Is CapCut Video Editor Free?

While CapCut offers a professional paid version, there is a free option for users with only a Basic Account. Better still, it’s packed with great features for first-time as well as experienced video editors.

If you’re interested in learning more about CapCut’s free video editor, you’ve come to the right place. This article will explain everything you need to know.

What Is CapCut?

CapCut is a free video and photo editing software that can be used on mobile devices and PCs. It has seen a massive surge in popularity in the U.S. since it was first introduced in April 2020. The software gained popularity quickly because of its role as TikTok’s default, in-app video editor. The same Chinese company, ByteDance, owns both apps.

If you’re a TikTok user, you’re likely familiar with CapCut already. While scrolling the app, you’ve undoubtedly seen its telltale watermark appear at the end of numerous videos. Though it owes its renown to its association with TikTok, CapCut creations can be shared on any social media platform. In fact, the software isn’t even limited to social media. It can be used for many other editing projects, including marketing, advertising, school projects, hobby photography/movie making, journalism reports, movie production, and much more.

Basic Versus Pro Accounts

Which account is right for you will depend on your editing needs and abilities. Most casual social media and other amateur users will be delighted with the numerous photo and video editing features available on CapCut. However, professional users who may require more advanced features and increased cloud storage will need to weigh the cost and benefits to decide which account will meet the needs.

Basic Account Features

Here’s is what you will have access to with a basic account.

Photo and Video Templates

Templates are helpful time-saving tools for producing professional-looking content quickly and easily. CapCut offers thousands of free templates. Searching for specific templates in categories or by keyword is also easy.

Magic Tools

Though still in its beta version, this feature includes many incredibly creative tools. For example, one of the current free magic tools is the Image-to-Image option, which generates an original image from a user-uploaded photo and a user-written prompt.

Here are a few of the other tools available for free in Basic Accounts:

• Background remover
• Image/video upscaler
• AI color correction
• Portrait generator
• Low-light image enhancer
• Video stabilization
• And many more

Cloud Storage

Basic accounts include 1 GB of cloud storage. Once you’ve finished and downloaded a project, you can remove it from your existing projects to free up space. Another way to address space concerns is via the Task Center, which offers users additional free cloud storage for completing tasks. This reward system encourages users to share the software with friends and try new features. If you invite new users, for instance, you’ll earn an additional 2GB of storage space, with 500 given to the person who accepts your invitation.

Pro-Account Features

In addition to all that is offered on the basic account, users who choose to pay for a Pro Account will receive access to the following:

• Broader library of advanced editing options
• 100 GB of cloud storage
• Available automatic person-tracking
• Availability to export videos as gifs

Cost of Pro Account

Several purchase options are available for users who want to access the advanced features and additional storage space included with a Pro Account. CapCut currently offers two purchase methods: one-time payments and monthly subscriptions.

Reviews

The best way to know if CapCut will suit your needs is to give it a try for yourself. But if your time is limited check app-store reviews and ratings for a broad picture of user satisfaction. CapCut’s current rating in Google Play is 4.4 out of 5 stars.

Pros

• Easy to Learn and Use (especially for beginners)
• Large selection of tools and features
• Optional watermark removal

Cons

• Performance issues (glitches and lags)
• Too many ad interruptions
• Limiting access of features to Pro Accounts

Performance Issue Considerations for Professionals and Amateurs

The most common negative reviews mention performance issues such as lags and glitches, and many refer specifically to issues appearing after updates. Problematic updates and issues with software functionality can be highly frustrating, especially for professional users trying to meet deadlines.

Professionals

A hobby editor who loses all their progress due to an app malfunction would undoubtedly be upset. However, if you’re a professional you could lose money should you fail to meet a deadline, or the product fails to meet client expectations, because of glitchy, problematic software.

While other editing software, such as Adobe Premiere Pro and Apple Final Cut, are better-developed apps, they also come with a significantly higher price tag. Therefore, deciding what you’re willing to invest as a professional video editor is essential.

Amateur

Bugs and glitches are a less serious concern for users looking to edit videos as a hobby or for social media, especially when these performance issues result from an update. Typically, they’re resolved quickly by developers at companies with the resources to fix them. It’s reasonable to believe that due to CapCut’s association with TikTok and the increasing popularity of the app, the software will continue improving, addressing performance issues, and adding new features over time. However, the possibility looms that they could continue moving their most innovative and exciting features to paid accounts, restricting access from free account users.

Recommendation

CapCut is an excellent option for amateur video editors and professionals not yet prepared to invest a great deal of money in software. Even professional and advanced users who can’t yet afford a significant investment in software may find that the Pro Account meets their needs at a more affordable price point. CapCut’s hype seems to be well-deserved. The app fulfills its promise and provides free access to numerous innovative editing tools. Even if a few wrinkles in the program are still being ironed out.

CapCut: Free (mostly) and Worth Checking Out

Still wondering, is CapCut for you? If you’re a casual or amateur user of photo and video editing software, the free version of CapCut is worth checking out. Positive reviews overwhelmingly praise the app’s ease of use, especially for beginners. That, combined with the fact you can access nearly all the tools and templates in their sizeable library of resources without investing a penny, make it an ideal tool for users looking to get creative with their photos and videos.

Have you used CapCut? If so, what’s your favorite free feature? Let us know in the comments section below.