Embarking on a YouTube creator journey is both thrilling and overwhelming. With so many tools out there promising to help you edit, optimize, and manage your content, it’s easy to miss out on some real hidden gems. Especially for beginners, having the right video apps in your toolkit can fast-track your success while saving you time, energy, and money.
TL;DR: Just starting out on YouTube? These five underrated apps offer powerful features to help you shoot, edit, optimize, and manage your videos while staying on a tight budget. From cinematic mobile editing to AI-assisted thumbnails, these tools are ideal for creators looking to grow with creativity and simplicity. Read on to discover what makes each one stand out.
Table of Contents
1. VN Video Editor – High-End Editing Without the Price Tag
When you’re looking for a free video editing app that doesn’t fall short on professional-grade features, VN (VlogNow) Video Editor is a fantastic choice. Surprisingly under-the-radar for how capable it is, this app works seamlessly across iOS, Android, and desktops.
Key Features:
- Multi-layer editing with intuitive timeline controls
- Keyframe animations for text, video, and effects
- Built-in music library and transition effects
- No watermark, even in the free version
What sets VN apart is its balance between simplicity and power. While many entry-level editors sacrifice flexibility in favor of ease-of-use, VN offers both. It’s excellent for quick edits on the go or even full-length content creation without needing expensive software subscriptions.
If you’re serious about video quality but not ready for something like Adobe Premiere Pro, VN is the perfect in-between.
2. Remove.bg – Instant Background Removal
Thumbnails are one of the first things that grab attention on YouTube, and having a clean, well-composed image is critical. That’s where Remove.bg comes in – a web-based app that automatically removes backgrounds from your images with a single click.
Why It’s Useful:
- Saves hours of manual Photoshop edits
- Perfect for creating polished thumbnails with overlay text
- Supports integrations with Canva and other design tools
While it’s known among graphic designers, many new YouTubers haven’t yet discovered how much of a difference a sharp, customized thumbnail makes. With Remove.bg, you can easily crop yourself out of a messy background and place your face or object on a vibrant, focused background that pops.
Tip: Try remixing your thumbnail with bold colors in Canva or Fotor after using Remove.bg – the visual upgrade is unmistakable.
3. Clipchamp – Browser-Based Editing for Beginners
Owned by Microsoft, Clipchamp is a beginner-friendly video editor that lives right in your browser. Despite being lesser known than competitors like Premiere Rush or iMovie, Clipchamp offers surprisingly robust features tailored for creators just getting started.
Highlights Include:
- Drag-and-drop editing interface
- Templates for intros, outros, and social media formats
- Text-to-speech functionality with multiple languages
- Direct exporting to YouTube and Google Drive
The real power of Clipchamp lies in its simplicity. You don’t need to download anything, and you can work from any computer just by logging into your account. For creators who prefer a fast workflow without sacrificing quality, it’s a great way to stay productive on any device.
Bonus: Clipchamp’s stock library gives you access to free video clips, music, and overlays, which is a goldmine for quick polished edits.
Image not found in postmeta4. Tubebuddy (Mobile App) – Insights on the Go
While many YouTubers have heard of Tubebuddy as a browser extension, far fewer realize the mobile app version is equally powerful — and incredibly valuable when managing your content on the move.
Mobile Features Include:
- Quick tag generation and optimization suggestions
- Performance metrics for your latest uploads
- Keyword explorer to refine video discoverability
- Bulk edit titles, descriptions, and tags from your phone
For new creators focused on growth and SEO, Tubebuddy helps make sure your videos are seen. The mobile app lets you study trends, analyze competitors, and track your own improvements—all optimized for a smaller screen with the same rich data insights.
Note: Unlocking full power requires a paid subscription, but even the free tier brings serious value to new YouTubers.
5. Prequel – Stylish Filters and Effects for Short-Form Content
If your YouTube strategy includes Shorts or social cross-posts, Prequel can help you stand out. Originally a mobile editing app tailored to Instagram creators, Prequel’s suite of vintage, cinematic, and modern effects is now being leveraged by YouTubers creating vertical content.
Creative Tools You’ll Love:
- Trendy filters and AI-powered visual effects
- Cinematic overlays (like film grain, light leaks, glitches)
- Music sync feature for perfect short-form timing
- AR face filters that add personality to selfies and vlogs
Its interface is sleek, easy to use, and optimized for rapid turnaround. You can shoot and edit directly in the app, or export polished sequences for use in a longer video. Prequel is a gold mine for creators producing promo snippets, trailers, or community updates.
Think of it as your secret tool for instantly elevating YouTube Shorts from amateur to artistic.
Final Thoughts: Elevate Without Overwhelm
Creating content is about more than just uploading videos—it’s about standing out, staying consistent, and telling your story in a polished, visually appealing way. By leveraging these underrated apps early in your YouTube journey, you simplify your workflow while amplifying the quality of your output.
To recap, here are the top 5 underrated video apps for YouTube beginners:
- VN Video Editor – Pro editing without cost or complexity
- Remove.bg – Quick, clean thumbnail perfection
- Clipchamp – Hassle-free editing in the browser
- Tubebuddy Mobile – SEO and performance tools on-the-go
- Prequel – Stunning visual additions for Shorts and reels
With these tools in your creator arsenal, you’re not just keeping up—you’re getting ahead.