Parents' Guide to

Animoto: Slideshow Maker

By Kim Alessi, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 13+

Freemium slideshow tool better on privacy than similar apps.

App iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad , Android , Chromebook Paid, Free Photo & Video
Animoto: Slideshow Maker Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this app.

  • Animoto Video Maker App: Screenshot #1
  • Animoto Video Maker App: Screenshot #2
  • Animoto Video Maker App: Screenshot #3

Community Reviews

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age 8+

Based on 3 parent reviews

CharaXxXOfficial
CharaXxXOfficial Adult
February 12, 2019
age 9+
The App Is Great For Making Short Animations, Great For People Who Want To Be Future Animators :3

This title has:

Easy to play/use
Melissa H.
Melissa H. Adult
October 30, 2018
age 6+

ANIMOTO in Education!

I have my own personal Animoto account that I love. But I also use Animoto for school. As a teacher in K-5, I use it to make videosforthe school, my class website, and will be teaching my technology team how to use it (grades 3-5). Under supervision, it's a wonderful video making tool and very simple to use. Great for students.

This title has:

Easy to play/use
See all 3 parent reviews

What’s It About?

Teens select a template, a song from their device or from the app's music library, and their own photos, video clips, and text. The free version limits slideshows to a maximum of 12 photos or video clips. Slideshows save automatically within the app and in the user's auto-generated account on the Animoto website, and are private unless the user shares them. Teens can download slideshows to their device. Sharing options within the app include Facebook, Twitter, email, and text message. On the Animoto website, users can share to the whole gamut of social media sites.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (3 ):
Kids say (1 ):

ANIMOTO VIDEO MAKER is a great tool for teens to create slideshows with their own photos, videos, and music. Compiling and uploading a 30-second slideshow is fast, and sharing it is even faster. Kids and parents can document any event together -- a family vacation or holiday, an art project, a graduation or recital, or just an everyday walk in the park -- then in minutes create and share an impressive video slideshow.

What sets Animoto Video Maker apart from other popular media-creation apps is that it's safer for teens -- Unlike Viddy or Instagram, users cannot connect to each other on the Animoto website nor within the Animoto app. In addition, there is currently no way to search the Animoto website to see uploaded videos. That said, the app involves uploading content to the web, which may or may not remain private, and it encourages sharing on social media. Teens should think carefully about what they include in their Animoto slideshows and where they choose to share them.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Talk with your kids about possible topics for a video slideshow, such as documenting a school science experiment, family vacation, or art project.

  • Make sure your kids understand the responsibilities and consequences of making video slideshows public on social media sites.

App Details

  • Devices: iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad , Android , Chromebook
  • Subjects: Arts : film, photography, Language & Reading : presenting to others, storytelling
  • Skills: Tech Skills : digital creation, Communication : multiple forms of expression, presenting, Creativity : making new creations
  • Pricing structure: Paid, Free (There's a free version. Basic plans ($4.99/month or $29.99/year) support slideshows of up to 10 minutes and longer video clips. Personal plans ($9.99/month or $59.99/year) include all the features of basic plus HD videos.)
  • Release date: October 2, 2017
  • Category: Photo & Video
  • Publisher: Animoto Inc.
  • Version: 9.3.0
  • Minimum software requirements: iOS 10.0 or later; Android 4.1 and up
  • Last updated: February 25, 2022

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