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Home / Software & Apps / Video Editing Software / CapCut
7.5 Tested Aug 22, 2026 by Team RankingRight

CapCut (Desktop / Pro) review 2026

The free editor built for TikTok, Reels and Shorts, with auto captions and templates that a phone-first creator already knows

PriceFrom $0 · checked Sep 11, 2026
4K export (Mac)8.6 min
3-year cost0 $

Is the CapCut Worth It?

Best free editor for social video. For vertical social video CapCut is faster than any professional editor and free. It was the wrong tool for our long-form 4K project, which is what the ranking measures, and its ownership is a consideration for some.

CapCut Pros & Cons

Pros
  • Free with no watermark on the desktop app
  • Best auto-captions for short vertical video
  • Same project moves between phone and desktop
  • Templates match current TikTok formats
Cons
  • Owned by ByteDance; read the data terms
  • No multicam, weak audio tools
  • Pro features and effects have moved behind the paywall over time

CapCut at a Glance

7.5 Editor Score
Editing toolsMulticam, keyframing, colour grading, audio, titles, effects — what the project needed and what was missing.
17/30
PerformanceTimeline playback and export time for the same 4K project on the same two machines.
14/20
Ease of learningTime for a beginner on the team to produce a finished 2-minute video.
18/20
AI & outputAuto-captions, silence removal, text-based editing, export presets and direct publishing.
9/10
ValuePrice over three years, including whether a one-time licence exists.
17/20
Reader ratingNo reader ratings yet — not part of the score
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Own one? Rate it:

Rubric v1: Editing tools 30 · Performance 20 · Ease of learning 20 · AI & output 10 · Value 20. Score = Σ ÷ 10, locked Sep 11, 2026. How we rank.

Where to buy — prices checked Sep 11, 2026

CapCut — $0

Best priceVisit Site

CapCut specifications

PriceFree; Pro $9.99/mo or $74.99/yr
PlatformsWindows, Mac, iOS, Android, web
Free versionYes
One-time licenceNo
MulticamNo
Colour gradingBasic
Auto captionsYes, excellent
Max export4K

Why it scored 7.5

For vertical social video CapCut is faster than any professional editor and free. It was the wrong tool for our long-form 4K project, which is what the ranking measures, and its ownership is a consideration for some.

Where it loses

Tools — no multicam; long-form workflow.

Still the right pick for

Short-form creators.

CapCut7.5 · $0
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