How to Easily Stabilize Video (For Free!)

A shaky video is a telltale sign of an amateur video project.

In an ideal world, you’d have all the equipment you need at a shoot to keep your videos stable including gimbals, tripods, and perfectly optimized camera settings. However, not every shot is going to be perfect. Further, if your role is strictly the editor, you might not have control over the video equipment or shooting conditions.

If you find yourself with some shaky footage, all hope is not lost. In this guide, we’ll show you the best options to stabilize video that you can use in post-production, all for free! Regardless of your skill level or editing hardware, we’ve got you covered.

• Best Video Software to Stabilize Video
• Best Apps to Stabilize Video on Mobile
• Conclusion

Best Video Software to Stabilize Video

You’ve got several choices when it comes to software for stabilizing your video, including plenty of free options. We’ll discuss the most popular and show you how to use them.

Stabilize Video with PowerDirector

CyberLink’s PowerDirector has a built-in video stabilizer tool that can correct even the most unsteady video in a way that looks seamless and realistic.

As the first Windows editing software to support 360-degree VR-footage, CyberLink is the premier tool for video editors of all levels, with an intuitive interface that’s approachable for beginners while having all of the pro-level powerful features for more advanced users.

The options included with PowerDirector are unmatched. From intuitive motion tracking to dynamic keyframe controls, you’ll enjoy an entire suite of creative tools with precision control.

Ready to learn how to transform even the shakiest footage into buttery smooth shots? You can get these results in three easy steps.

Open PowerDirector and import the video by right clicking in the media library and selecting the option, Import Media Files. Select the file (or files) you’d like to correct.

Another option is to click the Import Media icon and select the file or folder you’d like to import.

Drag the video you’d like to correct into the timeline. Click on the Fix/Enhance text and select Video Stabilizer.

Pro Tip: Select the option to Compare in Split Preview. By checking this box, you can view before and after videos side by side and make adjustments without having to go back to the timeline.

The default stabilization level is 50, and you have the option to fine-tune it. Though a higher number will theoretically enhance the stabilization, it will result in more cropping, which can compromise the frame of the video as well as the resolution. Use the compare in split preview tool to ensure that your video isn’t too cropped. Remember to compare the before and after side by side to get instant feedback about your results to find the perfect amount of stabilization and crop.

Because PowerDirector is such a robust tool, you’ve also got some other video stabilization options to explore. By selecting Fix Rotational Camera Shake, you can correct any shakiness that comes from handheld footage.

The final option in this step is to use the Enhanced Stabilizer, which fixes non-directional shakiness. This is particularly useful for clips that involve panning.

You won’t necessarily need to use all three of these video stabilizers, but we encourage you to experiment with these settings.

If you start to notice that the playback is glitchy when you apply these settings, it’s because video stabilization features eat up a lot of computing power.

To get a realistic real-time view, you might have to adjust the preview options. Change the setting from Real-time Preview to Non Real-time Preview. This setting will mute the sound, but at least you’ll have a preview of the stabilized video without so much lag.

Stabilize Video with Windows Movie Maker

Another free video stabilization software for Windows is Windows Movie Maker.

Step 1: Add the shaky video(s) you’d like to stabilize

As soon as you open Windows Movie Maker, you’ll see a prompt that says, “Click here to browse for videos and photos.”

Step 2: Stabilize the video

Make sure the clip is selected and click Edit from the top toolbar. Click Video Stabilization and select whether you would like Anti-Shake or Anti-Shake and Wobble Correction. If your video moves from side to side as well as shaking up and down, you’ll want to add wobble correction.

You’ll also notice that there’s a low and high option. To preserve CPU power during the editing process, start with low first and see if that’s sufficient.

Step 3: Preview your changes and Save

Windows Movie Maker doesn’t have many options for stabilizing video, so what you see is what you get.

Stabilize Video with iMovie

If you’re on a Mac or iOS device, then the best video stabilizer software that you can use for free is iMovie. iMovie comes pre-installed on Mac computers, and it can be downloaded for free for iPhones and iPads.

Step 1: Import the shaky video you’d like to stabilize.

Add the shaky video to your media library by clicking File > Import Media, or drag and drop the file you’d like to edit from your Finder window and into your media library. Then drag the clip to your editing timeline.

Step 2: Stabilize the video

At the upper portion of the toolbar, you’ll see a video camera icon with lines on the top and the bottom that simulate shakiness. Select that icon and click the checkbox that says Stabilize Shaky Video.

Step 3: Adjust the settings

From here, you can adjust the percentage you’d like to stabilize the video by and preview changes in real-time.

Best Apps to Stabilize Video on Mobile

You’re not limited to a desktop or laptop computer if you want access to editing software. If you’ve got a smartphone (iOS or Android), you’ve got plenty of options to choose from.

PowerDirector

In addition to topping the list of the best video stabilization software for video editors on Windows devices, PowerDirector also caters to editors on the go toting Android or iPhones.

Here’s a quick overview of how to easily stabilize a video using PowerDirector for Mobile. Take a look, and we’ll also break down the steps.

Step 1: Import your video to the PowerDirector app

Tap on the Media Room icon. Make sure you’re on the Videos section, and then tap on Videos. Double tap on the video you’d like to edit. Double tap it to add it to your timeline.

Step 2: Stabilize the video

Tap on the pencil icon to open your editing options. Select Stabilizer.

The default motion level is set to 50. You can adjust that number up or down as desired.

Emulsio

If you’re trying to edit videos on an iPhone using iMovie, then you’ve probably noticed that there’s no video stabilization feature. Fortunately, there’s Elmusio - a free app that has premium-level features built-in.

Step 1: Import your shaky video

Open the Emulsio app and choose the video you’d like to work with.

Step 2: Stabilize the video

Once you choose the video, Elmusio automatically stabilizes it for you.

Step 3 Review your results.

Once the Elmusio app stabilizes the video, you can view the difference between how shaky the original footage is and how stable the new footage becomes.

The free version will include an Elmusio-branded watermark, so if you want to remove it, you’ll have to upgrade to the paid version.

Conclusion

The video stabilization feature in video editing apps helps eliminate jerky motions, and the nausea-inducing directional movements and zooming that make videos unbearable to watch (we’re looking at you, Blair Witch Project).

Having the power to stabilize a video after it’s been filmed is a powerful tool. Not only is it useful for correcting spontaneous videos shot on mobile devices and action-oriented clips, it can also enhance vintage camcorder footage. The possibilities are endless!

Plus, you don’t need fancy equipment or expensive software to smooth out your videos and make them look more professional. Sometimes the best things in life really are free!

If you're an aspiring editor looking to create cool videos, head on over to our complete guide on video editing effects. We've also got other great articles in our blog that'll introduce you to all the tools you need to enhance your portfolio.