Whether you’re building awareness on TikTok, running testimonial ads on Instagram, or recapping an experiential event, video is the highest-performing and most shareable medium across digital channels.
But here’s the challenge: most marketing teams don’t have unlimited budgets or time to shoot, edit, and publish polished videos at scale. That’s where smart tools come in. From user-generated content (UGC) platforms and AI-powered video editing to interactive video creation software, marketers now have access to software that simplifies production, without sacrificing quality or branding.
This blog breaks down the best UGC tools for marketing teams, such as BrandLens, which lets you co-create branded UGC videos without apps or editing, making it easier than ever to deliver video content that feels both personal and professional. We’ll also discover how BrandLens lets you co-create branded UGC videos without apps or editing, making it easier than ever to deliver video content that feels both personal and professional.
What Makes a Branded Video Tool Great?
Not all video tools are created equal. When evaluating solutions for video content creation for experiential events, testimonials, or product storytelling, here’s what to look for:
- Ease of Use: Marketing teams need tools with no-code video editing or guided workflows that let creators and contributors produce content without technical training.
- Brand Control: Look for platforms that offer branded video templates for social media, where you can lock in your logo, color palette, intros/outros, and overlays for a consistent look.
- Collaboration: The best tools are creator-friendly and support collaboration between teams, partners, and UGC contributors through cloud-based access and live previewing.
- Formats: Ensure the platform supports vertical video editing for brands and other social-first formats like 9:16 or 1:1 so you can produce channel-specific content at scale.
- AI & Automation: Tools with AI-powered UGC moderation tools, scene detection, and caption generation can help you move faster and smarter without compromising quality or safety.
- Usage Rights: Built-in consent collection and rights management are essential, especially for UGC. Make sure your tool helps you stay compliant and protects your brand.
Now, let’s go over great video tools that you may need for your business.
1. BrandLens: Best for UGC-Driven Branded Video Campaigns
BrandLens stands out as one of the best video co-creation and UGC tools for agencies, organizations, and brands who want to scale branded video content with ease.
Key Features:
App-Free, No-Barrier Video Creation for Your Audience
- Effortlessly create branded campaigns with user-generated content (UGC) that’s easy for anyone to participate in.
- No app downloads or registrations required—creators simply click a link or scan a QR code to start recording.
- Accessible to your audience anytime, anywhere, without barriers to entry, creating a seamless experience for video contributors.
Scalable UGC Collection & AI-Powered Management
- Collect a large volume of UGC without breaking a sweat, thanks to AI-powered tools that automatically tag, organize, and categorize your videos.
- Text-to-audio features allow you to give custom instructions in any language, enhancing accessibility.
- Automatic content moderation ensures all videos meet your brand’s standards, maintaining privacy and safety with ease.
- Enjoy automated sorting and categorizing to streamline content management, even for high-volume campaigns.
Insights & Performance Tracking
- Track key campaign metrics like video views, UGC collection, and conversion rates to measure the impact of your content.
- Monitor UGC performance, evaluate trends over time, and identify top-performing campaigns with comparative data analysis.
- Refine strategies with insights into collected videos, deleted content, and ongoing optimization to boost results.
On-Screen Guided Storytelling
- Provide step-by-step guidance within the video interface, making it easy for contributors to follow prompts and create high-quality content.
- Interactive video creation with clear, easy-to-follow instructions ensures consistency and creativity.
- Drive increased conversions with on-screen calls to action while guaranteeing brand consistency in every piece of UGC.
Customizable, Brand-Controlled Templates
- A large library of templates tailored to various industries and use cases, or create your own from scratch, just like Canva.
- Editable overlays let you add text, images, audio, and video, personalizing the content to fit your brand.
- Full control over content sharing, ensuring all UGC remains on-brand and consistent across multiple channels.
- Customizable camera shot timelines to help create the perfect video experience for your audience.
Instant Usage Rights & Easy Consent Collection
- Built-in consent collection simplifies legal processes, ensuring you have the proper rights to use videos across your campaigns.
- Instant usage rights are included as part of the video submission process, making it easy to incorporate UGC into marketing materials without any hassle.
White-Label Video Collection Tools
- Perfect for agencies managing multiple clients, white-label video collection tools let you customize and brand the platform for each client while maintaining control and consistency.
Auto-generated Galleries for Easy Content Management
- Organize and curate UGC effortlessly with auto-generated galleries that can be used for websites, product pages, or internal reviews.
- Centralized management lets you stay organized and focused, even when handling large amounts of content.
Top Use Cases
- Video Content Creation for Experiential Events
BrandLens is an excellent tool for capturing authentic UGC during experiential events, such as trade shows, pop-ups, and live brand activations. BrandLens allows event-goers to record their thoughts, reactions, or experiences and instantly upload them, creating real-time engagement.
For example, UCLA Anderson used BrandLens to welcome incoming MBA students by having them record short video introductions. The videos were prompted by questions like “Where are you from?” and “What are you most excited about?” These authentic UGC videos were shared in a private gallery, helping students connect before even arriving on campus.
Key Features Utilized: Custom video prompts and auto-generated galleries
- Scalable Testimonial Collection for Industries Like Legal, Retail, and Services
Collecting testimonials can be challenging, especially for large industries where you need a streamlined, scalable process. BrandLens simplifies this by enabling brands to gather branded video testimonials quickly and efficiently.
- Lo-Fi, Authentic Brand Storytelling That Outperforms Polished Studio Content
In 2025, audiences increasingly prefer lo-fi, authentic content that feels real and personal. BrandLens enables brands to collect UGC that tells authentic stories, helping build stronger emotional connections with their audiences.
- Real-Time Reactions and Event Engagement
BrandLens is perfect for capturing real-time reactions at live events or promotions. Whether it’s sporting events, concerts, or special activations, fans and attendees can submit their videos instantly.
For example, MasterCard used BrandLens to collect real-time reactions from attendees at various live events. Fans were prompted to share their thoughts and feelings about key moments during events, creating authentic brand testimonials that were shared on social media. This campaign helped strengthen MasterCard’s emotional connection with its audience, especially by showcasing fans’ personal experiences.
Key Features Utilized: App-free video collection and AI-powered moderation tools
- Interactive Campaigns and Challenges
BrandLens enables brands to run interactive video campaigns where consumers can engage directly, whether by recording reactions, performing challenges, or making predictions.
In a campaign targeting sports fans, BrandLens helped a brand launch the Side-by-Side Sports Challenge, where fans recorded themselves mirroring pro athletes’ moves or reacting to game highlights. The content was used to create a crowdsourced video ad that was shared across social platforms, driving fan engagement.
Key Feature Utilized: On-screen guided storytelling and scalable UGC collection
- Customer Engagement and Product Unboxings
BrandLens also excels in campaigns focused on customer-generated content, such as product unboxings or behind-the-scenes videos.
A retail brand used BrandLens to encourage customers to document their first impressions of new products through unboxing videos. These videos were then curated and shared across the brand’s social channels and product pages, enhancing product awareness and driving sales.
Key Features Utilized: App-Free, No-Barrier Video Creation
- Collaborative Campaigns with Fans and Influencers
BrandLens also works wonders for brand ambassador testimonials and collaborations with influencers.
Influencers were encouraged to submit branded video testimonials through BrandLens. With custom prompts, the influencers created consistent, on-message content that aligned perfectly with the brand’s voice, further building trust and expanding the brand’s reach.
Key Feature Utilized: Custom video prompts and auto-generated galleries
2. Canva Video Suite: Best for Quick Social Video Branding
Canva’s Video Suite is a fan-favourite for its ease of use and versatility. It’s ideal for marketing teams who want to create fast, visually consistent social content.
Highlights:
- Drag-and-drop branded video templates for intros, text overlays, and effects
- Format-ready for Reels, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts
- Access to Canva’s full stock video and music libraries
- Great for combining static visuals and video content
Limitations:
- No UGC collection or testimonial intake
- Basic timeline editing; lacks fine-tuned control over scenes
3. InVideo: Best for On-the-Fly Editing and Voiceover Templates
InVideo blends convenience and creativity for marketing teams that need quick-turnaround videos without starting from scratch.
Key Features:
- AI text-to-video from blogs, scripts, or bullet points
- Pre-built templates for marketing, testimonials, and explainers
- Voiceover and narration tools are built in
- Ideal for internal communications and social teasers
Limitations:
- Not suited for UGC intake or live capture workflows
- Lacks advanced moderation or consent features
4. Best for Editing and Transcribing Talking-Head Content
For agencies working with talking-head interviews, speaker clips, or podcasts, Descript is a powerful time-saver.
Strengths:
- Edit video like a document, cut filler words or update script-based edits instantly
- Auto-generate subtitles and audiograms
- Smooth podcast-to-video workflows
- Best for video testimonial software for agencies, capturing founder or client stories
Limitations:
- No video collection or UGC integration
- Built more for post-production than acquisition
5. Adobe Express: Best for Creative Teams Needing Quick Output
Adobe Express (with video support) is a lighter, faster option for in-house teams already using Adobe Creative Cloud.
Advantages:
- Branded templates, stock video, and prebuilt transitions
- Good for quick edits and campaign graphics
- Works well with Adobe Creative Cloud applications, including Photoshop, Illustrator, and Premiere.
- Solid option for creative pros who need fast publishing without a full Premiere Pro workflow
Limitations:
- Not built for UGC or decentralized creators
- Better for internal teams than agencies or distributed creators
Bonus: How to Combine Tools for a Full Branded Video Workflow
The best marketing teams use a hybrid stack for production. Here’s an example flow:
- Collect UGC
Use BrandLens to gather authentic videos from customers, fans, or employees.
- Design Overlays
Drop your logo, CTAs, and subtitles using Canva or Adobe Express.
- Edit and Clean
Use Descript to trim awkward parts, clean audio, and polish captions.
- Publish and Schedule
Use InVideo or your preferred Meta Business Suite to push content across social, email, and even product pages.
This integrated workflow supports:
- Interactive video creation software
- Social media campaigns
- Video content creation for experiential events
- Customer testimonials and case studies
In 2025, video isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s how brands build trust, showcase impact, and engage communities. But great branded video doesn’t require a film crew. With the right tools, you can turn UGC into high-performing campaigns in days, not weeks.
BrandLens is the must-have platform for teams who want to produce video that’s authentic, scalable, and always on-brand.
