Updated In 2024, IMovie Review – Is It The Best Video Editor for Mac Users?

IMovie Review – Is It The Best Video Editor for Mac Users?

If you are a Mac user and you are getting started in video editing, it is better if you start with a free video editing software. There is no need to download any external free video editor when you are a Mac user. This is because Mac comes with a pre-installed free video editor called iMovie editor. iMovie is a video editing app from Apple where you will get all the standard and some advanced features.

iMovie is extremely popular among Mac users for video editing because it is completely free and easy to use. In fact, iMovie is also available for iPhone and iPad users. You can start your video editing on your iPhone and transfer the same work to Mac to continue editing on your Mac. But the most important question is if iMovie editor is the best video editor for Mac users. Read our iMovie review and find out a better alternative.

Part 1. Key Features of iMovie

Even iMovie is completely free to use, it competes with several premium video editors in terms of features. There are only a handful of free video editors available that lets you edit 4K videos, and iMovie is one of them. Similarly, there are only a few premium video editors available that support editing the same video project on different devices like iMovie. Here are all the key features of iMovie that you should know.

Templates and Themes – iMovie comes with different templates and themes for creating different types of videos including cinematic videos. There are classy and trending themes available to create trailers and short films. These themes and templates have limited customization options so that you can adjust as per your requirements.

Basic Editing – iMovie lets you combine video clips, split a large video file, trim video parts, crop and rotate video. Besides, you get to zoom videos as well as resize them as you need. You can add texts and titles as well as apply different transitions wherever you want to.

Advanced Editing – You can change speed and turn your video clips into slow-motion videos. You can correct the color as well as stabilize them. Besides, you can apply green screen effect and split screen effect. Moreover, you can reverse video as well as put overlays on videos. iMovie is also capable of recording video and audio if you want to record your screen or webcam video.

Audio Editing – iMovie lets you edit audio as well which is an essential requirement in video editing. You can increase and decrease volume, change speed and add beat markers to a video if required. Coming to audio effects, you can apply fade-in and fade-out effects. You can mute the audio in your recorded video and add a background music instead. Moreover, you can add voiceover and choose royalty-free audio clips.

Transitions and Effects – Even though there are limited visual effects, there are unique and eye-catchy. iMovie keeps on adding new and trending effects with every update so that the users have enough options to make their videos stand out. iMovie also provides different backgrounds that you can use on your video to enhance its quality. Apart from visual effects, there are several standard audio effects available.

User Interface – iMovie comes with a simple and intuitive user interface that lets everyone edit videos instantly without prior experience. This is exactly why some users never go for premium video editors. The user interface is clean, and all options are readily available. You can upload media files on Media Library, and they are automatically categorized from where you can access them instantly.

Part 2. How to Edit Videos with iMovie?

iMovie comes pre-installed on Mac, and hence, there is no need to download and install the application. Coming to how to use iMovie, there are three types of projects you can choose on iMovie. They are Media, Projects, and Theater. Media is where your footages reside, Projects represent the main workspace, and Theater is where your finished projects reside. Here are the steps regarding iMovie edit video.

Step 1: Open iMovie and click on Projects. You will see two options Movie and Trailer. Click on Movie to edit your videos.

Step 2: Click on My Movie under Project Media and go to My Media. Import your video clips and audio files under My Media.

Step 3: Drag and drop the video clips and audio clips on the timeline in proper order. You can go for iMovie edit audio and video such as trimming as required.

Step 4: Go to Transitions located at the top bar beside My Media and place the desired transitions in between the video clips.

Step 5: Similarly, go to Titles located at the top bar beside Transitions and place them on the timeline wherever appropriate.

Step 6: Finally, check your edited video on the canvas and then go to the top-right corner and click on Export. You will have to option to save it in Theater and share on social media as well as through email and iTunes.

Part 3. Alternative to Edit Videos - Filmora

In spite of iMovie being a good video editor, Mac users search for a better alternative. This is because there are limited transitions and effects available. You can have two video tracks only on the timeline and there is lack of customization. Besides, the advanced features of video editing such as motion tracking are not available. Moreover, there are limited file formats supported for importing and exporting.

Wondershare Filmora is the best alternative to iMovie for Mac users. Filmora is a premium video editor where all the shortcomings of iMovie are taken care of. Filmora supports almost all file formats for media files. There is a wide range of transitions, effects, elements as well as animations available. Besides, there are different styles of texts and titles available along with stock media library. Here are the steps to edit videos with iMovie.

Try It Free

For Win 7 or later (64-bit)

Try It Free

For macOS 10.12 or later

Step 1: Download and install Filmora on your Mac. Launch Filmora and click on New Project.

Step 2: Drag and drop your video clips and audio files Project Media folder. Drag and place the video clips on the timeline and arrange per perfectly. Place audio files on the timeline on a different track.

Step 3: If you want to apply transitions, go to Transitions at the top bar and drag any transition in between video clips on the timeline. You can also insert texts from Titles and objects from Elements from the top bar.

Step 4: Play the video to see the changes you have made, and click on Export button to save the video when you are satisfied.

Part 4. FAQs about iMovie

Is iMovie good for video editing?

Yes, iMovie is good for basic video editing. You can edit 4K videos, and iMovie is available on macOS and iOS. If you are a beginner, iMovie is perfect for you. If you want advanced editing features, we recommend Wondershare Filmora.

What’s better Premiere Pro or iMovie?

In terms of features and functionalities, Premiere Pro is far better than iMovie. However, Premiere Pro is more for advanced video editing while iMovie is more for beginners. iMovie is simpler to use than Premiere Pro, and hence, beginners will love it.

Can I make YouTube videos with iMovie?

Yes, you can make YouTube videos with iMovie as it has all the required tools and options. Import your video clips and audio files on the timeline, go for iMovie edit clip like trim and crop as required, add transitions, texts, and effects as applicable and publish your finished video on YouTube.

Try It Free

For macOS 10.12 or later

Step 1: Download and install Filmora on your Mac. Launch Filmora and click on New Project.

Step 4: Play the video to see the changes you have made, and click on Export button to save the video when you are satisfied.

Part 4. FAQs about iMovie

Is iMovie good for video editing?

What’s better Premiere Pro or iMovie?

Can I make YouTube videos with iMovie?

Try It Free

For macOS 10.12 or later

Step 1: Download and install Filmora on your Mac. Launch Filmora and click on New Project.

Step 4: Play the video to see the changes you have made, and click on Export button to save the video when you are satisfied.

Part 4. FAQs about iMovie

Is iMovie good for video editing?

What’s better Premiere Pro or iMovie?

Can I make YouTube videos with iMovie?

Try It Free

For macOS 10.12 or later

Step 1: Download and install Filmora on your Mac. Launch Filmora and click on New Project.

Step 4: Play the video to see the changes you have made, and click on Export button to save the video when you are satisfied.

Part 4. FAQs about iMovie

Is iMovie good for video editing?

What’s better Premiere Pro or iMovie?

Can I make YouTube videos with iMovie?

Best 10 Crazy-Cool Examples of AR Video

10 Crazy-Cool Examples of AR Video

An easy yet powerful editor

Numerous effects to choose from

Detailed tutorials provided by the official channel

Try It Free Try It Free

Revolutions in technology have brought about the integration of augmented and virtual reality into marketing strategies. Stay tuned to learn about the most amazing AR video examples!

Part 1 What is AR and the Technology Used for Augmented Reality Development?

Expanding the acronym, AR stands for Augmented Reality, a relatively newer concept in the world of graphic imaging and other computer based real-time applications. Talking of the exact explanation, augmented reality refers to a responsive synchronization of real world elements into digital platforms, while upgrading the same with high end perceptual information generated from specialized computer systems.

The entire concept of augmented reality rests on 3 major aspects, viz., a synchronized combination of the virtual and real world environments, a responsive interaction of associated elements in real-time, and a precise 3-dimensional registration of virtual and real elements. The aforesaid aspects of augmented reality are often guaranteed by a number of sensory modalities, like that of auditory, visual, somatosensory, olfactory and haptic ones.

Technology Behind Augmented Reality

As far as the technology behind the development of augmented reality video is concerned, the overall implementation is categorized into 3 different tasks. The process is initiated with generating concise, high resolution images of real world elements, followed by creating an overlay of computer generated 3D images on the previously generated real world images. This is further succeeded by facilitating an interactive user engagement and interaction within the simulated surroundings.

The process of technology implementation is seconded by a responsive display mechanism which can be done conveniently on any one among glasses, smartphones, screens, head-mounted displays and handheld devices. Concerning the factor of output credibility, head-mounted displays take the credit of generating a much more immersive augmented reality in comparison to the other display alternatives.

Part 2 What Is the Difference Between Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality?

Advancements in technology has treated the world with a multitude of concepts to simulate real-time elements into digital environments. In addition to augmented reality, the techniques of virtual and alternate reality have come into focus in recent times to address the diversely specific needs of digital and real world integration.

Lack of proper awareness, however, leads to the treatment of these fundamentally different concepts as one and the same thing. Considering the credibility of such technologies towards addressing certain specific purposes, it becomes important to understand the difference among these apparently similar concepts. Having said that, let us make an attempt to realise the dissimilarity between augmented and virtual reality in the following section:

● Underlying Concept

Stressing on the parameter of conceptual utility, augmented reality refers to the integration of digital aspects into a real-time surrounding, most probably through a smartphone or camera, whereas, virtual reality on the other hand, is responsible for the replacement of a real-time setting with a simulated environment.

● Existence Constraints

Talking about augmented reality, the technique showcases the coexistence of the real and virtual surroundings, with the primary goal of supplying extra information about the real-time environment, which can be accessed without a content search. Conversely, virtual reality is predominantly concerned with bringing about a complete shift of the user’s actual ambiances to an entirely fabricated environment that undertakes an independent existence.

● User Control

Speaking on the extent of user control, augmented reality allows you to monitor your real world presence, mostly with a smartphone, while users of virtual reality are entirely controlled by the system, with strictly no self-access. Also, you would require a headset equipment to make use of virtual reality.

Part 3 Examples of Augmented Reality (AR) In Marketing

Having discussed enough about the fundamental aspects of augmented reality, let us proceed towards understanding the credibility of augmented video in the light of modern day information centered applications. While there are manifold varieties of augmented reality usage, the following section highlights the best examples of integrating AR into brand marketing:

01Walmart- Inventory Control

With the aim to examine the dual credibility of its brand stores as online fulfillment as well as physical shopping centers, Walmart in October 2020, announced the proposition of its 4 shopping units as ‘test centers’ of augmented reality, where the latter was supposed to aid in the management and tracking of company inventories.

The technology was implemented through a smartphone application to quicken the transportation process of item packages from the inventory to the sales area. The utility works when the employees hold a handheld device that highlights the dispatch ready boxes in an augmented reality stock video, instead of scanning each box individually.

02Snap- City Painter

Launched in London in October 2020, the City Painter utility lands among the best augmented reality video examples, allowing you to spray paint on and decorate street shops with pre-designed wall paintings, through the use of augmented reality. The most striking aspect of the aforesaid application is its information sharing feature, which allows the changes introduced by you to be seen by fellow users if the app in real time.

The utility is regarded as first step of Snap towards its aim of developing a shared virtual space via a mapping of potential landmarks. The tool has a progressive future in travel and tourism sector, with brand wanting to invest capital on the newly introduced customer needs of adventure and exploration.

03Asos- See My Fit

While the company is a renowned name in the domain of mobile technology and augmented reality innovation since 2009, the ‘See My Fit’ tool was launched by the latter in the year 2020 amid the pandemic period to assist the company’s models who were bound to work from home during the calamity.

Talking of the application, the tool makes use of augmented reality to fit apparels on the models in a digital manner. Additionally, the app works to provide the customers with a realistic insight into the appearance of the products with respect to size and body structure, which further aids to increase the company sales, while minimizing the return risks.

04 Pull & Bear- Console Game

This one is a famous retail brand, whose owner Inditex, has collaborated with the ‘Creative Shop’ utility of Facebook to launch ‘Pacific Game’, a console relish, with the implementation of augmented reality. The gameplay requires you to undertake a journey from California to Tokyo, where the travel obstacles need to be escaped through cohesive head movements to earn game points.

The game was essentially designed as a social media attraction and can be enjoyed on Instagram, as a Facebook AR video, and even on the official Pull & Bear website. If you are playing the dame on Instagram, do try on using the latter’s front camera feature for a more enhanced gaming experience.

05Burberry- Olympia Pop Up at Harrods

The current post pandemic period is witnessing a creative use of augmented reality by brand companies to attract their customers back to the retail shops. To complement the launch of its Olympia Bag, Burberry had introduced a pronounced AR utility at the Harrods. Customers visiting the shop are allowed to witness the Elphis statue walks in real-time environment through an in-store QR code.

The customers can additionally, click pictures and create videos of the same to share on their social media handles. The integration of augmented reality into retail shopping in such innovative ways has guaranteed an immersive experience of the otherwise ordinary store purchases, with a simultaneous benefit to both, product companies and customers.

06IKEA Studio Application

IKEA is known to have integrated augmented reality into its working protocol for a long time now. Space 10, the company’s design laboratory has recently planned a more immersive relaunch of its AR facility with its brand new IKEA Studio application that allows you to capture and redesign room plans in 3D space, including the finest details of door frames, windows, floor rugs and wall colors.

The application is conceptualized considering the inclusion of LiDAR, that is, Light Detection and Ranging sensors in iPhones and is visibly seen as a precursor to the Apple Glass, a more comprehensive application that promised an escalated and realistic experience of augmented reality.

07Amazon- Hair Coloring and Amazon Salon

Boasting of being the largest e-commerce platform, Amazon took its first step into experimenting with augmented reality by introducing the Amazon Salon. Realized as a digital marketplace, the utility works through a ‘Point and Learn’ approach where customers and view and select any product on the tool’s display shelf to get a detailed information about the same through educational content and brand videos on the product display screen.

If you are interested in buying a particular product, you need to scan the latter’s QR code on the display shelf, which will redirect you to the product’s e-commerce page on Amazon’s official website. The AR utility implemented here also allows you to examine the look of various hair shades, before you actually get into choosing a suitable one for the perfect hairdo.

08Gucci- Virtual Sneakers

Gucci lands among the first luxury retail brands to implement augmented reality in its operation model for facilitating its customers with a comprehensive and informed product buying experience. The company incorporated a feature of ‘try on sneakers’ in its retail application, which allowed users to get an insight into the product’s appearance in real-time, thus reducing the return risks while simultaneously ensuring a better customer satisfaction.

The recently launched ‘virtual sneakers’ on the Gucci app are created to be tried and shared exclusively on the online store. Designed with the collaborative efforts of Gucci and the augmented reality fashion house Wanna, this ‘digital only’ footwear is available on Gucci’s online app for customer buying.

09Wayfair- View in Room

This one is essentially a furniture retail company that makes use of augmented reality to provide its customers with a wholesome shopping experience at the comfort of their homes. Wayfair incorporates the AR utility through the upgraded version of its ‘View in Room’ application that works on the LiDAR and RealityKit technologies to provide an authentic and a better realistic product view to the customers.

A few AR incorporated features of the app include precise cast lighting in real-time, product stacking and a real world interface to stand before and examine the overall product appearance, as the customers would actually do in real-time; thus ensuring a personalized product experience to the potential buyers.

10Machine A- Virtual Concept Store

This one is more of a digital platform to showcase the modern day developments in fashion design. Based in London, the Machine-A virtual store was conceptualized to allow the access of relevant audience to the works of new talent in the fashion field, when the Covid-19 pandemic caused a shutdown of the London Fashion Week.

The store was launched as a virtual boutique that could be visited by interested audience through a QR code, which could be scanned from billboards and posters around the London city, and allowed them to view the latest works of the associated fashion designers through an augmented reality concept video. The major success of the utility lies in the enhancement of the consumer-brand relationship, while focusing primarily on product awareness and customer engagement.

● Working With Augmented Reality Videos in Filmora

If you are keen on exploring your editing creativity in augmented reality with video, do consider working with the Wondershare Filmora Video Editor program. The software is affordably the best AR video editing tools available to you free of cost. While the application greets you with the most responsive and clean interfaces, with a plethora of professional quality video editing features that promise to effectively address your most diverse AR video editing requirements.

The software package comes with an inbuilt screen recorder, which you can use to capture specific video snippets and later on edit them with a variety of audio-visual effects from the app’s huge effects library. Not to forget, the application also grants you the liberty to share and export the edits to your social media handles.

Try It Free

For Win 7 or later (64-bit)

Try It Free

For macOS 10.12 or later

● Ending Thoughts →

● Augmented reality is an interactive means of integrating the real world with digitally simulated components.

● There are a hoard of applications that augmented reality can be put to, marketing field being a significant one among them.

● You can comfortably work with the Wondershare Filmora video editing program to add a variety of AR elements to your videos.

Try It Free Try It Free

Revolutions in technology have brought about the integration of augmented and virtual reality into marketing strategies. Stay tuned to learn about the most amazing AR video examples!

Part 1 What is AR and the Technology Used for Augmented Reality Development?

Technology Behind Augmented Reality

Part 2 What Is the Difference Between Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality?

● Underlying Concept

● Existence Constraints

● User Control