Video editing & visual effects software. HitFilm Express. HitFilm Express is a free video editing software with professional-grade VFX tools and everything you need to make awesome content, films or gaming videos. Perfect for beginners, film students, gamers, YouTubers, or any creative without a budget. Download HitFilm Express. Mac users who only need a simple video editor will find that Apple iMovie is the best free video editing software, because of its strong integration with Apple's operating system and easy-to-grasp.
When it comes to video editing software, the first thing that comes to our mind may be Final Cut Pro, Premiere, Sony Vegas and EDIUS. For novices, this kind of professional editing software is really too complicated and the price is too high. Since you're finding a video editor like the free iMovie, I will introduce some free and easy-to-use video editing software similar to iMovie in this article. I hope everyone can find the one you like most and make your own cool video with happiness.
As you may know, iMovie only works on Mac and iOS. The PC users have to take an iMovie for PC alternative. This time, I'll try my best and get all platform users covered by recommending cross-platform free video editing software at first, with the quality keeping in mind. Now enjoy free video editing software like iMovie and salute to its developer.
> #1 Best Video Editing Software Like iMovie - Shotcut
> #2 Free Video Editing Software Like iMovie - OpenShot
> #3 Free Video Editing Program Like iMovie - Davinci Resolve
> #4 Free Video Editing Software Like iMovie - Lightworks
Movie Editor Free Mac Download
> #5 Free Video Editing Program Like iMovie - HitFilm Express> #6 Free Video Editor Like iMovie - VideoPad Video Editor
#1 Free Video Editing Software Like iMovie - Shotcut
Shotcut is an open source and free video editing software developed by Meltytech LLC, which supports Mac, Windows and Linux. It follows the GNU/GPL protocol, which means anyone can use Shotcut for video editing and movie making for completely free.
Talking about video editing, Shotcut has functions such as GPU acceleration, broad format support, drag and drop operation, filter effects, etc. Like iMovie, Shotcut processes media files fast and does not occupy few computer resources. In my own experience using the software, Shotcut is an intermediate free video editor similar to iMovie. It's much easier than those professional video editing software such as Adobe Premiere, but it is slightly more complicated than other free video editing software with simple features. It can be said that Shotcut is the best of free video editor software. So it won our Gold price of iMovie-like free video editing software.
#2 Free Video Editing Software Like iMovie - OpenShot
The second iMovie alternative free video editing software is called OpenShot, a name similar to Shotcut. It combines all the powerful tools you need for video editing, such as splitting, merging, rotating, transition, effects, animated and 3D titles, etc. The same with Shotcut, OpenShot also works on Mac, Windows and Linux. It helps you quickly and easily create the video you desired.
OpenShot was previously a free video editing program for Linux OS only. Now Mac and Windows versions are also available, but only for 64-bit operating systems. As for the video editing features, this iMovie-like free video editor software provides you with real-time video preview, an array of title templates (2D & 3D), special effects like Slow Motion and Reverse, audio mixing and other features. It comes with a simple interface like iMovie. If you're afraid of intermediate interface, try OpenShot first before Shotcut.
#3 Free Video Editing Program Like iMovie - Davinci Resolve 15
Davinci Resolve is an all-in-one solution for video editing, color adjustment, post-production and visual effects. It's designed to realize unlimited creativity using different toolsets. You can now produce video easily by working together with other creative people.
Professional Movie Editing Software Free
In all, it's a more powerful and professional video editing solution than iMovie. It's more like Final Cut Pro X. Davinci Resolve is a commercial video production solution but it also provides free version which could be used as a professional iMovie alternative. Keep in mind that this iMovie alternative might require a deep learning curve. Either Mac or Windows is compatible. Thank Blackmagic Design for bring such an amazing video editing and post-production software for free. Download Davinci Resolve 15 now.
#4 Free Video Editing Software Like iMovie - Lightworks
Lightworks is another advanced video editing software like iMovie. Different from other pro software, Lightworks comes with a simple and intuitive interface. Similar to iMovie, it includes media management, video editing tools, multi-color correction, and support for 3D graphics, real-time effects, and built-in support for royalty-free stock video and music.
LightWorks is also a cross-platform free video editing software, which means you can download and use it on Mac, Windows and Linux. You can take this Hollywood-level video production tool anywhere you want. It's an Academy and Emmy award-winning video editing software for totally free. Salute to EditShare. Download Lightworks now.
#5 Free Video Editing Program Like iMovie - HitFilm Express
HitFilm is a commercial video editing and VFX software with two versions: HitFilm Pro and HitFilm Express. As a free video editing software similar to iMovie, it's also simple and easy to use HitFilm to split and trim your video, add transitions and title, as well as make green/blue screen and color correction. As a professional video editor, HitFilm also empowers you to design your own transitions, import 3D models and apply 400+ specialized effects like lens flare, muzzle flashes, distortion, lightning, and much more. For those artists who want more video creation elements, HitFilm Express provides many add-on packs, adding more values to this iMovie-like free video editor.
HitFilm works on Mac and Windows. To download this free video editor for Mac and PC, you have to sign up to create an account on their website, and share on your social account. Then you need to claim your free license.
#6 Free Video Editor Like iMovie - VideoPad Video Editor
VideoPad is definitely an all-platform video editing software free for personal and home use. It can run on Mac, Windows, iPhone, iPad, Android, and even Kindle! Unbelievable! From this view point, it's a free video editing software better than iMovie which only supports Mac, iPhone, and iPad.
VideoPad is a fully-featured and classic video editor. Totally different from the above video editing software, VideoPad enables you to capture video from a DV camcorder, VHS, GoPro, webcam, then edit video with its free editing tools like split, reverse, transition, effects, audio mixer, and speed control. When your video editing is complete, you're able to share your video anywhere. DVD burning is not a popular feature nowadays. If you want to watch your movie on TV, DVD disc is still a good choice. VideoPad can export videos in multiple resolutions up to 4K, same with iMovie. If you make videos for non-commercial use, download this free video editor like iMovie right now.
Comparison Table of iMovie-like Free Video Editors
Check out some important differences between free video editing programs to choose your favorite one.
| iMovie Alt. | OS | Import | GPU Accel. | 3D Titles | VFX | Export | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shotcut | Mac, Windows, Linux | All common media formats, webcam, ProRes, DNxHD | Yes | No | No | YouTube, Facebook, iPhone, iPad, PSP, Video Files, Audio Files | ||
| OpenShot | Mac, Windows, Linux | All common media formats | No | Yes | No | All common media formats | ||
| Davinci Resolve | Mac, Windows | All common media formats, webcam | Yes | Yes | Yes | YouTube, Vimeo, FCP, PR, and all common media formats | ||
| LightWorks | Mac, Windows, Linux | ProRes, Avid DNxHD, AVC-Intra, DVCPRO HD, RED R3D, DPX, AVCHD, and all common media formats | Yes | Yes | Yes | YouTube, Vimeo, and all common media formats | ||
| HitFilm Express | Mac, Windows | All common media formats, webcam | Yes | Yes | Yes | YouTube, 8K video export,all common media formats | ||
| VideoPad | Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, Kindle | All common media formats, webcam, GoPro, VHS, and DV Camcorder | No | No | No | YouTube, Facebook, iPhone, iPad, PSP, Video Files, Audio Files, VR headsets, DVD disc. | ||
Conclusion for iMovie-like Free Video Editors
iMovie is the entry-level video editor for Mac and iOS users. The standard equivalent should be the same free Windows Movie Maker for Windows operating system. The reasons why I haven't recommended WMM to you as a free video editing software alternative to iMovie are: a) Windows Movie Maker is much simpler than iMovie. It's a crapped free video editor for Windows only.
b) Windows Movie Maker only runs in Windows which conflicts with my choosing standard I described at the beginning of this article.
In short, all the picked free video editing software like iMovie has similar or more powerful features than iMovie. All of them supports two or three platforms (Mac and Windows at least). If you still want to try Windows Movie Maker, get it here.
For paid video editing software similar to iMovie, I humbly recommend Movavi Video Editor, which has the closest interface and features with iMovie for Mac. Below is its demo video.
Download Movavi Video Editor now to assemble your media files and share anywhere.
iMovie for Mac Tips
Movie Editing Software are basically designed for trimming, merging audio functions to play with a movie or video and make them more for the intended function. If you are looking for some fun with a movie or if you are on the professional side for some serious movie editing, this list of best movie editing software is for you.
Movie Editing software, free download Mac Free
Related:
AVS Video Editor
AVS video editor has got some outstanding features as HD videos editing, making videos from still photographs. AVS video editor supports all the major video formats as AVI, VOB, MP4, DVD, WMV, 3GP, MOV, MKV, using codecs H.264 and H.263. You can trim, cut , split, merge, rotate and mix videos with this software. You can also add audio and video to your existing movie with this software. The free version of this software is full featured, although a watermark is placed after editing.
iMovie for Mac
Easy Movie Editing Software Free
iMovie for Mac has made making a movie very simple even for a novice. Do you have few beautiful images and want to make a movie of that? iMovie for Mac is for you. iMovie supports 4K resolution for movies, that gives you a high-quality picture at each slide. You can create trailers for your own movie by combining or editing different movie parts from other movies.
VideoStudio Pro X9.5
Video Studio is a powerfull video editing software designed for all level of expertise. This software was formerly known as Ulead. This software will offer you some outstanding features as variable speed movies, fades, and transitions, a multi-camera editor with normalizing audio of different videos. You can track up to 4 points in your video and give a moving text or graphics to your video. Subtitle editor, multi-trim, time lapse effect are some other features that are incorporated in the software. You can try this software before purchase.
PowerDirector Ultra for Windows
Power director is natively built movie editing software for Windows. This software comes with tons of feature to impress you. Main features include more than 30 animated theme templates, multi-camera designer, menu designer, transition designer to have some unique transition effects. The software also features screen recorder additionally to the video editor software. The only back point for this software is that you have to buy this software for having its taste.
Final Cut Pro X for Mac
Final Cut Pro X is built natively for Mac OS. For professionals like you, this software has got some advanced features to offer. This software supports 4K video editing, giving you a quality movie of your collection. You can edit video clips without collisions using the magnetic timeline, clip connections and more that this software has to offer you. This software also features a trial version, so that you can have a taste of it before spending your money.
Magisto Video Editor & Maker for Android
Magisto video maker and editor are built natively for video editors like you who desire to have a quick video editor on Android OS. This software automatically turns your images into a video with some magical sound given by its own intelligence making the video beautiful. You can also edit movies, give facial recognition, have special transition effects with this software. You can try this software for some limited video time before you purchase it.
Most Popular Movie Editing Software for 2016 – Pinnacle Studio 19.5 Ultimate
Pinnacle studio 19.5 Ultimate is the most popular video editing software available in the market. It has some rich features for you as 6 cameras, multi-camera editing, Audio syncing, stop motion animation, Audio ducking. You can just plug in camera and this software will give you the power to control shutter speed, focus, frame rate to create your own customized video. You can also see ProfessionalVideo Editing Software
What is Movie Editing Software?
Movie editing software help making videos of already taken still images or help you edit, animate, change audio of the existing video. You can also make a new video with different parts of other videos. Adding subtitles, facial recognition, trimming are few common features you can expect in a video editing software. You can also see Screenplay Software
Pinnacle studio has a lot of rich features for you and is the most popular software among video editing professionals. If you want to edit videos just for fun, you can prefer to have Magisto video maker. Final cut pro X may be slightly difficult for a novice to begin with. At the end, all have some unique features to offer compared to others.