Top 10+ Best iMovie Alternatives for Chromebook

iMovie is the default editing tool on Apple devices that is both free and all-powerful in its function. Allowing you to create memorable, cinema-quality videos seamlessly without charging you a dime, no doubt, iMovie is the go-to video editor of Apple users for quick-and-dirty work. So, what about Chromebook users? Well, there is no option to download iMovie on Chromebook.

But fret not! We have compiled a list of 10+ best iMovie Chromebook alternatives.

You will find a detailed review of all the iMovie alternatives for Chromebook mentioned and learn about their key features. In all, you will find a similar app to iMovie for your ChromeOS.

Part 1. Can You Get iMovie on Chromebook?

No. iMovie is an Apple beginner-level video editor available only on iOS and macOS devices. Moreover, the offline nature of the application prevents users to access iMovie on Chromebook.

So, you will have to stick with the iMovie alternative for editing your videos and audio on ChromeOS.

Part 2: Complete Overview of iMovie Alternatives for Chromebook

Here’s a quick overview of all the iMovie alternatives mentioned in this guide:

Part 3: Best 10 iMovie Alternative for Chromebook [Including Free]

Now you know what the best 10 iMovie alternatives for Chromebook are, here is a brief review of what you should know about them before choosing your choice.

1.   WeVideo

Rating: 4.4/5

Best for: Creating professional-looking videos using readymade templates or from scratch using raw footage, sounds, royalty-free content, photos, and graphics.

Price: Creator — US$ 9.99/mo (Billed Annually) — Business 36.99/mo (Billed Annually)

Available OS: Chromebook, iOS, Android, Windows

WeVideo is one of the few online video editors that are both easy to use and comes laden with many features, making it is the perfect alternative for iMovie on Chromebook. Designed to run seamlessly even on the low-end Chromebooks, you can simply sign up for the service, create killer-looking video ads and social assets, and turn any video into a professional-looking clip. Once done, you can upload the video to its native cloud storage or social media channels.

WeVideo’s free plan is not worth exploring, given it just comes with useless features and a maximum resolution set to 480p. However, the Business and Ultimate Plan allows you to edit 4K videos, use green screen, readymade templates, voiceover, royalty-free stock media, and includes a rich library of transitions, effects, and more. You will find all the usual editing features like trim, split, cut, merge, audio mix, color grading, etc.

But on top of everything, WeVideo presents a clean and modern user interface, be it the online tool or its downloadable resources for iOS and Android users. Users of all skill levels will find the tool aesthetically pleasing and straightforward.

Key Features:

• Readymade templates for creating video ads, promos, social media, tutorials, product demos, and YouTube videos.
• Powerful editing tools like Green Screen, Animations, and an advanced audio mixing system.
• Edit high-definition videos, and download them from 720p to 4K.
• Dedicated toggles like trim, split, merge and flip let you edit fast.

2.   Clipchamp

Rating: 4.0/5

Best for: Get access to all video editing tools and stock content in one place, design for free, and export in 1080p resolution.

Price: Free; Creator — US$ 11.99/mo. (2-month free trial for Chromebook users).

Available OS: Chromebook

Recently acquired by Microsoft, Clipchamp has everything to create beautiful-looking clips, in one place, at affordable pricing. You do not even have to go that far and purchase any plans, as the free account of Clipchamp allows you to edit videos, use stock content, and export them in 1080p resolution for free.

However, upgraded plans are needed when you want to use a stamp or professional editing features (like advanced video effects, logos, and so on). The upgraded plan, i.e., US$ 11.99/mo. And you get the benefit of using premium functions, stock content, and unlimited cloud storage.

Overall, Clipchamp is one of the few online editors that covers everything for you. Whether you are using the free version or the upgraded plan, Clipchimp is the perfect replacement if you are looking for a program like iMovie Chromebook. Moreover, Clipchimp has partnered with Chromebook and offers two month's free trial for Chromebook users. That is to say; the dedicated Chromebook app is another reason you should go with Clipchamp.

Key Features:

• Rich stock audio, images, and video media.
• Use transitions, effects, and filters in your videos.
• Readymade templates for YouTube, Business, Ads, and other types of videos.
• Green Screen, GIF Maker, Screen Recorder, Camera Recorder, and other complementary tools.

3.   Kapwing

Rating: 4.5/5

Best for: Collaborating with the team on video-making projects.

Price: Free (which is worthless); Pro — US$ 16/mo; Team — US$ 16/mo.

Available OS: Online (Chromebook)

Kapwing is yet another ideal video editor for users looking for a reliable alternative to iMovie for Chromebook. It is simple to use and doesn’t require downloads. So, you can use it on Chromebook seamlessly. Moreover, Kapwing has everything you need to create professional-looking videos on Chromebook, including essential editing tools, unrestricted video transcriptions, stock assets, and a cloud management system.

Even more, you can expect powerful features like automatic subtitles (in multiple languages) and smart cut (removing unwanted silences and so on), audio cleaning features, and other such features.

You will also find other useful features like Screen Recorder, Video Converter, Audio Converter, Background Remover, Text to Speech, and more. But Kapwing is more suitable for team players, given it comes laden with collaborative functions that not personal users might need (but have to pay for it, nonetheless).

Everything sounds well, but given the online nature of the program, you cannot create a project of more than an hour in length (or 6GB in size). So, if you work on extended lengths videos, Kapwing might not be your iMovie Chromebook alternative.

Key Features:

• All essential video editing tools, like trim, cut, split, and more.
• Use transitions, effects, and filters in your videos.
• Auto transcription, auto subtitles, and more intuitive features.
• Green Screen, AI background remover, Screen Recorder, and other complementary tools.

4.   VivaVideo

Rating: 3.8/5

Best for: Beginners-looking for an easy-to-use video editing laden with special effects, lenses, and templates to do a quick-and-dirty work.

Price: Premier Platinum — US$ 35.99; other in-app purchases.

Available OS: Android (Installable on Chromebook), iOS.

VivaVideo is yet another multi-track video editor that comes with all essential editing tools and is powerful enough to qualify as the iMovie alternative for Chromebook. Although available as an extension for Chromebook users, VivaVideo comes laden with powerful features, ranging from simple editing features to advanced audio editing. But the best thing about VivaVideo is its readymade special effects, templates, sound effects, dedicated toggles for slo-mo and fo-mo impact, and so on.

VivaVideo also has a storyboard editing mode for merging video clips and trimming videos. Plus, it has more than nine lenses to give cinematic effects to normal-looking videos. Also, audiophiles can upload their songs directly from Garageband and level up the audio of their videos. In addition, you can share all the projects now on social channels like Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, YouTube, and more.

To sum up, VivaVideo is suitable for beginner-level users looking for an iMovie alternative for Chromebook to use simple editing features and take the help of readymade templates, effects, and sounds to create awesome-looking projects in a matter of seconds.

Key Features:

• Use more than 200 special video effects, templates, and lenses to edit a video quickly.
• Bring your audio projects from Garageband directly.
• Change speed using dedicated slo-mo or fo-mo options, or use the slider to determine the optimal rate.
• Apply rich filters to videos and add elements to give life to a normal-looking video.

5.   KineMaster

Rating: 4.0/5

Best for: Users of all skill levels looking for a tool to fine-tune their videos and add life to them via animations, special effects, dedicated sound mixing options, and whatnot.

Price: Premium (Annual) — US$ 22.99; other in-app purchases.

Available OS: Android (Installable on ChromeOS), iOS.

KineMaster has the reputation of being one of the best 4K video editors for Android and iOS users. Given the Android nature, you can easily install the application on ChromeOS. To say KineMaster is an alternative to iMovie for Chromebook will disrepute this excellent app, given the plethora of features and simple interface that make KineMaster a superior choice to iMovie Chromebook.

Overall, KineMaster is suitable for users of all skill levels; that is to say, beginners looking for simple editing features like cut, split, trim, and merge. Or an expert looking to work on every bit and element of your video clips, KineMaster has everything you will ever need to create stunning-looking videos on your ChromeOS.

Key Features:

• Work at up to 9 different layers simultaneously and edit every element to perfection.
• Cut, arrange, composite, and transition between your videos and images.
• Color grading, color correction, filter effects, and adjustment tools change your video's look.
• Effects, graphics, transitions, text animations, and other tools ease up the editing process.

6.   Magisto

Rating: 3.9/5

Best for: Turning ordinary looking photos and video into a new definition of art of beauty using readymade templates, effects, and advanced editing features.

Price: Premium — US$ 4.99/mo; Professional — US$ 9.99/mo; Business — US$ 34.99/mo.

Available OS: Android (Installable on ChromeOS), iOS, Online Video Editor (suitable on Chromebook).

Put simply, Magisto is fast, easy, effective, and definitely, the best online video editor if you are looking for similar apps like iMovie for Chromebook and want to create short videos. With numerous templates laden with layouts, animation gears, text styles, and special effects, Magisto empowers even the least videophiles to convert just about any picture into a thing of beauty and appreciation.

That is to say, if you are looking for a way to rise up to the social media population and want to represent your picture and videos as a new definition of art and style, Magisto is the tool for you.

You will find just about everything you will in iMovie, i.e., simple editing tools like cutting, trim, merging, and splitting, to an advanced audio mixing system. However, the problem with Magisto is it does not allow you to create videos of more than 10 minutes in length.

Even the top-most subscription options (the Professional and Business versions) limit the project length to 10 minutes. So, it is suitable for users looking for a video editor similar to iMovie on Chromebook but who do not want to work on lengthy videos.

Key Features:

• Magisto is pre-laden with numerous templates laden with layouts, animation gears, text styles, and special effects.
• More than 1 million stock assets, including images, videos, animations, and more elements.
• Advanced editing features, like Color correction, keyframing, Chroma Key, and more.
• You can customize brand colors & fonts.

7.   YouTube Studio

Rating: 3.9/5

Best for: Trimming videos and uploading them to YouTube.

Price: Free.

Available OS: Online

YouTube Studio is nothing fancy, but it gets the job done. You can visit Studio.YouTube.com, find the Studio mode on the YouTube website, and edit your videos. You will find an option to trim and split the videos only.

Overall, YouTube Studio is good when you already have a readymade video at hand but only want to remove the unwanted parts from it.

Key Features:

• Trim videos.
• Online editor means no computing power.

8.   Hippo Video

Rating: 4.5/5

Best for: Making a specific type of video and paying accordingly.

Price: Starter — US$ 15/mo; Pro — US$ 30/mo; Growth — US$ 48/month (per user); Enterprise — US$ 79/mo (per user).

Available OS: Website (Range of online video editing tools for individual needs, navigate and find the suitable one for you).

Hippo Video does not focus on making the best video editor like Adobe, Filmora, and Final Cut Pro vendors; instead, it focuses on businesses and online tutors looking to make specific kinds of videos. The idea is simple: to hand out an all-powerful and encompassing tool for one need specifically.

So, if you are a marketer, online tutor, software demonstrator, or want to achieve only a tool to do one job, Hippo Video team has got you covered. The range of tools from the vendor allows you to choose dedicated apps and pay accordingly.

So, if you use iMovie for one purpose only, like creating explainer videos, and are looking for a suitable iMovie Chromebook, then Hippo Video is the program for you. In addition, Hippo Video presents a simple user interface in all its tools, eliminating the need to go through the learning curve.

Key Features:

• Video editing tools as per need.
• Suitable for marketers, sales managers, and creating professional videos.
• Virtual background, numerous templates, and social media templates for quick and simple editing.

9.   Google Photos

Rating: 4.7/5

Best for: Adjusting color and tone via dedicated toggles like Brightness, Shadows, White points, Highlights, and other modes.

Price: Free.

Available OS: Android

Google Photos has a basic video editor that allows you to work with simple aspects like Brightness, Shadows, White points, Highlights, and other modes to bring color and life to dull-looking videos. Even if you are looking for advanced editing tools, Google Photos has got you covered. For instance, you will now find a Movie Maker function (which comes with AI capabilities) to apply filters and themes to your videos. However, the feature is available only on Chromebooks.

Needless to mention, it is not an alternative to iMovie for Chromebook. Nevertheless, it is free and effective, so it might be helpful for the user looking for a simple video editor on Chromebooks.

Key Features:

• Trim your clips and adjust their brightness and contrast.
• AI capabilities to auto-correct the color and tone of your articles.

10.   FlexClip

Rating: 4.4/5

Best for: Beginner-level video editors looking for a straightforward yet capable tool.

Price: Free, Basic — US$ 5.99/mo; Plus — 9.99/mo; Business — 19.99/mo.

Available OS: Online Video Editor (for Chromebook)

A freemium online video editor, FlexClip is another suitable alternative for anyone looking for an iMovie Chromebook alternative with powerful cloud storing capability and rich stock assets. FlexClip is suitable for beginner-level video editors looking for a straightforward yet capable tool, featuring numerous ready-to-go templates, styles, text animations, and one-click effect options.

But that is not all, you will find almost all essential video editing tools in FlexClip, including trim/cut video, music editor, text editor, filter, transitions, and so on.

Be that as it may, FlexClip is unsuitable for users looking for advanced video editing functions like Chroma Key, keyframing, color corrections, and so on. Moreover, the maximum video length of one project is 30 minutes (with the Business plan); the other two programs only allow you to create videos of up to 10 minutes.

Another concerning thing about FlexClip is the Basic plan doesn’t allow you to create videos in HD. You must purchase the Plus or Business plan to export in 1080p quality. The same rules apply to stock assets. For instance, Free and Basic plan users can only use one element per project. And Plus plan allows you to use up to 5 stock elements per project.

Key Features:

• Numerous templates, transitions, and video effects to create videos easily.
• Trim/cut video, music editor, text editor, filter, transitions, and so on.
• More than a million stock assets.
• Export your projects to social platforms.

11.  PowerDirector

Rating: 4.4/5

Best for: a comprehensive 4K video editing suite for users with high-end Chromebooks (physical resources).

Price: US$ 34.99 (Annual Subscription for most features); other in-app purchases.

Available OS: Android (Installable on Chromebooks), iOS, Windows, Mac.

From instant graphics, text animations, and blending modes to give magical effects to special effects, transitions, and layer-based editing, PowerDirector has everything to create a normal-looking video into a professionally-tuned clip.

In other words, PowerDirector is the most comprehensive video editing solution available for Android and iOS users. Needless to say, it is the perfect app if you are looking for an iMovie Chromebook alternative.

Even more, PowerDirector offers you way more functions than what is available on iMovie. For instance, you will have access to Motion Graphics, Sound Effects, Blending Modes, Special Effects, and many more features to create Hollywood-like movies in minutes (given the automated nature).

You can work on 4K projects, use stock content, and make your videos for any purpose, selecting readymade resources like templates, effects, filters, lenses, and more. What’s exceptional about PowerDirector is it also includes an advanced audio mixing function to work on every bit of the audio, eliminating the need to use audio editing tools to repurpose your audio in the video clips.

Overall, PowerDirector is simple, clean, and intuitive. It is expensive and suitable only for high-end Chromebooks, given it lags and does not provide a seamless work environment on computers with insufficient physical resources. Other than that, there is no reason to refrain from using it.

Key Features:

• Multi-track timeline editor allows you to work on multiple layers simultaneously.
• Readymade resources like templates, effects, filters, lenses, and more to make video editing a quick and easy process.
• Advanced audio mixing function to work on every bit of the audio.
• Motion Graphics, Sound Effects, Blending Modes, Special Effects, and many more features to create Hollywood-like movies in minutes.

Summary: How To Choose an iMovie Alternative for Chromebook?

iMovie is appreciated for two exceptional qualities: simple interface and powerful functionality. So, if you are looking to distinguish between the best and worst iMovie alternatives for Chromebook, here are things you review before subscribing or upgrading your plan:

Basic video editing functions, like trim, split, merge and flip, let you edit fast, WeVideo, Magisto, Hippo Video, Google Photos, and YouTube studio can be good to go.

Advanced video editing functions, such as Green Screen, Animations, and an advanced audio mixing system, allow you to tweak every bit of the video like iMovie. So, if you are an advanced user and need these, ensure that the iMovie alternative for Chromebook includes these functions. We are here to recommend you to use KineMaster or PowerDirector.

Effects, Animations, and Graphics allow you to tweak videos with one-click options like in iMovie. So, ensure the program has these features, especially if you are a beginner and cannot work on these aspects manually, Kapwing will be a great choice.

Review the free version of the program: getting the feel of the program before actually purchasing it will give you a clear idea of whether the interface is simple to use or not.

And many of the iMovie Chromebook alternatives mentioned here have these qualities.

Part 5: Hot FAQs About iMovie Alternatives for Chromebook

There are also some frequently asked questions about the best iMovie alternatives for Chromebook, and here we’ve shared our opinion.

1. Does Google have something like iMovie?

Google, indeed, has “something like iMovie,” i.e., Google Photos. But as indicated, Google Photos comes with limited capabilities and so few features that we cannot even classify Google Photos as a video editor in general.

2. Can you get iMovie on any laptop?

No. You can only install iMovie on Apple Laptops.

3. Can you do video editing on a Chromebook?

Yes, you can do exclusive video editing via our above-mentioned top eleven best iMovie alternatives for the Chromebook.

Final Words

Undoubtedly, not all the tools mentioned in the list are suitable alternatives to iMovie Chromebook. But it's troublesome to have a replica of iMovie for Chromebook. The free and robust nature of iMovie is unmatchable. Nevertheless, options like Clipchamp, KineMaster, FlexClip, and Kapwing come close to what iMovie offers. In fact, some options like WeVideo and Magisto are superior to iMovie on Chromebook if you rule out that they are premium and require a subscription.

That said, we promised to include a tool for every user needs and delivered on that promise, so make your choice and choose one from the list because they are exact replicas of what iMovie on Chromebook would've been like.