CapCut for PC and Mac: How to Download and Install

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CapCut for desktop is free to download. Get it for Windows from capcut.com or for Mac from the Mac App Store. CapCut lists Windows 7 as the minimum (with Windows 10 recommended) and macOS 10.14 as the Mac minimum. But exporting in 2K or 4K requires 64-bit Windows 10 or 11, or macOS 11, and 8 GB of RAM is recommended. Here’s how to install it, what differs from the mobile app and what to try if the 4K option is greyed out. Information checked in November 2026.

Here’s where the information comes from: I checked the requirements and installation steps against CapCut’s website, its help articles and the App Store listing on November 3, 2026. Where the company gives different figures in different places, I point that out.

Where to download CapCut for PC and Mac

There are two official sources. It’s best to install the app only from these:

• Windows: Go to capcut.com and use the download button in the “Download” menu or on the CapCut Desktop page. Download the installer and run it like any other program.
• Mac: Get CapCut from the Mac App Store. Apple’s listing covers iPhone, iPad and Mac, and says the Mac version requires macOS 10.14 or later. One advantage of installing through the store is that updates arrive automatically.

Avoid downloading CapCut from third-party sites in search results for terms such as “capcut download free.” In 2023, Cyble described a campaign in which fake CapCut download pages offered programs that stole browser passwords. One of the sites distributed an archive named CapCut_Pro_Edit_Video.rar. If the address in your browser doesn’t end in capcut.com, close the tab.

How to install CapCut on Windows

1. Go to capcut.com and choose the desktop download for Windows.
2. Run the downloaded installer and approve the installation. The program downloads the remaining files, so you’ll need an internet connection.
3. After installation, sign in with the same account you use on your phone. Your subscription and AI credits are tied to your account, not your device.
4. Click “Create project,” drag files from your drive into the window and start editing on the timeline.

If you’re using an older laptop, close your browser tabs before editing. CapCut can make heavy use of your graphics card and memory when previewing effects and 4K footage.

How to install CapCut on Mac

1. Open the App Store on your Mac and search for CapCut. The seller is Bytedance Pte. Ltd, the same company that publishes the iPhone app.
2. Click “Get.” The App Store listing gives the app’s size as 831.7 MB.
3. Open the app, sign in and create a project.

Macs with Apple processors (M1 and newer) are supported: CapCut’s export help article specifically lists Apple Silicon among the configurations that support 2K and 4K.

CapCut desktop system requirements

CapCut’s published requirements don’t fully agree, so here are both versions. The product page lists the minimum requirements for running the program. Its help article on 2K and 4K exports gives the requirements for accessing higher resolutions.

In practice, CapCut may install on Windows 7 or an older Mac, but don’t count on smooth editing or 4K. If you’re choosing a computer for CapCut, aim for 16 GB of RAM. CapCut recommends that much for working in 2K and 4K in a browser, and extra memory can help on desktop too.

How CapCut desktop differs from the mobile app

• Templates. According to CapCut Help, the full template catalogue, including trending templates opened from TikTok, is available only in the mobile app. The desktop version has a limited set of built-in templates.
• Export. On desktop, you can choose 2K (2560 x 1440) or 4K (3840 x 2160), the frame rate and the format. The options on a phone depend on the device’s capabilities.
• Precision. A mouse and a larger screen make it easier to cut footage frame by frame, set keyframes and work across multiple tracks at once.
• Account. You can use one account across devices and continue a project started on your phone at your desk, as long as you use cloud storage.

Is the desktop version paid? No. You can download and use the program for free. The Pro plan adds features including 4K export, crown-marked assets and a pool of AI credits. For details on using CapCut without a watermark, see how to use CapCut without a watermark.

What to do if 4K export is greyed out

This is a common issue for people switching from a phone to a computer. CapCut Help lists three likely causes and ways to address them:

1. Project settings. A preset such as “9:16 TikTok” may lock the resolution at 1080p. Change the timeline resolution in the project settings before exporting.
2. Performance limits. If your computer is underpowered, CapCut may lower the export to 1080p to prevent the program from crashing.
3. Graphics drivers. CapCut recommends updating them if 2K and 4K are unavailable despite having capable hardware.

Keep in mind that 4K is a Pro feature. The free version exports at up to 1080p, which is generally enough for TikTok and Instagram Reels.

Desktop app or browser version?

CapCut also works in a browser, with no installation required. That can be useful on a work laptop where you can’t install programs, or on a Chromebook. The desktop app is better suited to offline work with large files stored on your drive and offers a more stable preview when you’re working with multiple tracks. The browser version requires no installation and saves projects to the cloud. If you edit regularly, I’d choose the desktop app and keep the browser version for quick changes on someone else’s computer.

If CapCut doesn’t work on your device or you’re not comfortable with the app’s owner, see my comparison of CapCut alternatives for Windows and Mac. For an overview of the app, read the CapCut guide.

More about CapCut

Frequently asked questions

Is CapCut for desktop free?

Yes. You can download and use CapCut for Windows and Mac for free. For standard editing, it exports at up to 1080p without a watermark. The paid Pro plan adds features such as 4K, premium assets and AI credits.

Does CapCut work on Windows 7?

The CapCut Desktop page lists Windows 7 or later as the minimum, but recommends Windows 10. For 2K and 4K exports, CapCut Help requires 64-bit Windows 10 or 11.

Where can I download CapCut for Mac?

Get it from the Mac App Store. The app listing requires macOS 10.14 or later. According to CapCut Help, 2K and 4K export works from macOS 11, including on Macs with Apple Silicon.

How much RAM does CapCut need?

CapCut Help recommends 8 GB of RAM for 2K and 4K exports on Windows. For working at those resolutions in a browser, it recommends 16 GB of RAM and a dedicated graphics card.

Can I use the same account on my phone and computer?

Yes. Subscriptions and AI credits are tied to your account, so signing in on your computer gives you access to the same plan as on your phone.

Kinetyra