There's no need to head to a Mac or PC to create a custom movie using photos, music, and video. As iOS hardware continues to become more powerful and get closer to a true computer, there are a plethora of video editing apps that allow you to edit and create a video from different media files.

We're highlighting a number of mostly free video editing app choices for your iPhone or iPad.

1. iMovie

iMovie Settings iPhone

Any list of free iOS video editing apps wouldn't be complete without Apple's iMovie. The app should be your first choice for editing on an iPhone or iPad. While the interface might look overwhelming at first, it offers a number of powerful features and is as close to a desktop-class video editor you can find on an iOS device.

There are two major features to take advantage of. The surprisingly powerful editor allows you to select from eight themes complete with matching titles, transitions, and music. Additionally, the app offers 10 different filters to select from. You can create a movie's soundtrack using built-in music and sound effects, music from your library, or even your own narration.

If you're looking for something different, iMovie has a great feature to help you make Hollywood-style movie trailers with included graphics and scores.

You can save or share both types of movies in 4K or 1080p at 60FPS. Make sure to take a look at our great guide to editing videos on iPhone, which includes a number of iMovie tips.

Download: iMovie (Free)

2. VITA

VITA ticks off all the boxes for anyone needing a full-fledged and powerful iPhone video editor that has no in-app purchases or subscriptions.

While you can choose to start a brand-new project, there are also a number of pre-made templates ready to select to make video creation even easier. There is a wide variety of categories to choose from, and you can even see how many other members of the community used the different templates.

Other great features include the ability to add sped-up and add slow-motion videos, apply filters for color grading, and collage and overlay videos with picture-in-picture.

And when you’re done, export the results in full HD quality.

Download: VITA (Free)

3. KineMaster

Kinemaster Main Editing Screen

KineMaster is a great way to craft videos with a host of editing tools and other features for free. To begin, you can start a project with a number of aspect ratios, everything from the cinematic 16:9 to the Instagram-perfect 1:1.

Then it's time to add transitions, text, music, and more to the video with an easy-to-use interface. You can combine multiple layers of video, images, stickers, special effects, text, and handwriting in the final result. A number of video assets are included to use for free.

To help craft immersive audio, you can take advantage of EQ presets, ducking, and volume envelope tools. Videos can be edited and exported at up to 4K 60FPS.

You’ll need a subscription to remove the watermark from completed videos and unlock a number of additional tool presets. You’ll also receive access to additional assets to use with videos, like backgrounds.

Make sure to read our comprehensive primer on how to edit videos on your iPhone with KineMaster.

Download: KineMaster (Free, subscription available)

4. PowerDirector

PowerDirector Editing

For a top-notch option that can easily edit and export 4K video, give PowerDirector a try. One of the best features is the ability to fix shaky cam footage with a video stabilizer. You can also create fun intros with animated titles. And to make your audio stand out, give the voice changer a try. Replace the background with a green screen editor for an unlimited number of great possibilities.

Other features include the ability to combine pictures and video into one clip and to add text or animated titles to videos. After editing, it’s easy to upload to both YouTube and Facebook for maximum exposure.

The free download offers limited functionality. To make the most use of the app, you’ll need a subscription. That brings 4K video, customized text styles, use of more than 3 million videos from Shutterstock, and more.

Download: PowerDirector (Free, in-app purchases and subscription available)

5. Videorama Video Editor

Videorama is another solid video editor. After opening the app, you can pick from three different video orientations: landscape, portrait, or square. The square size is perfect for Instagram.

Easily the app's best feature is its ability to download free videos and photos from Pixabay. It also allows you to download video effects, sound effects, and copyright-free music.

On the editing timeline, you'll see the usual array of editing tools at the bottom including adding text, photos, music, and filters. Tapping the video slider at the top reveals four more tools. These include options to edit the clip, remove it, duplicate it, and add different transition effects.

The free version of the app allows you to create short 720p videos with a Videorama watermark. You can pay for a monthly subscription to unlock all the features of the app. That will remove the watermark, provide access to premium content and features, allow you to create 1080p and 60FPS videos, and give you the ability to share content longer than three minutes.

Download: Videorama Video Editor (Free, in-app purchases available)

6. Adobe Premiere Rush

Made for content creators, Adobe Premiere Rush is a great option for both iPhone and iPad users. To make it easy, you can use the app’s camera functionality to capture video and then start editing in the same app.

Drag-and-drop editing allows you to arrange videos, audio, and more how you want it. You can also use multiple video tracks for more flexibility. It’s also easy to create pan and zoom effects for images with just a single click.

With the free version, you can edit and use effects, customize animated titles for videos, and add soundtracks from a free library. You can also take advantage of unlimited video exporting. A subscription will unlock all the app’s features and content including advanced audio tools and a premium content library. You will also be able to sync projects across mobile and desktop.

Download: Adobe Premiere Rush (Free, subscription available)

7. FilmoraGo

Just for the iPhone, FilmoraGo offers tons of video editing options to showcase your creativity. A great timeline view makes it simple to juggle multiple videos and trim, split, duplicate, and more.

The app offers royalty-free music and built-in sound effects to add even more to a video. You can also record your own unique voiceovers. For even more fun, the app supports filters and text overlays. And you can add multiple layers of effects to a single video. When you’re feeling adventurous, you can use the app to record video with both the front and rear camera simultaneously with a modern iPhone. There are also video filters available for retouching.

You can try out the app for free. But to make use of all the features, you’ll need a subscription. Subscribers can make use of multiple layers, videos of unlimited length filters, and much more.

Download: FilmoraGo (Free, in-app purchases and subscription available)

8. InShot

Whether you're creating the perfect video for Instagram or anywhere else, InShot features the tools you need. Some of the best features allow you to add the perfect soundtrack to your video. The app allows you to add your own music or you can even select from sound effects or a voiceover. It's easy to sync the sound and video.

For the video, you can add text, emojis, and even animated stickers while also adding a stable of filters and effects.

A subscription will give you access to all paid transitions, effects, stickers, and more. You'll also be able to export video without a watermark and use the app ad-free. If you'd rather not subscribe, there are a number of in-app purchases available to unlock additional filter and effect packs and to remove the watermark and advertisements.

Download: InShot (Free, in-app purchases and subscription available)

9. Videoshop

Another great free video editing app for your iPhone is Videoshop. The interface is easy to use for even the most inexperienced video editor. To start, you can import a video, shoot directly from the app, or even import a snippet of popular viral videos.

To make it simple during editing, you can customize the toolbars to show only the tools you select. On a video, you can trim and split videos into multiple clips while adjusting with a wide variety of tools. Along with music for an audio track, you can add sound effects or even record your own voiceover.

A subscription will unlock a number of additional features. Some of those include removing watermarks on exported video, 4K video export, additional filters and transitions, and more.

You can also unlock the entire app for a one-time purchase. There are also standalone purchases available to remove watermarks and for the impose tool.

Download: Videoshop (Free, in-app purchases and subscription available)

10. Magisto Video Editor & Maker

With a focus on social media, Magisto takes all the difficulty out of creating a perfect video. The app handles all the editing itself. Using AI, the editor combines video, photos, music, text, effects, and filters.

After selecting a specific editing style like caring moments, memories, or travel, it's time to import all the necessary media files. Next, there are a number of different songs to select from, including everything from rock to cinematic scores. You can also choose a specific tune from a music library.

The free version will support movies as long as two minutes and 30 seconds. There are two subscription types—Professional and Premium.

Download: Magisto Video Editor & Maker (Free, subscription available)

11. Clips

It shouldn’t come as a surprise, but Apple has yet another great way to edit and create great videos with Clips. The iPhone and iPad app allow you to create both vertical and horizontal videos to share. You can easily import videos and photos from your library to get started and even record from the app.

To a video, you can add fun touches like emoji, speech bubbles, illustrated stickers, and much more, with just a few steps. The app features more than 100 soundtracks that will automatically adjust to the length of your video. You can also add a music track from your library.

The final results can quickly be sent to others through email or text message or posted to social media sites like Instagram. Thanks to iCloud sync, you can view and edit videos on all of your iOS devices.

Download: Clips (Free)

Ready, Set, Create With These Video Editing Apps

It's so simple and quick to capture a photo or video with an iPhone or iPad. But most of us probably have a huge number of media files sitting on our devices that we'll never watch again. Using one of these free video editing apps, you can create a film to help enjoy those memories over and over.