With iMovie for iOS and macOS, you can enjoy your videos like never before. It’s easy to browse your clips and create Hollywood-style trailers and stunning 4K-resolution movies. You can even start editing on iPhone or iPad, then finish on your Mac. Since iMovie is no longer free, decent Mac video editors are hard to come. Nothing is quite going to match the premium might of Adobe and Apple’s in-house software, but there are a few free video editing applications to sink your teeth into.
Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the best products; you can learn more about our review process here. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links.
The Rundown
- Best From Hobbyist to Pro:Final Cut Pro X at Apple.com, “A video editing software that you can use even if you don’t have much experience.”
- Most Accessible Apple Editor: Apple iMovie at Apple.com, “If you haven’t done video editing before, this is a good place to get started before moving on to more serious software.”
- Best for Pros:Adobe Premiere Pro CC at Amazon, “A powerful video editor for professionals putting out movies, short films, and the like.”
- Easiest-to-Use Cross-Platform Editor:Adobe Premiere Elements 2018 at Amazon, “An easily approachable video editing software for those just getting started.”
- Best Open-Source Software:Shotcut at Shortcut.org, “A multi-track editing software like any other serious software, and you can readily rearrange the workspace to suit your editing needs.”
- Best Starter Freeware:Lightworks at Lwks.com, “Whether or not you need the free or paid versions is a question you can answer for yourself.”
- Best Freeware:DaVinci Resolve 15 at Blackmagicdesign.com, “Plenty of functionality to take your footage, organize it with data to help you find what you need, and edit it all together.”
- Best for Tutorial and Presentation Videos:Camtasia at Techsmith.com, “It’s a screen recorder and video editor built into one product.”
Our Top Picks
Best From Hobbyist to Pro: Final Cut Pro X
If you want a video editing software that you can use even if you don’t have much experience (and you plan on growing as a video editor while using it), then Final Cut Pro X is well worth your consideration. It may take a few tutorial videos to really get yourself ready to start doing much, but once you get your feet wet, you can do basic editing and learn more and more advanced tricks over time.
While Final Cut Pro X is a professional video editing tool, it’s approachable enough for hobbyist videographers to get on board with. And it has a bit more reasonable price than some of the other serious pro video editing software. As a pro software, it comes packed with handy features to help you realize your vision.
The latest version of Final Cut Pro X has the multi-track timeline needed for editing but brings in the future of video and pro features. It supports 360-degree video, graphics, and effects. You can edit together video from multi-cam recording setups and easily switching between multiple angles. And, you can create HDR content. That’s just the tip of the iceberg.
Apple offers a free trial so you can see if this one is up your alley before you dive all the way in.
Most Accessible Apple editor: Apple iMovie
If you really just want to get started editing videos on your Mac, or even on your iPhone or iPad, then the easiest way is to get Apple iMovie. This is Apple’s free video editing software, and it runs on both Mac OS and iOS platforms, so you can do you video editing just about wherever you go.
For hobbyist and amateur filmmakers, Apple iMovie will have approachable tools to help you easily take your footage and edit a video with a clear flow. You’ll be able to combine multiple video files, layer different video and audio tracks, and add title screens to your video without much fuss. It even includes video filters and some special effects, including picture-in-picture.
The latest version of Apple iMovie keeps up with the trends in video, supporting 4K video editing. So, all that 4K video you capture on your iPhone can be turned into a movie in iMovie. If you haven’t done video editing before, this is a good place to get started before moving on to more serious software.
Best for Pros: Adobe Premiere Pro CC
Adobe’s Premiere Pro CC (Creative Cloud) software is a powerful video editor for professionals putting out movies, short films, and the like. Of course, it’s also a viable option for hobbyists looking to sharpen their teeth on a video editor that gets used in professional positions. If you’re not trying to go professional with your editing quite yet, you may want to check out the next pick.
Adobe Premiere Pro CC is a constantly evolving video editing software, as Adobe rolls out updates over time. Rather than buying a single edition of the software, you pay for a subscription as long as you’re using it. An added perk is that the software isn’t exclusive to Mac, so you can switch between different computers with different operating systems if you need to.
That subscription gives you access to Premiere Pro for editing all sorts of video, from 3D and even 8K. You’ll also be able to handle audio tracks, add graphics, manage light and color, and effectively put together whatever video you can imagine. If you use Adobe’s other software, like Photoshop or Illustrator, then Premiere Pro will be a great option for easily integrating different workflows.
Easiest-to-Use Cross-Platform Editor: Adobe Premiere Elements 2018
Adobe Premiere Elements 2018 is almost exactly what it sounds like. It’s a stripped down version of the pro Premiere software. This does make it a little less capable, and new features aren’t constantly rolling out to it, but it works as an easily approachable video editing software for those just getting started. And, without a subscription model, you can pay for the software once and you’re set.
If you’re an amateur just getting started with video editing, and especially if you’re not planning on going pro, then Premiere Elements 2018 will be an excellent pick for you. While Premiere Elements does give you plenty of tools for putting together multiple video, image, and audio files into one complete video, it also has some tools to help you make a better video if you’re not a savvy editor already. Plus, the software is available on both Mac and PC.
Premier Elements 2018 helps you organize the files you’ll be using in your video, and it can guide you through the editing process from beginning to end. It will also let you add in some fun little effects to spice up your video. And, in keeping with the times, it supports 4K video.
Best Open-Source Software: Shotcut
Shotcut is highly versatile free video editing software available on Mac and PC. Once you get past the somewhat steep learning curve, you’ll find you can do quite a lot with Shotcut. And, since it’s a free software, you have the option of seeing whether or not you like it without having to pay a cent.
Shotcut is a multi-track editing software like any other serious software, and you can readily rearrange the workspace to suit your editing needs. Shotcut supports a wide variety of file types for both input and output, including 4K video. Plus, you can edit audio, color, and lighting effects in Shotcut.
Though Shotcut isn’t the easiest software to just pick up and start editing videos with, the nature of being a free software means plenty of people are using it and making incredibly helpful tutorial videos or guides on how to use it. And, if you want a readily portable option, Shotcut is it, since you can run it directly off an external storage drive.
Best Starter Freeware: Lightworks
Lightworks blends the offerings of a free editing software with a paid one. Compared to Shotcut, it has an easier learning curve, but some of the features that you’ll want may be part of the paid Lightworks Pro version, such as the ability to export your final product in more video formats and higher resolutions.
Whether or not you need the free or paid versions is a question you can answer for yourself later on though, as either will let you import a wide range of file formats, easily edit together multiple files, manage your audio, add titles, and tweak your visuals.
The free version of Lightworks will be a fine option for anyone who isn’t concerned much about video resolution, as you’ll still be able to output web-ready 720p videos. But, if you try out Lightworks, like how it works, and want to stick with it as your video editor of choice, you can upgrade to the Pro software and start putting out high-quality video. Plus, Lightworks is available on Windows, Mac, and Linux, so you’ll be able to stick with Lightworks even if you stop using a Mac later on.
Best Freeware: DaVinci Resolve 15
If you’re ready to get started editing all kinds of videos and putting out the final product in a high-quality, 4K format without having to pay a cent to do so, then DaVinci Resolve 15 is a great option. While there is a paid Studio version, you’ll really only need to go with that if you’re planning to do some collaboration or want access to a few of the software’s more advanced tools and effects.
For the most part, DaVinci Resolve 15 is going to give you plenty of functionality to take your footage, organize it with data to help you find what you need, and edit it all together. Once you’re done, you can output in just about any format you need, whether you want the highest quality or something that’s ready to upload quickly to YouTube.
If you want a video editing software you can get serious with, then DaVinci Resolve 15 fits the bill. It’s just a bonus that the free version is so capable because it’ll give you a chance to try it for yourself and see if it feels like something you can really use.
Best for Tutorial and Presentation Videos: Camtasia
Online Video Editor Like Imovie
Camtasia is particularly handy if you’re planning to make videos that will use footage captured from your computer screen. That’s because it’s a screen recorder and video editor built into one product.
With Camtasia, you’ll be able to record the screen and audio of your computer or even your iOS device. If you’re putting together tutorial videos, this capability will be incredibly useful. Plus, you have the option of adding webcam footage on top of the screen-captured video.
Beyond screen-capture, Camtasia also gives you multi-track timeline editing and tools for transitions, animations, audio and video effects, and annotations. If you want to make a presentation video, you can also add in a PowerPoint. So, whether you’re an educator, business professional, or just trying to put some tutorials up on YouTube, Camtasia offers tools you can use to capture and edit the video you need. A free trial will give you a chance to see if its tool and features a good fit for you.
What to Look for in Video Editing Software for a Mac
Free vs. paid - If you’re a beginner just dipping your toes into the world of video editing, a free software program is probably your best bet. If you have more advanced needs, you’ll likely need to pay to access the features you’ll need. However, most software programs have free trials that let you try them before you buy them.
File compatibility - Before you commit to a new program, make sure it’s compatible with the type of video you’ll be shooting. While some programs support 4K video, others don’t, and yet others will support 3D and 4K. Be sure to consider both the input and output formats you’ll need.
Extra features - Most video editing programs can handle the basics—merging clips, adding transitions, and laying down audio—but the extra features are what will take your video from amateur to expert. Look for handy features like multi-track timelines, filters, special effects, and more.
'I’ve just upgraded to iMovie 10 and cannot figure out how to burn iMovie project to DVD. I don’t want to share on Vimeo, CNN, etc. I just want a movie for me? What may I missing? Help, please!' a hot discussion on Apple Support Communities.
'How can I burn iMovie to DVD?' or 'How to export iMovie to DVD on Mac?' Such kind of questions are quite common online. Many iMovie users would like to burn iMovie to DVD for either safekeeping or convenient playback on DVD player or TV. If you are one of these people who would like to burn DVD from iMovie, look no further, here we will show you how to convert iMovie to DVD on Mac with ease.
Part 1: How to Export iMovie Project for DVD Burning
iMovie is a video editing software application sold by Apple Inc. for the Mac and iOS (iPhone, iPad, iPad Mini and iPod Touch). It was originally released in 1999 as a Mac OS 8 application bundled with the first FireWire-enabled consumer Mac model – the iMac DV. Users can import photo and video clips, and then edit the photos and video clips like adding titles, themes, music, and effects (basic color correction, video enhancement tools and transitions).
You couldn’t yet directly export iMovie to DVD on Mac within iMovie, without the help of professional iMovie to DVD burner software. To burn iMovie to DVD on Mac, no matter which iMovie to DVD burner software you would adopt, the very first thing you need to do is to export iMovie project.
Detailed Steps on How to Export iMovie Project:
1. In iMovie Library, select the video clip you want to export and burn as Digital Video DVD.
2. To select it, drag the cursor across the portion of video that will be burned onto DVD, or hit Ctrl+A(Command+A on Mac) to select entire video.
3. Go to File > Share > File or click on 'Share' in the menu bar and select 'File' in the pop-up window, review the information in pop-up window and select 'Next', then name and save the file.
4. Your iMovie project would be exported to your computer for burning to DVD.
After exporting iMovie project to computer, you could then make use of DVD burner software to burn iMovie project to DVD disc on Mac.
Part 2: How to Burn iMovie to DVD on Mac
Actually Apple has preinstalled an iMovie to DVD burner software program to help Mac users to burn iMovie project to DVD. Open iDVD, go to 'File>Import>Video' and select the iMovie project file you just exported from iMovie. It will bring the video into your iDVD project. Of course, you need to insert a blank writable DVD disc into the DVD disc recorder drive before you could successfully burn iMovie to DVD with iDVD.
The unhappy thing is that Apple has dropped iDVD on its Lion and Mountain Lion OS. You will never find iDVD on your new Mac or upgrade your Mac to Lion/Mountain Lion. You have to download iLife suite to get this iDVD app. And if you are lucky enough to have an iDVD pre-installed, you can take use of it to burn iMovie project to DVD on Mac.
However, if you’re not lucky to have no iDVD, don’t worry. You get a better choice – Leawo iMovie to DVD Burner, an alternative to iDVD but performs even better than iDVD. Leawo iMovie to DVD burner for Mac is specially designed to burn iMovie to DVD on Mac with fast burning speed and best output quality. In addition to the iMovie files, the program could burn video in almost all regular formats like AVI, FLV, MP4, WMV, MOV, MKV, VOB, etc. to DVD. Moreover, the built-in video editor and stylish DVD menu templates let you personalize your DVD like a pro.
DVD Creator for Mac
☉ Burn video to DVD disc, folder and/or ISO file on Mac.
☉ Edit video files via video editor and add 3D effect.
☉ Add and design disc menu to get customized DVD.
☉ Burn ISO file to DVD disc on Mac in one click.
Detailed Steps on How to Burn iMovie to DVD Mac:
Now download, install and run Leawo iMovie to DVD burner for Mac, then follow the steps below to burn and convert iMovie to DVD on Mac OS easily.
Video Editor Like Imovie For Mac
1. Import iMovie project into this Mac DVD Burner
Simply click 'Add' icon on program main interface to add your iMovie projects. All added files will be listed on program left interface. The Mac iMovie to DVD burner supports to burn iMovie to DVD disc, folder and ISO Image. If you need to burn to DVD disc, please insert a blank DVD disc into your Mac recordable DVD-ROM.
Note:
- Here you can rearrange video order, add external subtitles to your iMovie projects, choose to burn to DVD-5 or DVD-9, set aspect ratio and output quality, preview imported projects with built-in player, and check out the needed space for DVD burning at the bottom of program.
2. Edit iMovie files (Optional)
To personalize your iMovie projects, you can click 'Edit' option on one of the video item bars. On the pop-up window, you can crop the frame size, trim video length, append effects, add picture or text watermark, and rotate video angle. If you have no editing needs, just skip this step.
3. Set disc menu
Select a disc menu from the right sidebar of the main interface and preview it by clicking its center. Via clicking the pencil icon on the disc menu preview panel, you could edit your DVD menu like adding background picture and music, choosing desired buttons and frames, etc.
Note:
Imovie For Mac Tutorial
- As to the disc menu editing panel, you could add background music/video/image, change title position and content, adjust text font, size, color, etc.
- You could save edited disc menu template for future use.
4. More iMovie to DVD burning settings
Click the big green 'Burn' button to call out the burning settings panel, where you need to do burning settings like burn video to DVD disc, ISO file or/and folder, input volume label, set saving destination for output files.
Note:
- If you only need to burn iMovie project to DVD disc on Mac, insert a blank writable DVD disc into the disc recorder drive and then select DVD disc recorder drive as output under the 'Burn to' option.
- You could burn iMovie to DVD disc, folder and/or ISO image file at the same time.
- Make sure your computer hard drive gets enough storage if you want to create DVD folder or ISO image file.
5. Burn iMovie to DVD Mac
Finally, on the burning settings panel, hit the 'Burn' button to start burning iMovie to DVD on Mac immediately. By now, the process to create DVD from iMovie project has been finished. You could then watch burned DVD disc on any DVD player.