Descript: edit video and podcasts by editing the transcript
Short version: Descript turns your recording into text, so you cut, reorder and clean up the media by editing words. First, a free plan lets you try it with 60 media minutes a month. Paid plans start at about $16/month billed annually, but monthly billing costs more, and the AI credits you need depend on how much you use the AI tools.
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Tap a word to cut it, or clear the filler in one go
This is an illustrative mock-up written by us, so it is not the real Descript editor.
Delete a sentence from the text, and it disappears from the video
Because every recording becomes a transcript, most edits feel like writing in a document.
Filler words gone in one pass
A built-in tool removes “um” and “uh” across the whole recording, so your first cut takes minutes instead of an hour.
Studio Sound for rough audio
It cleans up noisy rooms and thin microphones, so a laptop recording sounds closer to a studio one.
Underlord, the AI co-editor
You can ask it to make edits for you, and it also helps with titles, summaries and rough cuts.
Clips from a long recording
It picks strong moments and turns them into short clips, so one interview can feed a week of social posts.
Recording and editing in one place
You can record inside the app, so there is no need to export a file before you start editing.
AI speech and voice clones
Typed text can become narration, and a voice clone can fix a flubbed line without re-recording. Paid plans include it, while limits depend on the tier.
Plans are sized by media hours and AI credits
Media hours cover the audio and video you import or record, while AI credits pay for AI tools. All prices are in USD per person and reported as of 2026. However, prices change, so confirm the current amount on the official pricing page before you buy.
Free
You get 60 media minutes a month and a small one-time batch of AI credits, so exports carry a watermark.
Start freeHobbyist
It offers 10 media hours and 400 AI credits a month, so it suits one or two projects.
Try HobbyistCreator
It offers 30 media hours, 800 AI credits and top-ups, so regular publishers get more room.
Try CreatorBusiness
It offers 40 media hours and 1,500 AI credits, while team features are also reported.
Try Business| Per person, per month | Free | Hobbyist | Creator | Business |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Media hours | 1 | 10 | 30 | 40 |
| AI credits | 100, one time | 400 | 800 | 1,500 |
| Recording hours per drive | About 1 | 5 | 15 | 25 |
| Top-ups for minutes and credits | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Watermark on exports | Yes | No | No | No |
Enterprise pricing is custom. Also note that annual billing is about 23% to 33% cheaper per month than monthly billing, so short projects are the main reason to pay monthly.
Three kinds of projects where transcript editing saves the most time
The text-first approach helps most when recordings are long and messy.
Interview podcasts
Long conversations need trimming, so deleting tangents from the text is faster than hunting through a waveform.
Tutorials and course videos
Screen recordings often include false starts. As a result, cutting those lines from the transcript keeps lessons short.
Team updates and webinars
Marketing teams can repurpose one session into clips, while shared workspaces help on the Business plan.
Where it shines
- Cuts feel like editing a document, so beginners start quickly.
- Filler-word removal also speeds up the first pass.
- Recording and editing live together, so files move less.
- Clip tools make long recordings easier to reuse.
Worth checking first
- AI features use credits, so heavy users should estimate usage.
- The free plan adds a watermark, however.
- Monthly billing costs more, because annual plans carry the discount.
- Always review automatic cuts, because a tool can miss context.
Questions to settle before your first edit
Short answers to what people ask most.
Getting started
What is Descript?
Descript is an audio and video editor that works like a document. It transcribes your recording, so you edit the media by changing the text. In addition, it includes AI tools for cleanup, clips and generated media.
Can I start for free?
Yes, a permanent free plan is reported, with 60 media minutes per month and watermarked exports. However, it includes only a small one-time batch of AI credits. Therefore, it works best as a test run before you pay.
Do I need editing experience?
No, because you edit text instead of a timeline. However, a timeline is still available when you want fine control. As a result, beginners and experienced editors can both work in it.
Can I record inside Descript?
Yes, Descript includes recording, and each plan lists monthly recording hours. For example, the paid tiers are reported at 5, 15 and 25 hours per drive. Check the official pricing page for current limits.
Plans and credits
What are media minutes and AI credits?
Media minutes measure the audio and video you import or record, while AI credits pay for AI features. For example, Studio Sound, Eye Contact and Underlord use credits. As a result, heavy AI users need a larger credit allowance.
How much does Descript cost?
Reported 2026 pricing per person is $16 per month for Hobbyist billed annually, or $24 monthly. Creator is $24 billed annually, or $35 monthly, while Business is $50 billed annually, or $65 monthly. Enterprise is custom, and prices change, so confirm the amount on the official pricing page.
Which plan should I pick?
Hobbyist suits light, occasional editing, while Creator suits weekly editing and repurposing. Business, on the other hand, adds team features and the largest allowances. Therefore, estimate your monthly media hours first.
What happens if I run out of minutes or credits?
Creator and Business can buy top-ups, and they are reported to expire after 12 months. However, Free and Hobbyist users upgrade instead. Check the current terms on the pricing page before you rely on them.
Is annual billing cheaper?
Yes, annual billing is about 23% to 33% cheaper per month, depending on the plan. However, it is a yearly commitment, so a monthly plan suits a short project.
Everyday editing
Can it remove filler words automatically?
Yes, Descript includes a Remove Filler Words tool, so you can strip “um” and “uh” in one pass. However, you should still listen to the result. Therefore, treat the tool as a fast first cut.
Does it work for podcasts and videos?
Yes, it handles both, so you can cut a podcast episode or a screen recording in the same editor. In addition, clip tools help you turn long recordings into short posts.
Can my team edit together?
Team collaboration is reported as a Business-plan feature. Therefore, solo creators on Hobbyist or Creator usually do not need it. On the other hand, teams should compare seat costs before they upgrade.
Cut your first recording by editing its text
First, start on the free plan. Then upload a short recording and see how fast the transcript edit feels before you choose a paid tier.
Try Descript free