iMovie is our favourite video editing application for Mac, and we’ve recommended it several times on this site. iMovie comes pre-installed on the majority of Apple devices; it’s free and simple to use. It’s also a popular video editor among many people, ranging from casual users to professional YouTubers. There is only one little drawback to iMovie: it is not accessible on Windows.
Before you ask, there are no plans to offer iMovie for Windows, nor is it possible to install iMovie on a Windows PC. So, if this is what you were searching for, we recommend taking a look at 6 free video editors that are suitable iMovie alternatives for Windows, regardless of your PC specifications.
During the research of iMovie alternatives, we used the following as a primary criterion:
- After export, the programme should be completely free, with no trial periods or watermarks.
- It should be a non-linear video editor that enables easy file mixing and overlaying.
Keep reading to see which video editing tools made it to our list!
iMovie Alternatives #1. VSDC Free Video Editor
The GoPro support staff suggests VSDC as a free video editor for PC users. It is the lightest tool available, and it can work on sluggish PCs with limited RAM. Its popularity stems from the fact that, unlike many free video editors, VSDC allows you to effortlessly open films of any codec, quality, or framerate, even 120 fps footage.
After you’ve finished editing, VSDC lets you use pre-configured video export profiles for various devices and social media sites. You preserve the video’s excellent quality and don’t have to do any manual modifications.
There is a lot to unpack in terms of features. You’ll be able to do basic video editing tasks such as cutting, cropping, and rotating. You may also improve the audio, make appealing titles, and use speed effects (slow-motion and fast-motion, that is). Getting VSDC merely for the most basic functionality, on the other hand, would be a waste of its resources.
Aside from being one of the most similar iMovie alternatives for Windows, this video editor has a slew of current filters and effects, including glitch, Chroma Key, long shadow, lens glare, realistic rainfall, and more. The Adjustment category of effects is the icing on the cake since it includes many colour correction tools such as fast Instagram-style filters, LUTs, RGB, and Hue&Saturation curves.
What distinguishes VSDC is how simple it is to overlay files and regulate their opacity. This means you may manually add any photos, icons, text items, or other films on your footage, resize them, and mix them together or utilise a picture-in-picture effect to display many images at the same time. This is particularly useful if you do response videos, video tutorials, or news-style segments.
iMovie Alternatives #2. Olive
Olive is a free and open-source video editor and iMovie alternative for macOS, Windows, and Linux. The tool is still under development and is only accessible in alpha form, but it runs well and appears promising. Olive, according to the Reddit video editing community, is one of the finest iMovie alternatives for Windows.
In many aspects, Olive is simpler than the majority of video editors on our list: it is built on shortcuts, has a minimal minimum of effects and transitions, and its interface is clean and intuitive.
You can conduct several actions immediately in the preview window, such as downsizing, rotating, and relocating files — another useful feature for the split-screen and picture-in-picture effects. There’s also a voice recorder, an audio noise effect, and a simple title maker.
Remember that Olive is a work in progress, which means that additional features will be added in the future. However, for the time being, it’s a good option for someone who needs to rapidly combine a few videos from friends and relatives, add music, and subtitles.
iMovie Alternatives #3. Davinci Resolve
If you’re serious about post-production and want to master the art of colour correction, Davinci Resolve is the tool for you. After all, it is the colour grading programme used in La La Land!
Resolve, created by the firm Blackmagic Design, is both resourceful and resource-intensive. It’s probably not a good choice for complete novices, and you should only install it if you have a powerful enough video card and hardware. However, if you do install this beast of an editor, you will receive everything you need to make videos.
iMovie Alternatives #4. HitFilm Express
HitFilm Express is a lifesaver for special effects aficionados. It comes after Resolve on our list since it is also geared towards aspiring filmmakers. Technically, HitFilm Express is the free edition of the video editor designed to give you a taste of everything the Pro edition has to offer.
However, for people on a tight budget, the free feature set will suffice. Furthermore, if you wish to utilise a filter or effect that isn’t available in the free version, you may buy it as a separate add-on without having to upgrade to Pro.
That isn’t to imply HitFilm Express is devoid of built-in effects and animation. After you’ve assembled your files on the timeline and removed any unnecessary material, you can add beautiful title transitions and spice things up by making a “Composite shot.”
You may work with a variety of amazing effects in the composition menu, including fire, explosion, glitch, and some unique sci-fi effects like the Iron Man HUD, muzzle flash, and sky replacement.
iMovie Alternatives #5. Kdenlive
Over the last few years, Kdenlive has been a go-to video editor and iMovie alternatives for many Linux users. It does, however, run on Windows and may be considered an iMovie alternative. Kdenlive, like VSDC, is lightweight and operates on low-end PCs.
The installation process is a little difficult, but the UI is simple. You’ll be able to edit your film, mute or delete audio, modify the speed and level, and apply typical video effects even if you don’t seek video lessons.
Kdenlive has only two video tracks (enough for the common user) and allows you to replace files. What we loved about Kdenlive was a convenient tool called “Add a colour clip,” which allows us to rapidly add a screen of any colour to the timeline.
You may utilise that screen to transition between video chapters or as a backdrop for the opening and outro. Kdenlive doesn’t come with any built-in title templates, but if you visit the Kdenlive user forums or the KDE shop, you’ll discover a plethora of animated title templates, FX, and export profile presets.
iMovie Alternatives #6. Openshot
Openshot is a simple video editor and iMovie alternatives that lacks a fancy UI but should suffice for most basic functions. It lets you swiftly clip and combine video files with several tracks, add music, make template-based titles, and even experiment with animation (albeit 3D animation requires the installation of extra software). Drag’n’drop makes it simple to apply filters, effects, and transitions.
What we enjoy about this tool is how simple it is for novices while still being strong for those ready to experiment. Consider the title and transition templates. Even if you have no expertise, you can use ready-made settings in a few clicks and get a respectable outcome. However, you may also experiment with the parameters to completely personalise the outcome to your liking. Overall, if you’re a novice, Openshot is a decent pick. It has a low learning curve and even contains pop-up windows that guide you through the software the first time you use it.
Wrapping It Up
The answer to this question is entirely dependent on the person asking it. When it comes to video editing software, there is no “best iMovie alternatives” answer since what is optimal is defined by your needs, your talents, and, of course, the horsepower of your PC.
Choose VSDC if you want the lightest option available. If you’re an ambitious filmmaker looking to create Hollywood-level footage, Davinci Resolve is the way to go. Choose Kdenlive or Olive if you want an open-source option.
Happy editing! Allow your imagination to go wild with these iMovie alternatives.
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