Descript Review: Is It Worth Buying?

Last updated on April 21, 2024

Are you someone who just doesn’t have the time to edit videos? I can totally relate. For years, my strategy was to record a video and publish it on YouTube without any editing.

That’s why, when a friend introduced me to Descript, I decided to give it a shot and become a paying customer.

Now, I’m here to reflect on that decision and share my experience with you. Was it worth buying or not?

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Prefer to watch a video instead? Here’s a live walkthrough of how I edit videos using Descript.

For context, I’m on Descript’s Creator plan.

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In this Descript review, I’ll be talking about my favorite features, discussing the pros and cons, giving you a breakdown of the pricing, sharing my reasons for upgrading from the free plan to the paid plan, and ultimately guiding you in determining if Descript is the ideal solution for you. Let’s jump in!

What is Descript?

Descript is a user-friendly video editing software with a unique approach to editing. Unlike traditional editing tools that use complex timelines and advanced features, Descript keeps it simple by transcribing your videos and linking the text to the video segments. It’s like editing a document – just delete the text you don’t want, and voilà!

This innovative approach not only simplifies the editing process but also enables bulk edits, which were previously impossible in traditional video editing tools. Remember those times when you had to manually remove the same word hundreds of times using conventional video editing tools? What a pain! But with Descript, you can search for the word and delete all instances in one go. How awesome is that?

And if that’s not enough, Descript also lets you get rid of all those awkward silences in your videos with just a click of a button.

How does Descript work?

After signing up online through the web app, you’ll need to download Descript’s desktop app.

Within Descript, you have projects which are like neatly organized workspace for your videos. Start by creating a new project and you’re asked to choose from one of the four options:

1. Choose a file to transcribe: Upload a video, and Descript will transcribe it for editing.
2. Use the recorders: Record directly within Descript.
3. Write out something: Convert a text, like a blog post, into audio.
4. Start from a template: Choose from various templates for different purposes.

I usually prefer transcribing an existing video file.

Just upload your video, and Descript will handle the rest. Transcription is a breeze, taking 3-5 minutes for a 30-minute video.

Now you can start editing.

Favorite Descript features

These are my favorite features while using Descript.

1. Transcription-Based Editing

First and foremost, Descript works by transcribing your videos and linking the text to the video segments. The transcription is pretty accurate, and once it’s done, you can simply edit the text to make changes to your video. Say goodbye to complex timelines and hello to a more intuitive editing experience!

Related Reading: My Honest Review About Riverside.fm

2. Bulk Edits

In this Descript filler word removal review, one of my absolute favorite features of Descript stood out – the ability to make bulk edits. For instance, you can easily eliminate filler words or even specific phrases you don’t want in your video.

This significantly reduces your video’s duration, producing shorter, more direct content that viewers truly enjoy.

3. Silence Removal

Descript also allows you to remove awkward silences in your videos with just a click of a button. You can choose the length of silence you want to shorten and watch as your video becomes more polished and professional in seconds.

4. Overdub Feature

Another fantastic feature in Descript is the overdub option. If you’ve ever made a mistake in your video or need to correct some information, Descript allows you to replace the incorrect audio with a new recording or even a synthesized voice. This saves you the hassle of re-recording and re-editing your entire video.

5. Templates for Mobile and Social Media

In this Descript social clips & templates review, I also explored how Descript is staying ahead of content trends. Given the increasing popularity of short-form content on platforms like Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts, Descript offers useful social clips and templates.

These features help you repurpose your content for these platforms, complete with captions and the perfect format for mobile viewing.

6. Add Visuals with Ease

Sometimes, you might want to add visuals to your video to keep your viewers engaged. Descript makes this easy with a vast library of stock footage that you can simply drag and drop into your video based on the transcript.

In conclusion, Descript is an incredibly powerful and user-friendly video editing software that can save you time and effort while producing high-quality content. Give it a try, and you might just find it to be your new favorite editing tool!

7. Quick Transcription Times

Descript’s transcription process is relatively fast. For instance, a 30-minute video takes about three minutes to transcribe. This means you can quickly dive into editing without waiting for hours for your video to be transcribed.

8. Record and Transcribe Directly in Descript

While my go-to option is usually uploading a pre-recorded video for transcription, Descript also offers the ability to record directly within the software. This can be useful if you want to create content on the fly or need a quick transcription of a live recording.

9. Exporting to Social Media Platforms

Descript doesn’t just help you create content for social media platforms; it also makes exporting your videos a breeze. With various templates and formats available, you can easily create audiograms for podcasts or eye-catching visuals for your Instagram feed.

While you focus on content creation, services like Kicksta can help to augment your organic growth on Instagram by helping to increase your genuine follower count.

10. Enhance Your Videos with Stock Footage

As I mentioned earlier, Descript’s library of stock footage is quite extensive. This feature works exceptionally well when creating travel videos, recipe tutorials, or personal productivity content. By adding visually engaging clips to your video, you can keep your viewers hooked and elevate the overall quality of your content.

Descript Pros & Cons

Pros

1. Ease of use: Descript is incredibly user-friendly. It only took me five minutes to install, understand, and start using the software effectively.
2. Affordability: At $15 per month for 10 hours of transcription, Descript is a great value compared to hiring freelancers or contractors for editing work.
3. Accurate transcriptions: Descript’s transcriptions are about 95% accurate, which makes generating captions for your videos a breeze.
4. Templates and video library: Descript offers a variety of templates for different content types, such as Instagram Reels, podcast audiograms, and product videos. Plus, their extensive video library helps you make your content more engaging and interactive.

Cons

1. Loading speed: Descript can be a bit slow to load, especially on a MacBook Air. While this is common for video editing tools, it’s worth noting that you’ll need some patience when using Descript.
2. Transcription limitations: Although the transcription quality is generally great, it could be slightly better, particularly when it comes to names and accents.
3. No mobile app: Descript doesn’t have a mobile app for editing videos on the go. It would be convenient to record and edit content directly from a smartphone without needing to use a desktop.
4. Limited template options: While the existing templates are helpful, I wish Descript had a larger library of templates to choose from. More options would provide greater flexibility and variety for users.

If you’re tired of spending countless hours on transcription work or struggling with video editing, then Descript might just be the solution you’ve been looking for. In this Descript review, we’ll dive into the pros and cons of this innovative tool that has been making waves in the content creation industry.

Let’s start with the pros. One of the standout features of Descript is its user-friendly interface. From the moment I installed the software, it took me a mere five minutes to navigate and understand its functionalities. Whether you’re a tech-savvy individual or a complete novice, Descript’s simplicity ensures a seamless experience without the need for extensive tutorials or help documentation.

Affordability is another major advantage of Descript. For just $15 per month, you gain access to 10 hours of subscription time. This competitive pricing makes it an incredibly valuable tool, especially when compared to the steep charges of hiring professional editors or contractors for your content editing needs.

Descript’s transcription accuracy is worth highlighting as well. With an impressive 95% accuracy rate, generating captions and transcriptions becomes a breeze. Gone are the days of tediously correcting errors and spending hours on post-editing. Descript’s reliable transcription capabilities save you valuable time and effort.

One of my favorite aspects of Descript is its collection of templates, which greatly enhances my video content marketing endeavors. Whether it’s creating captivating captions for Instagram reels, conducting interviews, or producing my own short-form videos, Descript’s templates provide the perfect framework for engaging content creation. Additionally, the Multicam options allow for professional product videos, while the extensive video library makes it easy to find relevant footage for your projects.

While Descript boasts a range of impressive features, it’s essential to discuss the cons as well. One drawback I noticed is that the software can be a little slow to load, particularly if you’re using a Mac Air or similar devices. Although this minor delay might be frustrating at times, the time-saving benefits of Descript outweigh this inconvenience.

Another con is the need for improvement in certain aspects of transcription quality. Descript generally excels at capturing names and regular English, but it struggles with certain accents, often misinterpreting them. This issue primarily affects individuals with non-American or non-British accents. It’s important to note that these challenges are not deal-breakers and can be addressed with a little patience and proofreading.

One limitation of Descript is the absence of a mobile app for video editing on the go. While the desktop version offers excellent functionality, having the flexibility to record and edit content directly on a mobile device would be a game-changer for many users. Hopefully, Descript’s development team is working on a mobile app that will provide added convenience and mobility.

Lastly, while Descript’s template options are impressive, I can’t help but wish for a more extensive library. While they offer a decent variety, a wider selection of templates, especially for features like Audiograms and captions, would further enhance the creative possibilities within the platform. However, it’s worth noting that Descript’s team is continually improving and expanding its offerings, so we can expect more options in the future.

In conclusion, Descript is a powerful tool that revolutionizes the way we approach transcription and video editing. Its user-friendly interface, affordability, and accurate transcriptions make it a valuable asset for content creators of all levels. While there are some minor drawbacks, such as occasional loading delays and limitations in transcription quality and template library, Descript’s strengths far outweigh these shortcomings.

How much does Descript cost?

Descript has you covered with different pricing plans to suit your needs.

	Free Plan	Creator Plan	Pro Plan
Best for	Beginner creators	Serious but part-time creators	Full-time creators
Monthly Price	Free	$15/month	$30/month
Transcription Hours	1 hour per month	10 hours per month	30 hours per month
Video Export Resolution	720p	4K	4K
Filler Word Removal	“um” & “uh”	“um” & “uh”	18 filler words and repeated words
Overdub	1,000 word vocabulary	1,000 word vocabulary	Unlimited vocabulary
AI-Green Screen	Up to 10 min file	Up to 60 min file	Unlimited
Studio Sound	Up to 10 min file	Up to 60 min file	Unlimited
Stock Library	First 5 results per search	First 12 results per search	Unlimited results per search
Cloud Storage Limit	5GB	100GB	1TB

If you’re starting out, Descript’s free plan allows one hour of content editing and watermark-free video exports, though keep in mind the resolution is limited to 720p.

For more transcription hours and better video quality, the Creator plan at $15/month (or $12/month annually) offers 10 hours of transcription and the ability to create 4K videos. I have the Creator plan.

If you’re a dedicated creator seeking advanced features like filler word and repeated word removal, the Pro plan at $30/month (or $24/month annually) is worth considering. Descript ensures there’s something for creators at every level!

In a nutshell, Descript has pricing options for creators of all levels. The free plan is a great starting point, but if you want better video quality and more transcription hours, go for the Creator plan. And if you’re a serious creator in need of advanced features, the Pro plan could be the perfect fit for you.

Is Descript worth buying?

Descript’s been a fantastic investment for me.

I used to spend countless hours editing videos and paying a small fortune to contractors for their assistance. But Descript has reduced my reliance on these contractors and saved my hard-earned cash which I reinvest in my content creation efforts!

Now, all I do is record a video, pop it into Descript, and in just five minutes, I can trim out all the silences and filler words. Occasionally, I’ll snip out a few extra bits if needed. This has made my videos super streamlined, which has actually led to a spike in my YouTube engagement rates. I’ve seen more people liking, sharing, and commenting on my content.

Another bonus I’ve stumbled upon is how simple it is to take the highlights of my videos and transform them into short, shareable snippets for Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts, both of which generally have a broader reach.

All these advantages have been a tremendous help in growing my brand. So, if you’re thinking about getting a Descript subscription, I’d wholeheartedly recommend giving it a go.