Starts atFree plan · paid from $19.99/mo
- Free plan
- Watermark not statedThe provider does not say
Head-to-head
CapCut vs Kapwing: which editor is better for Shorts and TikTok?
At a glance
Starts atFree plan · paid from $16/mo
- Free plan
- Watermark on free exports
For most beginners, CapCut is the better start. Its free tier covers core editing on phone, desktop and web, with TikTok-style templates. Pro is $19.99/mo or $179.99/yr. Kapwing runs in the browser and is strong at resizing and subtitles for many platforms. Kapwing Free exports at 720p with a watermark. Pro is $16/member/mo billed yearly ($24 monthly) with 4K.
Quick verdict
Side-by-side comparison
| Detail | CapCut | Kapwing |
|---|---|---|
| Where it runs | Phone, desktop and web | Browser |
| Free plan | Basic editing tools and free templates | Watermark, 720p, 4-minute max export, 30 min of exports/mo, 10 credits |
| Entry paid plan | Pro: $19.99/mo or $179.99/yr | Pro: $16/member/mo billed yearly ($24 monthly) |
| What the entry plan covers | 1,200 AI credits/mo, 1 TB cloud storage | No watermark, 4K, 120-minute exports, 1,000 credits, 1,000 subtitle min/mo |
| Higher plan | Ultra: $79/mo; 8,645 AI credits/mo, 1 TB storage | Business: $50/member/mo billed yearly ($64 monthly); 4,000 credits, voice clones, 800GB storage |
| Team plan | Teams: $12.49 per seat/mo; 1,200 AI credits per seat, brand kit | Per-member pricing on Pro and Business |
| Pricing notes | Reference prices; final price depends on region and sign-in | Free storage kept only 3 days |
Free plans
CapCut's free tier covers core editing and free templates. Kapwing Free adds a watermark, caps exports at 720p and 4 minutes, and allows 30 minutes of exports a month. For short TikToks, CapCut Free goes further.
Paid plans
CapCut Pro is $19.99/mo, or $179.99/yr if you pay yearly. You mostly pay for AI credits and cloud storage. Kapwing Pro is $16/member/mo billed yearly and adds 4K, longer exports and 1,000 subtitle minutes a month. On CapCut Pro, AI video generation is capped at 720p.
Teams
CapCut Teams is $12.49 per seat per month. Kapwing charges per member on Pro and Business. Both add up as your team grows.
Which one for a Shorts creator?
- Just starting, $0 budget: CapCut Free.
- Editing on your phone with trending templates: CapCut.
- Resizing one video for TikTok, Shorts and Reels in a browser: Kapwing.
- Need 4K export: Kapwing Pro.
Common questions
Does CapCut have a free plan?
Yes. CapCut pricing: Free; Pro $19.99/mo or $179.99/yr. Prices change, so check the official site.
Does Kapwing have a free plan?
Yes. Kapwing pricing: From $16/mo. Prices change, so check the official site.
Which is better, CapCut or Kapwing?
Pick CapCut if you edit TikToks on your phone, want templates, and want to start at $0. Pick Kapwing if you resize and subtitle videos for several platforms in a browser, or edit with a team.
Related: CapCut alternatives, Kapwing vs VEED, Canva vs CapCut, CapCut vs Descript.
Sources: capcut.com/pricing, kapwing.com/pricing. Checked on 11 October 2026. Based on published plans, not a hands-on test.