Introduction
Ama, a young entrepreneur in Accra, wanted to create Instagram Reels to show off her handmade jewellery. But, like many others, she didn’t know which editing app to use. With so many options, deciding can be hard—especially when you factor in your experience level, pricing, and customer support. If you’ve ever felt like Ama, don’t worry—we’ve got you covered!
In this guide, we’ll help you choose the best Instagram Reels editing app based on your beginner, intermediate, or advanced skill level. We’ll also examine whether these apps are free and highlight those with excellent customer support. Whether you’re just starting or you’re a seasoned pro, we’ve got something for everyone!
Apps for Beginners (Easy Learning Curve)
These apps are perfect for anyone just starting with Instagram Reels. They’re user-friendly, quick to learn, and offer all the basic features you need to create great videos.
1. InShot (Free with Paid Features)
Why It’s Great for Beginners:
InShot is one of the simplest apps for video editing, with an easy interface designed for anyone, regardless of experience. You can trim, add music, text, and stickers quickly. While the basic version is free, you can upgrade to remove the watermark and access extra features.
Ease of Use: Extremely beginner-friendly.
Learning Curve: Minimal—perfect for quick, simple edits.
Customer Support: InShot provides tutorials, FAQs, and online support but lacks personalized customer service.
Who Should Use It: New creators who want an easy, no-fuss app for basic video editing.
Example: Ama uses InShot to add music and text to her jewelry-making videos. It’s quick and easy, and her Reels look professional without much effort.
2. Splice (Free with Paid Features)
Why It’s Great for Beginners:
Splice offers a simple interface that’s great for beginners. You can easily trim clips, add music, and apply basic effects. It also comes with a library of royalty-free music. The free version offers basic editing, but advanced features require a subscription.
Ease of Use: Very simple, especially for quick edits.
Learning Curve: Low—you can get started within minutes.
Customer Support: Offers a basic help section but lacks in-depth personalized support.
Who Should Use It: Beginners who want a hassle-free app for fast video creation.
Example: Akosua uses Splice to quickly edit her cooking videos, adding background music and posting directly to Instagram without any trouble.
3. Quik (Free)
Why It’s Great for Beginners:
Quik, by GoPro, is designed for automatic editing. You can upload clips, and the app will automatically sync them with the music, creating a professional-looking video for free. This makes it a great option for those who don’t want to spend too much time editing.
Ease of Use: Almost no manual editing required.
Learning Curve: Super low—just pick your clips and let the app do the rest.
Customer Support: Good support through GoPro’s customer service, including a help center and community forum.
Who Should Use It: Those who want to create Reels quickly without spending too much time editing.
Example: Kwasi uses Quik to compile vacation clips, and the app automatically edits them to match the beat of the music. He loves how easy it is!
Apps for Intermediate Users (Moderate Learning Curve)
If you’re comfortable with basic editing but want to step up your game, these apps provide more features while still being accessible.
4. CapCut (Free)
Why It’s Great for Intermediate Users:
CapCut offers a good balance of ease and advanced features like transitions, effects, slow motion, and speed-up tools. Even though it’s packed with features, it remains simple enough for users transitioning from beginner-level apps.
Ease of Use: Simple enough for beginners but has room to grow.
Learning Curve: Moderate—you may need some time to explore all the features.
Customer Support: Limited; mostly offers FAQs and community support.
Who Should Use It: Creators who want to add more effects and transitions to their videos.
Example: Kwame uses CapCut to edit his dance videos, adding slow-motion effects and cool transitions that keep his audience hooked.
5. VN Video Editor (Free)
Why It’s Great for Intermediate Users:
VN Video Editor is excellent for users who want more control over their videos but don’t need professional-grade tools. It offers multi-layer editing, precise trimming, and subtitle options, all for free.
Ease of Use: Slightly more complex but still user-friendly.
Learning Curve: Moderate—great for users who want more features but aren’t ready for advanced tools.
Customer Support: Basic tutorials, FAQs, and community support, but no direct help.
Who Should Use It: Creators ready to experiment with layers, transitions, and effects.
Example: Nana, a travel vlogger, uses VN to combine clips of her travels with music and text, giving her videos a polished, professional feel.
6. FilmoraGo (Free with Paid Features)
Why It’s Great for Intermediate Users:
FilmoraGo offers plenty of templates, transitions, and effects. You can start with the free version, but there are paid options to unlock additional features and remove watermarks.
Ease of Use: Fairly intuitive, especially with pre-made templates.
Learning Curve: Moderate—you’ll need a bit of practice to make the most of the features.
Customer Support: Offers detailed tutorials and email support, but responses can be slow.
Who Should Use It: Creators who want more control over their videos and enjoy using pre-made templates.
Example: Selorm, a fashion designer, uses FilmoraGo to edit her runway videos. The app’s stylish filters and transitions help her stand out.
Apps for Advanced Users (Steeper Learning Curve)
These apps are for creators who want full control over their Reels. They offer advanced features for professional-level edits but come with a steeper learning curve.
7. KineMaster (Free with Paid Features)
Why It’s Great for Advanced Users:
KineMaster is packed with advanced features like multi-layer video editing, chroma key (green screen), and 4K editing. You can access most features for free, but the premium version unlocks additional tools and removes the watermark.
Ease of Use: Advanced tools, but with a bit of practice, it becomes intuitive.
Learning Curve: High—you’ll need to invest time to unlock its full potential.
Customer Support: Offers good tutorials and a help section, but premium users get priority support.
Who Should Use It: Creators looking for professional-grade video editing tools.
Example: Sarah, a fitness coach, uses KineMaster to create dynamic workout videos with multiple layers, music, and text. Her Reels look like they were edited by a pro!
8. Adobe Premiere Rush (Paid, Subscription-Based)
Why It’s Great for Advanced Users:
Adobe Premiere Rush is a mobile version of Adobe’s famous Premiere Pro. It’s designed for high-quality, professional-grade video editing on the go. Unlike the free apps, this one is subscription-based, but it’s worth it for creators who need more advanced tools.
Ease of Use: Pro-grade tools with an easy-to-navigate interface.
Learning Curve: High—you’ll need some video editing knowledge to master it.
Customer Support: Adobe offers excellent customer support, including a knowledge base, tutorials, live chat, and priority support for subscribers.
Who Should Use It: Experienced creators who need professional-level editing tools and top-tier support.
Example: Joseph, a filmmaker, uses Adobe Premiere Rush to edit cinematic Reels that look sleek and professional. His high-quality edits have helped him land clients.
9. Funimate (Free with Paid Features)
Why It’s Great for Advanced Users:
Funimate is a unique app that offers creative effects, custom animations, and transitions. It’s less technical than some advanced apps but great for adding playful, eye-catching elements. The free version is good, but paid features offer extra effects and remove ads.
Ease of Use: Simple interface but lots of creative possibilities.
Learning Curve: Moderate to high—ideal for users who want to explore fun effects and custom animations.
Customer Support: Limited to community forums and basic help.
Who Should Use It: Creators who love playing with effects and want something a bit different.
Example: Yaw, a comedian, uses Funimate to add quirky animations and effects to his funny skits, making them even more entertaining for his audience.
Best All-Rounder (For Any Skill Level)
10. Canva (Free with Paid Features)
Why It’s Great for Everyone:
Canva is primarily known for graphic design, but it’s also excellent for video editing. Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, Canva offers a wide range of templates, fonts, and effects to make your Reels stand out. The basic version is free, but you can unlock more options with a subscription.
Ease of Use: User-friendly, with lots of templates for quick edits.
Learning Curve: Low to moderate—ideal for all skill levels.
Customer Support: Canva offers excellent customer support, including tutorials, live chat, and email support for premium users.
Who Should Use It: Creators who want beautiful, visually stunning Reels without spending hours on edits.
Example: Ama switched to Canva to design Reels that combine her jewelry photos with text, music, and effects. The app makes it easy to add a professional touch!
Conclusion
No matter your skill level, there’s an Instagram Reels editing app out there for you. From the quick, automatic edits of Quik to the professional-grade features of Adobe Premiere Rush, these apps can help you create stunning Reels that will keep your audience coming back for more. Many of these apps are free, but for those looking for extra features and strong customer support, upgrading to a paid version might be worth it.
Now that you know the best apps for your skill level, it’s time to get creative! Download an app that suits your needs and start experimenting today. Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, your next Instagram Reel could be the one that goes viral.
Ready to take your Reels to the next level? Share your experiences in the comments and let us know which app worked best for you!
Remember, the best app is the one that fits your unique needs. So go ahead, download one, and start creating! You never know—your next Reel could go viral. Let us know if you’d like to also use our services for expert content management, video scripts or even videos for your products and services.
