# AI video editing

> “Edit my video in DaVinci with AI”. Ranked by expert consensus and what people use now; affiliate links never change the order.

AI editing splits into two approaches. Descript turns your recording into a transcript, so you cut video by deleting words, remove filler and export social clips without touching a timeline. DaVinci Resolve stays the professional route, with editing, colour, audio and effects on a free licence. Claude connects to your own tools through MCP, so a developer-minded editor can hand it repetitive Resolve chores and keep the creative calls.

Last checked: 2026-10-01

## Ranking

1. **[Claude](https://suiteintent.com/t/claude?m=GB)**: Anthropic's AI assistant, with MCP connections. · Best for: Connecting AI to your own tools with MCP · Free plan
2. **[DaVinci Resolve](https://suiteintent.com/t/davinci-resolve?m=GB)**: Professional video editing and colour grading. · Best for: Colour grading on a free licence · Free plan
3. **[Descript](https://suiteintent.com/t/descript?m=GB)**: Edit audio and video by editing the transcript. · Best for: Podcasters who hate timelines · Free plan

## Side by side

| Tool | Price | Ease of use (1-5) | Team size |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Claude | Free plan | 5 | solo, small team, growing team, large team |
| DaVinci Resolve | Pricing on request | 3 | solo, small team, growing team |
| Descript | Free plan | 4 | solo, small team, growing team |

## Why these picks

- Prices last checked: 2026-10-01
- Ranked by expert consensus and what people use now; affiliate links never change the order.

## Head to head

- [CapCut vs Descript: short clips or talk videos](https://suiteintent.com/compare/capcut-vs-descript)
- [ChatGPT vs Claude: which helps you prep interviews](https://suiteintent.com/compare/chatgpt-vs-claude)
- [Claude vs Gemini: careful reader or Google helper](https://suiteintent.com/compare/claude-vs-gemini)
- [Claude vs Perplexity: deep thinker or fast answers](https://suiteintent.com/compare/claude-vs-perplexity)
- [Descript vs Riverside: which podcast tool to use](https://suiteintent.com/compare/descript-vs-riverside)
- [OpusClip vs Descript: podcast clips for socials](https://suiteintent.com/compare/opus-clip-vs-descript)

## MCP setups

- [Edit video in DaVinci Resolve by describing the cut](https://suiteintent.com/mcp/ai-edit-video-davinci)

## Questions

### Can Claude control DaVinci Resolve for me?

Through MCP, the desktop app and Claude Code can reach programs on your own machine. Resolve can be scripted, and community-built MCP servers for it exist, so Claude can run tasks such as organising media or building a rough timeline. Expect some setup, and test on a copy of your project first. The editing judgement stays with you.

### Is the free version of DaVinci Resolve enough for client work?

For most small studios and creators, yes. The free version covers editing, colour grading, audio and effects in one application, with no subscription. You can cut, grade and mix a whole project without moving between programs. Upgrade only when a specific paid feature blocks a job.

### Descript or Resolve for a talking-head podcast?

Descript is faster for speech-led content because you edit the transcript and the video follows. It removes filler words, clones voices for fixes and cuts clips for social media. Resolve gives you finer control over colour, sound and effects. Many podcasters rough-cut in Descript and finish polished episodes elsewhere only when needed.

### How much does an AI video workflow cost to start?

You can start at zero, since all three tools here offer a free plan or free version. That lets you test the full workflow on a real project before paying for anything. Paid plans add more usage and features once you hit limits. Spend first on the tool you open every day.

### Will AI editing work on footage in Spanish, German or French?

Descript builds its edit around a transcript, so check the transcription quality on a short clip in your language before you commit. Claude works in many languages for writing scripts, titles and descriptions. Resolve's editing tools are language-neutral. A five-minute test file tells you more than any feature list.