OpenChatCut

OpenChatCut is a local-first AI video editor for creators who want conversational editing with control over the finished cut. AI changes become editable clips, captions, effects and audio tracks in the same project you can adjust manually. It's a free, open-source ChatCut alternative under AGPL-3.0, with a desktop app for macOS, Windows and Linux.

The built-in agent can arrange footage, split clips, add titles and place music. You can inspect its changes, undo them or continue on the multitrack timeline. Codex and Claude Code can also edit and export projects through MCP, using the same editing tools as the built-in agent. Model connections include Anthropic, OpenAI, Gemini, DeepSeek and OpenRouter, along with compatible APIs.

Transcript editing links words to footage for text-based cuts, pause compression and speaker handling. Automatic captions support translation and SRT export. For picture and sound, the editor includes keyframes, color LUTs, chroma key and editable motion graphics, plus audio ducking and vocal isolation. Person segmentation helps captions avoid speakers and lets reframing follow the subject.

Projects and media stay on your machine by default. AI provider connections use external services, and online media search also reaches beyond the local project. Exports include MP4, audio, captions, FCPXML and complete project data. Local H.264 exports can use VideoToolbox on macOS or NVENC on compatible Windows systems, with software encoding as a fallback.