Windows Movie Maker was finally retired in 2017. After nearly two decades of being available free with Windows, Microsoft’s video editing tool is no more. While it is possible to install it via third-party websites, the lack of Microsoft Support makes this a bad idea.
Instead, it’s time to turn your attention to an alternative. Many free video editing tools are available for Windows, so there’s no longer any need to hold onto Movie Maker. Move onto a fresh new edit with one of these five top choices.
Find the best programs like Windows Movie Maker 2012 for Mac. More than 9 alternatives to choose: Avidemux, Aimersoft Video Editor, Shotcut and more. Jan 31, 2019 iMovie for PC Alternative - Windows 10 Movie Maker: Windows 10 Movie Maker is the 'official' equivalent to iMovie in the view point of operating system. Wondershare Filmora: Wondershare Filmora is a great video editing software title for Windows and Mac. It's even easier then Windows 10 Movie Maker but more powerful.
Although other more complex video editorsThe Best Free Video Editors for WindowsThe Best Free Video Editors for WindowsEveryone takes videos these days. Yet powerful free video editors remain rare. We present the absolute best free video editors available for Windows.Read More are available, we’ve focused on free Movie Maker alternatives that offer a similar level of ease. We’ve also focused on tools that are maintained by the developers, as opposed to ones that have been abandoned or are not compatible with Windows 10.
While more complex features may be included, these tools will allow you to create a movie in minutes on Windows 10.
1. Shotcut
A free and open-source video-editing solution, Shotcut is also cross-platform — useful if you switch between Windows and Mac or even Linux. It’s also codec-independent, which enhances the cross-platform use. You can literally move projects between operating systems!
Along with industry-standard timeline editing, Shotcut also supports simple trimming, cut, copy and paste, track mute, hide and locking, and a full history to enable undo and redo. All of these editing tools are accompanied by keyboard shortcuts.
Files can be imported from your hard drive, network drive, camera SD card, cloud storage, and even dragged and dropped into your project. Shotcut also offers a bunch of impressive video effects, such as fades, wipes, blending modes, video filters (great for delivering a uniform look to your movie) and speed effects.
There is a lot here, and you’ll find it can take a while to develop expertise beyond the basic editing tools. But that’s the beauty of this alternative: Windows Movie Maker was a simple tool, and Shotcut offers the same simplicity, with the option to expand your video editing skills if you want to.
A nice choice of tutorial videos can also be found on the site to help you get started.
2. Ezvid
Now this is an unusual option. Ezvid is more commonly known as a screen capture tool, so you might not think of it a a Movie Maker alternative. But it also features a video editor. Better still, you’re not limited to screen capture video clips in the editor!
To get started, click the filmstrip icon to add pictures and video clips to the timeline. This will let you edit your video together, but you’ll need an additional app to crop clips. Note that there is also the option to record audio (you cannot import a separate audio track), and give the recorded track some interesting effects, such as telephone FX.
Ezvid is not an accomplished video editor, and if anything is less functional than Windows Movie Maker. However, it remains a useful tool to have around, if only for the screen recordings.
See our dedicated roundup for more screen recording tools3 Free Screen Recorders to Capture Your Windows Desktop3 Free Screen Recorders to Capture Your Windows DesktopYou can use a screen recorder to create tutorials, document bugs for troubleshooting, or track unsolicited activity on your desktop in your absence. Choose from one of our recommended tools.Read More.
3. Story
A vast selection of free video editing tools are available in the Window Store. Sadly, they’re almost all hampered by a poor UI, instability, or overbearing adverts. One app that we tried that managed to do the job without any trouble is Story.
Unlike the other tools in this list, Story’s aim is to create movies from photos, video, and music. It’s a little like a Windows version of Google PhotosHow to Get the Most Out of Google Photos Movie EditorHow to Get the Most Out of Google Photos Movie EditorThe Google Photos app has an excellent movie editor built in. It's available absolutely free to iOS and Android users and offers some great features.Read More in that respect. All you need to do is browse your computer for the video files, find some photos if necessary, and add a soundtrack from the list.
Using Story is a little fiddly. When you’ve added a video to your project, click Edit to select the portion of it that will appear in the finished project. Once this is done for all videos, and any images have been added, you can also Add Music. A title can also be set, and the video exported with ease.
4. Filmora Video Editor
Available via iSkySoft, Filmora Video Editor is the only paid solution in this list, but is worth trying out due to its straightforward, no-fuss approach to editing video.
Although the app will set you back $60 (lifetime subscription; a $30 annual sub is also available), a free trial is available, which we’d encourage you to try out. Getting started is as straightforward as you might expect, and the user interface is intuitive enough.
As you’d expect, videos, still images, and audio can be imported into the timeline with ease. Once there, they can be cropped, swapped around, and various effects added. There’s also the option to rotate and crop videos, add overlays, effects and transitions, along with the expected standard editing tools. Your finished video can then be rendered and exported into a suitable format, and even uploaded directly to YouTube, Facebook or Vimeo.
5. Animotica
Another Windows Store app that is worth checking out, Animotica makes great use of touch screen devices. But it’s also perfect for desktops and non-hybrid laptops.
Videos and photos can be edited together with transitions, as expected, but a few effects are included. Color can be adjusted, for example, and video slowed or sped up. Blurred background can also be added to videos. There’s also the ability to adjust audio and add a configurable panning motion for the Ken Burns effectFilmmaker Ken Burns Launches iPad App of Legendary DocumentariesFilmmaker Ken Burns Launches iPad App of Legendary DocumentariesDocumentary filmmaker, Ken Burns, just released an iPad app, also called Ken Burns. The application is a collection of short streaming videos, spanning the history of the U.S., from 1776 to 2000.Read More on photos.
The result is a polished video produced with one of the most accomplished Windows Store apps available. This might be the best free alternative to Windows Movie Maker. It’s just so easy, and effortless, to create a video with Animotica.
At the time of writing, Animotica is currently in beta.
Other Options Are Available!
All of the Windows Movie Maker alternatives we’ve looked at so far have been apps that are downloaded and installed. However, browser-based tools are available for editing video. Such tools involve uploading the clips first, then editing them together.
Several browser-based video editing tools4 Free Tools For Online Video Editing4 Free Tools For Online Video EditingVideo editing online has helped to turn everyone into armchair filmmakers. Here are the best five editors on the web.Read More are available. As there is no download required, why not check them out? They might be more suited to your needs than an installed application.
It’s great to see that Windows has so many free video editing options, from the open-source world to the closed shop of the Windows StoreDesktop vs. Windows Store Apps: Which Should You Download?Desktop vs. Windows Store Apps: Which Should You Download?On Windows 10 and 8.1, you can either download and install a Desktop applications from the web, or you can get an app from the Windows Store. We explore the differences between Desktop and Store...Read More and everything in between.
Did you find one that you like? Do you have any suggestions we can add to this list? Tell us in the comments.
Explore more about: Video Editor, Windows Movie Maker.
- On Ubuntu, I used KDenLive, and loved it. The Windows version has a portable and installable version, so you don't even need it to be always on your system. It's easy, has great effects, and is open source!
- If you have a really beefy PC or Mac for whatever reason, DaVinci Resolve is also free to use. Incredibly powerful (moreso than Final Cut Pro) and arguably the single best color correction system on the market. The only caveat: To do its legendary color work, it handles video color values in extremely heavy floating point representation (rather than the lighter and almost universal uint representation), making it BRUTAL on your computer, especially graphics cards and RAM.
- Hitfilm FTW!
- Yes, Hitfilm is really powerful, simple to use and with lots of great tutorials on YouTube.
- I would also recommend OpenShot.
When it comes to video editing and quick, easy movie creation on a PC, Windows Movie Maker is one of the longest-lasting Windows tools made specifically for editing videos on a Windows computer, although it has already been discontinued by Microsoft.
As you may know Windows never released Movie Maker for Mac OS X, leaving Mac users on their own to find video editing software. Fortunately, there are plenty of high-quality Windows Movie Maker for Mac video editors available in the Mac Store. Here is a quick rundown of five of the best Movie Maker for Mac.
Top 5 Best Windows Movie Maker for Mac
1. Wondershare Filmora
The top one of the best Windows Movie Maker alternatives for Mac users is Wondershare Filmora, which operates just as easily and intuitively as Movie Maker, meaning it is perfect for beginners and professionals, a like. As a bonus, Wondershare is also loaded with many more basic features than Windows Movie Maker, which include video editing, outstanding effects, and everything needed to quickly, and easily create a truly standout video project.
Key Features: While Wondershare Filmora lets you crop, trim, split and combine your footage with only a few clicks of the mouse, the software is best known for its large amount of animations and PIP effects, as well as intro and credit animations, text to sound clips and various transitional graphics and effects. Added to all of these basic, and fancy features, Wondershare Filmora also allows more advanced users a higher level of editing with features such as green screen, tilt shift, and face off.
Export Files: Wondershare Filmore allows you to burn your projects into DVD, or share them on social media sites such as YouTube, Facebook or Vimeo with the touch of a button.
Availability: Windows and Mac
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2. iMovie
iMovie is the Mac's direct counter-punch to Windows Movie Maker. Produced directly by Apple, iMovie presents users with everything one has come to expect from an Apple product - a clean, crisp and professional layout that leads to the program being very intuitive to use. This means it is a good alternative for beginners, or those new to video editing. However, iMovie has enough features to keep the more advanced video editor pleased.
Key Features: Since Apple is all about mulit-platform sharing, and interactions iMovie allows you to pick up the editing of a project you started on your computer on your iPhone, as well as editing on various different platforms. iMovie is also loaded with numerous turtorials walking you through everything from the basics to some next-level editing tricks, which - blended with the easy to use UI - make iMovie the perfect Windows Movie Maker alternative for beginners.
Export Files: iMovie makes it very easy to export your video project to various social media sites (YouTube, Vimeo, and Facebook to name a few.) As well, iMovie has numerous iCloud options that allow you to share your projects with various other Apple products.
Availability: Mac
Learn more : How to Get More iMovie Themes
3. Avidemux
When it comes to a Windows Movie Maker alternative that is simple to use, there might be none better than the straight-down-to-business software of Avidemux. This minimalist video editing software is the perfect Movie Maker alternative for those who do not care to spend too much time messing around with effects and transitions, and much rather quickly put together a professional looking video or presentation. It is also one of the highest-rated Windows Movie Maker alternatives for Linux users.
Key Features: Avidemux comes loaded with features that include non-linear editing, as well as a rather large array of visual effects, perfect for spicing up your video or presentation. This video editing software also comes with a subtitle process.
Export Files: While the minimalist Avidemux does not make sharing to YouTube, Vimeo or Facebook from within the program as easy as some of the other alternatives, it does export AVI, MPEG and NUV files, which means you can share your projects and play them pretty much anywhere.
Availability: Windows, Mac OS X, Linux
4. Lightworks
With a fully customizable user interface, Lightworks is one of the top Windows Movie Maker alternatives for those looking to do video editing on a Mac or Linux OS, or even on a PC if you just want something a little different. Lightwork is perfect for professional, and educational use thanks to its large range of features, ease of use and simple, intuitive nature.
Key Features: Lightworks allows users to edit their video using its non-linear editing capabilities, as well as its loaded collection of built in effects. However, when it comes to Lightworks, it is important to note that that there are two versions of the software, the free one and the paid version. There is a tremendous difference between the paid and the free versions, with one of the most notable being the fact that the free one does not allow for full-HD video exporting, timeline rendering, as well as other notable features.
Export Files: When using Lightworks, you have a plethora of options for exporting your project. This software allows for background importing and exporting of your videos, as well as a dedicated export to web feature, which allows you to export your video or project directly to social media sites such as YouTube and Vimeo (as well as other similar sites.)
Availability: Windows, Mac OS X, Linux
Learn more about EditShare Lightworks Video Editing Software
5. WeVideo
Recently partnered with Google, WeVideo is a wonderful Windows Movie Maker alternative for those video editors who find themselves on the road a lot, or always switching between devices. Because WeVideo is a complete online video editing service, it goes a little bit further than a lot of the other cloud-based video editing services out there. While all you need to take advantage of WeVideo is a browser and and good Internet connection, you are a not limited to your desktop or laptop, either. WeVideo provides mobile apps for iOS and Android, so you can truly take your work with you via phone or tablet.
Key Features: Partnered with Google, WeVideo allows you to create, modify and edit your YouTube, and GoogleDrive content. With lots of built-in effects and transitions, WeVideo makes it easy to stitch together a video or project at home or on the go.
Export Files: Because WeVideo is a cloud-based service, upload, and download (as well as import and export) times can be slow, or limited. These limitations are also based on which model you are using: Free or subscription based.
Availability: Windows, Mac OS X, Linux