Time-lapse videos can be a powerful cost-effective tool to showcase your business as a professional organization. Your success in creating a time-lapse video that effectively promotes your business depends on the type of time-lapse software you choose.
To help you choose the best time-lapse software to meet your needs, we’ve compiled a list of the gems we found, the top 11 best time-lapse software available for use in 2022 along with the pros, cons and price of each one.
Top 11 Best Time-Lapse Software
- Adobe Premier Pro – Best Time-Lapse Software for Professionals
- LRTimelapse – Best Time-Lapse Software for Holy Grail Videos
- PowerDirector 365 – Best Time-Lapse Software for Beginners
- Panolapse – Best Time-Lapse Software for Adding Motion to Videos
- Movavi – Best Time-Lapse Software for Quick Movie Creation
- Sky Studio Pro – Best Time-Lapse Software for Night Photography/Videos
- DaVinci Resolve – Best All-Inclusive Time-Lapse Software
- Time Lapse Tool – Best Time-Lapse Software for Uploading Content to YouTube
- Chronolapse – Best Time-Lapse Software Adding Audio to Completed Videos
- Photolapse – Best Time-Lapse Software for Ease of Use
- MakeAVI – Best Time-Lapse Software for Uploading Various File Formats
#1. Adobe Premier Pro – Best Time-Lapse Software for Professionals
Pricing: $20.99 per month with 7-day free trial
This is debatably the best time lapse software on the market. Adobe Inc. developed the Adobe Premier Pro software. It is compatible with both Windows and Mac OS. This software can be used for all video editing tasks and has numerous features to produce the highest quality videos. This software is geared toward the professional with years of video editing experience.
| Pros | Cons |
| Can convert photos or video | Very difficult for beginners to use |
| Supports numerous file formats | Cost (Monthly subscription fee) |
| Automatic color correction | High computer usage |
| Seamless integration with other apps/services | |
| Video and still images can be edited together | |
| Compatible with Creative Cloud | |
| No fee for first 7 days |
#2. LRTimelapse – Best Time-Lapse Software for Holy Grail Videos
Pricing: Private License $116.62; Pro License $293.32
LRTimelapse was created by Gunther Wegner in 2012 with the express purpose of making Holy Grail videos. These videos are a time-lapse where the lighting changes, such as in a sunrise or sunset. This software allows you to edit a small number of images and the software then applies these edits to all of the images creating a smooth transition. It is compatible with both Windows and Mac OS.
| Pros | Cons |
| Removes flickering | Very difficult for beginners to use |
| Advanced capabilities of LightRoom | Must download LightRoom |
| Allows frame-by-frame editing | Cost (Expensive but one-time cost) |
| Reduced editing time | |
| Color grade photos | |
| Ability to render high quality videos |
#3. PowerDirector 365 – Best Time-Lapse Software for Beginners
Pricing: $51.99 or 4.33 per month
PowerDirector was created by CyberLink to provide users with professional quality in an easy-to-use format. The software has an intuitive user interface which makes it perfect for beginners. This software is great to experiment with, different types of edits, without fear of losing your original file. The monthly subscription fee includes software updates and the latest features offered. It is compatible with both Windows and Mac OS.
| Pros | Cons |
| Easy learning curve | Have to download premium templates (A few GB of storage needed) |
| Minimal cost | |
| Supports numerous file formats | |
| Free tutorials | |
| Drag and drop effects | |
| Fast rendering | |
| Multicam editing | |
| Great transition options |
#4. Panolapse – Best Time-Lapse Software for Adding Motion to Videos
Pricing: $99.95
Panolapse was created by Patrick Shyu to use in the Blue Eden Project. This project created a series of high definition videos that brought still life photos alive. Panolapse allows you to add realistic motion to your videos. It also has the ability to pan, zoom, covert images into HD videos and most impressively has auto exposure. Auto exposure ensures that you get the best image possible no matter the settings of your camera. Panolapse is compatible with both Windows and Mac OS.
| Pros | Cons |
| Auto exposure regardless of camera setting | Difficult for beginners to use |
| Compatible with all cameras | |
| Eliminates flickering | |
| Allows zooming in and out | |
| Creates panoramas quickly |
#5. Movavi Video Editor Plus – Best Time-Lapse Software for Quick Movie Creation
Pricing: $64.99
Movavi Video Editor Plus was created in 2004 by a group of Russian developers to allow inexperienced users to easily edit photo and video content. This software has features for the inexperienced user, as well as advanced features for professionals. There is an automated mode which allows you to upload your file and choose your theme, music, transitions and effects and the software creates the finished project. Movavi Video Editor Plus is compatible with both Windows and Mac OS.
| Pros | Cons |
| Provides quick movie creation with Montage Wizard | Time-lapse not automated |
| Easy to use | |
| Motion tracking and picture-in-picture tools | |
| Format converter | |
| Screen recording | |
| Automated mode |
#6. Sky Studio Pro – Best Time-Lapse Software for Night Photography/Videos
Pricing: Free to download
Sky Studio Pro was developed by DjSadhu to create time-lapse videos with motion detection. This software has night vision feature which enhances the quality of images and it also shows objects in slow motion clearly by reducing the frame rate. Sky Studio Pro is only compatible with Windows.
| Pros | Cons |
| No cost | Not compatible with Mac OS |
| Includes enhanced night vision feature | |
| Shows objects in slow motion clearly | |
| Compatible with webcams and external cameras | |
| Records with motion detection |
#7. DaVinci Resolve – Best All-Inclusive Time-Lapse Software
Pricing: $295
DaVinci Resolve is an all-in-one software package that was created by BlackMagic Design. It is the only software to combine video editing, motion graphics, color coding and audio production. DaVinci Resolve is versatile in that it is compatible with Windows, Mac OS, and Linux.
| Pros | Cons |
| Color correction | Cannot export to social media |
| Audio production and editing | High computer usage |
| Motion graphics | Difficult to use |
| Supports 360˚ VR Content | |
| Video editing | |
| Multi-user options (Easy collaboration) | |
| Multicam editing | |
| Numerous editing tools | |
| Picture-in-picture | |
| 3D Editing | |
| Keyword Tag Media | |
| Supports 4K XAVC-S Format |
#8. Time Lapse Tool – Best Time-Lapse Software for Uploading Content to YouTube
Pricing: Home License $69; Business License $99
Time Lapse Tool was created by AVWare and produces 4K time-lapse videos from digital photographs. This software has the ability to upload videos directly to YouTube. It has the capability of using different frame rates in the same video file. Time Lapse Tool is only compatible with Windows.
| Pros | Cons |
| Turn Time-Lapse Video into Major Video Formats | Not compatible with Mac OS |
| Can publish to YouTube directly | |
| Easy to use | |
| Image effects | |
| Different frame rates in one video file | |
| Eliminates flickering |
#9. Chronolapse – Best Time-Lapse Software for Adding Audio to Completed Videos
Pricing: Free to download
Chronolapse was created by Collin Green to produce time-lapse videos covering hackathons (collaborative computer programming event). It can also be used to create stop motion videos. Chronolapse allows you to take screenshots and webcam captures at the same time. It is compatible with both Windows and Linux.
| Pros | Cons |
| Can add audio to completed videos | Not compatible with Mac OS |
| Crop, Scale and Create Picture-in-picture effects | |
| Screenshots and webcam captures taken simultaneously | |
| Batch resizing and rotation | |
| Scheduled captures | |
| Custom frame rate | |
| Dual monitor support | |
| Simple annotation system |
#10. Photolapse – Best Time-Lapse Software for Ease of Use
Pricing: Free to download
Photolapse was created by Brian King in 2011. This software allows you to convert digital photographs into an AVI video. Photolapse is the easiest software to use where you simply upload your files to a folder and an AVI video is created. This software is only compatible with Windows.
| Pros | Cons |
| Can merge unlimited number of photos | Not compatible with Mac OS |
| Easy to use | Can only save in AVI format |
| Requires minimal computer usage | |
| No cost | |
| Checks video for errors |
#11. MakeAVI – Best Time-Lapse Software for Uploading Various File Formats
Pricing: Free to download
MakeAVI is very basic time-lapse software that is easy to use. The software allows you to upload JPG’s, PNG, BMP and other file formats. It allows you to convert digital photographs into an AVI video. This software is only compatible with Windows.
| Pros | Cons |
| Easy to use | Can only save in AVI format |
| No cost | Creates glitches in video when uploading over a thousand images |
| Requires minimal computer use | |
| Can crop and resize images | |
| Reads multiple file formats |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is time-lapse?
Time-lapse is a technique where images are shot at a slower rate over a long period of time and then played back at a quicker rate which appears to speed up reality. A time-lapse video has a series of photographs which can show an hour or days in a few seconds. Time-lapse videos can be used to show the completion of a long-term project in a few minutes.
How can a time-lapse video benefit your business?
Time-lapse videos have numerous benefits. A short video can help market your business and improve your brand image. A short video will keep the audience’s attention which is essential to the success of the video.
What are the advantages of using subscription-based software compared to one-time purchase software?
Subscription-based software does include a monthly subscription fee but this monthly subscription fee includes the updated version of the software and better overall customer service. When you get one-time purchase software, you might be paying less for the software and this may seem like a good deal but you do not receive critical updates and the extra benefits provided through the subscription. Software companies work hard to create extra benefits for their subscribers and keep then engaged.
How many pictures will I need to create my time-lapse video?
The first thing you need to do is determine the speed that you want to film your time-lapse video at and how long you want your video to be. The average time-lapse video is filmed at 24 frames per second. This would require 24 pictures for every second of video you want to film. If you want to make a two-minute video, you will need to have 2,880 pictures for the video.
What is the most important feature that you should look for in time-lapse software?
The most important feature that you should look for is usability. When you purchase software that is too difficult to use or has a steep learning curve it can be detrimental to the success of your video.
What are the most important aspects of shooting a time-lapse video?
The most important thing is the stability of the camera to ensure that you have the best quality video. The second most important thing would be the settings on your camera. Ensure that the shutter speed, aperture, ISO and frame rate are set properly for the type of video you are shooting. The frame rate is determined by the intervalometer setting which is usually set to the amount of time you want to capture images. We suggest do a test run with 10 images to make sure that everything is in proper working order before doing your first full-length shooting. The manual mode is usually the best when shooting because it allows you to control the quality of the exposures and reduce flickering.