Content moves fast these days, and creators can barely keep up with the demands. They require video editing tools that can deliver quality videos fast. LightCut is a popular option, best known for its AI-powered tools and templates. While it does have very smart features, obstacles like paywalls and watermarks are discouraging for users. So, is LightCut worth a try, or are there better options out there? In this LightCut review, we’ll dive into the strengths, weaknesses, and real-world user experiences. Let's get into it.
What is LightCut?
LightCut is an AI-powered video editing tool available on PCs and mobile phones alike. As a mobile app, I am pleased to report that it is compatible with both iPhones and Androids. On your PC, it is Windows-compatible.
For my LightCut review, I’ll be going over both the desktop and the mobile versions. It’s built for creators who want to quickly edit their videos with minimal effort, and by that, I mean minimum manual effort. The AI does most of the work for you.
It doesn’t matter what you use this tool for, whether you’re making travel reels, videos for your YouTube channel, or making promotional content for brands, LightCut editing features simplify the whole process.
Features
Supported Platforms
LightCut was primarily made as a mobile app and works for both iOS and Android devices. It is compatible with iPhones and iPads with iOS 13.0 or higher, for Androids it works on Android 7.0 and above, and for Macintosh it works on macOS 11.0 version, and all the versions that followed. The app does not have a desktop version as of 2025 for Windows or macOS.
Pricing Model
The LightCut has a free version and a premium version, which is probably the biggest downside to using it. I tried the Basic version because it is free, but many of the features (advanced features) require a paid subscription. The premium subscription is priced between $7.99 and $9.99 per month, depending on the platform and region.
I noticed that the free exports leave behind a watermark, which is not great for SEO or the overall look of my videos. Overall, great tool, but could've been better if it were more accessible.
LightCut Video Editor Review
To give you an overview of everything LightCut has to offer and everything it withholds, here is a breakdown of all the LightCut app pros and cons, listed side by side.
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
AI-powered auto-editing | Watermark on free version |
1000+ templates and effects | Many features locked behind subscription |
Cross-platform syncing | Limited to 1080p exports |
Beginner-friendly interface | No export format options beyond MP4/MOV |
Having used quite a few editing tools on a daily basis, I can say that I am happy with LightCut's performance. For my videos, I found it very easy to use, which means it is great for beginners and casual users. The AI editing is something I found to be a huge plus because it skips the hassle of adding and adjusting clips.
The result was decent with minimal effort, but I do have qualms about the watermark on free exports. It might also be a deal breaker for some of you who are professional users.
If we’re trying to have the best LightCut video editor review, we have to note the downsides as well. While the video quality is comparable to a lot of good editing tools out there, I noted that it does not allow me to export in 4K or in other formats such as MKV, which can be limiting as well.
3 Top Alternatives of LightCut
If LightCut is not the editing tool for you, I completely understand. The premium plan, the watermark, and the limited tools under the free plan might . Here are a couple of alternatives that I found exceptional for video editing.
Picsart Enterprise
Picsart is an online editor offering advanced editing tools for both photos and videos. It also comes with AI-generated effects, much like LightCut, and supports collaborative tools for teams.
I found the last feature very useful for my group projects and meetings. Instead of sending the same video back and forth between multiple users and reducing the quality every single time.
I can just have my friends or colleagues join a Teams meeting and work on the video with me. That saved a lot of time, effort, and obviously preserved video quality as well.
Features
Pros
Cons
I’d say Picsart is more advanced than LightCut, which is no surprise because it is used by professionals as well. I could experience what it's like to have access to a professional video editor myself and do with it whatever I please.
I used it to edit both videos and photos, and quality-wise, it did not disappoint. Due to its pricing and complexity, however, it is best suited for professional content creators. It’s the concept of “If you’re paying anyway, might as well pay for the best”.
Nova A.I
Nova AI is a web-based video editing platform that uses AI like LightCut and Picsart to make the video editing process smoother, faster, and clutter-free. Nova AI is a favorite amongst content creators for those very reasons. It is also a very handy tool for educators and marketers because of how quick and simple it is.
Having done a thorough LightCut review, I found Nova to be on par with LightCut in terms of ease of use. It offers automatic subtitling and language translations if you’re presenting to a diverse crowd. The AI model is designed to auto-cut clips and detect scenes for a seamless fit. It also features AI tagging for the video content it makes.
Features
Pros
Cons
I found Nova AI to be a very smart and intuitive tool, but I think it lacks the creative templates that LightCut and Picsart provide. I used the subtitle feature to generate subtitles over an informative video, and I’d say the voice-to-text feature is fairly accurate. Overall, a solid 8/10 from me.
CapCut
This one probably needs no introduction from me, given that it has over 1 billion downloads globally, but let’s have one anyway. Capcut is probably the most popular option on this list. It is a versatile AI-powered video editing platform, widely used for creating engaging short-form videos for social media. It is compatible with Windows (for PCs), iOS, and Android (for mobile phones).
It is suitable for beginner and experienced editors. It has unique features like timeline editing, where you can map out all the edits you’d like to apply throughout the video. It has a variety of filters, transitions, and effects, as well as a sound library to add sound effects. You can even add auto captions like Nova AI.
Features
Pros
Cons
Out of all the editing tools I’ve tried, CapCut is the strongest contender. It is a free alternative to LightCut that also has more features, does not leave a watermark, and has excellent integration with social media platforms like TikTok or Instagram, making it the primary choice for influencers, social media marketing teams, and content creators. If you’re looking for a LightCut free alternative, CapCut is your best bet.
Tip Tool – Toolsmart Free YouTube Video Downloader
If you're constantly collecting clips, reference footage, or background sounds for your next edit, then you know how frustrating it can be to find a reliable downloader that doesn't ask for your email, force you to install sketchy software, or watermark your content. That’s where Toolsmart’s Free YouTube Video Downloader comes in.
Whether I’m working on a short-form reel or building out a YouTube tutorial, Toolsmart makes it incredibly easy to grab exactly what I need fast, free, and hassle-free because it allows me to download videos and clips that I need directly from YouTube.
It works insanely fast and retains the quality of the videos to be used as well, meaning I don’t have to worry about the quality of the final video that I make after compiling all of the clips.
I use it to download sound bites, background footage, or even my past uploads when I want to repurpose clips. No login, no hoops to jump through to get an account. Just clean downloads, ready for editing in LightCut.
LightCut is fantastic for quick edits and visual polish, but it only supports MP4 (Android) and MOV (iOS) file formats. Toolsmart gives you full control over the content you bring into LightCut, especially when you're dealing with format restrictions or need to prepare clips on the fly.
I've used Toolsmart to build entire edit libraries before even opening LightCut, and it’s completely changed my workflow. If you're serious about content creation but want to avoid the usual tech headaches, pairing LightCut with Toolsmart is a game-changer.
FAQs
1. Does LightCut have a free version?
Yes, LightCut does have a free version, but it does have a cost nonetheless. Its exports include a watermark, which might bring down the overall impact of your content.
2. Is LightCut better than CapCut?
I’d say when comparing LightCut vs CapCut, as a tool, CapCut offers more free features; LightCut excels in AI automation but doesn’t have that extensive of a feature portfolio.
3. Can I use Toolsmart’s downloader with LightCut?
Absolutely! Download clips first, then edit in LightCut. The quick download will help with gathering content, while the LightCut AI will help you build your content from the scraps.
4. Does LightCut support 4K?
The video editor can only export videos at 1080p, even if you have uploaded 4K clips. Unfortunately, there is no pro version of the mobile app, so there is no 4K offered in this case.
5. Does LightCut support exporting MKV videos?
Unfortunately, it does not support exporting edited videos in any format. As mentioned above, LightCut can only save MP4 videos for Android devices, while MOV is for iOS. If you need to convert the produced videos, use Aiseesoft Video Converter Ultimate for fast and high-quality conversion.
