A slow motion app slows down video, either by stretching footage shot at a high frame rate or by using AI frame interpolation to invent the missing frames so normal clips play back smoothly. Phone editors handle quick speed ramps, while desktop tools do the heavy lifting. Nine options follow in no particular order.
Slow a normal phone clip to a quarter of its speed and it stutters, because there simply aren't enough frames to fill the time.
Slow motion apps solve that in two ways: speed controls for footage shot in slow motion, and AI that adds frames to everything else. The nine below are listed alphabetically and in no particular order, and every description comes from the developer's own website or store page, read this week. For general editing on your phone, my comparison of the best video editing apps for Reels and TikTok goes further.
Slow motion apps side by side
I checked the free plan column on each tool's own website or store listing, as of Oct 2026. Yes means the page names a free plan, a free version, a free account, a free edition, an open source release or says the tool itself is free. Trial only means a time-limited trial. Not stated means the page I read named neither, even where there's a button inviting you to try it, so check the vendor's page before you sign up.
| Tool | Type | Good for | Free plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| DaVinci Resolve | Desktop video editor | Speed changes in a pro editor | Yes |
| Flowframes | AI frame interpolation app | Turning ordinary clips into smooth slow motion | Yes |
| iMovie | Apple video editor | Simple speed changes on a Mac | Not stated |
| InShot | Mobile video editor | Speed ramps for short-form clips | Yes |
| KineMaster | Mobile video editor | Slow and fast motion on iOS and Android | Not stated |
| RIFE | Frame interpolation research code | Developers building their own pipeline | Not stated |
| Topaz Video | AI video enhancement software | Slow motion plus upscaling for pros | Not stated |
| Videoshop | iPhone video editor | Quick slow motion edits on iPhone | Yes |
| VN | Photo and video editor | Speed curves with frame interpolation | Not stated |
Nine slow motion apps
DaVinci Resolve
Best for: Editors who want speed changes and retiming inside a professional desktop editor that has a free version.
Flowframes
Best for: Windows users with a graphics card who want AI interpolation to add frames, so slowed footage stays smooth.
iMovie
Best for: Mac users who want to change clip speed and add an instant replay in an editor they already have.
InShot
Best for: Phone creators who want to slow clips right down or ramp speed with curves before posting to Reels or TikTok.
KineMaster
Best for: Mobile editors who want playback speed dialled anywhere from a fraction of normal speed up to many times faster.
RIFE
Best for: Developers and technical editors who want the real-time frame interpolation model behind many slow motion tools.
Topaz Video
Best for: Professional editors who want frame interpolation and slow motion alongside upscaling for finished footage.
Videoshop
Best for: iPhone users who want an easy editor that slows down or speeds up both video and audio in a few taps.
VN
Best for: Creators who want speed curves and frame interpolation in a multi-track editor on phone or desktop.
Which slow motion app fits your footage
- Quick edits on iPhone: Videoshop or InShot.
- Phone editing on iOS and Android: KineMaster.
- Speed curves with interpolation: VN.
- Simple speed changes on a Mac: iMovie.
- Speed changes in a pro editor: DaVinci Resolve.
- Smoothing normal clips with AI: Flowframes or Topaz Video.
- Building your own tool: RIFE.
Frame rates and slow motion
YouTube Help's page on recommended upload encoding settings says content should be encoded and uploaded in the same frame rate it was recorded, and list 24, 25, 30, 48, 50 and 60 frames per second as common frame rates.
Slow motion works by having more frames than the playback rate needs. Shoot at a high frame rate and play at a normal one, or let interpolation create the extra frames. Either way, export at the frame rate of your project so the platform doesn't drop or duplicate frames.
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Shooting in slow motion versus slowing it later
Recording in your phone's slow motion mode captures extra frames, so the result looks smooth with no tricks. The catch is that you've got to know the moment's coming.
Slowing normal footage afterwards works for anything you've already shot. A gentle slowdown usually looks fine, while bigger slowdowns need frame interpolation so they don't stutter.
Interpolation can smear fast, complicated movement such as spokes, splashing water or hair, so check those parts closely.
Questions to ask before you slow a clip down
- Was the clip shot at a high frame rate?
- How much slower do you want it to play?
- Do you need a smooth speed ramp, or one speed?
- Does your computer have a graphics card for AI interpolation?
- Will you export for vertical video or widescreen?
- Should the audio slow down, or be replaced with music?
Signs a clip needs slow motion
- The best moment lasts a second. Slow it to let it land.
- Viewers miss the detail. Slow the reveal.
- Your slowed clip stutters. Add frame interpolation.
- The edit feels flat. Try a speed ramp.
Do you make a slow motion app? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.
My plain advice on slow motion
Shoot in slow motion whenever you can predict the moment, such as a jump, a pour or a product reveal. Save AI interpolation for clips you couldn't plan, and always watch the result at full size before posting.
Remember that vertical platforms crop differently. My guide to the correct frame size for Instagram Reels helps you keep the action in shot.
Frequently asked questions
How do I make a video slow motion?
Open it in a video editor, choose the speed setting and drag it below normal speed. For smooth results on normal footage, use an app with frame interpolation.
What is frame interpolation?
It's a technique, often AI-based, that creates new frames between the existing ones, so slowed-down footage plays smoothly instead of stuttering.
Why does my slow motion look choppy?
Usually because the clip was shot at a normal frame rate and slowed too much. Shoot at a higher frame rate or use interpolation.
Are there free slow motion apps?
Yes. Several phone editors and desktop tools are free, and some interpolation tools are free downloads. Check the free plan column above.
What frame rate should I shoot for slow motion?
Higher is better. The more frames you capture, the further you can slow the clip before it starts to stutter.
Can I slow down part of a video?
Yes. Most editors let you split a clip or use speed ramps or curves to slow just the moment that matters.
