iMovie vs Shotcut
Shotcut scores 6.2 to iMovie's 4.4 among the professional video editors we rate, and is the better pick for 1 of the 4 kinds of buyer below.
Shotcut wins, 6.2 to 4.4
iMovie and Shotcut are both free to use, but they reach that in different ways: iMovie is Apple's own app for Mac and iOS, while Shotcut is an open source project with no company behind it, running on Windows and Mac. Shotcut adds colour grading with a full scope set, HDR and proxy editing that iMovie does not have. iMovie instead bundles built in music and sound effects, and its support runs through Apple's phone and live chat channels rather than Shotcut's community forum alone.
Pick iMovie if you want Apple support channels and built in music.
Pick Shotcut if you want colour scopes, HDR and proxy editing on Windows too.
Best for
Who each one suits, decided on the criteria that matter to that buyer and the checked facts where the two differ.
- Colour grading with scopes: Shotcut yes, iMovie no
- HDR editing and export: Shotcut yes, iMovie no
- Compositing and effects in the same app: Shotcut yes, iMovie no
- Built-in stock media: iMovie yes, Shotcut no
How they score
Both are scored the same way, against the other professional video editors we rate, from facts on each vendor's own pages. They split the criteria 2 each, with the rest level.
Where they differ
Every point where the two vendors' published facts disagree, with a link to where each fact was read. "Not published" means the vendor does not say either way.
Published by only one of them
Where they match (12)
Pricing, plan by plan
Every plan each vendor publishes, monthly and yearly where both are offered.
iMovie
Shotcut
For everything else about each tool, read the full iMovie review and Shotcut review.
iMovie vs Shotcut: common questions
Which is better, iMovie or Shotcut?
Shotcut scores 6.2 and iMovie 4.4 out of 10 among the professional video editors we rate. Shotcut is ahead on pro editing and pricing. iMovie is ahead on workflow and teams and privacy and support.
Is iMovie or Shotcut cheaper?
iMovie's cheapest paid plan is Free and Shotcut's is Free. Compare what each plan includes below before going on price alone.
What can iMovie do that Shotcut cannot?
On the facts both vendors publish: built-in stock media.
What can Shotcut do that iMovie cannot?
On the facts both vendors publish: colour grading with scopes, hDR editing and export, compositing and effects in the same app, proxy editing, motion tracking and third-party plugins.
