7 Tools for Making Short Videos That People Remember

Ever think a 60-second video could blow up your whole business? Not just “help a little,” but completely change your audience, your sales, the way people talk about you online?

Sounds dramatic, but that’s what businesses are trying to do everywhere.

Sometimes it’s a simple clip of someone testing a product in a funny or unexpected way, and it just works.

Suddenly, millions of people are watching even from their bathroom (don’t act like you haven’t done it). They share it. They buy the thing.

Sometimes they just laugh and move on, but the reaction and the impact are real.

So, what are we talking about here?

The best tools for making short videos, the kind you see on TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts. Small, vertical, easy to swipe or scroll.

And we even talk about why it’s a big deal, what actually works, so at least you can figure out if you really need it or not.

Let’s dig in.

Why Short Videos Are Taking Over

If you’ve ever felt like you can’t get people to read your Instagram caption, you’re not alone. It’s not you. It’s just… people are tired, busy, distracted, or maybe just scrolling at the bus stop, and yes, the bathroom.

Some studies found that most people check their devices 58 times a day. Even more shocking, on average, people spend 4 hours and 37 minutes on their phones each day.

On the other hand, some studies also found that about 87% of people decided to buy something after watching a video, and around 78% said they like learning about products by watching short videos.

This even beats other types of content like text articles (9%), ebooks or guides (5%), infographics (3%), sales calls (2%), or webinars and presentations (3%).

That’s why TikTok has become the top short-form video platform globally, and there are billions (yes, billions) of people watching these every single month.

It’s not just about trends or what Gen Z does for fun.

We’re seeing that modern audiences have shorter attention spans, now around 8 seconds, down from 12 seconds in the early 2000s.

People today crave quick and immediate content, and short videos give them that demand by delivering interesting stories that can be consumed fast.

And social apps keep pushing them right in front of you, like TikTok, Reels, Shorts, even Facebook and LinkedIn. Everywhere.

It’s not a surprise that 89% of businesses use video as a marketing tool, and it’s not just the big companies; it’s small businesses, solo founders, and even people just selling digital products.

So, short videos aren’t just about likes. They’re driving sales, building communities, and getting people talking. That’s why marketers keep saying short videos are their “highest-ROI” thing.

If you’re still feeling skeptical, well… do you really want to sit through a 1-hour Apple event video just to see what’s new with the Apple Watch?

I don’t. I’d rather watch a quick video, maybe one Apple posts, or just wait for MKBHD to break it down on YouTube.

What Kind of Short Videos Work Best?

Alright, we need to get practical. Not every video will be a hit, go viral, and get tons of likes. But you don’t have to dance or pull pranks to make something people want to watch.

Here’s what I found that actually works, especially if you haven’t done filming yet (or just hate being on camera):

• Quick How-To Tutorials: Show a trick, solve a problem, or share a “hack.” I mean things like 3 ways to wear a scarf, how to cook rice in bulk, or a 30-second tip to clear your inbox. You always get bonus points if you make it look easy. (Because if you struggle, people will scroll away.)
• Behind-the-Scenes Clips: People are curious. Show your workspace, how you pack orders, what’s on your messy desk, or funny moments with your team. It doesn’t need to look perfect. Sometimes it’s just showing your cat attacking the printer.
• Problem/Solution Stories: Start with a mini drama, like, “Ever had your charging cable all tangled up?” Then show your simple fix. If you’ve solved your own headache, something that annoyed you before, someone else probably has it too.
• Trendy Challenges/Memes: Not gonna lie, I skip most “dance trends.” I mean, trying to add a dance for everything? But using a popular sound or meme format can still help your video reach more people. Don’t force it if it doesn’t feel like you, but sometimes a funny audio is all you need. I mean, even ads like “nothing beats a Jet2 holiday…” later become a meme, blowing up for no reason.
• Customer Stories or Testimonials: Ask a happy customer to make a short video or share their review as a voiceover, but always ask for their permission first. Crazy story, a brand once recorded me when I bought a smartphone back in the day, and even posted it saying “Happy customer” without even asking. I’m not happy and will not do business with them again.
• Entertaining Skits or Humor: Not everyone is Khaby Lame, but… why not? If you like a little weirdness or dry humor, go for it. Even a simple joke or self-deprecating moment can get shares. (“POV: Your Wi-Fi gives up the moment you hit upload.”)

One thing that helps the most is keeping every video focused. One tip, one story, one idea.

Short videos mean short. You need to grab attention fast. It’s always a good idea to watch how others in your niche do it, maybe understand some pain points in your audience, and also try out better hooks.

They’re like a quick snack, while regular videos are more like a full meal, I’d say.

Most people aren’t looking to sit down for a three-course dinner online. They just want something fast, fun, and easy to digest, like a burrito that’s got goodness in every single bite.

The Best Tools for Making Short Videos (2026)

Don’t give up on this because you think you need expensive gear or expensive software. You can still make an amazing creation with just your phone and a free app.

But if you want more features, or if you want to do it on a laptop (or automate more of the process), there are tools for that too.

Let’s go through my top picks.

1. Klap

Klap is not a full video editor itself, but it’s a good choice for anyone who already makes longer videos or podcasts and wants to “chop” them into shorts. It’s all about content repurposing.

You just upload (or put a link to) a long video, and Klap’s AI picks out the best parts for you. Not only that, it cuts them down, adds captions, automatically reframes your most important subject, and even lets you customize everything in a simple editor.

I’m pretty sure it feels like magic the first time you use it. Super useful if you’re tight on time or just hate editing, but there is no mobile app, so you need a desktop browser.

• Best for: Busy creators, businesses, podcasters, or even coaches with webinars or Zoom calls.
• Key features: AI finds “viral-worthy” highlights, auto-edits, adds captions, multiple formats, direct publishing, fully customizable options, and custom branding.

If you hate video editing but wish you had someone to ask, “Hey, I have some video clips that I recorded, can you turn them into short videos?”, this is exactly what you need.

It does the hard work, and sometimes it finds moments you didn’t even notice and gives a complete output you can put out there.

Pricing: You can create 1 video for free to try it out, and after that, paid plans start around $29/month for uploading 10 videos and generating 100 clips monthly. Higher plans also have translation to 29 languages (AI Dubbing) and 4K download options.

2. CapCut

CapCut is like the “default” choice now for anyone on TikTok or Reels. It’s made by the people who own TikTok, so of course, it’s one of the best for making short videos.

What’s cool is you get a ton of features for free: drag-and-drop timeline, ready-made templates, auto-captions, nice effects, and easy exporting. Even some AI-powered features, like “auto cut” that picks the best parts for you.

You can use it on your phone, desktop, or even online (yes, there’s a web app).

• Best for: TikTok/Reels creators, quick edits, beginners, and pros alike.
• Key features: Templates, auto-captions, effects, green screen, AI tools, and direct sharing.

If you’re not sure how things work inside the app, CapCut has its own resource library where you can find more tips, tricks, and tutorials, so take advantage of them.

Pricing: Free for most basic editing features, with paid plans for extra cloud storage, premium effects, and special assets. Even though some features that used to be free are now “Pro” features, it’s still a good one for simple editing.

3. Adobe Premiere on iPhone

Premiere is more like Adobe’s “pocket version” of Premiere desktop. If you’ve ever opened Premiere and instantly panicked, well, Premiere on iPhone is not gonna do that to you.

It feels super simple, with drag-and-drop editing, automatic video resizing, and easy export for socials.

And yes, you’re right, at this time it’s only available for iPhones, but it’s free, so you can use all core editing functions and export an unlimited number of videos in 4K resolution without watermarks.

• Best for: Beginners who want a little more control than a mobile app. Also good for anyone already using Adobe software.
• Key features: Quick editing, automatic caption creation, cloud storage, Gen AI features, decent effects, send projects from iPhone to Premiere desktop (needs desktop subscription)

If you’re working on a laptop and want something “not too simple, not too hard,” this is a solid pick to try before you go wild with full Premiere.

Pricing: The mobile app is free to download and use. The only time you have to pay is when you need cloud storage or generative AI credits.

4. Canva Video Maker

Canva is now a place where you can do all kinds of visual things, literally, from graphics and Instagram posts to presentations and even videos. They also let you make short videos, I mean, animated, templated, super easy.

All you need is to pick a template, drag in your clips or images, add music or text, animations, and you’re done. Even if you’ve never edited a video, you’ll get this in five minutes with your smartphone.

• Best for: Social media graphics, videos, brand promos, explainer videos, people who like visual “drag and drop.”
• Key features: Huge template library, animated graphics, text overlays, captions, direct publishing, music, web/mobile.

If you want to post something that looks good but don’t want to spend an hour figuring out software, start with Canva. It’s also the best for Pinterest video pins.

Pricing: Free for basic stuff. The Pro version has even more surprising features and tools, including text-to-speech, text-to-video (works with Google Veo-3), plus background-removing tools and more.

5. VEED

VEED is a free web-based video editor that’s packed with features but somehow doesn’t stress you out with so many buttons. You can drag in clips, cut, add subtitles, use templates, and even remove silences or background noise with AI.

It feels more like a full suite of video editing tools that professional computer software has, made for everyday people and packed with AI tools, like cloning your own voice. You can also record your screen, do voiceovers, and even auto-translate captions. Wild.

• Best for: Beginners, small teams, anyone who wants to edit in a browser with lots of export options.
• Key features: Timeline editor, subtitles, auto-translate, effects, AI clean audio, magic cut, screen recording.

If you want quick edits with more “grown-up” options than other editors have for beginners, and you don’t want to install anything, VEED is a safe bet.

Pricing: The free plan comes with some limited features, resolution, and length in exports (with watermark). Pro starts at about $19/month (no watermark, extra features), and surprisingly, it also lets you use their iOS app called VEED Captions, made for creating short videos but still free to try.

6. Clipchamp

Clipchamp is an easy-to-use editor owned by Microsoft. No complicated downloads, it works well on a browser, or there is an iOS app, and as a desktop app, it’s built into Windows 11 now (so lots of people already have it).

It’s got templates, auto-captions, stock footage, easy social export, and just enough features to get the job done as long as you have a Microsoft account, without making you stare at a million menus.

• Best for: Windows users (but anyone can use it in the browser), people who want simple online editing.
• Key features: Templates, stock media, filters, effects, AI subtitles, voiceovers, silence removal, and color correction.

If you’re looking for some basic, free edits with no watermarks on exports and want to “just make a quick edit,” this is for you. However, it’s worth noting that currently, both apps run as independent platforms, meaning they are not in sync.

Pricing: Free for basic editing stuff, even with free AI editing tools. Paid for premium stock, brand kit tools, and 4K exports.

7. DaVinci Resolve

DaVinci, this one’s more advanced, but I definitely have to include it. If you want full movie-quality edits and you’re ready to learn, I mean a lot, DaVinci Resolve is free (crazy, right?) software you can run on your PC, Mac, Linux, or even on an iPad.

You can do everything, something most lightweight editors can’t match, from color grading, special effects, pro-level sound, to motion graphics. There is a learning curve, but there are tons of YouTube guides, so it’s worth it if you’re serious about making short videos.

• Best for: Advanced users, YouTubers, small businesses making pro videos.
• Key features: Advanced video editing, powerful color correction, visual effects (Fusion), audio mixing (Fairlight), motion graphics, and powerful AI tools.

If you’re using this for the first time, don’t feel bad if this software confuses you at first. Search and watch a “DaVinci basics” video on YouTube, and just try to cut a clip. You’ll get used to it.

Pricing: The free version is more than enough for most people making short videos, but if you need advanced codecs, collaboration, multiple-GPU support, or cinema-grade export, you’ll want the Studio version.

Native Platform Editors (TikTok, Instagram, YouTube)

Don’t sleep on the built-in editors. TikTok, Instagram Reels (they even have an app called Edits), and YouTube Shorts all let you cut, add music, captions, stickers, and effects, all inside the app.

They’re really good for quick edits, and on the other hand, we cannot say that native editing is a guaranteed or official boost signal from the platform. But yes, editing with native tools can help indirectly because you’re using built-in effects, default formats, and on-platform features.

For example, Instagram’s new Edits app shows insights to help you plan your content better and understand things that can affect reach, like how often people skip your video.

You can still test it. Post similar videos: one edited fully in the app and one edited on another app you choose. See if there is a noticeable difference in reach or engagement.

The benefit here is, if you have zero time and just want to get your idea out, there’s no reason not to use the app’s editor. You can always export and polish it elsewhere if needed.

Best Practices for Creating Short Videos

Even if you have the best tool in the world and know how to edit videos like crazy, this is where most beginners can mess up. We need to understand how viewers act on these videos and what works better now.

So here’s a starter checklist for you:

• Hook fast. You’ve got about 2 or 3 seconds before someone scrolls. Start with something surprising, funny, or useful, like a question, a strong line, or a quick visual. No slow intros.
• One point per video. Don’t go off-topic. If you have 3 tips, make 3 short videos.
• Make it easy to watch without sound. Most people watch with the sound off. Always add captions, or at least write out the key tip in text. It’s easy to do (see tools below).
• Ride trends, but don’t force it. If a trend fits your niche, join in. But don’t copy trends just for views. People can tell when it’s forced.
• Always add a call-to-action. Even a small “Like for part two” or “Follow for more” helps your reach and builds fans. Or ask a short question at the end.
• Keep things moving. Use quick cuts, switch between shots, or add fun text or effects. Still shots get boring fast. If you can, loop your video by starting and ending with the same visual so people watch it again.
• Post often. Once a week is better than once a month. But don’t burn out. Batch film if you need to.
• Let AI help. A lot of tools now add captions, pick highlights, or even edit clips for you. If you’re feeling stuck and have no clue how to do something, why not try out those features? Sometimes they surprise you.

And most importantly, keep an eye on your own numbers. I mean insights on Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube. See what works, and learn a few tricks from YouTube pros who already do it well.

Final Thoughts

Alright, the coolest thing is that anyone can make a short video in 2026. It doesn’t matter if you have a thousand-dollar camera, a five-year-old phone, or zero experience editing.

The best short video is one that hooks within the first few seconds, shares one clear message, and keeps people watching till the end.

If you’ve been meaning to start but haven’t, just pick one tool from the list above.

CapCut, Klap, Canva, VEED, whatever. Film something simple.

Edit just enough to add captions. And hit post. That’s all you need to get your first video out there.

But one last thing to keep in your mind is, if your first video doesn’t go viral, that’s not something that only happened to you.

The people who keep going, who keep trying new things, who listen and improve, are the ones you’ll see next year, growing an audience, building a business, or just having more fun online.

Happy video making!