10 Best YouTube Shorts Apps: Editing, Recording & AI (2026)
10 Best YouTube Shorts Apps: Editing, Recording & AI (2026)
Discover the best YouTube Shorts apps for seamless editing, recording, and AI features in 2026. We review each platform and share bonus tips!
Last Updated: December 23, 2025
10 min read
Reviewed by Ortal Hadad
by Kendall Breitman
YouTube Shorts are a great way to tap into an audience that’s hungry for short-form content. If you’ve got an existing YouTube following, Shorts are also very effective at funneling viewers from your short to long-form content. The trick is mastering gripping and engaging short-form videos - which is actually a lot easier said than done.
Fortunately, with the right tools to help you and a bit of practice, you’ll be a Shorts master in no time. Here’s your ultimate guide to the best YouTube Shorts apps that’ll streamline and simplify your creation process.
What is YouTube Shorts?
Let’s start by looking at what YouTube Shorts actually are. You might have seen them pop up on your screen while browsing YouTube. Shorts are YouTube’s version of TikToks or Instagram Reels. Essentially, vertical short-form videos that you can scroll through on a TikTok or Instagram-like feed. Unlike Instagram and TikTok though, YouTube shorts have a limit of 60 seconds maximum.
What should you use to make YouTube Shorts?
You can make YouTube Shorts using all kinds of different apps. You can keep your workflow in one place by shooting, editing, and uploading it from the YouTube app itself. Alternatively, you can use a dedicated video-making app or platform to give yourself more freedom when it comes to how you record it and what it ends up looking like. Though it’s tempting to keep everything within the YouTube interface, opting for third-party apps opens up your video making capabilities, gives you access to better features, and can result in higher-quality videos.
Best Apps for YouTube Shorts on PC and mobile devices
If you’re creating YouTube shorts on your computer or mobile, here are the tools you should know about:
Best overall YouTube Shorts App
Riverside
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Price: Starts from $0/month up to $24/month, depending on your chosen plan.
Compatibility: Browser-based, so you can use it on any device. You can also use the iOS and Android apps.
Riverside makes it easy to record high-quality video and audio every single time. Here’s a quick recap of why:
- High-quality video and audio recording (up to 4K video and 48kHz audio).
- Easy to use.
- Highly accurate AI-powered transcription tool for captions.
- Background noise removal and audio clean-up tools.
- Text-based video editor that makes editing as easy as editing a Google doc.
- Short-form AI clip creator.
- Fits your videos to platform-specific formats.
- Automatic speaker recognition and differentiation in transcripts.
- Record with up to 9 remote guests.
- Ability to live stream to major platforms.
Best for: Creators looking for flexibility, versatility, and don’t want to compromise on quality.
Best YouTube Shorts Recording Apps
Here’s a look at some of the best apps for recording YouTube Shorts:
YouTube
Price: Free
Compatibility: Android and iOS devices
You can film, edit, and publish your Shorts quickly within the YouTube app itself.
Key features:
- Easy and contained within one app
- Toolbar with special effects and elements
- Filters, retouching, and green screen features
Best for: Creators who want to keep things as simple as possible.
Best YouTube Shorts Editing Apps
CAPCUT
Price: Monthly subscription starting from $7.99
Compatibility: Browser-based and mobile app
CapCut is an all-in-one video creation and editing tool.
Key Features:
- Quick video templates for fast content creation
- Background remover, AI color correction, video resizer
- Speech-to-text caption generator
- Collaborative working features
Best for: Creators who want a social media-savvy editing tool.
iMovie
Price: Free with all Apple devices
Compatibility: MacOS
iMovie is a beginner-friendly video editing software ideal for new content creators.
Key features:
- Simple and intuitive features
- “Movie” templates and storyboarding feature
Best for: Creators just starting out.
Camtasia
Price: Individual subscription costs $299.99
Compatibility: Windows and MacOS
Camtasia is a robust screen recorder and video editor.
Key features:
- Add text and automatically generate captions
- High-quality screen recording
Best for: Creators looking for a one-time payment option for video editing.
Final Cut Pro
Price: $299.99 (one time)
Compatibility: MacOS
Final Cut Pro is geared towards experienced users.
Key features:
- Object tracker and cinematic mode
Best for: Experienced content creators.
Premiere Pro
Price: $20.99/month
Compatibility: Available on Mac and Windows
Premiere Pro by Adobe is a high-powered video editor suitable for seasoned editors.
Key features:
- AI tools powered by Adobe Sensei
Best for: Experienced video editors.
Best YouTube Shorts AI Apps
Klap
Price: Free trial available; $29/month afterward
Compatibility: Browser-based
Klap is an AI-powered tool for generating short-form clips from longer videos.
Best for: Time-saving content creation.
WOXO
Price: Starts from $17.99
Compatibility: Browser-based
Woxo generates videos from user-input ideas.
Best for: Quick video generation.
Bonus: 5 Tips on How to Create Engaging YouTube Shorts
- Use captions. Captions can significantly enhance viewer engagement.
- Craft a story. Ensure each Short tells an engaging story.
- Pick the best moments. Use the most compelling footage from your longer content.
- Add your branded touch. Cultivate a strong brand identity across your Shorts.
- Keep track of trends. Be aware of current trends and practices to optimize performance.