CapCut Review 2024: Is it Worth it? Is it Safe?

It’s no secret CapCut has become one of the most popular video editing apps. The app has helped creators, especially those on TikTok, pump out videos almost every single day. With hundreds of editing resources like ready-to-use templates, trending music, and AI-driven features, CapCut quickly became a go-to editing app for many users. 

But the video editing app might be getting banned, owing to the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act (PAFACA), says The Washington Post. This recent legislation targets apps like TikTok, and by extension, ByteDance’s entire suite, including CapCut. 

On top of it, CapCut has also moved a lot of its awesome features like majority of the video fx, dynamic captions, and free cloud storage, behind a paywall. And users aren’t shying away from expressing their opinions about it. 

The big question now remains: Is CapCut really worth using?

Jump to a section:

• CapCut Pros and Cons 
• What is CapCut? 
• CapCut Review: A Detailed Breakdown 
• Is CapCut Safe?
• What are Some CapCut Alternatives?
• Final Verdict? Is CapCut Worth it?

[#TOC1]CapCut Pros and Cons[#TOC1]

✅ CapCut Pros

• Easy to use: It has a user-friendly interface that’s easy to navigate.
• Integration with TikTok: Given that both platforms share the parent company, CapCut’s templates section is frequently updated based on what’s trending on TikTok to help users replicate the trend quickly.
• Basic editing features: CapCut offers a wide range of editing tools including filters, effects, stock media, text presets, auto-captioning, video splitting, and AI-driven features. 
• Multiple platform support: CapCut offers a mobile app for both iOS and Android. Plus, it offers a web-based editor and a downloadable desktop version for both Mac and Windows. 

❌ CapCut Cons

• Limited advanced editing tools: It falls short when it comes to users looking for more advanced editing capabilities, and might not give you the granular control and flexibility you’d want as a pro. 
• Frequent app crashes: Users shared in online reviews that the app frequently crashes mid-editing, which is frustrating as it often loses all the progress and you need to start editing from scratch.  
• Pricing: While the app has a free version, most of its useful features are locked behind a paywall now, pushing users to purchase the pro version. 
• Poor customer support: While it has some basic FAQs and an option to contact customer support via email, it’s very limited, compared to other video editors out there. Many users shared that their email support only offers generic troubleshooting solutions.

[#TOC2]What is CapCut?[#TOC2]

CapCut is one of the most widely used editing apps, and it’s easy to see why — it just ticks the right boxes for most creators. Launched in 2020, right as vertical short-form videos were taking the internet by storm, CapCut quickly became the go-to tool for users eager to create content for TikTok videos, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts. 

The app filled an important gap, allowing everyone to produce videos easily and quickly, regardless of their video editing skills.

CapCut’s intuitive interface, combined with various useful features like transitions, stickers, overlays, and templates, makes it simple to take up your videos a notch higher. It makes it easy to add the video clips you want, adjust their colors, trim them, add music, and quickly produce a polished, high-quality video. 

Who Owns CapCut?

CapCut, which is owned by ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, was first released in 2019 as JianYing. It was rebranded as CapCut in April 2020 for its launch outside China. 

The app quickly became one of the most popular apps in the US and reached number one in the Apple app store in mid-2021. In 2022, CapCut expanded beyond mobile devices with the launch of its web version, allowing content creators to edit videos on desktops.

[#TOC3]CapCut Review: A Detailed Breakdown[#TOC3]

Before diving into the nitty-gritty details, let’s set the stage. CapCut has made waves in the video editing world, especially for creators looking for a quick and easy way to polish their content. But as with anything that grows popular, there are pros, cons, and changes over time that can make or break the experience. 

Let’s explore in detail what CapCut offers, how it works, and whether it’s still worth your time today.

User Interface

It has an intuitive design 

CapCut’s design is all about ease of use. The interface is clean and straightforward, making it simple to find what you need without getting overwhelmed. Whether you’re adding video clips, trimming them down, or throwing in some effects, everything is just a drag and drop away.

It offers a drag-and-drop functionality

The drag-and-drop features are a game-changer for those who aren’t tech-savvy. You don’t need to be a pro editor to move video clips around, add transitions, or layer effects. It’s as simple as clicking, dragging, and dropping—like arranging photos in an album.

It has a low learning curve

Even if you’re new to video editing, CapCut won’t leave you scratching your head. The low learning curve means you can jump right in and start creating. There’s no need to spend hours watching tutorials—CapCut is designed to get you editing in minutes.

Pricing

CapCut used to be the darling of free editing apps, offering a ton of features without asking for a dime. But recently, things have changed. They’ve started moving some of their most important and frequently used features, like dynamic captioning, behind a paywall. This shift has left many users frustrated, as these features were key to creating engaging content quickly and easily.

Now, while CapCut still offers a few useful tools in its free plan, the app isn’t the unbeatable bargain it once was. Many are considering CapCut alternatives that won’t nickel and dime them for the features they need. 

But if you’re still considering CapCut owing to its editing feature suite and are willing to move to a paid subscription, here’s a peek into its pricing plans:

• Free version: This plan offers useful features like basic video editing tools, fonts, and TikTok templates.  
• Pro version: Priced at $20.84/month, this plan comes with additional premium filters, transitions, auto-captioning, watermark removal, and AI tools for better video editing. 

Editing Tools

When it comes to editing tools, CapCut offers a suite that caters to both beginners and more advanced users. Whether you’re looking to make quick edits or dive into more detailed customization, CapCut provides the essentials to get the job done. 

Let’s break down what you can expect from both the free and Pro versions. 

CapCut Free Version:

• Basic Trimming and Cutting: You can quickly remove unwanted sections of your video, making sure your content is sharp and to the point. This is perfect for anyone looking to clean up a video before posting it.
• Transitions: CapCut offers a variety of transition effects that let you blend scenes together smoothly. Whether it’s a simple fade or a more dynamic swipe, these transitions can add a professional touch to your videos with just a click.
• Stickers and Text: Adding personality to your videos is a breeze with CapCut’s stickers and text overlays. You can drop in fun emojis, captions, or even custom graphics to make your content pop. 
• Filters and Effects: Want to give your video a specific mood or style? CapCut’s filters and effects let you do just that. You can instantly change the vibe from bright and cheerful to moody and cinematic, based on what you need. 
• Audio Editing: CapCut’s audio tools let you fine-tune your sound to perfection. You can adjust volume levels, add background music, or even layer in a voiceover. 

CapCut Pro Version:

• Cloud Storage Space: With the CapCut Pro version, you get 100GB storage space, so you can share projects between devices. Let’s say you started editing a video on your computer, you can now continue editing it on your mobile phone or other device. 
• Additional Video Effects: You get access to extra video effects and tools including transitions, stickers, effects, filters, etc — everything on top of what you get on the free version. You also get an auto color grading tool, a relight effect, and image enhancement tools as part of the Pro plan.
• Enhanced audio and vocal isolation: You can remove unwanted noises like echoing, popping, clicking, or any unintended background noise. This will help you make your audio sound more crisp and clear. 
• Dynamic Captions: Automatically generate and translate captions that sync with your video’s audio. This feature is perfect for creators who want to make their content accessible to a wider audience, and it saves tons of time compared to manually typing out captions.

Platform Support

CapCut isn’t just for mobile users anymore. In 2022, they expanded to include a web version, allowing you to edit videos on your desktop as well. This means you can start a project on your phone and finish it on your computer, or vice versa, without missing a beat, only on the Pro version though. 

[#TOC4]Is CapCut Safe?[#TOC4]

CapCut, much like TikTok, has become the focus of some serious controversy, mainly because it’s owned by ByteDance. While CapCut isn’t a social media app like TikTok, meaning it doesn’t have the same level of influence over public opinion, it still has a lot of people worried. 

U.S. legislators are particularly concerned about the app’s popularity, its connection to TikTok, and its access to user data, seeing it as a possible threat to national security. The big issue here is data privacy. Given CapCut's link to ByteDance, there are fears that user data could be accessed by foreign entities.

On top of that, some folks argue that CapCut’s access to TikTok trend data gives it an unfair edge over other apps trying to compete in the short-form video editing space, which raises anti-competition concerns.

With all these worries floating around and the current political climate in Washington, CapCut’s future in the U.S. is uncertain. If the new PAFACA law applies to CapCut, ByteDance might be forced to sell the app to a company not controlled by a foreign adversary.  However, ByteDance is fighting back in court, arguing that the law is unconstitutional and that the timeline for selling the app is unrealistic. 

Despite the controversies surrounding it, CapCut has undeniably become a powerful tool for creators worldwide. It has made high-quality video editing accessible to millions, empowering both beginners and professionals to produce stunning content with ease. 

Will CapCut be banned in the U.S.? It’s hard to say for sure, but things aren’t looking too promising.

[#TOC5]What are Some CapCut Alternatives?[#TOC5]

With all the uncertainty surrounding CapCut’s future, creators are looking for alternatives for their video editing needs. The good news is there are many video editing apps out there that are just as good. 

Here’s a list of the 3 best video editors that offer drag-and-drop functionality, templates, stock media access, built-in sound effects, transitions, filters, and AI-driven features:

VEED

VEED is the perfect alternative to CapCut, offering a fully-featured video editor that hits the mark with its rich suite of basic and advanced (yet user-friendly) features. 

Its intuitive drag-and-drop interface makes it easy for beginners to dive right in, but it’s also packed with features that more experienced editors will appreciate. This means you won’t outgrow the platform as your editing skills develop. Plus, because it’s web-based, you can work on your projects from any device, making it a convenient choice for creators on the go. 

When it comes to specific editing tools, VEED is the only video editor you need. Some of its standout features include:

• AI-Subtitle Generator: Automatically transcribes and adds captions to your videos, saving you time and ensuring your content is accessible to all audiences.
• Screen Recorder: Easily record your screen to create tutorials, how-to videos, or capture gameplay footage—all within the VEED platform.
• Templates and Effects: VEED offers a variety of templates and special effects that allow you to create polished, high-quality videos without needing to start from scratch.
• AI Avatars: Choose from over 100+ ethnically diverse AI generated avatars, with distinct voices and accents to produce lifelike talking head videos.

Whether you want to create long-form YouTube videos, collaborate with your team on business presentations, or TikTok videos for your profile, VEED lets you do it all. 

Lumen5

Lumen5 is a fantastic alternative to CapCut, especially if your focus is on turning written content into engaging videos. 

Unlike CapCut, which is primarily a traditional video editing software, Lumen5 is designed specifically to help you create videos from blog posts, articles, or other text-based content. This makes it a go-to tool for marketers, bloggers, and content creators who want to repurpose their written work into visual content.

Here are some of the editing features you can find in Lumen5: 

• Text-to-Video Conversion: Lumen5’s standout feature is its ability to automatically convert text into video. You input your blog post or article, and the AI pairs your text with relevant visuals, music, and animations, saving you hours of manual editing.
• Stock Library Access: Lumen5 offers access to a vast library of stock footage, images, and music, allowing you to easily enhance your videos with professional-quality content.
• Branding Options: You can customize your videos by adding your own logos, colors, and fonts, ensuring that your content stays on brand, which is a more automated process compared to CapCut’s manual customization tools.

iMovie

iMovie is another solid alternative to CapCut, particularly for Apple users who want a reliable and straightforward video editing tool. 

Like CapCut, iMovie offers a clean, intuitive interface that’s easy to navigate, making it ideal for both beginners and more experienced editors. However, where CapCut focuses on mobile-friendly, social media-oriented editing, iMovie brings a more traditional video editing experience to the table.

iMovie comes with a range of features that are comparable to those in CapCut, such as trimming, transitions, and text overlays. However, iMovie also includes some advanced options like green-screen effects and audio editing, which CapCut offers only in its Pro version. Plus, iMovie is built into all Mac devices (iPhone, iPad, and Mac), so it’s seamlessly integrated with the Apple ecosystem.

Here’s a peek into iMovie’s features:

• Basic Editing Tools: Like CapCut, iMovie provides essential tools such as trimming, splitting, and combining video clips, but with a more desktop-oriented workflow. This makes it easier to handle larger projects that require a bit more precision.
• Advanced Features: iMovie offers features like green-screen effects, which allow you to superimpose subjects onto different backgrounds, and precision audio editing, which lets you fine-tune soundtracks, voiceovers, and sound effects. These features are often locked behind CapCut’s paywall.
• Movie Trailers: One unique feature of iMovie is the ability to create Hollywood-style movie trailers, complete with templates and storyboards—something CapCut doesn’t offer.

[#TOC6]Final Verdict? Is CapCut Worth it?[#TOC6]

CapCut has been a favorite for many creators for years now. It’s hard to break up with a tool like CapCut that you use so often, especially if you make a living out of content creation. But things have changed dramatically over the past few months. 

It’s highly likely it’ll be banned in the U.S. in the next few months. If it gets banned, it won’t vanish from your phone overnight, but the ban will remove it from app stores, preventing users from downloading it. You won’t get any updates or patches, which will ultimately slow down your app with unresolved software bugs. 

So, what next? 

It might be the perfect time to shift gears and look for a more reliable, powerful, and secure video editing software that doesn’t put you or your content at stake — this is where VEED can help. You can sign up for free and start creating videos today.