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Descript vs CapCut vs YouTube: which caption tool should you use for a talking video?
Job: Add captions to a talking video. Our pick is Descript, the free option is YouTube automatic captions, and here is whether to keep the tool you already use.
Our pick
Descript
Chosen for: 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.
Time to start: ~15 min (upload, check the transcript, add a caption layout) (our estimate)
Why not CapCut? Exporting auto captions requires CapCut Pro.
Free option: YouTube automatic captions. Free, if the video lives on YouTube: captions are generated after upload; review and fix them in YouTube Studio → Subtitles.
Already using another tool?
KEEP OR TRYAlready on CapCut? Keep it if you pay for Pro. On the free plan, try YouTube's free captions or Descript.
Verdict based on docs and user reviews, not yet tested on a task. Last reviewed Oct 15, 2026.
Using something else? Tell us which tool: hello@whichtoolai.com
Descript vs YouTube automatic captions at a glance
| Descript | YouTube automatic captions | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | 60 media min/mo, 720p export | Free, if the video lives on YouTube |
| Paid plan | Hobbyist: $16/mo billed annually ($24 monthly): 10 media hours, 1080p, watermark-free | None needed |
| How captions work | Captions come from the transcript you edit | Generated after upload; review and fix them in YouTube Studio → Subtitles |
From each vendor's official page, checked Oct 15, 2026. How we check.
Skip Descript if…
- You pay for CapCut Pro: keep it.
- Your video lives on YouTube and you only need captions there.
FAQ
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.
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Verdicts are based on vendor docs and user reviews unless marked "tested on a task". Prices checked Oct 15, 2026 on vendors' official pages; they can vary by region, tax or promotion. No paid or affiliate links. Contact: hello@whichtoolai.com