iMovie review

iMovie is the simplest way to start a channel on Apple hardware, and it costs nothing. It edits at up to 4K on compatible Macs, supports 1080p at 60 frames per second, and includes picture-in-picture, side-by-side and green screen effects, 48 video and audio effects, speed controls, titles and transitions. One-click Enhance improves the look and sound of a clip, and stabilization smooths shaky footage. You can start a project on iPhone or iPad and finish it on a Mac, then export a video optimized for YouTube. When a channel grows, iMovie projects can be sent to Final Cut Pro. It lacks the AI tools that speed up editing elsewhere in this list, such as automatic captions, transcript editing and AI search, and it only runs on Apple devices.

Who it is for

Beginners on Apple devices making their first YouTube videos.

Price

Free.

Only for Mac Free
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 10, 2026.

Key features

• Editing at up to 4K resolution
• One-click Enhance for look and sound
• Picture-in-picture, side-by-side and green screen effects
• Export optimized for YouTube
• Send projects to Final Cut Pro

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Free
• Strength: Start on iPhone or iPad and finish on a Mac
• Strength: Clear upgrade path to Final Cut Pro
• Weakness: Apple devices only
• Weakness: No AI captions or transcript editing
• Weakness: Limited effects and color control

Key facts

• Price: Free
• Resolution: Up to 4K
• Effects: 48 video and audio effects
• Trailers: 29 trailer templates

Where it ranks

iMovie is No. 7 in our Best Video Editing Software for YouTubers verdict.