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

Splice vs iMovie

Splice 4.6★ · Free + IAP 75
Winner Splice
iMovie 4.4★ · Free to download · ⚠ stale 60

Splice offers more advanced editing features and a better music selection, making it suitable for those willing to pay, while iMovie is a solid free option for basic, simple video creation.

Full reviews: Splice · iMovie

Splice, despite its recent shift to a subscription model and user frustration over pricing, is praised for its robust editing tools and music library. iMovie remains a free and easy-to-use option, though users frequently report bugs, limited features, and issues with media access.

Head to head

Features & Functionality edge: SpliceR3R5R14R17
Splice Splice users appreciate its comprehensive editing tools, music selection, and ease of use for both personal and professional projects R5R14R17R29. However, some users desire more advanced options like custom fonts or drawing effects R3R36.
iMovie iMovie is noted for being easy to use for simple edits and creating trailers . However, users frequently complain about limited editing options, such as inability to change video format, lack of text boxes, or granular control over speed and audio R61R63R78R85. There are also requests for features like background removers and sound effect galleries .
Ease of Use tieR21R24R29R41
Splice Many Splice users find the app easy to use and intuitive, even for beginners R29R41. Some users, however, mention a learning curve or difficulty with specific functions like saving videos R21R24.
iMovie iMovie is generally considered simple and easy to use for basic tasks . However, some users find it non-intuitive, confusing, or clunky, especially with certain controls or when trying to import music .
Reliability & Performance tieR9R13R18R28
Splice Splice users report frequent crashes, loss of projects, and export problems R9R13R18R36. Issues with music not loading and copyright challenges for music used on platforms like YouTube are also cited R13R28.
iMovie iMovie users experience numerous bugs, glitches, and performance issues, including videos going black, audio removal, and slow loading/exporting times . Some users also report projects being deleted or issues with music not playing .
Price & Value edge: iMovieR1R4R6R10
Splice Splice has transitioned from being free to a paid subscription model, which has caused significant user frustration R1R4R6R10. Many users feel the weekly price of $10 is too expensive, especially for features that were previously free or for limited project slots R6R34. Some users feel scammed by trial offers .
iMovie iMovie is free to download and use, which is a major positive for many users . There are no in-app purchases or subscription fees mentioned by users.
Support & Account Management tieR9R11R48R54
Splice Splice users report unresponsive support, only being contacted after negative reviews R9. There are also issues with account syncing across devices and the inability to save projects to an account R11R48R54.
iMovie iMovie users report issues with granting media access, with the app demanding full access to photos and videos rather than selected ones, leading to privacy concerns and inability to use the app R70R75R82. There are also complaints about the lack of a search bar or date filtering for old videos, making project management difficult .
Pick Splice if

Pick Splice if you need a video editor with a good range of features, a strong music selection, and are willing to pay a subscription for more advanced tools and unlimited projects R5R14R17.

Pick iMovie if

Pick iMovie if you need a completely free, simple video editor for basic tasks and don't mind its limited features, occasional bugs, or the need to grant full media access .

Evidence note: Many recent Splice reviews are heavily skewed negative due to the app's shift from a free model to a paid subscription, with users expressing betrayal and frustration over pricing and features that were once free R1R10. iMovie's reviews, while generally positive for its free nature, frequently highlight significant functional and privacy issues.

Frequently asked

Is Splice free to use?
Splice used to be free, but it has transitioned to a paid subscription model; while it offers a free trial, many basic features and unlimited projects are now behind a paywall, with some users reporting a cost of $10 per week R1R6R10R34.
Does iMovie have a lot of editing features?
iMovie is generally considered good for simple edits and creating trailers, but users report it lacks advanced editing features such as changing video format, adding text boxes, granular speed control, or a wide range of audio options R61R63R78R85.
Are there privacy concerns with iMovie?
Yes, several iMovie users express concern and frustration over the app requiring full access to all photos and videos on their device, rather than allowing selective access, leading some to avoid or delete the app R70R75R82R106.
Do Splice and iMovie have issues with crashes or bugs?
Both apps have reported issues with crashes and bugs; Splice users experience frequent crashes, project loss, and export problems R9R18R36R49, while iMovie users report glitches, videos going black, audio removal, and slow loading/exporting .

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. [R3] Splice 3/5 · US Limited font options: If I could use the fonts I wanted the review would be 5 stars.
  2. [R5] Splice 5/5 · US Love it!: A fun way to put videos together! Ive used it for professional and personal projects and it does not disappoint :)
  3. [R14] Splice 5/5 · US Too perfect to be true!: I am. A Tour guide in Puerto Rico, there is a ton of competition, some of them professional and other with no credentials. But with technical knowledge. But this app, have put me on the Top. I can tell someone about my tour with a short video! And the best allow me to paste any song I want! The best investment I have done!
  4. [R17] Splice 5/5 · US Nothing Better Than Splice: Splice has made it possible and affordable for me to create great content for all my social media platforms including my YouTube channels The Vinyl Record Mission and Cooking With Steve G along with my Instagram channels that go by The Record Mission Man and Cooking With Steve G. None of it possible without Splice!
  5. [R21] Splice 3/5 · US New: Still learning how to use it
  6. [R24] Splice 3/5 · US idk how to lol: So how do I save the vid in my photos? Pleaseeee tell me don’t judge me cuz I don’t know.
  7. [R29] Splice 5/5 · US Better than Edits: Been using for a while, it has all the basic editing tools I need and is user friendly. Way better than instagram’s edits, never had any issues with Splice!
  8. [R41] Splice 5/5 · US Fav video editor: Love splice! My favorite video editor. So easy to use!
  9. [R9] Splice 3/5 · US Frequent crashes lose projects.: Cannot get responsive support. Frequent export problems. Support only contacts you after a negative review.
  10. [R13] Splice 1/5 · US When I purchase music off iTunes I waste my money it doesn't load: I buy some of iTunes from your site and they don't ever load I've wasted about $20 I have to keep deleting my app this is my third time and it causes me to lose my save work and music your days are numbered
  11. [R18] Splice 3/5 · US It’s ok.: It’s ok. But it crashes a lot always missing assists. That could have to do with my storage.
  12. [R28] Splice 1/5 · US Thumbs down!: This app is making paying for music I already have on my library… I guess that’s how the app makes its money… I wouldn’t recommend this to any of my friends.
  13. [R1] Splice 1/5 · US Garbage: Used to be free, updated to paid version and deleted all my videos, new music sucks too.
  14. [R4] Splice 2/5 · US Have to pay to use: All these apps charge for basic features. It’s not great but could be worst. It’s alright.
  15. [R6] Splice 3/5 · US ExPeNsIvE: $10. For a WEEK. Bro. And a whole lot of features are behind that Paywall. For example; you can only have TWO videos in progress at a time. Which I guess isn't too bad if you think about it, but it's auful for me, as a bit of a scatterbrain. Lemme suggest something; make it like 1/4 of the price, which is still like &2.50ish, so you get your money's worth. Or, maybe do $10 a MONTH.
  16. [R10] Splice 1/5 · US WAS my go-to EDIT: I’ve had this editing app for years and over time it’s only gotten better. <- IS WHAT I WROTE but then after leaving the prompt I’m left with a subscription option when this app was free from the beginning? They were also loyal to their original users and told us that we won’t have to pay since we have been loyal to them since the beginning. I feel so betrayed, I can’t afford to
  17. [R11] Splice 5/5 · US I have it on my iPhone and I like on my tablet: I really like the app. I have it on my iPhone . I want the same account on my iPhone and my tablet Can anyone help Thank,YOU EARL GRANT Sr Thank,You
  18. [R48] Splice 3/5 · GB Linking devices: I downloaded Splice on a free trial on my iPhone to do a family video for my daughters baby shower. Really loved the versatility and ease of use in the app so I am keen to continue to a subscription. However, I have one reservation insofar as I have also downloaded the app to my iPad (using the same Appleid) but when I open the app in the iPad it does not show the project that I
  19. [R54] Splice 3/5 · GB Account: Why can you not make an account and have all your saved precious videos??
  20. [R34] Splice 1/5 · US Terrible: After two exports you have to buy premium.
  21. [R61] iMovie 1/5 · US Format Prison: Why can’t I change the format?
  22. [R63] iMovie 3/5 · US Good: Really good, but I wish you could just slow down one part of the video, not the whole video
  23. [R78] 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.
  24. [R85] 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.
  25. [R70] 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
  26. [R75] 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.
  27. [R82] 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
  28. [R106] 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!
  29. [R36] Splice 3/5 · GB It’s good, when it works: Really easy straight forward app to use. Wish there was more things you could do such as place where you want want to blur out or drawing affects etc. It seems to crash a lot. Struggle to load and doesn’t save your things on there so if you had to delete the app to restart it as it doesn’t work, you will lose everything so it’s not massively reliable
  30. [R49] Splice 1/5 · US Never works: At the end of all my projects it never works so I spend days and hours working on something and it won’t let me access it! Extremely frustrating!

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