Descript Free Trial: Everything You Need to Know Before Signing Up

Here's the deal: Descript doesn't offer a traditional free trial. Instead, they have a free forever plan that lets you use the software indefinitely with significant limitations. This is good and bad-good because you're not racing against a 7-day clock, bad because the free tier is pretty restrictive if you're trying to do real work.

Let me break down exactly what you get, what you don't, and whether it's worth upgrading.

What Descript's Free Plan Actually Includes

Descript's free plan gives you access to the core editing functionality-the text-based video and audio editing that made them famous. You can import media, transcribe it, and edit by deleting or rearranging text. That part works great.

Here's what you get on the free tier:

• 60 media minutes per month - This counts uploaded and recorded media, not just transcription. Every minute of video or audio you import or record in Descript draws down from this allowance.
• 100 AI credits (one-time) - For features like Studio Sound, filler word removal, and eye contact correction. This is a one-time grant that doesn't reset monthly.
• 720p video exports - Workable for social media, not great for YouTube where viewers expect higher quality
• 1 watermark-free export per month - After that, Descript branding gets slapped on your videos
• 5GB cloud storage - Fills up fast with video files, especially if you're working with 4K or high-bitrate footage
• Transcription in 25 languages - Decent accuracy for most English content, including Catalan, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English (US), Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hindi, Hungarian, Italian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Malay, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Slovak, Slovenian, Spanish, Swedish, and Turkish
• Unlimited projects - No limit on how many you can create, which is genuinely generous
• Detect 8+ speakers - Speaker Detective automatically identifies and labels multiple speakers, playing a clip of each to help you name them

The free plan includes everything you need to record, edit, and mix audio and video content at a basic level. Screen recording, dynamic captioning, templates, text-based editing, and speaker detection are all included across every plan.

Understanding Media Minutes vs. Transcription Hours

Here's where Descript gets a bit confusing. In September of the previous year, Descript changed their pricing structure from "transcription hours" to "media minutes." This matters because media minutes track every minute of imported or recorded media processed in Descript, regardless of whether you transcribe it.

This means if you upload a 30-minute video file, you've used 30 media minutes-even if you never transcribe it. Still images count as 1 second each, which is helpful if you're creating slideshows or presentations within Descript.

The shift to media minutes is more restrictive than the old transcription hour model. Previously, you could upload content without penalty and only use transcription hours when you actually transcribed. Now, every upload counts against your limit.

How AI Credits Work on the Free Plan

AI credits are your currency for using Descript's AI-powered features. The free plan gives you 100 AI credits as a one-time grant-they don't refill monthly. Once they're gone, you're locked out of AI features unless you upgrade.

Different AI features consume different amounts of credits:

• Studio Sound - 10 AI credits per use (removes background noise and enhances audio quality)
• Eye Contact - 10 AI credits per use (makes it look like you're looking at the camera)
• Green Screen - Varies by length
• Underlord AI co-editor - Credit usage varies by complexity of the task
• Text-to-speech (AI Speech) - Approximately 5 credits per minute
• Dubbing/Translation - 15 credits per minute

With only 100 credits total, you can realistically test Studio Sound about 10 times before running out. This makes the free plan more of a demo than a true production tool.

The Real Limitations (What They Don't Advertise)

Here's where things get frustrating. That 60 media minutes per month sounds reasonable until you realize it's not just transcription-it's every minute of media you upload or record. Import a 30-minute podcast episode and boom, you've used half your monthly allowance just playing around.

The 100 AI credits are a one-time grant, not monthly. Once you burn through those testing Studio Sound or the AI green screen, they're gone. The free plan has limited access to Underlord (their AI co-editor) and restricted AI tools.

Other pain points:

• Only one watermark-free export per month means you can't iterate or fix mistakes without branding
• 720p max resolution looks dated on modern displays and isn't suitable for professional YouTube content
• AI features like Overdub (now called Regenerate) and Studio Sound are capped at 5 lifetime uses on the free plan
• No rollover-unused minutes and credits reset monthly, so there's no accumulating resources for a bigger project
• Limited access to Underlord, Descript's AI co-editor that can handle entire editing workflows
• Basic stock media library access with limited search results
• No ability to purchase top-up media minutes or AI credits-you must upgrade to access more

I've seen users report burning through their entire free allowance just exploring the interface. If you're excited to try the free plan, running out of media minutes quickly can be really disappointing. One reviewer mentioned they "immediately used up my transcription time simply playing around" and felt they didn't get a real chance to evaluate the software.

What Text-Based Editing Actually Means

Descript's signature feature is text-based editing, and it's genuinely revolutionary once you understand it. Here's how it works: when you import audio or video, Descript automatically transcribes it. The transcript isn't just a reference-it's directly linked to your media.

Delete a word from the transcript, and that word disappears from your audio or video. Copy and paste a sentence, and the corresponding media moves with it. Need to rearrange your points? Just cut and paste text like you're editing a Google Doc.

This approach is polarizing. People who work primarily with dialogue-heavy content-podcasts, interviews, talking head videos, webinars-tend to love it. It's dramatically faster than scrubbing through timelines looking for specific moments. You can search the transcript, find exactly what you need, and edit it instantly.

Traditional video editors who are comfortable with timeline workflows sometimes find it limiting. Complex visual editing, B-roll insertion, and motion graphics are still easier in traditional editors like Premiere Pro or DaVinci Resolve.

Is the Free Plan Enough to Actually Test Descript?

Honestly? Barely. You'll get a feel for the text-based editing workflow, which is Descript's killer feature. Editing by deleting words in a transcript instead of scrubbing through a timeline is genuinely game-changing once you try it.

But you won't be able to produce real content consistently. The watermark limitation alone makes the free tier impractical for anything client-facing or public. With only 60 media minutes, you can import one 60-minute podcast episode or six 10-minute videos before hitting your monthly limit. For anyone serious about editing audio or producing video content, moving to a paid plan is almost inevitable.

Think of it less as a "free tier" and more as an extended demo. Good for deciding if the editing paradigm clicks for you. Not good for actually getting work done.

The free plan is genuinely useful for testing whether you like text-based editing and understanding Descript's workflow. You'll get enough runway to import a short project, play with the transcript editing, test one or two AI features, and see if the workflow fits your brain. That's genuinely valuable, because Descript's approach is polarizing: people either love it or find it frustrating.

Descript Paid Plans: What You're Upgrading To

If you like the free version, here's what the paid tiers look like. Descript currently offers four paid subscription levels, each with annual and monthly billing options.

Hobbyist - $12/month (annual) or $16/month (monthly)

• 600 media minutes per month (10 hours)
• 400 AI credits per month (refreshes monthly unlike the free plan)
• 1080p exports, watermark-free
• 100GB cloud storage
• Access to Underlord AI co-editor
• 20 uses per month of the Basic AI suite (filler word removal, studio sound, create clips)
• 30 minutes per month of AI speech with stock AI speakers and custom voice clones
• Full access to AI tools including Studio Sound and filler word removal
• Ability to purchase top-up media minutes and AI credits when needed

Best for solo creators making occasional content-maybe one or two projects per month. This is the sweet spot for hobbyists and part-time creators who need watermark-free exports but aren't producing content weekly.

Creator - $24/month (annual) or $35/month (monthly)

• 1,800 media minutes per month (30 hours) + 5 bonus hours
• 800 AI credits per month + 500 bonus credits
• 4K exports
• Full access to Underlord and 20+ AI tools
• Unlimited access to both Basic and Advanced AI features
• 2 hours of AI-generated speech each month
• AI Speech with custom voice clones
• Unlimited access to royalty-free stock media library
• Team of up to 3 (billed separately)
• Access to top-ups for additional resources
• Generate video with the latest AI models

The sweet spot for YouTubers and podcasters publishing weekly content. This is Descript's most popular plan because it provides enough resources for regular content creation without breaking the bank.

Business - $55/month (annual) or $40/month (monthly for legacy plans)

• 2,400 media minutes per month (40+ hours)
• 1,500 AI credits per month
• Priority support
• Free basic seats for team collaboration
• Full Professional AI suite
• Advanced team features and collaboration tools
• Higher limits on all AI features
• Best for agencies and teams producing content multiple times per week

For agencies and teams producing content multiple times per week. The Business plan includes collaboration features that make it viable for professional teams working on client projects.

Enterprise - Custom Pricing

• Custom media minutes allocation
• Custom AI credits
• Dedicated account management
• Custom invoicing options (ACH transfer)
• Advanced security features
• SSO and enterprise-grade compliance
• Tailored onboarding and training

For large organizations with complex needs, requiring custom security, dedicated support, and flexible billing arrangements.

For a deeper breakdown of all the numbers, check out our full Descript pricing guide.

Special Pricing: Education and Non-Profit Plans

Worth noting: Descript offers special pricing for students, educators, and non-profits that makes the platform significantly more affordable.

Education/Non-Profit Plan - $12/month (monthly) or $8/month (annual)

This discounted plan includes all features of the Hobbyist plan at a fraction of the cost. Students, teachers, administrators, academic staff, and qualifying 501(c)(3) organizations (or equivalent charitable status outside the U.S.) are eligible.

To qualify, you need to:

1. Create a free Descript account using your nonprofit or school email address
2. Add a payment method (you won't be charged yet)
3. Submit the application form
4. Wait for approval from Descript's team

If you qualify, it's worth checking before committing to the standard pricing. At $8/month annually, this plan offers professional features at a price that's accessible for educational institutions and nonprofits operating on tight budgets.

Understanding Underlord: Descript's AI Co-Editor

Underlord is Descript's most ambitious feature-an AI agent that can handle entire editing workflows. Unlike simple AI tools that perform one task, Underlord functions as a collaborative editing partner.

Here's what Underlord can do:

• Script writing and feedback - Ask Underlord to write a script based on your prompt, or have it review your existing script and provide suggestions
• Complete video editing - Tell Underlord what you want, and it can execute entire workflows: creating rough cuts, styling visuals, adding B-roll, and applying AI effects
• Design and layout - Underlord can apply professionally designed layouts, adjust colors and fonts, and create visual consistency
• B-roll selection - It can generate custom B-roll tailored to your content or select appropriate stock footage
• Multiple edits at once - Ask it to make tedious, repetitive edits across your entire project in one command
• Learning and adaptation - Underlord learns from feedback and improves over time

Underlord is available in the free plan with limited access. You can test it, but the 100 one-time AI credits will limit how much you can actually accomplish. Paid plans provide monthly refreshing AI credit pools that make Underlord practical for regular use.

For creators who want to direct rather than manually execute every edit, Underlord represents a genuinely new way of working. You describe what you want in plain language, and Underlord handles the technical execution. It's still in beta and improving, but it's already capable of saving hours on projects.

Studio Sound: Descript's Audio Enhancement Tool

Studio Sound is one of Descript's standout AI features, and it's worth understanding even if you're on the free plan (where you get 5 lifetime uses).

Studio Sound uses regenerative AI to enhance audio quality. Unlike traditional noise reduction that filters or subtracts sound-often leaving voices sounding tinny or hollow-Studio Sound isolates your voice and regenerates it. This approach:

• Removes background noise (air conditioners, fans, street noise)
• Eliminates room echo
• Enhances speech clarity
• Smooths inconsistent audio across speakers
• Makes recordings sound like they came from a professional studio

The intensity is adjustable from 0-100%, with most users finding 30-60% to be the sweet spot. At 100%, audio can start sounding unnaturally processed.

Studio Sound works with any audio format-phone calls, voiceovers, interviews, conference recordings. If you can upload it, Studio Sound can enhance it. This single feature alone has made Descript valuable for podcasters and video creators who don't have access to professional recording environments.

On the free plan, your 5 lifetime uses mean you can test the feature but not rely on it for production work. On paid plans, Studio Sound usage counts against your monthly AI credits (10 credits per use), giving you regular access to professional-quality audio enhancement.

How to Sign Up for Descript's Free Plan

Getting started is straightforward:

1. Go to Descript.com
2. Click "Get Started" or "Try for Free"
3. Sign up with email or Google-no credit card required
4. Download the desktop app (Descript is primarily designed for desktop use and doesn't have a mobile app, though it does have a web interface)
5. Start editing

You'll land on the free plan automatically. No sneaky auto-upgrade traps. Descript is available for both Windows and macOS, and there's also a Linux version of DaVinci Resolve if you're comparing editors.

The no-credit-card signup is genuinely friction-free. You can start testing immediately without worrying about forgetting to cancel before a trial period ends.

Pro Tips for Maximizing the Free Plan

If you want to actually evaluate Descript before committing, here's how to stretch your free allowance:

• Plan your test project in advance - Don't import random files just to poke around. Decide what you want to test and stick to that plan
• Use short clips - A 5-minute clip uses 5 media minutes. Test with shorter samples first to preserve your allowance
• Save your AI credits strategically - Use them on features you actually want to evaluate, not just to see what happens. Prioritize Studio Sound and Underlord if you want to test Descript's most unique capabilities
• Export strategically - You only get one watermark-free export, so save it for your final test. Use watermarked exports for iteration and testing
• Test text-based editing thoroughly - This is Descript's core differentiator. Import a short video with dialogue, get it transcribed, and spend time editing via the transcript to see if the workflow clicks for you
• Explore templates - Descript offers professionally designed templates that can speed up your workflow. Test these during your free trial
• Try screen recording - This feature is available on the free plan and doesn't count against media minutes if you record directly in Descript (uploads still count)

Descript Free Plan vs. Other Free Video Editors

If you're comparing options, here's how Descript's free tier stacks up against other popular tools:

Descript vs. DaVinci Resolve (Free Version)

DaVinci Resolve's advantage: DaVinci Resolve's free version is shockingly capable-offering professional features like noise reduction, motion tracking, Fairlight audio mixing, and industry-leading color grading that you'd pay hundreds for elsewhere. The free version supports up to 4K exports and has no watermarks.

DaVinci Resolve started as Hollywood's color grading tool before becoming a complete editing suite. Its node-based color system is still the industry standard, and its editing and audio tools now rival dedicated software. The free version has almost all the features of the Studio version (which costs $295 one-time).

Where Descript wins: Text-based editing is unique. If you're working primarily with dialogue-heavy content-podcasts, interviews, webinars-Descript's workflow is dramatically faster. DaVinci Resolve requires traditional timeline editing skills and has a steeper learning curve.

DaVinci Resolve is better for: Filmmakers, colorists, and anyone creating visually complex content that requires advanced color grading, VFX, or cinematic production value.

Descript is better for: Content creators focused on podcasts, YouTube talking head videos, educational content, and anything dialogue-driven where text-based editing saves time.

Descript vs. Adobe Premiere Pro

Premiere Pro doesn't have a free version-it requires a subscription starting at $22.99/month. However, it's worth comparing to understand the landscape.

Premiere Pro's advantage: Industry-standard professional tools, seamless integration with Adobe Creative Cloud (After Effects, Photoshop, Audition), extensive plugin ecosystem, and advanced timeline editing capabilities.

Where Descript wins: Lower barrier to entry, no subscription required for the free plan, faster editing for dialogue-heavy content, and AI features like Studio Sound that Premiere lacks natively.

Descript vs. CapCut (Free)

CapCut is a popular free mobile and desktop editor owned by ByteDance (TikTok's parent company).

CapCut's advantage: Completely free with no monthly limits on exports or media processing. Generous free features including 4K exports, extensive effects library, and templates optimized for social media.

Where Descript wins: Text-based editing, professional transcription, desktop-focused workflow, and audio quality enhancement tools that CapCut lacks.

Descript vs. Camtasia

Camtasia specializes in screen recording and tutorial creation. It requires a one-time purchase (no free version) starting at $179.99.

Where Descript wins: Free plan availability, text-based editing for faster content creation, and included transcription. Descript's screen recording is built-in and doesn't require a separate purchase.

Check out our roundup of free video editing software if you're weighing options, or our list of best video editing software for paid alternatives.

For screen recording specifically, free screen recording software options might cover basic needs without Descript's limitations.

Common Use Cases: Where Descript Excels

Understanding where Descript performs best helps you evaluate whether the free plan is worth your time:

Podcasting

Descript is phenomenal for podcast editing. The text-based workflow lets you remove entire tangents by deleting paragraphs, rearrange conversation flow by cutting and pasting sections, and remove filler words in bulk. Studio Sound can fix audio quality issues from guests recording in poor environments. The free plan's 60 minutes is enough to test one episode.

YouTube Talking Head Videos

For creators who film themselves speaking to camera, Descript streamlines the editing process. Remove mistakes by deleting sentences, tighten pacing without timeline scrubbing, and add captions automatically. The Eye Contact feature (5 uses on free plan) makes it look like you're looking at the camera even when reading notes.

Webinars and Educational Content

Recording presentations and educational videos benefits from Descript's ability to generate transcripts, create shareable clips, and add captions. The free plan's limitations make it impractical for ongoing educational content production, but it's sufficient for testing the workflow.

Interview Content

Multi-speaker detection and text-based editing make interview content particularly easy to edit. Find and remove questions, reorder responses, and create highlight clips by working with text rather than timelines.

Social Media Clips

Descript's AI can identify potentially viral moments and help you create clips quickly. Dynamic captions and templates make social media formatting faster. However, the one watermark-free export per month on the free plan is a significant limitation for regular social media posting.

What Descript Isn't Good For

It's equally important to understand Descript's limitations:

Cinematic Video Production

If you're creating narrative films, music videos, or highly stylized visual content, Descript isn't the right tool. DaVinci Resolve or Premiere Pro offer far more control over visual aesthetics, color grading, and complex effects.

Multi-Camera Productions

While Descript can handle multi-camera footage, traditional editors like Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro provide more intuitive multi-cam workflows with angle switching and synchronized timelines.

Motion Graphics

Creating animated graphics, kinetic typography, or complex visual effects requires tools like After Effects. Descript offers basic text and graphic capabilities but isn't designed for motion design.

Audio-First Music Production

If you're producing music rather than podcasts or spoken content, dedicated DAWs (Digital Audio Workstations) like Logic Pro, Ableton, or Pro Tools are more appropriate.

Descript Security and Data Privacy

Security is a legitimate concern when uploading content to cloud-based editing platforms. Descript addresses this with:

• SOC 2 Type II compliance - Third-party verified security standards for handling sensitive data
• Data encryption in transit and at rest - Your content is encrypted when uploading, stored encrypted on servers, and encrypted when downloaded
• Project information is confidential - Even from Descript employees, your content isn't accessible for review
• Data deletion available - You can permanently delete your account and wipe all data from Descript's servers

For enterprise customers, additional security features including SSO (Single Sign-On), custom security audits, and compliance certifications are available.

How to Cancel or Change Your Descript Plan

If you upgrade from the free plan and later want to change or cancel:

1. Open Descript and go to Settings > Plan
2. Click "Edit current plan"
3. Select a different plan or choose to cancel
4. Changes take effect at the start of your next billing cycle

Upgrades happen immediately, while downgrades (including cancellations) take effect at your next renewal date. Any remaining time on your current subscription is applied as a credit to your account.

Descript's billing is upfront-you're charged at the start of each billing cycle. Monthly and annual billing cycles are both available, with annual billing offering significant savings (typically 25-35% depending on the plan).

Top-Up Options: Buying Additional Resources

One feature that distinguishes paid Descript plans from the free plan is the ability to purchase top-ups when you need extra resources:

• Media minutes top-ups - Purchase additional media minutes when you have a particularly large project
• AI credits top-ups - Buy more AI credits if you exhaust your monthly allocation

These top-ups are only available on Creator and Business plans. The free plan doesn't have this option-when you hit your limits, you're done until the next month or until you upgrade.

For users on Legacy or Sunset plans, additional transcription hours could be purchased at $2 per hour. However, these legacy plans are being automatically migrated to current plans, and unused transcription hours won't carry over.

Performance and System Requirements

Descript is a desktop application available for Windows and macOS. System requirements are moderate:

• Operating System: macOS 10.15 or later, Windows 10 or later
• RAM: 8GB minimum, 16GB recommended for 4K editing
• Storage: Depends on your projects, but the 5GB cloud storage on free plan is separate from local storage
• Internet: Required for AI features, transcription, and cloud sync. Some editing can be done offline.

Some users report that Descript can be resource-intensive with large files or complex projects. Performance varies based on your hardware. AI features like Studio Sound and Underlord require internet connectivity to process.

Compared to heavyweight editors like Premiere Pro or DaVinci Resolve, Descript's system requirements are more modest, making it accessible on mid-range computers.

Comparing Descript's Free Plan to Competitors

Let's look at how Descript's free offering compares to similar tools in the market:

Descript's free plan sits in the middle-more generous than requiring immediate payment, but more restricted than truly unlimited free options like DaVinci Resolve.

Real User Experiences with Descript's Free Plan

Based on user reviews and feedback across platforms like G2, Reddit, and creator communities:

Common praise:

• "Text-based editing is genuinely revolutionary for podcast editing"
• "I was able to learn the entire interface in about 5 minutes"
• "Studio Sound made my guest's terrible audio usable"
• "Finally, an editor that doesn't feel like it was designed for NASA engineers"

Common complaints:

• "I used up my entire free plan just figuring out how the software works"
• "The one watermark-free export per month is useless-I always need to export multiple times"
• "AI credits running out after lifetime means you can't really evaluate the AI features"
• "Not as powerful as traditional editors for visual effects or color work"

The consensus: Descript's free plan works well for deciding if you like the text-based editing paradigm, but it's insufficient for actual content production.

Updates and Changes to Descript's Free Plan

Descript has changed its free plan structure several times. In July of a recent year, significant updates brought text-based editing and core AI capabilities to the free tier, along with the ability to generate 5 minutes of AI speech content.

The shift from "transcription hours" to "media minutes" in September was significant, making the free plan more restrictive than before. Previously, you could upload unlimited content and only consume hours when transcribing. Now, every upload counts.

Legacy and Sunset plan subscribers are being automatically migrated to current plans, with migrations occurring on billing dates. If you're on an old plan, you'll receive notice before automatic migration happens.

This history suggests Descript continues to refine its pricing and free tier as the product evolves. Current free plan features may change in the future.

Bottom Line: Should You Try Descript's Free Plan?

Yes-but with realistic expectations.

The free plan is useful for testing whether you like text-based editing. You'll get enough runway to import a short project, play with the transcript editing, and see if the workflow fits your brain. That's genuinely valuable, because Descript's approach is polarizing: people either love it or find it frustrating.

Try the free plan if:

• You work primarily with dialogue-heavy content (podcasts, interviews, talking head videos)
• You want to test text-based editing before committing to a subscription
• You're comfortable with monthly limits and can plan around them
• You want to evaluate Studio Sound and other AI features (within the credit limits)

Skip the free plan and upgrade immediately if:

• You need to produce actual content for clients or public consumption
• You require more than one watermark-free export per month
• Your projects regularly exceed 60 minutes of content
• You need consistent access to AI features like Studio Sound

Consider alternative tools if:

• You need advanced color grading or visual effects (try DaVinci Resolve)
• You're producing cinematic content (try Premiere Pro or DaVinci Resolve)
• You need unlimited free editing with no monthly limits (try DaVinci Resolve or CapCut)
• You're primarily editing music rather than spoken word (try a dedicated DAW)

What the free plan is NOT good for: producing real content, building a portfolio, or running a business. For that, you'll need to upgrade to at least the Hobbyist tier at $12/month annually.

Descript is SOC 2 Type II compliant and encrypts data both in transit and at rest, so security isn't a concern. Just know that you're essentially getting an extended demo, not a fully functional free tier for production work.

The text-based editing paradigm is Descript's core innovation. If that workflow resonates with you during your free trial, the paid plans become significantly more attractive. If it doesn't click, no amount of AI features will make Descript the right choice.

For content creators producing regular podcasts, YouTube videos, or social media content, Descript's paid plans offer genuine time savings. The Hobbyist plan at $12/month (annual billing) or Creator plan at $24/month provides enough resources for consistent production while maintaining access to the AI features that make Descript unique.

Try Descript Free →