Head-to-head
Filmora vs iMovie
2 tools, 11 differing data points, mostly pricing and positioning.
The verdict
Filmora or iMovie?
Section 01
Pricing, plan by plan
Every plan each vendor publishes, monthly and yearly where both are offered.
FFilmora
Free
Free
Exports carry a watermark
Basic
— · $49.99/yr
Advanced
— · $69.99/yr
Includes monthly AI credits
Perpetual
$79.99 one-time
Updates for the current major version
iiMovie
Free
Free
Free from Apple on Mac, iPhone and iPad
Section 02
Pros and cons
From each tool's full review, written from the same checked facts.
FFilmora
Pros
- A standing free tier lets you edit before paying anything, rather than a time-boxed trial.
- A one-time Perpetual licence is available alongside the annual subscription plans, so you can own a version outright.
- Editing includes multicam projects, motion tracking, and color grading with professional scopes and HDR support.
- AI Video Translation dubs a video into other languages with voice cloning and lip sync, and an AI Video Extender adds footage to a shot.
Cons
- The free tier's exports carry a watermark and a lower resolution cap until you upgrade.
- AI features are metered by a separate AI Credits allowance, with extra credits sold apart from the plan price.
- It has no shared-project collaboration feature for working with other editors on the same project.
iiMovie
Pros
- iMovie is free on Mac, iPhone and iPad, with no paid tier or watermark on exports.
- It edits and exports at resolutions up to 4K.
- It includes built-in sound effects and music, along with Apple-designed themes and trailer templates.
- Audio can be corrected and enhanced automatically in one step.
Cons
- There is no multicam editing, so footage from separate cameras cannot be synced and cut on one timeline.
- There is no third-party plugin support.
- iMovie does not run on Windows, only on Mac, iPhone and iPad.
Side by side
| Company | ||
| Founded | 2003 | — |
| HQ | China | United States |
| Platforms | Windows, Mac, iOS, Android | Mac, iPhone, iPad |
| Pricing | ||
| Pricing model | Freemium | — |
| Free plan | Yes, with watermark | Yes, the whole app |
| Free trial | Yes, 7 days | No |
| Starting price | Free; paid from $49.99/yr (Basic) | Free |
| All plans | Free — Free Basic Advanced Perpetual — $79.99 one-time | Free — Free |
| Positioning | ||
| Best for | Creators who want an easy desktop editor with pro colour tools and AI features, on a yearly plan or bought once | Mac, iPhone and iPad owners who want a free, simple editor for home movies and short clips |
| Differentiator | Filmora pairs multicam, scopes-based colour grading and proxies with AI translation, sold yearly or once. | iMovie is Apple's free video editor for Mac, iPhone and iPad, with green screen and trailers. |
| Competitors | Adobe Premiere, CyberLink PowerDirector, DaVinci Resolve | Final Cut Pro, Shotcut, Filmora |
Section 03
Filmora vs iMovie: common questions
Is Filmora or iMovie cheaper?
Filmora's cheapest paid plan is Free; paid from $49.99/yr (Basic) and iMovie's is Free. Compare what each plan includes below before going on price alone.
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