Video Editing APIs
These are rendering engines rather than editors with a UI: you send a job and get a file back. Shotstack and JSON2Video build MP4s from a JSON scene spec with text, images and audio, while Rendi and Rendobar run FFmpeg commands in the cloud for transcoding, captions and thumbnails. KinoPipe exposes typed trim, resize and merge operations over REST or MCP.
| API | Pricing | Auth | Format | Free tier | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
iLoveVideoEditorRenders JSON-defined video scenes (VideoJSON) with templates and effects into MP4/WebM in the cloud. Media & Entertainment › Video | Paid | API key | JSON | — | Untested |
JSON2VideoGenerate MP4 videos from a JSON scene spec: text, images, voiceover, transitions, rendered asynchronously. Media & Entertainment › Video | Freemium | API key | JSON | — | Live |
KinoPipeTyped REST/MCP video-editing operations (trim, resize, caption, merge) on hosted FFmpeg workers. Media & Entertainment › Video | Free trial | API key | JSON | — | Live |
RendiRuns FFmpeg commands in the cloud for transcoding, thumbnails, subtitles, and GIFs via a REST API. Media & Entertainment › Video | Freemium | API key | JSON | — | Live |
RendobarCloud FFmpeg-as-a-service: transcode, caption, compress and compose video/audio jobs over REST. Media & Entertainment › Video | Freemium | API key | JSON | — | Live |
ShotstackProgrammatic video editing and rendering: composite clips, text, audio via JSON, get an MP4 back. Media & Entertainment › Video | Freemium | API key | JSON | — | Live |
iLoveVideoEditorPaidUntested
Renders JSON-defined video scenes (VideoJSON) with templates and effects into MP4/WebM in the cloud.
API key · JSON
—
MCP server
JSON2VideoFreemiumLive
Generate MP4 videos from a JSON scene spec: text, images, voiceover, transitions, rendered asynchronously.
API key · JSON
—
OpenAPI spec · llms.txt
KinoPipeFree trialLive
Typed REST/MCP video-editing operations (trim, resize, caption, merge) on hosted FFmpeg workers.
API key · JSON
—
OpenAPI spec · llms.txt
RendiFreemiumLive
Runs FFmpeg commands in the cloud for transcoding, thumbnails, subtitles, and GIFs via a REST API.
API key · JSON
—
OpenAPI spec · llms.txt
RendobarFreemiumLive
Cloud FFmpeg-as-a-service: transcode, caption, compress and compose video/audio jobs over REST.
API key · JSON
—
MCP server · llms.txt
ShotstackFreemiumLive
Programmatic video editing and rendering: composite clips, text, audio via JSON, get an MP4 back.
API key · JSON
—
OpenAPI spec · MCP server · llms.txt
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Choosing a Video Editing API
Is there a free Video Editing API?
Yes. Shotstack, JSON2Video, Rendi and Rendobar have a free tier alongside paid plans.
Which Video Editing APIs work without an API key?
All of them need a key or account. Shotstack, JSON2Video, Rendi and Rendobar give one out free when you sign up.
Can I use Video Editing APIs in a commercial project?
iLoveVideoEditor and KinoPipe permit commercial use.
Which Video Editing APIs work with AI agents?
Shotstack has both an MCP server and an OpenAPI spec. iLoveVideoEditor and Rendobar have an MCP server, so an AI agent can call them directly. JSON2Video, Rendi and KinoPipe publish an OpenAPI spec for generating clients and tools.
Broader: Video APIs · Media & Entertainment APIs
More in Video: Video Streaming & Hosting APIs