Final Cut Pro vs iMovie | What's the difference?

[@iamzazel]

The breakdown of these two apps doesn’t get better than this. This video was so CONCISE! Couldn’t thank you more 🙏🏾

[@SoulPornMusic]

Yep

[@Digital963]

Not to be annoying, this is the second comment I drop on the video minutes apart 😂 but just needed to add that I love that you provided 2 videos one from each editor. But not only did you show 2 videos one after the other you also showed a side by side which really gets the point across, really appreciate this video it’s great!

[@GSBizCoach]

I've been editing in final cut pro for a few years now and still do not use all the features it has. I feel like I learn something new every week! Thanks for sharing this valuable content.

[@sandpiperuk]

Good advice. There are intermediate options where you can use Keynote to do some customisation before going to iMovie for editing. One caution with FCP is that it seems too easy to get carried away and over do the special effects making it look too gimmicky. Content is the key. I'm going to stick with iMovie for now but might try the 90 day trial of FCP.

[@MOBMILLIONS]

Cheap ass

[@davidmaxfieldgolf]

Thanks for your video. I've just got FCP and find it very difficult to navigate compared to imovie. I tried to edit a video but then gave up and went back to imovie for its ease of use. Nice edits too but I think I actually enjoyed the imovie edit better LOL I know FCP is much better, I just wish they made it more user friendly or even mirrored imovie but just add the extras to it

[@mathmanchris666]

FCP is for professionals. iMovie is more for common folk that just want to do basic editing.

[@Deepak-mg4lc]

iMovie biggest flaw...vertical movies edit not possible. You can't keep away from shorts videos, reels..

[@fulks19]

I liked the iMovie edit better. The FCP was just too busy and distracting.

[@dulcelifevlogs4812]

Agreed

[@TechReviewTom]

It's worth the suffering for the eventual skills you'll have

[@cxcreator]

LOVE THIS. I was on the fence about switching, but that last line of the video nailed it. I'm just tired of IMove and want to improve my videos. Thanks for doing this video for those of us starting our journey! I also followed you on TikTok just to support your content creation across other channels. Thanks again Jenn!

[@TroupeGoal]

Useful video! Actually showed some iMovie features that I didn't know about as I only use it once a year.

[@prgsk8]

you can animate titles or other elements in keynote, export to movie self playing playback and compression type 4444 with transparent background then import to imovie and add to overlay layer

[@ChristianFronda]

Thank you so much for your advise. I realized I have to stay in iMovie and explore it really well or prioritized maximizing its functions first. And since this is just for personal use, I think there is so much tools I want to explore first in iMovie than upgrading in FCPX.

[@KhyleTM]

Really appreciate this video. I used iMovie for the first time today to create an Instagram Reel. That's probably the best software for me right now, but this was great as it helped me realise what more FCP has to offer, and I'll probably want to use that if I ever wanted to advance my video editing skills. Thanks!

[@lintonclaudesamuels9314]

Thank you Jenn, I have made up my mind. I will try the free trial Final Cut Pro because of you. Great video. I was learning how to use iMovie, which is a great program. However, I notice that there are a lot of limitations...this is why I stumbled on to your video. thanks again.

[@stevensolomon7097]

First time I've watched your video. Love it. No BS or small talk. Direct, to the point, and professional. I think I'm upgrading to Final Cut Pro and I will watch your other videos to help with my transition from iMovie. Thanks!

[@CowboyJojosAdventures]

How are you finding Final ProCut?

[@k8jun1]

Just the video stacking convinced me to get Final Cut Pro.........Christmas right around the corner

[@mikemcf33]

wow. you are a great video maker. There were differences in the 2 videos, but not really all that much. PS I just made my first iMovie yesterday, a real novice ... after watching this video I feel like I just fell off the turnip truck :)

[@rjeption]

12 year user of iMovie here!!! I can’t believe I never made this change sooner. I NEED Final Cut!!

[@shenjianhong]

Thanks for such great intro to the differences, that's all I need!

[@MartinHarvey]

I invest a lot of time into photo editing but don’t take many videos but this is (sort-of) changing. I had lots of old (Super 8 even) movies converted professionally and iMovie was great for basic editing of them (cutting, titles, and rudimentary editing) but lacked for other movies I’m taking with my iPhone. So now I’m using VN (primarily on iPad but also on Mac) which to me is like a turbo-iMovie and does “enough”. It’s also “free”. I’m sort of thinking using LumaFusion on my iPad which surely will do enough for me and even if I wish, export to FCP on the Mac for essentially asset management. Unsure about iPad FCP especially paying for it - and lest I forget replacing my iPad Pro!. Thanks and as usual excellent.

[@MzMart23]

Thank you I am a beginner I only want to learn the basics before I get Final Cut Pro I feel like it would be to much so I want to perfect iMovie and then maybe upgrade to Final Cut because its only for KZbin content at this moment .

[@Learnamericanenglishonline]

Thanks! This helped me make the decision to go to Final Cut.

[@ItsApondi]

Thank you for your informative video. It was concise, clear, and incredibly helpful. I wasn't sure if it was time to upgrade, and your video has been very helpful in making that decision.

[@nigelcarren]

Thank you, this was all I needed to know with a few cherries on top! That's it... Made up my mind, it's time to admit it, it has taken me three years, but I have finally outgrown iMovie! Best wishes from an Englishman in a French forest, may all your ideas grow wings in 2023. 🌞 Subscribed because I like your no-nonsense style! 👍🇬🇧

[@miky28]

thank you so much for the clear comparison, exactly what I was looking for! :)

[@rockyvalles2176]

This comparison was awesome. Well done!!

[@ramise5932]

Thanks, so good to understand the differences and for me atm I'm going to keep it simple and stick with iMovie.

[@JoeJo-sp2sw]

So unfair!!! You are pretty, speak so good, and your content is so good.

[@caninesfirst214]

this is the vid I've been looking for. thanks.

[@kanenomoja]

Great video. I think it’s time for FCP!! I will be checking out your tutorials. Thank you!!

[@mccall7122]

Great video! But you missed a huge USP of FCP over IM. FCP has 4k 60fps exports. iMovie can only do 4k 30fps, or 1080p 60fps.

[@mattevans060972]

I preferred the iMovie version of the video at the end! Very helpful video though, thanks.

[@keliikbod6720]

Great feedback - thank you!!!!

[@JennJager]

Hey Guys, I'm running a Black Friday Sale on FCP Rock Star this week only! Now $67, from $87. Snatch this deal here: jennjager.com/jager-products/final-cut-rock-star/

[@stokesrealestate]

Wow, just what I needed to see today!

[@denny-michael]

I f you know how to incorporate keynote, iMovie can do wonders!

[@vintagespeedshop]

Thanks for the video. Im looking to get in to some video editing and will look in to getting Final cut. One thing Im finding is editors are really over doing the effects and taking away from the content. As in your example i found the IMovie edit far cleaner and gripping where as the final cut edit looked far too busy and distracted me from the content

[@freshfalcon3996]

I gotta say…yes your FCP clip is better…but holy smokes, you did a really nice job with iMovie!!

[@minorrhoads5318]

Very helpful and straight to the various points , thank you . subscribed . cheers .

[@BrowngirlbeautyNYC]

Great video straight to the point and very informative

[@triconcert]

Excellent! Thanks Jenn!

[@CM-id3wo]

Wow this was so helpful, thank you so much!

[@EastonExplores]

this was so clear. Thank you!!

[@CarlosBustamanteRestrepo]

Great video. Very clear. Thank you. I will see your courses.

[@katievaughan194]

Wow, I will definitely be switching to Final Cut after watching this video!

[@JennJager]

You should!

[@jean_mollycutpurse_winchester]

Thank you, Jenn. Excellent as always.

[@JennJager]

You are so welcome!

[@Digital963]

This is a great breakdown of each, thank you! It’s extremely helpful for me as a beginner to determine if iMovie will be enough to get started with or if I should spend the money for FCP. Also, any thoughts on DaVinci Resolve? I know there’s a free version that seems to be pretty solid especially if you’re just starting out. Seems like the workflow is different, among other things. Just wondering if you’ve used it before and/or if you have any thoughts on it. Either way thanks for the great video, super helpful!

[@acertainsound]

I like final cut pro but it seems like it takes longer to edit video's be cause we cannot go forward or backwards to a certain clip that's the biggest battle for me.....plus I think imovie is a lot more organized I don't see where all my projects are in final cut..I sure could use some training because I do like how advance it is but for me it's complexed.... I appreciate this video.

[@saint.vitus.7775]

Great video. Okay so - Final Cut Pro - OR - Adobe Premiere Pro?

[@JennJager]

FCP!

[@juanpalma574]

Im sold, i need final cut in my life.

[@watkinsphoto]

Thanks. This was very informative.

[@Gentlemans_sport]

Jenn, I see a lot of instructions "how to make a video" or "how to do things in FCP" on your channel. Can you provide a link to your final videos? The final products?

[@kartikagarwal3955]

Thanks for the video.

[@TheAerovons]

Tried to check Final Cut Rockstar on your site but the video stalls after a few seconds...???

[@qtechcomaq]

Thanks! very helpful.

[@beautgrainger147]

As soneone with minimal video editing experiece it seems that, effects are surely better for promotional, short, eye-catching videos.. not that some effects aren't good to have.. this has prompted me to look for an iMovie film, to see what a cinematic production would look like. Still, a helpful video

[@HammFamTV]

Thank you so much for your help!

[@MarcusTHESOUNDPAINTERMiles]

Great video! Thanks

[@fatride]

Thank you for this info

[@GREGTHEBLESSING]

Thanks it’s time for me to upgrade

[@likeke9]

Convinced me to stay with iMovie

[@docjennison7023]

Well done. thank you.

[@zephyrkhambatta]

Just curious Jenn, for the audio part, you scanned through pretty quickly. Does Final Cut allow plugins like Logic does? The interfaces both look pretty similar since they're both Apple, but I edit all my audio through Logic first before posting as I'm a music producer and so far I haven't been using very good mics, hence the editing. I've started using better mics, but because I'm a music producer, I still feel like I need to touch the audio to my liking before releasing videos. As such, is the audio "effects" section just that, aka effects? Like iMovie has effects for the video? Or is it MUCH more detailed and you did just a quick overview? Thanks so much!

[@JennJager]

FCP does allow plugins, but it also comes with many, many audio effects. They have tons of settings, but honestly most I don’t reach for personally. The most useful is the “voice isolation” filter ( which I don’t think existed when I made this video). It can literally strip music from an edited video so you’re left with just the voice.

[@lenkakmakeup]

Amazing video ❤

[@Titanykus]

What a great informative video, definitely using what I learned here to decide between Davinci, Capcut or Final Cut, which would you choose? I see Apple has a Final Cut Pro, is it the same thing or has it been upgraded? And last, do you have to buy pachages or new releases of Final Cut? Is it a one time purchase and updates are included? Do you have to pay to unlock certain features? Thank you for any help you can provide. Subscribed and liked, done.

[@flipperbooch2194]

Could be too late, or extremely timely considering the circumstances, but, you only pay for Final Cut once, any updates and stuff are free, and there no paid stuff within Final Cut. Like she said, there’s third party stuff, but self contained Final Cut is a one time purchase.

[@AJDIYNetwork]

I appreciate your help! Thank you, subscribed. :)

[@malmiller8109]

Great video!

[@JennJager]

Thanks!

[@abgminhartanah]

Thank you.

[@Andre-pr4pq]

It is also important to mention that Final Cut is much more optimized for the apple silicon Mac’s, so you‘ll have a much better performance, especially when you’re not on the fastest machine. Also, I ran into tones of rendering errors and issues in iMovie which don’t occur in Final Cut at all. Rendering time is also reduced of course.

[@Fla_Photography_Travel]

thank you, very useful.!

[@DestinationUnknown4x4]

Downloading the free trial right now cause I spent all my money on my camera/lights 😅

[@JennJager]

You're going to love it!

[@roughmzin2510]

Haven’t done editing for years. Used to edit on iMovie. Now that I’m onto editing again, my first video on IMovie, I can’t wait to move away from it. I felt like I am limited in my creativity. Nothing in me has changed really, in terms of skill, but I felt my video needs to reflect 2023 but my video edit, at least iMovie is limiting me to do it or do more, with its limited tracks, and options. The caption and subtitling alone crippled me. I was already halfway into editing that I felt that I need to shift software, but other editing softwares aren’t taking imovie project file. So I am stuck. I was dreading every time I went back to edit until the project finishes. Guys, even the simple edit apps out there are doing more than iMovie these days. Seems like Apple has binned iMovie with no updates and no improvements. And I haven’t talk about how sluggish the program is. When I try editing on other software for 4K vids seems a lot smoother and responsive.

[@may_it_please_the_court]

How much storage is required on a Macbook Pro? Would you need an external drive to help.

[@tedk2814]

what in insightful video, thanks. I am a stills sport photographer getting up in years, actually 74 now. I'm just getting interested in video as I made my first video using iMovie to make a recruitment video for my grandson. these are sent to coaches at schools of interest with the aim of getting accepted to the sport program and maybe even a scholarship . Progress is slow but coming along. It is fun though. I own a capable camera being the Nikon Z9 which is fantastic for fast Frame action shots. It has more video capability than I'll ever need I'm sure. Do you have a video regarding hardware and what you would advise as being necessary to crank out these cpu intensive chores. My iMac's fan come on almost at once and I have 2 TB SSDs and 12 TB hard drive which sounds like a pinball machine as it does its thing. But all fun and learning. Thanks again, Ted in Sebastian, Fl.

[@gregdavidson5898]

Question: Regardless of the video source (from a digital cam or something from a VHS to Digital conversion, etc.) Does Final Cut Pro use a higher definition level (I know on iMovie you can "Save" to a number of choices of quality, including a "Pro" resolution) compared to iMovie? Does Final Cut have the potential for a higher resolution than iMovie? And in Final cut can you place a title EXACTLY where you want it over a scene (like over a specific person in the video). In iMovie you can NOT. There are just fixed position Templates. You can always tell if a video was made in iMovie just by the Titles and the included backgrounds. Also I get ads for Photoshop Elements Video, for $99 , it might include PSHop Elements as well. Btw, the Final Cut Pro looks to be way over my head to use what it has to offer. TIA

[@NewstainmentNetwork]

nice video ... made my decision easier !! Alok

[@tommytron2000]

I’m sold I’m need to upgrade

[@yuanhu6031]

Wow, even i movie version looks very good imo. It's a matter of expertise that makes the difference. Feel what I am missing is not really the software 😂

[@telemark1qc]

Can I save a vidéo in mp4 format using iMovie using my IPad 10th génération. I don’ t see how. By default, it seems to save in mov format. Please helpd should I try another editor.

[@HedgieFilmz]

My only question would be: Is Final Cut Pro a 1-time-pay and you have it forever?

[@JennJager]

Yuuuup! It’s wild.

[@HedgieFilmz]

@@JennJager awesome 😎

[@legacyliner1868]

What I HATE about IMovie is that I will watch my video in the app and it seems fine but once I save it I can hear glitches in some of the videos that I stitched together. It drives me mad.

[@JennJager]

Hi friends, if you want a jumpstart into FCP, I just created a Quickstart video that gets you up in running in less than 15 minutes! See it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mXm4fp6PYquSepo

[@JDsport1212]

Jenn thanks for the info. I'm new at editing is it better to start with IMovie or start learning Final Cut Pro?

[@JennJager]

If you’re serious about editing I would just jump into final cut 😊

[@FloriTravels]

Start with iMovie

[@TheBrettMizer]

Final cut pro 10 12 years ago used to be a $1000 I am trying to get my first video And I can't seem to get rid of The different takes I am debating whether I should just film the video all-in-one segment and edit out the bad parts. I've been stopping the camera and going back when I make a mistake

[@ziptalia2456]

difference between the 2 is not enough to get worked up over. iPrefer the look of the iMovie software iThink? So i will stick with that for now. thanks for your vid!

[@floydthorne6444]

How do you compare Final Cut Pro to DaVinci Resolve for Mac?

[@abelardojrsanagustin]

I am using IMOVIE in aiphone can i use final cut in Aiphone.❤❤❤

[@Brody470]

Nah

[@user-sn3cs2hd8r]

Jen can’t I use the templates from motion array with FCP?

[@rexplorer.official]

Final Cut Pro also doesn’t have enough export setting compared to actual “pro” NLE’s

[@GuyMoyer-t8c]

Does final cut have that watermark/logo in the corner? That to me is a potential deal breaker, for if I'm going to pay 300 USD for something, I expect a clean screen I can work with. Does imovie also have a watermark in the corner?

[@Andre-pr4pq]

No it doesn’t. Not even the 90 days trial version does.

[@renaudfenster]

I need to learn FCP instead of outsourcing. How long is your course?

[@JennJager]

Off the top of my head, I think it’s about 3.5 hours

[@FuriousWeasel-09]

iMovie keeps crashing on me, and I have the best Mac Mini configuration. And iMovie doesn’t support HDR, so I’m looking at Final Cut Pro

[@samie-hair-xs-825]

Thank you, I needed some effects like snow falling or stars sparkling but I don't see them in FCPX, so I need to find program with this options. People please any advice?

[@JennJager]

Yes, Apple Motion, fcp’s companion motion graphics program. You can see more about it on my other channel @jennjagerpro

[@1jet55]

O noticed the Final Cut product was blurring in its fads and harder to follow, to much gong on for me.

[@chezchezchezchez]

Wait a minute, so there’s no other video editors worth talking about? It’s either iMovie, or final cut?

[@realalexbajcetic]

Well, its because iMovie is free and final cut is $300 but both are made by Apple. So most people on Mac will consider them, but there are other video editors from third party

[@fifiavlog]

Big time

[@Sabbbem]

Are these effects already available in the FCP for the Final Cut Pro version in your comparison ? Or are these additional add on purchases?

[@NeoStoryLab]

You have options to many things in Final Cut Pro but if you want more you can download plugins.

[@evieruth01]

I use canva and I movie 🤔

[@ashdabro]

hi

[@NeoStoryLab]

I movie is for very basic simple edits. Final Cut Pro has the capability to edit a high budget movie like 300 and more. It’s all about what you want out of your editing.

[@Deepak-mg4lc]

Thanks, it helps 👍

[@tireroastersgarage]

Thank you!

[@JennJager]

You're welcome!

[@classicmikestar]

Is your sister Melanie Jagger?