Yes, iMovie is free. Apple lists iMovie as free on the App Store for Mac, iPhone and iPad, with 4K editing, 29 trailer templates and the option to send your project to Final Cut Pro if you outgrow it.
iMovie is the video editor most Mac and iPhone owners already have, or can get with one tap. There's no free version and full version: what you download is the whole app. The limits are about what it's designed to do, not about a locked tier.
What iMovie includes for free
Apple's App Store listing for iMovie on Mac lists these:
- Editing at up to 4K with video from iPhone 6s or later, GoPro and other Ultra HD cameras on compatible Macs.
- 29 trailer templates with graphics and original scores.
- 48 video and audio effects, plus titles, transitions, and 3D globes and travel maps.
- Picture-in-picture, side-by-side and green screen effects.
- One-click Enhance, colour controls and stabilisation for shaky video.
- Cinematic mode editing for video shot on iPhone 13 or later.
- Export for YouTube, Facebook and other video sites.
iMovie vs Final Cut Pro
| iMovie | Final Cut Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Yes | No, 30-day trial through Apple Creator Studio |
| Devices | Mac, iPhone, iPad | Mac, iPad |
| Trailer templates | 29 | Not the focus |
| Advanced tools | Basic effects and green screen | Magnetic Mask, colour grading, object tracking |
| Move projects across | Send to Final Cut Pro | Imports iMovie projects |
The catch most people hit
iMovie is free, but it's built for simple, polished videos. The things that frustrate business users are captions and titles, which come in set styles and positions, and the fact that it isn't on Windows. If you work with a freelancer on a PC, you can't hand over an iMovie project.
The other thing to check is your Mac. The App Store listing says iMovie needs a recent macOS, at least 4GB of memory and 3.5GB of free disk space. Video projects also take up a lot more space as you work, so keep an eye on your storage. Apple's support page suggests storing your iMovie library on an external drive if you need to free up space.
How to get iMovie for free
- Open the App Store on your Mac, iPhone or iPad.
- Search for iMovie and tap Get, or the cloud icon if you've had it before.
- Open iMovie and start a new Movie, Magic Movie, Storyboard or Trailer.
- Add your clips and photos, then trim them on the timeline.
- Add titles and music, then export or share straight to your platform.
If you edit mostly on your phone, my guide on how to edit a video on iPhone shows what you can do with iMovie and the Photos app.
Start on iPhone, finish on Mac
A handy free trick: Apple says you can start editing on an iPhone or iPad and finish on a Mac. Magic Movie, Storyboard and Movie projects made with iMovie on iPhone or iPad can be imported into the Mac timeline. That suits anyone who films on their phone and wants a bigger screen for the final edit.
When to move on from iMovie
You'll know it's time when you need custom captions, more control over colour, or a timeline that handles longer, more complex edits. Apple's own listing says you can send a project to Final Cut Pro for advanced editing tools, professional effects and third-party plug-ins, so you don't lose your work. If you want to look beyond Apple, my round-up of the best video editing apps for iPhone has alternatives.
Who iMovie suits
It suits business owners making short promo videos, product demos, course clips and social posts on Apple devices. It's also great for learning the basics of video editing without losing time on a complicated tool.
It's less suited to anyone who needs Windows, detailed caption styling or heavy multi-layer editing.
The trailer templates are the hidden gem
Most people open iMovie and go straight to a blank movie. The trailers are worth a look first. Apple's listing describes 29 trailer templates with graphics and original scores, and you can customise studio logos, cast names and credits. Animated drop zones show you exactly which kind of shot goes where.
For a business, that's a fast way to make a launch teaser, an event promo or a course trailer. Swap the cast names for your product features or your speakers, drop in your clips, and you've got something that looks planned in under an hour.
Want AI doing the heavy lifting in your marketing?
I build the systems that handle the boring 80 percent, so you get your week back. Done properly, with the human kept in.
Sound and music in iMovie
Apple says you can build a soundtrack from built-in music and sound effects, songs in your library, tracks recorded in GarageBand and your own narration. Recording a voiceover straight over your clips is one of the easiest ways to turn a set of phone videos into a clear walkthrough. For music in anything public, stick to the built-in tracks or music you have the rights to use.
Exporting for social media
Apple says iMovie can export a video optimised for YouTube, Facebook and other popular video sites, and share any frame as an image. That frame export is handy for thumbnails and blog images.
My verdict: iMovie is free and it's the best free starting point if you're on a Mac or iPhone. Learn your basics in it, keep your storage in check, and only move to Final Cut Pro when you've outgrown it.
Frequently asked questions
Is iMovie completely free?
Yes. Apple lists iMovie as free on the App Store for Mac, iPhone and iPad. There's no separate free and full version.
Can iMovie edit 4K video?
Yes. Apple says you can edit movies at up to 4K resolution with video from iPhone 6s or later, GoPro and other Ultra HD cameras on compatible Macs.
Is iMovie available on Windows?
No. iMovie is an Apple app for Mac, iPhone and iPad.
Can I move an iMovie project to Final Cut Pro?
Yes. Apple's App Store listing says you can send your iMovie project to Final Cut Pro for advanced editing tools, professional effects and plug-ins.
How much space does iMovie need?
The App Store listing lists at least 4GB of memory and 3.5GB of available disk space, and your projects will need more as you edit.
Does iMovie have templates?
Yes. Apple lists 29 trailer templates with graphics and original scores, plus animated titles for app previews.
Can I add a voiceover in iMovie?
Yes. Apple says you can create a soundtrack using built-in music and sound effects, songs you've recorded in GarageBand and your own narration.
