InShot vs Filmora: Which Video Editor Fits Your Needs?

If you’re diving into video editing on your smartphone or computer, you’ve discovered two popular apps: InShot and Filmora. Both are user-friendly and packed with features but cater to slightly different needs. Whether you’re a casual creator looking to polish your social media posts or an aspiring filmmaker aiming for more advanced edits, choosing the right tool is crucial.

In this comparison, we’ll explain what makes InShot and Filmora stand out, helping you decide which best fits your style and goals. 

Let’s dive in to find which app is right for you!

InShot-vs-Filmora

Ultimate Showdown: InShot vs Filmora


Two names frequently come up for beginners and intermediate users in video editing: InShot and Filmora. Both tools have carved out significant niches in the market, offering unique features tailored to different user needs. Whether editing a quick social media post or creating more complex video projects, choosing between these two apps can be challenging.

Platform Availability and Accessibility


InShot:

InShot is primarily a mobile video editing app on iOS and Android platforms. It’s designed for users who want to edit videos on the go, making it perfect for social media influencers, vloggers, and anyone who needs a quick and straightforward editing tool. The app’s user interface is intuitive, with drag-and-drop functionality that makes it easy for beginners to edit immediately.

While it’s convenient for quick edits, the mobile-only approach can be limiting for users who need more advanced features or prefer editing on a larger screen.

Filmora:

Filmora, on the other hand, offers both desktop and mobile versions, catering to a broader audience. The desktop version is available for Windows and macOS, while the mobile app, FilmoraGo, is available on iOS and Android.

This cross-platform availability means users can start a project on their phone and finish it on their desktop, making Filmora a more versatile choice for those who need flexibility in their editing workflow.

User Interface


InShot:

InShot’s interface is designed with simplicity in mind. The app features a clean, minimalistic design that makes it easy for users to find the necessary tools without being overwhelmed by options. Essential editing functions like trimming, cutting, adding music, and applying filters are easily accessible.

This straightforward approach is excellent for beginners or those who need to edit videos quickly. However, the simplicity of InShot means it lacks some of the advanced editing features found in more robust software, which might be a drawback for users seeking more creative control.

Filmora:

Filmora’s interface balances simplicity and power. The desktop version offers a more traditional video editing layout, with a timeline, media library, and various editing tools. Despite its more extensive feature set, Filmora remains user-friendly, with drag-and-drop functionality and an intuitive design that doesn’t require a steep learning curve.

FilmoraGo, the mobile version, simplifies this interface further for on-the-go editing but still provides more features than InShot, such as multi-layer video editing and more advanced transitions. For users who want an easy-to-use platform with room to grow, Filmora is a solid choice.

Features and Capabilities


InShot:

InShot shines in its ability to produce polished videos, especially for social media, quickly. It offers a range of essential editing tools like trimming, splitting, and merging clips, along with text overlays, stickers, and filters. You can also adjust video speed, add music from your library, and apply fundamental transitions.

InShot supports various aspect ratios, making it perfect for Instagram stories, YouTube videos, and TikTok content. However, it needs more advanced features like keyframing, color grading, and multi-layer editing, which can limit its utility for more complex projects.

Filmora:

Filmora is packed with features catering to beginners and more experienced editors. The desktop version offers advanced tools like keyframing, motion tracking, and green screen effects. It also provides a wide range of transitions, filters, and text effects that can be customized to fit your project’s needs.

Filmora’s audio editing capabilities are more sophisticated than InShot’s, with options for audio keyframing, noise removal, and advanced mixing. Additionally, Filmora offers built-in effects libraries, including titles, lower thirds, and animations, giving users more creative freedom.

Price


InShot:

InShot operates on a freemium model, offering basic features for free with watermarks on exported videos. Users can remove the watermark and access premium features by purchasing a one-time payment or subscribing to the InShot Pro plan. The pricing is relatively affordable, making it an attractive option for casual users or those who need a budget-friendly editing solution.

Filmora:

Filmora also offers a free version, but like InShot, it adds a watermark to exported videos. The paid versions of Filmora are more expensive than InShot, with options for a one-time purchase or annual subscription. However, the cost is justified by the vast array of features available, especially in the desktop version.

Filmora’s pricing is geared towards users who need more advanced tools and are willing to invest in a comprehensive editing solution.

Usage


InShot:

InShot has a large and active user community, especially among social media content creators. The app is supported by various tutorials and user-generated content online, making it easy to find help and inspiration. However, official support is limited compared to larger software suites.

Filmora:

Filmora benefits from extensive official support, including tutorials, user forums, and a comprehensive knowledge base. The software also has a large user community, with many YouTube tutorials and courses available for desktop and mobile versions. This makes it easier for users to learn and fully utilise the software’s capabilities.

Performance and Stability


InShot:

As a mobile app, InShot generally performs well on most devices, providing smooth editing experiences for straightforward projects. However, performance can vary depending on the device’s processing power and available storage, potentially affecting the smoothness of editing and exporting high-resolution videos.

Filmora:

Filmora’s performance is typically robust on desktop systems with sufficient hardware. It handles complex edits and high-resolution videos efficiently, provided your system meets the recommended specifications. The desktop version’s stability is generally high, though performance can be impacted by the complexity of the project and the system’s capabilities.

Advanced Features and Use Cases


InShot:

For expert-level editing, InShot’s capabilities are somewhat limited. It excels in straightforward, quick edits but lacks advanced features required for detailed video production, such as motion graphics, advanced compositing, and in-depth color grading. It is best suited for users who need a mobile tool for creating engaging content with minimal fuss.

Filmora:

Filmora stands out for its extensive range of advanced features. Its desktop version includes tools like dynamic zoom, advanced color correction, and video stabilization. The inclusion of motion graphics and 3D LUTs provides options for professional-level video production. Filmora’s ability to handle multi-layered projects and integrate with third-party plugins offers further flexibility for sophisticated video edits.

Export Options


InShot:

InShot offers basic export options with a range of resolutions up to 4K. The app allows users to adjust video quality and aspect ratios, making it suitable for various social media platforms. However, export options are relatively straightforward, with limited control over advanced settings such as bitrate, frame rate, and codec selection. The focus is on providing quick, high-quality exports optimized for social media sharing.

Filmora:

Filmora provides extensive export options, including support for various resolutions, frame rates, and codecs. Users can export videos in formats optimized for different platforms, including high-definition and 4K resolutions. Filmora’s advanced export settings allow for precise control over video quality and file size, including options for adjusting bitrate and choosing specific codecs. This flexibility is ideal for users who need to tailor their exports for specific purposes, such as professional presentations or high-quality archival.

Frequently Asked Questions

InShot is a mobile-first video editing app designed for quick, easy edits on smartphones, ideal for social media content. It offers basic editing tools, simple user interface, and direct social media integration but lacks advanced features found in more professional software. Filmora, on the other hand, provides a comprehensive editing experience across both desktop and mobile platforms. It supports advanced tools like multi-layer editing, keyframing, and motion tracking, making it suitable for both casual and professional users who need more control and flexibility.

For professional video editing, Filmora is the better choice. It offers a wide range of advanced features such as motion tracking, color grading, and multi-layer editing that are crucial for high-quality production work. Filmora’s desktop version also supports various third-party plugins and integrates with other creative tools, enhancing its capability for complex projects. InShot is more suited for casual users needing quick edits and simple features, and it does not provide the advanced functionalities required for professional-grade work.

InShot is primarily available for mobile devices (iOS and Android), and it does not have a desktop version, which limits its use to smartphones and tablets. Filmora offers a cross-platform experience, with both desktop versions (for Windows and macOS) and a mobile app (FilmoraGo for iOS and Android). This allows users to start a project on one device and continue editing on another, providing flexibility and convenience across different platforms.

InShot operates on a freemium model, offering basic features for free with watermarks on exported videos. Users can remove the watermark and access additional features through a one-time payment or subscription to the InShot Pro plan, which is relatively affordable. Filmora also offers a free version with watermarking but has a higher pricing structure. Users can choose between a one-time purchase for lifetime access or an annual subscription, which provides access to more advanced features and regular updates. Filmora’s pricing reflects its broader range of tools and capabilities compared to InShot.

Conclusion

Choosing between InShot and Filmora depends on your specific needs and experience level. If you need a simple, mobile-first solution for quick edits, especially for social media, InShot is a great option. It’s affordable, easy to use, and perfect for creating polished videos on the go. 

On the other hand, if you’re looking for more advanced features, cross-platform flexibility, and the ability to grow your editing skills, Filmora offers a more comprehensive solution. With its user-friendly tools and interface, Filmora is ideal for those who want to take their video editing to the next level.