I tried 15 CapCut alternatives: Here are the 7 best video editors for 2025

If you’re a content creator, you probably felt that collective groan a few months back. CapCut, our trusty, go-to video editor, started tucking more features behind a paywall and slipped in some confusing updates to its terms of service. Just like that, a tool that was simple, powerful, and free suddenly became a headache.

It’s a special kind of frustrating when your workflow gets thrown off by unexpected fees or vague legal text about who actually owns your content. That’s why so many of us are now looking for reliable CapCut alternatives. I went down the rabbit hole, dug through forums, and personally tested over a dozen different editors. Here’s my no-fluff guide to the best ones you can switch to, whether you edit on your phone, your computer, or just in your browser.

What are we looking for in CapCut alternatives now?

These days, a video editor is way more than just a tool for splicing clips together. It’s the main hub for making content that actually stops the scroll. The best ones are loaded with the same kind of AI features that made us love CapCut in the first place, like auto-captions, one-click background removal, and even generating clips from a text prompt.

But finding the right editor isn’t just about a flashy feature list. It’s about finding something that saves you time, gives you a great-looking final product, and, maybe most importantly, respects your work. A good tool lets you create with confidence, knowing your content is safe and still yours.

How I evaluated the best CapCut alternatives

To find a worthy replacement for CapCut, I had to look past the marketing copy. A great tool just has to feel right. Here’s the simple checklist I used to sort the good from the bad:

• Was it easy to use? How quickly could I jump in and get a finished video out? I was looking for apps that didn’t require a PhD in video engineering to figure out.

• Did the AI features actually help? I focused on smart tools that genuinely save time, like accurate captions or background removal that didn’t look glitchy.

• What’s the pricing situation? After the CapCut surprise, clear pricing was a must. I looked for tools with fair free plans, a simple one-time purchase, or subscriptions that made sense.

• Who owns my content? This is a big one. I actually read the terms of service (I know, I know) to find platforms that clearly state that you, the creator, own your work.

• How did it perform? Did it run smoothly on my phone and computer? I tested apps on different devices to see if they could handle projects without crashing or lagging.

At a glance: Comparing the top 7 CapCut alternatives

Here’s a quick side-by-side look at the top contenders to help you see how they measure up.

Tool	Best For	Platform(s)	Pricing Model	Key AI Feature	Content Ownership
Videoleap	Professional mobile editing	iOS, Android	Freemium, Subscription	AI Video Editor & Templates	User retains ownership
DaVinci Resolve	Advanced color grading & VFX	Desktop (Win, Mac, Linux)	Free, One-time Purchase	AI-powered Magic Mask	User retains ownership
Canva	All-in-one design & video	Web, Mobile, Desktop	Freemium, Subscription	Magic Design™ for Video	User retains ownership
Filmora	Balanced features & usability	Desktop, Mobile	Freemium, Subscription, Perpetual	AI Text & Object Remover	User retains ownership
Clipchamp	Beginners & Windows users	Web, Desktop (Win)	Freemium, Subscription	Auto Compose	User retains ownership
InShot	Quick social media edits	iOS, Android	Freemium, Subscription	Auto Captions & AI Effects	User retains ownership
VEED.io	Collaborative business teams	Web	Freemium, Subscription	AI Avatars & Eye Contact Correction	User retains ownership

A deep dive into the 7 best CapCut alternatives for 2025

Okay, let’s get into the details. Here’s my hands-on take on each tool so you can find the right one for your workflow.

1. Videoleap

Videoleap is a beast of a mobile editor. It seriously feels like it could go toe-to-toe with some desktop programs. It’s built for creators who need more control than just adding a filter and a song.

• Pros: You get advanced tools like keyframing for smooth animations, green screen effects, and a huge library of templates that don’t look cheesy. The AI tools for creating scenes or zapping objects are surprisingly quick and clean.

• Cons: To really get the good stuff, you need a subscription. The free version feels a bit like a demo for all the best features.

• Pricing: There’s a free version with some limitations. The Pro subscription unlocks everything and gets rid of watermarks. It usually runs about $7.99/month, but you can get a discount with an annual plan.

2. DaVinci Resolve

If you’re serious about video and work on a desktop, DaVinci Resolve is pretty much the final word. This is what Hollywood uses for color grading, and the free version is more powerful than what most people charge for. It handles editing, color, effects, and audio all in one app.

• Pros: The color grading tools are second to none. The built-in audio editor is pro-level, and the free version has zero watermarks and lets you export in 4K. It’s a genuine professional tool that costs nothing to get started with.

• Cons: The learning curve is a vertical wall. You are not going to master this in an afternoon. It also needs a pretty beefy computer to run smoothly.

• Pricing: The free version is more than enough for most people. The DaVinci Resolve Studio version, which adds more advanced AI features, is a one-time purchase of $295.

3. Canva

Most of us know Canva for making graphics, but its video editor has gotten really good. It’s the perfect option if you’re already in the Canva ecosystem, creating everything from social videos to presentations in one spot.

• Pros: It’s incredibly easy to use with its drag-and-drop setup. The library of templates, stock photos, and audio is massive. A huge plus is that Canva is very transparent about its content policies.

• Cons: It’s not a heavy-duty video editor. You won’t find the complex tools that Resolve or Videoleap have. It’s better for creating things from templates and doing simple edits.

• Pricing: Canva’s pricing starts with a great free plan. Canva Pro is $120/year for one person and gives you access to all the premium stuff. Team plans add more collaboration features.

A screenshot showing how Canva's Magic Design feature can generate video templates from a simple text prompt, making it a great choice for those looking for user-friendly CapCut alternatives.

4. Filmora

Filmora hits that sweet spot between being easy to use and having a good set of features. It’s a solid middle-ground choice that works on both desktop and mobile, which is great if you switch between devices.

• Pros: The interface is clean and easy to grasp for beginners. It has some handy AI tools for things like cutting out people or objects, and the pricing is flexible.

• Cons: The free version slaps a big watermark on your videos. A lot of the cool AI features either need a subscription or work on a credit system, which can get a little confusing.

• Pricing: You can try it for free (with the watermark). Subscriptions start around $19.99/month for individuals, but they also offer annual and lifetime licenses that can save you money in the long run.

5. Clipchamp

Now that it’s owned by Microsoft and built right into Windows 11, Clipchamp is all about simplicity. It’s a browser-based editor that’s perfect for anyone who looks at other editing software and just feels overwhelmed.

• Pros: It’s super user-friendly and you can export 1080p videos without a watermark on the free plan. It also has some neat extras like a screen recorder and a text-to-speech tool.

• Cons: It’s definitely less powerful than the other options here. To get premium stock media and brand kit features, you’ll need to pay.

• Pricing: The pricing for Clipchamp is simple. The free plan is solid. You can unlock the premium features with a Microsoft 365 subscription, which gets you 4K exports and access to all the stock assets.

6. InShot

InShot is a mobile-first editor that’s practically essential for making quick, trendy videos for TikTok and Instagram Reels. It was born for vertical video and is all about getting things done fast.

• Pros: It’s so easy to learn and perfect for editing on your phone. The app is loaded with the kinds of filters, effects, and text styles you see all over social media.

• Cons: The free version has ads and a small watermark (though you can usually get rid of it by watching an ad). It’s not really built for long videos or complex projects.

• Pricing: InShot is free with ads. The Pro version gets rid of them and unlocks everything. You can pay monthly (around $3.99), annually, or just buy it for life with a one-time purchase (around $34.99).

7. VEED.io

VEED.io is a web-based editor designed with business and team collaboration in mind. Its best features are the ones that help teams work together, like generating subtitles or leaving feedback on projects.

• Pros: The automatic subtitling is some of the best I’ve seen. The platform lets your team leave comments right on the video timeline, which is awesome for feedback. The brand kit feature is also a big help for businesses.

• Cons: Since it’s all in the browser, you need a solid internet connection. The free plan is pretty restrictive, with watermarks and limits on video length.

• Pricing: VEED offers a limited free plan. The Lite plan starts at $12/month (billed annually) and removes the watermark. The Pro plan at $29/month (billed annually) adds translation and AI tools like one that corrects your eye contact.

The bigger picture: Choosing the right CapCut alternatives and AI tools

This whole hunt for a CapCut replacement got me thinking. The checklist I used for these video editors, transparent pricing, data privacy, easy setup, applies to pretty much any AI tool you bring into your business. It’s especially true when you’re looking at AI for your customer support.

You use a video editor to create helpful tutorials. But how do your customers find that information when they’re stuck? That’s where a tool like eesel AI comes in. It takes all the knowledge you’ve already created and makes it instantly available.

While a complicated editor like DaVinci Resolve can take weeks to learn, eesel AI lets you set up an AI support agent in just a few minutes. It has one-click integrations for helpdesks like Zendesk and Freshdesk, so you don’t have to change your current setup. It just connects to your existing knowledge sources, from help centers to Google Docs and Confluence, to deliver accurate answers.

And when you think about pricing and privacy, the connection is clear. Instead of hitting you with surprise paywalls, eesel AI has predictable plans. You have total control over what the AI does, and your data is never used to train other models, so your business information stays your own.

Final thoughts on CapCut alternatives: Finding your perfect editor (and AI partner)

So, what’s the verdict? The best CapCut alternative really comes down to what you need. If you want professional tools on your phone, get Videoleap. If you’re a desktop user who wants the absolute best for free, DaVinci Resolve is the answer. And if you just want one tool to handle all your creative work, Canva is a great pick.

As you choose your next editor, I’d encourage you to think the same way about all the AI tools you use. Picking the right partner, whether it’s for making videos or helping customers, is what really helps you grow without the headaches.

If you’re ready to bring that same smart approach to your customer support, check out how eesel AI can pull all your knowledge together and automate your support in minutes.