CapCut sits in the “Content and publishing” part of a list of 58 tools I keep for building software, publishing content and selling products. Fast shorts and vertical editing, with captions. This page is the short, honest version: Free, Pro ~€10/mo, the moment it earns its place, what to check before you pay, and what else on the list would do the job.
The facts
| What it does | Fast shorts and vertical editing, with captions. |
|---|---|
| When you need it | TikTok, Reels and Shorts. |
| Price | Free, Pro ~€10/mo |
| Free tier | Yes |
| Category | Content and publishing |
| Covered in | |
| In my stack | Yes — I use this one |
CapCut
Free, Pro ~€10/mo · TikTok, Reels and Shorts.
No affiliate link here — this one pays me nothing. It is on the list anyway.
Before you buy
Who should skip it
Skip Pro until the free tier actually limits you.
What to check before you pay
Check which effects are watermark-free on the free tier before you publish.
Where CapCut fits
Publish video every day
Generate it, clean it up, narrate it, cut it. The pipeline, not the hero clip. ~€50/mo across the set
With: Vidu · Wizstar · Retouch4me · ElevenLabs
Alternatives to CapCut on this list
Other tools for cutting and recording video.
| Tool | What it does | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Descript | Edit video by editing the transcript. | Free tier, then ~$15–30/mo |
| OBS Studio | Screen recording. Free, open source, and good enough for everything. | Free |
Questions people ask
What is CapCut?
Fast shorts and vertical editing, with captions. It sits in the “Content and publishing” part of the stack: Only relevant once you actually publish. Buy nothing here before you have posted three things.
What does CapCut cost?
Free, Pro ~€10/mo. There is a free tier, so you can try it before paying. Prices change — this list was last checked on 11 September 2026, and the tool's own pricing page is the source of truth.
When do you need CapCut?
TikTok, Reels and Shorts.
What are the alternatives to CapCut?
On this list: Descript, OBS Studio. Same job, different trade-offs — the table above says what each one costs and what it is for.
Do you use CapCut yourself?
Yes. It is part of the stack I build and publish with.
The Short Version
Every conclusion from all eight playbooks — how these tools turn into income. Free.