Comparison: iMovie vs. Final Cut Pro X
iMovie and Final Cut Pro X perform particularly well in comparison among Mac video editing programs. Read here what you should consider when choosing the right program and planning your project.
iMovie and Final Cut Pro X in comparison - the most important features
While Final Cut Pro X is sold by Apple as a professional video editing program, you can easily create medium-sized projects with iMovie. Here are the differences between the programs:
- Price: One of the biggest advantages of iMovie is already noticeable before the actual work - it is completely free and pre-installed on all Apple computers. Final Cut Pro X, on the other hand, already costs € 269.99 to purchase.
- Creating a project: When you create a project in iMovie, you get some layout suggestions. For example, you can design a video like a CNN report or a film strip. If you use Final Cut Pro X, you can no longer use these "gimmicks". You are completely responsible for the layout of your video and have to deal with frame rates, formats and resolutions.
- Importing files: While Final Cut Pro X can import almost all common formats in different video and image containers, iMovie is more restricted here. Files in Quicktime Format MOV can be imported, videos from smartphones or digital cameras in MP4 format also pose no problems. However, there are often difficulties with some file formats such as 3GP (older cell phones) or AVI.
- Number of tracks: In iMovie you only have a single video track, including several audio tracks. In Final Cut Pro X, on the other hand, you can stack a theoretically infinite number of video tracks on top of each other. So if you are planning a larger project with many overlays and superimposed video layers, you won't get very far with iMovie.
- Editing: When it comes to basic editing, both iMovie and Final Cut Pro X can shine. In the free iMovie, it is possible to cut, move and link videos with transitions. Final Cut Pro X provides some additions such as computationally complex transitions, sounds or modifications of the videos that have to be calculated live while editing. For simple to semi-professional projects, the possibilities of iMovie are usually sufficient.
- Providing videos: In iMovie, you can choose between exporting as a file and uploading directly to popular social networks and video portals such as Facebook and YouTube. In Final Cut Pro X, on the other hand, you have the option of forwarding the export to the Apple program Compressor. This again costs 44.99 euros, compared to Final Cut Pro X but only a small additional financial expense. Here you have the option to set precise settings such as video codec, video data rate, frames per second or filter - professional work. If you are unable to import a video into Final Cut Pro X, you can use the Compressor to format it beforehand.
Areas of application for iMovie and Final Cut Pro X
If you want to create a smaller project such as a video of your last family celebration or a compilation of pictures of your pet, iMovie is sufficient for editing. IMovie also copes very well with medium-sized projects such as concert recordings and short films. However, if you want to optimize the video quality perfectly for a larger audience and stand out with many overlays and superimposed video layers, you should switch to Final Cut Pro X in the long term. Alternatively, you should also take a look at Adobe Premiere.
Our recommendation: Do not use the paid Final Cut Pro X right away
First try the free iMovie and test whether it meets your requirements. If you feel too limited and cannot implement the things you have imagined, use the professional tool Final Cut Pro X.
IMovie is definitely sufficient for creating small Youtube videos. Read on the next page how to make money with YouTube clips.