Descript
An AI video and podcast editor where you edit by editing the transcript, free for 60 media minutes a month and $16 per person a month (Hobbyist, annual).
- Free plan
- Per person
- Desktop + cloud
- AI editing
- Independent sources
- Verified 10 Nov 2026Sources are dated on this profile
- 2 sourcesLinked, typed and dated
- Independent third-party sourcesHow this profile was compiled
- Not an endorsementStack18 has not tested this product
What is Descript?
Descript is a text-based audio and video editor with AI tools (Underlord co-editor, filler removal, voice features), screen recording and SquadCast remote recording.
- Best forCreators and teams editing podcasts and videos quickly
- Team size fitSmall teams, Mid-size teams, Large enterprises
- PricingFree (60 media minutes); Hobbyist $16, Creator $24, Business $50 per person a month (annual).
- Main limitationMedia hours and AI credits capped per plan.
- AlternativesRiverside, Loom, StreamYard · compare all
Descript overview: who it is for and what it does.
Descript turns recordings into transcripts you edit like a document, with AI tools to remove filler words, generate clips and assist editing.
A page reading Descript's pricing on 14 October 2026 lists Free (60 media minutes, 720p), Hobbyist at $16 per person a month annually ($24 monthly; 10 media hours, 400 AI credits), Creator $24 ($35; 30 hours, up to 3 seats, 4K), Business $50 ($65; 40 hours, up to 5 seats) and custom Enterprise with SSO and SCIM.
A competitor's August 2026 article notes Descript includes SquadCast recording and has no free trial.
Main problem it solves
Makes video and podcast editing as easy as editing text.
Typical customer segment
Creators to enterprise content teams.
Target users
- Podcasters
- Video creators
- Marketing content teams
Primary use cases
- Podcast editing
- Video editing
- Clips
- Remote recording
What makes it distinct
- Edit by transcript.
- Underlord AI co-editor.
- Media hours and AI credits per plan.
Descript features explained.
Plans (annual / monthly per person)
- Hobbyist
- $16 / $24; 10 media hours.
- Creator
- $24 / $35; 30 hours; 4K.
- Business
- $50 / $65; 40 hours; 5 seats.
Free plan
- Media
- 60 minutes a month.
- Export
- 720p.
- Storage
- 5 GB.
Enterprise
- SSO/SCIM
- Included.
- Audit logs
- Included.
- Price
- Quote.
Descript pricing and plans.
Figures reported by independent sources; vendor page not reviewed directly. Checked 10 Nov 2026 against Dupple · Castmagic.
Pricing model
Per person per month; annual saves up to about a third.
Free plan
Yes (60 minutes/month)
Free trial
No
Descript plans and prices (USD)
Free
$0
Free
60 media minutes.
Hobbyist
$16 per person per month
Annual ($24 monthly)
10 media hours.
Creator
$24 per person per month
Annual ($35 monthly)
30 media hours.
Business
$50 per person per month
Annual ($65 monthly)
40 media hours.
Dupple (prices read 14 October 2026).
Prices change. Confirm current plans and terms on the vendor's site before you decide.
Visit official website (external) ↗See alternativesDescript integrations, API and platforms.
Important integrations
- YouTube
- Riverside
- Zapier
- Google Drive
Supported platforms
- Web
- Windows
- macOS
API
Not reviewed for this profile.
Data import and export
Not reviewed for this profile.
Integration coverage was not assessed in full. Check Descript's integrations directory and documentation for your tools.
Descript pros and cons.
Strengths, limitations and best fit. Each point cites a source; editorial summaries are not customer reviews.
Limitations
Best for
- Creators and teams editing podcasts and videos quickly
- Marketing teams making clips
- Podcasters
May be less suited to
- Hosting video for websites
- Live streaming
Top Descript alternatives and competitors.
Riverside
A remote podcast and video recording studio with local 4K recording, free (2 hours one-time) and Pro…
Explore →Related productLoom
A screen and camera recorder for quick async video messages, free for 25 videos (5-minute cap) and $18…
Explore →Related productStreamYard
A browser-based live streaming studio with a free plan and Core at $35.99 a month (billed yearly).
Explore →Descript compared with similar video hosting, recording and live streaming software.
Summaries come from each profile. This is a side-by-side aid, not a ranking.
| Product | Pricing model | Starting price | Free plan | Main use | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Descript | Per person | $16/person/mo (annual) | Yes (60 min) | Editing | Podcast and video editing |
| Brightcove | Quote (annual) | ~$78k/yr avg (SMB) | No | Enterprise hosting | Media and brands |
| Kaltura | Subscription + usage | $20/mo + usage | No | Enterprise video | Universities, enterprises |
| Loom | Per user | $18/user/mo | Yes (25 videos) | Screen recording | Async video |
| Restream | Flat monthly | $19/mo | Yes (2 channels) | Multistreaming | Multi-platform reach |
| Riverside | Flat monthly | $24/mo (annual) | Yes (2 hours) | Recording | Remote podcasts |
Descript vs competitors: head-to-head comparisons.
Each comparison has a feature table, pricing side by side, strengths and limits, and best-fit scenarios.
Descript discussions and buying questions.
No published discussions mention this product yet.
Descript questions and answers
What is Descript used for?
Descript is a text-based audio and video editor with AI tools (Underlord co-editor, filler removal, voice features), screen recording and SquadCast remote recording. Typical uses include podcast editing, video editing, clips, remote recording.
How much does Descript cost?
Hobbyist is $16, Creator $24 and Business $50 per person a month billed annually.
Is Descript free?
A free plan includes 60 media minutes a month and 720p export.
What is Underlord?
Descript's AI co-editor, available from Hobbyist.
How does Descript compare with its competitors?
Stack18 publishes head-to-head comparisons of Descript vs Riverside, each with a feature table, pricing and best-fit scenarios.
What are the main alternatives to Descript?
The main alternatives to Descript covered on Stack18 are Riverside, Loom and StreamYard. Riverside may suit podcasters and creators recording remote guests in high quality. Loom may suit teams replacing meetings with quick recorded walkthroughs. StreamYard may suit individuals and small teams running browser-based live shows. See the Descript alternatives guide for a side-by-side table.
What are the pros and cons of Descript?
Strengths: Edit video by editing text. Free plan. Limitations: Media hours and AI credits capped per plan. No free trial.
Who is Descript best for?
Descript may suit creators and teams editing podcasts and videos quickly; marketing teams making clips; podcasters. It may be less suited to hosting video for websites; live streaming.
What integrations does Descript support?
Documented integrations and ecosystem items include YouTube, Riverside, Zapier, Google Drive. API: Not reviewed for this profile.
When was the Descript profile last verified?
Sources for this profile were last reviewed on 10 Nov 2026. 2 sources are listed under Sources, and prices and plans can change, so confirm with the vendor.
Where this information comes from.
- Descript pricing (read 14 October 2026) Dupple Third-party Accessed 10 Nov 2026
- Riverside Pricing (2026) Castmagic (competing vendor) Third-party Accessed 10 Nov 2026
Secondary-source profile. Vendor pages were not reviewed directly for this profile. Facts and prices are taken from independent third-party sources and may differ from the vendor's current pages. Confirm with the vendor before buying.
Facts come from Dupple (October 2026) and Castmagic (August 2026, a competitor). Capabilities were not tested.
Stack18 has not tested this product or received anything from the vendor for this profile. Editorial summaries of vendor information are not endorsements. Confirm details with the vendor before buying.
Evaluating Descript?
Check the vendor's current pricing and terms, compare it with similar products, or read how others approach the decision. If off-the-shelf is not the answer, Stack18 builds around how your business works.
Logos provided by Logo.dev. Product names and logos are trademarks of their respective owners and appear for identification only; they do not imply endorsement.