Top 8 Free CapCut Alternatives for 2026

CapCut is pretty amazing (I mean, who hasn’t used it at some point?), but sometimes you just want something different, you know?

The most important features now ask for a monthly subscription, the app isn’t available everywhere, and you may have heard that many other apps also have some cool new features.

So, why not try some alternatives, right?

I’ve been playing around with these video editors for a couple of days now, both for work and just for fun, and the options we have now remind me of how far we have come from Windows Movie Maker.

But before we talk about them, though, the best editor really depends on what you’re trying to do.

Like, are you making quick TikToks, Professional YouTube content, or something for your business? It’s up to you to pick what works best.

Let’s jump into our list of free CapCut alternatives for 2026.

1. Edits by Instagram

Instagram’s Edits app is a free video editor for your smartphone that lets you make and share videos up to 10 minutes long, and it comes with cool tools like AI animations, green screen effects, captions, and a way to track insights, all without any watermarks.

This app came out a few months after CapCut was banned in the U.S., and even though CapCut is back now, Edits is still a good choice for content creators, including influencers, small business owners, and marketing agencies, who focus on producing video content for Instagram and Facebook.

The thing I love most about this app is how seamlessly it integrates with Instagram, and it is available for both iOS and Android devices with no fussing around with export settings; it’s just easy to use.

That said, it’s pretty neat. But sometimes, basic is exactly what you need, right? Like, not every video needs to be a big Hollywood movie.

2. Clipchamp

Clipchamp is another free video editor from Microsoft that helps you make videos easily with ready-made designs, free stock videos and photos, and simple click-and-drag tools in your web browser, Windows, or on the iOS app.

While this video editor is one of the best CapCut alternatives you can find and has a lot of features you can use for free, its paid plan is the only way you can get unlimited watermark-free exports.

However, you should know that if you use any features that are not included in the free plan, your videos will have a watermark on them, and you can export videos in up to 1080p for free.

I was surprised by how many features it comes with, like AI silence removal, AI noise suppression, AI subtitles, and yes, Green screen.

When it comes to Clipchamp pricing, it’s free to use with basic features, and it’s also available for work. The Premium plan is billed at pricing available in your region.

3. VEED

VEED is one of my favorite online tools where you can edit videos right in your web browser. You can do things like cutting videos, adding text, using AI characters, and recording your screen.

I have such a love-hate relationship with this one. I love it because it’s probably the best online editor for editing videos, adding subtitles, and auto-resizing for social media, and it also has magical AI tools.

I hate it because, well, that watermark on the free version is somewhat big.

But it’s a great choice if you’re not actively making videos every day, and also for creating a last-minute video.

For example, let’s say you’re traveling, and your laptop is not able to install software at the moment, VEED literally can save you because you can access it from any computer with just an internet connection.

If you want to go for it for everyday use, it has paid plans starting at $9/month for the Lite plan. If you want to use all the tools with 4K Ultra HD Exports, you need to go with the Pro plan, which is $24/month when billed annually.

4. YouCut

YouCut is a free app that helps you edit videos by letting you cut clips, join them together, add songs, use cool effects, and make photo slideshows. It’s perfect for making videos for YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram.

This app was initially released for Android users but is also available for iOS, and there is no watermark, which is already a win, and it comes with all the editing tools you mostly need, making it a good alternative to CapCut.

You can use it for quick edits when on the go, like, you know, those moments when you capture something amazing and want to post it right away? That’s where YouCut shines.

5. Canva Video Editor

Canva needs no introduction, and there is a Video Editor, which is a free, user-friendly tool that lets you create and edit videos using a drag-and-drop interface, making it ideal for beginners and social media content creators.

When we talk about Canva, we can’t ignore how it just keeps adding features. They started with simple graphics, and now they’re out here with this surprisingly capable video editor, and now they even have some handy AI tools.

It’s kind of like watching your childhood friend become an adult; you’re proud, but also a bit surprised!

The media library is, well, it’s Canva, it’s huge. Sometimes I find myself getting lost in there, looking at stock media for videos I don’t even need to use. It’s kind of like going down a YouTube rabbit hole, but at least this one’s productive, sort of.

6. VN Video Editor

VN Video Editor is a free video editing app that you can get on iPhone, Android, and Mac. It has lots of editing features without any watermarks, which makes it perfect for anyone making videos for social media, vlogs, or other content.

VN is interesting because it’s like, imagine if someone decided to make a video editor, but didn’t want to brag about it, and it’s got these powerful features hidden behind a super simple interface.

And if you’re switching from CapCut, you’ll feel at home with VN’s look, as it has the same kind of UI as CapCut. It’s just like moving to a new house where you can find everything in nearly the same spots.

VN also has a pro version that comes with additional features, but based on most user reviews I saw, people seem pretty happy with what they get in the free version.

7. OpenShot

OpenShot is a free video editor that works on Windows, Mac, Linux, and ChromeOS. It’s easy to use for beginners, but also has lots of cool features for people who want to do more advanced editing.

It’s open-source, which basically means it’s made by a community of developers who just want to create something good, and there’s something kind of beautiful about that, don’t you think?

It’s not the prettiest or the most feature-packed, but it’s good work. Plus, it runs on pretty much anything, and I once installed it on my old laptop, which I had thought was only good for checking emails, and it worked just fine.

8. DaVinci Resolve

DaVinci Resolve is a powerful video editing software made by Blackmagic Design that lets you edit videos, fix colors, add special effects, motion graphics, and work with sound all in one place.

You can use it for free, or get the paid Studio version that comes with extra advanced tools. However, if you’ve used CapCut, DaVinci Resolve might feel a bit advanced, but it’s a great upgrade if you want more control over editing.

Simply put, DaVinci Resolve is, well, it’s kind of like bringing a Ferrari to a go-kart race. Is it too much for simple social videos? Yes. But is it awesome? Also Yes.

Believe it or not, it’s used to make real movies, but it’s also not that hard to learn if you’re really into video making and want to improve it as a good skill.

Final Thoughts

So there you have it! Eight solid CapCut alternatives you can try in 2026.

The thing is, video editing has come such a long way that you really can’t go wrong with any of these options.

For a quick social media post, use Edits or YouCut. For a more serious project, go with DaVinci Resolve. For something in between, VEED, Clipchamp, YouCut, VN, and Canva are better choices.

The best advice I can give you is to just try them out and see what feels right for you, because, at the end of the day, the best video editor is the one that helps you create what you want to create, without getting in your way.

Happy video editing!