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If you're a content creator or social media manager looking to speed up your video editing workflow, this Submagic review is for you. With the rise of AI-powered editing tools, Submagic has quickly gained popularity by making it easy to add captions, B-rolls, transitions, and more. But with new features and updates coming in 2025, is Submagic the best tool for your needs? Read on to find out if it’s right for you, as we explore all the pros, cons, and hidden details that potential users should know.
If you're a new creator building your platform or a seasoned social media pro, Submagic could be a game-changer—especially for quick edits and captions that drive high engagement. This review will go into detail about all the reasons Submagic might (or might not) be worth it and compare it with some other popular tools. We’ll also touch on how it stacks up to some newer alternatives in the market, which you can read more about in our Opus Clip Review.
Keep reading to learn if Submagic is the right tool for you—or if Framedrop might be the better choice for your video editing needs.
Submagic Review: Key Highlights
Submagic is a solid choice for beginners looking for an affordable, easy-to-use video editing tool, but may not be ideal for creators needing advanced features or longer content.
- Affordable Pricing: Starts at just $20/month, ideal for beginners.
- AI-Powered Tools: Automatic captions, trimming, descriptions, and more.
- Free B-Roll & No Watermark: Improve video quality without extra costs.
- Limited Customization: Fewer options for templates and captions, especially in lower plans.
- Video Length Restriction: The starter plan limits videos to 2 minutes, which may be restrictive for some creators.
- Basic Export Quality: Lower-tier plans don’t offer 4K export options.
- Best for Short-Form Content: Optimized for TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and Instagram Reels.
Submagic in Action: A Breakdown of Its Core Features
For creators looking to streamline their editing process, Submagic provides a suite of tools that automate many aspects of video production. In this section, we'll cover some of its most talked-about features and how they stack up against alternatives like FrameDrop.
AI Captioning Styles
One of Submagic’s standout features is its AI-powered captioning, which allows users to choose from popular styles, such as those often used by influencers like Alex Hormozi and Iman Gadzhi. This feature automatically generates captions and stylizes them to boost viewer engagement—a critical component for creators looking to capture attention quickly on platforms like TikTok and Instagram. However, while the captioning styles are engaging, some users may find the customization options somewhat limited.
In case you are eager to learn about other tools to caption your videos, feel free to read our blog “TikTok Caption Generator: The Best Tools of 2024 Ranked!”
B-Roll and Transition Effects
Submagic includes a library of B-roll and transition effects that can help improve video production quality. With just a few clicks, users can insert stock footage or transitions, which saves time and effort. However, keep in mind that this feature is mostly beneficial for beginner editors, as professional editors might find the selection of effects somewhat basic.
Auto Reframe and Portrait Conversion for Social Media
With the rise of vertical video formats across social media platforms, Submagic’s auto-reframe and portrait conversion feature is invaluable for creators who repurpose content across multiple platforms. This tool automatically adjusts the frame to fit different aspect ratios, optimizing your content for Instagram Stories, YouTube Shorts, and other vertical formats. Framedrop also offers a similar feature, though some users have noted that its AI-based reframe appears slightly smoother, particularly with fast-moving subjects.
Audio Cleaning and Sound Effects
Submagic includes an audio cleaning tool that helps reduce background noise, along with a selection of sound effects that can be added to videos. This feature is particularly useful for creators who might be recording in noisy environments or want to add quick sound effects for emphasis. However, advanced users may find the sound effect options somewhat limited.
Additional AI Tools: Video Descriptions, Hashtag Generator, Username Generator
Submagic goes beyond video editing with additional AI tools, including a video description generator, hashtag generator, and username generator. These tools are designed to optimize your social media presence and make content creation more efficient. Although helpful for beginners, the hashtag generator, in particular, may be too generic for creators targeting niche audiences. Users who are looking for advanced SEO or branding tools might prefer the improved social media tools found in Framedrop, which often provide more refined and niche-relevant suggestions.
While Submagic offers a comprehensive set of AI-driven tools to streamline video editing, some features may feel limited for experienced editors. For creators who want additional control, Framedrop could be a better fit. For those new to video editing, however, Submagic offers an easy-to-use and efficient entry point.
Turn your podcast episodes to short-form videos with AI
Repurpose your podcast episodes and make them ready for TikTok, YouTube Shorts and Instagram Reels in minutes
Pricing Plans for Submagic
Submagic offers three pricing tiers to cater to content creators at different stages of growth, with each plan providing unique features that can simplify and improve the editing experience.
- Starter ($20/month): Ideal for new creators, this plan offers 20 videos per month, each up to 2 minutes long. The Starter plan includes key features like AI auto-captions, free B-roll, trimming, and AI-generated descriptions—all watermark-free. It’s an affordable choice for creators beginning their journey.
- Growth ($50/month): Designed for creators looking to grow their visibility, the Growth plan includes unlimited video uploads, five custom templates, and videos up to 5 minutes long. This tier also features 4K export, premium B-roll, AI audio cleaning, and custom fonts—perfect for scaling up content quality.
- Business ($150/month): Best suited for agencies and professional video editors, the Business plan provides unlimited video uploads and custom templates, with video lengths of up to 30 minutes. It includes advanced support like a priority hotline and 60 FPS export, ensuring smooth, high-quality production for professional needs.
My Step-by-Step Editing Workflow with Submagic
I tried the platform for you. So, here it goes:
Setting Up an Account and Uploading Videos
To get started with Submagic, you first need to create an account by signing up with your email. Once logged in, you can easily upload your videos by selecting them from your computer. However, you should note that you cannot paste URLs from platforms. Submagic supports video uploads for social media platforms like TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and Instagram Reels. However, keep in mind that the video length for the Starter plan is restricted to 2 minutes, which can limit your content options if you need longer videos. Therefore, I tried the platform with their sample video.
Creating and Customizing Captions
Submagic offers AI-powered captions that automatically generate text for your video. You can choose from a selection of styles, some of which are modeled after popular influencers. However, customization options are fairly limited, and you cannot fully adjust the captions' font size or positioning unless you upgrade to a higher-tier plan. While the captions are auto-generated and can help save time, they may not always be perfectly aligned with your specific preferences or branding.
Adding and Adjusting B-Rolls
Submagic provides access to a library of free B-roll that you can insert into your videos to improve production quality. Adding B-roll is simple and can be done with just a few clicks. However, the library is fairly basic, and professional editors may find the selection lacking in variety or quality. Additionally, while the tool allows for basic trimming and placement of B-roll, there aren’t many advanced customization options available, such as precise control over timing or transitions.
Reframing and Final Adjustments for Video Export
Submagic offers an auto-reframe feature, which automatically adjusts your video’s aspect ratio for vertical formats like Instagram Stories or YouTube Shorts. While this can save time, it may not always be perfect, especially for videos with fast-moving subjects or complex scenes. Once you’ve made all your edits, you can export the video. However, the Starter plan limits export quality, and 4K resolution is only available to users on higher-tier plans. Also, in order to get a 60FPS video, the platform asks you to upgrade.
After final adjustments, you can download your video and share it directly to social media, but be mindful of any restrictions on export settings based on your plan.
This workflow covers the basic video editing process with Submagic, but keep in mind that the tool has certain limitations—especially for users on lower-tier plans.
Submagic Pros & Cons: Is It Really Magical?
Submagic is an AI-driven video editing tool designed to simplify the content creation process, especially for those focused on short-form videos like YouTube Shorts, TikTok, and Instagram Reels. It offers a range of features aimed at automating time-consuming tasks such as captions, trimming, and adding B-Roll. While Submagic has its advantages, it's important to weigh its pros and cons before deciding if it’s the right tool for you. Allow me to break down the key strengths and limitations of this platform.
Pros
- Affordable Starter Plan: At just $20 per month, Submagic offers a budget-friendly option for creators just starting, making it an accessible choice for beginners.
- AI-Powered Features: The platform provides AI-generated captions, trimming, descriptions, and auto-generation of titles and hooks, streamlining the video editing process for creators.
- No Watermark on Videos: Unlike some other tools, Submagic's videos come without a watermark even on the most basic plan, ensuring your content looks professional.
- Free B-Roll Access: Submagic provides free B-Roll, which helps to improve the overall production value of your content without additional costs.
- Easy to Use: Submagic's interface is straightforward and user-friendly, making it ideal for content creators who are new to video editing.
Cons
- Limited Video Length: The Starter plan restricts videos to just 2 minutes, which can be a major limitation for creators who want to produce longer content or more detailed videos.
- No Custom Templates in Starter Plan: Custom templates are only available in the Growth and Business plans, limiting creative control for users on the Starter plan.
- Low Video Export Quality: Submagic's Starter plan does not offer 4K export capabilities, which can be a disadvantage for creators who require high-resolution output for professional-grade content.
- Restricted to Short-Form Content: The platform is optimized for short-form content like YouTube Shorts or TikToks, making it less suitable for creators who focus on long-form videos or more complex projects.
- Limited to 20 Videos/Month on Starter Plan: The Starter plan allows only 20 videos per month, which may not be enough for more active creators or businesses with high content production needs.
- Lack of Advanced Features in Lower Tiers: While the Growth and Business plans have more powerful tools like premium B-Roll and AI clean audio, these features are unavailable to users on the lower-tier plans, leaving them with more basic options.
Submagic offers a solid set of features for content creators looking to streamline their short-form video production. Its AI-powered tools, affordable pricing, and lack of watermarks make it a tempting choice for beginners or those looking to create quick content. However, its limitations—such as restricted video length, basic export quality, and the absence of advanced features at lower tiers—can be frustrating for more experienced creators or those seeking greater creative control. Depending on your needs, Submagic can be a helpful tool, but it might not be the best fit for everyone.
Is Submagic the Magic Wand Your Editing Needs?
Submagic offers a solid set of AI-driven tools for content creators, particularly those looking to automate the editing process for short-form videos. If you're a content creator on a budget or a beginner just getting started, Submagic could be a useful option due to its affordable pricing and ease of use. Its automated features like AI captions, trimming, and description generation make it accessible for anyone looking to create content quickly without diving deep into manual editing.
However, as with any tool, Submagic comes with its limitations. Its customization options, particularly for templates and captions, are limited unless you opt for the higher-tier plans. Additionally, Submagic's basic plans restrict video length and the number of templates, which may not meet the needs of more experienced creators or those producing a higher volume of content. For creators looking for more flexibility, Framedrop stands out as a stronger alternative.
Framedrop, while lacking some of Submagic's customizable captions and premium B-roll features, offers more advanced functionality in other areas that can better support creators looking to grow their content production. With Framedrop, you get to paste URLs (and upload videos longer than 2 minutes!), higher quality 4K exports, and an AI-powered editing experience that allows for faster video creation with less manual effort. Unlike Submagic’s more restrictive plans, Framedrop is perfect for creators at any level, from beginners to professionals, with tools like premium AI tools for title hooks, and seamless video trimming. It offers a comprehensive solution for creators who want more control over their videos without the constraints of Submagic's lower-tier pricing.
If you're just starting out and need a budget-friendly tool for basic editing, Submagic can be a good fit. While Submagic excels in automation for shorter videos, Framedrop offers better flexibility, quality, and tools designed to meet the evolving needs of content creators.
Turn your podcast episodes to short-form videos with AI
Repurpose your podcast episodes and make them ready for TikTok, YouTube Shorts and Instagram Reels in minutes
FAQ
Submagic is an AI-powered tool designed to help creators streamline the video editing process, particularly for short-form videos like Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts. It simplifies the task of adding captions, B-roll, zooms, and sound effects to videos, making it quicker to produce content. While it’s a helpful tool for creators looking to save time, the overall experience can feel limited depending on your needs
Submagic is primarily a caption generator. It automatically transcribes the spoken content in your videos using natural language processing algorithms. Once the speech is transcribed, Submagic inserts the text as animated subtitles into your video. This can be a real time-saver, particularly for creators who need to add captions quickly, but the tool doesn’t offer much flexibility beyond that.
Signing up for Submagic is free, but the free plan has limitations. You can only upload up to 2 minutes of content on the free plan. After that, you’ll need to upgrade to a paid plan to access additional features and more upload capacity. The free version gives you a taste of the tool’s functionality, but the full range of features requires a subscription.