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

iMovie vs InShot

iMovie 4.4★ · Free to download · ⚠ stale 60
Winner InShot
InShot 4.9★ · Free + IAP 80

InShot offers a more feature-rich editing experience with greater flexibility, while iMovie remains a simple, free option for basic tasks, though it struggles with reliability and modern features.

Full reviews: iMovie · InShot

InShot, despite its subscription model and occasional export issues, provides a comprehensive and intuitive editing suite with many features users appreciate. iMovie, while free, is increasingly criticized for its limited features, persistent bugs, and frustrating user experience.

Head to head

Features and Editing Tools edge: InShotR7R17R18R25
iMovie iMovie users find the editing options scarce, lacking advanced features like text creation, black screens, noise filters, EQ, and custom video sizing R18R25. Some users miss older features like trailers and wish for more music options or background removers R7R17R30. The app is seen as good for simple edits but often requires other platforms for more complex YouTube videos .
InShot InShot is praised for its extensive features, including the ability to layer videos, fix photo issues, and offer many editing options . Users appreciate its intuitive nature and the variety of tools available for creating YouTube videos and other content . However, some users wish for better music choices, search functionality for stickers and fonts, and a more comprehensive timeline view .
Ease of Use edge: InShotR8R9R34R45
iMovie iMovie is described as super simple to use and useful for making things to post R8. However, some users find it confusing, non-intuitive, and clunky, especially for new users R34R45. Frustrations arise from controls, lack of timestamps, and difficulty with music files R9.
InShot InShot is widely praised for its ease of use and intuitive interface, making editing simple for many users . It's considered user-friendly and helps teach editing .
Reliability and Performance tieR4R6R9R11
iMovie iMovie users report numerous bugs, glitches, and performance issues, including audio removal, videos going black, freezing during export, and slow loading times R4R6R9R11. Videos are sometimes cut off, deleted, or fail to play audio .
InShot InShot users frequently experience problems with saving and exporting videos, especially longer ones, with the app crashing or freezing R66R72. Some report issues with 4K export, overheating phones, and video glitches during editing . The app can also be slow or glitchy, particularly with AI features .
Price and Value edge: iMovieR2R29R30R64
iMovie iMovie is free and users appreciate this, highlighting the absence of ads R2R29R30.
InShot InShot is free with in-app purchases, but many users express frustration with the subscription model, the removal of lifetime purchase options, and the high cost R75. Ads are a significant complaint, often crashing the app or being difficult to close R64. The watermark can be removed by watching ads or paying R80R109.
Privacy and Permissions edge: InShotR10R15R22R43
iMovie Recent iMovie updates have caused significant user concern due to the app requiring access to ALL photos and videos on a device, rather than selected ones R10R15R22R43. Users view this as unnecessary and a potential privacy issue.
InShot One user mentions being aware that InShot is a Chinese app, but there are no widespread specific privacy complaints in the provided reviews .
Pick iMovie if

You need a completely free video editor with no ads and minimal features, and you are comfortable with its basic functionality and potential bugs R2R29.

Pick InShot if

You are looking for a feature-rich video editor with an intuitive interface, are willing to pay for a subscription or deal with ads, and prioritize advanced editing capabilities over a completely free experience .

Evidence note: The evidence for InShot's privacy is thin, with only one review mentioning it being a Chinese app without further detail . iMovie's privacy concerns are more explicitly detailed by multiple users regarding photo access R10R15R22R43.

Frequently asked

Is iMovie truly free?
Yes, iMovie is free to download and use, with users appreciating that there are no ads R2R29.
Why is InShot getting negative reviews recently?
Recent negative reviews for InShot often cite issues with saving and exporting videos, especially longer ones, as well as the aggressive ad experience for free users and the removal of a lifetime purchase option R64R66R72R75.
Does iMovie have issues with photo access?
Yes, many recent iMovie users report frustration and concern over the app requiring full access to their entire photo and video library, rather than allowing selection of specific media R10R15R22R43.
Can I remove the watermark in InShot?
Yes, you can remove the watermark in InShot by watching an ad or by purchasing a subscription R80R109.

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. [R7] iMovie 1/5 · US OLD TRAILERS: WHY DID YOU REMOVE THE OLD TRAILERS WITH THE EXAMPLES AND ACTORS AND YOU REPLACED IT WITH STUPID GENERIC REPETITIVE CARDS WITH SILHOUETTES
  2. [R17] iMovie 5/5 · US Hey iMovie plz read this: This app is awesome definitely recommend! Hi IMoive! I have a question my phone doesn't have Apple Music well it did though and I have a question if everyone could use Spotify on it to because I would use it more if it did and maybe if you want can you add background remover please. Thank You for your time 🙂
  3. [R18] iMovie 3/5 · US Good! But....: Amazing. I love how there are no social media options, but there are barely any options for editing at all! All I can do js add videos or pictures. I can't make text, or make a black screen. Editing options are scarce, and this is my opinion.
  4. [R25] iMovie 1/5 · US You can’t even edit the sizes of the video: You can’t edit the sizes of the video, adding text is almost impossible, and this is basically just adding sound and Instagram filters.
  5. [R8] iMovie 5/5 · US Useful: Really useful for making my stuff to post super simple to use. I find it really helpful
  6. [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.
  7. [R34] iMovie 2/5 · US It’s fine, but confusing: It’s good, but when I try to add a pic or vid it just gets stuck on the wheel and I have to close and open the app again it takes so long!!!! Also, I do not get why you can only add titles????? So confusing!!!!! If you want a video editing software that is actually good, get canva!
  8. [R45] iMovie 3/5 · GB First use on iPhone: Very non-intuitive and clunky
  9. [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!!
  10. [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?
  11. [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!
  12. [R2] iMovie 5/5 · US You my guy: All free I appreciate it
  13. [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.
  14. [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.
  15. [R64] InShot 1/5 · US The Dropbox ad keeps crashing the app.: Hello, I am reporting a recurring issue with the app. Whenever a Dropbox ad appears, it causes the app to crash or freeze. After this happens, I am completely unable to reopen or use the app, which makes it impossible to continue my work. Please investigate this bug as soon as possible. Thank you.
  16. [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
  17. [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.
  18. [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
  19. [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
  20. [R66] InShot 3/5 · US I’m having trouble with the app: Love the app for short videos for some reason I can’t seem to download a 15 minute long video it just doesn’t download I’m so frustrated
  21. [R72] InShot 3/5 · US Easy to use, impossible to save: I love how easy it is to edit with this app BUT WHY CAN IT NOT DOWNLOAD MY VIDEOS ONCE THEY’RE DONE?!?! If the video is longer than 15 seconds, it fails 100 times before I can actually save it to my phone. This is so consistent that I’m thinking of switching to a different editing app.
  22. [R75] InShot 3/5 · US Always loved InShot, but..: Iris’s the version that was $39 permanent. All of these apps now want you to join their subscription model. I still permanently have the android version. I just wish you guys brought back the option to buy it as a one time purchase.
  23. [R80] InShot 4/5 · US Water mark: Everything is good other than the water mark.
  24. [R109] InShot 4/5 · US love this: Great app, but I wish you didn’t have to watch an add to remove the watermark

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