Best Alternatives to Windows Movie Maker for Mac

Windows Movie Maker is a discontinued video editing application developed by Microsoft that is no longer available. It was popular among content creators, especially for beginners, due to the simple and intuitive interface. If you’re a Mac user looking for a video editing tool similar to Windows Movie Maker, you’re in luck!

In this guide, we’ll explore the top alternatives to Windows Movie Maker for Mac, covering both free and paid options, their key features, and the pros and cons of each.

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#1. iMovie

iMovie is the built-in video editor that is included on most Mac computers. Undoubtedly, it’s a must-try Windows Movie Maker alternative for Mac. As Apple’s entry-level desktop video editing application, iMovie comes with various tools and effects to turn your footage and photos into impressive videos.

Key Features:

• Pre-designed movie themes with titles and transitions and Hollywood-style trailer templates.
• Professional video effects, such as green screen, picture-in-picture, video stabilization, color correction, filters, etc.
• Multiple audio tools, including adding music and sound effects, voiceover recording, and audio ducking.

Pros:

• Free to use, no steep learning curve.
• Intuitive drag-and-drop interface, great for beginners.
• Easy sharing to popular video-sharing websites.

Cons:

• Only two video tracks are available.

iMovie is the closest Mac equivalent to Windows Movie Maker. If you are a beginner who needs a free and simple editor like Windows Movie Maker, then iMovie is an excellent choice.

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#2. DaVinci Resolve

DaVinci Resolve is generally considered a professional video editor, and its free version is surprisingly robust. If you’re an experienced user who wants an alternative to Windows Movie Maker for Mac, DaVinci Resolve is a great solution.

Main Features:

• Multi-track timeline editing with trimming, cutting, and transitions.
• Industry-leading color correction and grading tools, face refinement, and masking.
• Advanced VFX and motion graphics and support for 3D modelling.
• Support for a wide range of video formats and footage from multiple cameras.
• Professional audio mixing and real-time audio effects.

Pros:

• Free version with powerful features.
• Ability to edit 8K footage.
• Extensive output options.

Cons:

• Steeper learning curve for beginners.
• High system requirements for smooth performance.

#3. OpenShot

If you’re looking for a simple and lightweight alternative to Windows Movie Maker for Mac, OpenShot is a great option. It’s a free, open-source, and moderately powerful video editor that can complete most basic editing tasks.

Highlighted features:

• Unlimited video tracks and keyframe animation.
• A library of video effects and transitions.
• Versatile output presets.
• Many audio editing features, such as audio waveforms and audio mixing.
• Exporting videos up to 8K resolution.

Pros:

• Free to use and no watermarks.
• User-friendly interface.
• Ability to handle various media formats.

Cons:

• Limited advanced features.

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#4. Adobe Premiere Rush

If you’re seeking a Windows Movie Maker alternative for Mac to create social media videos, Adobe Premiere Rush is a good option. While it’s not as powerful as Premiere Pro, this application provides all the essential tools to edit videos for YouTube, Instagram, or TikTok.

Standout Features:

• Easy timeline editing with a multi-track editor.
• Pre-designed motion graphics templates to personalize.
• Multiple audio editing tools.
• One-click sharing to major social platforms.

Pros:

• A user-friendly and intuitive design.
• Integration with Premiere Pro.

Cons:

• Output options are limited.

#5. CapCut

CapCut is a powerful free video editor, also serving as an excellent Windows Movie Maker alternative for Mac, especially if you’re looking for a free, user-friendly, and feature-rich video editor. The basic free version offers comprehensive functions for various editing tasks and allows for high-quality exports without watermarks. Of course, you can upgrade to CapCut Pro to unlock all features.

Core features:

• Multi-layer timeline for professional editing.
• Multiple AI-powered tools, such as auto captions, auto reframe, smart cutout, etc.
• Various filters, effects, transitions, and easy keyframe animation.
• Essential audio tools and advanced color correction and grading.
• High-quality rendering – 4K & 60fps export.

Pros:

• Beginner-friendly and easy to use.
• Pre-made templates for quick editing.
• Direct sharing to TikTok and YouTube.

Cons:

• Can lag with high-resolution videos, especially on low-end PCs.

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Conclusion

This post covers 5 modern alternatives to Windows Movie Maker for Mac. Whether you’re a casual user, an entry-level user, an experienced content creator, or an advanced marketer, you can find a Windows Movie Maker replacement that suits your needs.