CapCut vs Lightworks: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for CapCut and Lightworks side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below, Lightworks leads on higher user rating. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
CapCut
Advanced video editing for TikTok creators, free
Best for you if:
- • You want free with great features
Lightworks
Unlock your video editing potential with a powerful, professional-grade video editor.
Best for you if:
- • You want offers a free version for beginners to get started
| At a Glance | CapCut | Lightworks |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free plan, paid from $9.99/mo, billed monthly Standard plan | Free plan |
Category | Video Editing Animation | Video Editing Audio Editing |
Rating | 1.3/5 Trustpilot 1.3 471 reviews | 3.9/5 G2 4.7 · Capterra 4.5 · SourceForge 2.0 191 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose CapCut or Lightworks?
Choose CapCut if
- You want free with great features
- You want AI tools
Choose Lightworks if
- You want offers a free version for beginners to get started
- You want scales with user skill level from beginner to professional
In-Depth Analysis
CapCut
Advanced video editing for TikTok creators, free
CapCut's pricing is very generous, especially with its robust Free tier and competitive Pro tier at $9.99/month.
Strengths
- Pro: Free with great features
- Pro: AI tools
- Pro: Easy to use
Weaknesses
- Con: Concerns regarding ownership by ByteDance
- Con: Limited advanced features
Key features
Lightworks
Unlock your video editing potential with a powerful, professional-grade video editor.
Lightworks offers a generous free tier, making it accessible for beginners.
Strengths
- Pro: Offers a free version for beginners to get started.
- Pro: Scales with user skill level from beginner to professional.
- Pro: Provides a comprehensive suite of editing tools (video, audio, VFX, color).
- Pro: Supports high-quality footage and offers advanced features like HDR workflows.
- Pro: Streamlined sharing and export options, including direct social media integration.
Weaknesses
- Con: Advanced VFX features (supplied by NewBlue) are only available for Windows and Mac.
- Con: The full range of professional features requires a paid subscription.
Key features
Plans and prices: CapCut vs Lightworks
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| CapCut |
| capcut.com/resource/capcut-standard-vs-proread Oct 14, 2026 |
| Lightworks |
| lwks.com/pricingread Sep 30, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on CapCut pricing and Lightworks pricing.
Key Takeaways
CapCut
- Choose if you want advanced video editing for TikTok creators, free
Lightworks
- Higher user rating: 3.9/5 vs 1.3/5
What the data shows
On the data below, Lightworks leads on higher user rating. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
- Lightworks has the higher user rating (1.3/5 from 471 reviews for CapCut, 3.9/5 from 191 reviews for Lightworks).
- CapCut starts at $9.99/mo, billed monthly; Lightworks has no public paid plan price on file.
- Both have a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do CapCut and Lightworks compare in 2026?
On the data below, Lightworks leads on higher user rating. We do not name an overall winner for this pair. Lightworks has the higher user rating (1.3/5 from 471 reviews for CapCut, 3.9/5 from 191 reviews for Lightworks). CapCut starts at $9.99/mo, billed monthly; Lightworks has no public paid plan price on file. Both have a free plan.
What are CapCut and Lightworks used for?
CapCut: Advanced video editing for TikTok creators, free. Lightworks: Unlock your video editing potential with a powerful, professional-grade video editor.
What does CapCut cost vs Lightworks?
CapCut's cheapest paid plan is Standard at $9.99/mo, billed monthly; it also has a free plan. Lightworks has no public paid-plan price on file. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Oct 14, 2026.
What's the main difference between CapCut and Lightworks?
CapCut's main strength: free with great features. Lightworks's main strength: offers a free version for beginners to get started.