PowerDirector vs iMovie which one is better? This article from MiniTool MovieMaker will show you how to find out which program is more functional in terms of the overview, user interface, features, and customer service. If you are interested, please read the content below carefully to find the answer.
Nowadays, PowerDirector and iMovie are quite popular video editing programs available for content creators. The two pieces of software both provide an excellent collection of features and are aimed at different groups of people.
PowerDirector is a robust video editing application that is good for different operating systems (Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android). You can use it to create professional movies and videos for streaming media, social networking, and education.
iMovie is also a powerful video editing software, which was initially launched by Apple. It allows you to carry out many different types of processing, such as image and text editing.
For more details, check out the following comparison of PowerDirector vs iMovie and learn about several alternatives to both programs.
Part 1: PowerDirector vs iMovie
Overview of PowerDirector vs iMovie
Let’s first understand what PowerDirector and iMovie are respectively.
About PowerDirector
PowerDirector provides basic video editing features including video recording, image retouching, background removal, and broadcast screen erasing. The program allows you to import all types of media, such as stock footage, DVD video, music audio tracks, and TV show clips. Besides, you can edit and share media from a hard drive using a USB drive, CD, or web-based service.
The built-in video editing functions contain video snapshots, enter or exit timelines, weather effects, conversion to black and white, color correction, brighter edge, alpha channel masking, AutoFit detail, and AutoShape Power maneuver. You can also import a large number of media, which can cover: videos, images, logos, text, voice, ringtones, podcasts, and custom folders.
PowerDirector’s built-in “redo” tool is an excellent feature, with which you can undo any edits you have made or redo some actions. Furthermore, the application comes with a built-in video wizard that allows you to import video into PowerSCP, edit, and convert it to various formats. The PowerSCP conversion wizard enables to import video formats like WMV, AVI, MPG, FLV, JPEG, ACM, FMP, and more.
About iMovie
iMovie offers a couple of advanced features, such as zooming or panning, motion background loops or motion tracking for time, a touch screen, photo stitching, previewing downloaded files, and so on. There are numerous other enhancements in the program, including video effects, image tracking tabs, audio effects, color effects, and noise reduction. This application gives professionals everything they need to turn their videos into high-quality movies.
One of the biggest advantages of utilizing PowerDirector is that it supports all popular formats, including WMV, MOV, AVI, ASF, and more. Using the motion tracking function, it enables the videographer to make complicated shots and edit them in real time, compared to using other similar applications.
The new additions make the program even more straightforward to use for newbies, while experienced cinematographers can enjoy the improved capability of the newest program upgrades. An excellent option that wasn’t available in previous versions is the zoom effect which is very useful for everyone.
![How to Zoom in on a Video? [Ultimate Guide]](https://images.minitool.com/moviemaker.minitool.com/images/uploads/2020/12/how-to-zoom-in-on-a-video-thumbnail.png)
User Interface of PowerDirector vs iMovie
PowerDirector’s User Interface
The whole of the user interface follows the typical structure of the three screens, in which the screen is divided into three different sections. On the left-hand side, you will have all of your files and folders; on the right-hand side, you can preview the video that you are about to edit; and the timeline is located in the bottom half of the screen. This is the ideal way to edit for many people.
The whole user interface is also quite clean and uncluttered, you can find a ton of different functions if you look for them, but on the surface, everything looks quite decent and well-made. Furthermore, the application has many different features, most of which are fairly simple to set up.
iMovie’s User Interface
The user interface of iMovie is very easy and clean-looking. When you launch the program, there are two options for you to choose from: start a new project or continue the previous one.
As soon as you’ve chosen it to your liking, you’ll be presented with three different window panels in the user interface, and you can see that everything in iMovie looks so easy to use.
The entire user interface is black, so all the dark mode lovers will surely love it. What’s more, even the available tracks do not have the specific borders that you can see in other different video editing software.
Features of PowerDirector vs iMovie
PowerDirector’s Features
Movie templates: These templates provide specific styles already done with different kinds of titles, you just need to insert videos and images into the templates and the rest of the work will be done by the program.
Stock photos and files: If you have a subscription to PowerDirector 365 / Director Suite 365, you will also have access to a variety of stock photos and files from popular sites such as Getty and Shutterstock.
Motion tracking: It was already available in the earlier versions of PowerDirector, but with the new update, the feature has been improved. Whether you’re tracking a person or an object with the software’s motion-tracking tool, its AI takes an extra step to make it track smoothly.
iMovie’s Features
Audio editing: iMovie has the ability to reduce background noise in videos. You can use the switch to balance background noise in the video, and it works fairly well to some extent.
Special effects: The program includes some time-freezing effects that free up the frame and make it appear the way you want it. Also, its Chroma Key effect works pretty fast and well. You can switch between green screen backgrounds with ease and remove them if necessary.
Customer Service of PowerDirector vs iMovie
PowerDirector’s Customer Service
PowerDirector provides a pretty simple customer care service. It contains a dedicated website where customers can visit and file a complaint or call the customer care number for assistance.
If you wish, you can also write a review on the Google Play page; there, the product team responds fairly quickly to any complaints users may face.
In general, the customer care service of the software is quite working well since we haven’t seen many complaints about the services.
iMovie’s Customer Service
The customer care service of iMovie is pretty decent. Compared to some other video editing software, the response time of this customer care service is relatively short.
Users can post their questions on different forums, and the customer care service is known to perform well in addressing them.
Overall, the customer service provided by the program is adequate, and if you’re lucky, it can fulfill your needs.
Part 2: PowerDirector & iMovie Alternatives
After understanding how iMovie vs PowerDirector compares, you can choose the right program to edit videos according to your needs. Meanwhile, we also offer several PowerDirector and iMovie alternatives that you can experiment with to learn more about video editing techniques and professional tools.
MiniTool MovieMaker
MiniTool MovieMaker is an easy-to-use, feature-rich video editing program with an intuitive user interface and useful editing tools. This video editor is compatible with Windows 7/8/8.1/10/11.
It allows you to browse videos, images, and audio from your local folder in different formats, such as MP4, MOV, MKV, MPG, WMV, JPG, GIF, MP3, etc. With just a few clicks, you can import these media files into the program.
There are also amazing movie templates to help you make a movie quickly. MiniTool MovieMaker is worth checking out because it supports tons of video transitions, filters, motions, captions, titles, credits, animated stickers, and more.
What’s more, the program gives you options to split videos, trim videos, crop videos, change video speed, reverse videos, flip videos, and rotate videos to make your work more attractive.
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Final Cut Pro
Final Cut Pro differs from most editing software in that it utilizes a non-traditional, non-linear layout. Its trackless timeline enables you to drag and drop video clips, audio, images, and special effects without the need for multiple layers to organize them. If you are accustomed to traditional editing, it may take a while to get used to it.
This video editing software features plenty of customizable sound effects, transitions, and graphics tools. For more creative assets, you can download and install compatible third-party plug-ins that integrate with its interface. In addition, only Mac owners will be able to use Apple’s Final Cut Pro.
Pinnacle Studio Ultimate
Although Pinnacle Studio Ultimate is not as well-known as Final Cut Pro, its Windows-optimized editing program contains custom audio effects, HD video editing tracks, and 1500+ visual tools. Similar to MiniTool MovieMaker, Pinnacle Studio Ultimate is also available for Windows users.
The program’s newest update brings a sleeker, quicker experience appropriate for intermediate users and professionals. Its extensive lineup of editing tools can handle the most intense visual challenges. Besides, you can adjust the video speed or update the color in just a few clicks.
With the help of Pinnacle Studio Ultimate, you don’t have to go through the advanced controls to make a simple, amazing video. Just import your media files into the timeline-based editing application and browse the built-in templates, visual effects, text tools, and motion graphics.
Corel VideoStudio
Corel VideoStudio has a variety of audio functions, visual effects, and video editing tools. The software is only compatible with Windows as well.
Similar to Final Cut Pro, it departs from the conventional video editing interface design. Rather than implementing a sleek, trackless timeline feature, however, it works between layers, thus the learning curve can be a bit difficult for users who are not familiar with the program workflow.
There are a few drag-and-drop features as well as more advanced tools such as stop-motion, animation, and multi-camera editing. Still, you can take advantage of the relatively low-cost software to make clips for social media or to share with family and friends.
Blender
Blender is an open-source video editor and compositor used to create 3D models and special effects. The program’s wide-ranging functionalities contain 2D and 3D animation, motion tracking, and particle simulation.
You can also use it to do basic video editing, like splicing and trimming, along with advanced editing tasks, like video masks and color grading. Moreover, Blender works with Mac, Windows, and Linux.
Conclusion
PowerDirector vs iMovie which one is good for video editing? Both pieces of software are quite good in their own unique ways. If you need video editing software that can run on Windows, macOS, and even mobile devices, PowerDirector is a great option. It’s professional-grade and powerful. Otherwise, if you happen to be an Apple user, then you can already use iMovie without any cost.
If you have any questions or problems when using MiniTool MovieMaker, please contact us immediately at [email protected]. We’ll be happy to help you and make sure your experience is as smooth as possible.
About The Author
Position: Columnist
Jocelin is keeping a strong passion for the multimedia industry with her first thoughts and visions. While continuously absorbing relevant knowledge, she believes that pictures, videos, and music can bring so much pleasure to life. To go deeper into the industry, she has acquired many skills in video editing. Also, she can provide readers with ways to solve problems on image, video, and auido topics.