Head-to-head · facts checked 22 Sept 2026
Final Cut Pro vs iMovie
2 tools, 9 differing data points, mostly pricing and positioning.
From
$12.99/mo (Apple Creator Studio bundle); $299.99 once for the Mac app
Free plan
No
The verdict
Final Cut Pro or iMovie?
Section 01
Pricing, plan by plan
Every plan each vendor publishes, monthly and yearly where both are offered.
Final Cut Pro
Apple Creator Studio
$12.99/mo · $10.75/mo
Bundle: also Logic Pro, Motion, Compressor, Pixelmator Pro, MainStage
Final Cut Pro for Mac
$299.99 once
One-time purchase; some subscriber content excluded
Apple Creator Studio, educator or student
$2.99/mo · $2.50/mo
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.
Final Cut Pro
Pros
- You can buy the Mac app outright for a one-time price instead of only subscribing.
- Camera raw footage is supported through ProRes RAW, which Final Cut Pro can also color correct directly.
- Magnetic Mask separates a subject from the background without a green screen or manual rotoscoping.
Cons
- Final Cut Pro for iPad is a free download, but its full features need the Apple Creator Studio subscription rather than a one-time purchase.
- There is no live shared-project collaboration between editors.
- Final Cut Pro does not run on Windows or Linux.
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 | ||
| HQ | United States | United States |
| Platforms | Mac, iPad | Mac, iPhone, iPad |
| Pricing | ||
| Pricing model | Subscription or one-time | — |
| Free plan | No | Yes, the whole app |
| Free trial | 30 days | No |
| Starting price | $12.99/mo (Apple Creator Studio bundle); $299.99 once for the Mac app | Free |
| All plans | Apple Creator Studio — $12.99/mo Final Cut Pro for Mac — $299.99 once Apple Creator Studio, educator or student — $2.99/mo | Free — Free |
| Positioning | ||
| Best for | Editors on Apple hardware who want multicam, curve-based grading and ProRes RAW, and the option to own the Mac app outright | Mac, iPhone and iPad owners who want a free, simple editor for home movies and short clips |
| Differentiator | The Mac app can still be bought once and kept, while the iPad app and the bundled extras come through Apple's subscription. | iMovie is Apple's free video editor for Mac, iPhone and iPad, with green screen and trailers. |
| Competitors | — | Final Cut Pro, Shotcut, Filmora |
Section 03
Final Cut Pro vs iMovie: common questions
Is Final Cut Pro or iMovie cheaper?
Final Cut Pro's cheapest paid plan is $12.99/mo (Apple Creator Studio bundle); $299.99 once for the Mac app and iMovie's is Free. Compare what each plan includes below before going on price alone.
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