Descript stands out as a YouTube video editor for beginners and pros alike. Its text-based workflow reshapes how videos are produced, bringing scriptwriting, recording, transcription, editing, and direct YouTube publishing together in one place.
Get startedThese companies use Descript. Not bad!
01
In a new Descript project, begin drafting your video script with the AI-powered text editor. Or, simply upload any resources you need by dragging them in. Click Record to capture content right in your project, or use the Media icon to find royalty-free music and other assets in our large stock media library.
02
Descript automatically transcribes as you work. Adjust the text to cut, trim, or reorganize the timeline in your video. Use ‘/’ to create new scenes that line up layers and transitions at the right moment. Press the Actions button to easily add sound effects, images, captions, and animations wherever you need them. You can also use the canvas and timeline for more detailed edits.
03
When your video is ready, click Publish to upload it straight to YouTube. Enter your title, description, categories, and tags, then publish from Descript to make it live. You can even rely on AI Actions to write your description and build chapters automatically.
Editing your video timeline feels as intuitive as a text doc with Descript’s text-based interface. Trim, cut, rearrange, or insert elements without opening the timeline—though it’s there if you want extra precision.
Add editors, writers, guests, and more to your Descript project for real-time collaboration. They can leave comments, review your video, or access project files whenever they need.
Ask AI for support at any stage in your workflow, from writing scripts to refining YouTube descriptions and locating the best clips for YouTube shorts. AI Actions handle tasks in a click, from deleting filler words to clearing background noise with Studio Sound.
Descript is an AI-based video editor that makes editing as straightforward as working in a document.
Identify, label, and create automatic YouTube chapters for your video.
Read your script as you record, then use AI to direct your eyes toward the camera.
Reduce background noise and enhance voice quality in a single click with AI.
Remote recording
With a 4.6-out-of-5-star rating and a bunch of distinctions on G2, Descript’s users have declared it an industry standard in the video and podcasting world.
2025
“With Descript I'll be able to at least double my content output since editing is taking one-quarter the time it used to.”
Donna B.
“With Descript we can create videos for our YouTube channel and our LinkedIn page much faster and with high quality.”
Balázs N.
“Descript has made cleaning up and creating my educational videos into professional presentations [possible] without needing extensive technical computer skills.”
Barbara C.
“Descript makes recording and editing audio and video a breeze. It's advanced features have streamlined my workflows, saving me a lot of time usually spent editing.”
Roderick F.
“The collaborative tools streamline teamwork, allowing my team and me to work efficiently together on projects. Overall, Descript enhances productivity and simplifies the editing process.”
Aldrich M.
“Transcription-based editing makes the process much faster…All in all, a must have editor for most audiences, especially in SaaS marketing.”
Nidhin M.
Surely there’s one for you
$0
$0
per person / month
Start your journey with text-based editing
1 media hour / month
100 AI credits / month
Export 720p, watermark-free
Limited use of Underlord, our agentic video co-editor and AI tools
Limited trial of AI Speech
$24
$16
per person / month
1 person included
Elevate your projects, watermark-free
10 media hours / month
400 AI credits / month
Export 1080p, watermark-free
Access to Underlord, our AI video co-editor
AI tools including Studio Sound, Remove Filler Words, Create Clips, and more
AI Speech with custom voice clones and video regenerate
Most Popular
$35
$24
per person / month
Scale to a team of 3 (billed separately)
Unlock advanced AI-powered creativity
30 media hours / month
+5 bonus hours
800 AI credits / month
+500 bonus credits
Export 4k, watermark-free
Full access to Underlord, our AI video co-editor and 20+ more AI tools
Generate video with the latest AI models
Unlimited access to royalty-free stock media library
Access to top ups for more media hours and AI credits
Plenty of YouTubers choose Descript for part or all of their editing because it supports timeline exports to top YouTube editing apps like Adobe Premiere Pro or Apple Final Cut Pro.
Descript’s free plan includes one hour of recording and transcription per month plus one watermark-free export. You can upgrade starting at $12 per month for unlimited watermark-free exports.
Descript’s features allow you to record, edit, and create many styles of YouTube content, such as tutorials, video essays, voice-only channels, travel vlogs, gaming videos, webinars, demos, branded channels, and more.