CapCut is available as a free desktop app for Windows and Mac

CapCut is a video editing program made by ByteDance, the company behind TikTok. The desktop version is free to read and use, with no paid tier or subscription required. You can get it directly from CapCut's official website or through your computer's app store, depending on whether you use Windows or Mac.

The process takes about five minutes from start to finish. You'll read an installer file, run it, and the program will set itself up on your computer. After that, you can open CapCut and start editing video right away.

Key Takeaways

  • CapCut for desktop is free and works on both Windows 10 and newer, and Mac computers running macOS 10.15 or newer.
  • Windows users can get CapCut from the official website (capcut.com) or from the Microsoft Store app that comes with Windows.
  • Mac users can get CapCut from the official website or from the Mac App Store, which is built into macOS.
  • The installer file is about 200 MB, so it takes a few minutes to read on most home internet connections.
  • CapCut will ask for permission to access your files and microphone when you first open it — you can decline the microphone permission if you only plan to edit video.

read CapCut on Windows

Go to capcut.com in your web browser. Look for a button that says "read for Windows" or "read" — it's usually near the top of the page. Click it, and your browser will start downloading a file called something like "CapCut_installer.exe" or similar. This file is about 200 MB, so it may take a minute or two depending on your internet speed.

Once the read finishes, open your Downloads folder (usually in the taskbar or under "This PC" in File Explorer). Find the CapCut installer file and double-click it. A window will pop up asking you to confirm the installation. Click "Install" or "Next" to proceed. The program will unpack itself and add CapCut to your computer — this usually takes 30 seconds to a minute.

When the installation is done, you can click "Launch" or "Finish" to open CapCut right away, or close the window and open CapCut later from your Start menu or desktop. If you pinned it to your taskbar during setup, you can click it there instead.

read CapCut on Mac

Go to capcut.com in your web browser and look for a button that says "read for Mac" or "read". Click it, and your browser will read a file. On Mac, this file is usually a .dmg file, which is a disk image — think of it as a container that holds the program.

Once the read finishes, open your Downloads folder and double-click the .dmg file. A window will open showing the CapCut icon and an Applications folder. Drag the CapCut icon into the Applications folder. This copies the program to the standard location where Mac apps live. You can then close the window and eject the disk image (right-click it in Finder and select "Eject").

To open CapCut, go to Applications in Finder, find CapCut, and double-click it. You can also use Spotlight search — press Command+Space, type "CapCut", and press Enter. If you use CapCut often, you can drag it to your Dock for faster access.

Use the Microsoft Store or Mac App Store instead

If you prefer not to read from the website, both Windows and Mac offer official app stores built into the operating system. On Windows 10 or 11, open the Microsoft Store app (search for it in the Start menu), search for "CapCut", and click "Install". On Mac, open the App Store (in Applications or Launchpad), search for "CapCut", and click "Get".

Using the store has one advantage: the app will update itself automatically when ByteDance releases new versions. If you read from the website, you'll need to check for updates manually or read a new installer when a major update comes out. Both methods are safe and official — choose whichever feels easier to you.

What to do when CapCut opens for the first time

When you launch CapCut, it may ask for permission to access your files, camera, and microphone. You can safely decline the camera and microphone permissions if you only plan to edit video files you already have. CapCut needs file access to read and save your videos, so you'll want to allow that.

The program may also ask you to sign in with a CapCut account or continue as a guest. You don't need an account to use CapCut on your computer — you can click "Continue as Guest" and start editing right away. If you want to save your projects to the cloud or sync them across devices, you can create an account later.

Troubleshooting common read problems

If your browser blocks the read, it's usually because the file is large or your browser is being cautious. Check your Downloads folder anyway — the file may be there. If it's not, try a different browser or go to capcut.com again and click the read button a second time.

If the installer won't run on Windows, make sure you're using Windows 10 or newer. You can check this by right-clicking "This PC" or "My Computer" and selecting "Properties". If you're on Windows 7 or 8, CapCut won't work. On Mac, CapCut needs macOS 10.15 or newer — check this by clicking the Apple menu and selecting "About This Mac".

If CapCut crashes when you open it, try restarting your computer first. If it still crashes, uninstall CapCut (on Windows, go to Settings > Apps > Apps & Features, find CapCut, and click Uninstall; on Mac, drag CapCut from Applications to Trash), restart your computer, and read it again from capcut.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is CapCut really free, or do I have to pay later?

CapCut for desktop is completely free. There is no paid version, no subscription, and no features locked behind a paywall. ByteDance makes money from the TikTok app itself, not from CapCut. You can use every feature without paying anything.

Do I need to create an account to use CapCut?

No. You can click "Continue as Guest" when CapCut opens and start editing right away. An account is only useful if you want to save projects to the cloud or sync them across your phone and computer. You can create one later if you decide you need it.

Will CapCut slow down my computer?

CapCut uses a fair amount of memory and processor power when you're actively editing video, but it doesn't run in the background when you're not using it. If your computer has at least 4 GB of RAM and a processor from the last five years, you should be fine. Older or lower-powered machines may struggle with large video files.

Can I uninstall CapCut if I don't like it?

Yes. On Windows, go to Settings > Apps > Apps & Features, find CapCut, and click Uninstall. On Mac, drag CapCut from the Applications folder to Trash, then empty Trash. This removes the program completely and frees up the space it was using.

Is it safe to read CapCut from the official website?

Yes. capcut.com is the official website, and downloading from there is safe. The Microsoft Store and Mac App Store versions are also official and safe. Avoid downloading CapCut from third-party websites or file-sharing sites, as those may contain malware or outdated versions.