What are the best smartphone and tablet video editing apps?

Some video editing apps fare better than others though and not all are cross-platform.

Mandy News investigates which smartphone video editing apps might be good for you.

Luma Fusion – iOS – £19.99
Luma Fusion is exclusive to iOS and unless you have a device with a larger screen – like the larger Plus or iPad – the interface might be a bit fiddly. But that's where the negatives end because this is, without a doubt, the most full-equipped mobile editing solution you could hope for. Things like multi-track editing, titles, audio editing, transitions, FX – things you take for granted on a desktop editing suite but aren't always available on smartphone video editing apps – are present. 

Because Luma Fusion is so well optimised for iOS, FX can be added to 4K footage and played back without lengthy render times – something some desktop editing software can't do. Luma Fusion is expensive for an app, but when its functions are compared to full-price desktop editing suites, it's worth every penny and even makes Apple's own iMovie look malnourished when it comes to features.

Adobe Premier Clip – iOS/Android – Free
Adobe is a big name in digital media and its video editing desktop app Adobe Premiere Pro is fast becoming the go-to for prosumers and professionals alike. Adobe's mobile video editing app Adobe Premiere Clip is a very pared down editing app – it's functional but not exactly brimming with features. If you've ever used Adobe Photoshop Sketch it's very much the same deal. That said, it is free and cross-platform, so if you don't want to take the leap into dropping a wad of cash on a mobile app, then Adobe Premier Clip might be a good starting point.

iMovie – iOS – Free
While iMovie isn't the most feature-packed smartphone and tablet video editor out there, neither is its desktop counterpart. With both it's possible to feel a little locked into Apple's architecture which – if you don't have anything particularly complex to accomplish – isn't necessarily a bad thing. If you're familiar with the iMovie desktop app then getting to grips with the mobile version won't be too difficult. This app is mainly recommended for simple edits that won't require multiple tracks of video. If that's all you need it for, then go for it. It's free and straightforward to use!

FilmoraGo – iOS/Android – Free
FilmoraGo is a cross-platform editor with a couple of fancy tricks up its sleeve. It doesn't have a traditional timeline – as other video editors do – but the app does allow you to import multiple clips and trim them to your liking. FilmoraGo also brings an interesting feature to the table – importing from social media – and a number of graphics options. The motion graphics and titles are slick and – if used in conjunction with another video editing app – FilmoraGo could be a powerful tool in your arsenal.

VivaVideo – iOS/Android – Free
VivaVideo's added bonus is that it comes with a built-in camera app, which allows you to bypass the importing of footage. This way all video files are arranged inside the app and you can see what you're working with easily. The app offers a quick mode and a pro mode, allowing you to either make a montage of a collection of clips, or go into more detail, trimming your clips and using transitions and FX, which you can download as separate add-ons.

If you are looking for freelance work as an editor you can find jobs on Mandy Crew UK.