9 Best Alternatives to iMovie: Desktop, Online & Mobile
The renowned iMovie always performs best on Apple devices—it's not only free and pre-installed, but also extremely user-friendly, with seamless compatibility with iOS and Mac systems.
However, Windows users can only watch as others praise iMovie without being able to use it on their own computers. So, what other audio and video editors can serve as alternatives to iMovie in terms of functionality?
This article is here to answer that question. To ensure everyone can enjoy the best video editing experience on any device, we've compiled a list of 9 alternatives to iMovie suitable for desktop, mobile, and even online use.

| Alternatives | Platforms | Best for | Price |
| FVC Video Converter Ultimate | Windows, Mac | Beginners needing fast format conversions | Free trial, then $14.50 |
| Adobe Premiere Pro | Windows, Mac | Professional video editors | From $20.99/month |
| DaVinci Resolve | Windows, Mac | Advanced color grading and pro-level editing | Free basic, Studio $295 |
| WeVideo | Online | Education and team video collaboration | From $4.99/month |
| Biteable | Online | Quick, template-based marketing videos | Free limited, Pro from $29/month |
| Kapwing | Online | Social media content, meme/GIF creation | Free with watermark, Pro from $16/month |
| BeeCut | iOS, Android | Simple mobile video editing | Free with in-app purchases |
| Magisto | iOS, Android | Auto-edited videos with AI | From $4.99/month |
| Movavi Clips | iOS, Android | Casual users who want fast, stylish edits | Free basic, Premium from $2.49/week |
Part 1. Alternatives to iMovie for Desktop
FVC Video Converter Ultimate
FVC Video Converter Ultimate is no slouch compared to iMovie. Its core strength lies in its versatility. This software supports over 1,000 audio, video, and image formats combined, meaning it can handle virtually any multimedia file you might encounter (a range far broader than iMovie's). It features format conversion, video and audio trimming, enhancement, editing, special effects addition, compression, and more. Its MV feature even allows you to create complete videos using video clips or images.What's more, it's a user-friendly alternative to iMovie for Windows. The interface is simple, and processing speeds are lightning-fast; Mac users can also download and use it.
Free DownloadFor Windows 7 or laterSecure Download
Free DownloadFor MacOS 10.7 or laterSecure Download
Pros
- A all-in-one.
- High compatibility. It supports multiple formats and offers Windows and Mac versions.
- High processing efficiency, with speeds up to 30X faster.
Cons
- Some features require a subscription to unlock, and there are limits on the number of free trials.
Adobe Premiere Pro
Adobe Premiere Pro is a must-have when discussing video editing software and iMovie alternatives. As the industry standard for video processing, Adobe Premiere Pro offers all the video editing tools you need, from basic video trimming, frame adjustment, color correction, and filter addition to advanced special effects and animation creation. If you are looking for a video processing software that you can use for a long time, Adobe Premiere Pro is definitely the first choice.
Pros
- All-in-one. Offers a wide range of basic and advanced editing features.
- Color correction is top-notch.
- Excels at creating special effects, capable of producing blockbuster-level 4D movies.
Cons
- Subscription prices are very expensive.
- Requires significant practice and learning to master its use.
DaVinci Resolve
DaVinci Resolve is comparable to Adobe Premiere Pro in terms of powerful features and professionalism. Both are industry leaders and the highest-level alternatives to iMovie currently available. In addition to having all the necessary video editing features that iMovie and Adobe Premiere Pro have, DaVinci Resolve has also made great strides in color correction and is currently at the top of its field. It is highly suitable for studios or businesses, as it also offers multi-user timelines and collaborative editing features for team members.
Pros
- Exceptional at color correction, ensuring consistent color throughout the film.
- Supports collaborative editing by multiple team members.
- Offers various visual effects.
Cons
- More suitable for professionals than for individuals or hobbyists.
- Subscription pricing is expensive.
Part 2. 3 Ways to Add Captions to Videos in Clip
The first three best iMovie alternatives mentioned above are the main highlights. Now let's take a look at some online video editors that are lightweight, easy to use, and don't require you to download and install anything.
Wevideo
If you're a teacher who frequently needs to create online courses or guides, Wevideo is one of the most suitable free alternatives to iMovie. It not only supports video editing and offers a free trial, but also integrates with many third-party educational tools, such as Canva and ClassLink. In addition to being available on PC and Mac, you can also access it via a browser on iOS or Android devices.
Pros
- Supports cross-device use online.
- Supports integration with third-party educational tools.
- Provides team collaboration editing tools.
Cons
- The free version adds a watermark.
- Many advanced features require a subscription to unlock.
Biteable
If you are a self-media creator or entrepreneur who frequently needs to produce explanatory videos, we recommend trying Biteable. This iMovie alternative for PC online offers a variety of features, supporting both traditional video editing methods and text-based video editing. The reason it is suitable for self-media creators is that it allows you to directly publish the edited video.
Pros
- Fast startup and simple to use.
- Features a wide range of trendy video templates.
- Video effects, and the media library are updated frequently.
Cons
- Subscription pricing is expensive.
- Video export speed is somewhat slow.
Kapwing
If you're looking for an iMovie alternative for Mac that matches desktop software in terms of online interface, functionality, and even stability, Kapwing is undoubtedly the best choice. It's free, browser-based, and offers a full suite of editing tools, such as cropping, merging, adding effects, and adjusting aspect ratios. In addition to uploading local files, you can also provide a video URL for it to read.
Pros
- Offers AI-assisted video editing features.
- Supports multiple users editing the same project simultaneously.
- The user interface is organized and clean.
Cons
- Performance is heavily dependent on internet speed.
Part 3. iMovie Alternatives for Mobile Phone
BeeCut
When choosing an alternative to iMovie for iPhone and Android, the most important thing to consider is whether it is easy to use, as smartphone screens are much smaller than computer screens, making many taps less accurate. If you are a beginner, we recommend BeeCut. First, it offers a wide range of features, such as trimming, cropping, adjusting speed, adding subtitles, transitions, and picture-in-picture. Additionally, it supports timeline-based editing and provides multiple timeline layers.
Pros
- User-friendly interface and easy to use.
- Cool effects and filters.
Cons
- The free version has a watermark.
- Subscription prices are higher than other apps.
Magisto
If you're looking for a mobile version with AI video editing features that's an iPhone and Android alternative to iMovie, Magisto will be on your shortlist. It also has many preset video editing templates. There is a free basic version, but if you want to unlock advanced templates or more customization features, you'll need to subscribe.
Pros
- The user interface is very simple.
- Features AI-driven video editing capabilities.
Cons
- Videos exported from the free version include a watermark.
Movavi Clips
Movavi has released Movavi Clips, a free alternative to iMovie that can also be used on mobile phones. It provides a video timeline for easy video editing. What's more, it can also share edited videos directly to social media.
Pros
- Provides templates suitable for social media trends.
- Simple user interface.
Cons
- The free version adds a watermark.
Part 4. FAQs of Alternatives to iMovie
What is replacing iMovie?
Although iMovie is Apple's built-in video editing software and launches quickly, its functionality is not comprehensive. Currently, video editors that surpass it include Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, and others.
What are the disadvantages of iMovie?
First, in terms of compatibility, iMovie is only compatible with Apple devices, and users of Android and Windows cannot use it. They may need an iMovie for Windows. Second, it lacks some advanced video editing features, such as multi-camera editing and custom transition effects.
What formats does iMovie support?
iMovie currently supports video formats such as MP4, MPEG-2, DV, HDV, and MOV. Please note that MKV is not included. If you wish to use it to process MKV files, you must first convert the MKV to MP4 or MOV formats using other software.
Conclusion
The alternatives to iMovie mentioned in this article are all top-notch in terms of functionality and easy to use. Whether you’re editing videos on your computer or adding stunning effects to videos on your phone with just a few taps, you’ll find the perfect tool here.Of course, the most reliable tool remains a desktop video editor. If you’re a beginner and not yet comfortable with complex interfaces and confusing steps, then a straightforward software like FVC Video Converter Ultimate is the best choice for you.” /]



Video Converter Ultimate
Screen Recorder

