Although it is commonly thought that Chromebooks are good for nothing more than surfing the web, That is not the case. If you need to edit a video from your Chromebook, there are definitely some tools that can get the job done.
Of course, we are not talking about the full functionality of Adobe Premier here: Chromebooks are more useful than they are credited with, but dedicated software for Windows and Mac will remain a more powerful solution. That does not mean you need Premier (or similar), of course. If you only need to do light editing, a Chromebook is very capable. Then, if you have a super sick video of, Let's say, a guinea pig eating a banana, you can get social ready pretty easily on your Chromebook.
The best choice: PowerDirector (Android, for free / subscription)
Although Kinemaster got our pick for the most powerful video editor on Android, PowerDirector seems to work a little better on a Chromebook. The design is very similar to what you would get from a full desktop editor and looks like “feel” a little better with a mouse.
If you have ever used the computer version of PowerDirector, you will already be familiar with the interface; it is very similar, just on a less solid scale. You can trim video clips, add audio, add slow motion effects (and others) and more. It uses a very intuitive drag and drop interface that works very well with both touch and mouse.
You can try PowerDirector for free, but to make the most of it, you will have to pay a subscription fee: $ 4,99 a month, $ 9,99 for three months or $ 34,99 year. It is important to note if you plan to edit videos from your Chromebooks.
The most powerful option: KineMaster (Android, for free / subscription)
The fact that you do not get the choice of “best option” it doesn't mean we can ignore KineMaster totally. Actually, is more powerful, which means it has more functions, that PowerDirector. But the interface is a bit more confusing and doesn't seem to translate to a larger Chromebook screen as well as PowerDirector..
Having said this, if most of the features you can get from a single package is your end game here, definitely important to note take a look at KineMaster. You can add multiple layers and effects, crop by frame, add audio, adjust lighting and more. It has a great impact, especially for an editor “mobile”.
Despite this, same way as PowerDirector, you will have to pay for this type of functionality. Costs $ 4,99 per month or $ 39,99 year, which makes it more expensive than PowerDirector for annual subscription. Despite this, if you like watermarks and ads, you can use KineMaster without paying.
The best web-based option: WeVideo (for free / payment)
If your Chromebook doesn't have access to Android apps, so the first two options on our list don't really help, truth? Do not worry, we also have something for you: WeVideo. It's probably the most desktop-like option on the entire list; since it is in the browser, it is not restricted to the same limitations as a mobile app.
WeVideo offers a no-cost tier that enables you to do simple things like trim clips and the like., but it's pretty limited beyond that. As an example, videos are restricted to 480p and you are only allowed to produce posts worth five minutes each month.
Despite this, there are paid tiers that offer more flexibility: level “Power” from $ 4,99 / month will give 30 minutes of post time, at the same time increasing the resolution to a modest 720p. It also opens the door to other editing tools and WeVideo enhancements., like slow motion, green screen, voice over and much more.
If you still need more, there are options of $ 7,99, $ 17,99 and $ 29,99 (per month) that remove most of the limitations found at the lower levels. Even so, they are quite expensive for what you get: if your device has access to Android apps, you better at least start there.
Best for trimming clips: Google Photos (Android, for free)
If all you want to do is record a video and nothing else, Google Photos is your best option. Unfortunately, the web version does not offer video editing, so you will need the android app. Beyond that, trimming the video is very easy. No need for apps or additional costs to do something so simple.
RELATED: Best Photo Editors for Chromebooks
