Back to Growth Toolbox
Video Editing

CapCut

TikTok's free video editor, surprisingly powerful with templates, effects, and automatic subtitles. Integrated generative AI to accelerate short-form content creation. The must-have for creating TikToks, Reels, and Shorts quickly.

Try the tool
Who's it for?MarketerSolopreneurGrowth

Review by a Growth Engineer

My verdict: the free must-have for creating short-form content.

CapCut is designed for creating short-form videos (TikTok, Reels, Shorts) quickly. Templates, effects, auto subtitles, music... everything is there.

Free, simple, and effective. AI generates subtitles automatically. If you create short video content regularly, CapCut is a must-have.

What I like less: belongs to ByteDance (TikTok), which may raise data questions. And for professional long-form editing, DaVinci Resolve or Premiere are better.

My advice: for short-form content, CapCut is unbeatable. Download it and test the templates - you'll save hours on each video. For long-form, check out DaVinci Resolve (also free).

Why add it to your stack?

CapCut has become the default tool for creating short-form content. Templates are always up to date (trending effects), AI subtitles are excellent, and export is optimized for each platform.

For a growth/marketing team that produces video content regularly, it's a huge time-saver. Free for essentials, and Pro at $8/month remains very affordable.

What you can do with it

  • 1Create TikTok/Reels videos with automatic subtitles
  • 2Quickly edit customer testimonials in vertical format
  • 3Repurpose long content into short clips
  • 4Add trending effects to your videos
  • 5Create B2B LinkedIn content in vertical format

What it does

  • Intuitive video editing
  • AI automatic subtitles
  • Ready-to-use templates and effects
  • Trending music and sounds
  • Export optimized for TikTok/Reels/Shorts
  • Desktop and mobile version

How much?

Starting at Free

Free with watermark on some premium effects. Pro at $7.99/month for full access to premium assets and watermark-free export. Business at $18.99/month for commercial use.

The detailed verdict

Do I really need this?

For short-form content, CapCut has become almost indispensable. It's the tool everyone uses, templates are always up to date with trends.

For long-form or professional editing, DaVinci Resolve or Premiere remain superior. But for TikTok/Reels/Shorts, CapCut is the standard.

Does it play nice with my stack?

Integrations are limited - it's a standalone editor. Direct export to TikTok, Instagram, YouTube works well. Cloud sync between devices is handy.

No API to automate, no integration with DAMs. It's a creative tool, not a workflow tool.

Is it easy to pick up?

Quick to get started for basics. You import a video, add subtitles, apply a template. In-app tutorials help get started.

However, auto subtitles often make errors that need manual correction. And some trendy effects are hidden in unintuitive menus. Expect 30 minutes for your first clean video.

Is the UX any good?

CapCut's UX is decent for short-form. The interface is intuitive for beginners, but becomes limiting for more complex edits. The basic timeline lacks precision.

The mobile app is well made for creating quickly. However, desktop/mobile sync can bug, and some projects don't open correctly from one device to another.

Is it worth it?

Value for money is unbeatable. The free version is enough for 90% of needs. Pro at $8/month unlocks premium assets without watermark. For pro-quality videos, it's ridiculously cheap.

Compared to Adobe Premiere or Final Cut, it's a fraction of the cost for short-form content.

What I like

  • Creating short-form videos for TikTok, Reels, and Shorts with automatic subtitles
  • Editing beginners who want trendy templates and ready-to-use effects
  • Content creators and marketers who produce video content regularly

What I like less

  • Professional long-form editing where DaVinci Resolve or Premiere are better
  • Total control of rendering and advanced export settings
  • Those who want to avoid TikTok and ByteDance for privacy reasons

Need more details or help building your ideal stack?

Visit official siteGet advice