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DaVinci Resolve VS iMovie

Compare DaVinci Resolve VS iMovie and see what are their differences

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  2. » Videos
  3. » Reviews
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DaVinci Resolve logo DaVinci Resolve

Revolutionary new tools for editing, color correction and professional audio post production, all in a single application!

iMovie logo iMovie

Turn your videos into movie magic.
  • DaVinci Resolve Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-05-04
  • iMovie Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-05-10

DaVinci Resolve features and specs

  • Comprehensive Toolset
    DaVinci Resolve integrates editing, color correction, visual effects, motion graphics, and audio post-production in a single software application, providing a complete solution for video creation.
  • Professional-Grade Color Grading
    Known for its industry-leading color grading tools, DaVinci Resolve offers advanced controls, color wheels, curves, and secondary color correction tools, making it a preferred choice for professional colorists.
  • Multi-User Collaboration
    DaVinci Resolve Studio allows multiple users to work on the same project simultaneously, supporting collaborative workflows for large teams and complex projects.
  • Free Version Available
    DaVinci Resolve offers a highly functional free version with a comprehensive set of tools, which is suitable for both beginners and professionals.
  • High-Performance Playback
    Optimized for timeline performance, DaVinci Resolve offers smooth playback and quick responsiveness, even with high-resolution and RAW formats.
  • Fairlight Audio
    The integrated Fairlight audio tool provides high-end audio production capabilities, including mixing, ADR, sound design, and full 3D audio support.

Possible disadvantages of DaVinci Resolve

  • Steep Learning Curve
    Due to its extensive feature set and professional-grade tools, beginners may find DaVinci Resolve challenging to learn and master without proper training.
  • Resource-Intensive
    DaVinci Resolve can be demanding on computer hardware, requiring a powerful system with a high-performance GPU, ample RAM, and fast storage for optimal operation.
  • Paid Studio Version
    Some advanced features, such as additional ResolveFX and FairlightFX plugins, HDR grading, and higher GPU acceleration, are only available in the paid Studio version.
  • Occasional Stability Issues
    Users have reported occasional crashes and bugs, particularly when working with large projects or specific hardware configurations.
  • Complex User Interface
    The user interface, while powerful, can be overwhelming for new users, and navigating through the multitude of features and settings can take time to get accustomed to.
  • Limited Third-Party Plugin Support
    Compared to some other video editing software, DaVinci Resolve offers limited support for third-party plugins, which can be a drawback for users relying on specialized tools.

iMovie features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    iMovie offers a clean and straightforward interface that makes it easy for beginners to learn video editing quickly.
  • Integration with Apple Ecosystem
    iMovie works seamlessly with other Apple products and services, like iCloud, making it easy to share and edit videos across devices.
  • Free to Use
    iMovie is available for free on all Mac and iOS devices, offering a cost-effective solution for video editing.
  • High-Quality Output
    iMovie supports 4K video resolution, allowing users to create high-quality videos suitable for professional use.
  • Pre-built Templates and Effects
    iMovie includes various templates, transitions, and effects that can enhance the visual appeal of your videos without requiring advanced editing skills.

Possible disadvantages of iMovie

  • Limited Advanced Features
    While iMovie is great for basic edits, it lacks advanced features found in professional software like Final Cut Pro or Adobe Premiere Pro.
  • Mac-Only
    iMovie is exclusive to Apple devices, which limits its availability to users on Windows or other operating systems.
  • Resource Intensive
    iMovie can be demanding on your Mac's hardware, potentially slowing down performance during complex editing tasks.
  • Limited Customization
    The application offers limited options for customization, making it less suitable for users who need highly tailored editing tools.
  • File Compatibility Issues
    iMovie can have issues with importing and exporting certain file types, which may require additional conversion software.

Analysis of DaVinci Resolve

Overall verdict

  • Overall, DaVinci Resolve is considered an excellent software for both professional and amateur video editors. Its robust features, combined with a free version that includes most of the core functionalities, make it accessible and appealing to a wide range of users.

Why this product is good

  • DaVinci Resolve by Blackmagic Design is highly regarded for its powerful video editing, color grading, and audio post-production capabilities. It offers a comprehensive suite of tools suitable for professional filmmakers as well as hobbyists. Its unique combination of editing, color correction, visual effects, motion graphics, and audio post-production in a single application sets it apart from other software.

Recommended for

  • Professional filmmakers and editors looking for a comprehensive, industry-standard video post-production tool.
  • Amateur video enthusiasts and content creators who want powerful editing and grading tools without a steep financial investment.
  • Anyone interested in learning professional-grade video editing and color grading.

Analysis of iMovie

Overall verdict

  • Overall, iMovie is considered a good option for casual video editing and is particularly well-suited for Apple users. While it may lack some of the advanced features found in professional editing software, its simplicity, efficiency, and integration with other Apple devices make it a strong choice for hobbyists and entry-level editors.

Why this product is good

  • iMovie is a popular video editing software developed by Apple. It is praised for its user-friendly interface, making it accessible to beginners who want to create high-quality video content without a steep learning curve. iMovie offers a range of features, including video trimming, transition effects, audio editing, and support for 4K resolution. It also seamlessly integrates with other Apple products and services, which enhances its appeal for users within the Apple ecosystem.

Recommended for

  • Beginners who want to learn video editing
  • Apple users looking for seamless integration with other Apple devices
  • Individuals creating home movies, school projects, or simple promotional videos
  • Users who need a free or cost-effective editing solution with basic features

DaVinci Resolve videos

+ Add

DaVinci Resolve 16 Review - Is it best?

iMovie videos

+ Add

iMovie Review: Is It Good Enough For Editing YouTube Videos?

More videos:

  • Review - iMovie review - The best free editing software for YouTube videos?
  • Tutorial - How to edit video on your iPhone or iPad with iMovie - Full Tutorial

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to DaVinci Resolve and iMovie)

DaVinci Resolve

iMovie

Video
59 59%
Video
41% 41
Video Editors
60 60%
Video Editors
40% 40
Video Tools
57 57%
Video Tools
43% 43
Video Maker
47 47%
Video Maker
53% 53

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare DaVinci Resolve and iMovie

DaVinci Resolve Reviews

10 Best Video Editors for YouTube in 2024
DaVinci Resolve stands out as a top-notch video editing and color correction software, delivering professional-grade, advanced features for free! Renowned for its exceptional color grading, multi-track editing, and VFX options, it’s perfect for experienced editors or YouTubers aiming to craft high-quality content. However, the steep learning curve means it’s best for those...
Source: www.animotica.com
13 Best Green Screen Software For Windows (2024)
We should also mention Shotcut and DaVinci Resolve 18. Shotcut is free and works on many platforms, with many green screen features. DaVinci Resolve 18 has a high-powered color grading, which is helpful for green screen projects.
Source: mixilab.com
9 Best Adobe Premiere Pro Alternatives in 2022 (FREE & Online)
While absolute beginners may find themselves scratching their heads as they come to terms with some of the more complex tools available, DaVinci Resolve rewards patience in spades, while more seasoned videographers will find its comprehensive tools exceptionally attractive.
Source: shotkit.com
Windows Best Video Editing Software
DaVinci supports both offline and online editing, and its high-performance playback engine speeds up editing and trimming, even for processor-intensive file formats like H.264 and RAW. The complex features of DaVinci Resolve may be too much for some users, but the free version is ideal for more advanced projects.
Source: videomakerlab.com
Best Free Video Editing Software for Linux
If you have a high-end computer and need advanced features you can go out with Lightworks or DaVinci Resolve. If you are looking for more advanced features for 3D works, Blender has got your back.
Source: itsfoss.com

iMovie Reviews

  1. Margaret
    The best tool for video.

    iMovie is a fantastic video editing software that's both powerful and user-friendly. Its intuitive interface makes importing and arranging clips a breeze. The diverse editing tools, such as trim, split, and merge, make editing straightforward, while the precision editor ensures a polished, professional finish. Adding effects, music, and text overlays is simple, and the built-in library is a great resource. The stabilization feature is a lifesaver for shaky footage. Exporting in various formats is easy, and the software's integration with other Apple services simplifies sharing. In short, iMovie turns video editing into an enjoyable process. Highly recommended!

    🏁 Competitors: InShot
11 Best Video-Making Tools for Kids (2025)
For school assignments, consider video editors like Animotica, which is user-friendly and free for schools, offering great multimedia features. iMovie is perfect for Apple users, providing easy themes and templates. For advanced projects, Adobe Premiere Rush offers sophisticated tools and cloud-sync features. Choose based on available resources and student skill level to...
Source: www.animotica.com
How to Reverse a Video on PC
iMovie comes preinstalled on every new Mac PC and allows its users to perform basic video editing tasks like trimming, adding background music, splitting, and reversing, among others.
Source: www.animotica.com
What’s the Best iMovie Alternative for Windows in 2023?
Animotica has a free version with standard features. However, its premium version costs $6.99 for Animotica Light and $15.99 for Animotica Full PRO. If you’d like to see how it performs as an iMovie alternative for Windows 10, hit the button below to install it for free.
Source: www.animotica.com
10 Best Video Editing Software for Beginners
For beginners who love the Hollywood blockbuster trailers, now there is a way out even if one knows nothing about storyboard and camera angle. iMovie has trailer templates built-in, which will guide you to pick several video clips properly for difference scenes: close up, group of people, landscape, etc. After you throw the clips, iMovie will combine them into cinematic...
Source: www.videoproc.com
9 Best Adobe Premiere Pro Alternatives in 2022 (FREE & Online)
iMovie also does a great job of suggesting ways to improve your work, with the software’s autocorrect feature assisting with lighting and colour, and a selection of themes such as Bulletin Board, Comic Book, and Modern, that can be applied to your footage in a couple of steps.
Source: shotkit.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, iMovie seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 1 time since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

DaVinci Resolve mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of DaVinci Resolve yet. Tracking of DaVinci Resolve recommendations started around Mar 2021.

iMovie mentions (1)

  • Top 10 video editing apps for beginners
    iMovie iMovie is a free video editing app that is available for iOS. It is another great option for beginners because it is easy to use and has a user-friendly interface. Imovie allows you to trim and cut your videos, add transitions, and add effects. You can also use iMovie to create trailers and share your videos on social media. - Source: dev.to / over 1 year ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing DaVinci Resolve and iMovie, you can also consider the following products

Adobe Premiere Pro - Edit video faster than ever before with the powerful, more connected Adobe Premiere® Pro CC.

Kdenlive - Free and open-source, full-featured video editor.

Final Cut Pro - Professional, non-linear video editing software created by Apple Inc.

Filmora - Filmora is a trusted, legacy video editing platform that's strong in the fundamentals but lacks some of the bells and whistles that come with some other video editing software.

Magisto - Magisto online video editor is a fast & powerful video maker. Turn your photos and video clips into video stories with Magisto movie editor. Start free!

Shotcut - Shotcut is a free, open source, cross-platform, non-linear video editor.

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