iMovie is a free .mov editor platform available for macOS and iOS devices. Users can import video clips and photos to create incredible videos and video compilations. iMovie is a top-rated QuickTime movie editing tool with a simple user interface and many features, but it’s only available for Apple products.
The Best MOV Editors in 2024
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Are you looking for the best free MOV editor on the market in 2024? We tested out several of the top-rated MOV file editor options available today to help you compare and contrast your options. In this article, you’ll find info on a list of the best MOV movie editors for Windows 10, macOS, iOS, and Android devices. You’ll even find information on an online option for those who don’t want to download software onto their PC or Mac.
Read on to see the pros and cons of the tools you need to create professional videos for iOS, Android, PC, and Mac.
Top-rated free MOV editors
A quick review of the best MOV editors in 2024
Pros:
Free and included with all Mac and iOS devices
Drag-and-drop capability for imports and video edits
Very user-friendly interface
Cons:
Lacks advanced video-editing tools
No version available for Windows, Linux, or Android devices
Created by Blackmagic Design, DaVinci Resolves is a free video editing application for macOS devices. It offers a full suite of editing tools and controls, including color correction and audio mixing. Users have reported enjoying color-matching controls, but there’s a steep learning curve for motion graphics effects and tools.
Pros:
Includes color correction capabilities
Audio-mixing features are fairly intuitive
Cons:
You might get frustrated at the steep learning curve with some editing features
VSDC Free Video Editor is a freeware video editing tool from Multilab LLC. This platform can process high-resolution footage, such as 3D and 4K UHD video file formats. While VSDC Free Video Editor appears to be a robust editing tool upon first glance, it does lack a few professional tools that set other video editors apart – such as video stabilization.
Pros:
100% free with no watermarks
3D and 4K HD video-editing capabilities
Cons:
Lacks some pro-level editing tools
No stabilization feature
Movavi Video Editor is a free-to-download video editor for MOV files with a free trial period. Available for Mac and Windows computers, Movavi Video Editor offers an extensive range of special effects, transitions, titles and captions, audio tools, and filters. The interface is set up in a visually intuitive manner with drag-and-drop capabilities for effects.
Pros:
Includes all of the pro-level features to create incredible videos
Easy drag-and-drop timeline editing capabilities
Stabilization, chroma key, and hundreds of cool features and effects
Cons:
You’ll only be limited by your imagination with the full version
Windows Movie Maker
Windows Movie Maker is a legacy MOV movie editor included with Windows XP, Windows 10, and some other Windows versions. Microsoft no longer supports Windows Movie Maker, so finding a software update when you need it can be difficult. However, it is still available for download online at other sites. For PC users who enjoy Windows Movie Maker’s interface and features like automatic previews for visual effects, this MOV editor software is still a viable option. However, users should be aware that it does not have options for color correction, saturation adjustment, or adjustments for other visual effects.
Pros:
Free and included with PCs prior to Windows 11
Automatic previews while editing
Cons:
No longer supported by or available from Microsoft
Cameo isn’t precisely a video editor. If you’re looking for a way to edit .mov files, this app won’t be much help. However, if you’re looking for a fairly cost-effective means to create a quick video with a celebrity speaker, Cameo is a good option. The app is free, but videos with celebrity artists come with a wide range of prices – depending on the celebrity and the length of the video. Cameo video files can be edited in other MOV video editors listed here.
Pros:
Create a video with one of your favorite influencers or celebrities
Videos with some celebrities can be very cost-effective
Cons:
No actual editing tools or features
Movavi Clips for iOS and Android is an advanced MOV editor for mobile devices. It includes the features content creators look for – such as filters, transitions, cropping and rotating capabilities, and HD-quality exports. And you can do it all from your phone, iPad, or other mobile devices. The free version includes a Movavi watermark on exported videos, but users can make videos without a watermark in the premium version.
Pros:
Robust, professional-level video editing on your mobile device
Add filters, effects, transitions, and titles on the fly
Easy to learn, even if you’ve never used a video editor before
Cons:
Get a subscription to enjoy full-featured video editing
If you’re on a shared desktop and/or you can’t download a MOV editor onto your device, Fastreel by Movavi offers an online option. Without installing any software on your computer or tablet, Fastreel lets you edit .mov files in your browser. This online editor includes multiple ready-to-use video templates and editing tools to create cool, professional-looking videos.
Pros:
Easy online video editing
Lots of filters, effects, and video-editing tools
No software download needed
Cons:
Needs an Internet connection to work
Choosing the right MOV file editor
With all this info about video editors, how can you choose the right one to edit .mov files? First, you need to determine what matters most to you for your videos. Are you looking for professional software that will let you create next-level works of video art? Do you have a video editing budget, or are you restricted only to free options? Which visual and audio effects matter most to you? Let’s walk through the most critical aspects of choosing the right .mov video editor.
What is your budget for video-editing software?
If you’re creating quick videos for TikTok and Instagram, you might not be in the market for a more robust platform. And, if you’re on a shoestring budget and can’t afford a premium version, you can always start with a free trial or free version of software like Movavi Clips. After all, you can always purchase the premium version later to create videos without watermarks.
How user-friendly is the interface?
Are you prepared to take hours (or longer) to navigate a new platform that isn’t very intuitive? While some complex video editing software gives you many options for controls and tools, it can take a long time to learn them and become comfortable using them. Instead, look for an application that’s easy to use but also gives you the editing features you want.
Is it compatible with the video formats you use?
When looking at any video editing software, you want to ensure that it will do what you need. That means finding out if it supports the video formats that you want to work with and create. It doesn’t matter what a video editor can do if you can’t use the final product. Whether you’re creating QuickTime movies, HD videos, or any other file format, be sure that your editor supports what you need to do.
Does it offer the effects and tools you want?
Next, always look at the features and tools available in your chosen MOV file editor. For example, if you don’t have an expensive Steadicam rig, you’ll probably want to do some post-production video stabilization. And you can create consistency across multiple clips with filters and visual effects, too.
Summary: the best MOV editors for 2024
In brief, you want a user-friendly, budget-friendly editing platform that supports the correct file formats. You also wish to have editing software that includes the remarkable features you see in other professional videos. Look for effects and features like options for transitions and titles, filters, video stabilization, and others. If you’re looking for a free trial for a robust video editor, why not give Movavi Video Editor a try? It includes all the features that top video producers look for, and it’s free to download and try.
Movavi Video Editor
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*The free version of Movavi Video Editor may have the following restrictions depending on the build: watermark on exported clips, 60-second video or 1/2 audio length limit, and/or some advanced features unavailable when exporting videos.
Frequently asked questions
Can you edit MOV files for free?
Can you edit MOV files for free?
Yes, you can. There are several free .mov editor options available for macOS and PC desktops and iOS and Android devices. Some MOV file editor options include:
- iMovie
- DaVinci Resolve
- VSDC Free Video Editor Software
- Movavi Video Editor
- Windows Movie Maker
- Cameo
- Movavi Clips for iOS and Android
- Fastreel by Movavi
Which free video-editing software supports MOV files?
Which free video-editing software supports MOV files?
There is a wide range of editing platforms that support MOV files and MP4, AVI, MKV, and other video formats. Some of these are:
- iMovie
- DaVinci Resolve
- VSDC Free Video Editor Software
- Movavi Video Editor
- Windows Movie Maker
- Cameo
- Movavi Clips for iOS and Android
- Fastreel by Movavi
How do I choose a MOV video editor?
How do I choose a MOV video editor?
When choosing a MOV video editor, you want to prioritize what’s most important to you for your video projects. First, consider your budget – are you willing to spend money for more features and tools? Next, think about how user-friendly the software is and if you’re ready to spend a lot of time (or even pay for a training course) to learn it – or if you want to go with a more straightforward, more intuitive platform. Finally, consider the main features, tools, and effects that you plan to use regularly. Choose a video editor that makes it easy to create the kinds of videos you want to produce. We recommend checking out an application with a free trial period, like Movavi Video Editor.
How do I edit a MOV file in Windows?
How do I edit a MOV file in Windows?
To edit a MOV file in Windows, we recommend using Movavi Video Editor:
- Download and install Movavi Video Editor on your desktop.
- Click the Add Files button to add your video clips. This will automatically add your files to your timeline, and you can adjust their positions and order by dragging and dropping them where you want them.
- If you have audio files and/or other media files, you can add these with the Add Files button, too.
- Create a cool intro for your video by clicking the Titles button and selecting the type of title you’d like to add. You can then drag that title to your timeline and place it where you want. You can do the same for transitions and visual effects, too.
- When you’re happy with your edits and ready to save your finished video, click the Export button and select the option you want from the tabs on the left side of the window that pops up. When you’ve made your selections, click Start, and Movavi will export and save your video file.
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