5 Best Descript Alternatives In 2024

We know you've heard about all that Descript can do for you, and boy, is it a lot!

Despite all the good things this video editor has to offer, something tells you that it might not be the best choice for you.

Because, in reality, you probably need more advanced features to generate videos with certain qualities and key features that Descript simply does not have...

-and we get it.

So don't worry; we're here to help you find the Descript alternative that best suits you and enables you to create the video of your dreams. 

But first things first... Before we show you some great Descript alternatives, let's talk about this editing software. 

Overview of Descript

If you're a content creator or thinking about making a YouTube channel or starting your podcast, you may have heard of Descript. If not, it's all good, as we'll give you a good overview of this video editor to start with.

Descript is a popular AI-based video editing toolkit that makes writing, transcribing, editing, collaborating, and sharing videos or podcasts easy. 

However, as cool as it is, this platform has a weakness: it works best using a single video file. And let's face it, how many creators work with a single video file while editing and making their video? We don't know many, do you?

Pros of Descript👍

• Easy to edit.
• Multitrack audio editing software.
• On-screen recording.
• Automated transcription.
• Full-featured waveform editor.
• Non-destructive export to other audio applications.
• Text-to-speech using your voice or an AI voice.
• Invite or add team members to collaborate.

 Cons of Descript

• Not designed to work with multiple video files.
• Limited timeline function.
• Users comment that the application crashes on small devices.
• Sound and video speakers do not synchronize with the transcript all the time. 

 💸 Pricing

Descript has 4 plans. 

➡️ Free: You can create 1 hour of video per month for free.

➡️ Creator: 10 hours per month for $12.

➡️ Pro: 30 hours per month for $24

➡️ Enterprise: Contact their support center to customize your plan. 

Coming up next... 5 video editing software alternatives to Descript

Alternative #1: Synthesia

Best for those who want to create and edit their video from scratch.

Known as the #1 text-to-video AI generator, Synthesia is a favorite Descript alternative for many thanks to its features and ease of creating/editing engaging videos from scratch without needing equipment, hiring actors, or filming yourself.

That's right; you read that right. With Synthesia, you can create a video clip from "0" in just a few minutes.

For starters, you can choose from over 60 video templates or customize your own. Plus, you can localize your video using one of over 140 avatars and 120 languages and accents. 

Pros of Synthesia

• 400+ AI voices (text-to-speech).
• Super fast to create video clips.
• You can localize your content using natural language processing in 120+ languages.
• 60+ templates, fully customizable.
• No need for expensive equipment.
• Extensive stock of music and graphics. 
• Voice cloning features for personalized voiceovers.
• Strong commitment to protecting your data.
• Updating your video is as easy as a few clicks.

What to look out for

• Subscriptions can be more expensive than other video editing software.
• The Starter plan is better for small users.

 Pricing

Synthesia offers three payment plans and a free demo.

• Free AI video: Check it out on their website
• Starter plan: Get access to 60+ avatars and 10 video credits for $29/month.
• Creator plan: access even more unique features at $67/month.
• Enterprise plan: You can contact their team for individual Pricing based on your needs

How does it compare to Descript?

Synthesia is a video editor mainly used for training, internal communication, how-to, and product marketing videos.

In addition, with Synthesia, you get certain advantages that are difficult to match by Descript or any other alternative, such as:

• You can save money:  Remember we said you don't need to hire recording equipment or actors? As an example of how much you can save, Teleperformance reported +$650 cost savings per video compared to other video authoring tools and +$5.000 compared to traditional video creation.
• Save time: You can ask Forecast how easy it is to make videos and how little time it takes. This company reduced the time needed to create a full course by 50%: from one month to about two weeks.
• Localize videos quickly: When you know that 90% of people want to learn in their native language, Synthesia and its 120+ languages and accents come in handy. 
• Update videos quickly: Update videos with fresh content in just a few clicks instead of re-recording them.

Alternative #2: Screencast-O-Matic. 

Best for those in need of a free screen recorder

Next on this list is Screencast-O-Matic or ScreenPal.

Screencast-O-Matic is a two-in-one software; on the one hand, it is a screen recorder, and on the other hand, it is a video editing tool.

Wondering how this alternative to Descript works? 

Easy-peasy ...

First, you can record your screen (for free) and create your tutorial video. Once you have recorded your how-to video, you can access the basic video editing features for free or its advanced options for a reasonable price. The last step is to download or export your video. 

 Pros of Screencast-O-Matic 👍

• Screen capture and video recording.
• Free version. 
• Edit video is easy.
• Performance Metrics.
• Video streaming.
• Meeting management.
• The app is available.
• Online storage and publishing.

Cons of Screencast-O-Matic

• The editing tools in the free version are limited.
• Some users have questioned the audio quality. 
• The free version of Screen O-Matic does not support full-screen recording.

💸 Pricing

As you know, this video editing software is great if you need to record your screen and certain editing features for free, but in addition, Screencast-O-Matic offers 4 different subscriptions:

➡️ Solo Deluxe: $3 monthly paid annually.

➡️ Solo Premier: $6 monthly paid annually. 

➡️ Solo Max: $10 monthly, paid annually.

➡️Team Business: $8 monthly per user.  

How does it compare to Descript?

The first and biggest difference between these two video editors is that you can technically create a free video tutorial with Screen-O-Matic. 

Also, while Descript is better for new content creators who need a video for social media or a Podcast, Screen-O-Matic is better for how-to videos.

Alternative 3: Adobe Premiere Pro

The best alternative for professionals 

This may be your first time editing a video; however, for some reason, the name Adobe Premiere Pro sounds quite familiar to you.

Adobe Premiere Pro is part of the Adobe family, which owns famous editing tools like Photoshop and Lightroom. Does it make sense now why it sounds so familiar?

Adobe Premiere Pro is video editing software that is up to the task of whatever you need to create an impressive video. However, like other Adobe products, it requires more knowledge of editing tools and concepts, which makes it a better choice for those creators with video editing experience.

Pros of Adobe Premiere Pro 👍

• You can import sequences from any file format.
• Blur and sharpening effects.
• Motion graphics templates.
• Supports multiple video files.
• Delates background noise. 
• Text-based editing
• Powerful editing tools. 
• Cool drag-and-drop video effects.
• Compatible with virtual reality.

Cons of Adobe Premiere Pro

• Not so easy to use for beginners.
• High system requirements.
• Limited compatibility with other programs outside the Adobe family.
• Expensive, and there is no "basic alternative subscription." 

 💸 Pricing

Adobe Premiere Pro has a free trial version; after that, you can purchase the services in 3 different subscriptions.

➡️ Annual paid monthly for $20.99

➡️ Annual prepaid for $239.88

➡️ Monthly for $31.49

How does it compare to Descript?

Adobe Premiere and Descript are excellent choices for content creators who want to create innovative videos. Nevertheless, Adobe Premiere Pro is a better alternative for those with previous video editing experience or for professional video editors that master audio. 

Alternative #4: Piktochart Video

Best for making brief video clips with highlights 

Piktochart Video editor is another alternative to Descipt that simply makes the video creation journey quick and easy. 

Let us give you an example of what you can do with Piktochart Video.

Imagine you have an amazing video about a Webinar, and now you need to post it on Instagram and TikTok. Can you see the problem? 

We both know that social media users hardly ever take more than 60 seconds to watch a video. So with that information, the best thing to do is to use Piktochart Video to cut, edit, and create a new and short video highlighting the best moments of your webinar.  

Pros of Piktochart Video

• Text transcription software in more than 60 languages.
• You can record your webcam and screen.
• Trim your video clips.
• Reuse existing video content on social networks.
• Integrations with Zoom and Google Drive

 Cons of Piktochart Video

• The video editing functions are not as advanced as in other alternatives.
• The free version is limited by space and editing options.
• Watermark in the free alternative.

💸 Pricing

Piktochart video editing subscriptions are:

➡️ Free 

➡️ Pro: $14 monthly paid annually 

➡️ Enterprise Plan: Contact their support to get a custom plan.

How does it compare to Descript?

Descript might be a better alternative if we compare these two tools in terms of editing features. But, if you want to record short video updates, transcribe audio or repurpose video content for social media, we recommend trying Piktochart Video.  

Alternative #5: CapCut

Best for those who prefer to work from their phone

Let's face it, our phone has become an extension of our body, almost like a second hand, which explains why many prefer to work on their phones and not on a computer. 

That's why we've decided to bring to the conversation CapCut, a great alternative that is ideal for those who edit and create videos with their phones. 

CapCut is a very popular video editor among TikTokers, who use its templates and all the features to design and create trending videos.

As a bonus, CapCut also has an online browser version if you prefer to work using a computer. 

 Pros of CapCut 👍

• You can edit your videos from virtually anywhere. 
• Suitable for iOS and Android. 
• Online editing version available.
• Background removal 
• Various templates.
• Cool effects, filters, and transitions. 
• Easy to export.
• Extensive music library.
• Voice-to-text and text-to-speech.

Cons of CapCut

• Lack of advanced editing features
• No support for landscape mode on smartphones and tablets
• Cannot set frame rate higher than 60 FPS
• Applications have bugs and glitches

 💸 Pricing

CapCut, like some other alternatives, offers a free option; however, this alternative will limit your access to certain features or tools. 

If what you want is not included in the free version, CapCut has different prices that will vary depending on your region. 

How does it compare to Descript?

Characterized by multiple available templates and trendy visual effects, CapCut is a favorite tool among TikTokers. 

Moreover, CapCut features an online editing version, apps, and a downloadable system, unlike Descript. 

Which one is the best Descript alternative?

We're almost done with the article, and it's time for you to know what is the best video editor to create your videos.

While all the Descript alternatives we've discussed have great editing features and benefits, there's only one platform in this article designed to give you everything you need to create a video from scratch, and that's Synthesia.

Think about it for a moment...When you use tools like Adobe or Piktochart Video, you have very cool features to edit the video you shot a week ago. Still, you don't have the flexibility to easily create a video from scratch. And that is not the case with Synthesia.

When you use Synthesia to create and edit videos, you don't need to have ready the multiple files you need to edit to make a new video because, in the same platform, you can choose a presenter, automatically translate, add the sound, select the template, make the script, edit it and publish it.

Impressive, isn't it?

Well, we have some great news for you; you can do a whole video in 15 minutes or less for free with Synthesia's free AI video generator.