Starts atFree plan · paid from $9.99/mo
- Free plan
- No watermark on free exports
Head-to-head
Clipchamp vs iMovie: which free video editor should you use?
At a glance
Starts atFree
- Free option listed
- Watermark not statedThe provider does not say
Both are free. Clipchamp is Microsoft's editor for the browser and Windows. Free exports go up to 1080p with no watermark, and you get AI subtitles and silence removal. iMovie is Apple's free editor for iPhone, iPad and Mac. The choice is mostly your device: Windows or a Chromebook means Clipchamp, an iPhone means iMovie.
Quick verdict
Side-by-side comparison
| Detail | Clipchamp | iMovie |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free. Premium comes with Microsoft 365 Personal or Family | Free |
| Devices | Browser and Windows | iPhone, iPad and Mac |
| Free export | Up to 1080p, no watermark | Not on Apple's iMovie support page (Oct 2026) |
| Paid export | Premium: up to 4K | No paid tier |
| Captions | AI subtitles on Free | Not on Apple's iMovie support page (Oct 2026) |
| Extras | Voiceovers, silence removal, stock assets. Premium adds brand kit | Effects, sound, works with external drives |
| Best for | Windows users and quick web edits | iPhone and Mac beginners |
Which one for Shorts, TikTok and Reels?
Clipchamp gives you free AI subtitles, which matters for vertical video watched on mute. iMovie is handy when the footage is already on your iPhone. If you film on an iPhone but edit on Windows, Clipchamp in the browser covers both.
How to choose
- Pick by device first.
- Need free captions? Clipchamp.
- Editing on the phone you filmed on (iPhone)? iMovie.
- Need 4K? Clipchamp Premium through Microsoft 365.
Questions people ask
Is Clipchamp better than iMovie?
For captions and Windows users, yes. For iPhone and Mac users who want a simple offline editor, iMovie is fine.
Does Clipchamp add a watermark?
No. Free exports go up to 1080p with no watermark.
Is there iMovie for Windows?
No. iMovie runs on iPhone, iPad and Mac only. Clipchamp is the free option built into Windows.
Related: desktop video editors.
Sources: clipchamp.com/en/pricing, support.apple.com/imovie. Checked on 16 October 2026. Based on published plans and terms, not a hands-on test.