8 Best Descript Alternatives for AI Video Editing (Pros & Pricing)
As one of the most powerful AI video editing tools in the market, Descript is a go-to option for video creators, podcasters, and marketers alike. Still, you might be looking for alternatives to Descript due to pricing or specific feature requirements.
In this blog, we will list 8 best Descript alternatives for various use cases, ranging from educational and marketing videos to social media content and video podcasts.
Let’s get started.
What is Descript?
Descript is an AI-powered video editing tool known for its text-based editing capabilities. To put it simply, it allows users to edit videos by editing the transcript. For example, you can delete words from the text, and the corresponding video segments will be removed automatically.
From quick screen recordings to video podcasts, Descript is widely used by content creators and professionals. The platform also offers advanced features like automatic transcription, translation, studio sound, filler word removal, and more.
Descript Pricing
As of December 2024, Descript offers a free trial along with the following main plans: Hobbyist, Creator, and Business. You can view a comparison of these plans and see what each one brings to the table.
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8 Best Descript Alternatives to Use in 2025
The following table illustrates our top 8 Descript alternatives with a focus on each tool’s ideal use cases, pricing options, and star ratings.
| Tool | Best For | Pricing | Star Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kapwing | Mini vlogs, educational videos, product demos | Free plan available, Pro starts at 16$/month | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Riverside.fm | Video podcasts, marketing videos, talking head videos | Free plan available, Standard plan starts at $15/month | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| VEED | Marketing, training, and education videos | Free plan available, Pro starts at $24/month | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Adobe Premiere Pro | Professional video editing and film production | Free trial available, $22.99/month for individuals | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Streamlabs | Video streaming and live recording, video podcasts | Free plan available, Pro starts at $17/month | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Wondershare Filmora | Social media posts, tutorials, video pitches, personal vlogs | Basic plan starts at $9.99/month | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Synthesia | Training, marketing, and talking head videos | Free plan available, Starter plan starts at $18/month | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Podcastle | Video podcasts | Free plan available, Pro starts at $23.99/month | ⭐⭐⭐ |
1. Kapwing
As an all-in-one video generator and editor, Kapwing is a powerful tool for creating all kinds of videos, from interviews to tutorials. You can enter a short text prompt and watch Kapwing turn it into an AI-generated video complete with clips, background music, and more. Just like in Descript, you can simply delete text to delete the parts you want to cut out of your video.
Key features:
Pricing: With the free plan, you can export videos up to 4 minutes long. See more on pricing here .
2. Riverside.fm
Riverside.fm is one of the most notable Descript alternatives with its user-friendly design and wide range of features. Once you upload your video, the tool will transcribe it, divide it into chapters, and assign color codes to speakers. You can edit your recordings by editing your transcript, and utilize Riverside.fm’s AI features for removing filler words, creating social clips, and more.
Key features:
Pricing: Free plan offers a full suite of editing tools. See more on pricing here .
3. VEED
VEED is another powerful AI video generator and editor that helps you create content fast. If you don’t know where to begin, you can resort to their highly customizable video templates to kickstart your project, or AI avatars for making professional talking head videos. Although VEED doesn’t support text-based video editing like Descript, you can still utilize several features such as special effects, animations, and more.
Key features:
Pricing: Lite plan is 9$ per month. See more on pricing here .
4. Adobe Premiere Pro
Yes, the legendary Adobe Premiere Pro offers many AI features now, and text-based video editing is one of them. Once the video editing software auto-generates your transcript, you can select the text to refine, reorder, and trim clips just like you edit a doc. You can also clear all awkward pauses with bulk deletion and utilize filler-word detection to remove unwanted verbal distractions.
Key features:
Pricing: Premiere Pro offers a 7-day free trial. See more on pricing here .
5. Streamlabs
Although Streamlabs is primarily a live streaming and recording software, it is among the Descript alternatives due to its text-based podcast editor. You can choose from the platform’s library of stock images, emojis and shapes to make your podcast more visually engaging, or upload your logo or other brand elements. Feel free to convert your video podcasts into bite-sized clips for short-form content.
Key features:
Pricing: Streamlabs Talk Studio’s free plan has a 4hr streaming and recording limit. See more on pricing here .
6. Wondershare Filmora
Using Wondershare Filmora’s AI text-to-video generator, you can turn your ideas into captivating visual stories with dynamic animations and seamless transitions. In addition to AI text-based editing, you can cut out people from videos and swap backgrounds with AI Portrait Cutout. Moreover, the AI Video Object Removal will allow you to remove unwanted objects from a video with intelligent AI detection.
Key features:
Pricing: Basic Plan is US$9.99 per month. See more on pricing here .
7. Synthesia
As one of the most prominent Descript alternatives, Synthesia enables users to generate videos from any text-based file, such as PDFs or website content. The platform is renowned for its realistic AI presenters and customizable video templates, which can be tailored with brand assets. Your speech is turned into text when you screen record, and you can edit your script to optimize your video.
Key features:
Pricing: Starter plan offers 120 minutes of video per year. See more on pricing here .
8. Podcastle
Podcastle’s AI video editing software comes with a focused, clutter-free drag-and-drop timeline, perfect for amateur podcasters. The platform essentially serves as a comprehensive audio and video recording studio, enabling you to record and edit each guest on their own individual track. While it doesn’t support text-based video editing like Descript, it allows you to edit multi-track audio files directly from the transcript.
Key features:
Pricing: Essentials Plan offers unlimited audio recording and 8 hours of video recording. See more on pricing here .
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Descript free forever?
No, Descript is not free forever. You can start with a free plan but it comes with limited features and usage. As of December 2024, Descript offers three main plans (Hobbyist, Creator, Business), each providing different transcription limits and access to advanced features. Enterprise plans are also available for larger teams with custom needs.
Is there a free alternative to Descript?
In case of text-based video editing, there are no free Descript alternatives, as these tools typically require advanced AI-powered transcription and editing capabilities. On the other hand, most free video editors focus on basic editing features like trimming, cutting, and adding effects. They do not offer the ability to edit video by manipulating the transcript itself.
Is Descript Studio Sound free?
You can try Descript Studio Sound for free. However, full access to it requires a paid subscription after the free trial. The tool will allow you to remove background noise and enhance audio quality with one click.
Is there a free app that will transcribe audio?
Yes, Maestra offers a free live transcription tool that converts audio to text in real-time. Simply start the tool, and Maestra will generate a live transcript as the speech happens. Supporting over 125 languages, the AI tool also has aChrome extension .
Is CapCut better than Descript?
This depends on your specific needs. While CapCut is ideal for quick edits and social media content, Descript is better suited for detailed editing with its text-based interface. The latter is likely the better option for more complex projects with heavy-based text edits.
Summary
This blog listed 8 top Descript alternatives, each offering unique AI-powered features and flexible pricing plans to suit a variety of video editing needs. Whether you're working on a marketing video, podcast, or educational content, these tools can help you create impressive videos with ease.
When selecting the right AI video editor for your projects, keep these key factors in mind:
- Consider your main purpose, as different tools are designed to serve various content creation needs, from podcast editing to marketing campaigns.
- Look for a user-friendly interface that will allow you to navigate easily, especially if you’re new to video editing.
- Take advantage of the free trial offered by most platforms to determine if the tool meets your needs.
Don’t settle for just any editing tool; find the one that elevates your video creation process and supports your goals.
