With a background in photography and a degree in media studies, I’ve always been passionate about exploring the latest video editing platforms and staying ahead of technological advancements, especially in AI. My goal has always been to find the most efficient ways to create content — whether for paid freelance projects or editing Columbus Blue Jackets highlights just for fun. Three months ago, that journey took a new turn when I started using Kapwing as an alternative to CapCut.

With the ever-growing presence of short-form video content, I was searching for a tool that could handle professional edits for long-form videos while also offering quick solutions for TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram. I was aware of the potential CapCut ban and wanted to have a ready-to-go replacement in case it happened. Kapwing and CapCut both seemed like strong contenders, so I decided to put them to the test.

In this article, I’ll compare Kapwing and CapCut side by side before highlighting three key features where Kapwing truly shines as the best free alternative to CapCut. Since both platforms offer free and premium tiers, I’ll focus solely on the free versions for a fair, apples-to-apples comparison.

Note: Since the CapCut mobile app is still unavailable on the App Store from the recent TikTok ban, all images will be shown using the desktop interface for both Kapwing and CapCut.

Table of Contents

• Comparing Kapwing and CapCut With Statistics
• Kapwing vs CapCut: First Impressions
• How to Resize Videos Using Kapwing and CapCut
• How to Add Automatic Video Captions Using Kapwing and CapCut
• How to Repurpose Longer Videos for TikTok Using Kapwing and CapCut
• What is the Best Free Alternative to CapCut?

Comparing Kapwing and CapCut With Statistics

Kapwing Overview

Founded in 2018, Kapwing has quickly established itself as a versatile online editing platform, and a solution for those seeking a cloud-based alternative to traditional apps or expensive software. With over 1.3 million users creating projects each month, Kapwing has solidified its place in a competitive video editing industry. Favored by content creators across various fields, Kapwing holds an average rating of 4.2/5 on Google Reviews, and its YouTube channel boasts over 200K subscribers.

Key Kapwing Features:

• 8 free unique aspect ratio presets
• Custom video cropping options
• Direct sharing to YouTube and TikTok
• Does not use local storage space (cloud-based editing)
• Stationary watermark on free plans
• Offers video, image, and audio editing
• Includes 10 minutes of free automatic subtitles

CapCut Overview

CapCut, founded in 2020 by Bytedance (TikTok's parent company), is the go-to editing app among TikTok users, with over 500 million monthly users, and is (normally) available for download on desktop, iOS, and Android. Rated 4.1/5 stars on the Google Play Store, CapCut offers advanced editing features that are built for creating TikTok videos. However, installation requires local storage space, with the desktop app occupying around 200 MB and the mobile version approximately 450 MB.

Key CapCut Features:

• 6 free unique aspect ratio presets
• Custom video cropping options
• Direct sharing to YouTube and TikTok
• Requires storage space: approx. 200 MB for desktop and 450 MB for mobile
• No watermark on the free plan
• Focused exclusively on video editing
• Includes 2 free automatic subtitle uses

Kapwing vs CapCut: First Impressions

I found that Kapwing has a more user-friendly interface than CapCut. For veteran video editors, this might not make a huge difference. But for those with less experience who are looking to create content quickly, CapCut's layout presents a steeper learning curve. I found CapCut's reliance on icons instead of labels to access editing tools confusing to begin with.

Kapwing’s interface is designed for easy navigation, with editing tools and media menus systematically arranged. The left sidebar provides quick access to media, text, graphics, templates, and other elements, while most editing tools — such as borders, video effects, transitions, filters, and layer adjustments — are conveniently located in the right-hand menu. This intuitive layout ensures a smooth workflow, even for users unfamiliar with where specific tools are located.

CapCut, on the other hand, arranges many of its tools as icons around the media and timeline window. While this layout mimics editors like Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, and Final Cut Pro, it can feel less intuitive for newer users and doesn’t offer significant improvements over traditional workflows. For those unfamiliar with the icons or their placements — myself included — finding the right tools often requires searching online, adding unnecessary time to the editing process.

Another key aspect of CapCut is its deep integration with TikTok, which is evident throughout the app. While this isn’t necessarily a drawback, it can make the experience feel more like a TikTok-focused marketing tool rather than a standalone professional editor. Like Kapwing, CapCut includes pop-ups and banners encouraging users to upgrade to premium features, but it goes a step further by heavily prioritizing TikTok-specific tools and workflows.

In some cases, CapCut’s TikTok integration is convenient — such as the ability to sign in directly with a TikTok account. However, in other areas, it feels out of place. For example, the Templates page includes a "For You" section that mimics TikTok’s algorithmic feed, but many suggested templates lack professionalism, featuring low usage numbers or even suggestive content.

Since most templates are user-created and published without moderation, some include text symbols to bypass content filters. For those working on non-TikTok-focused content, the platform can feel limiting, often steering users toward editing styles popular on TikTok rather than offering a more flexible, project-appropriate experience.

In contrast, Kapwing offers a broad selection of professionally designed templates across 20+ categories. These templates are regularly updated to reflect current trends and are free from attention-seeking user-generated hashtags. Kapwing’s templates offering feels more like Canva than CapCut, and it's part of the reason it makes such a great free CapCut alternative.

How to Resize Videos Using Kapwing and CapCut

One of the most widely used tools in video editing platforms is the resize function. With each social media platform enforcing its own aspect ratios, content creators often need to adjust their videos before posting. Because of this, the resizing process should be as simple and seamless as possible. Here’s how Kapwing and CapCut compare when it comes to resizing videos.

Resizing a TikTok Video Using Kapwing

To resize a video on Kapwing, start by uploading your video to the editor.

Once uploaded, select the background of the image, then click the "Resize Project" option in the tools menu on the right.

Within this menu, you can choose from the available presets or enter custom dimensions. Each preset is labeled with an app icon, making it easy to identify which one to select — even if you don’t know the specific aspect ratios for each social media platform.

Finally, adjust the framing of your video by double-clicking it to access the Crop tool. Once cropped, your resized video is ready to be exported.

Resizing a TikTok Video Using CapCut

To resize a video on CapCut, start by uploading your video to the editor.

Once uploaded, select the resize icon just above the timeline (you may need to squint to find it)

This will open the Resize menu. In this menu, use the dropdown to choose your desired aspect ratio. Noticeably, these aspect ratios are not labeled, so you’ll need to know which one you’re looking for, while there are only 6 available on the free plan in comparison to Kapwing's 8.

After selecting the aspect ratio, you can adjust the framing within the same menu. Drag your video to your desired location, and your resized video is ready to be exported.

Resizing Videos Using Kapwing and CapCut — Final Thoughts

Both Kapwing and CapCut make resizing videos easy, but Kapwing stands out as a free automatically due to its user-friendly approach. While CapCut’s resizing function works well, it can feel less intuitive, especially for those with limited video editing experience.

Kapwing’s clearly labeled presets for each social media platform make it simple to find the right aspect ratio while also encouraging users to repurpose content across multiple platforms. With these options readily available, creators of all experience levels can save time and find new opportunities to maximize their content’s reach.

How to Add Automatic Video Captions Using Kapwing and CapCut

Adding automatic captions (subtitles) is one of the easiest ways to enhance production value, improve accessibility, and boost engagement. Here’s a comparison of how Kapwing and CapCut handle caption generation and what sets them apart.

Adding Automatic Captions Using Kapwing

To add automatic captions in Kapwing, start by navigating to the "Subtitles" page in the left sidebar. Then, click on "Auto Subtitles."

The next screen allows you to configure your settings, such as selecting which clip you’re captioning and whether to add automatic translation. Once your preferences are set, click "Auto Subtitle >" to generate your captions.

Once generated, you can edit the subtitles directly by clicking on them. Captions are displayed in chronological order with timestamps indicating their position and duration in the video. You can make adjustments either in the Subtitles menu or by dragging them within the timeline for precise placement.

For further customization, such as changing the font, color, or adding animations, use the editing menus on the right-hand side of the screen.

Adding Automatic Captions Using CapCut

To add captions in CapCut, open the Captions menu from the toolbar in the top left. Select your video’s language and customize additional options, such as automatically highlighted keywords or bilingual captions. Once configured, click Generate to create your captions.

Once captions are generated, you’ll edit them using the text editor on the right-hand side.

Unfortunately, CapCut only allows you to view and edit captions within the Captions menu. Adjusting timing requires manual rearrangement in the timeline, as there are no time markers in the text editor. Additionally, since this is the only place to edit text, tasks like viewing full captions or adding effects require switching between multiple menus, making the process less efficient.

Adding Automatic Captions Using Kapwing and CapCut — Final Thoughts

Both Kapwing and CapCut can generate and edit automatic captions, but Kapwing’s interface is more user-friendly. The ability to edit captions while simultaneously customizing their appearance makes for a smoother editing experience.

Additionally, Kapwing allows users to adjust timing directly within the Subtitles menu, rather than relying solely on dragging and dropping in the timeline, making precise edits easier. In contrast, CapCut’s process feels more compartmentalized, requiring frequent toggling between menus to view text and access different editing tools. I'd definitely consider Kapwing as a replacement for subtitle generation if you find CapCut’s layout challenging or want to create something more unique than the widely used captions styles on CapCut.

How to Repurpose Longer Videos for TikTok Using Kapwing and CapCut

For creators producing long-form content on platforms like YouTube or LinkedIn, repurposing videos into shorter clips is an effective way to reach new audiences. Let’s take a look at how Kapwing and CapCut automate the video repurposing process.

Repurposing Videos Using Kapwing

To get started, navigate to the blue Repurpose Content icon in the Kapwing editor or visit the automatic YouTube to TikTok editing tool. Upload a video over 10 minutes long, or paste a link to a video from platforms like YouTube to create a new project.

Next, set the desired clip duration and, if needed, specify topics to focus on. Kapwing’s AI editor uses these inputs to generate clips tailored to specific themes, making it especially useful for targeting a particular subject or audience.

Once the clips are generated, they are ranked by a Growth Score, which assesses engagement potential based on factors like pacing and relevance. This feature helps creators quickly identify which clips are most likely to perform well on TikTok and other short-form platforms.

To refine a clip, select any of the highlighted editing options. Each repurposed video comes with automatically generated subtitles and a visible script, allowing you to easily review and edit specific sections. Once you've made adjustments, your clip is ready to export and share on TikTok or any other short-form platform.

Repurposing Videos Using CapCut

To repurpose a video in CapCut, select the Long Video to Shorts option and upload a video up to 3 hours long.

Next, choose the desired font style for your captions and set the duration for the generated clips. Then, select Convert to start generating.

Once generated, CapCut automatically adds titles and captions to the shorts. However, these captions often need editing, as they are generic and based on the video's visual content rather than personalized for context or messaging.

Automatically Repurposing Videos For TikTok Using Kapwing and CapCut — Final Thoughts

Although CapCut markets itself as the go-to editor for TikTok, I found that Kapwing was a more than worthy free alternative for repurposing video content.

It excels at transforming long-form videos into short, relevant clips optimized for the platform. The Growth Score tool not only identifies which clips are most likely to perform well but also provides insights into key video characteristics, helping creators refine lower-scoring clips for better engagement.

CapCut, meanwhile, does a solid job of generating a variety of clips, offering both cropped and uncropped versions for flexibility. However, its clips lack personalization and don’t focus on specific themes from the original video. Without the ability to configure topics or themes, creators must manually edit the clips to improve their relevance.

Overall, while both tools can repurpose long-form content, Kapwing is the more efficient and effective option. Its smart automation, insightful feedback, and time-saving features make it the better choice for creators looking to seamlessly repurpose content for TikTok.

What is the Best Free Alternative to CapCut?

Over my three-month head-to-head trial, Kapwing consistently outperformed CapCut in key areas like ease of use, automation, and content repurposing. Its intuitive interface, AI-powered tools, and efficient workflow made video editing faster and more accessible. While CapCut offers strong features — especially for TikTok users — its steeper learning curve and limited customization make it less versatile for broader content creation.

Ultimately, both platforms provide valuable free editing tools, but Kapwing stands out as the best free alternative to CapCut for creators looking for flexibility, efficiency, and ease of use.

On top of this, Kapwing is not completely free, but upgrading to a Pro account unlocks advanced tools like generative AI personas, unlimited project storage, 4K video exports, and translations in over 70 languages. Features like the Brand Kit also make Kapwing's paid plans an excellent choice for content creators and marketing teams looking to produce cohesive, engaging content with a deadline.