Pros
Animoto was very easy to use. Signing up was simple and I was able to upload my pictures and share my final video very effortlessly.
Cons
A lot of the helpful effects were only offered in the paid version which was very pricey.
Summary
Animoto is a great way to enhance picture/video presentations. It turns your pictures into a modern production of effects and music while being very easy to use.
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Pros
Easy to use, fun templates
Cons
Zero customer service, possibly fraudulent disclosures where they don't tell you that they'll up charge you for normal photo resolution, they say it's 5.00 per month but they charge up front for one year at a time, once you finalize a video you'll have to pay again for the increased resolution up to .720 dpi even on their HD monthly which is very expensive.
Summary
Really need to get their customer service act in order.
Really need to be transparent up front about the fees
Talk about a bait and switch, it should be illegal to do what they are doing
They should disclose that there is no way online to cancel your membership
They should have phone support
I am a nationally known consumer advocate so I am particularly peeved when they don't disclose up-front all of the fees and costs
Before you finalize a video it should say "you will not be able to edit this version of the video and may have additional fees for re-editing a copy of the video if you actually want/need clear version of the photos in your final product.
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Pros
I am a part time photographer (mostly work during grad season and the occasional wedding) - Animoto paid for itself within a week. I make proof videos to send my clients - it spurs sales. Super easy to use - and phone support too! (amen)
Cons
Playback can be a little jerky
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Pros
The product is easy to use, even though there are limited choices even if you upgrade
Cons
The worst customer service I have ever had... I'm not exaggerating. They do not answer your questions/problems, can take forever to respond sometimes, and overcharge without refunding!
Summary
Use another service. I would NEVER recommend animoto to anyone, ever, for any reason. It's the people that's the problem, not the product. At some point you'll have an issue, and it will never get solved. Save yourself the hassle.
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Pros
Easy to use after you discover how it all works. Good quality and some unique styles.
Cons
Be very cautious that they don't over charge you! I think it defaults to automatically renewing your order each month. They billed me several extra months before I caught on. When I contacted them they removed some but not all of the charges even though there was no activity on the account during that time.
Some of the styles are nice but there are very few and the get very repetitive after a while.
A bit pricey!
Summary
It's good if you just want to make a few videos and can live with the same styles but be very careful they don't overcharge you.
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Reply by ldeocares on May 8, 2014
I had exactly the same overcharging issue. No activity for a long time. They have, so far refused to remove but the last of several charges. I am disappointed.
Pros
Looks like would be great way to make a loved ones short video clip along with music....but, very disappointed after spending hours....
Cons
I spent a good 2 hours trying to just LOOK at what they were selling or giving away for free.
I mean right away, up front they're asking for a ton of money JUST to look at what they're offering.
Paaaleeeeze...let us at very least look at what we MIGHT get for the money!
I don't mind spending a few dollars for this...really...it would cost me $25 just getting to a store to buy a cheap card.
So I was very excited and hoped to make a cute video for my husband today for Valentines Day, as well as for my grandkids....
but now I've got just short time before my grandkids arrive...no video, no card from gramma!...I shoulda read reviews 1st, then gone to the store and buy their cards instead of spending 2 hours totally frustrated....dang
I'm gonna go open up a bottle of wine and get snockered b'cuz at least is better excuse having drunk gramma, than a stupid techno challenged granny who couldn't figure out how to do something thats supposed to be simple.
But...its taking too long to download!
Summary
Took too long just to look at what they're offering...not sure if is my server and too many peeps downloading stuff...making things slower than mule'asses!
Am very dis'a'pointed!
Hey, am NOT stupid granny...I've got a degree in Geology....but seriously, show me...NOT charge me!
Don't mind paying for sum'thin...but show me what you're offerin B'fore askin fer money!
That don't work with tight'wads like me!
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Pros
1) Easy to use (can make a video under 2 min)
2) HD videos
3) Lots of styles
Cons
1) Addictive
Summary
Animoto gets the job done in the easiest way possible. The best part is it suits both pro users and novice users.
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Pros
-Really cool designs for pictures
-Fairly easy to use
Cons
-Editing options limited, you choose a style, musci, pictures, and then you can't change anything else
-Slow loading
-Crappy quality after hours of prep, expensive upgrades--nearly 10 bucks for one HD video
Summary
I was excited getting into the site, but I quickly realized how limited my options really were with working on the video. I had to trust the timing of the video presets instead of adding my own, and you can't edit certain transitions or styles. After hours of putting my project together, I was devastatingly disappointed to see how poor a quality my video was given to me as. On a big screen for a presentation, the photos would be too grainy to see. Overall, so much potential, but too many short-comings.
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Pros
• Incredible videos - my clients say they are magical and I really am not much of a video editor, but anmoto makes them think i am!
• Good value - I sell about 25 videos a year made on Animoto to my photog customers - actually a bargain
• Now in HD - atleast some themes... finally
• v. good help support - twice i've been answered within an hour by email.
• shown on a digital projector at a wedding or party - these videos are show-stoppers.
Cons
• no Droid app - only iphone version
• sometimes, the automated videos take a couple tries to get just right - but no big deal.
Summary
I use Animot to make video slideshows for my small weekend photography business. sell them or give them to my clients - they loooooove them. I can crank out a great video in a half hour - and they snap them up. Very easy
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Pros
-Easy to use
Cons
-Poor quality videos - for better quality you pay extra $$$
-No way of opting out of automatic subscription renewal. Tried for weeks to no avail. Staff directs me to non-existent 'cancelling renewal' page. Smells like a scam.
Summary
Once you sign up, you sign up for life. There is no way of cancelling your automatic subscription renewal unless you cancel your credit card as well. Staff keeps sending you to some account page where it says you can cancel renewal but it SIMPLY DOES NOT EXIST. Many, many other users have had the same problem according to a Google search. Unless you want to spend $30/year for the rest of your credit card life, go to a different company.
I keep getting emails from Animoto saying they will renew my subscription even after requests to cancel my subscription. Dodgy, dodgy, dodgy.
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Reply by TheAnimotoTeam on August 23, 2011
We're so sorry to hear you had trouble canceling your account. The page that you can visit for any changes to your account is here:
http://animoto.com/account/
If you're having trouble accessing that page, make sure you're logged into your account when viewing it.
There, if you do have an automatic renewal set up, you can click "more info" and cancel your renewal.
If you're still unable to cancel your payment through that page, drop us a line at any time to theteam@animoto.com, and we'll make sure your subscription is cancelled. Again, our apologies for any confusion.
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