Benefits of Browser-Based Tools: Why Choose Online Video Editor
Browsers were always "the window" to the Internet, and now they are even suitable as work tools. Learn all about online editing and why it is a great choice for you!
In the beginning, video editing was laborious and required extreme precision, as well as the use of physical tools such as scissors and glue. Everything became easier with the development of PCs, and the process moved to computer-based video editors.
And now, in the Age of the Internet, moving the video editing process online seems like an obvious choice. You won’t be wrong if you think so as well — there’s already an abundance of online video editors for creating video content available! But is online video editing better than desktop programs that have stood the test of time? Let’s find out together!
Introduction to online video editing
Online video editing is quite literally the same as the usual one, with just one difference — video editors work directly in the browser (e.g., Chrome, Safari) and do not require software installation on the computer. All the main video processing occurs on remote servers, not on your device.
Such editors have recently become especially popular among beginners, bloggers, and small businesses. This growing popularity has led to a shift away from traditional PC tools, as online tools offer features similar to those of traditional tools while providing a more comfortable experience for beginners and mobile users.
Now, if you look up online editors, you may come across such terms as "cloud" and "web" editors as well. So, is there a difference between the three? In essence, these are synonyms. All these terms describe the same — an editor that works through a browser, using remote servers. However, there is a small nuance in the accents:
- Online/web editor emphasizes the method of access — through a browser (web) and the need for an Internet connection (online).
- Cloud editor emphasizes the location of data storage and processing — everything happens in the "cloud" (on the company’s servers)
It’s worth mentioning that modern professional programs also actively integrate cloud technologies. For example, Adobe Premiere Pro now allows you to work with projects stored in the cloud and collaborate with a team.
Key features of an online video editor
The basic editing functions video editors offer are, of course, similar to those in traditional software. This is the bare minimum to edit videos, be it online or offline. So, you can expect free features such as:
- Trimming and cutting clips, easily combining several video files into one sequence.
- Working with sound: separating the audio track from the video; adding background music or voice-over; adjusting the volume; and adding fade-in/out.
- Adding or creating subtitles and various text overlays with a choice of fonts, colors, and animations.
- Adding and overlaying images, stickers, logos, etc., over the video.
- Color correction and filters to change the mood of the video, as well as basic tools for manual adjustment of brightness, contrast, and saturation.
- Creating slow motion or timelapse video.
- Exporting the finished video projects to a video file with a choice of resolution (Full HD, 4K, etc.) and format.
Advantages and disadvantages
Of course, web-based solutions have their pros and cons, which you should consider before using them. Let's review these points.
- Autosave: All changes are, as a rule, automatically saved to the cloud. The risk of losing your work due to a power failure or program freeze is minimized.
- Access from anywhere: Your projects and uploaded audio/video content are accessible from any device with a browser and an Internet connection.
- No risk of disk overflow: Video files are very large, and online video editors do not take up space on your hard drive.
- Integrated media libraries: A lot of online editors offer stock video and photo libraries, allowing you to instantly add stock footage, music, and sound effects that you can safely use in your videos without the risk of copyright infringements.
- Easier collaboration: You can use online video editors for collaboration, as project sharing is simpler — you can just send a link to a project to a colleague, client, or friend for collaborative editing or review.
- Ready-made templates and automations: Online editing tools often provide ready-made editing templates with the correct dimensions and formats for social media platforms, e.g., Reels, YouTube Shorts, TikTok, and Instagram. Also, automatic speech recognition (AI) and captioning are common features, which are critical for social media, where videos are often watched without sound.
- No installation or updates: You can start your project immediately, as there’s no need to download and install gigabytes of data. Plus, you always work in the latest version of the editor. The developers add new features and fixes "on the fly" on their side.
- Internet reliance: Without a stable and fast Internet connection, you won’t be able to work comfortably. Uploading original video files to the browser and then exporting the finished project requires a good connection.
- Limited quality and functionality: Even the best online editors often don’t support very large or professional-quality videos (e.g., 8K, RAW, or professional camera codecs). They may also lack advanced features for color correction, audio, and visual effects.
- Privacy and security: Your source video files are uploaded to a third-party server. This isn’t a problem for personal memories, but it may be unacceptable for working with sensitive materials (e.g., unproduced movie trailers, commercials, corporate videos).
- Long-term costs: Most likely, a dependable tool will require a paid subscription for full features or watermark-free videos. While a monthly fee may seem affordable — equivalent to just two cups of coffee — over several years, the total cost could exceed the price of a one-time software license.
Who should choose online video editors and why
So, should you use a browser-based video editor? In general, online tools are suitable for creators who are mobile, work remotely, have limited hardware, or need quick team collaboration, such as:
- Bloggers and content creators: for quickly creating vertical videos, Stories, and Reels.
- Pupils and students: for simple, clear presentations and projects.
- Small businesses: for commercials, product reviews, and social media content without hiring an expensive specialist.
- Anyone who wants to quickly and beautifully edit vacation, holiday, or birthday videos without having to understand complex software.
So, if you are in any of these categories, there's probably a tool out there that will fit your content editing needs perfectly and can be useful in many other ways.
For example, it will ensure speed and spontaneity. Did you shoot a cool video at a concert and want to post it to Stories while the event is still fresh? Previously, you had to upload the video to your computer, launch a complex video editor, wait for it to load, and so on. Now you can open your phone in a taxi, go to the browser, and start editing right away. No installation required. Just create videos.
Plus, online tools are an all-in-one solution. You don’t have to jump between dozens of websites; everything is gathered in one place: stock music, templates, stickers, and fonts. You can create any project without having to search the Internet for free materials, download them, check the license, upload them to the program, and so on.
Being independent of location and device is also useful for work projects. If you urgently need to make edits, you don’t have to get to your PC at home; you can open a browser on whichever device is available, log in to your account, and your entire video and all your materials will be there. Make edits and save — the changes sync automatically.
However, accessibility may be the most important advantage. Now you can edit HD videos with beautiful effects not only on a state-of-the-art PC, but on any device with Internet access, and without prior editing experience. All the heavy lifting happens not on your laptop, but on the powerful servers of your chosen editor. Your device simply displays the usual user-friendly interface.
Desktop editors are rather for professionals and enthusiasts for whom video is not a hobby, but a job or a serious passion. Professional videographers and directors need complete control over every pixel and every sound. They need the high performance and flexibility that only software that utilizes the full power of their graphics card and processor locally can provide.
Plus, using local networks and specialized software allows a large team to work on a single project without uploading materials to a public cloud, taking security and collaboration to a whole new level.
Online video editing software options
Here are some solutions that you can try out to start with web-browser video editing.
Clideo is an all-in-one online video editor that runs directly in your browser, without installation. It offers a user-friendly interface ideal for beginners and professionals alike, supporting a wide range of editing features, including trimming, merging, adding subtitles, filters, audio editing, and AI voiceovers. Clideo also provides free stock media libraries, cloud storage integration, and supports HD and 4K video exports. It is perfect for creators looking for a simple yet powerful tool to quickly and efficiently create professional-quality videos, starting at just $9 per month or $72 per year.
It’s incredibly popular for creating social media content. Best for bloggers, SMM specialists, and anyone who wants to quickly create trendy videos with flashy effects, subtitles, and music.
It provides the power and brand of Adobe in a simplified online format and has excellent integration with Photoshop and premium stock. Best for those already in the Adobe ecosystem or looking to create high-quality content with a signature "glossy" look.
The level of security depends heavily on the service’s reputation and your needs. Any editor is suitable for personal use, but for professional work, you’ll need to look for more secure ones. And if you’re working with trade secrets or NDAs, it’s best to use only desktop editors.
Online editors have made huge progress and can now technically handle 4K. However, the main limitation remains your Internet bandwidth.
Some may have their own app versions that can work offline, like Clideo, but in general, online video editors are fundamentally not designed for full-fledged offline work.
Basic features make online video editing tools suitable for editing, while online features make them convenient, fast, and socially oriented. It’s this set of capabilities that is the key advantage for which many users forgo powerful, but more complex desktop programs. However, the latter are still in use for large and demanding projects.
