Which is the best app to add music to video?
Editing videos on mobile devices has become extremely popular in recent years. With the rise of social media apps like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, people are creating and sharing short videos more than ever before. A key part of video creation is adding music – the right background track can elevate the video and elicit emotional responses from viewers.
The purpose of this article is to provide an overview and comparison of the top mobile apps for adding music to videos. With so many options available, it can be difficult to determine which app best fits your needs and budget as an amateur video creator. We will evaluate the features and capabilities of leading editing apps to recommend the best one for music integration.
Background
Video editing has a long history, beginning in the late 1800s with filmmakers physically cutting and splicing together strips of film to edit their movies. This manual process continued until 1956 when Ampex introduced the first video tape recorder, allowing editors to instantly replay and rerecord footage electronically. The 1980s saw the introduction of non-linear editing systems that used computers instead of tape to digitally edit video, revolutionizing the editing process.
In recent decades, mobile apps have made video editing possible for anyone with a smartphone. Easy-to-use apps like Quik, Splice, and iMovie put powerful editing tools directly in users’ pockets. Mobile video editing apps allow creators to edit on the go and share their videos instantly with the world. The rise of mobile video editing has democratized the video creation process.
Criteria for Evaluation
When evaluating the best app to add music to video, there are several key criteria:
Ease of Use – The app should have an intuitive and user-friendly interface that makes it simple to add music, even for beginners. Complicated controls or a steep learning curve will reduce accessibility.
Available Music Options – The selection of songs, sound effects, and original scores included in the app is important. More options allow users to find the perfect music to fit their video. Built-in music libraries, ability to import music files, and integration with streaming services are ideal features.
Editing Features – Capabilities like trimming audio, adjusting volume, syncing to video, and audio mixing give greater precision when incorporating music. Advanced tools like keyframe volume editing and ducking allow seamless audio integration.
Adobe Premiere Rush
Adobe Premiere Rush is a video editing app created by Adobe that allows users to easily edit videos on mobile devices as well as desktops. It provides advanced editing tools in an accessible way for beginners while still offering features useful for professionals.
Some key features of Premiere Rush include:
- Multi-track timeline for audio, video, graphics and more
- Custom motion graphics templates
- Automatic syncing between mobile and desktop
- Integrated sharing to leading social platforms
Adobe Premiere Rush works on iOS, Android, and Windows devices, and files can be transferred seamlessly between them. According to a PCMag review, Premiere Rush “packs a surprising amount of power” despite its simplified interface.
On the downside, Premiere Rush lacks some advanced features like multicam editing and complex audio tools. It’s best for relatively basic projects compared to the full Premiere Pro software. However, its straightforward workflow makes Rush very accessible for new users.
Adobe Premiere Rush is available on a subscription basis at $9.99 per month for individuals. There are also team and enterprise plans available for volume licensing. Overall, it provides a nice middle ground between basic mobile editing apps and professional software suites.
Quik
Quik by GoPro is a free video editing app available for iOS and Android devices. It allows you to easily create professional-looking videos in just a few taps (source).
Some pros of Quik include its simple and intuitive interface, handy editing features like trimming and speed controls, options to add music and effects, and automatic editing options that cut together videos for you. Quik also makes it easy to share videos directly to social media. The app is designed specifically for use with GoPro cameras, providing remote control features and seamless importing from GoPros.
In terms of downsides, Quik offers only basic editing capabilities compared to more advanced mobile video editors. There are limited controls over transitions, titles, audio, color correction and more. Quik also has fewer audio track options compared to apps like Splice. Being tied to the GoPro ecosystem can be a limitation for those wanting more flexible importing and exporting options.
The Quik app is available for free on iOS and Android, providing a handy and user-friendly option for basic GoPro video editing. For more advanced editing capabilities, other apps may be better suited.
Splice
Splice (iOS, Android) is a free video editing app that makes it easy to combine videos, photos, and music. Splice allows you to trim clips, split videos, add filters and text, and more.
Some of the pros of Splice are that it has an intuitive interface, various filters and effects, the ability to add music and adjust audio, and basic editing tools like trimming and splitting clips. The app can export videos at up to 1080p resolution.
Some cons are that Splice offers limited advanced editing capabilities compared to desktop programs. There are also ads in the free version. While the app is free, some additional content like sound effects require in-app purchases.
Splice is an excellent option for quick and easy video editing directly on your mobile device. The free version provides enough features for basic editing needs, while the costs remain low even if you decide to unlock additional capabilities.
VivaVideo
VivaVideo is a popular video editing app developed by QuVideo Inc. It is available for free on iOS and Android devices, with additional paid features available through subscription plans.
VivaVideo provides a full-featured video editing suite, allowing users to trim, splice, and rearrange clips, add filters, text, music, and more. The app has an easy-to-use interface with touch editing capabilities optimized for mobile devices.
Some of the key pros of VivaVideo include:
- Extensive editing tools like trimming, splicing, transitions, effects, overlays, and more
- Pre-designed themes and editing templates for quick video creation
- Built-in music library and ability to import songs from device
- Social sharing capabilities to platforms like YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, etc.
Potential downsides to consider:
- Requires subscription for access to all premium features
- Contains ads in the free version
- Can be resource intensive on older/less powerful devices
VivaVideo offers both a free version and paid subscription plans. The free version provides access to core editing tools, while the paid “Pro” subscription unlocks additional features like advanced filters, no watermark, and 4K exporting. Subscription plans start at $3.99 per month.
KineMaster
KineMaster is a full-featured video editing app for Android and iOS devices. Some key things to know about KineMaster:
Overview: KineMaster provides a timeline-based editing interface that allows you to combine and arrange videos, images, text, effects, and more. It offers advanced tools like multi-layer video, chroma key, speed control, transitions, and audio mixing. The app supports 4K video editing.
Pros:
- Intuitive and powerful editing features
- Support for multiple video layers and audio tracks
- Huge library of effects, overlays, fonts, and transition options
- Chroma key for green screen-style effects
- Speed control to create slow motion or fast motion videos
Cons:
- Free version adds KineMaster watermark
- Subscription required to remove watermark and access some features
- Can be complex for beginners
Cost: KineMaster has both free and paid subscription options. The free version includes the core editing tools but adds a watermark. Paid monthly subscriptions start at $4.99 per month and allow removing the watermark plus access to additional assets and tools.
Comparison & Recommendations
When comparing video editing apps to add music, the top options are Adobe Premiere Rush and Quik.
Adobe Premiere Rush is the best overall video editing app that allows you to combine video clips, add music and effects, and publish your videos to social media. It has advanced editing capabilities like audio mixing, color correction, graphics, and animation. The interface is intuitive and it integrates seamlessly with other Adobe apps. However, Premiere Rush does require a paid subscription after a free trial period.
Quik is the best free option for simple music video creation. It has a streamlined interface where you just select videos/photos and music, and Quik will automatically edit them together. The Smart Cut feature detects faces, scenes, and highlights to create an engaging video. Quik also has various styles, filters, and text/title options to customize your video. The main drawback is the lack of manual editing capabilities.
Overall, for professional-level music video production with precise editing control, Adobe Premiere Rush is highly recommended. But Quik is the top free mobile app for quickly assembling music videos in just a few taps.
Conclusion
When looking for the best app to add music to videos, there are a few key factors to consider. Ease of use, available features, quality of exports, and cost should all be evaluated when deciding on the right app for your needs.
Of the apps discussed, Adobe Premiere Rush stands out as the most full-featured option, though it does require a paid subscription. For those looking for a free alternative, Quik or VivaVideo offer solid capabilities as well. Ultimately, the “best” app depends on your specific use case and budget.
Adding music can greatly enhance the quality of videos, setting the right mood and tone. With so many options now available on both desktop and mobile, it’s easier than ever to take videos to the next level with a complementary music track or score. Take the time to explore the various apps covered here, and you’ll be able to find the one that fits your creative vision.