Free iMovie Alternatives

The best free alternative to iMovie is Kdenlive, which is also Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to iMovie and loads of them is free so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting free alternatives to iMovie are OpenShot, Shotcut, Avidemux and DaVinci Resolve.

iMovie alternatives are mainly Video Editors but may also be Motion Graphics Software or VFX Software. Filter by these if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of iMovie.

This page was last updated

iMovie

120

Free • Proprietary
Video Editor

Mac
iPhone
iPad

With iMovie for iOS and macOS, you can enjoy your videos like never before. It’s easy to browse your clips and create...

Learn more about iMovie

Kdenlive
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Video Editor
Mac
Windows
Linux
BSD
KDE
Flathub
Flatpak
109 alternatives to Kdenlive
Kdenlive is a non linear video editor. It is based on the MLT framework and accepts many audio and video formats, allows you to add effects, transitions and render into the format of your choice.
Suggest and vote on features
Kdenlive Features
1. Keyframe AnimationCompositions can be keyframed in Kdenlive, allowing you to change the parameters over time.
2. Ad-freeKdenlive doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
3. Chroma Key / Green ScreenKdenlive supports chroma key to replace the background with an image or video backdrop.
4. Dark ModeKdenlive supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
5. Hardware AcceleratedKdenlive can use the GPU and CPU to speed up rendering, conversion, and overall performance.
Visual Editing
Split videos
Sync Audio & Video
Watermark free
Non linear editor
MultiTrack
Add subtitles
GPU Support
Realtime filter effects
Live editing
Kdenlive vs iMovie opinions
Some users think Kdenlive is a great alternative to iMovie, some don't.
OpenShot
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Video Editor
Mac
Windows
Linux
Flathub
119 alternatives to OpenShot
OpenShot is a free and open-source video editor for Windows, macOS, Linux, and Chrome OS, designed to be easy to use and quick to learn.
Suggest and vote on features
OpenShot Features
1. Ad-freeOpenShot doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
2. Chroma Key / Green ScreenOpenShot supports chroma key to replace the background with an image or video backdrop.
No Watermark
3D animated titles
Blender Integration
32-bit support
Geometry editing
Photo effects
Layer Movement
Fast motion
Track multiple packages
Edit screenshots
OpenShot vs iMovie opinions
Most users think OpenShot is a great alternative to iMovie.
s3ptk1
Familiar interface and full-featured app that can replace imovie for users that don't have access on non-mac platforms
Positive comment•
3

ndlinn
Great alternative with one key distinction: that the Windows version is NOT in any way comparable to the Linux version! You'll need to find another alternative for Windows.
Positive comment•
0
Shotcut
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Video Editor
Mac
Windows
Linux
PortableApps.com
AppImageHub
Flathub
Snapcraft
110 alternatives to Shotcut
Shotcut is a free, open source, cross-platform, non-linear video editor.
Suggest and vote on features
Shotcut Features
1. LightweightShotcut consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
2. Keyframe AnimationCompositions can be keyframed in Shotcut, allowing you to change the parameters over time.
3. PortableShotcut can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
4. Dark ModeShotcut supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
5. Chroma Key / Green ScreenShotcut supports chroma key to replace the background with an image or video backdrop.
6. No registration requiredYou can use most of the features in Shotcut without registration.
No Watermark
Video filters
Low CPU usage
Visual timeline
CPU&GPU Rendering
Trim video
Non linear editor
Timeline
Image Masking
Track everything
Shotcut vs iMovie opinions
Most users think Shotcut is a great alternative to iMovie.
Avidemux
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Video Editor
Mac
Windows
Linux
BSD
PortableApps.com
129 alternatives to Avidemux
Free and simple video editor that supports a variety of file types and automated tasks. SIMPLE video editor, dedicated for ONE video at a time. NOT for multi video editing/montage.
Suggest and vote on features
Avidemux Features
1. Keyframe AnimationCompositions can be keyframed in Avidemux, allowing you to change the parameters over time.
2. PortableAvidemux can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
3. Chroma Key / Green ScreenAvidemux supports chroma key to replace the background with an image or video backdrop.
Crop video
Built-in Video Converter
Sync Audio & Video
Lossless Muxing
Cut video
Visual Editing
Video file conversion
Watermark images
Integrated Codecs
Embed subtitles into video
Avidemux vs iMovie opinions
Some users think Avidemux is a great alternative to iMovie, some don't.
Guest
Simple for cutting existing movies. Save/export is extremely fast.
Positive comment•
3

Guest
Avidemux is superb as a quick cut and convert-tool, but it is not a full fledged video-editor
Negative comment•
6

Guest
Lacks the ability to easily select part of a source video.
Negative comment•
-2

Guest
Avidemux is not simple to use
Negative comment•
0
DaVinci Resolve
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Proprietary
Video Editor
Mac
Windows
Linux
iPad
113 alternatives to DaVinci Resolve
DaVinci Resolve combines the world’s most advanced color corrector with professional multi-track editing, so now you can edit, color correct, finish and deliver all from one system!.
Suggest and vote on features
DaVinci Resolve Features
1. Colour GradingDaVinci Resolve lets you manipulate color in creative and artistic ways.
2. Chroma Key / Green ScreenDaVinci Resolve supports chroma key to replace the background with an image or video backdrop.
3. Node BasedDaVinci Resolve supports node editing, a form of visual programming that gives you full control over the rendering.
4. Support for VST PluginsDaVinci Resolve support third-party Virtual Studio Technology (VST) plugins.
5. Hardware AcceleratedDaVinci Resolve can use the GPU and CPU to speed up rendering, conversion, and overall performance.
6. Multicam EditingMulticam editing lets you automatically sync several angles of video with different formats, frame sizes, and frame rates.
7. Keyframe AnimationCompositions can be keyframed in DaVinci Resolve, allowing you to change the parameters over time.
8. Controller SupportDaVinci Resolve supports the use of a controller (XBOX, PlayStation, etc.).
9. Facial RecognitionDaVinci Resolve can register a biometric facial pattern to identify or verify the identity of a subject through an image or video.
Color correction
Compositor
Advanced Trimming
Multi-Screen
Remove Noise
8K editing capabilities
Built-in editor
Grading
Non linear editor
Subtitles and captions
DaVinci Resolve vs iMovie opinions
pros, cons and recent comments
Guest
Intuitive..has slightly better offerings for transitions etc.
Positive comment•
-1
Olive Video Editor
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Video Editor
Mac
Windows
Linux
105 alternatives to Olive Video Editor
Olive is a free non-linear video editor aiming to provide a fully-featured alternative to high-end professional video editing software.
Suggest and vote on features
Olive Video Editor Features
1. Keyframe AnimationCompositions can be keyframed in Olive Video Editor, allowing you to change the parameters over time.
2. Node BasedOlive Video Editor supports node editing, a form of visual programming that gives you full control over the rendering.
Non linear editor
Multitrack editing
Multi Platform
Support for Unicode
Custom layouts
Offline Data Collection
PiTiVi
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Video Editor
Linux
BSD
90 alternatives to PiTiVi
Free video editor with a beautiful and intuitive user interface, a clean codebase and a fantastic community.
Suggest and vote on features
PiTiVi Features
Transformation toolbox
Compositor
Non linear editor
Capture Video
32-bit support
Lightworks
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Proprietary
Video Editor
Mac
Windows
Linux
94 alternatives to Lightworks
Lightworks is an editing powerhouse, delivering unparalleled speed and flexibility, fully integrated with the other members of the Complete Collaboration family.
Suggest and vote on features
Lightworks Features
1. Ad-freeLightworks doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
2. Chroma Key / Green ScreenLightworks supports chroma key to replace the background with an image or video backdrop.
3. Node BasedLightworks supports node editing, a form of visual programming that gives you full control over the rendering.
4. Keyframe AnimationCompositions can be keyframed in Lightworks, allowing you to change the parameters over time.
Color correction
Non linear editor
Watermarking
Capture Video
Lightworks vs iMovie opinions
VirtualDub
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Video Editor
Windows
PortableApps.com
131 alternatives to VirtualDub
VirtualDub is a video capture/processing utility for 32-bit and 64-bit Windows platforms (98/ME/NT4/2000/XP/Vista/7), licensed under the GNU General Public License (GPL). It lacks the editing power of a general-purpose editor such as Adobe Premiere, but is streamlined for fast...
Suggest and vote on features
VirtualDub Features
1. PortableVirtualDub can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
Capture Video
Embed subtitles into video
Batch processing
Discontinued
The project seems to be no longer developed. Last version, 1.10.4.35491, released on October 27, 2013, can be still downloaded from SourceForge

VirtualDub vs iMovie opinions
This alternative is disputed. VirtualDub is still a legitimate alternative to iMovie, but it might have issues that some users think are important.
Cinelerra
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Video Editor
Linux
Wine
87 alternatives to Cinelerra
Cinelerra is a highly advanced and professional non-linear video editing software, but still remains open source. Cinelerra solves three main tasks: capturing, editing and compositing.
Suggest and vote on features
Cinelerra Features
1. Works OfflineCinelerra can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
2. Support for 4KCinelerra supports watching, rendering or exporting 4K content (also know as UHD or Ultra HD).
3. Ad-freeCinelerra doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
4. Colour GradingCinelerra lets you manipulate color in creative and artistic ways.
Non linear editor