On Saturday, January 18, anybody hoping to post a video to TikTok or make that video using CapCut was out of luck. ByteDance, the Chinese-owned parent company to both apps, made them inaccessible in the US in the wake of a TikTok ban enacted by the US Congress in 2024.

Then on Sunday, January 19, ByteDance restored access to CapCut and TikTok after President Donald Trump promised to issue an executive order delaying the ban.

What's next? Will ByteDance and Trump negotiate a deal to sell one or both of the apps to a buyer acceptable to US policymakers? Will Congress put its foot down and reinstate the ban? Will the Lizard King arrive at last, fulfilling the prophesy and bestowing upon us a new short-form video app?

Who knows. What we do know: if you're a creator or a brand who relies on CapCut to make video, this whole mess makes it obvious that you should be looking for a CapCut alternative.

Let's break down what's happened and what you can do about it—including a look at some free CapCut alternatives that can help you keep the video content flowing whatever happens. 

Is CapCut getting banned along with TikTok?

No. But you may not be able to use it anyway. CapCut, like TikTok, is owned by ByteDance, the same Chinese company that has come under scrutiny from the U.S. government due to national security concerns.

CapCut has become a go-to tool for millions of creators, particularly those producing content for TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts. Like TikTok, CapCut faces scrutiny over data privacy concerns and its connections to the Chinese government.

The Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, which became law in April of 2024, gives the U.S. government the authority to ban foreign-owned apps that pose a national security threat.

While CapCut isn't explicitly named in any of the legislation, many experts believe CapCut could be included in future restrictions, given its shared ownership and similar data collection practices.

CapCut is already banned in India

The US wouldn't be the first nation to ban CapCut.

Back in 2020, the Indian government issued a ban on CapCut, TikTok, and several other apps owned by China over potential misuse of user data and possibility of foreign surveillance and influence.

Why is CapCut banned in India? It's caught up in broader geopolitical tensions between India and China, following border clashes in the Galwan Valley. Mere days following that conflict, the Indian government took down TikTok and CapCut's mobile apps and blocked access to their websites, catching many creators in India off guard.

For American creators that's relevant, and hopeful: losing TikTok and CapCut wasn't the end of the world for Indian creators. CapCut alternatives like Instagram and other video editing apps have more or less filled in the gaps left by these apps.

Top CapCut alternatives you should consider

If CapCut ends up joining TikTok under a federal ban, here are some of the best replacement video editing apps you can consider that offer many of the same features you liked about CapCut, along with some new tricks you'll wonder how you edited video without.

1. Descript: Best all-in-one replacement

Descript stands out as the most powerful CapCut alternative for creators who need to maintain high output without sacrificing quality.

It's built for creating content for multiple platforms—you can use it to make video for YouTube and all Instagram formats, or to make a podcast from end to end—a good way to guard against platform dependence.

Some of Descript's key advantages:

• Text-based video editing (edit your video by editing a transcript)
• AI-powered tools for removing filler words and awkward pauses
• Studio-quality AI audio enhancement
• AI social-media clip creation
• Built-in screen recording and collaborative recording
• Automated layouts and transitions
• Direct export to YouTube, Vimeo, and more
• Massive stock media library with millions of videos, photos, and other images, plus music and sound effects

Available on: Windows, Mac, and web

2. InShot: Best for editing on your smartphone

InShot is a mobile-focused video editor that's popular among social media content creators.

It lets you record and edit on your phone, just like CapCut, and offers many of the same features like slow-motion and auto captions, as well as a free version that includes watermarks on exported videos.

Available on: iOS, Android, and Huawei

3. Da Vinci Resolve: Best for pro video editors

Da Vinci Resolve is a professional-grade desktop video editor that's completely free and offers a comprehensive set of tools for editing, color correction, audio post-production, and visual effects. 

Beginners and social media creators might want to consider other options on this list, but if you know your way around professional video editing tools like Adobe Premiere Pro and need something powerful enough to handle even the heaviest video editing projects, there's a reason Da Vinci Resolve is used by actual Hollywood studios.

Available on: Windows, macOS, and Linux

4. Canva Video: Best for social media marketing

Canva is mostly known as a graphic design tool, but it also offers an easy-to-use timeline editor for making videos.

It's missing some of the more advanced features found in dedicated video editors, but it makes up for it with integrated grahpic design tools and a vast library of stock assets and templates for creating vibrant, expressive social media content, especially for brands.

Available on: Windows, MacOS, iOS, Chromebook, Android, and Web

5. ClipChamp: Best for beginner video editors

ClipChamp is a user-friendly video editing tool ideal for creating different types of videos without any video editing experience.

It offers a range of features in a drag-and-drop interface that simplifies the editing process, making it more accessible for beginners and more efficient for experienced editors working on simple video projects.

Since it was acquired by Microsoft, it offers deep integration with other apps in the ecosystem, like Media Player and Microsoft Photos, that Windows users in particular might find useful.

Available on: Windows, Chromebook, Android, iOS, and Web

Making the transition from CapCut to a new video editor

After investing so much of your time and creativity learning the ins and outs of CapCut, no one can blame you for being reluctant to adopt new video editing tool.

Here are some tips for making the transition as painless as possible.

Look for learning resources

You can bet that any company that's serious about its software will create learning resources to help its users get the most of out of their products, or support experienced users who are eager to help others.

So before you go all in on a new video editor, keep an eye out for:

• YouTube tutorials for your chosen software
• Official documentation and help centers
• Learning communities on Discord or Reddit
• LinkedIn Learning Courses

Borrow workflow tips from more advanced users

You can also follow professional video editors who specialize in a given tool. Look for their social media, blogs, or newsletters to learn from their workflows.

Many pros share insights into their editing processes with tips on how to be more efficient or creative in whatever you choose as your CapCut replacement.

A simple YouTube search for "[insert video editor] tips" can lead to a treasure trove of valuable content.

Understanding how professionals approach their projects in these tools can provide you with valuable strategies to incorporate into your workflow.

Prioritize these essential features

When picking a new video editing software, look for modern features that significantly improve your output and quality as a content creator, like:

1. Automatic captions. Automatic captioning saves time on transcription, improves accessibility, and helps you capture and keeps attention better on social media.
2. Stock media libraries. Access to a stock media library provides a wealth of resources, including video clips, images, and music, that can enhance your projects.
3. Automated transitions. Automated transitions can streamline your editing process by allowing you to apply consistent transitions across multiple clips with ease.
4. Aspect ratio switching for different platforms. The ability to switch aspect ratios easily is crucial for creating content optimized for various platforms, such as Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok.
5. Background removal. A green screen or chroma key feature allows you to replace and replace video backgrounds, and create special effects.
6. Audio enhancer. Quality audio is just as important as visual elements in video editing. With AI, you can now clean up background noise, adjust volume levels, and improve voice quality in one click.

Looking ahead

While a CapCut ban might cause short-term headaches for content creators, it's not the end of the world. The creator economy has weathered similar storms before, and there are plenty of capable alternatives available.

Start preparing now, stay flexible, and focus on what really matters – creating great content for your audience.

Your success as a creator isn't tied to any single app or platform. It's about your creativity, your connection with your audience, and how you ride the waves of change.