Verithiathe honest score on any app
Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

iMovie vs CapCut

iMovie 4.4★ · Free to download · ⚠ stale 65
Winner CapCut
CapCut 4.6★ · Free to download 75

CapCut offers more advanced editing features and templates, making it suitable for users seeking greater creative control, while iMovie remains a solid choice for simple, ad-free editing on Apple devices.

Full reviews: iMovie · CapCut

CapCut generally offers a wider range of advanced editing features and templates, though recent changes have put many behind a paywall, frustrating long-time users. iMovie, while more basic, is praised for its simplicity and being completely free with no ads, but users often wish for more advanced tools and better reliability.

Head to head

Features edge: CapCutR1R3R8R16
iMovie iMovie users find it useful for simple edits and making movie trailers, appreciating its ease of use for basic tasks R8. However, many express a desire for more advanced editing options like text, black screens, filters, background removers, and better audio controls R16. Users also note limitations with video formats, aspect ratios, and the inability to slow down only parts of a video R1R3.
CapCut CapCut is generally recognized for offering a wide array of editing tools and templates, making it suitable for both beginners and pros . Users appreciate features for creating humorous short videos and rants . However, a significant recent complaint is that many previously free and basic features, such as extracting audio, specific templates, effects, and even exporting, have been moved behind a 'Pro' paywall R61R64R67R69.
Ease of Use tieR8R9R10R24
iMovie iMovie is frequently praised for being simple and easy to use, especially for beginners or non-professional editors R8. However, some users find it confusing or non-intuitive, particularly with controls, moving music files, and managing media R9R10. Issues like not being able to crop or resize images/videos easily are also noted R24.
CapCut CapCut is often described as easy to use and intuitive, making it a favorite for quick edits and short videos . Many users appreciate its straightforward interface for editing . However, some find it challenging to navigate specific features, like the text-to-speech function which sometimes doesn't appear .
Reliability & Performance tieR4R6R9R11
iMovie iMovie users report numerous issues with reliability, including bugs, freezing, videos going black, audio removal, and videos being cut R4R6R9R11. Loading times can be slow, especially when accessing iCloud videos or soundtracks R9. There are also critical complaints about projects being deleted if original media is removed from the camera roll and difficulties with exporting R43.
CapCut CapCut users frequently encounter performance issues such as significant lag, especially with multiple layers or good internet . Bugs are also reported, like brush masks turning into stars or text writing issues . Some users experience crashes and the app kicking them out . Storage management is a concern, with the app requiring significant space and sometimes prompting users to delete files even when storage is not critically low .
Price/Value edge: iMovieR2R29R30R61
iMovie iMovie is consistently praised for being completely free, with no ads or in-app purchases, which users highly appreciate R2R29R30. This makes it a great value for basic video editing, especially for those who don't want to spend money R2R30.
CapCut CapCut is a free-to-download app, but recent updates have led to a significant number of features, templates, and effects being moved behind a 'Pro' subscription paywall R61R64R67. This has caused widespread frustration among users who feel the app has become greedy and less valuable for non-paying users.
Privacy & Permissions tieR15R22R43R46
iMovie Recent iMovie updates have sparked significant user concern regarding privacy, as the app now requires full access to all photos and videos on a device, rather than allowing users to select specific media R15R22R43R46. Users view this as unnecessary and a potential data scraping concern, leading some to delete the app R46R49.
CapCut CapCut users have raised concerns about inappropriate content within the app, particularly in the templates section, which some describe as containing pornography and abuse R70R85R109R111. There are also reports of account deletion issues and difficulties logging back in R70.
Pick iMovie if

You are an Apple user looking for a completely free, ad-free, and simple video editor for basic tasks like cutting, adding music, and making trailers R2R29. You prioritize ease of use over advanced features and are comfortable with its limitations R8.

Pick CapCut if

You need more advanced editing features, effects, and templates, and are willing to pay for a 'Pro' subscription to access them . You are looking for an app that can handle more complex edits and creative projects, despite potential lag or storage demands .

Evidence note: The evidence for CapCut is heavily skewed by recent negative reviews regarding its shift to a 'Pro' model, which has put many previously free features behind a paywall. This impacts the perception of its value and accessibility compared to its lifetime rating.

Frequently asked

Is iMovie completely free to use?
Yes, iMovie is completely free to download and use, with no ads or in-app purchases, which is a major positive for many users R2R29R30.
Does CapCut require payment for basic features?
While CapCut is free to download, many previously free and basic features, such as extracting audio, certain templates, effects, and even exporting, have recently been moved behind a 'Pro' subscription paywall, frustrating many users R61R64R67R69.
Are there privacy concerns with iMovie?
Yes, recent iMovie updates have raised privacy concerns among users because the app now requires full access to all photos and videos on a device, rather than allowing users to select specific media, which some perceive as unnecessary data collection R15R22R46R49.
Does CapCut have inappropriate content?
Some CapCut users have reported encountering inappropriate content, including pornography and abuse, within the app's template section, leading to concerns about its suitability for all users R70R85R109R111.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R1] iMovie 1/5 · US Format Prison: Why can’t I change the format?
  2. [R3] iMovie 3/5 · US Good: Really good, but I wish you could just slow down one part of the video, not the whole video
  3. [R8] iMovie 5/5 · US Useful: Really useful for making my stuff to post super simple to use. I find it really helpful
  4. [R16] iMovie 1/5 · US .: I don’t have any filters and studffffffffff fix it fix it now now
  5. [R9] iMovie 3/5 · US Frustrating: Everything takes forever to load and this thing is buggy buggy buggy Edit: It is working better now that it has downloaded more of my videos from iCloud. They still find some of the controls frustrating though. For instance, a timestamp on the videos would be nice so I would know where to cut a little easier than being able to move music files around a little easier would help.
  6. [R10] iMovie 1/5 · US Help…: I had this on my old phone, and Loved it! But I can’t figure out how to allow it to my pictures and music on settings… I click go to settings but there isn’t a “allow” option… HELP anyone 😞 I really wanna make one. I might just find a different app though… (rated this 1 star for now sense I haven’t been able to use it. Also so you notice this, I feel bad though.) *Edit: I’m probably going t
  7. [R24] iMovie 3/5 · US Magic movie: When I am making a magic movie I don’t know or crop a picture or video for my magic movie
  8. [R4] iMovie 1/5 · US IT SUCKS!!: It removed my audio, it bugs way too much, and it cut out some of my video!! I definitely recommend alight motion or CapCut!!
  9. [R6] iMovie 3/5 · US Fix the issue with it going black on Mobile: I am a kid writing this. It is great for editing if you’re not doing it professionally. But it makes the screen go black without warning. Can u fix it please?
  10. [R11] iMovie 4/5 · US Great but..: Great movie maker but for some reason kept changing my first section of a video every time I was finished so took awhile to change and finally create the movie I wanted. So gave it a 4 star. But otherwise great!
  11. [R2] iMovie 5/5 · US You my guy: All free I appreciate it
  12. [R29] iMovie 5/5 · US It’s really good and great: It is really good and there’s no ads or anything like that you should get it.
  13. [R30] iMovie 3/5 · US Good to some extent: I use this app because it’s free and easy to use. But I don’t have Apple Music, so I can’t find a way to import my own songs, i just have to use bad ones from the gallery. I also wish there was a sound effect gallery with popular sounds like vine boom or meme sounds. Overall, pretty solid though.
  14. [R61] CapCut 1/5 · US this app suck: i have been editing for years but pro has gone TOOT FART this app puts everything behind STUPID PRO, including EXTRACTING AUDIO THE MOST BASIC FEATURE EVER this company is so greedy, end ts 😩🥺🥺😡😡🥰🥰😳😳😘😘😏🎰🤞🙏💔😢🥺😔😞😵‍💫😭
  15. [R15] iMovie 3/5 · US IMovie decline: Have used this app for decades. Currently version won’t work unless I grant it access to ALL photos and videos on my device, versus the ones I’ve already selected. Sad. There are many other choices today.
  16. [R22] iMovie 2/5 · US All access is not needed: Works a charm until the last update when I tried to create a new movie and it said I had to give it access to all media files, and not the ones I select, before it would let me create a movie. That’s unnecessary. They say it’s because it “integrates” with your media files. All apps integrate with something on your device, within set parameters. The only reason a huge com
  17. [R43] iMovie 1/5 · US now they’re just being mean :/: why are you asking me to give you full access to photos and music when you literally already do just let me make videos bro like you shouldn’t need full access edit: why is my movie taking forever to upload………like every time i try it just freezes in the middle of exporting
  18. [R46] iMovie 1/5 · US Do not install: App requires access to all photos and videos on your device, not just the ones your editing. This app is only here to scrape your data. Do not install!
  19. [R64] CapCut 2/5 · US Too many templates on premium: I use CapCut and its templates to edit games for YouTube. For the longest time, this app was a four star for me because everything was very easy and simple. But now, certain templates that I’ve used in the past are now only for premium. A lot of templates for texts are on premium and I’m getting fed up with it. Stop making every single font/template premium for the l
  20. [R67] CapCut 1/5 · US Suddenly made exporting a video a pro feature.: I can’t use the app properly if I can’t export my videos. You guys were one of the only apps who didn’t charge for this. I’m deleting this app and am severely disappointed in you.
  21. [R69] CapCut 3/5 · US STOP MAKING EVERYTHING PAY-TO-USE!!!!!: This is a good editing app but recently, everything has to be paid for now. I can’t even extract any audios or music now. And you guys barely have any of the real phonk songs under Sounds, Its always a fake version of the original phonk song or nothing like it. Get it together, I’m starting to see why so many editors are starting to leave CapCut. STOP BEING
  22. [R49] iMovie 1/5 · US Privacy………: Uhh i heard it looks through ur photos avoid it plz
  23. [R70] CapCut 1/5 · US Couldn’t log back in: Account got deleted and there is porn on the app do not recommend
  24. [R85] CapCut 1/5 · US CapCut is weird: Dont look at the templates as they are extremely inappropriate
  25. [R109] CapCut 1/5 · US INAPPROPRIATE APP‼️⚠️‼️‼️‼️⚠️⚠️: It’s a great editing app, but there is a feature where you can see what other people have made, and LOTS of people have made many unclean things. Things from abuse to pornography!!! Don’t let a kid or yourself get this app for those reasons!!‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️
  26. [R111] CapCut 3/5 · US Dear CapCut, I wanna say a platform is good but some people make inappropriate content so please fix: It’s good but need to fix inappropriate content to nice content

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store