YouTube Shorts are exploding in popularity — and if you’re not already using AI to make the editing process faster and smoother, you’re missing out. Manually trimming, captioning, and formatting short-form videos takes serious time. But in 2025, there’s no need to do it all by hand.
AI tools today are more advanced, intuitive, and creator-friendly than ever. Whether you’re repurposing a long YouTube video into punchy 60-second clips or starting from scratch with a script, there are AI platforms built to help you get it done — fast. These tools don’t just save time; they boost engagement, improve quality, and help your content stand out in a crowded feed.
In this post, we’re diving into the top 7 AI video editing tools that are perfect for crafting viral YouTube Shorts. Whether you’re new to content creation or producing videos full-time, these platforms can transform your workflow and give your videos a major edge.
1. OpusClip – Long to Short, Instantly
Best For: Cutting long-form content into viral short clips
OpusClip is like your shortcut to going viral. It grabs your long-form content — think YouTube videos, podcasts, webinars — and slices out the best parts automatically. The AI spots the moments with the highest engagement potential, adds captions, throws in emojis, and repackages everything into a perfectly formatted vertical video. It’s all about speed and visibility. You don’t need to manually scan through hours of footage or worry about what parts will land. OpusClip does the heavy lifting and delivers Shorts that feel intentional, fast-paced, and designed to stop thumbs mid-scroll. Whether you’re a solo creator or a brand sitting on a backlog of content, this tool helps you stay active and relevant without extra work.
Features:
- One-click long-to-short clip generation
- Auto-captions and emoji highlights
- Social media optimization scoring
- Hook detection for best intros
Pro Tip: Use OpusClip with older YouTube videos to give your content a second life.
2. Runway ML – Next-Gen Editing in Your Browser
Best For: Visual effects, green screen, and text-to-video
Runway ML is a dream tool for creators looking to add cinematic flair to their Shorts without learning complex software. Whether you’re removing a background, tracking motion, or turning simple clips into animated sequences, Runway delivers it all through a user-friendly browser interface. One of its most impressive features is text-to-video generation — simply input a prompt and let AI produce a visual story. For creators who want to push visual boundaries or enhance basic footage with VFX-style edits, Runway removes the technical roadblocks. You don’t need an editing background or powerful hardware. It’s fast, powerful, and creative — perfect for Shorts that stand out in a feed full of noise.
Features:
- Magic background eraser
- AI slow-mo + frame interpolation
- Text-to-video experimental tools
- Browser-based timeline editor
Pro Tip: Use Runway to spice up otherwise boring b-roll or selfie-style content.
3. Pictory – Script to Short Video, Fast
Best For: Turning text or blog content into engaging Shorts
If you’re better with words than footage, Pictory has your back. This AI tool transforms your written content — blog posts, scripts, newsletters — into dynamic short-form videos without you ever needing to shoot a single frame. Pictory scans your text, pulls out the most engaging highlights, then matches them with relevant stock footage, voiceovers, and subtitles. It’s like having an editor, narrator, and media library all in one. The intuitive interface makes it easy to fine-tune scenes, change visuals, and tweak the timing. For marketers, bloggers, and solo creators, Pictory offers a quick way to break into video without starting from scratch. You can turn written insights into compelling, scroll-stopping YouTube Shorts that feel custom-made — even if you’re camera-shy or tight on time.
Features:
- Script-to-video workflow
- Voiceover and subtitle automation
- Royalty-free media library
- Ideal for creators and marketers
Pro Tip: Great for repurposing blog content or newsletters into snackable video content.
4. Descript – Edit by Editing Text
Best For: Audio-driven content, podcasts, voice-first Shorts
Descript flips traditional video editing on its head by letting you work with your words instead of the timeline. Once you upload your content, Descript transcribes your audio and video into editable text. You can then cut out entire sections simply by deleting sentences from the transcript — the video syncs automatically. It’s intuitive, fast, and perfect for creators who want clean, professional content without a deep dive into complex software. But it doesn’t stop there: with Overdub, you can clone your voice and fix dialogue or narration without rerecording. The platform also includes multitrack editing, templates for Shorts, and a screen recording feature for walkthroughs or tutorials. Descript is especially useful for podcasters, coaches, and educators who rely on voice-first content. Whether you’re producing 60-second takes or turning long-form interviews into highlights, Descript gives you speed and polish — without the learning curve.
Features:
- Text-based video editing
- Overdub voice clone
- Multi-track editing for Shorts
- Templates for audiograms and clips
Pro Tip: Use it to create fast, clean voiceover-led Shorts for tutorials or opinions.
5. CapCut – Mobile Magic with Pro Power
Best For: Editing viral content on the go
CapCut is the go-to mobile editor for millions of creators, and its 2025 upgrades bring serious pro-level power to your fingertips. Whether you’re cutting together a quick Short, syncing audio, or adding dynamic captions, CapCut’s AI engine speeds everything up and adds polish. It comes loaded with trending templates to match viral styles on TikTok and YouTube, plus features like smart cut detection and auto-subtitles. Motion tracking, effects syncing, and green screen features once reserved for desktop tools are now right in your pocket. CapCut’s intuitive interface makes it easy to learn, while its built-in asset library helps bring your edits to life with zero friction. It’s not just for quick mobile edits anymore — it’s a creator powerhouse for viral content on the go.
Features:
- Trend template library
- AI-powered cut detection
- Sound sync + caption generation
- Free mobile & desktop app
Pro Tip: Pair CapCut with TikTok trends and repurpose for YouTube Shorts.
6. InVideo – Templates + AI Copy = Done
Best For: Beginners who want fast, polished results
InVideo is a web-based platform with thousands of templates and AI-powered editing. Great for those who want a clean look, fast turnaround, and minimal effort.
Features:
- 5,000+ customizable templates
- AI script generator
- Voiceover & stock footage tools
- Quick resize for Shorts format
Pro Tip: Use it for client projects or branded content with a slick finish.
7. Adobe Premiere Pro (with AI Upgrades)
Best For: Pro creators who want AI acceleration
Adobe’s latest AI upgrades include auto-tagging, smart reframing for vertical formats, and noise reduction — all built to save time without sacrificing control. If you’re already in Premiere, these features make Shorts creation much faster.
Features:
- AI-powered auto-reframe
- Scene edit detection
- Speech-to-text captions
- Integration with Adobe Firefly
Pro Tip: Use Adobe’s built-in tools to batch-create Shorts from your main YouTube channel videos.
Final Thoughts
Short-form video is the new wave — and with these AI video editing tools for YouTube Shorts, you don’t need a production team or hours of editing time to keep up. Whether you’re batch-producing Shorts or remixing long-form content, these platforms can save you hours and help you go viral.
Want to discover more ways to scale your content using AI? Don’t miss our Top 7 AI Productivity Tools of 2025. It’s packed with tips to boost your creative workflow.
Ready to make YouTube Shorts your next growth hack with AI video editing tools for YouTube Shorts? Start with any tool on this list and test what works best for your workflow.
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