Free iMovie Alternatives for Mac

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

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

iMovie alternatives page was last updated

iMovie

120

Free • Proprietary
Video Editor

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

More about iMovie

Kdenlive
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Video Editor
Mac
Windows
Linux
BSD
KDE
Flathub
Flatpak
111 Kdenlive alternatives
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.
- - Kdenlive is the most popular Windows, Mac & Linux alternative to iMovie.
- - Kdenlive is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to iMovie.
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. No registration requiredYou can use most of the features in Kdenlive without registration.
6. Hardware AcceleratedKdenlive can use the GPU and CPU to speed up rendering, conversion, and overall performance.
7. Colour GradingKdenlive lets you manipulate color in creative and artistic ways.
8. Non Destructive EditingKdenlive can make changes to a file without overwriting the original data, which remains available in case you want to revert to it.
9. Extensible by Plugins/ExtensionsKdenlive can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
Visual Editing
Split videos
Sync Audio & Video
Watermark free
Non linear editor
MultiTrack
Add subtitles
GPU Support
Realtime filter effects
Customizable
Opinions about Kdenlive as a Alternative to iMovie
Most users think Kdenlive is a great iMovie alternative.
Shotcut
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Video Editor
Mac
Windows
Linux
AppImageHub
Snapcraft
Flathub
PortableApps.com
113 Shotcut alternatives
Shotcut is a free, open source, cross-platform, non-linear video editor.
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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
Visual timeline
CPU&GPU Rendering
Low CPU usage
Trim video
Non linear editor
Timeline
Image Masking
Track everything
Opinions about Shotcut as a Alternative to iMovie
Most users think Shotcut is a great iMovie alternative.
OpenShot
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Video Editor
Mac
Windows
Linux
Flathub
121 OpenShot alternatives
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.
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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
Comments about OpenShot as a Alternative to iMovie
Most users think OpenShot is a great iMovie alternative.
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

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
Avidemux
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Video Editor
Mac
Windows
Linux
BSD
PortableApps.com
133 Avidemux alternatives
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. LightweightAvidemux consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
2. Keyframe AnimationCompositions can be keyframed in Avidemux, allowing you to change the parameters over time.
3. PortableAvidemux can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
4. 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
Comments about Avidemux as a Alternative to iMovie
Some users think Avidemux is a great iMovie alternative, some don't.
Guest
Avidemux is superb as a quick cut and convert-tool, but it is not a full fledged video-editor
Negative comment•
6

Guest
Simple for cutting existing movies. Save/export is extremely fast.
Positive comment•
3

Guest
Avidemux is not simple to use
Negative comment•
0

Guest
Lacks the ability to easily select part of a source video.
Negative comment•
-2
DaVinci Resolve
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Proprietary
Video Editor
Mac
Windows
Linux
iPad
115 DaVinci Resolve alternatives
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!.
- - DaVinci Resolve is the most popular iPad alternative to iMovie.
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. Ad-freeDaVinci Resolve doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
7. Dark ModeDaVinci Resolve supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
8. Controller SupportDaVinci Resolve supports the use of a controller (XBOX, PlayStation, etc.).
9. Non Destructive EditingDaVinci Resolve can make changes to a file without overwriting the original data, which remains available in case you want to revert to it.
Color correction
Compositor
Advanced Trimming
8K editing capabilities
Built-in editor
Remove Noise
Multi-Screen
Subtitles and captions
Noise Reduction
Intuitive Nodes
Comments about DaVinci Resolve as a Alternative to iMovie
Most users think DaVinci Resolve is a great iMovie alternative.
Guest
Intuitive..has slightly better offerings for transitions etc.
Positive comment•
-1
Olive Video Editor
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Video Editor
Mac
Windows
Linux
106 Olive Video Editor alternatives
Olive is a free non-linear video editor aiming to provide a fully-featured alternative to high-end professional video editing software.
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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
Custom layouts
Support for Unicode
Offline Data Collection
Lightworks
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Proprietary
Video Editor
Mac
Windows
Linux
95 Lightworks alternatives
Lightworks is an editing powerhouse, delivering unparalleled speed and flexibility, fully integrated with the other members of the Complete Collaboration family.
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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
Opinions about Lightworks as a Alternative to iMovie
Most users think Lightworks is a great iMovie alternative.
CapCut
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Proprietary
Video Editor
Mac
Windows
Online
Android
iPhone
Android Tablet
iPad
116 CapCut alternatives
CapCut is a free video editing app offering a suite of features including cutting, speed adjustment, advanced filters, a vast music library, and creative effects to help users produce high-quality videos.
- - CapCut is the most popular Web-based, Android, iPhone & Android Tablet alternative to iMovie.
Suggest and vote on features
CapCut Features
1. Ad-freeCapCut doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
2. Keyframe AnimationCompositions can be keyframed in CapCut, allowing you to change the parameters over time.
3. LightweightCapCut consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
4. No registration requiredYou can use most of the features in CapCut without registration.
5. Works OfflineCapCut can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
6. Support for 4KCapCut supports watching, rendering or exporting 4K content (also know as UHD or Ultra HD).
7. PortableCapCut can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
8. Dark ModeCapCut supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
9. Chroma Key / Green ScreenCapCut supports chroma key to replace the background with an image or video backdrop.
Automated Captions
Non Destructive Editing
Hitfilm Express
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Proprietary
Video Editor
VFX Software
Motion Graphics Software
Mac
Windows
95 Hitfilm Express alternatives
HitFilm Express is a free editor & compositor for Mac & PC. Includes over 410 powerful effects & presets.
Suggest and vote on features
Hitfilm Express Features
1. Support for LayersHitfilm Express supports the organization of elements through a hierarchical order that can be manipulated/viewed independently.
Intuitive Interface
Wondershare Filmora
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Proprietary
Video Editor
Mac
Windows
Android
iPhone
Android Tablet
iPad
123 Wondershare Filmora alternatives
The easiest-to-use home video editing software with special editing features lets you seamlessly stitch together video clips, music & text, apply effects and get a professional-looking home movie in minutes.
Suggest and vote on features
Wondershare Filmora Features
1. Chroma Key / Green ScreenWondershare Filmora supports chroma key to replace the background with an image or video backdrop.
2. Keyframe AnimationCompositions can be keyframed in Wondershare Filmora, allowing you to change the parameters over time.
3D animated titles
Visual-thinking
Noise Reduction
Record desktop activity
Text animation
Sync Audio & Video
Record videos
Special effects
Upload directly to YouTube
Comments about Wondershare Filmora as a Alternative to iMovie
Some users think Wondershare Filmora is a great iMovie alternative, some don't.
Guest
I feel it doesn't have the same level of power as the others, and is falsely advertising itself. To get any functionality with it, you have to spend money.
Negative comment•
7

Guest
This is very good because it is free and have rewind easy transition and has way more options than any other apps listed
Positive comment•
-5