---
title: When to use CapCut vs invideo
description: CapCut for quick edits by hand on your phone and a free editor. invideo when your agent does the edit and the captions stay editable.
---
Use CapCut when you edit by hand on your phone and want a free editor with templates. Use invideo when you want your agent to do the edit, and you want to change the cut and the captions afterwards.

Both tools edit video and add auto captions (subtitles). The difference is who does the work. In CapCut, you tap through the edit yourself. In invideo, your agent runs the edit on a cloud timeline and you review it.

## One brief, two tools

The brief: a 30 second vertical reel from a folder of phone clips, with word-by-word captions and music.

**In CapCut.** You open the mobile app, pick a template or start a blank project, and add your clips. You trim each clip, turn on auto captions, and pick a style and a track. Then you export and post. It is fast when you know the app, and every change is a tap.

**In invideo.** You tell your agent where the clips are. The agent uploads them with `start_upload` and `add_media`, transcribes the speech with `media` `audio.transcript`, and builds a 9:16 timeline on a branch. It cuts on the best lines, adds captions with `add_captions`, and adds music from `search_library`. It checks frames with `capture`, then exports with `export`. You open the timeline URL and change anything by hand or by asking again.

## At a glance

Checked on 29 October 2026 against CapCut's site. It may change.

| | CapCut | invideo |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Editable timeline after the cut | Yes, in the app | Yes, on a branch you can review |
| Generation | AI image and video generators | Video, image, voice and music models through `generate` |
| Captions | Auto captions with styles | `add_captions` from a transcript; each word stays editable |
| Agent access | A "CapCut × Codex" plugin is listed, with no details | CLI and skills for Claude Code, Codex, Cursor and Antigravity; MCP server for ChatGPT, Claude on the web and the Gemini app |
| Project files out | MP4 and other video formats | MP4, or a project for Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro or DaVinci Resolve |
| Offline | Desktop and mobile apps | No, invideo runs in the cloud |
| Batch | Templates, one video at a time | `duplicate_timeline`, `set_text` and `export` per row, run in parts |

## Use CapCut when

CapCut fits fast edits that a person makes by hand.

- You edit on your phone, between other things.
- You want a free editor.
- You want a trending template and you are happy to tap through each change.
- You work alone and do not need an agent or a project file.

## Use invideo when

invideo fits edits that your agent runs and you review.

- You want to say "cut this into a reel" and get a timeline back.
- You want captions that stay editable after the cut. Your agent fixes a word with `set_caption_slide_text`, and the timing stays.
- You want each change on its own branch, so you can compare and go back.
- You want the cut in Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro or DaVinci Resolve later.

## Use both

Many creators shoot and rough-cut in CapCut, then finish with an agent. Export the CapCut edit as MP4. Your agent brings the file into invideo with `add_media`, then adds captions, music and the other platform sizes. The other way also works: export an MP4 from invideo and add a CapCut template on your phone.

The setup for that hand-off is on [Use CapCut with invideo](/integrations/capcut).

## What CapCut does better

Say it plainly. CapCut is better at some things.

- **Mobile editing.** CapCut has a full app for phones and tablets. invideo has no app built for phone editing.
- **Templates.** CapCut has a large library of social templates, and one tap applies one.
- **Free to start.** You can edit online for free. invideo charges credits for generation, transcripts and paid stock.
- **Local apps.** CapCut has desktop and mobile apps. invideo runs in the cloud and needs a connection.

## Try the brief in invideo

Set up your agent first with [invideo for AI agents](/agents). Then give it the brief in your own words, like this.

```text
Cut the clips in ./reel into a 30 second 9:16 reel. Add word-by-word
captions and upbeat music. Work on a branch, price anything paid first,
and show me frames before you export.
```

## Cost

Edits and exports are free in invideo. Generation and transcripts cost credits. Paid stock costs a small credit charge, or one of your workspace's iStock licenses. Your agent runs a dry run first and tells you the price before it spends anything. Prices are on [Credits and what they cost](/account/credits).

## Related

- [AI video tools compared, including invideo](/compare/alternatives)
- [Use CapCut with invideo](/integrations/capcut)
- [Add word-by-word captions](/how-to/creators/word-by-word-captions)
- [Reels and Shorts from your footage](/how-to/creators/reels-and-shorts-from-your-footage)
- [Trend edit like CapCut](/how-to/personal/trend-edit)