Hi,

You are right to notice that CapCut is shifting some features to its Pro version.

CapCut is gradually moving more advanced features behind a Pro paywall as part of a shift toward a sustainable freemium model. As our platform grows and incorporates more sophisticated tools such as AI-driven auto captions, advanced effects, and premium assets, the cost of development, server maintenance, and ongoing support has increased.

By locking these features for Pro users, CapCut can generate revenue that helps fund further innovation and maintain high-quality services. This is a common trend in many apps where the basic, everyday functionality remains free while power users pay for the more advanced capabilities.

The trend has shifted in the recent past due to following reasons:

• Sustainable development: Developing and maintaining a powerful video editing app like CapCut requires significant resources. By offering a Pro subscription, CapCut can generate revenue to fund ongoing development, bug fixes, and the addition of new features. This ensures the app continues to improve and remain competitive.
• Feature differentiation: Offering a mix of free and Pro features allows CapCut to cater to a wider audience. Basic editing tools remain free for casual users, while more advanced and specialized features are available for those who need them and are willing to pay for them.
• Competitive Landscape: Many other video editing apps such as Adobe Premiere, Da Vinci Resolve, Filmora on the market also operate on a freemium and subscription model. This is a common practice in the software industry to ensure the long-term viability of the product.
• Value Proposition: CapCut Pro offers a range of valuable features that can significantly enhance the video editing experience, such as advanced effects, AI-powered tools, and higher quality exports. For creators who rely on video editing for their work or who want to take their videos to the next level, the Pro subscription can be a worthwhile investment.
• It is important to remember that CapCut still offers a robust set of free features. You can still create and edit impressive videos without a Pro subscription. However, if you find yourself needing the more advanced tools regularly, CapCut Pro might be a good option for you.

How to work around a CapCut feature that was free earlier and became pro recently?

• Reuse or duplicate an older project:
  If you created a project using the feature when it was still free, try duplicating that project or exporting the clip that contains the effect and then re‑import it into a new project. Sometimes the effect “sticks” with the clip, allowing you to reuse it without triggering the Pro flag.
• Copy-paste method:
  For features like text styles or effects, duplicating the element (for example, a caption with a specific style) and then editing the content can preserve the look without needing to re‑apply the now Pro‑only effect.
• Manually replicate the effect:
  If you can’t reuse an older project, try to mimic the effect using a combination of other free tools such as filters, adjustments, and animations or effects available in CapCut. This might require a bit more manual tweaking, but it can often serve as a temporary substitute.
• Templates: Browse CapCut's template library. You might find a template that incorporates the feature you're looking for or provides a suitable alternative.
• Online Tools:There are many free online tools for specific video editing tasks. For example, you can find online converters, compressors, and basic editors. Try a combination of these online tools along side CapCut for the feature that you are missing.
• Plugins: If you are using CapCut on a desktop, check if there are any free plugins that can provide the functionality you're missing.
• Minor differences: Sometimes, a slightly different effect or method might be good enough for your needs. It might not be exactly the same, but it could still achieve the desired result.
• Consider different tiered premium plan: If you are on a budget, prioritize the features that are absolutely essential for your videos. You might have to let go of some less critical features. Choose a less paid premium plan from CapCut which covers your essential features required for your edit.

Specific Cases of workarounds:

• Auto Captions: Auto captions have now become Pro, you can manually add text captions in the free version. It's more time-consuming, but it gets the job done.
• Specific effects: If your favorite visual effect has become Pro, explore the free effects library for similar options or try combining different effects to create something new.
• Advanced transitions: If a specific transition is now Pro, look for free transitions that offer a similar style or feel.
• Updates: Keep an eye on CapCut updates. Sometimes, features that were moved to Pro might be reintroduced in the free version later on.

When do you think CapCut Pro is worth it?

• Frequency of use: If you used the now-Pro feature very frequently, the cost of a CapCut Pro subscription might be justified.
• Overall value: Consider all the features offered in CapCut Pro. If the subscription unlocks other tools and benefits that you'll use in the future, it might be a worthwhile investment.

CapCut's goal is to strike a balance between providing a valuable free service and offering a premium subscription that caters to the needs of more serious creators.

If you still think an essential feature has been made PRO and many free users would need it, then write a polite email to the development team at [email protected].

Express your desire to use the feature more regularly and how CapCut has enabled you to edit videos freely all these while. They may consider reverting the PRO feature in the next versions.