CapCut Free Plan 2026: What's Included & What's Not
Honest breakdown of the free tier limits and features
CapCut pricing varies by team size and features, ranging from $0 to $12.99 per month in 2026. Your actual cost depends on the tier you choose, contract length, and negotiated discounts.
Use the interactive pricing calculator to estimate your exact cost based on team size and requirements.
- Free tier: No free tier available
- Billing: Monthly and annual (save 15-20%)
- Hidden costs: Add ~35% for implementation, support, and training
CapCut offers a freemium model with limited features; upgrade to unlock more.
What's Included in the Free Plan
- Basic video editing
- Transitions and effects
- Music library
- Text and stickers
- Export up to 1080p
- CapCut watermark on exports
What's NOT Included (Paid Only)
- Remove watermark
- 4K video export
- Advanced effects and transitions
- AI features (some with limits)
- Premium music library
- Cloud storage
Free Plan Limits
| Limit | Free Plan | Paid Plans |
|---|---|---|
| resolution | 1080p maximum | Unlimited/Higher |
| watermark | CapCut watermark on all exports | Unlimited/Higher |
| ai_features | Limited AI tools | Unlimited/Higher |
| effects | Limited effects and transitions | Unlimited/Higher |
You'll Need to Upgrade When...
- You exceed the user limit
- You need features like Remove watermark or 4K video export
- You require premium support or SLA guarantees
- You need to remove branding or watermarks
- You need advanced integrations or API access
Hidden Restrictions on Free Plan
- CapCut branding may appear on your content or communications
- Support is limited to community forums or email with longer response times
- Export options may be restricted or include watermarks
- API access is typically limited or not available
- Advanced reporting and analytics require paid plans
Free vs Paid: Which Do You Need?
Free Plan is Enough If...
- You're an individual or very small team
- You need only basic features
- You don't mind usage limits
- Branding on output is acceptable
- Community support is sufficient
You Need Paid If...
- Your team is growing beyond limits
- You need advanced features
- Professional branding is required
- You need priority support
- Integrations/API access is critical
Free vs Standard Pro Plan Comparison
| Free $0 | Standard Pro $9.99/month | |
|---|---|---|
| Features | 6 included | 6+ included |
| Support | Community/Email | Priority Support |
| Branding | CapCut branding | Your branding |
| Best For | Casual creators and social media content for TikTok/Instagram | Regular content creators who need watermark-free 4K exports |
Frequently Asked Questions
01 Is CapCut free?
Yes, CapCut offers a freemium plan with 6 core features included. However, there are limits on resolution, watermark that may require upgrading.
02 What's included in CapCut's free plan?
CapCut's free plan includes: Basic video editing, Transitions and effects, Music library, Text and stickers, Export up to 1080p, and 1 more features. Key limits include resolution: 1080p maximum, watermark: CapCut watermark on all exports, ai_features: Limited AI tools.
03 What's NOT included in CapCut's free plan?
The free plan excludes: Remove watermark, 4K video export, Advanced effects and transitions, AI features (some with limits), Premium music library. You'll also have CapCut branding and limited support options.
04 When should I upgrade from CapCut's free plan?
Consider upgrading when: you hit user or storage limits, need features like Remove watermark or 4K video export, require premium support, or want to remove branding. The cheapest paid plan starts at $9.99/month.
05 Is CapCut's free plan really free forever?
Yes, CapCut's free plan is available indefinitely with no time limit. However, feature and usage limits may restrict what you can do without upgrading to a paid plan.
Get CapCut pricing updates
We'll notify you when pricing changes or new free features are added.