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Free Riverside alternatives
Every pick starts with a genuine free tier, which makes it the easiest way to test a full workflow for zero dollars. Start free and upgrade only when it earns it.
What is the best free alternative to Riverside?
DaVinci Resolve is the free Riverside alternative we recommend first. DaVinci Resolve edges out Riverside in our testing, scoring 4.7 to 4.6 overall. It scores 4.7 in our testing, and at $0 it keeps the monthly bill reasonable. See the full ranked list below to compare every pick.
5 free alternatives worth your time
DaVinci Resolve
4.7 out of 54.7Hollywood-grade editing and color, free.
DaVinci Resolve edges out Riverside in our testing, scoring 4.7 to 4.6 overall.
- Free tier is a genuine professional editing and color grading suite, not a crippled demo
- Industry-standard color grading tools with the most advanced color science outside a dedicated grading suite
Loom
4.6 out of 54.6Instant video messaging platform for async workplace communication, screen recording, and team collaboration.
Loom starts at $12.50/seat/mo, undercutting Riverside's $15/mo while covering the same core ground.
- Instant video sharing: URL is ready on your clipboard immediately after clicking Stop.
- Eliminates unnecessary status meetings by replacing live calls with async video walkthroughs.
CapCut
4.6 out of 54.6Free all-in-one video editor for short-form content, TikToks, Reels, and YouTube Shorts.
CapCut is the pick when you want short-form content creators, tiktokers, and social media managers needing fast, automated auto-captions and viral effects., and it leads on short-form editing speed.
- Auto-caption engine generates word-by-word animated subtitles in seconds.
- Completely free desktop app with 4K 60fps export capabilities.
Descript
4.5 out of 54.5All-in-one audio and video editor that lets you edit media by editing a text transcript.
Descript starts at $12/mo, undercutting Riverside's $15/mo while covering the same core ground.
- Editing video by deleting text words speeds up rough cuts by 500%.
- Studio Sound turns low-quality laptop mic audio into professional studio broadcast quality.
VEED.IO
4.2 out of 54.2Online video editing with auto-subtitles.
VEED.IO is the pick when you want online video editing with auto-subtitles., and it leads on ease of use.
- Well established product with an active user base
- Regular updates and clear roadmap
Riverside vs the free alternatives
| Tool | Our score | From | Free tier | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Riverside | 4.6 | $15/mo | Yes | Podcasters, video creators, agencies, and media companies requiring uncompressed 4K local recording regardless of guest internet stability. |
| DaVinci Resolve | 4.7 | $0 | Yes | Editors, colorists, and content creators who want professional post-production without a subscription. DaVinci Resolve is the only application that combines professional editing, Hollywood-grade color grading, visual effects, and audio post-production in a single free package. |
| Loom | 4.6 | $12.50/seat/mo | Yes | Remote teams, product managers, software engineers, customer support, and sales reps wanting asynchronous video communication without scheduling meetings. |
| CapCut | 4.6 | Free | Yes | Short-form content creators, TikTokers, and social media managers needing fast, automated auto-captions and viral effects. |
| Descript | 4.5 | $12/mo | Yes | Podcasters, video creators, and educators wanting text-based video editing and AI Studio Sound audio cleanup. |
| VEED.IO | 4.2 | $18/mo | Yes | Online video editing with auto-subtitles. |
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