Want an up-to-date list of the best apps for filmmaking? Whether you’re an aspiring filmmaker or just looking to up your content creation game, these 15 must-have apps are the perfect resource to help bring your projects to the next level in 2023. From video editing and audio recording, to budgeting and scheduling, these apps for filmmaking can help turn your dreams into reality. We’ve compiled a relevant list for both iPhone and Android, including free apps, device camera add-ons, and film production software.
Table of Contents
1. Adobe Premiere Rush
Adobe Premiere Rush is an amazing video editing app for filmmakers that allows you to jam out pro-looking content quickly and easily on your phone. The app comes with a range of features such as auto color-correction, chroma keying, and blur effects to help you get your work into a more cinematic mode. With Premiere Rush’s intuitive interface, you can create beautifully cinematic movies with ease. It also works seamlessly on desktop, iPhone, and android.
Pros
- Easy to use, with a user–friendly interface and a variety of helpful tutorials
- Allows for easy editing of videos with a wide range of effects and transitions
- Includes both audio and video effects and can be used to create complex projects
- Supports a variety of file formats, making it compatible with many different devices
Cons
- Not as flexible as other editing apps, with fewer options for customizing projects
- Limited in terms of the number of effects and transitions available
- Limited in terms of its capabilities when compared to other editing apps
2. pCam Pro – The Swiss Army Knife of Apps for Filmmaking
pCam Pro is heralded as “The Swiss army knife of cinematography & photography apps”. And for good reason, because it does a lot of things well. The app has got tons of useful features as well as a refreshingly easy to navigate interface. Since it’s been on the market for 24 years and counting, you can rely on it being a solid part of your filmmaking app toolkit.
Pros
- Provides a variety of features for setting up and controlling camera angles and movements
- Allows users to customize shots and angles to create the perfect cinematic shot
- Can save time by automating certain camera movements
- Includes features for remote monitoring and control of the camera
Cons
- Can be expensive and complex to use
- Requires a certain level of technical knowledge to use effectively
- Limited in terms of the number of cameras that can be controlled
3. WeVideo
WeVideo is an interesting all-in-one video creation and editing app that surprisingly offers a ton of professional features. It integrates with Google Drive so you can access your projects in the cloud and work with them remotely. It also has an impressive library of royalty-free music and sound effects, as well as flexible editing tools like music levels, animation transitions, and photo filters to create smart looking content without too much fuss. While more suited to social media content creation, it’s still a good option for beginners who aren’t ready to tackle the more prosumer apps.
Pros
- Easy to use, with a user- friendly interface and a variety of helpful tutorials
- Allows for easy editing of videos with a wide range of effects and transitions
- Includes both audio and video effects and can be used to create complex projects
- Supports a variety of file formats, making it compatible with many different devices
Cons
- Not as flexible as other editing apps, with fewer options for customizing projects
- Limited in terms of the number of effects and transitions available
- Limited in terms of its capabilities when compared to other editing apps
4. Clesh
Clesh is a powerful yet intuitive app for filmmaking that works on iOS and Android. The app gives you access to a wide range of professional and creative features. This allows you to edit, color grade, and post content online quickly and easily. You can capture high-quality video footage and audio from almost any camera as well as control lighting, exposure levels, saturation, sharpening, and much more. Plus, it’s cloud-based and works well across different devices and platforms.
Pros
- Software is cloud–based, allowing users to access their projects from anywhere
- Includes a range of features for sharing and collaborating on projects with other users
- Allows users to edit, review and approve projects from any device
- Easy to use, with a variety of tools for creating and editing videos
Cons
- Limited in terms of the number of effects and transitions available
- Can be expensive for the full version
- Limited in terms of the number of users that can collaborate on a project
5. Scriptation
While it’s specifically targeted at the scriptwriting and revision process, Scriptation is a powerful app for filmmakers and writers alike. The program has even won an Emmy for its ability to solve a once tedious problem of comparing script revisions. In terms of a TV production app, this one is highly recommended.
Pros
- Easy to use, with a variety of tools for creating and editing scripts
- Allows users Continue to the end of the app list. to easily share and collaborate on scripts with other users
- Includes features for organizing scripts and tracking changes
- Can be used on multiple devices
Cons
- Can be expensive, especially for the full version
- Limited in terms of the number of features available
- Limited in terms of the number of users that can collaborate on a project
6. Shot Designer
Shot Designer is one of the best apps for filmmaking because it allows you to design and manage shot lists, set diagrams, storyboards, and coverage. This makes it a powerful tool in terms of film production software. While the free app for iPhone and Android is useful, we think it’s worth the money to buy the Pro version in terms of streamlining the creative process.
Pros
- Easy to use, with a user–friendly interface and a variety of helpful tutorials
- Allows users to quickly and easily create detailed shot lists
- Includes features for organizing and tracking changes to shot lists
- Can save time by automating certain camera movements
Cons
- Can be expensive, especially for the full version
- Limited in terms of the number of features available
- Limited in terms of the number of users that can collaborate on a project
7. Filmic Pro
Looking for an app that gives phone content a truly cinematic look? Filmic Pro works on iOS and Androids and it transforms your phone’s camera into a much more film-like capture device. Similar to a few other apps for filmmaking, you can manually adjust exposure, ISO, zoom, focus, and shutter speed. Likewise, you can record at aspect ratios and image resolutions. Plus, they have quite good audio recording options as well as making it easy to share content directly to Facebook, Dropbox, and Vimeo. For the DIY experts, it also works with a few different lens adapters and gimbals.
Pros
- Includes a variety of features for setting up and controlling camera angles and movements
- Allows users to customize shots and angles to create the perfect cinematic shot
- Can save time by automating certain camera movements
- Includes features for remote monitoring and control of the camera
Cons
- Can be expensive and complex to use
- Requires a certain level of technical knowledge to use effectively
- Limited in terms of the number of cameras that can be controlled
8. Artemis - the OG of apps for filmmaking
The OG of apps for filmmaking, Artemis is a digital viewfinder that helps you use your phone to design shots based on lens size and field of view. While it isn’t cheap in terms of app it is rock solid and useful for filmmakers on the go.
Pros
- Includes a variety of features for setting up and controlling camera angles and movements
- • Allows users to customize shots and angles to create the perfect cinematic shot
- Can save time by automating certain camera movements
- Includes features for remote monitoring and control of the camera
Cons
- Can be expensive and complex to use
- Requires a certain level of technical knowledge to use effectively
- Limited in terms of the number of cameras that can be controlled
9. Helios
Helios Pro is a filmmaking app from the developers of Artemis that does one thing amazingly well: light-tracking. Since the position of the sun is of vital importance for cinematographers and photographers it’s handy to have an app on your phone that can quickly predict its path and position. Likewise, you can precisely pre-visualize where the moon and stars will be. Even more useful are the A.R. and light simulation functions, since these let you see a rough mockup of how shots will look at a certain time of day.
Pros
- Allows users to create and edit videos with a wide range of effects and transitions
- Supports a variety of file formats, making it compatible with many different devices
- Includes both audio and video effects and can be used to create complex projects
- Easy to use, with a user–friendly interface and a variety of helpful tutorials
Cons
- Not as flexible as other editing apps, with fewer options for customizing projects
- Limited in terms of the number of effects continue to the end. and transitions available
- Limited in terms of its capabilities when compared to other editing apps
10. Celtx Script
Celtx Script is one of the best scriptwriting apps for filmmaking. It is free and it works on iOS and Android. While you aren’t likely to be writing on your phone all the time, it is handy in terms of annotations on the go.
Pros
- Easy to use, with a variety of tools for creating and editing scripts
- Allows users to easily share and collaborate on scripts with other users
- Includes features for organizing scripts and tracking changes
- Can be used on multiple devices
Cons
- Can be expensive, especially for the full version
- Limited in terms of the number of features available
- Limited in terms of the number of users that can collaborate on a project
11. Easy Release
Need to get a model or property release form signed on the run? Easy Release makes it…well… easy. This is a great little app for filmmakers that streamlines the signing process as well as allowing the forms to include photos.
Pros
- Includes a variety of features for creating and managing contracts easily
- Allows users to quickly generate contracts and securely sign them online
- Supports multiple languages and can customize contracts for different countries
- Can save time by automating the contract creation process
Cons
- Can be expensive and complex to use
- Limited in terms of the number of contracts that can be created and managed
- Requires a certain level of technical knowledge to use effectively
12. Mavis
Mavis is a great iPhone application and in terms of apps for filmmaking it’s a goodie. That’s because it brings a cinematic edge to your camera. While not too different to Filmic Pro in terms of capabilities, it is known for being beautifully customizable.
Pros
- Includes a variety of features for creating and managing video projects
- Allows users to collaborate on projects with other users and easily share project files
- Includes tools for organizing, reviewing and approving projects
- Easy to use, with a user–friendly interface and a variety of helpful tutorials
Cons
- Can be expensive, especially for the full version
- Limited in terms of the number of features available
- Limited in terms of the number of users that can collaborate on a project
13. The Photographer’s Ephemeris
The Photographer’s Ephemeris is a uniquely powerful app for filmmakers who are looking to predict how weather will affect them. Of note is the ‘Skyfire’ function: a tool that helps you see where the most vibrant sunrises and sunsets are likely to happen near you the next few days. Furthermore, the app is great at notifying you of upcoming events that can make for great atmospheric conditions.
Pros
- Includes a variety of features for planning and organizing photo shoots
- Allows users to easily find and plan for the best lighting and weather conditions for their shoots
- Includes features for tracking and saving favorite shooting locations
- Easy to use, with a user–friendly interface and a variety of helpful tutorials
Cons
- Can be expensive, especially for the full version
- Limited in terms of the number of features available
- Limited in terms of the number of users that can collaborate on a project
14. AJA DataCalc
This handy app allows you to calculate data storage needs based on codec and resolution for free on iPhone or Android. This app is invaluable when you are looking to buy a new hard drive and need to know how much footage you can expect to cram in there!
Pros
- Includes a variety of features for calculating and analyzing data
- Allows users to easily visualize and analyze data from multiple sources
- Includes features for organizing continue to the end. data and tracking changes
- Easy to use, with a user–friendly interface and a variety of helpful tutorials
Cons
- Can be expensive, especially for the full version
- Limited in terms of the number of features available
- Limited in terms of the number of users that can collaborate on a project
15. Double Take
This is one of the most unique apps for filmmaking. It is a great tool for filmmakers who shoot using their phone. DoubleTake allows you to record using two of your device’s cameras…at the same time! For example, use the front and rear cameras concurrently. Or, use two different focal lengths at the same time. DoubleTake has three modes, meaning you can save your video as separate video files, capture a “picture-in-picture” clip, or make a video with side by side “split view”.
Pros
- Includes a variety of features for creating and editing videos
- Allows users to easily create videos with a wide range of effects and transitions
- Includes both audio and video effects and can be used to create complex projects
- Supports a variety of file formats, making it compatible with many different devices
Cons
- Not as flexible as other editing apps, with fewer options for customizing projects
- Limited in terms of the number of effects and transitions available
- Limited in terms of its capabilities when compared to other editing apps
Editor's Choice: Best Apps for Filmmaking
There are quite a few factors you may want to weigh before you choose the best app for filmmaking for your unique situation. Some are more expensive while others have limited options. No two are created equal and we hope that this round-up provided you, as a filmmaker, clarity on which one fits you skill sets and overall needs. We’ve made our own selections based on overarching factors:
Best Overall
Adobe Premiere Rush
Best for a Budget
- WeVideo
Most Bang for your Buck
- Artemis
Looking for more than just new apps for filmmaking?
Since you’re reading this, chances are you are either an experienced filmmaker or an up-and-coming one. Either way, we think you be interested in what we do. We are The Collective Pitch, and we craft dazzling director’s treatments. Whether it’s a movie treatment or a TVC project, you can book our talent directly on the site. While we are based in LA, we work with directors and production companies worldwide. Our services include ghostwriting, design, creative research, and mood reel editing.
Likewise, have a look at our blog for more useful articles and tips on how to write a director’s treatment. Get in touch if you’d like to hear more about what we do. And, if you’re a great designer or creative researcher, we’d love to chat. We are always looking for hot new talent to represent.