iMovie for Windows and iMovie Alternatives
Movavi Video Editor
- Edit and enhance videos easily
- Add stylish transitions, titles, and filters
- Stabilize and reverse video, equalize sound, and more
How to get iMovie for Windows
The question is, how to get iMovie on Windows? Unfortunately, there is no iMovie for Windows computers. What are your choices, then, if you want an easy-to-use video-editing program like iMovie but you have a computer that's running Microsoft Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10, or Windows 11? There are several programs similar to iMovie for PC users.
When choosing an iMovie alternative for Dell, Lenovo, and similar PCs, consider your own personal needs. Can you get an iMovie free download for Windows? Is the program easy to install on your desktop? Is the program easy to use? To help you make your choice, we've identified the best iMovie alternatives for Windows and provided details of each app.
Movavi Video Editor: creative filters, pro-level transitions (with sound), fun special effects, and an audio-editing tool
VSDC Video Editor: a wide variety of popular visual effects, including video filters, color correction, and object transformation
OpenShot: a cross-platform open-source alternative to iMovie for Windows users
Here’s what Movavi’s team does to provide you with verified information:
When selecting products to include in our reviews, we research both demand and popularity.
All products mentioned in this article have been tested by Movavi Content Team.
When testing, we aim to highlight the best features of a product and what it’s best suited for.
We study user reviews from popular review platforms and make use of this information when writing our product reviews.
We collect feedback from our users and analyze their opinions of Movavi software as well as products from other companies.
Movavi Video Editor: An alternative to iMovie for Windows
While there is no Windows version of iMovie, Movavi Video Editor is the perfect Windows equivalent of iMovie. It does everything iMovie does and a lot more. It's a terrific program for beginners with an intuitive easy-to-use drag-and-drop interface. You don't need any previous experience to use Movavi Video Editor to easily edit and create great-looking videos.
Movavi Video Editor is more than just an alternative to iMovie for Windows since it has a variety of more advanced features for professional users. You can choose from a number of creative filters, pro-level transitions (with sound), fun special effects, and an audio-editing tool [1]. You can even use the Chroma Key feature to replace the background in any video clip with something more interesting.
Movavi Video Editor runs on both the Windows and macOS platforms. To see this video editor in action, you can download a free trial.
"One feature vloggers and YouTubers should appreciate is Intro mode. It lets you create preset sequences to use at the start of all your videos for channel consistency."
Michael Muchmore, a review on PCMag
"As a YouTuber myself, I use most of the titles and transitions in my own videos, and they've worked great!"
Pros:
Timeline-based video editing
Includes a large collection of titles, backgrounds, filters, and transitions
Motion tracking and picture-in-picture capabilities
Animate objects with keyframes
Cons:
In the trial version, you can only save videos with watermarks
No advanced trim mode
VSDC Video Editor: A free alternative to iMovie for PC
Another good alternative to iMovie for PCs is VSDC Video Editor. This iMovie for PC freeware offers a modern interface and non-linear editing, so you can place video clips in random locations on the timeline. The program includes a wide variety of popular visual effects, including video filters, color correction, and object transformation. It even includes echo, reverb, volume correction, and other audio effects.
VSDC Video Editor can be a great alternative to iMovie for Windows as it is completely free, although there is a paid Pro version available with additional features [2].
Take a look at PCMag’s review of the program
You can download the program by following the link below
Pros:
Non-linear video editing
4K video support
Text animation
Chroma key functionality
Cons:
Nonstandard layout and workflow
No full-screen video preview
Steep learning curve
OpenShot: An open-source iMovie alternative for Windows
Since there is no PC version of iMovie, you need to look at other options. OpenShot is a cross-platform open-source alternative to iMovie for Windows users. It's slightly more limited in features and functionality than other programs discussed here but it is a free alternative to iMovie for Windows.
This program features a drag-and-drop interface that's easy for beginners to learn [3]. It includes a variety of animation effects, 3D titles, and watermarking. The video editor enables you to adjust the picture's color, contrast, and brightness.
OpenShot is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux computers. It's completely free to use.
Take a look at user reviews of the program on Capterra
You can download the program by following the link below
"I’ve tried lots of paid and also free video editors, and OpenShot sits right near the top of video editors."
Kevin Stratvert, a review on YouTube
Pros:
Basic video editing
Cross-platform support
Ready-to-use video templates
Customizable interface
Cons:
Nonstandard operation
The steep learning curve for advanced features
DaVinci Resolve
Because you can't download iMovie for Windows, you can choose even more powerful options. DaVinci Resolve is a powerful video-editing program that goes well beyond the functionality offered by iMovie, which makes it popular with more experienced and demanding users. It combines video editing, color correction, motion graphics, and audio post-production into a single interface.
This iMovie for Windows alternative includes a large number of broadcast-quality special effects and transitions as well as 2D and 3D animated titles and text [4]. A quick export tool enables easy uploads to YouTube, Vimeo, Twitter, and other social media.
If you look for something more powerful than just iMovie for Windows, DaVinci Resolve can be your option. However, because of its advanced features, Resolve is not the best choice for beginning users. It's a full-featured video editing program with a relatively steep learning curve that lets you create truly professional video results.
DaVinci Resolve is free and runs on both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows. DaVinci Resolve Studio, with even more pro-level features, is available for $295.
Take a look at PCMag’s review of the program
You can download the program by following the link below
"This is a truly powerful free video editing software, at an absolutely unbeatable price. It’s not for everyone though, and newcomers might feel overwhelmed, but you have nothing to lose by trying it out."
Steve Paris, a review on Techradar
Pros:
Powerful video and audio editing
Broadcast-quality effects and output
2D and 3D animated titles and text
CCES graphics, and audio editor
Cons:
Might be too much for casual users
Steep learning curve
CyberLink PowerDirector
Like DaVinci Resolve, CyberLink PowerDirector is a high-end video editing program with lots of advanced features. This program is also a decent alternative to iMovie for Windows since it includes a large number of plug-in video effects, customizable design tools, and more, as well as access to a large stock library of photos, videos, and background music.
The basic version of the program, CyberLink PowerDirector 365 Essential, is available for free. CyberLink PowerDirector 365 offers more powerful video editing and a greater variety of tools and special effects and is available for a $69.99/year subscription. Both versions are available for both Windows and macOS platforms.
Take a look at PCMag’s review of the program
You can download the program by following the link below
Pros:
Exclusive pro-level features
Access to the stock photo, video, and music libraries
Advanced audio and video editing
Green screen effect for changing backgrounds
Cons:
Steep learning curve
Might be too much for casual users
Pinnacle Studio Ultimate: Try it if you need a Windows version of iMovie
Pinnacle Studio Ultimate is another high-end video-editing program that functions as an alternative to iMovie for Windows 10 and other versions. Pinnacle actually offers three programs in the Studio line, of which Ultimate is the most powerful – while still being easy to use. That makes it ideal for a wide range of users, from beginners to more advanced users.
The program's entry-level features include timeline and storyboard editing, as well as quick start project templates. Pinnacle Studio Ultimate also includes a wealth of features for professional-level users, including multi-camera editing (for up to 6 cameras), split-screen video, color grading, motion title graphics, and 360-degree video editing. There's also an advanced audio editor and access to a royalty-free music library, along with a variety of helpful video tutorials.
Unlike iMovie with a free download, Pinnacle Studio Ultimate sells for $129.95. Pinnacle also offers two less fully-featured versions of the program – Pinnacle Studio Standard for $59.95 and Pinnacle Studio Plus for $99.95. A free trial is available.
Take a look at PCMag’s review of the program
You can download the program by following the link below
Pros:
Designed for both beginning and advanced users
Large library of filters, titles, graphics, and overlays
Advanced audio editing with royalty-free music library
4K, 360-degree, and multi-camera editing
Cons:
Not all features available in lower-cost versions
Ultimate version is expensive
What is the best iMovie alternative for Windows?
If you want the best all-around combination of value, features, and functionality with an easy-to-use interface, Movavi Video Editor is the right choice. It takes what users like about iMovie and adds more functionality without sacrificing usability.If you enjoy the free trial, you can purchase an activation key and use this alternative to iMovie for Windows without any limits.
If you want an easy-to-use video editor that's easy on the budget, VSDC Video Editor and OpenShot are your best bets. Both offer simple operation and basic functionality and both are totally free.If you want iMovie for Windows with more professional video-editing tools and effects, DaVinci Resolve, CyberLink PowerDirector, and Pinnacle Studio Ultimate are worth your consideration. CyberLink PowerDirector is also a good choice if you want access to a large library of stock videos, photos, and background music. While all of these three programs are more costly than the other programs here, you get a lot more power for the price, along with more professional results.
The following table details these six iMovie PC alternatives.When you're looking for an alternative to iMovie to download for Windows, any of these six programs will do the job. Choose the one that best fits your individual needs.
Movavi Video Editor
*The free version of Movavi Video Editor may have the following restrictions depending on the build: watermark on exported clips, 60-second video or 1/2 audio length limit, and/or some advanced features unavailable when exporting videos.
See other useful how-to guides
How to make a travel video
How to normalize sound in a video
How to edit an MOV file
Video editor
Best Video Formats for YouTube
Top 5 Pinnacle Studio Free Alternatives for Windows and Mac
MP4 Cutter ✂️| How to Trim MP4 Videos Easily with Movavi
7 Best Auto Video Editors: Automatic Video Editing Is a Trend!
11 Best Voice-Over Software in 2024 [Free & Paid]
Top 19 Best Free Video Cutter Software 2024 [Free, Online]
Have questions?
Join for how-to guides, speсial offers, and app tips!
1.5М+ users already subscribed to our newsletter