Why this order
Our pick comes first, followed by a free alternative for this job.
You edit the video by editing its transcript, and captions come from that same transcript.
Our pick
Try1. Descript
Best for: Captions come from the transcript you edit
You edit the video by editing its transcript, and captions come from that same transcript.
- Price
- Free plan (60 media min/mo, 720p export). Hobbyist is $16/mo billed annually ($24 monthly): 10 media hours, 1080p, watermark-free.
Verified - Learning time
- ~15 min (upload, check the transcript, add a caption layout)
- Review method
- Tested by our team
Our verdict: Already on CapCut? Keep it if you pay for Pro. On the free plan, try YouTube's free captions or Descript.
Official siteFree alternative
Verdict not yet assigned2. YouTube automatic captions
Best for: Generated after upload; review and fix them in YouTube Studio → Subtitles
Free, if the video lives on YouTube: captions are generated after upload; review and fix them in YouTube Studio → Subtitles.
- Price
- Free
Verified - Learning time
- Not listed.
- Review method
- Researched by our team
A Keep / Try / Switch verdict has not been assigned to this alternative.
Official siteFAQ
Is Descript free?
Yes. The free plan includes 60 media minutes per month with 720p export.
How much is Descript Hobbyist?
$16/mo billed annually, or $24 monthly, per Descript's pricing page (checked Oct 15, 2026): 10 media hours, 1080p, watermark-free.
Are CapCut auto captions free?
Exporting auto captions requires CapCut Pro.
Should I switch from CapCut?
Keep it if you pay for Pro. On the free plan, try YouTube's free captions or Descript.