While CapCut offers a paid professional version, there is a free option for users who only have a basic account. Better yet, it’s packed with great features for both beginner and 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 US since it was first introduced in April 2020. The software quickly gained popularity due to its feature as the default video editor in the TikTok app. The same Chinese company, ByteDance, owns both applications.
If you’re a TikTok user, you’re probably already familiar with CapCut. As you scroll through the app, you’ve no doubt seen its telltale watermark appear at the end of numerous videos. Although it owes its popularity to its association with TikTok, CapCut creations can be shared on any social media platform. In fact, the software is not even limited to social networks. It can be used for many other editing projects, including marketing, advertising, school projects, hobby photography/film making, news reporting, film production and much more.
Basic accounts versus professional accounts
The right account for you will depend on your needs and editing skills. Most casual social media users and other hobbyist users will be delighted with the many photo and video editing features available in CapCut. However, professional users who require more advanced features and greater cloud storage will need to weigh the cost and benefits to decide which account will meet their needs.
Basic Account Features
This is what you will have access to with a basic account.
Photo and video templates
Templates are useful tools that save time and produce professional-looking content quickly and easily. CapCut offers thousands of free templates. It’s also easy to search for specific templates in categories or by keyword.
magic tools
Although it’s 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 photo uploaded by the user and a message written by the user.
Here are some of the other tools available for free on basic accounts:
- background remover
- Image/Video Scaler
- 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 delete it from your existing projects to free up space. Another way to address space issues is through Task Center, which offers users additional free cloud storage to complete tasks. This reward system encourages users to share the software with friends and try new features. If you invite new users, for example, you’ll get an additional 2 GB of storage space, and 500 will be given to the person who accepts your invitation.
Pro Account Features
In addition to everything offered in the basic account, users who choose to pay for a Pro account will receive access to the following:
- Largest library of advanced editing options
- 100 GB of cloud storage
- Automatic people tracking available
- Availability to export videos as gifs.
Pro account cost
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 suits your needs is to try it yourself. But if you’re limited on time, check out app store reviews and ratings to get a broad picture of user satisfaction. CapCut’s current rating on Google Play is 4.4 out of 5 stars.
Advantages
- Easy to learn and use (especially for beginners)
- Great selection of tools and features.
- Optional watermark removal
Cons
- Performance issues (glitches and delays)
- Too many ad interruptions
- Limit access to Pro account features
Performance Considerations for Professionals and Hobbyists
The most common negative reviews mention performance issues such as lags and crashes, and many refer specifically to issues that appear after updates. Problematic updates and issues with software functionality can be very frustrating, especially for professional users trying to meet deadlines.
Professionals
A hobbyist editor who loses all his progress due to an app malfunction would certainly be angry. However, if you are a professional, you could lose money if you miss a deadline or if the product does not meet customer expectations due to problematic and buggy software.
While other editing software, such as Adobe Premiere Pro and Apple Final Cut, are better-developed applications, they also come with a significantly higher price tag. Therefore, it is essential to decide how much you are willing to invest as a professional video editor.
Amateur
Bugs and crashes are a less serious concern for users looking to edit videos as a hobby or for social media, especially when these performance issues are the result of an update. They are usually resolved quickly by developers at companies who have the resources to fix them. It’s reasonable to believe that due to CapCut’s partnership with TikTok and the app’s growing popularity, the software will continue to improve, fix performance issues, and add new features over time. However, there is a chance that they could continue to move their most innovative and interesting features to paid accounts, restricting access to free account users.
Recommendation
CapCut is a great option for amateur and professional video editors who are not yet ready to invest a lot of money in software. Even professional and advanced users who cannot yet afford a significant investment in software may find that the Pro Account meets their needs at a more affordable price. The CapCut hype appears to be well deserved. The app delivers on its promise and provides free access to numerous innovative editing tools. Even if some wrinkles in the show are still being ironed out.
CapCut: Free (mostly) and worth checking out
Still wondering if CapCut is 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 that you can access almost every tool and template in its substantial library of resources without investing a dime, makes it an ideal tool for users looking to get creative with their photos and videos.
