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Compilation makers

YouTube Shorts Compilation Maker

ReelWorkshop works as a YouTube Shorts compilation maker for creators who already shot the footage. Import clips, arrange and trim a vertical edit, preview in the browser, and export a 9:16 MP4 to upload through YouTube. Editing is free; MP4 export is on Starter ($19.99/month).

Last reviewed September 30, 2026

Shorts prefer vertical framing. ReelWorkshop helps you assemble multiple clips into one paced compilation before YouTube Studio or the mobile app. You choose the order and trims. There is no auto-highlight picker and no scheduler. End screens, cards, chapters, and captions are YouTube Studio features after upload — not part of ReelWorkshop.

Pitch and pricing clarity

Import your clips → arrange/trim → preview → export a 9:16 H.264 MP4 at 1080×1920 or 720×1280 for Shorts. Editing and preview stay free. Starter ($19.99/month) unlocks finished exports with 25 GB storage and 60 exported minutes each calendar month, plus unlimited local editing and previewing.

Start editing free

Open a free account, build the Shorts cut with your own footage, and only upgrade when you are ready to download an MP4.

How it works

  1. Import source clips

    Add the videos you filmed — game highlights, tutorials, vlog moments, or product clips — into a browser project.

  2. Arrange and trim

    Build a sequence that opens clearly and stays watchable at Shorts length. Drop weak clips instead of padding.

  3. Preview in the browser

    Confirm pacing and framing before you spend export minutes on Starter.

  4. Export vertical MP4

    Render H.264 MP4 at 1080×1920 (preferred) or 720×1280. Keep the tab open until rendering completes.

  5. Upload to YouTube

    Download the file and upload via YouTube Studio or the app. Check current Shorts duration rules in YouTube’s help docs if classification as a Short matters.

What you get

  • Browser-based compilation editing with no install.
  • Downloadable vertical H.264 MP4s on Starter at 1080×1920 or 720×1280.
  • Private account backup for clips and projects across devices.
  • Starter at $19.99/month: 25 GB storage and 60 exported minutes per month.

What you don’t get

  • No automatic highlight detection or AI-selected best moments.
  • No publishing or scheduling to YouTube from ReelWorkshop.
  • No YouTube end screens, cards, chapters, or auto-captions in the editor.
  • No partnership claim with YouTube; logos identify destinations only.

Shorts export guidance

Prefer 1080×1920 so the file holds up if viewers watch on larger screens through YouTube’s other surfaces. Keep important detail out of the far bottom and right edges where Shorts UI icons sit. YouTube re-encodes every upload, so your ReelWorkshop file is the source — not the final CDN bitrate.

Duration thresholds change

YouTube has adjusted what qualifies as a Short over time. Confirm the current length rule in YouTube’s documentation before you rely on Shorts shelf placement.

Frequently asked questions

Is the YouTube Shorts compilation maker free to try?

Editing and previewing are free. Exporting finished MP4s requires Starter at $19.99/month.

Does ReelWorkshop pick highlights or schedule Shorts?

No. You arrange your own clips. There is no auto-highlight picker and no scheduling — you download and upload the MP4 yourself.

What format does YouTube get?

An H.264 MP4 with AAC audio in 9:16 at 1080×1920 or 720×1280, rendered in your browser.

Can I add captions and end screens here?

No. Use YouTube Studio after upload for captions, end screens, cards, and chapters.

How much can I export on Starter?

Starter includes 60 exported minutes each calendar month and 25 GB for source clips and exports, with unlimited local editing and previewing.