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Animoto

Video Slideshow Online Application

Published on 07/21/2011

Rated 4 out of 5 stars by AppAppeal Editor

28 comments for this app

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What can you use the app for?

Animoto lets users design unique video slideshows with their personal photographs. The application syncs with popular sites like Flickr, Facebook, PhotoBucket, Picasa and SmugMug. The user can select from a list of music provided by Animoto or upload their own MP3 to accompany their slide show. Completed slide shows can be easily shared on social networks and photo sites including Facebook, Tumblr, PhotoBucket, Flickr, My Space, Twitter, YouTube and Picasa. The user’s slideshow can be shown in different resolutions as well, including 480p or web friendly 360p clips. Animoto also provides user with access to a cutting edge cinematic artificial intelligence. The user selects images, videos and music and the application puts them together just like a director would. Each video is white labeled so the user can share them with clients or customers without the Animoto logo appearing on the video or embedded player.

What is the history and popularity of the app?

Animoto was founded in August of 2006 by Tom Clifton, Jason Hsiao and Stevie Clifton. The company is headquartered in New York City with locations in San Francisco, California. Animoto currently consists of over 50 employees, including Creative Director Tom Clifton, President Hsiao, CTO Stevie Clifton, Advisor Steve Jang, UX Designer Chris Korhonen and board members Brad Jefferson, Matt McIlwain and Ben Spero.

What are the differences to other apps?

Animoto offers users a number of cutting edge features to create eye-catching, captivating photo slide shows. The user can add unique effects, add their own music or use music in the Animoto library and easily share their completed slide show on social networks. The cinematic artificial intelligence feature is by far one of the most original aspects of Animoto.

How does the web app look and feel to use?

Animoto welcomes users with a large, colorful image that makes up the entire background. The dark header contains the stylish Animoto logo along with three white links to help the user learn more or sig up. The slide show can contain many elements, including still photos, videos and unique transitional elements as well as text to introduce each image or provide a short caption. The site uses hints of blue and red against a primarily dark background to create an appealing contrast throughout.

How does the registration process work?

New Animoto users are given two account options. The first is to click the blue and white “Sign In with Facebook” button found in the upper, right hand corner of the page. Users who prefer to create a brand new account can do so by clicking the blue “Sign Up” link found just to the left of the Facebook button. The following page asks the user to select their preferred membership plan to continue. After doing so, the user is asked to provide an email address, first and last name, password, gender and date of birth.

What does it cost to use the application?

Animoto offers users four account options to choose from. The Lite account is available for free and includes unlimited videos, a 30 second max length for videos and access to video greetings. The Plus account costs around $5 per month or around $30 per year and allows full length videos, downloadable slide shows and 480p videos for an extra $3 and 720p HD videos for an extra $6. The Pro account costs just under $40 per month or around $250 per year and include unlimited 480p and 720p videos, no Animoto branding, end of video button access, 1,000 tracks of licensed music, exclusive video styles, commercial license and priority level support. The Reseller account costs around $500 per year and includes the reseller license.

Who would you recommend the application to?

Animoto is a great tool for anyone who would like to design a slide show using images and videos. The account options vary so there is something for casual users as well as professionals who would like to resell the content they create.

Animoto Features

Choose between one free and three paid memberships
Design slide shows with personal videos and images
Access the cinematic artificial intelligence tool
Easily share slide shows on social networks
Create Hi Def slide shows

Animoto pricing

Permanently free version
- Cheapest plan (per month): $5.00
- Most expensive plan (per month): $41.58 (unlimited DVD / HD videos, unbranded, reseller license)
- Pricing page

Mobile versions

Iphone app

Languages

English

28 comments for this app

Website

http://animoto.com/

28 comments (newest first)

Geoff
on 08 Feb 2012 at 00:09

It's sad but true...Animoto is a great idea poorly implemented and customer service is less than basic. Casual or amateur users may be thrilled with the results, but the program's almost total lack of image and sound controls makes it unusable and frustrating for professional users.

Taylor
on 04 Feb 2012 at 18:01

I've used Animoto but I have to agree with Frank. No-one tells you, you can use only 1 song. I discovered new service Slidemotion. They just launched the service. They have a trial account so I can try payable plans for 1 week to test. For now I can say they are really good, it's a cheaper service, they offer multisongs (up to 5 songs) and they have some really good features. They don't offer styles but the video is good, specially with more songs. I recommend them.

Cheryl
on 03 Jan 2012 at 23:58

(Rated 4 out of 5 stars)

I've used Animoto for my side photography business for a couple months now - it's great. Not sure why everyone's grousing - it's fast, looks awesome, and actually a pretty good value. I sell these vids to customers as add-ons to my wedding package - easy money for me... the one problem I had (video bombed) got fixed quickly by tech support. i totally recommend them.

Frank
on 23 Nov 2011 at 17:41

RIPOFF...stay clear. You can create a 10 minute video, but they don't tell you that you can only use ONE SONG! They have REFUSED to address this issue for over a year.

Ross
on 07 Sep 2011 at 22:21

I too am frustrated with Animoto after trying to make only one Video for my sister. 1st...if your music bed is too short then the video will DROP off remaining pictures...seriously...WTF? 2nd, everytime you upgrade to a higher rez like 480p you pay $3, JUST TO TEST IT! If the pictures gopt dropped off, change music length AKA shoot from the fooking hip and try your luck again, and then pay $3. 3. they have been out for a few years and have only a hand full of back drop themese???? are you kidding me??? They should have like 500 by now and some 50 for weddings...Christ there is = Z-E-R-O wedding themes, 4. they export to Mp4....SERIOUSLY???? Yes I know that it isn't the worts file format, and not super rare, BUT it is hardly common. Um....say it with me Mpeg people. They should have made this a program to buy for $99 and been done with it and given us more control... 5. Jack shit for control over the program. The only thing you can do is add photos and then add a music bed, OH? You can't edit sound? Your screwed. that is the only way to get more than one song in there. You can't even add text over a picture for gawd's sakes, you have to take up part of your 10 min max time to add in a title frame ....so damn lame, 6. No HiDef, oh ya, they have 720p...big whoop...ONLY FOR 2 OF THEIR THEMES WITH ONE OF THEM BEING THEIR DEFAULT THEME!!! Everything screams like they have scarce bandwidth and CPU power. They missed the boat on not having this program being a download. There were several options to secure their $$$ in doing it that way. Run....as fast as you can.... P.S. The AppAppeal Editor deserves to be flogged for giving this 4 out of 5...I will never trust anyting from this site again...at the very least they should force the users to give it a rating...as of right now I have the option to give it a rating, they missed the boat on this one.

Unhappy
on 22 Aug 2011 at 18:21

(Rated 1 out of 5 stars)

These guys are scam artists pure and simple, non existent customer service also no telephone number, had to contact my bank for a reversal!

Paul
on 06 Aug 2011 at 16:55

(Rated 5 out of 5 stars)

Animoto works great for me. Slick and easy - it doesn't give you much control of each individual edit, but the final prjects looks really great. also, customer service responded to my email in 15 minutes - they could use an 800 number though.

GG
on 02 Aug 2011 at 23:40

I used Animoto to create a slide show for my family reunion. It turned out awesome, it was totally easy, I don't know what all the complaining is about. I loved it, and so did everyone who saw my video. Everyone is excited for next years version. LOVED IT !!

kenny
on 22 Jul 2011 at 21:22

Total ripoff. I signed up for the "Plus" account because i wanted to get my mind off the 30sec-rule. Okey, they did what they promised, i can make vids over 30 sec. But i couldnt see anywhere that my vids would be 240 quality (wich costs 3 and 6$ to make higher) and that they put theire banner on the end of each vid. The templates are nice, but are way to few. Images get way to small on the vids. 30$/year isnt much, but i could have put the $ in some more expensive software wich wasnt so full of "upgrade for this and that" all the way.

Govinda
on 09 May 2011 at 13:44

Thanks to all, I work in a limited company and was about to buy the product. It seriously saved my butt. Can anyone suggest a good alternate. Please mail me at govindagarg@gmail.com

Simon
on 07 May 2011 at 11:16

Thanks guys, I'll steer clear of Animoto. Do you have any alternatives that are good to use. My videos will need to be around the 10 minutes mark. many thanks Simon

CP
on 18 Apr 2011 at 14:56

DONT GET THE ACCOUNT PERIOD. Animoto is a rip off. They dont fix things or care.

Gina
on 18 Apr 2011 at 02:37

WOW, glad I looked at the reviews before hitting the buy button!

Joe
on 13 Apr 2011 at 19:30

Thanks for the reviews, I was almost sucked in by the demo!!!!!! I'll pass and move on to other options....yet to be determined.

dmg
on 28 Feb 2011 at 21:05

(Rated 1 out of 5 stars)

I have used Animoto for a couple years as a Pro user and been satisfied. However, it seems with each "upgrade" they get worse. I always make my videos to be just under 10 minutes (which they require). This last "upgrade" now will NOT download my project because it is too big I suppose. Although it is under 10 minutes, which is what they say the maximum time allowed is. I have researched and found many people are having this same problem. If you have projects that will be anywhere close to 10 minutes - Animoto is a waste of time. It will create your project - but you will not be able to download it to put onto a DVD (or for any other use)...like I have been doing for 2 years with Animoto. Very frustrating!

Greg
on 04 Jan 2011 at 14:56

I upgraded to pro and now, instead of getting a fantastic array of differing transitions between each shot, there are precisely - ONE - the SAME one between each shot, no flips, no twirls, just a very very boring video. Wish I had just paid $5 and got the simple version, bastards took my money and now from the comments above I doubt my Q's will be answered satisfactorily.

AL
on 23 Sep 2010 at 05:46

you all saved my day... my prof referred me to this site to do slide shows... I tried rendering and it was slow. So before I jumped the gun to buy i googled, Animoto reviews, and i came here.... Thanks guys... Ill stick to Vegas Pro for this, though a bit lengthy, but i trust it...

RON
on 01 Sep 2010 at 16:23

YOU ALL ARE ABSOLUTELY CORRECT... RUN FROM ANIMOTO AS FAST AS YOU CAN !!! THEY TAKE YOUR MONEY, THEN DO NOT PROVIDE CUSTOMER SUPPORT. I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO CALL THE COMPANY, AND GET NO RESPONSE. I HAVE EMAILED THEM, AND GET NO RESPONSE. THEY DO NOT ADVERTISE THEIR PHONE NUMBER,AND THEY HAVE NO WAY OF ESCALATING MAJOR ACCOUNT CONCERNS AND ISSUES. IS THIS EVEN A LEGITIMATE COMPANY ?????? I WOULD BE INTERESTED IN KNOWING HOW MANY PEOPLE LOST MONEY TO THIS THANKLESS COMPANY.

Richard Norfolk (UK)
on 18 Aug 2010 at 18:30

I posed a question to Animoto asking them to justify why i should pay for the pro package, my question was simple, i asked to view the complete selection of styles and greetings available to members of Animoto. The first reply i got was a generic bullshit response telling me the same shit it said on their web page. Thanks for that, dont know if you already noticed, i can write and read, thats how i managed to email you asking a simple question. So being polite i again replied asking a direct question, "So in short, your telling me that there are *only* 11 styles (of which 4 are pro only) and 5 greetings in *total* of your theme library to choose from?" Low and behold, another bullshit reply:- Selecting a style sets the mood for your video, some are more suitable for fast high energy videos whilst others are slower and great for storytelling and showcasing photography. Within each style there are many transitions, chosen by our Cinematic Artificial Intelligence, based on your images and music selections - this means that no two videos are ever the same. As an example, the Animoto Original style is comprised of over 1000 unique transitions. We encourage you to play around with the different styles in order to get an idea of the many possibilities each unlocks for your videos. With Animoto Pro, you do get access to our 4 Elegance Collection styles as well. My reply to this was simple:- You should be a politician, you successfully avoided my question by giving me a bulshit answer. I know full well i asked a simple straight forward question ( see above ). Regardless of how fancy your AI system is, the fact remians that you have a low selection of styles and greetings to choose from. Your response has made my decision for me, that and the numerous negative reviews i have read regarding Animoto. Thank you for nothing, i wont be using your services and will gladly add my own comments to the numerous reviews regarding Animoto. Sincerely Dissapointed.

Lisa Stonecipher
on 10 Mar 2010 at 21:25

Do you have any rating lower than a single star? These money grubbing, jackasses don't even deserve that much! Grrrr..don't get me started again. My first flame is right above this one.

Anonymous
on 10 Mar 2010 at 21:08

Animoto is LAME, LAME, LAME!!!! Customer service is non existant, their links to upload are dead most of the time and rendering is slowwww....... Gotta run. I'm going software shopping, and then I'm going to spend the rest of the afternoon blog flogging them! I've had enough. They will never get another penny from me.

Anonymous
on 12 Oct 2009 at 23:55

Run away from Animoto.com They bait you with the nice looking videos they use as examples, but when you try to make your own, they are very small and the quality is well below even the Youtube standard. Other problems: Site is SLOW SLOW SLOW. Clearly they have bandwidth issues! There is NO CUSTOMER SERVICE! Nothing, no phone number. Just a contact form that goes unanswered. Don't pay for the HD upgrade thinking you can get it. It's just not there. Again, NO customer service option!.......Great idea, very poor implementation.......

Anonymous
on 12 Oct 2009 at 23:55

Anonymous
on 27 May 2009 at 13:31

I've been using Animoto for almost three months now. I purchased a pro level account. I'm a wedding photographer and have found that the Animoto slideshows are dreadfully small. My clients have loved the look of the slideshows but many have commented on how small they are. I'm aware that there is a way to export the slideshow to Youtube at a larger size but that is just so annoying. Why not just make the shows larger by default. As a photographer I want my images to be seen at a proper size; with Animoto the images are just too small to be appreciated. I won't be renewing my membership.

Anonymous
on 27 May 2009 at 13:31

Anonymous
on 18 Feb 2009 at 18:39

ANIMOTO SUCKS ASS - ONE PROJECT FROZE AND I CAN'T EDIT ANY OTHER PROJECTS IN MY ACCOUNT AFTRER PAYING FOR PROFESSIONAL ACCESS ANIMOTO SUCKS ASS! since you fail to reply to my repeated emails: I was working on a single project that hung during rendering. totally unrelated projects had previously been created, so i went to edit one or ANY OF THEM - and am always brought back to the failed project. I have deleted the failed projects from my account, and am still brough to edit that project when I click editing remix. Your careless reply was to just create another project from scratch, which doesn't help at all because I can't even find out where I set the music to begin. I PAID YOU IN FULL UP FRONT FOR PROFESSIONAL LEVEL ACCESS. QUIT BLOCKING EVERY PROJECT IN MY ACCOUNT BECAUSE ONE FAILS ON YOUR END AND YOU DON'T CARE ENOUGH TO FIX IT EVEN THOUGH IT'S BEEN 4 DAYS THAT I HAVE BEEN REQUESTING SUPPORT! IF YOU WON'T FIX IT, GIVE ME ANOTHER ACCOUNT SO I CAN CREATE THEM FROM SCRATCH ALL OVER AGAIN AND GET THESE CLIENT PROJECTS FINISHED!!!!

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