---
title: When to use OpusClip or Descript vs invideo
description: OpusClip for long video to short clips, Descript for editing by transcript. invideo when the cuts stay editable and your agent runs the pipeline.
---
Use OpusClip to turn a long video into short clips, and Descript to edit a recording by its transcript. Use invideo when you want every cut to stay editable on a timeline, and your agent to run the whole job.

All three tools transcribe speech and help you repurpose a long video into shorts. They differ in who drives the edit and what you can change after it.

## One brief, three tools

The brief: a one hour podcast episode, cut into a clean full episode and five vertical clips with captions.

**In OpusClip.** You upload the episode. OpusClip picks the highlight moments, reframes each one for vertical, and adds captions you can edit. You review the clips and download the ones you like.

**In Descript.** Descript transcribes the episode. You "Edit your words to edit your video": you delete lines in the text and the video follows. You cut filler words "in a click", then make clips and add captions.

**In invideo.** Your agent transcribes the episode with `media` `audio.transcript` and reads it with the speakers and times. It finds the ums with the transcript and the long pauses with `audio.content`. It cuts them on a branch with `split_clip` and `delete_clip`. For each clip, it makes a 9:16 timeline, adds captions with `add_captions`, and checks frames with `capture`. Every cut is a timeline edit, so you or the agent can undo one later.

## At a glance

Checked on 29 October 2026 against OpusClip's and Descript's sites. They may change.

| | OpusClip | Descript | invideo |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Editable timeline after the cut | An editor with "full editing control" | Yes, the edit follows the text | Yes, every cut on a branch |
| Generation | Not stated on its site | AI video, images, voices and voice clones | Video, image, voice and music models |
| Captions | Auto captions you can edit | Captions in one click | `add_captions` from the transcript |
| Agent access | An API | Underlord, its own AI editor, plus an API and MCP | CLI and skills for terminal agents; MCP server for clients without a shell |
| Project files out | Not stated on its site | XML for Premiere Pro and DaVinci Resolve, FCPXML for Final Cut Pro | A project for Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro or DaVinci Resolve |
| Offline | Not stated on its site | Not stated on its site | No, invideo runs in the cloud |
| Batch | An API for your CMS | Not stated on its site | `duplicate_timeline` and `export` per clip, run in parts |

## Use OpusClip or Descript when

These tools are built for the long-to-short job and for editing by text.

- You want clips picked for you from a long video, with no setup (OpusClip).
- You want to edit by deleting words in a document (Descript).
- You want one button for filler words and retakes (Descript).
- Your team already works in one of them every day.

## Use invideo when

invideo fits the job when the transcript is only the start.

- You already have a transcript, and you want the cuts as real timeline edits you can move or undo.
- Your agent runs the pipeline end to end: transcript, cuts, captions, music, export.
- You build your own pipeline in Claude Code or Codex, and you want the edit steps as named tools, not a separate app.
- You want each clip on its own branch, and the full episode in Premiere Pro later.

## Use both

Keep the tool you like for picking moments, and use invideo for the finish. Export the clip or the cut as MP4 from OpusClip or Descript. Your agent adds it with `add_media`, then adds brand captions, music and the other platform sizes.

## What OpusClip and Descript do better

Say it plainly. These tools are better at some things.

- **Picking clips with no prompt.** OpusClip chooses the highlights for you. In invideo, your agent reads the transcript and picks, so the result depends on what you ask.
- **Editing by text.** Descript's whole editor is the transcript. invideo shows a timeline; the transcript is something your agent reads.
- **One-click filler words.** Descript does it in one click. In invideo, your agent finds the ums and cuts them as separate edits.
- **More export targets.** Descript also exports for Reaper, Audition and Pro Tools.

## 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
Transcribe this episode, cut the ums and long pauses on a branch, then
make five 9:16 clips of the best moments with captions. Tell me the
price of the transcript 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)
- [Podcast edit and clips](/how-to/creators/podcast-edit-and-clips)
- [Cut ums, pauses and retakes](/how-to/creators/cut-ums-and-retakes)
- [Repurpose one video for every platform](/how-to/creators/repurpose-for-every-platform)
- [When to use ChatCut vs invideo](/compare/chatcut)