When it comes to editing video on the go, the iPad Pro has become a surprisingly capable portable workstation. But you need the right software to take advantage of its powerful hardware. In this article, we’ll explore the best video editing software options currently available for the iPad Pro. Whether you need pro-level tools for 4K projects or simple mobile apps for quick clips, there are excellent choices to fit any video editing need. Read on to see which make the cut as the best video editing software for the iPad Pro.
The iPad Pro has emerged as a surprisingly powerful portable video editing machine. With its robust CPU and GPU, large high-resolution display, and support for 4K video, Apple’s flagship tablet has the hardware capabilities to handle professional-level video editing.
While the iPad Pro doesn’t yet run full desktop applications like Final Cut Pro or Adobe Premiere, there are several excellent video editing apps that take advantage of the iPad’s strengths. These apps provide advanced editing tools and workflows optimized for touch input.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the top video editing apps available for the iPad Pro platform. We’ll look at key features, interfaces, export options, and other capabilities that make these the best choices for mobile video post-production.
Overview of the iPad Pro’s Video Editing Capabilities
- WHY IPAD PRO — iPad Pro is the ultimate iPad experience, with the astonishing performance of the M2 chip, superfast wireless connectivity, and next-generation Apple Pencil experience. Plus powerful productivity features in iPadOS.
- IPADOS + APPS — iPadOS makes iPad more productive, intuitive, and versatile. With iPadOS, run multiple apps at once, use Apple Pencil to write in any text field with Scribble, and edit and share photos. Stage Manager makes multitasking easy with resizable, overlapping apps and external display support. iPad Pro comes with essential apps like Safari, Messages, and Keynote, with over a million more apps available on the App Store.
- FAST WI-FI CONNECTIVITY — Wi-Fi 6E gives you fast wireless connections. Work from almost anywhere with quick transfers of photos, documents, and large video files.
- PERFORMANCE AND STORAGE — The 8-core CPU in the M2 chip delivers powerful performance, while the 10‑core GPU provides blazing-fast graphics. Add all-day battery life, and you can do everything you can imagine on iPad Pro. Up to 2 terabytes of storage means you can store everything from apps to large files like 4K video.
- APPLE PENCIL AND MAGIC KEYBOARD — Apple Pencil (2nd generation) transforms iPad Pro into an immersive drawing canvas and the world’s best note‑taking device. Magic Keyboard features a great typing experience and a built‑in trackpad, while doubling as a protective cover for iPad. Accessories sold separately.
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Before we dive into the apps, let’s briefly look at some of the iPad Pro’s capabilities that make it well-suited for professional video editing:
- Powerful processors: The M1 and M2 chips deliver performance rivaling many laptops. This enables smooth 4K timeline scrubbing and fast render times for effects and export.
- Large, high-resolution display: The 12.9″ screen provides ample workspace for touching-up footage and editing multicam timelines. Liquid Retina XDR displays with ProMotion provide stunning image quality.
- 4K and HDR support: iPad Pro models can record and edit 4K resolution footage at up to 60 fps. HDR capture support further expands the grading possibilities.
- USB-C connectivity: Thunderbolt 3 ports on M1 models enable fast data transfers and connectivity to external displays and storage.
- Integrated graphics: The powerful GPU baked into Apple’s chips accelerates rendering times for visual effects and color grading.
Combined with iPadOS’s touch-friendly gestures and interface, this potent blend of hardware makes the iPad Pro a true portable video editing suite. While final polish may require a desktop NLE, the iPad Pro is more than capable of handling the core edit.
Now let’s look at the top app choices for iPad video editors.
The Best Video Editing Software for iPad Pro
LumaFusion – The Top iPad Video Editor
LumaFusion is widely considered the most advanced and full-featured video editing app available for iOS/iPadOS. The professional-grade editor leverages the iPad Pro’s power with a wide range of editing tools optimized for multi-touch input.
The highlights include:
- Multitrack timeline – Stacks up to 6 video and audio tracks for multilayer editing. Easily composites visuals, titles, graphics and more.
- Effects and Transitions – Over 190 visual effects plus dozens of transitions to enhance footage. Includes basics like blur and color correction as well as more unique impacts.
- Titles and Graphics – Robust titling tool with 70 animated and static options. Draw additional graphics and shapes directly on the timeline.
- Keyframing – Keyframe animation parameters on clips, effects, audio, and more for precise control over time-based changes.
- Audio Mixer – Advanced audio mixer with level, pan, and FX control on up to 6 stereo audio tracks. Waveform visualization aides precision editing.
- 4K Export – Render out full 4K or 1080p projects with maximum quality. HDR specs also supported.
- External Monitor – View and edit timelines on a connected TV or monitor via the USB-C port.
- No Subscription – One $29.99 purchase unlocks the app’s full capabilities with no recurring subscription needed.
With this comprehensive toolset, intuitive multitouch gestures, and iPad-optimized interface, LumaFusion sets the standard for pro-level video editing on Apple’s mobile devices. While not every feature rivals Adobe Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro, LumaFusion is impressively robust given the iPad’s form factor.
For filmmakers, videographers, mobile journalists, or any video editor needing to rough cut and finesse 4K footage in the field, LumaFusion is the clear top choice for the iPad Pro platform.
Adobe Premiere Rush – Simplified Mobile Editing
Adobe targets content creators on the go with Premiere Rush, a mobile cousin to their industry-standard Premiere Pro desktop NLE. Available as a standalone app or through Creative Cloud, Rush adapts Premiere’s core timeline editing workflow into a touch-friendly package for phones and tablets.
Some key aspects of Rush:
- Easy timeline editing – Intuitive drag and drop interface with large buttons optimized for touchscreens. Smooth scrubbing and playback.
- Quick export options – Export videos optimized for different social platforms like Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, etc.
- Auto settings – Smart default effects and settings based on the destination platform. Takes the guesswork out of sizing, formats, etc.
- Titles and graphics – Various simple title templates and graphic elements to enhance videos.
- Sync with Premiere Pro – Open Rush projects in Premiere on desktop for advanced finishing. Project syncing requires Creative Cloud subscription.
- Free Starter Plan – Core app features free. Limited to 2GB storage and 3 exports per month. Full experience unlocked through paid plans starting at $9.99 per month.
Think of Rush as a “rough cut” app to quickly string together clips before passing them to Premiere Pro when back at your desktop. The streamlined interface omits advanced tools like multicam editing, detailed keyframing, and effects control offered by LumaFusion. But for quick videos destined for social media, Rush provides an easy mobile editing solution. Overall this is one of the best video editing software for iPad pro right now.
KineMaster – Multiple Video Layers
The cross-platform KineMaster editor is featured-packed for multi-layer compositing on the go. While the interface skews more toward traditional than touch-native, KineMaster packs some pro tools under the hood.
Highlights include:
- Multi-track editing – Overlay two video clips plus images, titles, stickers and more. Apply blending modes like screen, overlay, etc.
- Chroma Key – High quality keying effect for green screen work and layering footage. Includes spill suppression controls.
- 3D Transitions – Unique 3D transitions like the camera fly-through add production value.
- Precision audio editing – Advanced audio waveform visualization and envelope tools enable detailed sound editing.
- Effects and Assets – 100+ visual effects, transitions and customizable titles, shapes, stickers and speed controls.
- 4K Export – Render and export crisp 4K or 1080p videos at up to 60fps. HDR tone mapping also available.
- Pricing Tiers – Free version shows watermark. Subscription required starting at $4.99 per month to enable watermark removal, asset downloads, 4K/HDR export and other pro options.
KineMaster sports one of the more traditional track-based timelines optimized for visual layering rather than multicam editing. The toolset also provides great audio editing functionality on par with desktop video editors. While the interface involves some learning curve coming from other iPad editors, KineMaster is worth checking out for the visual compositing possibilities.
Lumafusion – Multitrack Editing Under $20
At just a $12.99 one-time purchase, Lumafusion packs a surprising amount of professional editing power into an easy to learn app. The multitrack timeline mimics desktop NLEs for precision cutting and arranging clips. Extensive color, audio, titling and effects tools round out the features.
Some key aspects of Lumafusion:
- Multitrack timeline – Stack video, images, titles and graphics on up to 6 tracks. Cut, trim, slip or slide clips with frame accuracy.
- Video effects – Over 28 video filters ranging from LUTs to blurs, glows and more. Use masks and chroma key to isolate and layer footage.
- Title editor – Customizable titles with animated text, styles, colors and layouts. Add lower thirds and credits easily.
- Audio mixer – Detailed 6-track mixer with per-clip and master controls over levels, pan and effects. Waveform display aids in audio editing.
- Sharing and Export – Export finished videos up to 4K resolution in a variety of codecs. Share directly to platforms like YouTube, Facebook and Vimeo.
- Pricing – Just a one-time $12.99 purchase fee unlocks full app capabilities. No subscriptions needed.
While not boasting every bell and whistle of LumaFusion, Lumafusion’s straightforward timeline arrangement and wealth of exporting options make this an easy to learn, yet still powerful option for crafting professional looking videos on an iPad. The lack of recurring subscription fees makes this an affordable choice for anyone.
Adobe Premiere Clip – Auto Editing
Adobe’s free Premiere Clip app provides automated editing capabilities optimized for short social media videos. Just select your clips and let Clip work its magic.
Key aspects include:
- Auto-editing – Smart-select the best moments from video clips and photos which Clip will automatically combine into a finished video.
- Effects and Titles – Thematic filters, text and graphics give videos a consistent stylized look with minimal effort.
- Aspect Ratios – Output videos in a variety of aspect ratios tailored for platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube etc.
- Audio Mixer – Balance and tweak multiple audio tracks in your project. Enhance voiceovers and soundbites.
- Sharing – Direct publish to YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and more.
- Free to Use – No watermarks or ads. Export up to 25 videos per month in HD quality. Unlimited exports require Premiere Pro subscription.
Premiere Clip excels when you want to hand off the editing to an AI assistant for quick social videos from event footage, family clips or photo slideshows. The limited control over edits and effects keeps the interface simple. But the stylish results with minimal effort make Clip a handy addition to any mobile video toolkit.
Filmmaker Pro – Grading and Keying
While designed for entry-level users, Filmmaker Pro still packs some advanced color grading and compositing options into its easy to navigate interface. The toolkit covers the basics along with a few bonuses to enhance footage.
Some highlights:
- Color Grading – Waveform and histogram make it easy to balance clips. Copy grades between clips with the Match Color feature.
- Chroma Key – High quality keying for layering footage and graphics on top of green screen video. Several controls fine tune the effect.
- 3D Titles – Lots of animated 3D text styles for eye-catching intros, lower thirds and credits.
- PIP and Split Screen – Stack clips and images with customizable picture-in-picture and side-by-side effects.
- Sharing – Export in 4K or share videos to YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Messages and more.
- Freemium – Core app is free but adds watermarks. $9.99 monthly subscription provides unlimited exports and unlocks pro options.
Aspiring content creators will appreciate Filmmaker Pro’s gentle learning curve along with standout tools like green screen keying and 3D text. While professionals may outgrow its limitations, Filmmaker Pro offers an enjoyable entry point for beginners to start crafting stylized videos on an iPhone or iPad before graduating to more advanced software.
CapCut – Mobile Video Effects
Popular TikTok effects app CapCut provides mobile-friendly templates and shortcuts for eye-catching short form videos. The straightforward interface makes enhancing footage a breeze.
Notable features include:
- Video Effects – Hundreds of stylized filters, transitions, elements and distortions tailored for vertical social content.
- Templates – Professionally designed templates with pre-arranged effects and cuts for any video style. Just drop in your own footage.
- Chroma Key – Quickly key green screen footage with customizable spill and edge controls.
- Speed Controls – Conform to platform limits by speeding up or slowing down clip speeds with one tap.
- Sharing – Export video directly into a new TikTok post for quick publishing.
- Free to Use – No watermarks on exports. Unlimited use available on iOS/Android version with optional paid subscription for more capabilities.
Influencers, vloggers and social media mavens get a quick leg up with CapCut’s arsenal of vertical video effects. The templates further speed the editing process allowing users to develop an engaging style. While CapCut doesn’t offer deep editing control, the tools focus right on enhancing social content in an efficient mobile workflow.
Inshot – Stylish Social Media Videos
One of the best free mobile editors, Inshot makes it fast and fun to edit stylish widescreen videos ideal for YouTube and social media. Quickly arrange clips, dial in the details, and add some cool effects for professional looking results.
Notable aspects include:
- Aspect ratios – Tailor videos for key platforms with support for Landscape, Portrait, Instagram and more aspect ratios.
- Extensive effects – Filter presets, animations, stickers, emojis, transitions, elements, color correction tools and more enhance videos with a unique style.
- Text editor – Easily add animated titles and credits using custom fonts, colors, layouts and movement.
- Audio features – Include voiceovers, mix and enhance multiple music tracks, and apply sound effects. Waveforms assist with audio syncing and editing.
- Free with watermark – Core app doesn’t require a subscription. $7.99 per month subscription removes watermarks and unlocks additional capabilities.
- Export and share – Download videos or share directly to leading social platforms.
Inshot’s stylish effects library speeds up editing for social media creatives who value defined brand aesthetics. The workflow lends itself well to producing consistent content calendars. While advanced editors may desire more control, Inshot’s ease of use makes it one of the best iPad video editor options for users of all experience levels.
In conclusion
The iPad Pro has come a long way as a professional-grade video editing platform thanks to its robust hardware and excellent app ecosystem. While the full capabilities of desktop NLEs like Final Cut Pro have not yet arrived on the iPad, the current selection of video editing apps provide impressive creative toolsets optimized for touch and mobility.
LumaFusion stands out as the most fully-featured pro editor with nearly all the timeline-based effects, grading and audio tools an editor could need for 4K projects. For quick social media content, Adobe Rush and Premiere Clip offer streamlined interfaces and automated smarts to get videos online fast. Apps like Lumafusion, KineMaster and PowerDirector offer surprisingly deep tools for those seeking more control. And easy to use options like Splice, CapCut and iMovie provide a gentle on-ramp for editors just getting started.
The common thread across the best iPad video editors is smooth performance, even with 4K media, and interfaces thoughtfully designed for gestural input. While some pro workflows will still require final polish on desktops, the range of mobile apps makes iPad a versatile environment for handling core editing tasks and graphics creation on the go.
As Apple’s tablets grow even more powerful, as evidenced by the new M2 iPad Pro, we should continue to see the iPad’s video editing capabilities expand. For now, creators have an excellent selection of apps that provide portable pro-grade editing potential at a range of price points and complexity levels to suit any video project.
