Can I still use CapCut for free?

Yes, but with significant limitations. CapCut moved many previously free features (background removal, certain effects, Pro templates, cloud storage) behind the Pro paywall in late 2025. Basic editing, trimming, and some effects remain free.

Is CapCut owned by TikTok?

Yes. CapCut is made by ByteDance, the same company behind TikTok. This has raised data privacy concerns for some users, though CapCut processes videos locally on your device for most operations.

Will my projects be deleted if I cancel CapCut Pro?

Local projects on your device will remain. However, cloud-stored projects may become inaccessible without Pro. Export any important projects before canceling.

How to Cancel CapCut Pro — And the Best Free Alternatives After the Paywall (2026)

Updated February 2026 • 6 min read

⚠️ You must cancel through the same platform you subscribed on. App Store subscription? Cancel through Apple. Google Play? Cancel through Google. Direct? Cancel on capcut.com.

CapCut was the best free video editor on the planet — until ByteDance decided to monetize it in late 2025. Features that were free for years (background removal, premium effects, certain templates) suddenly moved behind a $9.99/month Pro paywall. If you subscribed and now regret it, here is how to cancel and what to use instead.

Before You Cancel: Export Your Projects

Export all important videos to your camera roll or desktop
Download any cloud-stored projects (these may become inaccessible without Pro)
Note: Pro effects/templates in existing projects will show watermarks after downgrading

How to Cancel CapCut Pro

Direct (Website)

Go to capcut.com/my-account/subscription
Log in with your account
Click Cancel Subscription
Navigate through the "are you sure?" screens (there will be 2-3)
Confirm cancellation

iPhone / iPad

Open Settings → tap your name
Tap Subscriptions
Find CapCut → Cancel Subscription

Android

Open Google Play Store
Profile → Payments & subscriptions → Subscriptions
Find CapCut → Cancel subscription

What Used to Be Free (Now Behind the Paywall)

The move that angered millions of creators:

Background removal — was free, now Pro-only
Premium effects and filters — most popular ones locked
Advanced text effects — fancy captions now require Pro
Cloud storage — limited without Pro
Pro templates — trending templates paywalled
HD export — 4K and some 1080p options limited

Free Alternatives to CapCut Pro

Mobile

DaVinci Resolve (iPad): Professional-grade, completely free, no watermarks
VN Video Editor: No watermarks, free effects, closest CapCut alternative
InShot: Free tier with watermark (removable via one-time purchase)
iMovie: Free on Apple devices, solid basic editing

Desktop

DaVinci Resolve: Free version rivals $300+ editors. Hollywood-grade color correction.
Shotcut: Open source, no watermark, cross-platform
OpenShot: Simple, free, beginner-friendly
Kdenlive: Open source, surprisingly powerful

💡 Best CapCut replacement: VN Video Editor on mobile, DaVinci Resolve on desktop. Both are free with no watermarks and cover 95% of what CapCut Pro offers.

The ByteDance / TikTok Question

CapCut is made by ByteDance, TikTok's parent company. If data privacy is a concern for you (given ongoing US government scrutiny of ByteDance), canceling CapCut Pro is only half the equation — you may also want to delete the app entirely and switch to a non-ByteDance alternative.

Bottom Line

CapCut Pro at $9.99/month ($120/year) is hard to justify when DaVinci Resolve — used in actual Hollywood productions — is free. Unless you are deeply invested in CapCut's template ecosystem for TikTok content, there are better options that cost nothing.

💡 How many creative tool subscriptions are you paying for? Upload your bank statement to JustCancel — we will find every subscription including editing software, stock photos, and design tools.

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Quick Cancel Guide: Capcut Pro

Direct cancel link + step-by-step instructions