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LumaFusion video editor on a Chromebook

LumaFusion for Chromebook video editor out in beta

There’s a new fully-featured video editor for ChromeOS available and it’s not the one Google announced in July. It’s actually a popular software title for iOS devices that’s been on the way for Android and ChromeOS devices. The LumaFusion for Chromebook video editor is now available in a discounted beta through the Google Play Store, as reported by Android Police.

LumaFusion for Chromebook video editor

Right off the bat, I know what some of you are thinking. “It’s an Android app, so how good can it be on a Chromebook?”

That’s a fair question.

While I can’t personally answer that through my own experience, I think this demo of the LumaFusion for Chromebook video editor suggests a good one.

Based on this demo, I’d say the LumaFusion team did a great job using the full layout of large Chromebook displays. This looks far more like a true desktop app rather than a lame phone port with tons of wasted space.

LumaFusion is one of the top video editor titles in Apple’s App Store, even winning Best iPad App of the Year in 2021. I’m sure the breadth of functionality is a large reason why.

Here are just a few of the key features of the LumaFusion video editor:

  • Use 6 video/audio tracks
  • Use 6 additional audio tracks
  • Edit with the enhanced magnetic timeline with insert/overwrite and link/unlink clips
  • Display track headers for locking, hiding, and muting tracks
  • Edit direct from USB-C drives
  • Use for free: dozens of royalty-free music, sound fx, videos, and backgrounds
  • Keyframe audio levels, panning and EQ for perfect mixes
  • Isolate tracks on multiple track files
  • Work in frame rates from 18fps to 240fps

Keep in mind that the above feature set is for the iOS version of LumaFusion. There are sure to be some limitations in the Android version, which would also apply to Chromebooks.

Still, LumaFusion for Chromebook appears to be far more feature-rich than the basic video editing tools Google is bringing to Google Photos. And there’s no hard feelings from Google, which has a great post explaining how the LumaFusion team developed this Android app with ChromeOS in mind.

Video editing on Chromebook with LumaFusion

I’d also point out that the Chromebook used in the video demo looks to be at least a mid-range model based on the Intel EVO sticker and fingerprint sensor. So this Chromebook video editor may not run as smoothly as depicted on an entry-level ChromeOS laptop.

I have a few of those on hand so maybe I’ll follow up with some testing across a range of devices.

The app is still in beta, but LumaFusion is offering it at a discount from the full price of $29.99. You can purchase the beta version for $19.99 now, and it’s a one-time price.

Doing so gives LumaFusion more test data to improve the final product and you’ll save $10: You get the full version at no extra charge when it becomes available.

author avatar
Kevin C. Tofel

4 thoughts on “LumaFusion for Chromebook video editor out in beta

  1. Regarding the question “It’s an Android app, so how good can it be on a Chromebook?”
    I’ll be loading it today on my Acer Chromebook Spin 714. I have the iOS version on my iPad Pro M1 12.9 and it’s the closest video editing app that you can get that is similar in functionality to Final Cut X. Many You Tubers and Video Influencers use it in lieu of a Pro Level app. If it has all of the features and runs as well on Chrome OS as it does on iOS and iPadOS then I can see this easily being the best video editor for Chrome OS. But this is a big step that I’ve been waiting on for newly Chrome OS converts who have typically used MacOS and Windows for video editing needs. This is allowing me to be one step closer to being 100% all in on ChromeOS for all of my needs outside my work issued Windows laptop

  2. As the price is quite high I would need to be able to try it out first to see how well it runs and meets my needs before investing in it. I have not always found Android apps on Chrome OS run well and use Linux offerings instead.
    A time limited trial would be helpful in making a decision

  3. I can’t fault you for that. In hindsight I wish they had offered a free trial. I purchased the $20 beta version. I also have it on the iPad Pro and I can confirm from my brief toying around with it today that it is identical to the iPad version. I did run into two issues though, one issue is that the application a few times randomly closed but when I reopened it, my project wasn’t altered. And the second issue was one mp4 file from my camcorder threw a “complexity” error when I tried to drop it in my timeline. I’m assuming that maybe due to the app being in beta.

    However I did import another video mp4 file from my One Drive into my project and successfully dropped it in my timeline without issue. I’ll keep exploring but you may want to check YouTube to see if anyone has posted videos regarding their experience with this app in Android or ChromeOS. I’m not sure it’s allowable to mention other Influencers here but there is a YouTuber who posted his experience today using LumaFusion on his Galaxy Z Fold and he really liked the experience.

    Overall, I’m glad to see a very popular iOS app making it’s way to Android and Chrome OS. I hope that more quality iOS apps make their way to Android or ChromeOS and that would be considered a win in my book for this growing alternative OS to MacOS and Windows.

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