For good or for ill, cameras are everywhere now, and we should honestly expect more IP webcams and action cams to appear in coming years. Once you reach the limits of the bundled camera apps, though, try a Wi-Fi camera app to get more out of your camera.
We Video: Best Editor for Action Cams
Action cams like the GoPro are everywhere now. They’re a lot of fun to use, whether you’re ripping down the slopes or taping your grandkids. We Video is an editing tool for your phone or tablet that will let you upload your video content, trim it, add music and effects, and push it out to YouTube, email, or anywhere else you want to share your video.
One of the most user-friendly interfaces we’ve seen on a video app.
Plenty of tools for simple video edits and more complex work.
In-app purchases feel a little pushy.
May be too basic for more experienced video editors.
Download:
InShot: Best for Family Fun
InShot is the most fun video editor. It’s full of effects, stickers, and other toys and gewgaws, and it’s also surprisingly fast. That makes it particularly a blast for families who’ve gotten a new action cam for Christmas and want to turn their videos into Instagram or YouTube friendly videos at lightning speed. The only problem is if you want the full experience, you’ll have to pay for it. All but the basic features are behind a paywall. There are also loads of ads to deal with.
Puts everything you need to edit both video and photos in your pocket.
Designed with social media in mind, making it the most fun for family photos and videos.
Both ads and in-app purchases drag down the experience.
IP Webcam: Best App to Recycle an Old Phone
Have an old phone and not sure what to use it for? IP Webcam turns it into a webcam you can control over Wi-Fi. This can be particularly useful if you want something cheap, easy to set up, and unobtrusive. You can even just buy a used phone, download the app, and have an instant, high-quality webcam for much cheaper than getting one from the store.
One of the smartest apps for recycling your old smartphone.
Lets you view the resulting video feed not just through your phone, but any desktop or laptop.
No iOS version.
Pretty barebones beyond the basics.
Instructions may be somewhat confusing or have you running to Google if you’re not as technically inclined as the developer.
Nest: Best Bundled App
The same company that makes one of the best smart thermostats also makes a security camera, and it has the best app of any bundled app for a camera we’ve seen. It’s simple to use, the controls are clear, and it works well with all your Nest products, so you can coordinate them more effectively.
App coordinates with all Nest products, not just your Nest camera, making it easier to monitor your whole house.
Branded app—won’t work with Google Home.
iOS version is barebones compared to the Android app, and we expect that to get worse as Google and Apple step up their competition.
Action Cam Toolbox: Best Wi-Fi Action Camera App
If you love action cams, but are sick of juggling their proprietary apps, or you want to use all the cameras your friends bring to an event, this app is designed to get them all marching to the same drum.
Control multiple cameras at once, even if it involves a little more manual work.
Some GPS and data makes coordination easier.
Because it’s a third-party developer, not all cameras work the same or use the same settings, so you may be Googling configurations for a while before you get started.
You’ll have to pay to add brands of cameras.
While it’s aimed at professionals to some degree, to use certain brands of cameras you’ll have to make an in-app purchase. However, the coordination and design features are easy enough to use that you’ll have multi-camera shoots running in no time.
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