OpenCut AI: the free, open-source CapCut alternative that runs 100% on your machine

Hey everyone 👋

We built OpenCut AI because we were tired of video editors that phone home. CapCut sends data to ByteDance. Descript uploads everything to AWS. Runway is cloud-only and credits-based. We wanted an editor that stays on your hardware.

Here's what you get:

AI that runs locally:

- Edit video by editing the transcript — delete a sentence, the timeline cuts itself

- Clone any voice from a 6-second sample

- Remove filler words and silences in one click

- Generate AI video from text using 9 models across 5 providers (Runway, Pika, Kling, Luma, Seedance, or run CogVideoX locally for free)

- AI co-pilot: describe your goal in plain English, it builds a multi-step plan and executes it

- Smart reframe with face tracking for TikTok/Reels/Shorts

- Motion tracking that runs in the browser — generates keyframes, no server needed

YouTube growth tools (that others charge $15+/mo for):

- A/B thumbnail testing — generate variants, auto-score on contrast, text readability, face presence, pick the winner

- A/B hook testing — generate 5 hook openings from your transcript, compare engagement scores

- Engagement analytics — 7-signal scoring (hook, curiosity, energy, beat sync, face, emotion, virality) with trend tracking

- YouTube chapters export, virality scoring, YouTube-to-Reels conversion

Professional editing:

- 20 transitions (all WebGL shaders), 12 effects, 22 filter presets

- Multicam editing, speed ramping, crop & mask, compound clips

- Audio effects chain (EQ, compressor, reverb, de-esser, limiter)

- LUFS loudness normalization for YouTube/Spotify/podcasts

- Beat detection with snap-to-beat

- Batch export with 8 platform presets

30+ languages including 22 Indian languages via Sarvam AI — unmatched by any competitor.

The whole stack is open source (MIT). Self-host on a $20/mo server or run it on your laptop. One `docker compose up -d` and you're editing. No accounts, no subscriptions, no data leaving your machine.

We'd love your feedback. What would make you switch from your current editor?