Diffcut
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EditingTrims, keyframes, transitions, export.CaptionsTranscribed on your Mac, word by word.Voiceover28 voices, with pauses where you write them.AI musicMusic and effects from a prompt.CaptureA built-in browser for shots and recordings.Ask ClaudeYour own Claude proposes edits you review.ShortsVertical clips from a long video.Demo videosA first cut from a browser recording.All features

Diffcut and CapCut, side by side.

CapCut is a popular all-round editor with apps on many platforms and a large library of templates and effects. Diffcut is a newer, open-source editor for the Mac that does its AI work on your machine. Here is how they differ.

Get early accessSide by side
Diffcut is in early development: the first Mac build isn’t out yet. CapCut details are general, from public information as of October 2026; check www.capcut.com for current plans and features.
TopicDiffcutCapCut
PlatformsMac with Apple siliconDesktop, mobile and web apps
StatusEarly development; no public build yetReleased and widely used
PriceFreeA free plan and a paid Pro plan
Source codeOpen source, MIT licenceClosed source
AccountNone neededSign-in for cloud and some features
CaptionsTranscribed on the Mac, 25 European languages; SRT, VTT, ASS or burned inAuto captions
Voiceover28 English voices on the Mac, with real pauses and a watermark on every takeText to speech
MusicMade from a prompt on the Mac (ACE-Step 1.5), plus 12 synthesised effectsA library of music, sounds and effects
AI editingYour own Claude proposes edits you review change by changeBuilt-in AI tools

Pick Diffcut if…

  • You want the work on your MacTranscription, voices, music and rendering run locally; footage is never uploaded.
  • You want to read the codeEvery part of Diffcut is open source under the MIT licence.
  • You work with ClaudeYour own Claude Code edits through Diffcut’s tools, and you approve each change.

Pick CapCut if…

  • You need it todayDiffcut has no public build yet; CapCut is available now.
  • You edit on a phone or on WindowsDiffcut is Mac-only, Apple silicon only.
  • You want templatesCapCut has a large library of templates and effects; Diffcut has none.

CapCut is a trademark of its owner. Diffcut is an independent open-source project and isn’t affiliated with or endorsed by it.

Questions

Is Diffcut a free alternative to CapCut on Mac?

Diffcut is free and open source, and covers editing, captions, voiceover and music. It isn’t out yet, and it doesn’t try to match CapCut’s templates or its mobile and web apps.

Does Diffcut upload my videos?

No. Diffcut edits, transcribes and exports on your Mac. Only features you choose, like asking your own Claude, reach the network.

Can I open CapCut projects in Diffcut?

No. Bring the source media into Diffcut and edit from there.

What Diffcut does

Make the cut.

Diffcut is free, open source and early: the first Mac build isn’t out yet. Leave your email and we’ll write once, when it’s ready.