CapCut's AI video generator turns a script or a reference image into a video using Seedance 2.5, and you can change the visuals, pacing, background music and subtitles before you export. As of October 2026 the Free plan covers templates and basic editing, while Pro, Ultra and Teams add monthly AI credits and per-second rates for two Seedance models.
The catch: the cheapest rate belongs to Seedance 2.0 Mini
CapCut's tool page is built around Seedance 2.5, so that's the model most people assume they'll be paying for. Look at the pricing page and the lowest per-second figure isn't for 2.5 at all. It's for Seedance 2.0 Mini at 480p, a smaller model at a lower resolution. Every paid tier also carries a line saying you'll use fewer credits with Seedance 2.0 Mini.
There's a second detail in small print. The per-second rates on the pricing page are labelled first month. That tells you they're introductory figures, so don't plan a year of video on them. Check the page again before your second month so the bill doesn't surprise you.
Put those two things together and you've got a sensible way to work. Draft and test ideas in Seedance 2.0 Mini at 480p, where each second costs least, then switch to Seedance 2.5 for the version you're going to post. You'll burn far fewer credits on throwaway attempts.
What the generator makes and how a video comes together
The flow on CapCut's tool page is short. Here's the order, as of October 2026.
- Start from a written script or a reference image.
- Pick a visual style for the video.
- Adjust the settings that are available for that style.
- Preview the output.
- Edit the visuals, pacing, background music and subtitles, then export.
That last step is the part I like. When a tool only hands you a finished clip, one bad scene means starting again. CapCut drops the result into its editor, so you can trim a slow section, swap the music or fix a subtitle without regenerating the whole thing. That saves credits as well as time.
CapCut lists these features on the same page:
- Digital avatars that present on screen for you.
- AI templates built for content types such as news updates and educational clips.
- Script-to-video, which turns your written script into scenes.
- A brainstorming tool that suggests video topics and storyboard outlines when you don't know where to start.
If you want ready-made prompts to feed it, my list of Seedance prompts is a good place to start, and it'll save you writing them from scratch.
Plans, credits and per-second rates side by side
These are the figures from CapCut's pricing page as of October 2026, in US dollars. I've left out the monthly and yearly plan prices because the page showed them in local currency, and they'll differ depending on where you sign up.
| Plan | Monthly AI credits | Seedance 2.5 rate | Seedance 2.0 Mini 480p rate | What else is listed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free | None listed | Not listed | Not listed | Free templates, basic editing tools |
| Pro | 1,200 | From $0.12 a second (first month) | From $0.007 a second (first month) | Up to 240s at 720p or 600s at 480p with 2.0 Mini, all premium templates, 1 TB storage |
| Ultra | 8,645 | From $0.18 a second (first month) | From $0.009 a second (first month) | Up to 1,700s at 720p or 4,300s at 480p with 2.0 Mini, everything in Pro, exclusive AI features |
| Teams | 1,200 per seat | Same Seedance 2.5 rate as Pro, per seat | Not listed | Billed per seat (2 or 5 seat options), Pro features for every seat, brand kit, 1 TB storage |
Two things stand out. Ultra's Seedance rates are listed higher than Pro's, which looks odd until you see what Ultra is selling: volume. It carries just over seven times Pro's monthly credits and far more seconds of Seedance 2.0 Mini output. Pro is the one that's cheaper per second, Ultra is the one for people making a lot.
Every paid tier also has a Buy credits option. So if you run out partway through a month on Pro, you can top up rather than move straight to Ultra. If you make a handful of videos a month, that's likely to be the cheaper path.
Related reading: the best AI timeline generators.
Which plan suits which kind of creator
- Free suits you if you mostly edit your own footage and use templates. The pricing page doesn't list AI credits on it, so don't expect to generate much video from scratch.
- Pro suits a solo creator or small business posting short clips each week. The 1 TB of storage matters if you keep raw footage in CapCut.
- Ultra suits anyone generating long videos or lots of short ones, and anyone who wants the exclusive AI features CapCut lists for that tier.
- Teams suits a business where two or more people edit, because the brand kit keeps colours and logos consistent and every seat gets Pro features.
Before you pay, it's worth testing on a trial. My guide to the CapCut Pro free trial walks through how that works and what to cancel before it renews.
Want AI doing the heavy lifting in your marketing?
I build the systems that handle the boring 80 percent, so you get your week back. Done properly, with the human kept in.
How I'd keep the credit spend down
Credits go fastest when you generate the whole video every time you change your mind. A few habits keep that under control.
- Write the script first and get it right on paper. Script-to-video can only be as good as what you feed it.
- Use the brainstorming tool for the storyboard outline before you generate anything, so you know what each scene needs.
- Generate test versions in Seedance 2.0 Mini at 480p, then move to 2.5 once the idea works.
- Fix pacing, music and subtitles in the editor instead of regenerating.
- Keep finished clips short. Every extra second is charged at the per-second rate.
When you're ready for more, the best AI fanfiction generators is a sensible follow-up.
My verdict on CapCut's AI video generator
I'd use it if you already edit in CapCut and want short videos made from a script or an image, because the generation and the editing live in one place, and that's the main reason to pick it. I'd start on Pro and draft everything in Seedance 2.0 Mini, then use Seedance 2.5 only for the final cut. I'd skip the paid plans if you only make one or two videos a month; the Free plan's templates and basic editing will carry you. And if you're torn between this and a design-first tool, my CapCut and Canva comparison will help you choose.
Want your tool on this list? Featured spots and reviews here are paid partnerships. Here's how to partner with me.
I run AI training and workshops for teams, and help businesses with AI enablement and workflow automation, so the busywork runs itself and people get time back. Most of that work is with SaaS marketing teams and small businesses. Here's how we can work together.
Frequently asked questions
Is the CapCut AI video generator free?
CapCut describes it as a free AI video generator, and the Free plan includes free templates and basic editing tools. As of October 2026 the pricing page lists monthly AI credits only on the paid Pro, Ultra and Teams plans.
What model does CapCut's AI video generator use?
The tool page says it's powered by Seedance 2.5. The paid plans also offer Seedance 2.0 Mini at 480p, which uses fewer credits.
Can I edit a CapCut AI video after it's generated?
Yes. You can edit the visuals, pacing, background music and subtitles before you export.
How many AI credits does CapCut Ultra include?
As of October 2026, Ultra includes 8,645 monthly AI credits, against 1,200 on Pro and 1,200 per seat on Teams.
Are CapCut's per-second rates permanent?
The pricing page labels the Seedance per-second rates as first month, so check them again before your second month.
