CapCut, the popular video editing app owned by ByteDance, has raised its Pro annual subscription price from about $77 to $179.99. The sharp increase has sparked strong criticism online, with many creators calling the move the “CapCut Cliff.”
The new pricing takes effect on February 20, 2026. Existing annual subscribers must agree to the new $179.99 yearly rate to keep their Pro access. Many users say the jump feels sudden and steep.
CapCut has also introduced a new three-tier system. The Free plan now offers only basic editing tools, with features like 1080p exports and some AI effects placed behind a paywall. The Standard plan costs around $9.99 per month and removes watermarks but does not include 4K exports or advanced AI tools. The Pro plan costs $19.99 per month or $179.99 per year and includes 4K/60fps/HDR exports, 1TB of cloud storage, and premium AI features.
Creators on platforms such as Reddit and TikTok have reacted negatively. Many long-time users say the move from $7.99 or $9.99 per month to $19.99 is too high. Some describe the app as unstable and say the new price does not match performance.
Users also report that features once available for free, including auto-captions and basic transitions, now require a Pro subscription. Others claim their lower-cost plans were canceled without clear notice and replaced with the new pricing options.
Industry analysts say the increase may reflect CapCut’s effort to compete with professional software such as Adobe Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro. By adding cloud storage and advanced AI tools, the company appears to be targeting professional creators instead of casual users.
As the deadline approaches, some creators are looking at alternatives like DaVinci Resolve and Filmora. While some users say the AI tools still justify the price, many feel CapCut has moved away from its creator-friendly image.
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