Video editing apps are booming—the global video editing software market is expected to hit $5.77 billion by 2027. With social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels thriving, demand for mobile-friendly editing tools is at an all-time high. 

Building a video editing app like CapCut is an exciting but costly endeavor. The cost to build an app like CapCut ranges from $45,000 to over $230,000, depending on features, platform, team location, and maintenance needs.

In this guide, we’ll break down the cost factors, development timeline, monetization strategies, and hidden expenses that you should consider before launching a CapCut-like app.

Key Cost Factors in Developing a CapCut-Like App

App Complexity & Features

This is a pretty basic rule — the more advanced the features, the higher the cost. If you have a low budget, you can build a basic app. But if you plan to build an app like CapCut with advanced features, you need to keep a higher budget.

For example, CapCut has an AI background remover and auto-captioning feature that requires machine learning algorithms. That’s way more expensive than a simple trimmer app.

We have created a rough estimate of cost based on the complexity of your app:

Complexity  Feature Estimated Cost
Basic Trimming, merging, filters, speed control $45,000 – $80,000
Intermediate Multi-layer editing, AI-powered effects, cloud storage $80,000 – $150,000
Advanced Real-time collaboration, high-resolution exports, AR filters $150,000 – $230,000+

 

Development Team: In-House vs. Outsourcing

The cost depends on who builds your app. Some options might be more affordable than others based on location and availability. Here’s a breakdown of costs by team:

Team Type Cost Estimate Pros Cons
In-House Team (USA) $150,000+ Full control, better collaboration High salaries, overhead costs
Freelancers (Global) $20,000 – $60,000 Cheaper, flexible Quality & reliability vary
Agency (USA/Europe) $100,000 – $250,000 Professional team, high quality Expensive
Agency (Asia/Eastern Europe) $50,000 – $150,000 Affordable, skilled developers Time zone challenges

 

Platform Choice: Native vs. Cross-Platform

  • iOS or Android only → $60,000 – $100,000 per platform
  • Cross-platform (Flutter, React Native) → $80,000 – $150,000 (but slightly lower performance)
  • Native for both iOS & Android → $100,000 – $200,000

Capcut is available on both iOS and Android, so development costs were likely higher since it’s native code for iOS (Swift) and Android (Kotlin). 

But you can choose if you want to build an app for a specific operating system. It is better and more budget friendly to start with one OS and then shift to the other as your app’s user base grows. 

UI/UX Design

Users prefer an interface that is easy to use and understand. That’s why a clean, user-friendly interface is a must. But designing an intuitive experience costs $6,000 – $15,000 depending on animations, icons and interactive elements.

Third-Party Integrations

Integrating additional services can add up:

  • Cloud storage (AWS, Google Cloud): $5,000 – $20,000
  • AI editing tools (Deep Learning APIs): $10,000 – $50,000
  • Stock music/video libraries (Licensing fees): $5,000+

Integrations are not always a must-have, but they are needed if you want your app to offer capabilities like CapCut. For example, if your app includes AI-powered auto-editing like CapCut, you’ll need machine learning APIs, which increase costs.

App Maintenance & Updates

You’ve finally built your app. But the costs won’t end here. Now, you need to keep a budget for app maintenance and updates. For example, post-launch costs include bug fixes, security updates, and feature additions:

  • Basic maintenance: $10,000 – $30,000 per year
  • Feature enhancements & updates: $20,000+ annually

Detailed Cost Breakdown

Cost Component Estimated Cost Range
Planning & Research $5,000 – $15,000
UI/UX Design $6,000 – $15,000
Core Development $60,000 – $150,000
Testing & QA $5,000 – $20,000
Third-Party Services $10,000 – $50,000
Maintenance (Annual) $10,000 – $30,000

Total estimated cost: $45,000 – $230,000+

How Long Does It Take to Develop an App Like CapCut?

A simple app with basic functionality can take just a few months. But if your plan is to create an app with advanced features, the timeline will depend on the features and complexity. 

Development Stage Timeline
Market Research & Planning 2 – 4 weeks
UI/UX Design 4 – 8 weeks
Development (MVP) 4 – 6 months
Testing & QA 4 – 6 weeks
Launch & Deployment 2 – 4 weeks
Post-Launch Updates Ongoing

 

Tips to Reduce Development Costs Without Compromising Quality

1. Start with an MVP (Minimum Viable Product)

Instead of building a full-fledged app with all the features, start with a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) — a version with only the core, must-have features to attract early users. Then, once your app has started attracting users, you can start adding more advanced features.

What to include in an MVP for a CapCut like app?

  • Video trimming, merging, and cutting
  • Basic filters and effects
  • Speed control and transitions
  • Simple UI for an intuitive editing experience

How this helps?

  • Saves time (3-4 months instead of 9+ months).
  • Allows user feedback before investing in expensive features.
  • Secures funding by showing proof of concept to investors.

 

2. Use Pre-Built SDKs & APIs Instead of Building From Scratch

Building custom video editing functionality from the ground up is expensive and time consuming. Instead use Software Development Kits (SDKs) and APIs that provide pre-built solutions.

Recommended SDKs & APIs for a CapCut-like app

  • FFmpeg – Open-source tool for video processing (trimming, compression, conversion).
  • Banuba Video Editor SDK – Comes with filters, effects, AR masks, and real-time editing.
  • Google ML Kit – For AI-powered features like auto-subtitles and face detection.
  • Amazon Rekognition – For AI-driven video tagging and background removal.

How this helps?

  • Using SDKs and APIs can reduce development time from months to weeks.
  • It also saves $10,000 – $50,000 on AI and video processing features.
  • Development kits offer high performance and reliability without needing extensive R&D.

3. Outsource Development to Cost-Effective Regions

Hiring an in-house development team in the U.S. can cost $150,000+ due to high salaries, benefits, and overhead costs. But if you outsource the development to experienced developers or app development companies in cost-effective regions you find affordable pricing. 

Average Hourly Rates by Region

  • North America (USA, Canada) – $100 – $200/hour
  • Western Europe (Germany, UK, France) – $80 – $150/hour
  • Eastern Europe (Ukraine, Poland, Romania) – $30 – $60/hour
  • South Asia (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh) – $25 – $50/hour

How this helps?

  • Outsourcing to Eastern Europe or Asia can reduce costs by 40% – 60%.
  • Access to skilled developers without hiring full-time employees.
  • Faster development since agencies have ready-made teams of designers, developers, and testers.

4. Optimize Cloud & Infrastructure Costs

Your video editing app needs cloud storage, video processing, and AI functionalities. But these features can rack up huge server costs if not optimized properly. That is why you should choose scalable, pay-as-you-go cloud solutions that can prevent unnecessary expenses. 

Best cloud solutions for a video editing app

  • AWS (Amazon Web Services) – Offers scalable cloud storage & AI processing.
  • Google Cloud – Optimized for video processing and AI-based tools.
  • Firebase – Good for small-to-medium apps with real-time database & authentication.
  • Cloudinary – Helps optimize video storage and delivery, reducing bandwidth costs.

How this helps?

  • Avoids paying for unused server capacity (use auto-scaling).
  • Cloud-based video storage saves up to 40% compared to on-premise hosting.
  • Faster, more reliable performance without needing an in-house infrastructure team.

 

Develop a Custom App Like CapCut with Supersourcing

Supersourcing helps businesses build high quality, scalable, AI-powered video editing apps at affordable costs. To build a CapCut-like app, start with your core features, platform (iOS/Android), budget and timeline.

With Supersourcing you get:
✅ Pre-vetted dev teams based on your needs
✅ Upfront cost estimates
✅ Flexible hiring models (fixed-price, contract, or dedicated teams)

Supersourcing also provides transparent project roadmaps, milestone tracking and post-launch maintenance.

Conclusion

You need a well thought out budget to build an app like CapCut. A basic one costs $45,000+ while a full-fledged app can cost $230,000+. It depends on features, team type and ongoing maintenance.

If you want to build a video editing app, plan your development strategically and explore cost effective solutions. If you think the cost to build an app like CapCut will be higher with in house development, outsource the project to app development companies or freelancers.

 

FAQs

1. How much does it cost to develop a video editing app like CapCut?

A basic app starts at $45,000, while an advanced version can exceed $230,000.

2. How long does it take to build an app like CapCut?

The development timeline ranges from 5 to 9+ months, depending on complexity.

3. What are the biggest cost drivers in app development?

AI features, multi-track editing, cloud storage, and third-party integrations significantly increase costs.

4. How can I monetize a CapCut-like app?

Through subscriptions, in-app purchases, ads, and a premium asset marketplace.

5. Should I develop for iOS or Android first?

Start with one platform to reduce costs, then expand based on user demand.