The amazing technique of time lapsing enables you to record the passing of time in a creative manner. This is made by taking a series of pictures at regular intervals over a certain time span. A video is produced from the stitched together pictures that are then sped up to create a unique artistic expression.
Following, we will present the 12 most popular time-lapse computer software available in 2020. To make the content simple to understand, we’ve divided it into a number of segments:
Let’s take a look:
Camera Control Software for Time-lapse Photography
To download software and/or firmware, user registration is required. Imaging Software NIS-Elements Free Viewer Ver4.11.00 for Mac. Time Lapse Imaging System. Time Lapse Assembler for Mac is available as freeware, with only a one-time request for (voluntary) donations. The program's small size makes installation and setup quick and easy. VideoDub was made specifically for time-lapse, but it also has other tools. Watch the video tutorial below to understand the fundamentals of using it to produce a time-lapse video. Best Free Time-lapse Software for Mac: iMovie. Converting your time-lapse images to a movie using your Mac PC is simple using iMovie. OBS Studio (Open Broadcaster Software) OS: Windows, Mac, Linux. OBS is also a free game recorder loved by many gamers, it’s mainly used for live game streaming on Twitch and YouTube as well as gameplay recording for YouTube. Free and open source game recording software for video recording and live streaming.
An important part of time-lapse photography is the intervalometer (remote control). With time-lapse photography, you should not be clicking on the shutter manually.
Some intervalometers are attached to the camera, some are built into the camera, and they control the frequency, the period and the number of photos taken.
Standalone intervalometer devices are available if your camera didn’t come with a built-in intervalometer. Another option is to use the camera control software that will let your computer control the shutter period of your DSLR. These perform the function of Intervalometers by letting you set the time period between each picture. For this to work, your DSLR camera will have to be constantly connected to your computer via a USB cable for the full duration of the time-lapse project.
Below are the recommended software for doing time-lapse projects with some cameras.
Nikon users:
All of the newer model Nikon digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) cameras like the high-end models D3, D3x, D3s, D700 support Sofortbild. Also included are the consumer D90, D300, D300s and D5000.
2. D-Software Cam Control (Win)
A compatible Nikon DSLR camera can be operated via remote with the software on the PC. The camera settings below can be changed (Dial Mode Defendant).
- Aperture
- Exposure Com.
- ISO
- Shutter Speed
The intuitive and powerful image-editing software Nikon Capture 4.0 maximizes possibilities and optimizes workflow. It manages almost all pictures taking controls, and enables pictures to be saved straight to a PC. Furthermore, it permits you to browse and edit any picture files created with the Nikon D-series cameras.
Canon users:
When experts have to control their Canon EOS DSLR via USB from a Windows computer, this is their favourite software.
iPhone users:
Lapse It has every possible feature you will ever need for taking time-lapse videos. Manually set features such as ISO mode, focus mode, white balance and scene mode. Other features that Lapse It fully controls include selecting the intervals once every frame is clicked. Both time-lapse and stop-motion videos can be shot with the app. The resolution, frames per second, codec, audio and effect are editable after shooting the video before it is eventually rendered.
The disadvantage of this app is that the majority of the features are in the pro version, which costs $2.99. The free version is very limited and you will be left wondering what would have been possible with the pro version.
Software for Post Editing Time-lapse Photos
When you are done taking images, you’ll end up with hundreds, maybe thousands of images, depending on how long your project is. Prior to blending them into a video, there are a few things you might need to adjust like cropping, brightness, white balance etc.
It would be a very tedious task to edit each individual photo. Cant get teamviewer to force quit on. To edit your photos quickly, here are two useful software.
Lightroom is a popular tool for editing time-lapse sequences. When combined with LRtime-lapse (more on this later), this tool becomes even more effective. However, it doesn’t have all the flexibility and tools that Photoshop gives you for editing still images. Most people are not aware that Photoshop could be used to edit only time-lapse. Look at the video tutorial below to find out more:
When editing time-lapse sequences, Lightroom is one of the most popular options.
Another good option for batch post-production editing of images is Adobe Lightroom This tutorial shows you exactly how to do this:
Time-lapse Post Production Software to Assemble a Time-lapse Video
Before diving into this topic, it is important to understand how time-lapse videos are usually produced.
Video makers creating time-lapse videos use two popular approaches:
Method1. Shoot a Video and Speed It Up
Creating a time-lapse video using this method is just as simple as it looks. Take an extended video recording, next open it in a video editing software and accelerate the video recording up 5 x or more, based on how quickly you would like the pictures in your video footage to be going or the length of time you need your completed video clip to be
This isn’t an actual time-lapse video, however, the ultimate effect is similar.
Method2. Create a Video from Photos
This method is more challenging, however, it is usually more gratifying: create a time-lapse recording from hundreds ( or even thousands ) of still pictures. You might ask: “Why would I even take the time with capturing that many pictures when I could simply create a video recording using the method mentioned earlier?”
Well, you will discover a minimum of two valid reasons:
#1. Quality
Your end product will look amazing even when it is created using consumer-grade devices due to the high definition of the pictures. With video footage, your quality is going to be reduced.
#2. Size
Videos take up a lot of digital space, particularly if you’re filming in 4K for an extended time (3-5 hours). Still images take up significantly less space on your storage device and will need less computer resources during post-production.
Irrespective of the approach you opt for, we have you covered.
Movavi Video Editor is a complete video editing software applications and slideshow creator, which enables you to produce expert looking time-lapse videos on your PC – even if you lack expertise.
The editing toolset provided in Movavi easily allows you to either turn a regular video recording to time-lapse by making your video clip speed up or put together time-lapse video clips from plenty of still pictures for Windows as well as Mac.
Additionally, it is possible to include audio, produce text captions, and utilize visual effects or transitions to your footage and even more.
Here’s a short quick tutorial for creating a simple time-lapse by utilizing Movavi Video Editor.
#1. How to Convert a Normal Video to Time-lapse in Movavi
With this approach, all you have to do is shoot your video at a normal frame rate and after in Movavi Video Editor, speed up the playback.
Step 1. With Movavi Video Editor opened, click on the Add Media Files button to add your video recording. Once completed, drag your video clip on to the timeline below.
Step2.Choose the footage on the timeline. Next, click on the icon Click Properties to start up a basic panel of editing tools.
Step 3. Move the slider to adjust the speed of the video to produce a time-lapse effect similar to the one below:
#2. How to Make a Time-lapse Video with Pictures in Movavi
Step1. Download and install Movavi Video Editor for Windows or Mac, start the downloaded file and go along with the installation directions. Open the Movavi Video Editor when installation is complete and in the full feature mode select Create a project.
Step2. Upload Your Content to the Software.
Connect your video recording device and move your pictures to the hard drive of your PC. Next, in the Video Editor’s Import tab, select Add Media Files. Find the folder with all your pictures and upload them to the software.
Step3. Create the Time-Lapse
On the Timeline, all the images should be instantly selected. If not, select all, by pressing Ctrl + A. Select the Clip properties icon and in the Tools menu find Duration. Adjust the duration of your frames manually to 00:00:00.100 (adjust the milliseconds first, after that the seconds).
Step4. Add Audio
A good soundtrack is key to a successful time-lapse video. Return to the Import tab, select the Add Media Files and pick some atmospheric audio for your almost complete time-lapse video. A separate Audio Track will show the audio you have chosen.
Another option is to choose from the audio included. Do this by opening the collection and clicking on Music. Next, drag the audio you want to the Timeline.
Step5. Save Your Video
You’re nearly done! This is when the magic starts: the only thing left is to create the time-lapse video if to transform the sequence of still images to a video format. Click Export to do this and pick the video format you want and click Start.
VirtualDub is a video capture/editing open source software for Windows available in 32 and 64-bits. This tool is mostly for editing AVI files.
VideoDub includes batch-processing features for processing huge amounts of files and could also be extended with outside video filters. It doesn’t have the overall editing power editors like Movavi Video Editor, however, it is specifically made for quick linear operations over video.
For our needs, it is a great way to produce time-lapse videos. VideoDub was made specifically for time-lapse, but it also has other tools. Watch the video tutorial below to understand the fundamentals of using it to produce a time-lapse video.
Converting your time-lapse images to a movie using your Mac PC is simple using iMovie.
This is a great tool for newbies to video editing. It is useful for those who want to create home movies and videos of kids over the years.
Wii moded super smash bros brawl iso. Editing a time-lapse is easy, just import all your pictures into iMovie and then drag them to the timeline. Once completed, choose all the pictures on the timeline and head to the Clip Information panel, and set the interval for every picture to 0.1 seconds. That’s it!
Remember that the fastest fps that is allowed in iMovie is 0.1 fps. This means, at the most, it will only play 10 pictures per second. If you think the video came out too slow, below are a few ways to speed it up:
Begin by saving it as a video file and then export it once you have gathered all the photos into a video. Next, import the video again using iMovie.
After that, you can increase the video clip’s speed by choosing it in the timeline and then selecting the speedometer looking icon:
On the “Speed” popup menu and select “Fast” or “Custom”. With the “Custom” setting, you can choose the speed you want such as 50% or 200%.
LRTimelapse is a computer program that assists with time-lapse editing. In your time-lapse, you can select the keyframes to be edited in Lightroom and animates them all at one to produce a smooth shift from one to the next.
Although most of the new smartphones/cameras are able to take good quality time lapses with an “app”, experts use a more advanced workflow to capture time-lapses.
When it comes to creating professional time-lapses, there are no shortcuts. To produce a polished end product, professional time-lapse photographers have to go through a number of steps. The beginning of the process is taking a series of raw pictures taken at regular intervals. Next, the images are edited using software such as Lightroom Classic CC, which lets you fully benefit from the camera’s dynamic range and resolutions.
But, there are a number of problems that Lightroom is unable to fix. Flicker and uneven exposure ramping are the biggest problems. LRTimelapse will ramp and even out Holy-Grail sequences, it will also eliminate flicker in the workflow that is very intuitive.
The Framelapse app allows you to take a set of images and produce a time-lapse video using your Android device.
Do you want a time-lapse app with virtually no rendering time? Then download Framelapse.
You have great control over the settings with this app. You have the ability to change camera settings such as white balance, timer, exposure as well as include filters in your time-lapse. Set up the frame interval, orientation and duration of the video.
You also have the option to select the app’s bitrate and resolution. For Android devices, Framelapse is one of the simplest time-lapse apps to use.
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Timelapse videos can look impressive and give you the option to use a DSLR or even your camera on your phone to make an interesting video. In this guide, we’re exploring both the best free timelapse software options and more professional, paid options. You can capture images and create a timelapse video using a variety of methods and hardware, even on your phone.
Editor’s favorites
| Software | OS | License | Best for | Link |
| Movavi Video Editor Plus | macOS, Windows | Free trial, full version for $59.95 | HD video projects | |
| Chronolapse | Windows | Free | Free timelapse software using a webcam | |
| Veed.io | Web-based | Free plan, paid plan from $18 monthly | Creating timelapse videos in your browser | |
| Kapwing | Android | Free plan, paid plan from $17 monthly | Android devices | |
| iMotion | iOS | Free | Best for iPhone |
Special pick: Movavi Video Editor Plus – Best for HD video projects
OS: macOS or Windows
Price: Free 7-day trial, full version for $59.95
Movavi Video Editor Plus has a free trial so you can check if it is suitable for your needs. For making a high definition and impressive time-lapse video, this program gives you a lot of other impressive features. There’s a built-in media pack, loads of effects and transitions, and the simple processing of videos from 1080 to 4K.
Pros:- Lots of powerful and professional editing tools
- Video resolution up to 4K
- Inbuilt media packs
- Timelapse from images is not automated like some other options
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How to make a time-lapse video in Movavi Video Editor Plus
Step 1. Install Movavi Video Editor Plus
Download the installation file and follow the instructions to complete the installation.
Step 2. Add your footage
It is time to add your photos. Click on Add Files and select a video if you want to make a time-lapse using a video effect. You can also import images.
Step 3. Create a video with the lapse effect
Time Lapse Assembler
To create a time-lapse effect, double-click the clip on the Timeline. In the Properties window, you can drag the slider, which will make the speed quicker and give the impression of a time-lapse video.
To add music, on the File import tab, click Add Files and choose your song. There is a library of audio that you can use in Movavi.
Step 4. Export your video
When ready, you can use the Export button. In the new window that opens, you can choose the movie quality (HD, SD, dimensions) and where you want to export the video to before you hit Export.
Desktop timelapse makers
iMovie – Best for Mac users
OS: macOS
License: Free
iMovie is available as a free download for Apple devices. In fact, it may already be installed on your device when you buy it. It’s a professional piece of software allowing you to create exceptional videos in the easiest way possible. Although Microsoft users can’t use it, it is accessible on all Apple devices as well as on Mac computers.
You can merge images to create a quality HD video, showcasing your photography and easily editing and merging the footage you have taken in a drag-and-drop format.
Pros:- Free, professional software for Apple users
- HD rendering up to 4K quality
- Combine video footage with images
Adobe® Premiere® Pro – Best for Adobe® software users
OS: macOS or Windows
License: Free trial, $20.99/mo as part of Adobe® plan
Adobe® Premiere® Pro is known as one of the industry-standard pieces of software for editing videos. If you want a really professional video and you are making a project where only the best will do, Premiere® Pro is an option, especially as you can pay monthly for access. However, it isn’t the easiest to use and may take up a lot of space on your PC. Other software can do a good job too, without you having to use so much of your hard drive.
Pros:- Industry-standard and powerful editing suite
- Excellent Adobe® support and lots of learning materials
- You need to pay monthly or yearly for Creative Cloud
- Can be demanding on your computer system
Timelapse Software For Pc
LRTimelapse – Best for working with still images
OS: macOS or Windows
License: Free evaluation license, $118
LRTimelapse runs from Lightroom®, another piece of software made by Adobe®. You can use Lightroom® Classic or the older Lightroom® 6. You can use this on either Mac or Windows computers, and the free evaluation license means you can download and see if you like it before buying. It has the option to take still photography and easily import quality images before turning them into a time-lapse video. The software also has some powerful filters.
Pros:- Easy to use with still images.
- Comes with some impressive filters for photo editing.
- No options for other video editing or inbuilt live recording
- Needs Adobe® software to run
Panolapse – Best for adding motion in post-production
OS: macOS and Windows
License: Free trial, $99.95 for full version
Panolapse allows you to add motion to your time-lapse videos. You can turn still videos into a video that rotates in real time and turns into a more interesting end result. The “pano” comes from the rotating feature that inserts movement. This has an option for use with Windows 10, 7, and Mac OS X. It’s relatively straightforward to use on either operating system. Batch rendering makes light work of lots of high-quality photos, which can quickly be rendered into an excellent video.
Cons:- No editing of video footage or using timelapse “effects
- Limited editing options
Time-Lapse Tool – Best for beginners
OS: Windows
License: Free trial, $99 for full version
Time-Lapse Tool has some good features for beginners and makes it easy to get started turning still images taken on your camera or phone into an HD video. It allows the simple merging of JPEG and other image formats, but keep in mind the fact that this app does not support RAW images, which is the maximum possible data, best for making full-quality 4K videos.
The software works on Windows and is easy to make videos, GIFs, and even upload directly to YouTube from the software.
Pros:- Easy interface for beginners
- Affordable license
- No video editing options
- Only works on Windows
ChronoLapse – Best free timelapse software using a webcam
OS: Windows
License: Free
This is proof that even freewarerecorders can do a really great job. To get time-lapse video software for free and know it is going to be reliable is rare. Chronolapse is simple to use and professional for merging videos into timelapse, and it can take the feed from your webcam or an external camera you have connected to the computer. It is set to take a still image at predetermined intervals live from your webcam or a DSLR camera, and then it will turn them into a timelapse video. As freeware goes, this is impressive, but it doesn’t allow you to take images on your travels and then compile them at a later date.
Pros:- Free software
- Easy to use with excellent instructions available from the makers
- Only works taking a live recording on your computer
- No Mac version
Free timelapse makers that work online
Veed.io – Best for creating timelapse videos in your browser
Vidbox video conversion product key. OS: macOS or Windows
License: Free plan, paid plan from $18 monthly
Veed.io is a web-based way of speeding up and slowing down video footage as well as creating stylish timelapse videos. You can start with either a video or a selection of images and end up with a smooth and high-quality timelapse, all without ever having to download any software to your computer. The simple tools also allow you to add text, effects, and music to the video. There’s a free plan, but to make use of this you need to be willing to limit your quality to 720p (the standard plan is 1080p). You will also get a watermark and a limit on file size.
Pros:- Never have to download software to your computer
- Very simple interface to get to grips with
- The free version adds watermarks and limits video quality
Kapwing – Best to use on tablets
OS: macOS or Windows (free plan available)
Price: From $17 a month + free plan
Kapwing is another freeware solution that lets you speed up and slow down video online. It can be used in your browser and is even compatible with tablets. There are options to import AVI, MP4, MOV, and 3PG and turn these files into a timelapse video.
Because this isn’t the only function of Kapwing, it takes a little longer in the editing process than it would with some alternatives. Unfortunately, the free software does have some limits, but it doesn’t watermark the pictures. Instead, it limits the file size and some of the advanced functionality.
Pros:- Simple to use in a browser and on tablets
- Video creator accepts multiple file types
Timelapse creating apps for iPhones and Android phones
Framelapse – Best for creating 4K videos on Android devices
OS: Android
Price: Free
⬇️ 36,387 reviews and 1,000,000+ installs on Google Play
Framelapse gives Android users the option to use either their front-facing or standard camera to take the footage to be turned into a timelapse. You can set the interval at which you want the photos to be taken as well as some other options and create up to 4K videos from your phone or tablet.
Unfortunately, there are a few quirks, and if someone calls you while you are making your recording, it can stop the app altogether.
Pros:- Free version available for Android users
- Create videos in up to 4K with effects
- Receiving a call may stop the app
- Hard to get to grips with the interface
Microsoft Hyperlapse Mobile – Best free Android app
OS: Android
Price: Free
⬇️ 43,815 reviews and 1,000,000+ installs on Google Play
Microsoft Hyperlapse Mobile is totally free and effective software for your phone, which can use your camera to record a video or use any video that you have shot already. You can choose between 1 and 32 times the speed and save in 720 or 1080p formats. There is even an inbuilt stabilization mode. Once you create a time-lapse video, you also can keep the audio track from the original footage.
Cons:- No full 4K
- Saving errors on some types of phones and tablets
iMotion – Best for iPhone
OS: iOS
Price: Free
⭐️ 963 ratings
iMotion is packed full of some really impressive features that you can make the most of on your iPhone or iPad. It allows UHD capture and exporting as well as four different capture modes. You can even shoot remotely from a device on your WiFi. Useful editing and exporting tools are great for sharing directly to your mail app or other iOS apps. You can also change the exposure and white balance of your images.
Pros:- Simple to get to grips with
- UHD capture and export
- When importing images, some can get blacked out
- Only usable on iPad and iPhone
Hyperlapse from Instagram – Best for Instagram videos
OS: iOS
Price: Free
⭐️ 2.1K ratings
Instagram has created its own timelapse software allowing people to enjoy the benefits of timelapse for their Insta videos. The app has truly impressive stabilization capabilities, and it is easy to create short, distilled video footage from longer videos or images taken at intervals. You don’t have to sign up or have any account, and it is quick to get started. The automatic smoothing and the fact you can speed up footage up to 12x is a bonus for Apple users.
One downside to this software is the fact that once you’ve saved it, you can’t go back into the project and edit things like the speed or effects, so you are stuck with the decisions you have made in the first edit.
Cons:- Designed for short, snappy videos for Instagram, not longer projects
- No option to use an external camera like a DSLR
People are looking for the best free timelapse software for a variety of reasons. You might have videos that you want to add a timelapse-style effect to, or you might have lots of still images taken that you want to turn into a timelapse video by merging them together. Whether you want to use some simple software on your phone, such as iMotion, or you’re looking for professional software like Movavi Video Editor Plus, there are options for anyone to create a sleek-looking video.