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video editing software · Tool Face-Off

Final Cut Pro vs iMovie

Quick answer

iMovie is the perfect free on-ramp for casual editors, but Final Cut Pro is a professional powerhouse worth every penny if you edit seriously and often.

Our pick
Final Cut Pro
Pro-grade editing for Mac, no subscription required.
4.5★
VS
iMovie
Dead-simple video editing, free for every Apple user.
3.4★
Price
$299.99 one-time
Free
Subscription required
No
No
Free trial
90 days
Always free
Platforms
macOS only
macOS & iOS/iPadOS
4K / 8K support
Yes (up to 8K)
Yes (up to 4K)
Timeline tracks
Unlimited (magnetic)
Limited (primary + connected)
Color grading tools
Full wheels, curves, masks
Basic color presets only
Audio tracks
Unlimited
Up to ~12 lanes
Motion graphics / titles
Advanced + Motion app integration
Built-in templates only
Multicam editing
Yes
No
RAW & ProRes RAW support
Yes
No
Export formats
H.264, HEVC, ProRes, MXF, XML, etc.
H.264, HEVC, limited options

Final Cut Pro

Features★★★★★
Ease of Use★★★½☆
Performance★★★★★
Collaboration★★★★☆
Color Grading★★★★★
Value for Money★★★★☆
Export & Formats★★★★★

iMovie

Features★★½☆☆
Ease of Use★★★★★
Performance★★★★☆
Collaboration★★½☆☆
Color Grading★★☆☆☆
Value for Money★★★★★
Export & Formats★★★☆☆

Worth knowing

iMovie launched in 1999 and cost $49 — Apple eventually made it free, meaning it has gotten cheaper by exactly $49 every few years. Bold strategy.

If you want

You edit home videos, travel vlogs, or school projects

iMovie is free, intuitive, and exports great-looking video in minutes with zero learning curve.

→ Pick iMovie
If you want

You edit client work, YouTube seriously, or short films

Final Cut Pro's full color tools, unlimited tracks, and ProRes support pay for themselves fast.

→ Pick Final Cut Pro
If you want

You want to learn editing before spending money

Start with iMovie free, then hand the project to Final Cut Pro when you're ready to go pro.

→ Pick iMovie
If you want

You need multicam, RAW footage, or professional delivery formats

iMovie simply doesn't support these — Final Cut Pro is the only option in this Apple ecosystem.

→ Pick Final Cut Pro
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