Editing videos with your mobile can be somewhat complicated, but thanks to the advances in apps, it is becoming more comfortable and simple. Among these apps there are two that stand out above the rest: iMovie, the app created by Apple; and Splice, one of the most downloaded from the App Store. In this post we analyze both.
Why edit videos with mobile?
There are many times when you record videos on a trip with friends or concerts and want to provide a more special and personalized video to upload to the networks or share it with friends. The possibility of having it at the moment makes editing with the mobile one of the best options to have it almost at the moment. It is true that some precision can be lost when doing some things, but it is the best way to have the video instantly. Another advantage is that if you have the videos on your mobile, they will not lose quality when transferred to another device.
Many of the mobile phones already have some integrated editing apps, but not all of them offer the best features. In the case of the iPhone, the app that comes is already iMovie. If you have a Mac it will sound familiar to you, since it also comes on the computers of the Cupertino company. But this app has a serious competitor, and it is Silica, an application that is available in the App Store and that has more and more downloads and more users.
Principal functions
If we compare these two apps, we have to start with the most fundamental features for video editing. These include sound and image editing, which are the most important tools in video editing.
Sound editing
It is perhaps one of the most important points to edit video. iMovie has complete and advanced features for editing audio, such as audio mixer, audio noise, or audio equalizer. In addition, the app has over 200 built-in filters that can be applied to transition and overlay audio and videos with ease and seamlessness. Without a doubt, more than enough and complete features.
When it comes to Splice, you can choose from a huge variety of music and sound effects, or use a song from your own iTunes collection (subject to iTunes terms). You can add voiceover or custom sound effects with the built-in voice recorder. It also offers the ability to precisely trim and mix multiple audio tracks.
Video edition
iMovie can apply different video effects to a clip. Includes video cropping and stabilization, adding transitions and color adjustments. The video editor can also edit multiple clips at the same time, as well as change audio properties.
With Splice you can add title slides, text overlays and a custom closing. You can also adjust the playback speed to get fast or slow motion. Of course, you will be able to trim, cut and reframe the video clips as well as choose the transition style and their speed.
Filter Application
iMovie includes effects that can change the look of your clips. If you want a particular look, use a default filter, such as B&W (black and white) or Sepia. Also, on any photo in your iMovie project, you can set the Ken Burns effect to pan and zoom the camera in or out of the image.
Regarding Splice, you will be able to apply a large number of filters without much complication, in addition to being able to adjust the background colors and the orientation of the image. It also offers the possibility of overlaying photos or videos and applying masks to achieve incredible and high-quality custom effects.
Chromakey
Perhaps for mobile editing this point is not one of the most relevant since it is better to edit this type of thing with a computer. However, with iMovie you can edit. To do this you will have to record a video with your any camera in front of a green or blue screen. If the subject of your video is green or has green, shoot in front of a blue background. If the subject of your video is blue or wears blue, shoot in front of a green background. You can edit it by clicking on the settings, and once there you will see the Green Screen option. Once there you will only have to choose the background photo and drag it. In a few seconds you will have the background you wanted.
With Splice you can also remove the background, and the procedure is very similar. If you have a video recorded with a green or blue background, in a few steps you can have the background you want. In this aspect, the two applications more than meet to be an edition made from the mobile.
Other features
In addition to the more technical features, there are others that also influence users when opting for one option or another. We are talking then about features that are not so important when editing, but when using them.
Price
This is where you see the big difference between the two apps. While iMovie is completely free, Splice only has a 7-day free trial. Once those days are over, you will have to pay, either a weekly or annual subscription, or pay each time you use any of the app’s tools.
However, iMovie does not have any paid features. It is true that it falls short in some aspects, but without a doubt it is a very good option to edit videos without spending a euro. If you want an app that has more tools, you can buy FinalCut, but this is a work tool for professionals.
Interface
iMovie has a minimalist interface that puts the most essential elements in places where you can easily find them. Once you open the app, you will see two tabs representing Media and Projects. On the left tab, you will find the option to start a new movie editing or trailer editing project.
Regarding Splice, its interface is also simple but somewhat less intuitive. The buttons and tools can be confusing, but once you get used to it, you won’t have any problems using it or having to search for where each tool is.
Share the videos
Exporting videos from iMovie is very easy. There are three basic ways to export your movie: finish the project, save your video in a specific format like QuickTime or in your Finder; and export your video to a social network like YouTube or Facebook.
With Splice you can share the videos directly on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Mail, Messages, etc. or also save them directly in the photo library. In a very simple and intuitive way you can have your creations in a few minutes on your mobile or on the social network you want.
this is the best
Although the two editors have many very similar features and have very good tools, it should be noted that iMovie is somewhat above. One of the main differences is in the price, and that is that with the app developed by Apple you won’t have to pay and you can still enjoy everything it offers.
Also, if you have an Apple ecosystem, it will be much easier for you to use this app, since it is in line with the Cupertino company, and with your iCloud account you can have all the files on your devices anywhere.
