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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

CapCut vs Picsart AI Photo Editor

CapCut 4.6★ · Free to download 65
Winner CapCut
Picsart AI Photo Editor 4.7★ · Free + IAP 60

CapCut is generally preferred for video editing, offering a wide range of tools, but both apps are heavily criticized for increasing paywalls and making previously free features paid.

Full reviews: CapCut · Picsart AI Photo Editor

CapCut and Picsart AI Photo Editor are both popular multimedia editing apps, but recent user reviews highlight a significant shift towards paid features, leading to frustration among long-time users. While CapCut is praised for its video editing capabilities, Picsart is noted for its photo editing and creative tools. Both apps face criticism for performance issues and the perceived greed of their monetization strategies.

Head to head

Features & Tools edge: CapCutR3R6R7R9
CapCut CapCut offers a wide array of editing features, including overlay creation, smart edit tools for removing objects, and templates, which users find helpful for creative expression and faster edits R23. However, many users are frustrated by the increasing number of features, such as audio extraction, chroma key, popular effects, and even basic text-to-speech, being moved behind a paywall R3R9R15. Some also report issues with specific features like mic audio not recording, brush errors, and AI generation problems R6R7.
Picsart AI Photo Editor Picsart is recognized for its versatility in photo editing, graphic design, collage making, and animation, with users appreciating its open asset library and creative potential . However, a major complaint is that even basic functions like adding text, removing backgrounds, or saving edited photos are now locked behind a premium subscription . The app's heavy reliance on AI tools is also a point of contention for some users .
Ease of Use tieR12R23R24R26
CapCut CapCut is generally considered easy to use, especially for beginners and even experienced editors, helping users finish edits faster and unlock creative potential R23R24R44. However, some users report difficulties with specific functions like the auto-remover, text-to-speech not appearing, or managing projects R12R26.
Picsart AI Photo Editor Picsart is described as easy and user-friendly, allowing for creative expression and quick edits . However, the requirement to create an account to use the app is a point of frustration for some .
Reliability & Performance tieR1R2R4R11
CapCut CapCut users frequently report issues with lag, especially with multiple layers, and the app kicking them out R4R21R38R39. There are also complaints about the app consuming excessive storage, failing to run edits, and service interruptions due to 'too many users online' or 'not certified certificate' pop-ups R1R2R19. Some users also face problems with project deletion and updates R11.
Picsart AI Photo Editor Picsart users experience glitches, ads, and slow performance, particularly with video exporting where sound may not match . A significant concern is projects disappearing, even when within free trial limits .
Price & Value tieR3R9R13R15
CapCut CapCut is free to download, but many users express strong dissatisfaction with the increasing number of paywalls for previously free and basic features, leading to accusations of greed R3R9R13R15. Users feel that too much content is becoming 'Pro' and that the app is no longer worth it for non-paying users.
Picsart AI Photo Editor Picsart is also free to download but heavily criticized for its aggressive monetization. Users report that almost everything, including basic text features and saving work, requires payment . Subscription prices are considered very expensive, with some users noting significant hikes .
Support & Community tieR10R11R34R39
CapCut CapCut users mention issues with community guidelines enforcement, with comments being removed for seemingly harmless content, and inappropriate content being visible in templates R10R34R51. Some users also report difficulties with updates and the app not recognizing reported issues R11R39.
Picsart AI Photo Editor Picsart users report poor customer service, with difficulties canceling subscriptions, denied refunds, and unresponsive support for issues like lost credits .
Pick CapCut if

You are primarily focused on video editing and need a wide range of creative tools, and you are willing to navigate or pay for premium features R23.

Pick Picsart AI Photo Editor if

You need a versatile app for photo editing, graphic design, and collage making, and you are prepared for potential subscription costs to access core functionalities .

Evidence note: Both apps have a high volume of negative recent reviews, predominantly focused on the shift of features behind paywalls. While their lifetime ratings are high, the recent sentiment is strongly negative regarding monetization. The free-vs-paid asymmetry is evident, as many negative reviews come from users frustrated by the limitations of the free tier or unexpected subscription charges.

Frequently asked

Are CapCut and Picsart truly free to use?
Both CapCut and Picsart are free to download, but a significant number of users report that many essential and previously free features have been moved behind paywalls, requiring a paid subscription to access (R3, R9, R13, R25, , , , for CapCut; , , , , , , , for Picsart).
Which app is better for video editing?
CapCut appears to be the stronger choice for video editing, with users praising its ease of use, creative potential, and tools for making humorous short videos and YouTube content R23R44R53R56.
Do these apps have performance issues?
Yes, both apps have reported performance issues; CapCut users experience lag, app crashes, and storage warnings R4R19R21R38, while Picsart users report glitches, ads, slow exports, and disappearing projects .
Are there concerns about inappropriate content or AI in these apps?
CapCut has received complaints about inappropriate content, including abuse and pornography, being visible in its templates R10R34R51R58. Picsart has drawn criticism for its heavy implementation of AI tools, with some users disliking the shift away from traditional editing skills .

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R3] CapCut 3/5 · US Pay walls: This is not my kind of cake. Pay walls just to do simple things? In my opinion, it’s a little greedy, but it’s probably my fault that I don’t have enough money for this, it’s not a bad product if you got the money.
  2. [R6] CapCut 3/5 · US Brush Error: Every single version always has this error that when I close any project and re open it, every single brush mask turns into a star, and can’t change it back unless I re do it.
  3. [R7] CapCut 2/5 · US Capcut keeps my in game audio but not my mic: So, I have used capcut for years to edit my videos, never had a problem until now. Any time I record myself playing a game, and I pit the video into capcut to edit it will have the audio from the game but not my voice from the microphone, even though it’s in the original video.
  4. [R9] CapCut 3/5 · US STOP MAKING EVERYTHING PAY-TO-USE!!!!!: This is a good editing app but recently, everything has to be paid for now. I can’t even extract any audios or music now. And you guys barely have any of the real phonk songs under Sounds, Its always a fake version of the original phonk song or nothing like it. Get it together, I’m starting to see why so many editors are starting to leave CapCut. STOP BEING
  5. [R12] CapCut 3/5 · US Auto remove: ITS good the edits I do are viral but always I have to dealte then re download JUST to get back auto remover like bro I searched on google it says because the ai dosent know what ur gonna use like just let me have everything
  6. [R23] CapCut 5/5 · US Handy Video Editor: I feel it helps unlock creative potential I didn't know I possessed. It helps me finish edits faster without extra effort.
  7. [R24] CapCut 3/5 · US Capcut: Good for beginners and pro's but sometimes hard to make vids with and begs you to get capcut pro kind of like tick tock
  8. [R26] CapCut 4/5 · US TTS don’t work: Text to speech doesn’t ever show up on the app. When I’m editing something and need text to speech, it doesn’t pop up for my texts.
  9. [R1] CapCut 1/5 · US Terrible service: The app kept telling me that there where too many users online. And then I received a “not certified certificate” pop-up. Definitely disappointed as the templates look very good
  10. [R2] CapCut 5/5 · US Rất hay: Đang cắt ghép giật giật thì tự nhiên Cài đặt báo hết dung lượng, mong nhà làm Ứng dụng khắc phục 😂
  11. [R4] CapCut 2/5 · US Little bit disgusting because so lag and so many ads: so many ads on this app please fix it
  12. [R11] CapCut 5/5 · US Help me to update: Can't update it can u update for me pls
  13. [R13] CapCut 1/5 · US It used to be my favorite: So this is now an app of full pay good luck with that
  14. [R15] CapCut 3/5 · US !!!: I love the app but I don’t know why it cost money to import audios now
  15. [R10] CapCut 1/5 · US CapCut is weird: Dont look at the templates as they are extremely inappropriate
  16. [R34] CapCut 1/5 · US INAPPROPRIATE APP‼️⚠️‼️‼️‼️⚠️⚠️: It’s a great editing app, but there is a feature where you can see what other people have made, and LOTS of people have made many unclean things. Things from abuse to pornography!!! Don’t let a kid or yourself get this app for those reasons!!‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️
  17. [R39] CapCut 3/5 · US It's ok.: IT KEEPS KICKING ME OUTTTTT!! it keeps making EVERYTHING premium so the good ones will be premium. I hate when I report smth bad, they say nuthin is wrong like WTH. Try better, CapCut.
  18. [R25] CapCut 1/5 · US Some free stuff became CapCut pro: CapCut just keep making not everything free and there is less features make at least 10 more free not everyone is rich CapCut
  19. [R44] CapCut 5/5 · US Simple Edit Tools: Creating humorous short videos has become my new favorite creative outlet.
  20. [R53] CapCut 5/5 · US Good for YouTube: This app is incredible for my YouTube channel (Chills_Skoots) and now, I’ve even become a CapCut creator because of how easy the editing is to use. Name: 🔥CHILLZ_EDITZ🔥
  21. [R56] CapCut 5/5 · US CapCut: AMAZING!! I make all my videos on it. it is so helpful and easy to use unlike other apps. Check out Lizzie belle on YouTube
  22. [R19] CapCut 2/5 · US not very good: Good for editing. When it works, see a lot of time when I use this app it forces me to delete photos and videos and files off of my phone if I am am even CLOSE to being out of storage. Now I know, technically that is my fault for being out of storage, but even when I’m not it still says “You need storage. Try it now.” I only gave it two stars because it is just an OK editing app.
  23. [R21] CapCut 3/5 · US cool and easy but..: THERES SO MUCH LAG THAT I CAN BEARLY USE IT? like srrsly i cant even move an overlay bc of lage when i put like only 5 layers 🫩
  24. [R38] CapCut 4/5 · US Lag: When trying to edit I experience lag with good internet and it’s not just me I know lots of editors/mixers like me and they experience it too PLEASE fix it but other than that it’s good
  25. [R51] CapCut 3/5 · US Dear CapCut, I wanna say a platform is good but some people make inappropriate content so please fix: It’s good but need to fix inappropriate content to nice content
  26. [R58] CapCut 1/5 · US Gross people: People are posting inappropriate things that can possibly trigger hypers on an editing app! Disgusting! Yet it’s still available for viewing. “Minors shouldn’t be on CapCut” well?? 🌽 shouldn’t either

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store