Creators concerned with losing access to TikTok's CapCut this spring should check out these potential alternatives.
CapCut is one of the most popular video editing platforms, with 200 million active users as of 2023, according to Time. It rose in popularity in conjunction with TikTok. Its versatility, free plans and compatibility with TikTok made it a favorite among TikTok creators. But the ByteDance-owned app is on the chopping block alongside its sister app, TikTok.
Immediately following his inauguration, President Donald Trump signed an executive order giving the company a 75-day stay, allowing US operations to continue. But it's a temporary reprieve, and it's likely the order will face other legal challenges. In short, TikTok and CapCut may be back online, but the apps' futures aren't totally secure in the US.
That's why now is a good time for video editors and creators to explore other editing programs. Whether you're looking for a beginner-friendly program or want to level up your skills, there are good options available. These third-party editing apps are especially useful if you're planning on sharing a video on multiple platforms -- editing in TikTok means you can't save the video without a watermark, for example.
We've rounded up some of the best options below depending on your budget, skill level, and operating system. Here are some alternative video-editing programs to use if CapCut gets banned.