After some great updates adding new tools and boosting stability, Final Cut Pro is starting to feel like the video editor it should've always been. Gaining popularity across the industry.
For
- One-off cost
- Very stable
- Numerous tools
- Great new additions
Against
- Mac only
- Slow update rate
A consumer-focused video editor, Apple iMovie is ideal for those with little to no knowledge of video editing. But although it’s free, it's starting to feel in urgent need of new features.
For
- Integrates with iMovie for iOS and Final Cut Pro
- Great for beginners
- Free
Against
- Mac only
- Near-non-existent update rate
Ever wondered about the difference between Apple iMovie and Final Cut Pro? Two of the best video editing software you can get from one of the most creative and innovative companies around.
In short, Final Cut Pro is a fully featured tool for professional post-production. It costs a one-off fee, so no on-going subscriptions, and runs across Mac, MacBook, and iPad devices. Whether you're an experienced video editor, or you're keen to learn, this is the tool for you.
Apple iMovie is a very simple tool for basic cuts, trims, titles, and transitions. It costs nothing and comes preinstalled on most modern Apple devices. It's the sort of easy-to-use that makes it one of our picks for both best free video editing software and best video editing software for beginners.
We compared Final Cut Pro and iMovie to see how they stack up against each other and their competition. And you can check out our Apple Final Cut Pro review and Apple iMovie review for more on our experiences with these apps.
iMovie vs Final Cut Pro: Pricing & plans
- Final Cut Pro: One-off cost
- iMovie: Free
You can buy Apple Final Cut Pro for a one-time purchase of $300 / £250 / AU$500.
Once you’ve bought the Apple video editor, it’s yours. There’s no Adobe Creative Cloud-style on-going subscription here - a factor that has led it to becoming one of the best alternatives to Adobe Premiere Pro (and one reason for choosing FCP when comparing Premiere Pro vs Final Cut Pro).
If you own a new Mac or iOS device, you already have Apple iMovie - it comes free and pre-installed on Apple machines.
iMovie vs Final Cut Pro: Features
- Final Cut Pro: Equipped with professional tools
- iMovie: Basic toolkit for simple edits
Both iMovie and Final Cut have a large selection of built-in text titles you can select. However, iMovie provides few options to subsequently customize these after they have been added to your video. Whilst editing titles on Final Cut Pro is less intuitive, it allows you to frame, time, and visually alter text in almost any way.
Apple excels at designing software that’s incredibly easy to use. That’s no different with Final Cut Pro or iMovie. But it’s fair to say, as iMovie is specifically pitched at those with less video editing experience, it’s the more intuitive of the two programs.
That’s not to say Final Cut Pro is difficult to use. There’s certainly a steeper learning curve. But, it’s arguably the most intuitive of the professional-level editors available on the market.
iMovie has all of the features a more basic video project might require, including transitions, sound effects, speed adjustment, and photo overlays.
Final Cut Pro’s roster of VFX far outstrips this, and can be combined in lots of unique ways to achieve stunning results. For example, you can exactingly adjust frames using the color inspector tool and keyframes feature. Final Cut Pro also offers a huge bank of preinstalled effects, but allows you to import your own if needed.
Final Cut Pro ticks all the boxes when it comes to features, allowing users to achieve almost any desired outcome. If you’re cutting a simpler project without complex effects, Apple iMovie should meet your needs.
iMovie vs Final Cut Pro: Performance
- Final Cut Pro: Runs fast and stable
- iMovie: Quick to process
When it comes to Apple Final Cut Pro vs Apple iMovie, there’s no doubt that FCP is the massively more powerful editing software - but you'll likely need one of the best video editing laptops or any of the best video editing computers to run it smoothly and flawlessly.
In terms of features and effects, Final Cut Pro offers a higher degree of detail and customizability, while not sacrificing too much in terms of ease of use and interface.
On the other hand, iMovie is designed for beginners and those simply looking for an easy-to-use video editor. Its bank of tools and features, and the overall interface and experience reflects this.
For their respective users, both tools excel - although there are other free video editors, such as DaVinci Resolve, that are undeniably more powerful than iMovie.
When you need to choose between Final Cut Pro and iMovie, pick the video editing software that fits your needs, your budget, and your creative flow.
iMovie vs Final Cut Pro: Verdict
In the battle between Apple Final Cut Pro vs Apple iMovie, there’s no doubt that FCP is the massively more powerful editing software.
In terms of features and effects, Final Cut Pro offers a higher degree of detail and customizability, while not sacrificing too much in terms of ease of use and interface. On the other hand, iMovie is designed for beginners and those simply looking for an easy-to-use video editor. Its bank of tools and features, and the overall interface and experience reflects this.
For their respective users, both tools excel - although there are other free video editors, such as DaVinci Resolve, that are undeniably more powerful than iMovie.
When you choose between Final Cut Pro and iMovie, pick the video editing software that fits your needs, your budget, and your creative flow.
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