For a long time, CapCut was my go-to mobile video editing app. It was sleek, modern, packed with powerful features, and — best of all — free. I could cut, trim, animate, add music, transitions, sound effects, and even advanced filters — all on my phone. It felt like having a mini Premiere Pro in my pocket.
But everything changed when CapCut started making it hard to remove their watermark without a subscription.
🧱 CapCut’s Watermark Paywall — A Game-Changer (Not in a Good Way)
Before, removing the watermark was as simple as tapping a button or exporting in a certain way. But now?
- Pay for CapCut Pro,
- Or settle for your videos stamped with their logo — even if you did all the work.
And for editors like me, that watermark isn’t just a logo — it’s a creative distraction. It cheapens the storytelling, makes your work look branded (even if you’re not promoting CapCut), and can make client or content delivery feel less professional.
That was my breaking point.
🚪 Enter InShot: The Underestimated Hero
When I switched to InShot, I wasn’t expecting much. It looked simpler, more basic. But after using it consistently, I found it to be:
- Smoother in export
- Faster to edit quick projects
- And — most importantly — it still allows watermark removal without a subscription (you just watch an ad or remove it once and it’s gone).
🆚 CapCut vs. InShot — Honest Breakdown
| Feature | CapCut | InShot |
|---|---|---|
| Watermark Removal | Paid (subscription) | Free (watch ad or one-time) |
| User Interface | Sleek & professional | Simple & user-friendly |
| Transitions & Effects | More advanced & modern | Decent, but fewer |
| Multi-layer editing | Yes (better for complex edits) | Limited (but great for basic cuts) |
| Audio editing | More powerful (keyframes, beats) | Basic controls (volume, fade, trim) |
| Templates / AI tools | Loads of trending templates | Minimal AI, but customizable |
| Export quality | High (up to 4K) | High (1080p or more) |
| Performance on older phones | Sometimes laggy | Generally smoother |
| Offline Editing | Works well | Works well |
🧠 My Editing Philosophy Shifted
I realized: I don’t always need the fanciest tools. I need tools that:
- Don’t interrupt my flow with payment prompts
- Allow me to edit quickly on the go
- Let me deliver clean, watermark-free content without jumping through hoops
And InShot delivers exactly that.
It might not have the futuristic transitions or TikTok-style templates CapCut is known for — but if you’re a mobile editor who values efficiency and freedom, InShot is still a solid bet in 2025.
🛠️ Final Thoughts
CapCut is still powerful. In fact, I won’t deny it’s one of the most advanced mobile editors available today. But the moment they locked such a basic feature (like watermark removal) behind a subscription wall, it stopped being creator-friendly for people like me who are bootstrapping or just need a clean, fast tool to get the job done.
InShot might look simple, but sometimes simple is what you need when you just want to create.
🔁 Your Turn
Have you faced the same issue with CapCut? What’s your favorite mobile editing app right now — and why?
Let me know in the comments or reply below. And if you’re a mobile creator like me, consider giving InShot another shot. It just might surprise you.