Best AI tools for editing videos with AI
Updated · Prices change often; confirm on each tool's site.
For most people the best AI video editor to start with is CapCut, which has auto captions, effects and templates on a free plan. Descript is better if you want to edit by editing the transcript, and OpusClip automatically cuts long videos into short clips.
AI editors handle the slow parts of editing: captions, cutting silences, removing filler words and finding the best moments.
Disclosure: our OpusClip link is an affiliate link. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you; it never changes our picks. How we make money.
Our top 3 picks
CapCut
Auto captions, templates, effects and background removal in a free editor for desktop, web and mobile. Pro ~$20/mo.
Descript
Edit video like a doc: delete words from the transcript to cut them, remove filler words, and fix audio. Free plan; from $16/mo.
OpusClip
Finds the best moments in a long video and turns them into captioned vertical shorts automatically. Free plan; from $15/mo.
How to do it
- Rough-cut a talking video in Descript by deleting mistakes and filler words from the transcript.
- Add captions, b-roll, music and transitions in CapCut.
- Run long videos or podcasts through OpusClip to get ready-made shorts.
- Export in 16:9 for YouTube and 9:16 for TikTok, Reels and Shorts.
FAQ
Is there a free AI video editor?
Yes. CapCut, Descript and OpusClip all have free plans. Export quality, watermarks and AI limits vary by plan and change often, so check before a big project.
Can AI edit a video automatically?
Partly. OpusClip auto-clips long videos into shorts, and Descript can remove filler words and silences in one step. You'll still want to review the cut.
Which AI editor is best for YouTube?
Descript for talking-head and tutorial videos, CapCut for fast-paced edits with effects. See our YouTube guide for a full workflow.
Also worth a look
Cinematic AI video generation & editing (trailers, b-roll) · Free plan · from $12/mo
Long-form writing, editing long documents, nuanced tone · Free plan · Pro $20/mo
Grammar, clarity and tone fixes everywhere you type · Free plan · Pro $12/mo
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How we pick
We match tools to the task, not to commissions. Several of the best tools we recommend (e.g. ChatGPT, Claude, Midjourney, Cursor) pay us nothing. Picks come from a curated, hand-checked list and are refreshed regularly. See our method and affiliate disclosure.
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