In this article, we compare Filmora and Movavi, both in terms of simplicity, available effects, technical requirements, and prices so that you can make an informed decision when purchasing one of them.
Both Movavi and Filmora are two video editing programs aimed at beginners looking for easy-to-learn, inexpensive video editors that offer versatility when editing.
I have used both programs, and continue to use them for my Youtube videos, therefore, I know them well enough to provide you with a knowledgeable and objective comparison.
What we must ask ourselves is not which video editor is better, but which one best suits our projects and possibilities; here I analyze Filmora and Movavi so that you can decide which of these two editors is better for you.
What to look for before choosing a video editing software?
Before comparing both editors, we have to take into account several factors:
- If your project will need industry-standard features.
- We have to consier our budget.
- If the software has a free trial version, so that we can test it first.
Since I do not want to waste your time, I can tell you that none of these programs will suit you if you need industry-standard effects and tools, they do have some advanced features for a simple video editing software, but in a simpler version.
These programs are great if you want to become a Youtuber, create tutorials, make corporate videos or even some basic commercials, upload gameplays, and maybe some short films, depending on the complexity.
I will describe each one of them and include some special effects examples so that you know if they are the right choice.
FILMORA VS MOVAVI comparison table
Feature | FILMORA See here (official website) | MOVAVI See here (official website) |
CPU and Lagging | * For medium-end PC and up (2 GHz and at least 4GB of RAM. * CPU accelerator. * Preview render. | * For low-end PC and up (1.5 GHz) * CPU accelerator. |
Features | * Chroma key * Color correction * Transitions * Masking * Split screen * Motion Tracking * Keyframe animation * Screen and webcam recorder * Beat detection * Color match * Speed Ramping * Beat and silence detection *Automatic Speech-To-Text *Automatic Text-To-Speech *Shadow dropping | * Chroma key * Color correction * Transitions * Keyframe animation (Plus and Suite versions) * Beat detection * Mask overlay. * Motion tracking (only for masking) * Screen recorder (Suite only) |
Simplicity | * Intuitive interface and shallow learning curve. | * Mostly intuitive interface |
Best plan | $79.99, lifetime license. | $99.95 Video Suite Lifetime License |
Download | See official website | See official website |
You may read my full review of Filmora here and Movavi here.
CPU usage and lagging
Winner: Movavi
If you have a low-end PC (Processor less than 2.0 GHz, RAM less than 4GB), you will experience less lagging with Movavi, this is because it is a program made for low-end computers.
With Filmora you have many options to speed up the CPU and you also have the option of pre-rendering so that you do not experience lags, however, for projects with too many effects or elements in the timeline you will experience some problems from time to time.
Interface
Winner: Filmora
Both programs have a very pleasant interface, but I think Filmora is easier to figure out.
As you can see in the following picture, Filmora’s interface shows you what the elements and icons are for and even includes a little “x” to cut clips.
This makes it not as clean as Movavi’s interface, but you will be able to apply the effects faster.
On the contrary, Movavi’s interface is way cleaner but if you notice, the icons are a little harder to decipher, and sometimes you will end up scratching your head trying to find a tool.
Effects and transitions
Winner: Filmora
In this area, I definitely think that Filmora has greater versatility since, in addition to the already known effects such as green screen, pan, and zoom, titles, transitions, keyframe animation, etc. you have the option of motion tracking, color match, or split-screen, which are not included in Movavi.
Another feature is the automatic Speech-To-Text and Speech-To-Text tool included in Filmora, it is important to remember that 90% of video on Social Media is watched without sound.
Besides, they constantly add more and more effects or details and I feel that Movavi does not get as many improvements with the same frequency.
In the next video I show you how to make a transition effect in Filmora that is usually done by more advanced editors:
Another advantage of Filmora is that you can find many more interesting effect tutorials for Filmora than for Movavi.
Both Filmora and advanced versions of Movavi (Plus or Suite version) offer keyframe animation for video, titles, and other elements, however, Movavi’s Keyframe tool seems a bit easier to me, maybe because I got used to it when Filmora didn’t update it yet, but both are pretty good.
As an example of what you can achieve with keyframe editing with Movavi Video Editor Plus (or Suite), I created this tutorial to show how you can use this tool as well as the chroma key feature:
In addition to the above, I think that Movavi’s titles and stickers are a bit more colorful than Filmora’s (if you are a fashion or travel Vlogger I think they are a better fit).
Text and Stickers
Winner: Movavi
In this area, I think Movavi offers better tools, they include a vast collection of stickers and text designs that could fit a Vlogger, while Filmora’s are mostly black and white, while the prettier ones are for additional purchase.
As you can see in the picture, Movavi offers many stickers and gives you options of comics, emojis, travel, love, masks, etc. all of them very colorful.
Filmora’s elements are not as pleasant, I am not saying they are ugly, but definitely, if you need stickers, emojis, and elements that stand out I would go with Movavi.
Workflow
Winner: Filmora
Filmora’s interface makes the workflow easier and faster overall, this is because most of the tools are in plain sight and very rarely you will need to click more than once to use the tool.
As an example, you can see in the following picture that once selected a clip, five tabs appear, and with just one click access whether to edit video, audio, color, animation, or speed.
With Movavi, the workflow is just as easy, but sometimes you need to click two or three of the icons on the left because you don’t know where the tool you need is.
As an example, you can see in the following image, ¿Can you guess what the square icon on the left is for?
Well, it is the transitions tool:
Screen recorder
Winner: Movavi
Reminder: Movavi Video Editor Plus does not have Screen Recorder, only the Suite version.
Both programs have Screen Recorders, but the Movavi recorder is superior in terms of options and quality.
As you can see, Movavi’s Screen Recorder offers several options, such as the quality of video or audio, highlighting or hiding the cursor, not included in Filmora, choosing the click sound, or the size of some of the click effects.
Movavi allows you, on top of that, to take screenshots using a shortcut and capture keystrokes.
Filmora’s Screen Recorder is good, but way more basic, it includes quality of video and audio, frame rate and does not have effects (save for showing mouse clicks while in the recording).
If you are going to make tutorials where screen capture is important and not so much cinematic effects, I think Movavi Video Suite is the best bet.
Movavi and Filmora prices
Winner: Movavi
Both programs are reasonably priced, and Filmora would have won in the Price field if it wasn’t for the fact that it does not allow Perpetual Business Plans, unlike Movavi.
Movavi’s prices
Movavi Video Suite Plan | Price | Page |
---|---|---|
Movavi Video Editor Plus 1-year subscripcion | $49.95 | See discount here |
Movavi Video Editor Plus Personal Lifetime Plan | $69.95 | See discount here |
Movavi Video Editor Plus, Business Lifetime Plan | $174.95 | See discount here Code: ENMIHOME10 |
Movavi Video Suite 1-year subscription | $79.95 USD | See discount here |
Movavi Video Suite Personal lifetime plan | $99.95 USD | See discount here |
Movavi Video Suite Business lifetime plan | $199.95 | See discount here |
NOTE: On this page, you will see several coupons of up to a 40% discount that Movavi has provided for EnMiHomeStudio readers.
At the time of writing this article, the cheapest version of Movavi costs $40.00, but it is extremely limited, only allows 6 tracks, and does not have keyframe animation.
Movavi’s bestseller (the plus version) costs $59.95 with all editing features, which is still a very cheap price, although it only includes a personal license (you can’t use it for business or YouTube) and does not have a screen recorder.
The cost of Movavi Video Suite is $99.95 for the Perpetual License, which comes with a screen and webcam recorder as well as Picverse (a photo editor)
Movavi has the advantage of offering one-time payment options for both the personal and business versions.
The lifetime license of the Plus version for business is $100 (one-time payment), which is for commercial purposes (for example, selling or using them for corporate videos)
Filmora pricing
Filmora Plan | Price | Official Page |
---|---|---|
Filmora free version | $0.00 | See page |
Filmora Perpetual Plan (Personal) | $79.99 USD | Discount for Windows Discount for Mac. |
Filmora 11 Yearly Subscription Plan | $49.99 USD/yr (Windows) | See page |
Filmora Bundle Subscription Plan | $111.99 USD/yr | See discount |
Filmora 11 Business License | $155.88/Year | See page |
Filmora has a single version of the product with 6 different plans and costs.
The price of Filmora’s Perpetual plan is a one-time payment of $89.99, which comes with all functionalities and includes future updates for Filmora
All other options are annual subscriptions, both for personal and commercial licenses, which is a shame because the business license is way too expensive in my opinion, and costs $12.99/year.
The cheapest plan is the annual personal plan, with a cost of $39.99 and the highest price is the Premium plan for $87.96/year, the latter includes a 3-month subscription to Filmstocks (the stock video store of Filmora).
You can get some discount options at this link.
My advice regarding the pricing of Movavi and Filmora
If you are looking for the cheapest version in personal plans, the perpetual personal license of Filmora is a better option, since Movavi does not include motion tracking, or color match, and its motion-tracking is more limited.
Regarding the business versions of both programs, I feel that Movavi offers more since they offer a one-time payment for a business license.
The perpetual personal plan of FIlmora includes all its functionalities including the screen recorder (except for some unnecessary effects that you can buy through film stock).
Filmora only offers one perpetual option (the unlimited), while the commercial ones and those that include stock video and non-free effects are annual subscriptions.
Although I have to say that I have never used them or seen the need to have them.
Since prices usually change, I give you the link to the costs of both programs so that you can compare them since they can constantly change.
Rendering
As for the duration and quality of the rendering, this depends on several factors.
If it’s an editing process without a lot of elements, I think the Movavi video looks a bit smoother than Filmora’s, especially on low-end computers.
The opposite occurs when adding more and more effects, filters, titles, green screen, etc. In my experience, I have had better results with Filmora, (as long as your computer is mid to high range).
In the same sense, I have noticed that Movavi renders faster than Filmora (although this depends much more on your computer than on the program itself), but it can also vary according to the editing process, which is different from project to project.
With all of the above, in terms of the final product, both offer similar quality.
In short, which one is better, Movavi or Filmora?
I am sure that you have already drawn your conclusions according to the information and your own needs.
There is no “better” editor than another because everything depends on what you need for your projects and since you decided which editor is best for you.
Personally, I use Filmora for my Videos and occasionally Movavi, if I had to choose, I would probably get Filmora if my projects were not for commercial purposes and Movavi if they were.