The Best Clip Editing Apps for Short-Form Video in 2025

Free Options

CapCut — The go-to for most clippers. Free, powerful, and available on iOS and Android. Excellent auto-captions, templates, and TikTok-native export.

DaVinci Resolve (Desktop) — Professional-grade free editor for clippers who prefer working on a computer. Steep learning curve but unmatched quality.

iMovie (iOS/Mac) — Apple's free editor works great for quick clips. Limited but reliable.

Paid Options

Adobe Premiere Rush — Great for clippers who already use Adobe products. Solid mobile and desktop sync.

Final Cut Pro (Mac) — The standard for serious creators on Mac. One-time purchase, no subscription.

Key Features to Look For

• Auto-captions: Captions dramatically increase watch time. CapCut and Premiere Rush both excel here.
• Aspect ratio presets: 9:16 for TikTok/Reels, 1:1 for Instagram feed.
• Speed control: Slow-motion and speed ramps make clips more dynamic.
• Sound library: Access to trending audio boosts discoverability.

Our Recommendation

For most clippers starting out: CapCut. It's free, constantly updated with trending features, and has everything you need to produce high-quality clips that perform well on Clippers.