Want to know about the best Green Screen Software Chroma Key Apps? Click here to read our review of the best green screen editing software:
Chroma key software apps can create professional videos. The app can isolate a color or chroma and remove it from images and video clips. It can enhance the quality of recorded and live videos.
In this blog post, we have reviewed the best paid and free green screen software. You can select the best green screen software for photos and videos after reading this review.
Let us begin!
Table of Contents:
Green Screen Software – Review
Market Trends: The photo and video editing software market size is expected to grow by about $33.81 billion between 2021 and 2028. The market size is projected to increase to about $11.1 billion by 2028. The following pie chart shows the expected video editor market share.
Market Share for Video Editing Apps:
[image source]
Expert Advice: One of the common problems with editing green screen clips is motion blur. To avoid this problem, you must set a frame rate of 120 fps or higher. In the green screen editing app, set the frame rate as 30 fps and speed up the footage by 4 times.
FAQs About Green Screen Apps
Q #1) How does a green screen app work?
Answer: A green screen app works by combining two images into a single image. The images can be stacked in layers, or one image can be placed in front of the other. Most green screen apps place one image in front of the other.
Q #2) How do I make my green screen?
Answer: You can add green poster boards as a background to create a green screen. Another option is to use an app that can transform the background of any image or video into a green screen. You can then add your custom background using a video editing app with green screen editing features.
Q #3) How can I edit my green screen for free?
Answer: You must use an open source and free green screen app to edit clips for free. The free green screen editing software has basic features to improve the quality of the videos. But if you want to create professional videos, consider a paid green screen editing software.
Q #4) How do I make a fake background for a video?
Answer: You can use a green screen editing app to create fake backgrounds for a video. You must transform the background of a video into a green screen. You can now add any custom background for the video.
Q #5) Is a green screen worth it for photography?
Answer: Green screen background can be added to any photo. However, a green screen is not recommended for nighttime photography. Instead, a blue screen should be used as it will produce the best effects.
List of the Best Green Screen Software
Popularly known free Green Screen app list:
- Movavi Video Editor
- VSDC
- Apple iMovie
- Lightworks
- OpenShot
- OBS Studio
- HitFilm Express
- DaVinci Resolve 18
- Pinnacle Studio
- Wax
- Wondershare Filmora Chroma Key
- Camtasia
- vMix
- XSplit VCam
Comparison of Top Green Screen Apps
| Tool Name | Best For | Platform | Price | Ratings ***** |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Movavi Video Editor | Personal and professional video editing | Windows, Mac, Web-based | $54.95 |  |
| VSDC | Creating professional quality videos with green screen chroma on Windows devices. | Windows | Free |  |
| iMovie | Video editing on Mac devices for free. | MacOS | Free | |
| Lightworks | Creating professional cinema-grade videos. | Windows, MacOS, and Linux. | $9.99 to $23.99 per user per month | |
| OpenShot | Creating animated videos on multiple platforms. | Windows, MacOS, and Linux. | Free |  |
| HitFilm Express | Editing videos for video streaming on social media websites on Windows and MacOS devices | Windows & MacOS | Basic: Free Pro: $349 | |
Detailed reviews:
#1) Movavi Video Editor
Best for personal and professional video editing on Mac and Windows
Movavi is a great video editing software. The free and open source software contains advanced features present in costly video editing tools. You can edit and replace background videos. In addition, the app allows you to create vertical videos.
Features:
- Titles, filters, and transitions
- Chroma key
- Vertical videos
- Stickers and custom titles
Verdict: Movavi Video Editor is free software with advanced video editing features. You can create professional quality videos in a few minutes.
Price: Free
#2) VSDC
Best for creating professional quality videos with green screen chroma on Windows devices.
VSDC allows the creation of high-quality videos. You can edit the videos by removing and replacing background videos. The app has non-linear video editing capabilities that will enable you to create professional videos.
The app supports different types of videos. You get access to a lot of audio and visual effects for free. There is also a build tool for burning videos on DVDs. The app can convert videos to popular formats.
Features:
- Convert videos
- Burn videos on DVD
- Audio and video library
- Non-linear video editing
- Chroma green screen editing
How to use VSDC:
Step #1: Open the VSDC software and select New Project. Next, type the name of the project.
Step #2: Select the desired Resolution of the video from the menu. You can select a preset resolution or specify a custom resolution for the video. Click the Finish button once done.
Step #3: Now, click on the Import content button and select a chroma or green screen video.
Step #4: You have to next select another video to superimpose on the chroma video. Click on the import icon button as indicated in the image below and select a second video.
Step #5: You will see a new window. Just click on the OK button without changing any settings. Now, drag the second video in the timeline to the second layer, as shown in the video below.
Step #6: Next, click on the Video effects menu in the upper left corner of the screen. Select Transparency and then Background remover. Click the OK button.
Step #7: Scroll down the properties window to the right of the screen. Click on the pencil icon next to the green box, then point the cursor to your video. This will remove the green screen from the first video.
Pros:
- Variety of video effects including normalization, reverbs, volume correction, and more.
- Video masking features to hide, highlight, or blur objects.
- Create 3D diagrams and charts for presentation.
- Capture videos from different devices.
Cons:
- Lack of video acceleration feature
Verdict: VSDC is a free video editing tool that novices and professionals can use for creating professional videos. The software has an easy user interface and intuitive controls.
Price: Free
Website: VSDC
#3) Apple iMovie
Best for video editing on Mac devices for free.
iMovie is a basic video editing app that is targeted at beginners. You can easily use the app to edit videos on your Mac devices. The app allows you to add green screen effects to all videos. It also supports video acceleration that allows quick video editing.
You can add subtitles and narration to your videos. It has an easy user interface that allows first-time users to easily start creating videos. You can edit videos on your mobile device to create videos on the go.
Features:
- Add Narration
- Green screen effects
- Audio effects
- HEVC and 4K support
How to use Apple iMovie:
Step #1: Click on the Import Media on the home screen and select your videos.
Step #2: Next, drag the background video and drop it on the timeline at the bottom of the screen.
Step #3: Click on the background video on the timeline and select the Cropping tool at the top right of the screen, and then select Fit.
Step #4: Drag the green chroma video clip into the timeline above the background video. You should trim or extend the background video to match the chroma clip in the timeline.
Step #5: Now, click on the chroma video, and select the overlay icon on the upper right corner of the screen as shown above.
Step #6: Click on the Cutaway menu and select Green/Blue Screen. A background video will be added to the green screen.
Pros:
- Add a custom background to replace the green screen.
- Easy user interface.
- Share videos on social media (YouTube, Facebook, etc.).
- Editing videos on the fly on mobile devices.
Cons:
- The video size can be large.
- Advanced video editing features are lacking.
Verdict: iMovie is targeted at novices that want basic video editing. It lacks advanced video editing features for creating professional quality videos.
Price: Free
Website: Apple iMovie
#4) Lightworks
Best for creating professional cinema-grade videos. on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Lightworks is another great tool that supports advanced video editing. It allows you to remove and replace the green screen background image. In addition, the software allows you to add special effects using TotalFX and NewBlue plugins.
The app also supports video tilting and motion tracking. You can use the software to create MP4 and H.264 format videos. The software also supports 10-bit exported features and social media templates. The app also supports Apple ProRes decoding for fast video editing of Apple videos.
It supports a lot of advanced video editing features, such as 10-bit export, advanced tilting, and motion graphics. The app also supports NewBlue and TotalFX plugins.
Features:
- Apple ProRes decoding
- 10-bit export
- Social media export templates
- H.264 and MP4 support
How to use Lightworks:
Step #1: On the main screen of Lightworks, go down to the timeline and press the right-click button.
Step #2: Click on Tracks and select Add video. This will create two video layers titled V1 and V2.
Step #3: Now, drag your background video clip on the timeline to the V2 layer, and the chroma green screen clip on the V1 layer.
Step #4: The next step is to click on the VFX button at the top center of the screen, and then click on the + sign to add a new effect.
Step #5: Now, click on DVE and drag the 2D DVE effect from the Components section to the green screen clip on the timeline.
Step #6: Again, click on the + icon and then the Key tab. You should drag the Greenscreen from the Preset section to the greenscreen clip on the timeline.
Step #7: Now, go to the Chromakey panel on the left of the screen and increase the Remove spill option to remove any remaining green on the edges of the background image.
Pros:
- Green effect support.
- Audio and video effect plugin support.
- High-resolution timeline rendering.
- Constant/variable bitrate.
Cons:
- The app supports limited export formats.
- No support for HD or 4K video editing.
Verdict: Both beginners and professionals can use Lightworks. However, you must use the pro version to create professional quality videos.
Price:
- Basic: Free
- Creative: $9.99 per month
- Pro: $23.99 per year
- Trial: No
Website: Lightworks
#5) OpenShot
Best for creating animated videos on Linux, macOS, and Windows.
OpenShot is an open-source and free video editing platform. You can use the software to create high-quality videos. The app supports the chroma key feature, allowing you to customize the background of the videos.
The video editing support supports a range of video and 3D animation effects. You can create lens flares, snow, and flying text. It also allows you to control the time of the videos. You can slow down or speed up the videos using custom or preset speed.
Features:
- Animation effects
- Audio waveforms
- Unlimited tracks
- Cross-Platform support
Pros:
- Trim videos to capture the perfect moment.
- Use animation frameworks such as slide, fade, bounce, etc.
- Visualizes audio files with waveforms.
Cons:
- Video editing rendering may be slow on low-end PCs.
Verdict: OpenShot is free software for professional quality videos. The software supports advanced video editing features despite being free.
Price: Free
Website: OpenShot
#6) HitFilm Express
Best for editing videos for video streaming on social media websites on Windows and macOS devices
HitFilms Express is a great video editing software that allows you to create professional-grade videos. The application is great for editing videos for video streaming and gaming sites. The app supports 4K video editing that allows you to create montages and cinematic videos.
Features:
- Chroma editing
- Professional editing tools
- Motion tracking tools
- Animated videos
- GPU acceleration
Pros:
- Pre-built motion tracking tools.
- Keying effects and lens flares.
- Industry grade color adjustment.
- Quick 3D effects create stunning quality videos.
Cons:
- Not many VFX options.
- Shadow watermark-free version.
Price:
- Basic: Free
- Pro: $349
- Trial: Yes | No expiry but with watermarks
Website: HitFilm Express
#7) OBS Studio
Best for Live streaming professional quality videos on Windows, macOS, and Linux platforms.
OBS is a versatile video editing app. It allows you to create custom scenes from different sources. You can add text, images, and a custom background. The app allows you to easily configure the color and other options.
Features:
- Real-time video and audio capture
- Edit unlimited number of scenes
- Custom transitions
- Multiple image capture
Verdict: OBS is also an excellent video editing app with green screen support. It allows you to create stunning quality videos on Windows, macOS, and Linux platforms.
Price: Free
Website: OBS Studio
#8) DaVinci Resolve 18
Best for creating motion graphics with special effects on Windows, macOS, and Linux platforms.
DaVinci Resolve 18 is a great video editing software that supports chroma screen editing. It boasts advanced features like color grading, video cutting, and keyframing. You can also edit video audio to create professional quality videos.
Features:
- Color correction
- Motion graphics
- Keyframing
- Audio post protection
Verdict: DaVinci Resolve 18 is a great video editing software that can be used on multiple platforms. The color grading and audio processing features allow you to create high-quality videos. The only downside of the application is that getting used to the user interface takes time.
Price:
- Basic: Free
- Professional: $295
Website: Davinci Resolve 18
#9) Pinnacle Studio
Best for Cenima-grade video editing with fast rendering on Windows devices.
Pinnacle Studio is a fully-featured video editing software. The app boasts advanced video editing features such as video tilting, motion-tracking, audio editing, and green screen editing.
You can change the green screen with the chroma key tool in the FX tab. With the software, you can add almost any background that allows you to put the video presenter anywhere creating immersive videos.
Features:
- HD, 4K, and 360 video editing
- Motion tracking
- MultiCam editing
- Split screen video
Verdict: Pinnacle Studio gives you complete control and power over editing videos. You can create cinema-grade videos using the professional video editing tool.
Price:
- Pinnacle Studio Pro: $59.95
- Pinnacle Studio Ultimate: $129.95 (One-time Fee)
- Free Trial: Yes | 30 days
Website: Pinnacle Studio
#10) Wax
Best for Chroma key composting and special effects free on Windows.
Was is a free plug-in that can edit videos. The app allows unlimited video and tracks composting and special effects. The effects include 3D effects and chroma key composting. You can edit videos with top-down compositing and keyframmable masks and shapes.
Features:
- Support 3D models including.MD2, .3DS, and .MS3d
- Create Beveled 3D text
- Generate natural particles like smoke, rain, and fire
- Create special effects
- Fully feature 2D composting with texture generation, shadows, lighting, etc.
Verdict: Wax is distributed as freeware on Windows operating systems for personal and business use. The app can be used as standalone software or a plugin. At the moment, the plugin works with Adobe Premier, Pure Motion EditStudio, and Sony Vegas video editing apps.
Price: Free
Website: Wax
Best for adding special effects to videos with a green screen on Windows and macOS devices.
Wondershare Filmora Chroma Key (Green Screen) app allows you to easily change background screens with a green screen. Moreover, the app allows you to add special effects to your videos such as gracing the cover of a magazine or flying through the sky. You can change the video background with a green screen with just one click of a button.
Features:
- Audio and Video Editing
- Chroma (Color) Editing
- Stock Photo Library
- One-click background change
Verdict: Wondershare Filmora Green Screen removal tool can create professional-quality videos. It can create impressive videos by adding different effects with the green screen editing feature.
Price:
- Perpetual Plan: $79.99
- Subscription: Starts at $68.98 per year
- Free Trial: Yes | 30 days
Website: WonderShare Filmora
#12) Camtasia
Best for creating professional quality how-to videos and demos on Windows and macOS devices.
Camtasia is a professional video editing app that can remove the background color. The app allows you to replace the background with a custom image. You can also use the rotation tool to scale the replacement background image.
Features:
- Add captions and headings
- Document steps and workflows
- Video templates
- Royalty-free library
- Audio and screen recording
Verdict: Camtasia is a good overall video editing app with a green screen editing feature. But a drawback of the app is that the rendering can be slow and clunky on low-end systems.
Price:
- $299
- Trial: Yes | 30 days
Website: Camtasia
#13) vMix
Best for creating professional quality videos for streaming or presentation on Windows.
vMix is a professional software for editing videos. The software can create titles, chroma keys, virtual sets, camera angles, and more. The green screen feature allows you to create an overlay effect for your videos. You can place the presenter in any situation by changing the background. This feature allows you to create layered content for creative video editing.
Features:
- Mix and switch content
- Overlay images and titles
- Mix and add audio
- Instant replay
Verdict: The best thing about vMix is the flexible pricing option. You can pay a one-time fee with free updates for a year. The alternative is to pay a monthly subscription fee that ensures that you always work with the latest version.
Price:
- Basic HD: $60
- HD: $350
- 4K: $700
- PRP: $1200
- vMix Max: $50 per month
- Free Trial: Yes | 60 days
Website: vMix
#14) XSplit VCam
Best for creating immersive presentations by blurring or removing background images on Windows and macOS devices.
XSplit VCam is a free background editing tool. The software can remove the background of videos without the need for a green screen. You can use the app to blur, replace, and remove background images. The software can create immersive presentation videos with a focus on the presenter.
Features:
- Create blurred background.
- Remove the background without a green screen.
- Replace background images.
Verdict: XSplit VCam is a simple background removal tool. You can remove the background of an image without the use of a green screen. The paid version is recommended as the basic free version has a watermark.
Price:
- Basic: Free
- Premium: $2.50 per month
Website: XSplit VCam
Conclusion
OpenShot, OBS Studio, and Davinci Resolve 18 are the best video editing platforms for green chroma video editing on Linux, macOS, and Windows. HitFilm Express is the ideal green screen editing software for YouTube and game content creators who work on MacOS and Windows devices.
Apple iMovie is the best green screen software for macOS and iOS devices. If you want cinema-grade video editing on Windows, consider Pinnacle Studios.
Research Process:
- Time taken to research this article: It took us 10 hours to research and write on the topic of the best green screen software chroma apps in 2022 so that you can select the best one.
- Total tools researched: 30
- Top tools shortlisted: 15