TL;DR
Q: What are the best AI tools for creating game highlights?
A: For an all-in-one solution, Eklipse is the best AI game highlights tool, offering automated clipping, a full video editor, and multi-platform support (including Kick). Other top alternatives for specific needs include Sizzle.gg, Streamladder, and Athenascope.

As a gamer or streamer, you know the feeling. You just finished an amazing stream filled with epic wins, clutch plays, and hilarious fails, but now comes the hard part: sifting through hours of footage to find those golden moments. This manual process is time-consuming, tedious, and a major barrier to growing your social media presence. Fortunately, the solution is here, and it’s a game-changer: AI game highlights tools.

These powerful platforms use artificial intelligence to automatically watch your gameplay, identify the most exciting moments, and clip them for you. This technology is the secret weapon for creators of all sizes, from pro streamers to casual gamers who just want to share a cool clip with friends. In this guide, we’ll break down the 7 best AI tools for creating game highlights in 2025, so you can spend less time editing and more time gaming.

1. Eklipse: The Best All-in-One AI Highlights Platform

Eklipse isn’t just another tool; it’s a complete, all-in-one ecosystem for content creators. It stands out by combining a powerful AI highlight generator with a full suite of editing tools, making it the most comprehensive solution on the market.

Trusted by over 1 million creators, you simply connect your Twitch, Kick, YouTube, or Facebook account, and Eklipse’s AI analyzes your past broadcasts. It identifies your best moments from over 1000+ supported games and delivers them as ready-to-edit clips for any social platform.

Key Features:

• AI Stream Clipper: The AI intelligently scans your VODs for key moments like multi-kills, victories, and funny reactions, saving you countless hours.
• Dedicated Social Editors: Convert clips into vertical videos for TikTok, Shorts, and Reels with one click using professional templates, text, stickers, and royalty-free music.
• Kick Platform Support: One of the few AI platforms offering full support for the fast-growing Kick streaming platform.
• Direct Social Sharing: Post or schedule your finished clips directly to your social media channels without leaving the platform.

Pros:

• A complete, integrated workflow from discovery to posting.
• Powerful AI saves an enormous amount of time.
• Supports all major streaming platforms, including Kick.
• Excellent free plan to get you started.

Cons:

• The best features (1080p, no watermark) are part of the Premium subscription.
• AI can occasionally miss moments with unique context.

Pricing: Free plan available. Premium plans unlock higher quality, faster processing, and advanced features.

Available on: Web, Android, and iOS.

2. Sizzle.gg: The Best for Pure Automation

Sizzle.gg is a strong competitor focused purely on AI highlight detection. Like Eklipse, it connects to your Twitch or YouTube and automatically clips moments based on in-game events. Its hands-off approach makes it a great choice for creators who just want a quick reel of their best kills and plays without needing to do much editing within the platform itself.

Key Features:

• Automatic Highlight Creation: AI analyzes gameplay and creates clips based on your preferences.
• Personalized Filtering: You can filter for specific moments like headshots, knockdowns, or wins.
• Direct Sharing: Easy sharing to platforms like Twitter and TikTok.

Pros:

• Highly automated and very easy to use.
• Good AI detection, especially for popular FPS games.
• A completely hands-off process for generating clips.

Cons:

• Very limited built-in editing and customization tools.
• The free version includes a Sizzle.gg watermark.
• Less creative control compared to all-in-one platforms.

Pricing: Free tier available; a paid “Starter” plan removes the watermark and adds features.

Available on: Web.

3. Streamladder: The Best for Converting Existing Clips

Streamladder operates differently from AI discovery tools. It’s a clip *converter*. You provide it with an existing Twitch clip link, and it gives you a simple interface with various templates to turn that horizontal clip into a vertical video for social media. It’s a fantastic single-purpose tool if you already know which moment you want to share and just need to format it quickly.

Key Features:

• Clip-to-Vertical Conversion: Its core function is to reformat horizontal video for mobile viewing.
• Template Library: Offers a wide variety of free and premium templates to frame your gameplay and facecam.
• Simple Editor: Allows you to add text and stickers to your clips.

Pros:

• Extremely simple and fast for converting single, pre-selected clips.
• No software download is required.
• Good selection of free templates to get started.

Cons:

• Does not use AI to find moments from full streams; the workflow is entirely manual.
• The free version includes a prominent watermark.
• Fewer advanced features compared to Eklipse.

Pricing: Free (with watermark); a Pro plan is available to remove watermarks and unlock more features.

Available on: Web.

4. Athenascope: The Best for Community-Focused Sharing

Athenascope takes a slightly different approach by focusing on creating a social feed of your gaming highlights. Its AI analyzes your gameplay from connected accounts and automatically generates clips, which are then showcased on your Athenascope profile. It’s a good option for gamers who want to be discovered within the platform’s own community and see what other players are up to.

Key Features:

• AI Highlight Detection: Automatically finds and clips your best moments.
• Personalized Profile and Feed: Creates a shareable profile showcasing your clips.
• Community Discovery: Browse feeds of highlights from other gamers playing the same titles.

Pros:

• Strong community features for discovering other gamers.
• Good AI for identifying impressive in-game achievements.
• Completely free to use.

Cons:

• Less focus on editing tools for external social media like TikTok or Reels.
• The user experience is centered on its own platform, not exporting content.

Pricing: Free.

Available on: Web.

5. Streamlabs Cross Clip: Best for Desktop Integration

For streamers already using Streamlabs Desktop, Cross Clip is the integrated solution for creating vertical content. It allows you to import existing Twitch clips directly within the Streamlabs ecosystem and use a straightforward editor to convert them into formats suitable for Shorts, Reels, and TikTok. Its main strength is its convenience for existing Streamlabs users.

Key Features:

• Direct Twitch Clip Import: Easily pull in clips from your connected Twitch account.
• Multi-platform Layouts: Edit your clip once and export it for multiple platforms.
• Simple Editing Tools: Trim clips, arrange layers, and add text.

Pros:

• Seamless integration if you already use Streamlabs Desktop.
• A convenient and familiar workflow for existing users.

Cons:

• It is not a standalone web tool; it’s part of the Streamlabs ecosystem.
• Lacks AI to discover new highlights from full VODs; you must bring your own clips.

Pricing: Included with the free version of Streamlabs; a Streamlabs Ultra subscription unlocks premium features like 1080p60 export and watermark removal.

Available on: Desktop (via Streamlabs).

6. Powder.gg: The Discontinued Predecessor

Note: This platform was officially shut down in late 2024. Powder.gg was a popular AI clipping tool from the same generation as Eklipse. It was well-known for its early AI technology and its ability to connect to consoles, though that feature was sometimes unreliable. While it is no longer available, it played an important role in popularizing AI highlights for gamers. Many of its former users have since migrated to more powerful and actively developed platforms like Eklipse to continue their content creation journey.

7. Professional Editing Service: Best for a Pro Polish

Source: Marketplaces like Fiverr, Upwork

For creators with a budget who want the absolute highest quality, hiring a human editor is a powerful option. This isn’t an AI tool, but rather a service that provides a professional touch that AI can’t yet replicate. A skilled editor can understand narrative, add creative effects, and tailor a video perfectly to your brand and vision. This is the ultimate solution for a hands-off, premium result.

Key Features:

• Human Creativity and Storytelling: An editor can build a narrative, understand comedic timing, and add a personal touch.
• Advanced Visual Effects: Access to professional software for motion graphics, transitions, and color grading.
• Fully Customized Content: The final product is tailored exactly to your specifications.

Pros:

• Unmatched quality and creativity.
• Completely customized to your vision.
• Saves you all editing time.

Cons:

• By far the most expensive option.
• Requires clear communication, direction, and management.
• Turnaround times can be slower than automated tools.

Pricing: Varies widely, from ~$20 for a single clip to hundreds or thousands for complex montages.

Available on: Various online freelance platforms.

Frequently Asked Questions About AI Game Highlights

Can AI edit gaming clips?

Yes, absolutely! AI is exceptionally good at editing gaming clips. It works by analyzing video and audio cues from your stream VOD to identify high-action moments like kills, objectives, loud reactions, and rapid chat activity. It then automatically “clips” these sections for you to review, saving you from manual searching.

What is the best AI clipping software?

The best AI clipping software for most creators is Eklipse. It offers the most complete package, combining powerful AI highlight detection from full streams with a built-in suite of video editors for TikTok, Shorts, and Reels. This all-in-one approach makes it the most efficient tool on the market.

What is the best app to make a highlight reel?

For making a highlight reel on the go, the Eklipse mobile app (available on Android and iOS) is the best choice. It allows you to manage your AI-generated clips, edit them, and post them to social media directly from your phone. For desktop users, the Eklipse web platform provides the same powerful features in your browser.

How do I create a highlight reel from my streams?

Creating a highlight reel has never been easier. Here’s how you can do it in minutes with a tool like Eklipse:

1. Connect Your Account: Sign up for Eklipse for free and connect your Twitch, Kick, YouTube, or Facebook account.
2. Process a Stream: Choose a past stream (VOD) and let the AI analyze it.
3. Review Your Clips: Eklipse will deliver a collection of your best moments.
4. Edit and Customize: Click “Edit” on any clip to convert it to a vertical format, add templates, text, and music.
5. Share Everywhere: Download your finished highlight or post it directly to TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and more.

Final Thoughts

The world of AI game highlights is revolutionizing how gamers and streamers create content. Whether you’re a seasoned pro looking to streamline your workflow or a casual gamer wanting to share an epic moment, there is a perfect tool for you. For creators seeking a powerful, automated, and all-in-one platform, Eklipse offers the most robust and user-friendly solution.

By leveraging AI, you can take back your time and focus on what you do best: creating amazing content and engaging with your community. So dive in, explore your options, and let AI help you craft clips that wow your audience and go viral.

Ready to see the power of AI editing for yourself? Sign up for a free Eklipse account today!

TL;DR
The best Powder.gg alternatives are cloud-based, AI-powered tools. Eklipse is the top choice for its powerful AI highlights, direct social media integration, and robust free plan. Other great options include Streamladder, Sizzle.gg, Streamlabs Desktop, and Lightworks.

If you’ve landed here, you’ve probably heard the news: Powder.gg is shutting down. For many gamers and streamers, Powder was a go-to tool for effortlessly turning gameplay into shareable social media content. Its shutdown leaves a significant gap, forcing creators to search for the best Powder.gg alternatives to maintain their content pipeline. The good news is that the technology has evolved, and more powerful, intuitive, and feature-rich options are ready to take its place.

This guide will walk you through the top 5 replacements in 2025, with a focus on tools that don’t require any installation and can elevate your content beyond what was possible before.

More on Eklipse Blog: Eklipse vs. Powder.gg: Why Eklipse is the Best Alternative After the Shutdown

What Happened to Powder.gg?

In late 2024, Powder.gg announced it would be ceasing operations. The platform, known for its AI-driven game clipping and social sharing features, was a favorite for many creators who needed a quick way to generate content without complex editing software. The shutdown has left its user base in need of a new home for their clipping needs.

When looking for a replacement, it’s essential to find a tool that not only replicates Powder’s core functionality but also improves upon it. Key features to look for in an alternative include:

• AI-Powered Clipping: Automatically identifies exciting moments like kills, goals, and big plays.
• Cloud-Based Processing: No need to download bulky software that slows down your PC.
• Direct Social Media Integration: Easily format and post clips to TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and more.
• Support for Multiple Platforms: Works with Twitch, Kick, YouTube, and Facebook Gaming.
• Customization Tools: Ability to add text, memes, and unique layouts to make your content stand out.

1. Eklipse – The Proven Leader in AI Clipping

For former Powder.gg users looking for a new home, the best choice isn’t a new platform, but a more powerful and established contemporary that has become the industry leader: Eklipse.

hile from the same generation of AI tools, Eklipse has spent years perfecting its technology, creating a robust, cloud-based platform that automatically analyzes your past streams from Twitch, Kick, YouTube, or Facebook to generate viral-ready highlights. It’s a proven system that eliminates the need for software installation and uses intelligent AI to find your best moments, delivering a workflow up to 10x faster than manual editing.

Think of Eklipse as your personal editing assistant, trusted by over 1 million gaming creators to grow their channels. For beginners, the free plan is incredibly generous, allowing you to process several streams and get high-quality 720p clips. For those ready to join the pros, Eklipse Premium unlocks 1080p quality, removes watermarks, offers 3x faster processing, and even includes an AI-powered social media caption and hashtag generator. It’s the complete package for creators focused on growth.

Key Features:

• AI Highlights: Automatically detects and clips exciting moments from over 1000+ popular games.
• Multi-Platform Support: Seamlessly connects to Twitch, Kick, YouTube, and Facebook.
• Pro-Level Editing Tools: Edit clips with a built-in video editor, add text, stickers, and use pre-made templates for TikTok and Reels.
• Direct Social Sharing: Post your clips directly to TikTok, YouTube Shorts, Instagram, and more without leaving the platform.
• Discord Auto-Share Bot: A premium feature that automatically posts your best clips to your Discord community.

Pros:

• Extremely easy to use with an intuitive interface.
• Powerful AI saves countless hours with a workflow up to 10x faster than manual clipping.
• Completely cloud-based—nothing to download.
• Trusted by a massive community of over 1 million creators.
• Supports Kick, a major advantage over many competitors.

Cons:

• Highest quality features (1080p, no watermark) require a Premium subscription.

Pricing: Free plan available. Premium plans offer enhanced features and higher limits.

2. Streamlabs Desktop – The All-in-One Broadcasting Suite

Formerly known as Streamlabs OBS, Streamlabs Desktop is much more than just a clipping tool—it’s a full-fledged broadcasting software. However, it includes powerful features for creating highlights. Its “Replay Buffer” allows you to instantly save the last few seconds of your gameplay with a hotkey, ensuring you never miss an epic moment. You can also record your entire stream and edit it down later.

This is a great option if you want an all-in-one solution for both streaming and content creation. However, it requires a software installation and uses your PC’s resources. It’s not a cloud-based solution, making it fundamentally different from Powder.gg, but it’s a powerful tool for creators who prefer local control.

Key Features:

• All-in-One Software: Combines streaming, recording, and basic editing.
• Replay Buffer: Instantly capture highlights as they happen.
• Highlight Cutter: A built-in tool to edit longer recordings into shorter clips.
• Streamlabs Marketplace: Access to thousands of overlays, themes, and widgets.

Pros:

• A comprehensive tool for streaming and recording.
• Instant replay feature is excellent for capturing spontaneous moments.
• Highly customizable.

Cons:

• Requires software installation and is resource-intensive.
• Not cloud-based; all processing is done on your PC.
• Steeper learning curve compared to web-based clippers.

Pricing: Free. Streamlabs Ultra subscription unlocks premium features.

3. Lightworks – Best Non-linear Editor

For creators who want to move beyond simple clips and delve into professional-grade video editing, Lightworks is an excellent choice. This is a non-linear editor (NLE) used in the film industry, but it offers a surprisingly accessible free version. With Lightworks, you can combine multiple clips, add professional transitions, perform color grading, and master your audio.

Lightworks is not an AI clipping tool; it’s a full editing suite. It’s the perfect Powder.gg alternative for someone who recorded their gameplay and now wants to create a high-quality YouTube montage or compilation. It’s overkill for quick TikToks but invaluable for more ambitious video projects.

Key Features:

• Professional Editing Timeline: Advanced tools for trimming, cutting, and arranging clips.
• Multicam Editing: Sync footage from multiple cameras (e.g., gameplay and facecam).
• High-Resolution Export: The free version exports up to 720p, while the Pro version supports 4K.

Pros:

• Extremely powerful editing capabilities.
• The free version is very generous with its features.
• Prepares you for industry-standard editing workflows.

Cons:

• Significant learning curve for beginners.
• Not an automated or AI-driven tool.
• Requires a powerful PC to run smoothly.

Pricing: Free. “Create” and “Pro” subscriptions unlock higher resolutions and advanced features.

4. Sizzle. gg – Best Free Highlight Maker

Sizzle.gg is another AI-powered tool that focuses on automatically detecting and clipping your best gameplay moments from Twitch or YouTube streams. Its core strength lies in its ability to analyze footage and pull out highlights based on in-game events like kills, goals, or victories. You can then download these clips or share them directly.

Sizzle is a strong contender, but its feature set can feel limited compared to a more comprehensive platform. The free tier includes a watermark, and for features like faster processing and longer storage, a subscription is necessary. It’s a great tool for pure highlight generation but offers fewer creative editing tools in-platform.

Key Features:

• Automatic Highlight Creation: AI analyzes gameplay and creates clips based on your preferences.
• Personalized Filtering: Filter for specific moments like headshots, knockdowns, or wins.
• Direct Sharing: Easy sharing to platforms like Twitter and TikTok.
• Profile Page: The paid plan offers a profile page to showcase your best moments.

Pros:

• AI automatically finds great moments from your streams.
• Easy-to-use filtering system.
• Good for creators who want a hands-off clipping process.

Cons:

• Free highlights have a Sizzle.gg watermark.
• Editing and customization options are basic.
• Requires a subscription to remove limits and watermarks.

Pricing: Free tier available. Paid “Starter” plan for more features.

More on Eklipse Blog>>> Best Sizzle.gg Alternatives & Competitors in 2024

5. Streamladder – The Direct Competitor

Streamladder positions itself as a direct alternative, offering a similar cloud-based experience for turning stream clips into social-friendly videos. You can paste a Twitch clip link or upload a video, and Streamladder helps you convert it into a vertical format using various templates. It’s a solid tool for quick edits and has a simple, easy-to-understand workflow.

While it’s effective for converting existing clips, its AI capabilities for *finding* those clips aren’t as robust as Eklipse’s. It’s more of a manual conversion tool than an automatic highlight generator. This makes it a good choice if you already know which moments you want to use but less ideal if you want an AI to do the discovery for you.

Key Features:

• Clip Conversion: Easily converts horizontal clips to vertical formats.
• Template Library: Offers a variety of templates to frame your gameplay.
• Simple Editor: Add text and stickers to your clips.
• Free to Use: Basic features are available for free with a watermark.

Pros:

• Very simple and fast for converting single clips.
• No software download required.
• Good selection of free templates.

Cons:

• Lacks automatic highlight detection from full streams.
• The free version includes a prominent watermark.
• Fewer advanced features compared to Eklipse.

Pricing: Free (with watermark). Pro plan available to remove watermarks and unlock more features.

Feature Comparison: Which Powder.gg Alternative is Right for You?

To help you decide, here’s a quick comparison of the top alternatives based on the features that matter most to former Powder.gg users.

Final Thoughts: The Best Path Forward After Powder.gg

Losing a familiar tool like Powder.gg can be disruptive, but the creator space is filled with innovation. The best path forward is to embrace a platform that not only fills the gap but also equips you with better tools for growth. For the vast majority of streamers and gamers, Eklipse is the clear successor to Powder.gg.

Eklipse’s powerful AI, cloud-based convenience, and direct integration with all major streaming and social platforms make it the most seamless and powerful alternative on the market. It takes the core idea of Powder.gg—easy content creation—and elevates it to a professional level, saving you time while helping you produce higher-quality content. Don’t let your content momentum stop.

Ready to see the future of stream editing? Sign up for a free Eklipse account today and let our AI turn your best stream moments into viral highlights.

TL;DR:
The best app depends on your role. For streamers needing to find highlights in their own footage, Eklipse is the top choice for its AI automation. For viewers, the native clipping tools on Twitch and YouTube are best. For attendees, CapCut is ideal for mobile editing.

Gaming events are a whirlwind of hype, skill, and unforgettable moments. Whether you’re a streamer competing, a viewer watching from home, or an attendee on the floor, you want to capture and share the highlights. But when you search for an “app for gaming event clips,” you’ll find that the “best” tool isn’t one-size-fits-all. The right app depends entirely on your role and your goal.

A viewer needs a quick, instant clipper. An attendee needs a powerful mobile editor. But a streamer or content creator has the biggest challenge of all: mountains of footage and not enough time. To help you find the perfect tool for your needs, we’ve broken down the best apps for every role at a gaming event in 2025.

For Streamers & Creators: The Automated Workflow

If you’re the one playing and streaming, your problem isn’t just clipping—it’s finding the moments to clip from hours of VODs. For this, you need more than a simple tool; you need an automated workflow.

1. Eklipse (Best for AI Automation and Efficiency)

Eklipse is the definitive solution for streamers and content creators because it solves the biggest problem: time. Instead of you manually searching for highlights, Eklipse’s AI does it for you. It’s an intelligent system designed to turn your long streams into a library of shareable content with minimal effort.

• How it Works: You connect your Twitch, Kick, or YouTube account, and after your stream, Eklipse’s AI Highlights feature automatically scans your VOD and identifies your best plays, funny reactions, and other key moments. You can even use the Voice Command feature to mark moments hands-free while you’re live.
• Why it’s Best: It automates the most tedious part of the process. You start with a curated list of your best moments instead of a blank timeline. From there, you can use the all-in-one Eklipse Studio to edit, add your facecam, and use AI Edit features to make your clips pop. The entire process is manageable on the go via the Eklipse Mobile App, and you can schedule your posts with the Content Planner. It’s a complete ecosystem, and you can explore all its features to see how it fits your workflow.

2. DaVinci Resolve / Adobe Premiere Pro (Best for Pro-Level Manual Control)

For creators who want to manually craft every second of their content and have a deep knowledge of video editing, professional software like DaVinci Resolve (which has a powerful free version) and Premiere Pro are the standard.

• How they Work: These are traditional, timeline-based editors that give you complete creative control over every visual and audio element.
• Why they’re an Option: If your goal is to create a highly-produced, cinematic montage of your event performance, these tools give you unlimited power. However, be prepared for a steep learning curve and a time-consuming process of manually finding, importing, and editing every single clip.

For Viewers Watching from Home: The Instant Clippers

If you’re watching your favorite pro or streamer and want to capture a single, amazing moment as it happens, you don’t need complex software. The best tools are built right into the platform you’re using.

3. Twitch’s Native Clipper

The original and still one of the best for live moments. With a single click (or tap), the Twitch clip button instantly captures the last 60 seconds of a stream. You can then trim it down to the exact moment and share the link immediately. It’s fast, simple, and perfect for capturing live reactions.

4. YouTube’s Clipping Feature

Similar to Twitch’s tool, YouTube allows you to create short clips (5-60 seconds) from VODs and live streams. It’s ideal for sharing a specific highlight from a tournament VOD after the live event has ended.

For Attendees on the Event Floor: The On-the-Go Tools

If you’re physically at an event, your needs are all about speed, mobile-friendliness, and social media integration.

5. CapCut (Best for Quick Social Edits)

CapCut is a mobile editing powerhouse. You can film a bunch of short videos on the event floor, airdrop them into CapCut, and quickly stitch them together into a dynamic montage. With its massive library of trending sounds, effects, and auto-captioning, it’s the perfect tool for creating a high-energy “event vlog” for TikTok or Reels.

6. Instagram & TikTok (Best for Instant Sharing)

Sometimes the best app is the social media platform itself. Using Instagram Stories or the TikTok camera to capture short moments allows you to post them instantly. Their built-in filters, stickers, and text tools are more than enough for quick, on-the-ground updates that make your followers feel like they’re there with you. When you’re ready to post your more polished clips, Eklipse even supports direct publishing to TikTok.

Final Thoughts: Choose the Right Tool for the Job

There is no single “app for gaming event clips,” but there is a best app for your specific needs. If you are a content creator drowning in footage, an AI-powered tool like Eklipse isn’t just an option—it’s a necessity for staying consistent and avoiding burnout. For viewers and attendees, simpler, more direct tools will get the job done perfectly. Choose the right tool for your role, and you’ll spend less time working and more time sharing great content.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the main difference between Eklipse and a traditional editor like DaVinci Resolve?
Eklipse’s primary function is to find the best moments for you using AI, automating the most time-consuming step. DaVinci Resolve is a tool you use after you’ve already found your clips manually, giving you deep creative control over the editing process.

Can I use Eklipse if I’m a beginner?
Absolutely. It’s designed to be intuitive for creators at all levels. By automating the hardest part (finding the clips), it’s actually one of the easiest ways for a beginner streamer to start creating polished content.

Are the native clipping tools on Twitch and YouTube good enough?
For viewers who want to capture one moment, yes, they are perfect. For creators who need to produce dozens of clips from their own multi-hour stream, they are far too slow and inefficient.

TL;DR:
For beginner gamers and streamers, Eklipse.gg is the best starting point as it uses AI to find your clips for you. For general editing, Clipchamp is the best free and easy tool for PC/web, and CapCut is the best for mobile phones and creating trendy TikToks.

The leap from wanting to be a content creator to actually making content can feel massive. The biggest hurdle? Video editing. The mere thought of complex software with a million buttons and a hefty price tag is enough to stop many aspiring creators in their tracks. It feels overwhelming, and it’s easy to get paralyzed by choice before you even begin.

But here’s the good news: in 2025, you don’t need to be a professional editor or spend a fortune to create high-quality content. The best tools for beginners aren’t the most complicated ones; they’re the ones that are intuitive, affordable (or free!), and help you get your ideas out into the world with minimal friction. The “best” tool truly depends on what you want to create—and for many new streamers, the best tool isn’t a traditional editor at all, but an AI assistant that does the hardest part for you.

Read more: What Are the Best Tools for Creating Gaming Content for TikTok in 2025?

What Should Beginners Look for in an Editing Tool?

Before diving into the list, let’s set some ground rules. A great beginner tool should have:

• An Intuitive Interface: It should be easy to understand the basics without watching hours of tutorials. Think drag-and-drop functionality and clear, simple menus.
• Low Cost of Entry: The tool should have a robust free version or be very affordable.
• Essential Features: It must handle the fundamentals flawlessly: trimming clips, adding text, inserting music, and layering basic effects.
• Good Export Options: It should let you easily export your video in high quality (at least 1080p) in the right format for platforms like YouTube and TikTok.

The Best Editing Tools for Beginners in 2025

This list is curated to give you the best starting point based on the type of content you want to make.

1. Eklipse: Best for Gamers & Streamers (The “Pre-Editor”)

For beginner streamers, the biggest problem isn’t editing—it’s finding what to edit. Who has the energy to sift through a 4-hour VOD to find two or three good moments? This is where Eklipse comes in, and why it’s our #1 recommendation for this niche.

Eklipse isn’t a traditional editor; it’s an AI-powered content assistant that acts as your “pre-editor.” It connects to your Twitch, Kick, or YouTube and automatically analyzes your streams, identifying your best highlights—kills, clutches, funny moments—and delivers them to you in just 5-10 minutes.

This completely changes the game for beginners. Instead of facing a scary, blank timeline, you start with a curated list of your best moments. From there, you can use Eklipse’s simple, built-in vertical video editor to add your facecam, insert text, and create a polished clip for TikTok or Shorts. It removes the biggest barrier to entry: the overwhelming task of finding content.

• Best for: Streamers and gamers who need an automated way to find their best moments and turn them into short-form content quickly.
• Price: Free tier available / Premium from $14.99/mo.

2. CapCut: Best for Mobile & TikTok Editing

CapCut is the undisputed king of mobile editing for a reason. It’s owned by the same company as TikTok, so it’s perfectly integrated with the platform’s trends, sounds, and styles. Its interface is incredibly intuitive, making it easy for anyone to pick up their phone and start creating.

Its auto-captioning feature is best-in-class, and its massive library of effects, filters, and trending sounds makes it easy to create content that feels native to social media. If you’re shooting and editing primarily on your phone, this is the app to get.

• Best for: TikTok creators, vloggers, and anyone who wants a powerful, feature-rich editor on their phone.
• Price: Mostly Free / Pro Subscription available.

3. Clipchamp: Best for Web-Based & PC Editing

Included for free with Windows 11 (and available on any browser), Clipchamp is Microsoft’s answer to accessible video editing. It’s the perfect starting point for PC users who are intimidated by complex software. Think of it as the “Canva for video.”

Its drag-and-drop interface is clean and simple, it comes with professional-looking templates, and—most importantly for beginners—its free plan allows you to export unlimited videos in 1080p without a watermark. For creating basic YouTube videos or presentations, it’s a fantastic, no-fuss option.

• Best for: Aspiring YouTubers, students, and anyone wanting a simple, browser-based editor for PC or Mac.
• Price: Free / Premium plan with more stock assets.

4. DaVinci Resolve (Free Version): Best for Ambitious Beginners

This recommendation comes with a big warning: DaVinci Resolve has a steep learning curve. However, if you are serious about content creation and want a tool you can grow with for years, there is no better option. The free version of Resolve is a full-fledged, Hollywood-grade editing suite.

It offers professional-level color grading, audio mixing, and visual effects that far surpass any other free tool. You won’t master it in a day, but the skills you learn will be valuable for your entire content creation journey.

• Best for: Beginners who are dedicated to learning professional editing skills and want a tool that they will never outgrow.
• Price: Free (The paid Studio version is for high-end professionals).

5. InShot: Best for All-in-One Simplicity on Mobile

If you find CapCut a little overwhelming with its constant trends and effects, InShot is a fantastic, straightforward alternative. It’s an all-in-one mobile editor that handles video, photos, and collages.

Its interface is incredibly clean, and it excels at the fundamentals: trimming, adding music, applying simple filters, and inserting text and stickers. It’s a reliable and easy-to-use tool for creating clean, simple videos without a lot of flashy extras.

• Best for: Beginners who want a simple, reliable, all-in-one creative tool on their phone.
• Price: Free (with ads and a watermark) / Pro subscription available.

What’s the Best First Step for a New Creator?

Don’t get stuck trying to find the “perfect” tool. The best first step is to pick the one that best matches your content and start creating.

• If you’re a streamer: Start with Eklipse. Let it find your moments so you can get used to the rhythm of creating and posting clips.
• If you’re a vlogger or TikToker: Download CapCut on your phone right now.
• If you’re an aspiring YouTuber on PC: Open Clipchamp in your browser.

The goal at the beginning is to build momentum. Start with a simple tool, learn the basics, and most importantly, have fun bringing your ideas to life. You can always learn more advanced software later.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a powerful computer to start editing?
No. With web-based tools like Clipchamp and mobile apps like CapCut and InShot, you can start editing on almost any modern computer or smartphone. Tools like Eklipse do all the heavy AI processing on their own servers, so it doesn’t strain your PC.

Can I really start creating content for free?
Yes. Every tool on this list has a powerful free version that is more than enough for a beginner to start creating high-quality content.

What is the main difference between Eklipse and a normal editor like Clipchamp?
Eklipse’s primary job is to find the content for you using AI, solving the problem of “what to edit.” Clipchamp is a tool you use after you already know which clips you want to piece together. For streamers, Eklipse is the starting point.

How long should it take me to edit my first video?
For your first few videos, give yourself time and be patient. A 1-minute TikTok might take an hour as you learn. A 5-minute YouTube video could take several hours. The more you practice, the faster you will get.