Yes, CapCut has been affected by the US ban on TikTok and other ByteDance-owned apps. Millions relied on CapCut as their go-to video editor, and the sudden removal from US app stores left a lot of creators scrambling.
CapCut was genuinely one of the best free video editors available. It wasn't banned because it was a bad product. It was banned because of who owns it.
What Happened to CapCut
CapCut is developed by ByteDance, the same company that owns TikTok. When US lawmakers moved to ban TikTok over national security concerns, CapCut got swept up in the same legislation.
Both apps were removed from the App Store and Google Play Store for US users. As of early 2026, CapCut remains unavailable for new downloads in the United States.
Does CapCut Still Work?
If you already had it installed, the app may still open for basic editing. But you won't receive updates, and OS updates will likely break compatibility over time.
The web version has been intermittently accessible from US IPs. Not reliable.
The desktop app works offline for local editing, but cloud features, templates, and AI tools depend on servers that may not respond to US requests.
Bottom line: existing installs are on borrowed time.
Best Alternatives After the Ban
FirstCut Studio
If you used CapCut for highlight reels, travel videos, or montages, FirstCut Studio is the closest replacement. Upload your clips, AI analyzes footage, builds a polished highlight reel with music and pacing. No timeline editing required. Free to try.
DaVinci Resolve
The free option professionals actually use. Full color grading, audio mixing, multi-track editing. Steep learning curve but nothing you can't do with it.
iMovie
Apple's free editor. Limited features but reliable, easy, and completely free for Mac/iPhone users.
Clipchamp
Microsoft's browser-based editor in Windows 11. Decent templates and basic auto-captioning. Closest to CapCut's simplicity on Windows.
Adobe Express
Adobe's free tier with templates and basic AI features. Projects can move into Premiere Pro if you outgrow it.
Comparison
| Feature | FirstCut | Resolve | iMovie | Clipchamp | Adobe Express |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free tier |
| AI editing | Auto reels | Limited | No | Basic | Basic |
| Learning curve | Minimal | Steep | Easy | Easy | Easy |
| Best for | Highlight reels | Full productions | Simple edits | Social media | Social media |
The Bottom Line
CapCut was a great editor. The ban was about geopolitics, not product quality. But the 2026 landscape has enough options that you don't have to settle.
If you want effortless highlight reels, FirstCut Studio picks up where CapCut left off. If you want professional control, DaVinci Resolve is free. If you need something simple, iMovie and Clipchamp are already on your device.
Most important: if you still have CapCut installed, export your projects before you lose access.
