ShortStack
Head-to-head

Captions vs OpusClip: which AI app for short-form video?

At a glance

OpusClipAI clipping
Starts atFree plan · paid from $14.50/mo billed yearly
  • Free plan60 processing minutes/month; 1080p, 3-day export window
  • Free trial7-day Pro trial, 90 minutes
  • Watermark on free exports
Full OpusClip details →

OpusClip is built to cut long videos into Shorts. Starter is $15/month and free clips go up to 1080p with a watermark on caption templates. Captions is an AI talking-video editor with animated captions and eye contact fix. Max is $24.99/month with 500 credits and includes long-to-short clips. Pick OpusClip for clipping. Pick Captions to polish videos you record.

Quick verdict

  • Choose Captions if you record talking-head videos on your phone and want AI captions and fixes.
  • Choose OpusClip if you have long videos and want AI to find and cut clips.

Side-by-side comparison

DetailCaptionsOpusClip
Free planBasic tools, 1 caption template, no AI creditsYes, clips up to 1080p, 3-day export window
Entry paid planMax: $24.99/month, 500 creditsStarter: $15/month
Next planFrontier: $69.99/month, 1,400 creditsPro: $29/month
WatermarkNot on the pricing page (Oct 2026)Free: watermark on caption templates
Long to short clipsIncluded on MaxCore feature
Best forRecording and polishingClipping long videos

Record vs repurpose

Captions shines when you film yourself. OpusClip shines when you already have long podcasts or streams. Credits on Captions roll over up to 3x your monthly allowance.

Which one for Shorts, TikTok and Reels?

  • Talking-head TikTok: Captions.
  • Podcast to Shorts: OpusClip.
  • Cheapest paid entry: OpusClip Starter at $15/month.

How to choose

  1. Decide if you start from new recordings or long videos.
  2. Try both free plans.
  3. Compare $15 OpusClip Starter with $24.99 Captions Max.
  4. Keep the one whose captions you like.

Common questions

Is Captions free?

There is a free plan with basic tools, but no AI credits.

Can Captions clip long videos?

Yes, Max includes turning a long video into a batch of clips.

Is OpusClip cheaper than Captions?

Yes. Starter is $15/month vs Captions Max at $24.99.

Related: Submagic vs Captions, OpusClip vs Submagic vs Captions, Captions alternatives, OpusClip alternatives.

Sources: captions.ai/pricing, opus.pro/pricing. Checked on 16 October 2026. Based on published plans and terms, not a hands-on test.