If you’re wondering whether GoPro Quik vs iMovie is better, you’ve come to the right place!

In this article, you’ll find a comprehensive comparison between these two popular video editing software: GoPro Quik and iMovie.

Also, I’ll share my personal opinion on which one outperforms the other.

 

Update: New GoPro Quik App For Desktop


After a bit of a break, GoPro Quik for desktop is making a comeback! It’s been available for macOS users since February 2024, and don’t worry, Windows folks – it’s heading your way later this year.

The free version of Quik, available for both mobile and Mac, offers users a variety of features. To fully unlock Quik’s capabilities, though, a subscription is required.

Subscribing to Premium grants complete access to Quik on both mobile and desktop, while a separate subscription to Quik for just the mobile app is available at $9.99/year.

 

GoPro Quik vs iMovie: Comparison Table


Let’s look at the highlighted differences between the two software:

FeatureGoPro QuikGoPro Studio
PriceFreeFree
CompatibilityWindows, macOS, iOS, AndroidmacOS, iOS
Importing footageAutomatically detects footage from GoPro cameras and other devicesAllows importing footage from a variety of sources including cameras, phones, and external hard drives
User interfaceSimple and easy-to-use interface with limited customization optionsSleek and intuitive interface with more advanced customization options
Editing toolsBasic editing tools including trimming, color correction, and video speed adjustmentMore advanced editing tools including transitions, effects, and audio editing
Sharing optionsAllows for easy sharing to social media platforms and GoPro's cloud serviceSupports sharing to various platforms including social media, YouTube, and Vimeo
Output qualityOutput quality is good, but limited export optionsOutput quality is high with various export options including HD and 4K
Overall experienceGreat for quickly editing and sharing footage, but limited in terms of customization optionsPerfect for beginners and those who want more advanced editing options, but only available on Apple devices

 

GoPro Quik vs iMovie: What’s better for Beginners?


Both GoPro Quik and iMovie are known for their user-friendly interfaces and powerful editing tools, making them popular choices for both beginner and advanced video editors. GoPro Quik is tailored specifically for GoPro footage and offers quick and easy editing options, while iMovie is a more comprehensive video editing tool with advanced features like green screen and audio editing. But which one is better? Let’s dive into the features, user-friendliness, and overall experience of using these two software programs.

gopro quik app logo

Steps to download GoPro Quik:

Click the downloading link to install  the newest version of the GoPro Quik on Mac.

iMovie logo

Steps to download iMovie:

Here are the steps to download iMovie on your device. Almost the same steps are to be followed for iOS devices like an iPhone or iPad.

  1. Open the App Store on your Mac.
  2. Use the search bar in the top-right corner of the screen to search for “iMovie.”
  3. Click on the “Get” button next to iMovie to begin downloading the app. If you’ve already downloaded iMovie before, the button will say “Download” instead.
  4. If prompted, enter your Apple ID and password to start the download.
  5. Once the download is complete, you should be able to find iMovie in your Applications folder.

 

Available as a mobile app for iOS and Android, and you can download it from the App Store or Google Play Store.

Read more about GoPro Quik: GoPro Quik: Free GoPro Video Editing App

More on how to download GoPro Quik for free:

Key Differences


gopro quik vs imovie

Here are some of the key differences between GoPro Quik and iMovie:

Compatibility

Compatibility refers to the ability of software to work on different platforms, such as operating systems and devices. In the context of video editing software like GoPro Quik and iMovie, compatibility can affect the user’s ability to use the software on different devices and operating systems.

GoPro Quik is available on multiple platforms, including Windows (currently not, but will be available later in 2024), macOS, iOS, and Android, which means that users can use the software on a variety of devices, such as desktop computers, laptops, tablets, and smartphones. On the other hand, iMovie is only available on macOS and iOS. This means that users who have devices running on other operating systems, such as Windows or Android, cannot use iMovie on those devices.

Do you wonder if there are more editing app available for Mac? Check out this article: 10 Best Apps for Video Editing on Mac

User interface

The user interface of video editing software like GoPro Quik or iMovie is important as it can affect the user’s experience and ease of use. A well-designed user interface can help users easily navigate through the software and find the tools they need to create their videos.

GoPro Quik has a simple and easy-to-use interface with limited customization options. It uses a drag-and-drop interface that allows users to add media files and apply basic editing features such as trimming, color correction, and video speed adjustment. The interface is minimalistic, and it focuses on providing an easy-to-use platform for quick video editing.

iMovie, on the other hand, has a sleek and intuitive interface with more advanced customization options. It uses a timeline-based interface that allows users to add media files, and apply various transitions, effects, and audio editing features. The interface is customizable, and users can rearrange the UI elements to suit their preferences.

And another interesting editing apps for PROs are Adobe Premiere and Studio. Read all the comparisons GoPro Quik vs Adobe Premiere  and GoPro Quik vs Studio to learn which one is better for advanced editing.

Editing tools

GoPro Quik provides basic editing tools that are easy to use, even for beginners. The editing tools include trimming, color correction, video speed adjustment, and automatic video editing features. GoPro Quik also includes a range of pre-built templates and themes that users can use to quickly edit and enhance their videos.

The Quik desktop app seamlessly integrates with its mobile counterpart, allowing you to begin a project on one device and complete it on another effortlessly. It comes equipped with user-friendly yet potent editing tools, including a beat sync feature that aligns your edits with the beat of your music, simplifying sophisticated content creation.

In contrast, iMovie provides more advanced editing tools that allow users to create professional-quality videos. These tools include transitions, effects, audio editing, green-screen effects, picture-in-picture effects, and slow-motion and fast-motion effects. iMovie also provides advanced color correction tools and the ability to add text overlays, captions, and credits to videos.

Importing footage

The ability to import footage from various sources is an important feature of video editing software, as it allows users to work with footage from a variety of cameras, devices, and storage locations.

GoPro Quik makes it easy to import footage from GoPro cameras and other devices. It syncs with the Quik mobile app, making it easy to start a project on one device and then finish it on another.

The software automatically detects media files on the user’s device, making it simple to import footage into the editing timeline. GoPro Quik also allows users to import footage directly from their GoPro cloud account, making it easy to access and edit footage from anywhere.

In comparison, iMovie offers more flexibility when it comes to importing footage. Users can import footage from a variety of sources, including cameras, phones, external hard drives, and other devices. The software allows users to import footage directly into the editing timeline or create a new project and import the footage later. iMovie also offers the ability to import audio files separately, which is a useful feature for adding voiceovers or background music to videos.

Sharing options

GoPro Quik provides users with several options for sharing their edited videos. Users can export videos in a variety of formats, including 1080p, 720p, and 480p, and can choose to export the video to their device or share it directly to social media platforms such as YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram. GoPro Quik also allows users to save the video to their GoPro cloud account for easy access and sharing.

On the other hand, GoPro Quik permits you to go live with your GoPro. Read more in this article: GoPro Live Stream EASY Guide

iMovie also offers a range of sharing options. Users can export videos in various resolutions, including 1080p and 4K, and can choose to export the video to their device or share it directly to social media platforms such as YouTube, Facebook, and Vimeo. iMovie also allows users to export videos to iTunes, iDVD, and iWeb, making it easy to share videos with others or burn them to a DVD.

Output quality

It is important to choose software that provides the necessary resolution and quality options to achieve the desired output. GoPro Quik allows users to export videos in resolutions of up to 1080p, which is suitable for most basic video editing needs. The software also includes several color correction options to enhance the overall quality of the video output.

Whereas, iMovie offers higher resolution options, including 4K resolution, which is ideal for users who want to create high-quality videos. iMovie also includes advanced color correction and grading tools, which allow users to adjust the color and tone of their videos to achieve a more professional look.

 

 Final Thoughts


If you’re just starting and looking for software with an easy-to-use interface and basic editing tools, GoPro Quik is your homie.

It’s made for GoPro footage, so it’s perfect for beginners who want to quickly edit and share their action-packed videos.

Note that some functions are available only with a paid subscription.

If you’re ready to level up your editing skills and create more polished videos, iMovie is where it’s at. With advanced editing tools and higher resolution options, you can turn your vision into a cinematic masterpiece that’ll leave your audience breathless.

 

 

Thanks for reading!

I hope this guide helped you learn which one is better for beginners out of the two – GoPro Quik or iMovie  🙂

 

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