Descript

What it does

Descript edits video and podcasts by editing the transcript: delete a sentence from the text and it disappears from the recording.

Its AI tools remove filler words, improve sound quality and can even fix a fluffed line with your own voice.

Why use it

• Editing by text is far quicker than cutting a timeline.
• One click removes “um”s, “ah”s and long pauses.
• Studio Sound makes a laptop microphone sound professional.
• Captions and social clips come straight from the same project.

How it works

1. Install the app and import a recording, or record in Descript.
2. Wait for the transcript, then read it like a document.
3. Delete or move words in the text to cut the recording.
4. Apply clean-up tools such as filler-word removal and Studio Sound.
5. Export the video or audio, with captions if you want them.

How hard is it to use?

Intermediate Some set-up, or a little practice, to get good results.

The text editing is intuitive; the full editor has a lot of features, so give yourself an afternoon to learn it.

What it costs

Free plan; paid plans. A free plan to try it, with limits on transcription and exports. Paid plans add more hours, higher-quality exports and AI features.

Prices change often, so check Descript’s own site before you pay.

Watch out for

• Voice-based fixes should only use your own voice, or voices you have permission to use.
• Large video projects need a reasonably powerful computer.

Your data

Recordings are uploaded for transcription. Get permission before editing other people’s voices, and check how long projects are stored.

Descript doesn’t offer UK data storage, so check where it keeps your data before you share anything private or about other people.