Popular video editing app CapCut is transforming. Starting August 5, the app will no longer offer free cloud storage to host creative assets, which has stirred reactions among its user base.
Until now, CapCut provided users with 1 GB of free cloud storage, a feature that allowed creators to store and share their projects effortlessly. This is set to change as ByteDance shifts towards a subscription-based model for cloud storage.
In recent days, users have been receiving notifications about the impending changes to CapCut’s terms for the free tier. The free cloud storage feature, which has been a staple for many, will no longer be available.
Instead, users will now need to pay for cloud storage if they wish to continue using CapCut’s cloud services. The new pricing structure offers two options, a $2.49 per month plan for 100GB of storage and a $7.49 per month plan for 1000GB of storage.
This new model means that creators who heavily rely on CapCut’s cloud storage will need to either purchase additional space or seek alternative cloud service providers to share their files.
ByteDance is also reducing the number of collaborators allowed on one account under the free tier. Previously, CapCut allowed up to five collaborators per account, facilitating team projects and collaborative efforts. This limit will now be reduced to two people.
From August 5, users will only be able to add one collaborator for free. CapCut will offer a Team Tier package for those requiring more extensive collaboration features, enabling users to collaborate with multiple accounts using the same cloud space.
The move to paid cloud storage and reduced free-tier collaboration could be seen as an effort to monetize the platform further and cater to a more professional user base.
These changes come at a time when competition in the video editing app market is heating up. Earlier this year, YouTube expanded its CapCut rival, the Create app, to 13 additional markets, including Brazil, Spain, Canada, Australia, and Hong Kong.
This expansion signifies the growing demand for robust and user-friendly video editing tools, making it crucial for apps like CapCut to continually evolve and offer competitive features.
While the shift to a paid model may be seen as a drawback by some users, it could also be viewed as an opportunity for ByteDance to invest more in the app’s development and introduce new, advanced features that cater to professional creators.
For casual users and those who only require minimal storage and collaboration features, the impact might be less significant. For those heavily reliant on CapCut’s cloud services, these changes will necessitate a reevaluation of their workflow and possibly lead to additional costs.