The app then analyzes your clips and suggests an array of templates, each of which changes the music, pacing, and transitions.

In this mode, CapCut asks you about the videos and photos in your camera roll that you’d like to import into the project. If you prefer that simpler TikTok- or Dubsmash-style editing experience, turn to CapCut's ShortCut option. The most impressive TikTok videos have an overwhelming number of cuts. Besides reordering the existing clips or adding some snazzy filters, sounds, and text overlays, there’s not much else you can do before you need to switch to a more advanced editing app. You can record yourself for up to three minutes, or upload and edit together existing videos and photos. TikTok’s editing tools are serviceable, but basic. The app has many different editing tools, so this easy reference guide comes in handy. Finally, a tiny icon in the upper-right corner lets you access a list of CapCut’s various features. You’ll also find reusable video templates. Beneath those icons, you can browse your existing projects and tap them to resume editing or rename them. Tap New Project to start editing with all the tools at your disposal or ShortCut to quickly make a video through a more streamlined process. On the home screen, you’ll see a handful of important icons. I feel super unpopular the instant I open TikTok and get blasted by influencers, so I appreciate this different tone.

There isn't a social media component or video feed in fact, you can't subscribe to any profiles.

That's because, unlike TikTok, CapCut is purely a video editing app. Once you launch CapCut, you can start using it immediately. You don’t need a TikTok account (or any other type of account) to use the app. I primarily tested the app on an iPad mini, as well as an older iPhone and Google Pixel phone. You can download CapCut for free on Android or iOS, but there's no desktop version. It’s great for when 30 seconds just isn’t enough for your online filmmaking dreams. This free video editing app lets you create surprisingly robust little movies on your mobile device. But TikTok is the undisputed king of the genre and its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, seeks to expand its empire with CapCut. Even YouTube is trying to get in on the action with YouTube Shorts. Vine may be dead, but lightning-fast online videos have never been more popular.

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