13 Best iMovie Alternatives for Windows, Mac, and Mobile in 2025

Why I picked it: Filmora hits that sweet spot between serious editing power and “I just want to make cool videos without crying over keyframes.”

Price: free trial, from $49.99/year for a premium

When I first tried Filmora, I expected another “basic editor with filters pretending to be pro.” I was wrong. Filmora actually gives you the muscle to edit like a pro, but with training wheels you can remove whenever you want. The interface is clean and less intimidating than the big boys like Adobe^® Premiere^® or Smoke.

What really grabbed me was the control. I could fine-tune color grading, adjust audio with real precision, and work with layers and effects in ways that made my projects look more cinematic. The motion graphics tools are flexible, and keyframing feels smoother here than in some pricier apps.

And performance-wise, it is steady. I pushed it with 4K clips and multiple transitions, it handled everything without freezing up or throwing tantrums. The export options also cover all the main formats, MP4, MOV, MKV, you name it.

If you have ever felt like iMovie is holding you back, jumping to Premiere^® feels like scaling Everest, Filmora is the trail halfway up the mountain… challenging enough to teach you new tricks but kind enough to catch you when you slip.

Why I picked it: I wanted to work in the big leagues, and edit like they do on major film and TV productions. Avid Media Composer is the software you find in broadcast control rooms and feature film suites, and I wanted to see if it still held up.

Price: from €259/year for a premium

Avid Media Composer is designed for editors who handle complex projects: dozens of hours of footage, multi-camera shoots, team collaboration, media logging and strict delivery timelines. I used it on a Mac studio with 4K footage and high track counts, and what struck me first was how sharp and wide the media-management system is.

Bins, sub-clips, metadata, timecode – everything is built to scale. While other editors focus on flashy effects, this video maker focuses on structure and workflow. Editing felt deliberate, I trimmed, adjusted, and relinked in ways that made me feel like part of a broadcast house.

Multi-cam, rendering pipelines, DNxHR support… it’s all there. But I also found that the pacing is slower; I had to slow down and embrace the workflow rather than sprint through. Newcomers might find the interface old-school and steep, and many effects or drag-drop tasks weren’t as immediate compared to simpler editors.

For anyone moving from casual tools like iMovie and looking for professional-grade editing that supports huge projects and team workflows, this is your machine. But if you are just editing YouTube videos on a weekend laptop, it may be overkill.

Of course, this comes at a cost, both in dollars and hardware power, but for professionals chasing cinematic standards, it is absolutely worth it.

Why I picked it: because I like my video editors the way I like my playlists… fun and full of surprises. PowerDirector is the tool that lets you jump straight into editing without a three-hour crash course, yet it still has enough pro-level tricks to impress anyone who knows what a keyframe is.

Price: free trial, from $59.99/year for a premium

PowerDirector walks that perfect line between approachable and powerful. The interface is clean and colorful. You can literally drag, drop, and cut your way into a slick video within minutes. What got me hooked was how effortlessly it balances simplicity with depth. One minute you are trimming clips and adding transitions; the next, you are color grading like a post-production wizard.

It packs a lot of firepower under the hood – AI background removal, object detection, and stabilization that actually works (and does not turn your footage into a watercolor painting). The motion titles and keyframe animation tools make even simple projects look like they were edited by a small production team. Plus, the integration with Shutterstock and iStock gives you access to a treasure chest of stock footage and effects right inside the app.

I also like how smooth the performance is, even when working with 4K footage. PowerDirector’s rendering engine eats large files for breakfast, and spits them out looking polished. Doesn’t matter if you’re on Windows, Mac, or even mobile, the experience stays consistent, which is rare in the video-editing jungle.

So, if iMovie feels a bit too “safe” and you want to add more flair to your edits without drowning in complexity, PowerDirector is the cool, reliable friend who shows up on time and brings the best gear.

Why I picked it: I wanted to stop “editing” and start creating. Fusion is where you go when you are done adding filters and ready to craft cinematic worlds from scratch. It is not an app for trimming travel vlogs… it is for building sci-fi trailers.

Price: $295/lifetime

Fusion feels like stepping into a visual effects lab rather than a simple editing suite. It is built around node-based compositing, which basically means you connect visual elements like puzzle pieces, but in a way that gives you absolute control. You can merge live-action, 3D graphics, motion design, and complex effects all in one timeline. It is like having After Effects^® and a Hollywood-grade compositor rolled into one.

What I love most is how precise everything feels. When I adjust lighting, shadows, or 3D camera moves, I know exactly what is happening and why. It supports VR, deep compositing, and stereoscopic tools, making it a go-to for both film studios and ambitious solo creators. And yes, it integrates seamlessly with DaVinci Resolve, so if you are already color-grading there, Fusion plugs in perfectly.

Now, I will not sugarcoat it, Fusion is demanding. You will need patience and a decent machine to handle it. But once you learn the ropes, it gives you creative freedom no traditional timeline editor can match. It is the difference between editing a video and engineering a masterpiece.

Why I picked it: I wanted to see if an open-source program could actually compete with the heavyweights.. and Blender did not just compete, it kicked the door open and sat at the head of the table.

Price: free

Blender is not just a video editor, it is a full-blown 3D creation suite. You can model, animate, render, sculpt, simulate, and yes, edit videos all in one environment. I started using it thinking, “Okay, let’s just trim a few clips,” and before I knew it, I was tweaking lighting angles like a cinematographer and experimenting with 3D titles that looked like they came from a Marvel intro.

The video sequence editor is simple but capable, you get all the essentials… cutting, transitions, color grading, keyframing, and audio mixing. But where Blender really shines is in integration. You can pull in 3D elements, add physics simulations, composite visual effects, and render everything seamlessly. It is like having After Effects^®, Premiere^®, and Maya merged into one unstoppable creative engine.

Performance-wise, Blender keeps up beautifully with professional studios, and the constant updates from its massive open-source community mean it just keeps getting better. The best part? No subscription, no trial limitations, no “upgrade to unlock”. It is all yours.

Blender is the kind of tool that makes you dangerous, in a good way. It tempts you to learn more, to experiment, and to build visuals that make people question how you pulled it off.

Why I picked it: because when you are chasing that cinematic finish, DaVinci Resolve is the name that always comes up.

Price: free version, $295/lifetime

DaVinci Resolve is the undisputed king of color grading and high-end post-production. Originally built for professional colorists, it has grown into a full-featured editing, audio, and visual effects powerhouse. What makes Resolve stand out is its seamless workflow… editing, color correction, VFX (Fusion), and audio post (Fairlight) all exist under one roof. No need to jump between different apps; everything flows like a single creative ecosystem.

The interface is sleek and professional but intuitive once you get the hang of it. You can drag footage onto the timeline, color-correct with precision tools, add dynamic transitions, and mix audio like you are in a studio. The color grading panel is where Resolve truly flexes its muscles, with advanced scopes, LUT support, HDR grading, and node-based controls that make even basic clips pop with cinematic flair.

Performance is rock-solid, even when handling 4K and 8K footage, especially on systems with a decent GPU. The free version alone outperforms many paid competitors, while the Studio version adds even more professional features like neural engine AI tools, 3D tracking, and noise reduction.

DaVinci Resolve is not just for editors, it is for creators who take storytelling seriously. If you want your videos to look and sound like film, this is the editor that turns ambition into artistry.

Why I picked it: Kdenlive proves you do not need a fat budget to produce videos that look like a million bucks. It is perfect for creators who love customization and creative freedom… without the corporate price tag.

Price: free

Kdenlive (short for KDE Non-Linear Video Editor) is one of the most respected open-source video editors out there… and for good reason. Built on a flexible multi-track timeline, it lets you trim, cut, and merge clips with a precision that rivals paid tools. You can stack as many video and audio layers as you want, apply effects, tweak transitions, and even create custom animations with keyframes.

The interface is clean, modular, and fully customizable, you can drag panels around, adjust layouts, or set up your workspace however your creative mind prefers. It supports almost every format under the sun, thanks to the FFmpeg engine, and runs smoothly on Windows, macOS, and Linux.

This free iMovie alternative also has proxy editing, which is a huge plus if your machine struggles with heavy 4K files. It smartly generates low-res copies for editing and switches back to full quality during export… genius move for editors who multitask or use mid-range systems.

Sure, it does not have all the shiny AI features of Movavi Video Editor or the deep color tools of DaVinci Resolve, but it compensates with reliability, flexibility, and a community that updates and improves it constantly.

Why I picked it: I picked WeVideo for its ability to deliver a true desktop-level editing experience all within your browser. It is the ideal choice for creators who want advanced tools without the heavy system requirements of traditional editors.

Price: from $20/month

WeVideo is a powerful online video editing platform that brings high-end editing features to the cloud. You can trim, split, layer clips, add transitions, use chroma key (green screen), and even adjust audio all from your browser. What impressed me most is that it does not feel “light” or stripped down despite being web-based. It gives the same flexibility as tools like Filmora or PowerDirector, only without the need to install anything.

The platform supports multiple video formats and resolutions up to 4K, making it suitable for both quick social media edits and full-scale video projects. Its timeline editor is intuitive and feature-rich, and it also allows multi-track editing and smooth playback. Another highlight is WeVideo’s media cloud library, where you can store and access projects across devices… an advantage for teams or individuals working remotely.

WeVideo also includes built-in stock footage, audio tracks, and customizable templates for ads, education, or corporate storytelling. The automatic export-to-platform feature lets you publish directly to YouTube or Google Drive with a single click.

For collaborative work, its cloud sharing and commenting system make teamwork effortless. You can invite others to review or co-edit projects in real time, which is something few browser-based tools handle this well.

While the free version has watermark limitations, WeVideo’s paid plans unlock more storage, premium effects, and branding options, making it worth the upgrade for professionals.

Why I picked it: Because not every video needs to look like a Hollywood trailer. Sometimes you just need a clean and short clip that gets your message across fast. That is where Animoto shines. I picked it because it turns video creation into something almost too easy. You can literally make a marketing video, slideshow, or social media clip in minutes.

Price: free plan, from $9/month for a premium

Animoto is a cloud-based video editor that focuses on speed, simplicity, and storytelling. It is perfect for anyone who wants professional-looking videos without spending hours tweaking transitions or color grading. When I tested it, I created a full promotional video using its drag-and-drop interface in less than 10 minutes… no exaggeration.

The platform comes loaded with ready-made templates for product promos, real estate videos, event recaps, and social media campaigns. Each template is customizable… you can change fonts, colors, transitions, and music with just a few clicks. The built-in stock library (powered by Getty Images) gives access to millions of royalty-free clips and tracks, which is a huge bonus when you do not have time to shoot your own footage.

What I liked most is how smooth the workflow feels. You can preview edits in real time, apply text animations instantly, and share your final video straight to Facebook, Instagram, or YouTube from within the editor.

Animoto may not be for advanced editors craving deep controls or special effects, but for fast, clean, visually appealing videos especially for marketing or presentations. It delivers exactly what it promises.

Why I picked it: sometimes you do not need a “studio”, you just need something smart and surprisingly powerful in your pocket. CapCut is that app with the right filters and transitions that make your clips look like they were edited by a pro influencer… minus the stress.

Price: free with in-app purchases

CapCut is a free, all-in-one video editor created by the same folks behind TikTok (ByteDance), and that alone explains why it is so intuitive for social media creators. It is designed for fast-paced, visually appealing content for YouTube Shorts, Facebook Reels, Instagram Reels, or TikToks that stop thumbs mid-scroll.

The app comes loaded with trendy effects, dynamic transitions, sound effects, and an ever-growing library of copyright-free music. But it is not just about gimmicks, CapCut also handles the basics like trimming, splitting, speed control, color filters, and even background removal with precision. The auto-captions and AI-driven features (like motion tracking and keyframe animations) are too good for a free tool.

Another highlight is how it bridges mobile and desktop use. You can start a project on your phone and pick it up on your laptop, thanks to its built-in cloud sync. And if you are someone who dreads complex editing interfaces, CapCut’s minimalist design makes creativity feel easy, no steep learning curve, just pure editing flow.