Final Cut Pro vs iMovie:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Final Cut Pro had more branded searches than iMovie among video editing software worldwide. Final Cut Pro had about 301,000 branded searches, while iMovie had 135,000. Final Cut Pro made up 1.2% of all video editing software searches we track, and iMovie accounted for 0.54%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about video editing software, Final Cut Pro appeared in four of the five answers and iMovie in three. Final Cut Pro was mentioned before iMovie in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
Final Cut Pro, about 2 searches for every 1 for iMovie
Who does AI mention more?
Final Cut Pro, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, iMovie in 3
Who does AI recommend more?
Final Cut Pro, named ahead of iMovie in every answer
Follow Final Cut Pro vs iMovie and get free monthly updates on what changed
By continuing you'll get index updates and occasional product news from Brandwave. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy
Top video editing software in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Final Cut Pro was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. iMovie was mentioned in three out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Final Cut Pro was listed before iMovie in every answer.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
DaVinci Resolve1st
Adobe Premiere Pro2nd
CapCut3rd- Final Cut Pro4th
- iMovie5th
Clipchamp6th
Filmora7th
Descript–
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- CapCut5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- DaVinci Resolve4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Adobe Premiere Pro4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Final Cut Pro4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- iMovie3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Clipchamp2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Filmora1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Descript0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about video editing software
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which video editing software should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best video editing software options?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best video editing software for editing videos?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“video editing software”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“video editing app”
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 19, 2026.
Is Final Cut Pro or iMovie more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Final Cut Pro and iMovie by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all eight video editing software we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Final Cut Pro, iMovie. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | CapCut | DaVinci Resolve | Clipchamp | Adobe Premiere Pro | Descript | Filmora | Final Cut Pro | iMovie |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 75.7% | 8.2% | 6.7% | 3.3% | 1.7% | 2.5% | 0.9% | 1.1% |
| Nov 2025 | 75.9% | 8.1% | 6.7% | 3.3% | 1.7% | 2.4% | 0.9% | 0.9% |
| Dec 2025 | 81% | 7.2% | 4.8% | 2.6% | 1.2% | 1.8% | 0.65% | 0.79% |
| Jan 2026 | 80.1% | 7.1% | 4.7% | 2.9% | 1.4% | 2.1% | 0.95% | 0.77% |
| Feb 2026 | 79.7% | 7% | 4.7% | 3.1% | 1.8% | 2.1% | 0.77% | 0.77% |
| Mar 2026 | 80.9% | 7.1% | 4.8% | 2.4% | 1.5% | 1.8% | 0.78% | 0.78% |
| Apr 2026 | 77.9% | 8.4% | 5.6% | 2.8% | 1.7% | 2.1% | 0.62% | 0.92% |
| May 2026 | 81.6% | 7.2% | 4.8% | 2.1% | 1.2% | 1.8% | 0.53% | 0.79% |
| Jun 2026 | 78.2% | 8.4% | 5.6% | 2.8% | 1.4% | 2.1% | 0.76% | 0.76% |
| Jul 2026 | 80.7% | 7.1% | 4.7% | 2.6% | 1.5% | 2.1% | 0.64% | 0.64% |
| Aug 2026 | 79.7% | 8.5% | 4.6% | 2.8% | 1.4% | 1.7% | 0.63% | 0.63% |
| Sep 2026 | 83.1% | 6% | 4% | 2.7% | 1.2% | 1.2% | 1.2% | 0.54% |
How has the Final Cut Pro and iMovie comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- The lead changed hands 3 times in the 12 months ending September 2026: Final Cut Pro took it in January 2026, iMovie took it in April 2026, Final Cut Pro took it in September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Final Cut Pro’s share of searches among video editing software worldwide moved from 0.9% to 1.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 201K to 301K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, iMovie’s share of searches among video editing software worldwide moved from 1.1% to 0.54%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 246K to 135K.
How did search popularity change for video editing software worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Final Cut Pro gained share of searches among video editing software worldwide, from 0.63% to 1.2%.
Estimated monthly branded searches for iMovie worldwide fell 45.1% over 12 measured months, from 246K to 135K in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Final Cut Pro’s and iMovie’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Final Cut Pro
1 branded search term
- final cut pro
iMovie
1 branded search term
- imovie
Other head-to-heads among video editing software
Put your own brand in this comparison
Brandwave tracks your branded demand next to the rival you actually watch, with your campaigns, spend and outcomes on the same timeline.