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Download Free iMovie for Windows (10 Comparable Alternatives)
iMovie is loved by Mac users for its simplicity and free price. It was one of the first editing software to show that anyone, regardless of experience, could edit videos that were high quality from home video footage. Windows offers a video editor as part of its Photos app, but it doesn’t hold a candle to iMovie in terms of editing tools. As a Windows user, it can be frustrating not to have a built-in editor that can edit videos on the same level as Apple’s iMovie.
Windows users need not fear! If you want to download iMovie for Windows, there are a plethora of options that are equal to or better than iMovie. However, not all these programs offer the same benefits and features. Instead of downloading the first alternative to the iMovie video editor you see, we recommend considering all your options to determine if you can edit videos easily with the tools you need.
To help you find and download iMovie for Windows, we've reviewed the best free alternatives. Continue reading to learn about the top 15 iMovie video editors available on PC and how to edit videos with our top pick.
- Best 10 Alternatives to iMovie for Windows in 2024
- Best Free iMovie for Windows Alternatives Comparison Chart
- How to Choose a Free iMovie for Windows Alternative
- How to Edit Videos With a Free iMovie for Windows Alternative
- Download the Best iMovie for Windows Alternative for Free
- Free iMovie for Windows Alternatives FAQ
Best 10 Alternatives to iMovie for Windows in 2024
- PowerDirector Essential - Best Overall
- Lightworks - Best for Audio Editing
- VideoPad - Best Basic Editor
- Shotcut - Best Color Correction Tools
- Movavi Video Editor - Best for Social Media
- VideoProc Vlogger - Best for Action Camera Footage
- VSDC Free Video Editor - Best Lightweight Editor
- WeVideo - Best for Templates
- Adobe Premiere Elements - Best for YouTube
- DaVinci Resolve - Best for Advanced Users
1. PowerDirector Essential - Best Overall
Compatibility: Windows, Mac
PCMag Rating: 5/5
Beginner-Friendly Features: 5/5
Price: Free
*Premium subscription available for $4.33/month
Key Features:
- Keyboard Shortcuts
- Green screen editor
- Video Stabilization
- Video Templates
Who It’s For
If you're looking to download iMovie for Windows for free and need to create a high-quality, professional-looking video, look no further than PowerDirector Essential. Essential is the free version of PowerDirector 365, PCMag’s Editors’ Choice for best video editing software in 2023.
Why We Picked It
Both PowerDirector and iMovie are user-friendly with tons of templates, presets, and tutorials to help beginners edit videos that look and sound incredible. However, PowerDirector also offers easy-to-use advanced editing tools that are far more sophisticated than anything iMovie has to offer, and it is updated far more regularly. This is why PowerDirector is our pick for the best alternative to iMovie for Windows PC.
This Windows alternative to iMovie video editor features numerous compositing tools such as chroma key, masking, and blending. It also offers artificial intelligence technology, allowing you to make professional-level edits to your videos with a few clicks of a button. These tools include sky replacement, motion tracking, and speech enhancement.
Bottom Line
PowerDirector Essential is the most robust editor on our list and includes a wide variety of advanced tools. With PowerDirector, you can edit videos for any kind of project and know you’ll have the tools you need to get the job done.
Click the button below to download iMovie on your PC with the best iMovie video editor alternative and edit videos that are fun and engaging in minutes.
2. Lightworks - Best for Audio Editing
Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Linux
Capterra Rating: 4.3/5
Beginner-Friendly Features: 4.5/5
Price: Free
*Premium subscriptions available for $9.99/month for Creator and $23.99/month for Pro
Key Features:
- Simple and Advanced Trimming
- Motion Graphics
- Text and Titles
- Auto-Save feature
Who It’s For
Lightworks is a free iMovie for Windows PC alternative for intermediate to advanced users. Lightworks includes a plethora of audio editing tools, all of which are included in the free version of the software. It has multiple audio tracks, so you can input dialogue, music, sound effects, and voice-over. Use analog scrub mode to quickly scrub through audio and find an exact moment to edit. With Lightworks, you can mix audio levels, sync audio tracks, and automatically apply EQ presets and audio filters.
Why We Picked It
We found that the visual effects tools, such as keyframe editing, color corrections, filters, and LUTs are easy to find and can be edited with precise detail. This alternative to the iMovie video editor is more advanced than iMovie, but it offers both simple and advanced versions of most of its tools and has tooltips that explain each element as you click on it.
Bottom Line
Lightworks is an excellent choice if you want to download iMovie for Windows. Like PowerDirector, it has a robust free version, covers a range of skill levels, and features more advanced tools than iMovie. However, while iMovie and PowerDirector allow exports up to 4K, with Lightworks Free you can only export up to 720p, so your final videos might lose some definition.
3. VideoPad - Best Basic Editor
Compatibility: Windows, Mac
G2 Rating: 4.1/5
Beginner-Friendly Features: 4.5/5
Price: Free
*Premium subscription available for $7.72/month, or buy outright for $80 for Home or $139 for Master’s
Key Features:
- Text and Titles
- Transition Effects
- Over 60 Supported Formats
- 3D Editing
Who It’s For
If you need a free alternative to the iMovie video editor to produce home movies or casual projects, you will do well with a program like VideoPad. It’s a basic video editor with a clean, easy-to-navigate interface. Because VideoPad lacks the advanced editing features found in professional editors, many beginners find it a less intimidating way to edit videos as they learn the ropes.
Why We Picked It
VideoPad's interface features smart organization that makes it easy to use. This iMovie video editor alternative labels all of its tools and effects, allowing you to know right away what each button on the toolbar does as you edit videos. The interface also features a large preview window, enabling you to preview the changes to your footage before making them permanent.
Bottom Line
It includes predominantly base-level features but does offer chroma key, video stabilization, and 360-degree editing. VideoPad is a suitable iMovie video editor alternative, offering a very similar toolset to iMovie, but not bringing anything new to the table. PowerDirector, on the other hand, offers more advanced tools than iMovie, making it our number 1 choice.
4. Shotcut - Best Color Correction Tools
Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Linux
TechRadar Rating: 4/5
Beginner-Friendly Features: 4/5
Price: Free
Key Features:
- 360-Degree Editing
- Wide Format Support
- Chroma Key
- Transitions and Filters
Who It’s For
Shotcut is an open-source and entirely free iMovie for Windows alternative. It has a great collection of color correcting and color grading tools, including 3-way color wheels and an eye dropper tool for perfect white balancing.
Why We Picked It
One of Shotcut's best features is its sleek interface. The program includes multiple dockable panels that you can use to customize your navigation to suit your workflow. This iMovie video editor alternative has an on-screen grid and also features snapping movement to ensure a clean, organized user interface.
Bottom Line
This program offers a wider range of base-level video and audio-editing tools than you would expect to see in free editing software. Shotcut has fewer advanced features than Lightworks or PowerDirector, but it has wide format support, is lightweight on computer resources, and is updated regularly, securing it a #4 spot in our updated 2023 list.
5. Movavi Video Editor - Best for Social Media
Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Linux
PCMag Rating: 4/5
Beginner-Friendly Features: 4/5
Price: 7-day free trial, then 54.95/year
Key Features:
- Voice Over
- Video Stabilization
- Stylized Filters
- Motion Tracking
Who It’s For
Movavi Video Editor is an alternative to the iMovie video editor that allows you to edit videos quickly for social media. Edit a video in only 20 minutes from start to finish then upload it directly to YouTube or TikTok. Movavi has all the fun assets you need such as ready-made intros, animated titles, sound effects, and stickers. This iMovie for Windows editing software has social-media-friendly aspect ratios including vertical video support, and themed effects packs you can purchase from the Movavi store.
Why We Picked It
Use Movavi’s Montage Wizard to edit videos in a few simple steps. Simply upload photos and videos and choose a themed template and the tool will automatically create a movie complete with background music, opening credits, and end titles. You also have the option to spend more time on your videos, adjusting the speed, correcting the color, adding custom titles, and so on.
Bottom Line
Movavi Video Editor is aimed at busy influencers and beginners who need a quick and easy way to edit videos. It is not intended for advanced users and does not offer the level of creative control found in other iMovie for Windows alternatives such as PowerDirector. Also, it only offers a quick 7-day free trial, making it the least accessible free version on our list.
6. VideoProc Vlogger - Best for Action Camera Footage
Image from Capterra.
Compatibility: Windows, Mac
KommandoTech Rating Rating: 4/5
Beginner-Friendly Features: 4/5
Price: Free
Key Features:
- Picture-in-Picture effect
- Color Correction
- Audio Extractor
- Time-Lapse tool
Who It’s For
VideoProc Vlogger is an iMovie video editor alternative aimed at beginners and content creators who edit videos shot on an action camera or drone. It comes with advanced motion simulation and speed adjustment tools, as well as a video stabilizer. It has a tool to remove the fisheye effect caused by a wide-angle lens, and noise/grain removal for footage shot in dim lighting.
Why We Picked It
For a completely free and beginner-friendly tool, we were impressed by VideoProc Vlogger’s advanced features such as automatic keyframes, blending modes, and visualized speed ramping. For any users unsure of how to use these tools, there are helpful user guides, blogs, and a support center to answer questions.
Bottom Line
We would prefer VideoProc Vlogger to iMovie, except for its slow rendering speed. In our test, it took a long time to render a short video. Our number 1 iMovie for Windows alternative, PowerDirector, has some of the fastest rendering speeds of any video editor. It is also beginner-friendly and has many of the advanced action camera tools that you find in VideoProc Vlogger.
7. VSDC Free Video Editor - Best Lightweight Editor
Compatibility: Windows
TrustPilot Rating: 3.9/5
Beginner-Friendly Features: 4/5
Price: Free
*Pro version available for $19.99
Key Features:
- Blending Modes
- Audio Effects
- RGB Curves and LUTs
- Motion Tracking
Who It’s For
VSDC Free Video Editor has incredibly low system requirements, even running on outdated PCs or computers with little available memory. If you have an older PC and need to download iMovie for Windows without causing lagging or freezing, then VSDC is for you.
Why We Picked It
That doesn’t mean it is light on features. This iMovie video editor alternative supports a wide range of formats for both video and audio. It’s a non-linear video editor with a multi-color chroma key, transparency features, Picture-in-Picture effects, and other video overlay tools. It also comes with trendy filters, transitions, and video effects.
Bottom Line
VSDC Free Video Editor is a beginner-friendly alternative to the iMovie video editor and has a good selection of basic and advanced editing tools. However, it is missing some key features such as multi-cam editing and 3D support. We placed it at #7 on our list because it has a clunky interface and workflow. If you are looking to download iMovie on your PC, we recommend PowerDirector as a better option.
8. WeVideo - Best for Templates
Compatibility: Web Browser
TrustPilot Rating: 3.8/5
Beginner-Friendly Features: 4/5
Price: Free
*Premium subscriptions available for $4.99/month for Power, $7.99/month for Unlimited, $19.99/month for Professional, and $36.99/month for Business
Key Features:
- Green Screen editor
- Musical Effects
- Motion Titles
- Ken Burns Effect
Who It’s For
WeVideo is a substitute for the iMovie video editor found online. WeVideo offers template-based editing for beginners and content creators. It comes with beautifully-designed, customizable templates in every possible category and aspect ratio. You can edit the templates with your own media, or use assets from the royalty-free stock library.
Why We Picked It
This iMovie video editor alternative for PC has over 30 effects and 50 transitions you can apply with one click. It comes with a Meme Maker, Screen Recorder, Brand Kits, and unlimited multi-track editing.
Bottom Line
We like that WeVideo offers template-based and multitrack timeline editing for those who like a quick fix and those who want to edit videos with more creative control. But while WeVideo does offer a free version, we would not recommend it to anyone who edits videos regularly, as it is limited to 5 minutes of exported content a month at a max of 480p. Content creators should spring for a paid version, although expect to pay a premium for key features such as brand kits and team collaboration tools.
9. Adobe Premiere Elements - Best for YouTube
Compatibility: Windows, Mac
PCMag Rating: 3.5/5
Beginner-Friendly Features: 4/5
Price: 30-day free trial, then $149.99 (bundled with Photoshop Elements)
Key Features:
- AI-Powered tools
- Video-to-Photo tool
- Time-Lapse
- Double exposure
Who It’s For
With Adobe Premiere Elements, you can download iMovie on your Windows PC. This consumer-targeted version of Adobe’s professional software, Premiere Pro, is perfect for content creators and YouTubers. The software has pre-determined YouTube aspect ratios and compresses large files before uploading them directly to the site. It also has organizational tools and smart tags for creators with tons of videos they need to manage.
Why We Picked It
It comes with basic features such as transitions, titles, and multitrack editing, but also green screen effects, video stabilization, and a freeze frame tool. With this iMovie for Windows alternative, you can design slideshows, animate social media posts, and create video collages.
Bottom Line
Premiere Elements is a good substitute for the iMovie video editor because it is beginner-friendly and has a similar feature set to iMovie. However, it lacks some advanced features, like 360-degree editing, multi-cam editing, and screen recording. As of this writing, Premiere Elements 2023 is offered only as part of the Elements bundle with Photoshop Elements. For some reason, you can still purchase Photoshop Elements on its own, but not Premiere. This is an annoying change for users who don’t need photo editing software and will be loathed to pay the extra $50. It’s also why we’ve moved it from #7 to #9 on our updated list. For an entirely free iMovie for Windows alternative with a more affordable premium version, try PowerDirector.
10. DaVinci Resolve - Best for Advanced Users
Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Linux
PCMag Rating: 4/5
Beginner-Friendly Features: 3.5/5
Price: Free
*DaVinci Resolve Studio available for $295
Key Features:
- Audio ducking
- Video stabilization
- Animated titles
- Multicam editing
Who It’s For
DaVinci Resolve is a great alternative to iMovie for Windows because it offers more professional tools. We were amazed at the features this free software had to offer, including HDR color grading tools, AI magic masking effects, motion blur effects, and spatial noise reduction. It also has over 2,000 tracks you can edit at one time with pro tools such as title-card building modes, image restoration, and advanced audio tools.
Why We Picked It
This advanced substitute for the iMovie video editor has a surprisingly clean and well-organized interface, despite being full of tools and features. It is divided into “Pages,” with a dedicated workspace for each editing task, like color, effects, and audio.
Bottom Line
DaVinci Resolve offers big-budget effects and tools for free. And unlike the iMovie video editor, which was intended for short projects, you can use this software to edit feature-length films. The downside to this iMovie for Windows alternative is the steep learning curve. It is best used for advanced or professional users on a budget and requires a powerful computer to function. DaVinci Resolve has the same rating as Premiere Elements, however, the steep learning curve placed it below Premiere Elements on our list.
Best Free iMovie for Windows Alternatives Comparison Chart
| Software | OS | Beginner-friendly | Advanced Features | Royalty-Free Stock Library | 360-Degree Editing | Download iMovie Alternative for Free |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PowerDirector | Windows, Mac | Yes | Compositing tools, AI-powered tools, Multicam, stabilization, motion tracking, video effects, color correction, slow-motion, overlay effects | Yes | Yes | |
| Lightworks | Windows, Mac, Linux | No | Advanced editing such as slide, ripple, roll, and asymmetric trimming. Motion graphics, advanced scopes, and advanced transitions | Yes | No | Download |
| VideoPad | Windows, Mac | Yes | Compositing tools, 3D, stabilization, overlay effects | No | Yes | Download |
| Shotcut | Windows, Mac, Linux | Yes | Compositing tools, color correction | No | Yes | Download |
| Movavi Video Editor | Windows, Mac | Yes | Motion tracking, stabilization, slow-motion, chroma key, background removal, color correction | No | No | Download |
| VideoProc Vlogger | Windows, Mac | Yes | Speed ramping, bezier curves, keyframes, motion effects, green screen, blending modes | No | No | Download |
| VSDC Free Video Editor | Windows | Yes | Compositing tools, motion tracking, overlay effects, color correction | No | No | Download |
| WeVideo | Web Browser | Yes | Green screen effects, animation tools, color correction | Yes | No | Download |
| Adobe Premiere Elements | Windows, Mac | No | Green screen effects, freeze frame, double exposure | No | No | Download |
| DaVinci Resolve | Windows, Mac,Linux | No | Multicam, stabilization, HDR color grading tools, AI magic masking effects, motion blur effects, advanced audio tools, building modes, image restoration | Sound effects only | Yes | Download |
PowerDirector
vs
OS
Windows, Mac
-
Beginner-friendly
Yes
-
Advanced Features
Compositing tools, AI-powered tools, Multicam, stabilization, motion tracking, video effects, color correction, slow-motion, overlay effects
-
Royalty-Free Stock Library
Yes
-
360-Degree Editing
Yes
-
How to Choose a Free iMovie for Windows Alternative
If you are looking to download iMovie alternatives for free, we have compiled a list of the best software to consider. However, our list is not “one size fits all.” Here are some factors to consider when choosing the right iMovie video editor for PC that will suit your specific needs.
- Features
Video editing software varies greatly in the features they provide. If you edit videos with only basic tools, such as trimming, cropping, and adding text, software with tons of advanced features would be unnecessary. Some alternatives to the iMovie video editor on our list offer VFX tools, some are best for social media, and others have tools for action camera footage. Make a list of the tools and features you use regularly to make sure you can edit videos with everything you need.
- Skill Level
Our options to download iMovie for Windows cover a range of skill levels from first-time users to professionals. Be realistic about your level of expertise and choose accordingly. If you are a beginner, we recommend choosing beginner-friendly software that also has advanced tools, so the program will grow with you as you learn. And always check user reviews to ensure the software that claims to be easy to use is actually easy to use.
- Compatibility
We assume if you are looking to download iMovie for Windows, that you have a Windows PC. While all of the options on our list are compatible with Windows, some do not work on older versions. Others require a certain amount of RAM or a powerful computer, while others are lightweight and will work on any device. Always check the system requirements before you download iMovie for Windows on your desktop.
How to Edit Videos With a Free iMovie for Windows Alternative
Here is a step-by-step guide for editing videos with PowerDirector, the #1 free iMovie for Windows alternative.
Download iMovie for Windows by clicking the button below and follow along.
How to Trim a Video
- Add a video clip to the Editing Timeline. Click on the clip then click on the Trim Icon (which looks like scissors) above the video timeline.
- Drag the mark in and mark out sliders around the part of the video you wish to keep, then click OK to trim.
How to Add a Transition
- Click on the Transition Room tab (the lightning bolt icon) from the menu on the left.
- Choose a transition, then drag and drop it between two clips on the timeline.
How to Produce and Save a Video
- When you are done editing your video, click Produce to export.
- Select the format you want and an output folder where the video file will be saved. Then hit Start.
To learn more about video editing with PowerDirector, click here.
Download the Best iMovie for Windows Alternative for Free
Even though PCs offer several advantages over Macs, built-in video editing is one area that the Windows operating system tends to neglect. A quick way to solve this problem is to download iMovie on your Windows PC with one of the iMovie video editor alternatives on our list.
While all the free iMovie for Windows alternatives on our list offer their own benefits and drawbacks, our top choice all around is PowerDirector. It is free, beginner-friendly, and gives you access to advanced features rarely found in free video editing software. Why edit videos with only basic tools, when PowerDirector has advanced features that will grow with you on your video editing journey?
Download iMovie for Windows today by clicking the button below and see for yourself how PowerDirector can enhance your editing process.
Free iMovie for Windows Alternatives FAQ
1. What is iMovie?
iMovie is a preinstalled, free video editing software for Mac desktop computers, iPads, and iPhones. It is a non-linear editor that won’t change your original files. iMovie video editor is easy-to-use and intended for consumers, while Apple’s Final Cut Pro is for the professional market.
2. What features should I look for in a free iMovie for Windows alternative?
The top ten features you should look for in an alternative to iMovie for Windows PC are
- Trimming/Cutting Tools
- Rotate/Flip Feature
- Transitions
- Effects and Filters
- Audio Editing
- Voice Over
- Color Correction Tools
- Text and Titles
- Wide Format Support
- Chroma Key
If you’re looking to download iMovie for Windows and need software that checks all of these boxes, we recommend PowerDirector.
3. Is iMovie free?
Yes, you can download iMovie for free on all Apple devices, such as Mac, iPad, and iPhone.
4. What is comparable to iMovie for Windows?
Windows Video Editor comes free on all Windows PCs, making it the most direct iMovie for Windows PC alternative. However, it does not compare to iMovie in terms of advanced features. If you want to download iMovie with an iMovie video editor alternative that exceeds the Apple software in features and ease of use, we recommend PowerDirector.
5. How do I download iMovie for Windows?
You can download iMovie for Windows by clicking any of the links under the “Download iMovie Alternative for Free” section in the comparison chart.
6. Is iMovie better than Windows Movie Maker?
Windows used to have a free built-in editor, Windows Movie Maker, but it was dropped in 2017. This side-by-side comparison by G2 shows that iMovie beats Windows Movie Maker in every category except one - Ease of Use. The now-discontinued Windows Movie Maker was a better choice for beginners, while iMovie is a better choice for more advanced users.
For more information, check out our article about the best Windows Movie Maker alternatives.
7. Does iMovie have a watermark?
No. iMovie is completely free for Mac users and does not put a watermark on videos.
8. What do YouTubers use to edit videos?
YouTubers use PowerDirector to edit videos. PowerDirector is beginner-friendly, yet full of tools and effects. It offers a completely free version and an affordable premium version. PowerDirector also comes with YouTube templates for intros and outros, YouTube-specific aspect ratios, and direct upload to YouTube. It also has a vast royalty-free music library, so YouTubers don’t have to worry about their content being removed from the site due to copyright infringement.
9. Can I install iMovie on Windows 10?
You can’t download iMovie on any Windows device. However, there are plenty of alternatives to iMovie for Windows that allow you to edit videos more easily and offer more tools than iMovie. If you are looking to download iMovie on Windows 10, the top pick on our list of iMovie video editor alternatives is PowerDirector.
10. Does iMovie have a Time Limit?
No, as of iMovie 10, there is no time limit, you are only limited to the amount of hard drive space on your computer. However, iMovie is intended for shorter films, and editing anything over 10 minutes can prove difficult. If you regularly edit long videos, try Apple’s professional editing software, Final Cut Pro, or one of the more professional iMovie for Windows alternatives on our list, such as PowerDirector.
11. What is the PC version of iMovie?
The most direct comparison of iMovie for Windows is Windows Video Editor, which comes built-in on Windows 10/11. However, it will not allow you to edit videos on the same level as iMovie. We recommend PowerDirector as the best alternative to iMovie for Windows. PowerDirector is also a beginner-friendly video editor meant for consumers and available for free. However, PowerDirector exceeds iMovie in every category, including ease of use and feature set.
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