videos, and music tracks.
Customizable Templates: Choose from various templates tailored to different video types.
Pricing:
Free Plan: Limited features with 480p export resolution.
Basic Plan: $5.99/month with higher resolution exports and additional tools.
Why It’s Great: FlexClip is an excellent choice for quick video edits and social media content creation. Its affordable pricing and vast stock media library make it ideal for small business owners and marketers who need a simple yet robust video tool.
Pro Tip: Use FlexClip’s pre-designed templates to create quick, impactful videos for social media. This can be a real time-saver when you must consistently and frequently produce content.
8. Magisto
Key Features:
AI-Powered Editing: Automatically edit videos based on the content you upload.
Smart Storyboard: Easily arrange clips, add music, and create professional-looking videos.
Mobile-Friendly: Edit videos on the go with an intuitive mobile app.
Pricing:
Free Plan: Basic features with Magisto branding.
Premium Plan: $4.99/month for HD videos and additional editing tools.
Why It’s Great: Magisto is designed for users who want automated video creation with minimal effort. Its AI-powered editing makes it perfect for beginners and small businesses looking to produce polished videos quickly and affordably.
Pro Tip: When you’re short on time, let Magisto's AI-powered editing take the lead. Upload your footage and let the AI do the heavy lifting, creating a professional-looking video with minimal input.
9. Veed.io
Key Features:
Subtitles and Captions: Automatically generate and edit subtitles for your videos.
GIF Maker: Easily create GIFs from video clips.
Social Media Templates: Access pre-designed templates optimized for various social media platforms.
Pricing:
Free Plan: Basic features with a watermark.
Pro Plan: $12/month for full access to features and no watermark.
Why It’s Great: Veed.io is a versatile tool for creating social media content. Automatic subtitle generation and GIF creation are handy for content creators and influencers who want to enhance their video content.
Pro Tip: Take full advantage of Veed.io’s subtitle and captioning features to make your videos more accessible. Adding subtitles benefits viewers who are hard of hearing and improves engagement on social media platforms where videos often autoplay without sound.
10. Lumen5
Key Features:
Text-to-Video: Transform blog posts, articles, or text into engaging video content.
AI-Powered Video Creation: Leverages AI to simplify video creation based on text inputs.
Branding Tools: Customize videos with logos, fonts, and brand colors.
Pricing:
Free Plan: Basic features with watermarked exports.
Starter Plan: $19/month for access to more advanced features and branding options.
Why It’s Great: Lumen5 is particularly popular among content marketers and bloggers. The platform's ability to turn written content into video is a game-changer for those looking to repurpose blog posts into visually engaging media.
Pro Tip: Regularly convert your blog posts into video content using Lumen5 to diversify your content output. This is an intelligent way to keep your content fresh and reach a wider audience without creating entirely new material.
11. Camtasia
Key Features:
Screen Recording: High-quality screen recording with built-in video editing tools.
Customizable Templates: Create and save custom templates for consistent video branding.
Interactive Elements: Add quizzes, callouts, and interactive elements to your videos.
Pricing:
Free Trial: Full feature access is available for a limited time.
One-Time Purchase: $249 for a lifetime license, including updates.
Why It’s Great: Although not as cheap as others, Camtasia offers immense value with its one-time purchase model, making it more affordable in the long run. It's perfect for educators, trainers, and anyone needing high-quality screen recordings and powerful editing tools.
Pro Tip: Use Camtasia’s interactive elements, such as quizzes and clickable links, to make your educational videos more engaging. This feature is precious for e-learning content, keeping viewers actively involved.
Expert Tips on Choosing the Best Video Tool
With so many options, selecting the right video tool can be overwhelming. Here are some expert tips from the Dealhack team to help you make the best decision:
1. Define Your Needs
Type of Content: Are you focusing on social media, marketing, or educational videos? Tools like Lumen5 and Camtasia offer specialized features depending on your content type.
Skill Level: If you’re a beginner, tools like Magisto and Animoto offer user-friendly interfaces that require minimal experience.
2. Consider Long-Term Costs
One-Time Purchase vs. Subscription: Camtasia might have a higher upfront cost, but it’s a one-time investment that can be more economical in the long run than subscription-based models.
Free vs. Paid Plans: While free plans offer basic features, consider upgrading if you need advanced capabilities like higher resolution or branding options.
3. Test Multiple Tools
- Free Trials: Most tools offer free trials or basic free plans. Use these to test the software and determine whether it is right before committing to a paid plan.
4. Look for Essential Features
Stock Media Access: If you need stock footage, images, or music, tools like FlexClip and Clipchamp provide extensive libraries.
Collaboration: Collaboration features in Kapwing or Veed.io can be crucial if you work in a team.
Pro Tip: Start with the tool's free trial or basic plan that interests you most. This way, you can explore its features without financial commitment. Consider upgrading to a paid plan once you’re comfortable and see the value.
Affordable Online Video Tools: Best Uses, Costs, and Features
| Best Things to Do | Approximate Cost | Short Description |
| Create Social Media Videos with Clipchamp | Free to $11.99/month | Use Clipchamp’s drag-and-drop editor and stock library to create engaging social media content quickly and easily. |
| Collaborate on Projects with WeVideo | $4.99 to $9.99/month | Utilize WeVideo’s cloud-based platform to collaborate on real-time video projects from any device. |
| Make Animated Explainer Videos with Powtoon | Free to $19/month | Create animated presentations and explainer videos using Powtoon’s customizable templates and characters. |
| Convert Text to Video with Lumen5 | Free to $19/month | Turn blog posts and articles into visually engaging videos with Lumen5’s AI-powered text-to-video conversion. |
| Create Professional Marketing Videos with Animoto | Free to $8/month | Quickly produce professional-looking marketing videos using Animoto’s customizable templates and licensed music. |
| Edit on the Go with Magisto | Free to $4.99/month | Automatically edit videos with AI-powered tools, perfect for creating videos on the go with Magisto’s mobile app. |
| Add Subtitles and Captions with Kapwing | Free to $16/month | Enhance your videos with automatically generated subtitles and captions using Kapwing’s easy-to-use platform. |
| Produce High-Resolution Videos with WeVideo | $4.99 to $9.99/month | Export videos in 4K resolution and enjoy advanced editing features on WeVideo’s user-friendly platform. |
| Create Educational Videos with Camtasia | $249 (one-time purchase) | Use Camtasia’s screen recording and interactive elements to produce engaging educational content. |
| Make Social Media Content with Veed.io | Accessible to $12/month | Designed and edited videos tailored to social media platforms using Veed.io’s templates and GIF maker. |
Conclusion
In today’s digital landscape, where video content is key, the right tools can elevate your projects without breaking the bank. The 11 affordable video tools we've highlighted show that you can create high-quality, professional videos without a hefty price tag. Whether you’re building your brand, expanding your audience, or sharing your creativity, these tools provide everything you need to succeed.
Explore these tools, experiment, and create captivating videos without breaking the bank. At Dealhack, we’re here to help you achieve greatness on a budget. Happy editing!
FAQ
What are the best features of an affordable video editing tool?
Look for an intuitive interface, essential editing tools, high-resolution exports, and device compatibility. Extras like templates and stock media libraries enhance video creation.
Can I create high-quality videos using free video editing tools?
Yes, though free tools may have limitations like watermarks or lower resolution. Free versions of Clipchamp and Animoto offer solid features.
Are there any affordable video tools that support team collaboration?
WeVideo and Kapwing offer real-time collaboration, ideal for teams working on video projects.
How do affordable video tools stack up against premium options like Adobe Premiere Pro?
Affordable tools provide essential features in a more user-friendly, cost-effective package, ideal for beginners or quick video creation.
Are these tools suitable for platforms like YouTube, Instagram, or TikTok?
Many tools include presets and templates for specific platforms, ensuring professional content tailored for YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok.
What kind of customer support can I expect from these affordable video tools?
Support ranges from email for free users to priority and live chat for paid plans. Check each tool for specifics.
Can these tools access stock footage, music, and other media?
FlexClip and Clipchamp offer large stock libraries of videos, images, and music.
Are there any tools that specialize in animated video creation?
Powtoon specializes in animated videos, ideal for businesses, educators, and marketers.
How secure is my data when using these online video tools?
Most tools use SSL encryption. Review privacy policies for specifics on data security.
Do these tools place limits on video length or file size?
Some tools limit video length or file size in free versions, with paid plans removing these restrictions. Check individual tool limits.
