Video editing has traditionally relied on powerful desktop machines and large amounts of storage. Elevate.io, the latest platform from cloud-editing specialist Blackbird, aims to remove those barriers by offering a fully browser-based solution. Designed for both professionals and education, it provides an accessible way to create and collaborate on video projects entirely online. It claims as one of its key innovations to fully support “video co-creation”: Elevate.io allows teams to work on the same video timeline in real time. Editors can collaborate directly in the browser, while reviewers can leave comments without needing full editing access. This makes the process more fluid and encourages collaboration across locations. Although it is not uniquely and exclusively a feature of the Elevate platform (many other editors are applying this in one way or the other), it is very well and intuitively integrated here.
The platform includes all the standard tools that you would expect from established editing software, such as transitions, colour correction and effects, alongside AI features that help streamline repetitive tasks. It also comes with built-in asset management, ensuring media files remain organised and accessible. The interface has no real surprises for the experienced editor while it ‘s sufficiently intuitive for the newbie.
Pricing is flexible, with a free tier offering limited storage and a low-cost subscription unlocking 4K exports, more space, and additional features. Students and educators benefit from a 50% discount on the Creator plan, making it an attractive option for universities. There are, however, some considerations. The reliance on internet connectivity means performance will depend on network stability, and the free plan’s 5GB storage may be restrictive for larger projects. Complex productions may also still require the power of traditional desktop software.
Even with these considerations, elevate.io represents a significant step towards more open and collaborative video production, especially in educational and creative settings. And it shows the trend towards more and bigger applications that are running completely in the cloud.
Free Starter level available, with limited resolution and limited number of exports per month.
