Starts atFreemium; Pro US$144/yr per person
- Free plan
- Free trialfree trial of Pro or Business
- No watermark on free exports
Head-to-head
iMovie vs Canva: which is better for social videos?
At a glance
Starts atFree
- Free plan
- Watermark not statedThe provider does not say
iMovie is a free timeline editor for Apple devices. Canva is a design tool with a basic video editor, thumbnail templates and templates for Reels, TikTok and Shorts. Canva Free exports video up to 1080p with no watermark in our data. For cutting real footage, iMovie is the better editor. For text-heavy, template-based videos and thumbnails, Canva wins and runs on any device.
Quick verdict
Side-by-side comparison
| Detail | iMovie | Canva |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free. Pro has a 30-day trial, then US$144/year for one person (checked 16 Oct 2026) |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Mac | Browser, desktop and mobile |
| Video export | Not on Apple's iMovie page (Oct 2026) | Up to 1080p, no watermark (Canva help center, ShortStack data) |
| Templates | Themes and trailers | Large template library for Reels, TikTok and Shorts |
| Thumbnails | No | Yes |
| Commercial use | Not on Apple's iMovie page (Oct 2026) | Yes (ShortStack data) |
| Best for | Editing footage | Template videos and graphics |
Which one for Shorts, TikTok and Reels?
Talking-head clips and vlogs edit better on iMovie's timeline. Quote videos, list videos and slideshows are quicker in Canva templates. Canva also makes the YouTube thumbnail, which iMovie cannot.
How to choose
- Filmed footage on an iPhone? iMovie.
- Text and template videos? Canva Free.
- Need thumbnails? Canva.
- On Windows or Android? Canva, since iMovie is Apple only.
Questions people ask
Is Canva better than iMovie for video?
For template videos and graphics, yes. For editing footage on a timeline, iMovie is stronger.
Does Canva add a watermark to videos?
Our data shows free Canva video exports have no watermark. Premium content you use may need Pro.
Is iMovie free?
Yes, on iPhone, iPad and Mac.
Related: Canva vs CapCut, thumbnail tools.
Sources: canva.com/help/download-as-video, support.apple.com/imovie, canva.com/pricing (checked 16 Oct 2026). Canva's export details are ShortStack data. Checked on 16 October 2026. Based on published plans and terms, not a hands-on test.