CapCut Monthly vs Yearly: Which Is Cheaper?
Ever looked at the pricing screen and wondered, CapCut monthly vs yearly — should you pay month-to-month, or is the yearly plan actually cheaper over time?
You’re not alone. That tiny price toggle causes way more overthinking than it should.
Here’s the truth: CapCut doesn’t make the difference obvious — and if you’re not careful, you could overpay without realizing it. But don’t worry, I’ve done the digging for you.
In this post, we’ll break down the real costs (with actual math), who should pay monthly vs yearly, and when the upgrade is even worth it at all.
Let’s cut through the confusion.
Capcut Pricing Plans at a Glance

CapCut usually has a free plan plus at least one paid plan. In many regions you’ll see two paid tiers (often called Standard and Pro), and some users also see a Teams option.
The confusing part: the price and even plan names can change depending on your country, device/platform (iPhone App Store vs Google Play vs desktop/web), taxes, and promotions/trials.
- CapCut Free ($0): Enough for basic editing, but you’ll run into locked templates/effects/tools when you try to use premium assets.
- Standard (often the cheaper paid tier): Usually positioned as a lighter upgrade for mobile-first editors (availability and features vary by region).
- Pro (higher paid tier): Usually includes the broadest premium library and is more likely to support multi-device workflows (availability varies by region).
Important: If you see two different yearly prices (example: one lower and one higher), it’s usually because you’re looking at different tiers (Standard vs Pro) or a different checkout path. Always confirm the plan name right next to the price on your purchase screen.
Want the full breakdown of every plan? See our complete guide to CapCut pricing plans (Free, Standard, Pro & Teams).
Capcut Monthly vs Yearly Cost Breakdown (Simple Math)
Quick, clear cost check
Let’s make this simple: the only goal is to compare the total yearly cost. Once you see that number, the “cheaper plan” becomes obvious.
If you pay monthly
You’re basically renting the plan one month at a time. So the real yearly cost is:
Example:
$19.99/month → $19.99 × 12 = $239.88 per year
If you pay yearly
You pay once and you’re covered for the whole year. So your yearly cost is simply:
Pro (Cross-platform): $179.99/year
Compare those to (monthly × 12):
$5.99 × 12 = $71.88 vs $89.99/year (yearly is higher in this example)
$19.99 × 12 = $239.88 vs $179.99/year (yearly saves $60.89)
10-second rule: If the yearly plan costs less than (monthly price × 12), then the yearly plan is cheaper.
The savings (why people go yearly)
Here’s the part most people miss: if you already know you’ll be editing regularly, the yearly option usually saves you the cost of a few months.
Yearly plan = a discount for committing
But “cheaper” doesn’t always mean “better”
Monthly can still be the smarter move if:
- you’re only editing for a short project
- you’re testing the plan for the first time
- you don’t want a bigger payment upfront
Bottom line: yearly is usually cheaper on paper — but monthly can be more flexible.
Do Capcut Monthly and Yearly Plans Have Different Features?
Here’s the thing most people get wrong:
Monthly vs yearly is not a “better plan vs worse plan” situation.
It’s usually the same paid tier. Just a different way to pay.
So, if you’re considering CapCut Pro monthly or CapCut Pro yearly, you’re typically getting the same Pro tools either way.
So what changes?
Only two things:
- How you pay
- Monthly = smaller payment now, repeats every month
- Yearly = bigger payment once, covers the whole year
- How locked-in do you feel
- Monthly feels safer if you’re unsure
- Yearly feels smarter if you know you’ll keep editing
What You Actually Unlock With a Paid Capcut Plan
This is where the “better for you” part really lives.
A paid plan is usually worth it if you need things like:
- more advanced effects and transitions (the ones that make your edits look “pro” fast)
- premium templates
- tools that speed up editing (so you spend less time doing annoying manual work)
- cleaner exports and more flexibility when creating content for TikTok, Reels, and YouTube Shorts
The real question isn’t monthly vs yearly
It’s this:
Do you need Free, Standard, or Pro?
Because if the free plan already covers your needs, then even the cheapest yearly deal is still extra money.
However, if you frequently edit and often encounter locked tools, then yes, the paid plan can save you time and improve the quality of your videos.
For a full side-by-side of Free vs Pro vs Teams features and costs, check this: CapCut Free vs Pro vs Teams: Full Comparison
CapCut Monthly vs One-Month (and Yearly vs One-Year) Explained

Here’s the clearest way to explain it:
In CapCut, “Monthly” and “One Month” can both give you ~30 days of access — but the billing behavior is often different. Same idea for “Yearly” vs “One Year.”
1) The real difference is usually renewal, not duration
- Monthly = a recurring subscription billed every month (keeps charging until you cancel).
- One Month = one-time access for 1 month (often shown as a single purchase option, not meant to keep renewing).
- Yearly = a recurring annual subscription (renews each year unless canceled).
- One Year = one-time access for 1 year (often positioned like a prepaid year, sometimes used for promos/discounts).
2) Why people get confused
Because CapCut sometimes shows both options on the same screen (example in the screenshot above): Monthly, One month, and One year.
That makes it feel like “Monthly” and “One month” are different plans… when the main difference is often whether it keeps renewing.
3) Quick “don’t get charged again” checklist
When you’re on the purchase screen, look for wording like:
- “Renews automatically” / “until canceled” → that’s the Monthly or Yearly recurring subscription.
- No auto-renew wording/looks like a single purchase → that’s often the One month or One year one-time option.
Quick check: On the purchase screen, look for wording like “renews automatically” or “until canceled”. That usually means it’s a recurring subscription. If it reads like a single purchase (no auto-renewal wording), it may be a one-time duration option.
Typical prices people see
CapCut pricing can vary by platform, promos, and taxes—but these are common “price points” users run into:
- CapCut Pro (individual) commonly listed: $19.99/month or $179.99/year.
- Promo-style in-app/desktop examples (like the screenshot): $7.99 (Monthly), $9.99 (One month), $74.99 (One year).
If you want, paste your exact pricing screenshot/text from your checkout screen, and I’ll rewrite this excerpt to match your exact plan names (Standard vs Pro, etc.) so it reads 100% confidently.
Who Should Choose Capcut Monthly vs Yearly?
This is the part that actually helps people decide without guessing.
Because the “best” CapCut subscription isn’t about the price tag. It’s about how often you edit and how sure you are that you’ll keep using it.
Choose the right CapCut plan for your situation
If you should choose monthly
Pick the monthly plan if you’re in one of these situations:
- You’re testing CapCut Pro (or Standard) for the first time
- You don’t know if you’ll stick with it
- You’re editing for a short-term goal (a project, a school thing, a one-time campaign)
- You post randomly and go quiet for weeks at a time
- You hate feeling locked into a video editing subscription
Monthly is basically your “try it without regret” option.
If you cancel after one or two months, you’re not sitting there thinking, “Wow, I paid for a whole year and didn’t even use it.”
If you should choose yearly
Choose the yearly plan if any of this sounds like you:
- You edit consistently (weekly or more)
- You run a content page, small business, or brand
- You already know you’ll keep posting on TikTok, Instagram Reels, or YouTube
- You want the best value and don’t want a monthly charge hanging over your head
- You’ve already used CapCut for a while and you’re sure it’s your main editor
Yearly is for people who don’t want to keep paying “extra” for flexibility they’re not using.
A simple “no-stress” rule
If you’re unsure, do this:
- Go monthly for 1 month
- If you’re still using CapCut often by the end of that month, switch to yearly
That way you get confidence first, then you lock in the savings.
Once you’ve decided, here’s How To Subscribe to CapCut
Pros and Cons of Capcut Monthly vs Yearly
Let’s be real. Both options are “good.” They just solve different problems.
Monthly solves: I want freedom.
Yearly solves: I want the best deal.
CapCut Monthly Plan Pros
Monthly is best when you want control.
You get:
- Flexibility. Cancel anytime without feeling stuck.
- Low upfront cost. Easier on your wallet today.
- Perfect for testing. Great if you’re not sure CapCut Pro is worth it yet.
- Good for short-term needs. One project, one campaign, one busy season.
CapCut Monthly Plan cons
The downside is simple:
You pay more over time.
- Most expensive long-term
- Easy to forget you’re subscribed (then you’re paying for months you didn’t even edit)
- Feels annoying seeing that charge every month, especially if you only edit once in a while
Capcut Yearly Plan Pros
Yearly is the “smart money” option if you’re committed.
You get:
- Cheaper overall cost compared to paying monthly for 12 months
- One payment, no stress. You don’t think about renewals every month.
- Best for consistent creators who edit regularly
- Better value if CapCut is your main video editor
Capcut Yearly Plan Cons
Yearly has one big catch:
That upfront payment.
- Higher upfront cost even if you might slow down later
- Feels risky if you’re unsure you’ll still be editing in 3–6 months
- If you stop using it, you’ll feel like you wasted money even if the plan was “cheaper”
My honest takeaway: If you’re not sure you’ll keep using CapCut, monthly protects you.
If you already know you’ll keep editing, yearly saves you money.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I switch from CapCut monthly to yearly?
Yes. The normal move is: start monthly to test it, then switch to yearly once you’re sure you’re using it enough.
Tip: Switch inside the same place you subscribed (App Store, Google Play, or inside CapCut), so you don’t accidentally end up with two subscriptions.
Can I cancel CapCut Pro anytime?
You can cancel anytime, but what happens next depends on how you paid.
- If you cancel a monthly plan, you usually keep access until the current month ends.
- If you cancel a yearly plan, you usually keep access until the year you paid for ends.
Canceling typically stops the next charge. It doesn’t always mean “instant refund.”
What happens if I cancel mid-year?
Most of the time, you don’t lose access right away. You keep the subscription benefits until the end of the billing period.
The main thing to watch is refunds. Some stores and regions handle refunds differently, so it’s smarter to assume yearly is a commitment for that year.
Is CapCut Pro worth it?
It’s worth it when the free version starts slowing you down.
CapCut Pro makes sense if:
- you edit often
- you want premium effects/templates that make videos look polished fast
- you care about speed and convenience while editing
But if you only edit once in a while, or you’re not using the locked tools, the free plan might already be enough.
Do monthly and yearly unlock different Pro features?
No. The paid tier matters more than the billing cycle.
CapCut Pro is CapCut Pro whether you pay monthly or yearly. Yearly doesn’t usually give “extra features” — it just gives a better price for committing.
Do I need CapCut Pro for TikTok, Reels, or YouTube Shorts?
Not always.
If you’re doing basic edits, captions, trimming, and simple transitions, the free version can be fine.
CapCut Pro becomes useful when you want your videos to look more “premium” without spending hours doing manual work.
Conclusion: CapCut Monthly vs Yearly
A yearly CapCut plan is almost always cheaper than paying monthly for 12 months.
That’s the trade-off: you commit upfront, and you typically get a better rate.
But price isn’t the only factor. The best plan depends on how consistently you’ll actually use CapCut.
Choose CapCut monthly if you want flexibility
Monthly is the smarter pick if:
- You’re still testing the paid plan
- You edit only sometimes
- You’re working on a short-term project
- You don’t want a bigger upfront payment
Think of monthly as your low-risk option — you can cancel without feeling like you paid for time you didn’t use.
Choose CapCut yearly if you edit regularly
Yearly is the better pick if:
- You edit weekly (or close to it)
- CapCut is your main editor
- You’re posting consistently for a brand, business, or creator page
- You already know you’ll keep using the premium tools
If you’re editing consistently, yearly is how you stop overpaying for convenience.
The simplest way to decide
If you’re not sure, use this no-stress rule:
Go monthly for one month.
If you’re still using CapCut regularly by the end of that month, switch to yearly to lock in the savings.
If you’re still using CapCut often by the end of the month, switch to yearly.
That’s the safest way to get confidence first, then lock in the savings.
Related CapCut Guides (Worth Reading Next)
If you’re deciding whether CapCut is worth paying for, these quick guides cover pricing comparisons, device support, offline editing, and common Pro/desktop issues.
- CapCut Free vs Pro vs Teams Quick difference between tiers, who each plan is for, and what you actually unlock.
- Desktop Not Recognizing Pro? Fix Pro not showing on desktop after subscribing (common account/sign-in issues).
- CapCut Account on Two Devices How multi-device usage works and what can affect syncing and access.
- CapCut Pro for Teams Who Teams is for, collaboration perks, and how it differs from Pro.
