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When I think back on my own experience, Windows Movie Maker was a big part of how I turned my amateur video projects into great movies. The drag-and-drop feature in the easy-to-use interface made it simple for me to make my thoughts come to life and share them with family and friends. Movie Maker became an essential benefit for me as I looked for a simple tool to improve my home movies. It brings back memories of how common this built-in software was on older versions of Windows, where artistic types like me used it all the time. But as technology has changed, Movie Maker is no longer included in the bundled program.
This is especially true for newer versions of Windows like Windows 10. Due to this absence, I looked into other ways to edit videos, ranging from simple tools that are easy to use to more complex software. After Movie Maker was taken offline, many other video editing program came out to meet the needs of people with different tastes and levels of skill. The lack of Movie Maker has been filled by these replacements, which also come with a wider range of features and functions. Video editing has changed a lot over the years, from simple tools that are good for beginners to more complex ones.
Also, the release of video editing apps for iOS and Android has given me even more ways to be artistic. Now I can edit and improve videos without any problems while I’m on the go, going beyond the limits of a desktop-only method. This change in how easy it is to get to has changed how I edit videos, letting me record and edit moments whenever the mood hits.
Best Windows Movie Maker Alternatives Comparison Table
It used to be that Windows Movie Maker was the best tool for editing movies. If you used to edit videos like I did, you probably know which one I’m talking about. Because it came loaded with Windows and was easy for beginners to use, Windows Movie Maker was the obvious choice for any video editing needs you might have.
Feature | Kdenlive | OpenShot | FilmForth | Microsoft Photos | Camtasia |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Price | Free | Free | Free | Free | Paid ($249.99/year) |
Platform | Windows, macOS, Linux | Windows, macOS, Linux | Windows, macOS, Android | Windows | Windows, macOS |
Ease of use | Moderate | Easy | Easy | Easy | Moderate |
Features | Advanced editing tools, multi-track editing, compositing, effects, transitions | Basic editing tools, titles, transitions, effects | Basic editing tools, text overlays, transitions, filters | Basic editing tools, trimming, transitions, effects | Advanced editing tools, multi-track editing, screen recording, animation, effects |
Learning curve | Steeper | Easier | Easier | Easier | Steeper |
Best for | Experienced users who need advanced features | Beginners and casual users | Beginners and casual users | Beginners and casual users | Professional and advanced users |
Best Windows Movie Maker Alternatives
For many people who use Windows, Windows Movie Maker was an indispensable program that was highly regarded as a movie editor for novices. A lot of people liked the program because of how easy it was to use and how entertaining its special effects were. It was pre-installed on all Windows devices. The most significant thing is that it was completely free.
Kdenlive
Feature | Description |
---|---|
Multitrack Editing | Edit multiple tracks simultaneously |
Effects and Transitions | Wide range of effects and transitions |
Audio Editing | Advanced audio editing capabilities |
Keyframe Animation | Create intricate animations with keyframes |
Proxy Editing | Smooth editing even with high-resolution videos |
Cross-Platform | Available for Windows, macOS, and Linux |
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Because it is compatible with a variety of operating systems, including macOS, Linux, and Windows, Kdenlive has become a vital tool for video editing. Because of its vast range of capabilities and versatility, it is suited for a wide variety of editing chores, regardless of whether you are a newbie or an experienced professional.
Users of Kdenlive are given the ability to bring their creative visions to life through the use of its multi-track editing capacity, broad array of effects and transitions, titling options, and comprehensive colour correction tools.
The Good
- Open-source and free
- Extensive community support
- Regular updates and improvements
- Versatile with various file formats
- Customizable interface
The Bad
- Learning curve for beginners
- Occasional stability issues
OpenShot
Feature | Description |
---|---|
User-Friendly Interface | Intuitive and easy to use |
Animation Framework | Create 3D animated titles and effects |
Unlimited Layers | Support for unlimited layers in the timeline |
Cross-Platform | Works on Windows, macOS, and Linux |
Clip Resizing | Easily resize clips on the timeline |
The realm of video editing can be entered with ease with OpenShot, which has shown to be an accessible entry point. Additionally, it provides important editing features such as trimming, chopping, and creating transitions, which makes it particularly appealing to beginners due to its user-friendly interface.
Even though it may not have the same level of intricacy as Kdenlive, OpenShot still has some advanced features like as slow motion and time lapse effects. These features ensure that users are able to easily generate remarkable results.
The Good
- Free and open-source
- Simple for beginners
- Regular updates with new features
- Excellent community support
- Supports a wide range of audio and video formats
The Bad
- Limited advanced features
- Occasional stability issues with large projects
FilmForth
Feature | Description |
---|---|
Simple Interface | Easy-to-use interface for quick editing |
Basic Editing Tools | Cut, trim, and arrange clips effortlessly |
Audio Editing | Add and adjust audio tracks |
Text and Titles | Insert text and titles into your videos |
Export Options | Export videos in various formats |
The cloud-based approach that FilmForth takes provides a convenient option for editing activities that eliminates the need to download individual software program. Its user-friendly design makes the editing process easier to understand, making it suitable for those who place a premium on effectiveness and convenience.
Although FilmForth may be lacking in some of the more advanced capabilities that are available in other editors, the fact that it prioritises ease of use and accessibility makes it an excellent choice for projects that require short edits and are carried out on the go.
The Good
- Free and lightweight
- Quick and easy for basic edits
- Suitable for beginners
- No watermark on exported videos
The Bad
- Limited advanced features
- Not as feature-rich as other editors
Microsoft Photos
Feature | Description |
---|---|
Video Editing | Basic video editing capabilities |
Built-in Filters | Apply filters to enhance your videos |
Slideshow Creation | Easily create slideshows with photos and videos |
Integration with OneDrive | Access and edit media from OneDrive |
Users who are looking to do uncomplicated editing activities can benefit from using Microsoft Photos, which, while being a default application in Windows 10 and 11, presents itself as a plain yet functional editor.
In spite of the fact that it might not provide as many functionality as other editors, the fact that it is so easy to use and is integrated with the Windows ecosystem makes it a good option for straightforward editing requirements.
The Good
- Pre-installed on Windows
- Simple and straightforward
- Seamless integration with other Microsoft services
The Bad
- Limited advanced editing features
- Windows-exclusive
Camtasia
Feature | Description |
---|---|
Screen Recording | Capture screen activity with audio |
Video Editing | Edit recorded videos with a powerful editor |
Annotations and Effects | Add annotations, callouts, and effects |
Multi-Track Timeline | Edit multiple tracks simultaneously |
Export Options | Export in various formats, including MP4 and GIF |
Among commercial editors, Camtasia stands out as a powerful tool that can be utilised for both personal and professional purposes. Because of its extensive feature set, which includes multi-track editing, a multitude of effects and transitions, the ability to title, and even the capability to record the screen, it is a flexible tool for those who create material.
Through the usage of Camtasia’s customizable workspace, users are able to personalize their editing environment to better suit their tastes, hence further improving the efficiency of their workflow.
The Good
- Robust screen recording capabilities
- Professional-grade video editing
- Rich library of effects and assets
- User-friendly interface
The Bad
- Paid software, not free
- Resource-intensive for low-end systems
Why Choose Windows Movie Maker?
Microsoft made Windows Movie Maker, which was a famous program for editing videos. That being said, Windows Movie Maker was used by a lot of people in the past, but Microsoft stopped supporting it in 2017 and it can’t be downloaded or updated anymore. But if you still have access to it or want to use it on an older computer, here are some reasons why many people picked it:
- Easy to Use: Windows Movie Maker was known for having a simple and easy-to-use interface that made it easy for newbies and casual users to use. It had basic editing tools like the ability to cut, split, and merge clips. You could also add media files and transitions by dragging and dropping them.
- Built into Windows: One of the best things about Windows Movie Maker was that it came pre-installed with Windows. This meant that users could use it right away without having to download or install anything else. Because it worked with Windows, it was a good choice for people who wanted to edit videos without having to find other tools.
- Basic Editing Tools: Windows Movie Maker didn’t have the advanced editing tools that you’d find in professional video editing software, but it did have the basic tools you need to make movies, slideshows, and presentations. Within the software, users could add text overlays, use simple transitions and effects, and change the volume of the sound.
- With Windows Movie Maker, you could use other Windows Live services, like Windows Live Photo Gallery and Windows Live Mail. This was part of the Windows Live Essentials suite. With this integration, users could easily post their edited movies on sites like YouTube, Facebook, and Vimeo, all from within the software.
- Free to Use: Because Windows Movie Maker came with Windows, all Windows users could use it for free. This made it a good choice for people and businesses on a tight budget who needed an easy way to edit videos for personal or non-business purposes.
Questions and Answers
When compared to Movie Maker, Movavi Video Editor is among the most effective options. This fully-featured editor is accessible on both Mac and Windows, and it boasts an easier-to-use interface that is suitable for novices. Additionally, it provides a large number of functions. Users have the ability to trim, crop, and cut clips in any way they see fit, in addition to adding audio, special effects, and other features.
Microsoft has not disclosed the reason why they terminated Movie Maker; nevertheless, some official sources have stated that the reason is that the programme did not attain the level of popularity that Microsoft would have desired it to have. As a consequence, the corporation was forced to stop providing support for the programme.