5 Best iMovie Alternatives

Mac users worldwide have enjoyed iMovie's streamlined layout, simple functions, and solid compilation of free video editing features for years. However, whether you're an enthusiast who enjoys sharing home videos or a professional creator who relies on video content for an income, you may find yourself looking for an alternative to iMovie.

iMovie's powerful editing capabilities and drag-and-drop layout offer considerable advantages, especially for beginners. That said, if you've used the free video editing tool for very long, it's likely that you've reached the platform's creative ceiling and want to experiment with an iMovie alternative for more advanced video editing techniques, visual effects, and professional tools.

Mac OS isn't compatible with every video editing software, making it challenging to choose a platform, especially if you don't want to purchase a new laptop for editing your videos. Additionally, many software developers charge premium prices for a professional-quality video editing tool. However, as every great creator knows, amazing videos don't require the most expensive software.

Even so, selecting the best software to suit your needs isn't easy. With countless choices, tiered packages, and limited options to try a free version before making the initial investment, you may quickly feel frustrated and overwhelmed. We created this guide to review the five best iMovie-alternative, Mac-compatible options so that you can get back to doing what you love – instead of comparing software.

While the options below offer powerful video editing tools and post-production effects, only PowerDirector combines limitless ability with a user-friendly layout and low monthly cost. From simple video-editing features to an expansive library of creative resources and stock footage, photos, and audio, PowerDirector will elevate your creative process and streamline your workflow for hassle-free creation every time.

Get started by downloading PowerDirector for Mac and Apple devices today.

• Top 5 iMovie Alternatives
1. PowerDirector
2. Final Cut Pro
3. Adobe Premiere Pro
4. DaVinci Resolve
5. Blender
• Get the Best iMovie Alternative for Mac

Top 5 iMovie Alternatives

1. PowerDirector

PowerDirector's clean, streamlined interface and drag-and-drop design make it easy for beginners to jump in. Advanced users won’t be limited as creating Hollywood-level videos in minutes is PowerDirector’s specialty. The software features easy-to-use professional video editing features such as:

• Green screen capabilities
• Precise motion tracking
• Custom video format options
• Color correction and grading tools
• Royalty-free videos and photos library from iStock by Getty Images

PowerDirector's developers add new, customizable templates, titles, motion graphics, and design elements such as stickers and fonts every month alongside its seemingly limitless features and ease of use. You'll keep your content fresh – and your audience coming back for more – when you combine your vision with PowerDirector's unmatched lineup of video editing tools.

Key Features:

• Director-grade green screen, masking, and blending: PowerDirector's professional video effects include green screen editing, masking, and blending modules that allow beginners to create videos that look like they're straight out of Hollywood.
• Transition, effects, graphics, and animation templates: Choose from preset templates to effortlessly add transitions, graphics, animation, and music to videos with a single click.
• Premium stock content library approved for commercial use: Free access to thousands of stock videos, photos and music to help you create your next masterpiece.
• New tools, features, and presets added monthly: Unlike other products, PowerDirector 365 users have access to new features, templates, titles, motion graphics, and more every month, plus an expansive library of creative and educational resources.

Pros:

• Beginner-friendly interface with a minimal learning curve
• Fast, crystal-clear rendering
• 100 video tracks for the largest projects
• 360° video editing functions, screen recording, keyframing, and motion tracking

Cons:

• Potentially overwhelming number of editing tools, video effects, and guided modules to new users

2. Final Cut Pro

Like other advanced video editors, Final Cut Pro provides professionals a more powerful, fully functional editing platform.

The latest update features advanced color tools, upgraded organization, and timeline-style editing. With more than 250 visual and audio effects, users can create personalized videos – after navigating the steep learning curve. Additionally, while the software comes with titles, transitions, and effects, the developers do not add new resources each month.

Key Features:

• AI-powered formatting: The Smart Conform tool automatically crops content to fit both social media and mobile viewing formats.
• Enhancing color masking, grading, and correction: Adjust high-definition video with advanced color masking and correction tools.

Pros:

• Well-suited program for advanced users
• Sleek interface

Cons:

• Trackless timeline that can create a substantial learning curve
• Advanced tools that may overwhelm novice users familiar with iMovie

3. Adobe Premiere Pro

Adobe Premiere Pro has made its name as one of the world's top video editors for professionals, thanks to its vast array of features, traditional, nonlinear interface, and collaboration-friendly design.

Though many creators enjoy the nonlinear design of the software, others may struggle with this project-based editing platform at first. Additionally, Mac users may notice significantly slower rendering depending on their computer's operating system.

Key Features:

• Learning Mode: Enjoy eight in-depth, guided tutorials to learn the basics of video editing.
• Motion graphic tools: Customize templates by adding your logo, desired text, and other media into the presets.

Pros:

• Agile professional editing

Cons:

• Slower rendering compared to other video editors
• Complicated interface that results in a long and steep learning curve

4. DaVinci Resolve

DaVinci Resolve's stunning amassment of tools, features, and effects has helped send several Hollywood blockbusters to theaters. However, anyone can download the software and enjoy the all-in-one video editing platform.

That said, don't expect to master the software quickly. Though the developers have split the array of features into separate workspaces and dedicated pages to editing, color adjustments, and visual effects, the range – and power – of the tools offered can feel overwhelming for beginner and intermediate users.

Key Features:

• Hollywood-level editing tools: The software combines multiple video editing solutions into a single platform, resulting in a professional lineup of editing tools.
• Advanced audio features: Edit up to 2,000 audio tracks simultaneously using hundreds of audio effects and tools.

Pros:

• Vast lineup of blockbuster-quality editing tools
• Streamlined and organized interface

Cons:

• Heavyweight platform that requires a high-powered computer to run smoothly
• Advanced platform that results in a significant learning curve

5. Blender

If you ask a professional video editor about Blender, they likely mention the software's 3D animation tools. While the developers originally created the software with 3D animation, modeling, and sculpting in mind, Blender's basic editing features and visual effects have become popular.

The platform allows you to choose between four different editing modes to suit your project, including Video Editing, VFX, 2D Animation, and Sculpting. That said, though you can use Blender for general editing tasks such as cutting, rearranging clips, splicing, and color grading, the complexity of the software – and the prolonged rendering time – make it an impractical choice for most content creators.

Key Features:

• 3D modeling tools: Originally created as a 3D modeling software, Blender provides users with free three-dimensional modeling and sculpting tools.
• Powerful visual effects: Expert motion-tracking, compositing, and keyframe tools combine for seamless edits and flawless results.

Pros:

• Professional-grade software
• Advanced 2D and 3D animation tools
• Minor lagging or crashing

Cons:

• Steep learning curve
• Slow rendering
• Inconsistent audio processing

Get the Best iMovie Alternative for Mac

When it comes to creating content to share on social media, beginners can quickly get started using iMovie. However, if you enjoy video editing or are a budding content creator, you may need more than Apple's free, simple video editing product.

That said, countless video editing tools and review articles can make you feel like you need to use the most expensive, complex software to create high-quality videos. In reality, though, you only need your creative vision and a power-packed, affordable, beginner-friendly editing software with limitless capability.

While the five iMovie alternatives listed above boast several advantages and unique features, some, such as DaVinci, come with a steep learning curve that can discourage beginners and frustrate experienced users. Alternatively, software inconsistencies– such as Blender's rendering time or Adobe Premiere's project-based editing platform – can slow the creation process.

Rather than paying for DaVinci's expensive tutorial course or spending hours exporting short videos from Blender, we recommend that you choose PowerDirector. This software's flexible, user-friendly platform makes video editing simple while also empowering you with the tools, features, and effects needed to create the videos you envision and that your audience expects.

With a low subscription fee and new templates, titles, and motion graphics added every month, PowerDirector keeps you inspired without requiring a significant investment. Leverage the drag-and-drop interface's agility, and experiment with new effects and transitions like chroma key and masking or clip-and-splice a quick social media video together to share with your followers.

However you use it, PowerDirector can take on your toughest creative challenges. Whether you're ready to dive in and apply advanced editing techniques or want to spend some time in the expansive resource library, PowerDirector will help you capture your vision without overcomplicating the editing process.

Elevate your content, enhance your workflow, and combine unlimited ability with user-friendly design in PowerDirector's comprehensive editing suite. To get started, click here to download PowerDirector today.