CapCut review

CapCut is the editor we would suggest first to someone who wants to make short videos for TikTok, YouTube Shorts or Instagram without learning a professional tool. The free app on iPhone, iPad and Mac covers trimming, splitting, speed changes from 0.1x to 100x, transitions and a multi-track timeline, and CapCut states that beginners can get started in a matter of seconds. The automated tools do much of the slow work: auto captions turn speech into subtitles, text-to-speech adds voices in several languages, and background removal cuts people out of a scene without a green screen. Keyframes, chroma key, stabilization and optical flow slow motion are there when you want more control, and exports go up to 4K at 60fps. The downside is pricing clarity. The US App Store lists Standard at $9.99 a month, Pro at $19.99 a month and a yearly plan at $89.99, plus several other subscription items, so check which features sit behind each tier before paying.

Who it is for

Creators and families who want quick social videos with captions and effects, starting free.

Price

Free download; CapCut Standard $9.99 per month and Pro $19.99 per month as in-app purchases on the US App Store, with a yearly option at $89.99.

Standard Monthly Subscription $9.99 Pro Monthly Subscription $19.99
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 8, 2026.

Key features

• Auto captions from speech recognition
• Text-to-speech in multiple languages and voices
• Automatic background removal and chroma key
• Keyframe animation, speed curves and optical flow slow motion
• Exports up to 4K at 60fps with smart HDR

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Free to start, with paid plans only for extra features
• Strength: CapCut says beginners can get started in a matter of seconds
• Strength: Weekly trending filters and hundreds of effects for social posts
• Weakness: Many features push you toward a monthly subscription
• Weakness: Several overlapping subscription items on the App Store listing make plans hard to compare
• Weakness: Rated 13+ on the US App Store, so younger kids need a parent's account

Key facts

• Developer: Bytedance Pte. Ltd
• Platforms: iPhone, iPad and Mac
• Free option: Yes
• Max export: 4K at 60fps
• App Store age rating: 13+

Where it ranks

CapCut is No. 1 in our Best Video Editing Software verdict.