Knowing how to reverse a video is a key skill for creative content makers, video editors, and social media fans, and there are plenty of tools out there that can help you reverse a video easily. This guide will show you how to put a video in reverse, covering several of the top tools to reverse a video.
Program | OS | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Movavi Video Editor Plus | Windows, macOS | Users who want a beginner-friendly video editor for reversing video |
| iMovie | macOS, iOS | Users of Mac and other Apple devices who want to reverse a video |
| Fastreel | Any (web-based) | Users who want to be able to reverse a video online in the browser |
| Movavi Clips | Android, iOS | Users who want to easily reverse videos on their mobile devices |
Special pick: Movavi Video Editor Plus
Our special pick from the table above is Movavi Video Editor Plus. This is one of the most complete and fully-featured video editor programs around, perfect for reversing video files in countless popular formats. It's really easy to use and can be used for all kinds of editing, in addition to reversing videos, with features like titles, filters, transitions, and more.
Movavi Video Editor Plus also has a free 7-day trial to help you get started and test the waters before committing, with fast processing speeds and an endless array of ways to get creative with your clips, making fun videos for social media, to share with your friends, or to enjoy with the family at home.
How to play a video backwards on Windows
Best for: Users who want a beginner-friendly video editor for reversing video
OS: Windows, macOS
Price: Free trial, full version for {price}
PCMag rating: 4 out of 5
One of the better options to reverse a video on your Windows PC or a Mac is to use Movavi Video Editor Plus. It’s a powerful piece of software for editing multimedia files and much more. Download it now and learn how to play a video in reverse in four simple steps.
How to reverse a video with Movavi Video Editor Plus
Step 1. Install the reverse video editor
Double-click the downloaded file to run it and follow the on-screen instructions to finish the installation process.
Step 2. Add a video clip to the program
To add your file to the video reverser, click the Add Files button and open the movie you want to play in reverse. Drag and drop the files from Media Bin to the Timeline.
Step 3. Make a Backward Video
Click the file on the Timeline and then the Clip Properties icon. In the tab that opens, select the Reverse check box to make a video go backwards.
Step 4. Save the edited video
You can preview the result in the built-in player on the right. To save the reversed video, click Export and choose your preferred video format from the tabs in the export window: MP4, WMV, MKV, 3GP, etc. Enter the folder path in the Save to field and click Start.
Now you know how to put a video in reverse. Go ahead, play your video backwards and start changing the course of time!
How to put a video in reverse on a Mac
Best for: Users of Mac and other Apple devices who want to reverse a video
OS: macOS, iOS
Price: Free
Tom’s Guide rating: 4 out of 5
If you've been looking for how to play video backwards on an Apple Mac, you can make use of the system's very own built-in video editor: iMovie. iMovie is a popular video editing solution developed by Apple and installed automatically on Macs, as well as other Apple systems. It's been around since 1999 and has been gradually improved and adapted over the years to support new features and functions, like the ability to reverse video clips.
You can easily start using iMovie for Mac to reverse your clips and video files in various popular formats, as well as making various other edits and adjustments. It can be used for cropping, cutting, and merging video files, as well as applying special filters and video effects or making Hollywood-style trailers. Since it's free to use and installed automatically on your Mac, it's a good option to try when you want to reverse a video.
How to reverse a video with iMovie
Download and install iMovie on your device.
- The first step of using iMovie to reverse a video file is to open up the iMovie app and then give the program a moment to automatically find all the video files from your main project browser. From there, you can select a video you want to work with or manually search for and find the video file you want to reverse.
Once the video has been loaded into the iMovie system, you'll need to drag it over to the timeline to start editing it. - Next, it's time to actually reverse your clip. Just click on the clip and then press the Reverse button in the top right. You can then preview your newly reversed file, which should appear in the timeline and be visible in the preview window in the top right section of the window. This will allow you to watch the video in reverse and make any extra charges, such as reversing the audio as well, if desired.
- Once the video has been successfully reversed and you're happy with all of the changes you've made, it's time to save it. You can click on the Save/Export button to save your new video in a format and location that works for you.
Playing a video backwards online
Best for: Users who want to be able to reverse a video online in the browser
OS: Any (web-based)
Price: Free plan, paid plans starting from $9.95
Another great way to reverse a video is to use an online tool like Fastreel. Fastreel is a free-to-use online video editor that runs directly in your browser. This means that you don't need to download any extra apps or install anything on your device in order to use it. Plus, you can use it in your favorite browser, like Chrome or Firefox, on any device you like, from PCs and laptops to Macs and iPads.
Fastreel can be used for all kinds of online video editing, such as merging videos, cutting videos, adding filters and transitions, creating slideshows, adding custom watermarks, and video compression. The reverse video feature of Fastreel is really quick and easy to use, but it's worth noting that the free version of this tool only works with MP4 videos and has a max file size limit of 500 MB.
How to reverse a video with Fastreel
To get started playing a video backwards with Fastreel, simply head to the official Fastreel video reverse page.
- Next, you need to add the file you want to reverse. You can do this in a few different ways. Either click on the Add Your File button and find the file on your device, drag and drop the file from another window or use the dropdown menu to import a video from your Dropbox or Google Drive account.
- Once the video has been loaded into the Fastreel system, it will be automatically reversed and instantly ready to be exported back to your device. You can choose the export settings, as desired, and then save the newly reversed video onto your system in a location of your choosing.
How to make a reverse video on an iPhone
Best for: Users who want to easily reverse videos on their mobile devices
OS: iOS, Android
Price: Free with in-app purchases
App Store rating: 4.7 out of 5, 9,200 reviews
If you're looking to reverse a video on an iPhone or other iOS devices like an iPad, there's an app for that, and it's called Movavi Clips. Movavi Clips is a simple, beginner-friendly video editor for mobile devices that you can download and start using for free. Or you can upgrade to the premium version to unlock lots of extra features and bonuses.
Movavi Clips is completely ad-free and simple to use, allowing you to trim, rotate, crop, and alter your videos in lots of different ways. It can also be used to reverse a video, with a reverse feature right on the main menu. It can be used for making slideshows, too, and has full support for audio and music, letting you adjust the soundtracks of your clips on the fly on your mobile device.
How to make a reverse video with Movavi Clips
The first step for using Movavi Clips to make a video go backwards is to actually download the app. You can find the app easily in the App Store and download it to your iPhone for free in a matter of seconds.
- The next step, once the video tool has been installed on your iPhone, is to open it up. You can then press the Plus button to add a video file.
- Tap the Reverse button and then wait a moment while the app processes your video and puts it in reverse, ready for playback.
- Once the reversed clip has been generated with Movavi Clips, you can play the video in reverse in the app to see how it looks and then save it to your device, ready to be shared and viewed.
Summary
We hope that this article has helped you learn more about how to reverse videos across any device you'd like to use. As you can see, there are several options out there, and if you're not sure where to start or which tool to use, here are some key factors to keep in mind when looking for the best video reverse software:
- Ease of use. Make sure that the app or tool you choose to use to reverse a video is easy enough for you to use. Beginners will need to find apps that have simple user interfaces and easy menus without any unnecessary complexities or confusion. Apps with lots of extra features might seem tempting to you, but they can also be quite complicated. It's worth looking for an option with a free trial so you can test it out and make sure it's right for you.
- Features. Take a look at the list of features provided by the app you'd like to use. Some apps are pretty simple, with only basic video editing options, while others can be a lot deeper, letting you do much more than simply reverse a video. Some can also allow you to trim, crop, cut, and merge clips, as well as adding custom filters, transitions, effects, and more. Think about what you want to do with your videos and find a piece of software that works best for you.
- Supported formats. Video files can come in a wide range of different formats, like AVI files, MP4, MOV, MKV, and so on. Some software supports all of these file types, but others can be more selective and only work with specific formats. Make sure that the app you use is compatible with the types of video files you want to reverse.
- User Reviews. It's wise to consult user reviews of reversing video apps as well. These reviews will help you get a better understanding of how good each app really is and whether or not it's right for you, as users tend to be unbiased and honest in their assessments. User reviews can also help you find out about any possible bugs or problems with an app.
- Support. Check the software developer's site to see what sort of support they offer, like live chat windows, phone, or email support, as well as guides and tutorials for beginners. The best software should have good support behind it in case something goes wrong.
Movavi Video Editor Plus
Make videos. Create. Inspire.
* The free version of Movavi Video Editor Plus has the following restrictions: 7-day trial period, watermark on the output videos, and, if you’re saving a project as an audio file, an ability to save only half the audio length. Learn more
Frequently asked questions
What is the best reverse video software?
Here are the top 5 options for reverse video software:
- iMovie
- Movavi Video Editor Plus
- iCloo Player
- VideoPad Video Editor
- VSDC Free Video Editor
To learn more about the programs, follow the link below.
Can I play a video in reverse?
Yes, it's possible to play videos in reserve, and there are various apps and programs that can help you do this, such as Movavi Video Editor Plus, iMovie, Fastreel, and Movavi Clips.
How do I reverse a video on my phone?
You can use Movavi Clips to reverse a video on your phone:
- Install Movavi Clips to your mobile device.
- Open the app and load a video from your device that you want to reverse.
- Tap the Reverse button and wait for the app to reverse your clip.
- Save the result.
How do you put TikTok videos in reverse?
Just follow these steps:
- Open the TikTok app.
- Record or upload a video.
- Press the Effects button.
- Tap the Time button at the end of the list of effects.
- Press Reverse.
- Your TikTok will now be reversed, and you can press Save to save it.
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