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Alternatives · Screen Recording

iMovie alternatives

iMovie compared with 5 alternatives: Final Cut Pro, CapCut, Clipchamp, DaVinci Resolve and Wondershare Filmora.

iMovie is free to use. 4 of the 5 alternatives are free or have a free plan. One more offers a free trial.

5 tools · Listings checked up to Oct 6, 2026 · Where the facts come from

At a glance

ToolPriceFree planRuns on
iMovieThis toolFreeFreemacOS, iOS
Final Cut ProFree trial · from $12.99/moTrial onlymacOS, iOS
CapCutFree plan · from $9.99/moYesmacOS, Windows, iOS, Android
ClipchampFree plan · from $9.99/moYesWeb, Windows
DaVinci ResolveFree plan · from $94.99YesmacOS, Windows, Linux, iOS
Wondershare FilmoraFree plan · from $49.99/yrYesmacOS, Windows, iOS, Android

How each one differs from iMovie

  1. Final Cut Pro

    Apple's professional video editor for Mac and iPad

    • Final Cut Pro starts at $12.99 per month or $129 per year for Apple Creator Studio. iMovie is free.
    • iMovie has a free plan. Final Cut Pro does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Final Cut Pro can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    • Final Cut Pro also covers transcription.
    • iMovie also covers templates.

    Suits: Mac-based editors who want an editor tuned for Apple silicon

  2. CapCut

    Video and photo editor with effects, auto captions and AI tools

    • CapCut starts at $9.99 per month for Standard, as a US App Store in-app purchase. iMovie is free.
    • Only CapCut lists Android and Windows apps.
    • iMovie also covers templates.

    Suits: Short-form video for TikTok, Instagram and YouTube

  3. Clipchamp

    Microsoft's browser-based video editor with a free plan

    • Clipchamp starts at $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year (Microsoft 365 Personal). iMovie is free.
    • Only Clipchamp lists a web app.
    • Only Clipchamp lists a Windows app.
    • Only iMovie lists iOS and macOS apps.
    • Clipchamp also covers transcription, noise cancellation and screen recording.

    Suits: Windows users, who find it in the Start menu on Windows 11

  4. DaVinci Resolve

    Video editing, color, effects and audio post-production in one app

    • DaVinci Resolve starts at $94.99 for Studio on iPad (in-app purchase); $295 for the desktop Studio license. iMovie is free.
    • Only DaVinci Resolve lists Windows and Linux apps.
    • DaVinci Resolve can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    • DaVinci Resolve also covers noise cancellation.
    • iMovie also covers templates.

    Suits: Editors and colorists who want editing, color, effects and audio in one app

  5. Wondershare Filmora

    Desktop and mobile video editor with AI tools and a stock library

    • Wondershare Filmora starts at $49.99 per year (Basic), or $79.99 one-time for a perpetual license. iMovie is free.
    • Only Wondershare Filmora lists Windows and Android apps.
    • Wondershare Filmora can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    • Wondershare Filmora also covers transcription, noise cancellation and screen recording.

    Suits: Hobbyists and YouTube creators who want a desktop editor with built-in templates

Limits worth knowing in iMovie

  • Apple lists iMovie for Mac, iPad and iPhone only.
  • Magic Movie and Storyboards are created in the iPhone and iPad app; the Mac app imports those projects into its timeline.
  • The current Mac version requires macOS 26.6 or later, and the iPhone and iPad version requires iOS or iPadOS 17.6 or later.
  • For more advanced tools Apple points to Final Cut Pro, which can import iMovie projects and is a paid product.
iMovie pricing and details

Common questions

What are the alternatives to iMovie?

The alternatives to iMovie in this directory are Final Cut Pro, CapCut, Clipchamp, DaVinci Resolve and Wondershare Filmora. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with iMovie.

Is there a free alternative to iMovie?

Yes. CapCut, Clipchamp, DaVinci Resolve and Wondershare Filmora have a free plan alongside paid ones.

Which iMovie alternatives work on Windows?

The iMovie listing does not include a Windows app. CapCut, Clipchamp, DaVinci Resolve and Wondershare Filmora list one.

Which iMovie alternatives work on Linux?

The iMovie listing does not include a Linux app. DaVinci Resolve lists one.

When were these prices checked?

Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 5, 2026 to Oct 6, 2026. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.

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