Descript

1:21 Descript is a video and podcast editor that transcribes your recording and lets you cut, rearrange and fix it by editing the text, like a document. Its AI co-editor, Underlord, takes instructions in plain words, makes bulk edits, finds the best moments and writes scripts, and AI voices and voice clones can replace a fumbled word without re-recording. As of Nov 6, 2026 the free plan gives 1 hour of media and 100 one-time AI credits with a watermark, and paid plans run from Hobbyist at $16 a month billed yearly ($24 monthly) to Business at $50 ($65 monthly).

Descript is the pick for podcasters, YouTubers and teams who edit talking-head videos, interviews and screen recordings. For generating a voice from text alone, at the top of the quality rankings, ElevenLabs is the specialist; for a talking avatar, use HeyGen or Synthesia; for meeting notes rather than editing, Otter.ai or Granola. Best AI Voice Generator compares the voice tools.

Quick facts

Plans and prices

Source: Descript pricing, read Nov 6, 2026. Prices are per person; the page shows two prices per plan without labels and says yearly billing saves up to 35%, so the lower figure is read as the yearly rate.

Features

Text-based editing. Descript transcribes your recording; deleting a sentence from the transcript deletes it from the audio and video, and filler words can be removed in bulk. This is what Descript is known for, and it works the same for audio-only podcasts.

0:16 Underlord. The AI co-editor reads your script, watches the video and suggests next steps; it can make many edits at once (centering every speaker, bleeping language, adding lower thirds), cut to the most engaging parts, write a script from a prompt, and turn docs, slides or blog posts into videos (Descript). Underlord Skills, added in Descript's Nov 3, 2026 update, save a successful edit to reuse on later projects.

AI voices and voice cloning. Clone your own voice to type in a correction instead of re-recording, or use stock AI voices; the free plan gets a limited trial (pricing).

Studio Sound and Eye Contact. One-click tools that clean up audio and redirect a speaker's gaze toward the camera.

Generative Layouts and Search. Since the Nov 3, 2026 update, Descript builds on-brand title cards, overlays and lower thirds from your brand kit, and searches clips and moments across all your projects, also through its MCP server and API (Descript).

Translation and dubbing. Business translates and dubs videos with lip sync; Descript's page gives both 25 or more and 30 or more languages.

Descript vs the alternatives

ElevenLabs makes the most natural standalone speech: its Eleven v4 led Artificial Analysis's text to speech board on Nov 6, 2026. Pick it for narration and audiobooks, then bring the audio into an editor.

HeyGen translates videos into 175 or more languages and makes avatar presenters; pick it for multilingual marketing videos.

Otter.ai and Granola transcribe meetings and write notes; they do not edit media.

Frequently asked questions

Is Descript free? Yes. Descript's free plan gives 1 hour of media, 100 one-time AI credits, limited Underlord and voice cloning, and 720p exports with a watermark, as of Nov 6, 2026.

How much does Descript cost? Descript Hobbyist costs $16 a person a month billed yearly or $24 monthly, Creator $24 or $35, and Business $50 or $65, as of Nov 6, 2026.

What is Descript Underlord? Underlord is Descript's AI co-editor: you tell it what you want in plain words, and it makes bulk edits, finds highlights, writes scripts and turns documents into videos inside Descript.

Can Descript clone my voice? Yes. Descript makes a clone of your voice on paid plans so you can type corrections instead of re-recording; the free plan gets a limited trial.

Is Descript good for podcasts? Yes. Descript edits audio and video podcasts by editing the transcript, removes filler words and cleans up sound with Studio Sound.

Sources

• Pricing, Descript, read Nov 6, 2026
• Underlord, Descript, read Nov 6, 2026
• Too many tabs open? Close a few with these four Descript updates, Descript, updated Nov 3, 2026
• AI video translator, Descript, read Nov 6, 2026
• About, Descript, read Nov 6, 2026
• Underlord in Descript: Get Started with Your AI Video Co-Editor, Descript, Jul 22, 2025 (video)
• Provider Voice Leaderboard, Artificial Analysis, read Nov 6, 2026
• Video translator, HeyGen, read Nov 6, 2026