The U.S. government is inching closer to a TikTok ban, a move that could impact more than just the popular app. After years of political wrangling, both TikTok and its parent company, ByteDance, along with its sister companies—including the widely used video editing app, CapCut—are now facing the threat of being banned in the United States. 

CapCut, known for its user-friendly editing tools and widespread adoption among creators, is at risk of being cut off just like TikTok. Let's dive into how the potential TikTok ban could affect CapCut and what creators who depend on its editing features can do if the app is banned in the U.S.

Who owns CapCut?

While TikTok has taken center stage, its parent company, ByteDance, has a portfolio of popular apps, with CapCut being one of its most successful and widely used creations.

CapCut, a mobile and desktop video editing app, has become a go-to tool for creators due to its user-friendly interface and powerful features. Whether for quick edits or more advanced video production, CapCut is commonly used for creating TikTok videos and other types of content.

Originally launched in 2019 as JianYing, CapCut was rebranded in 2020 when it expanded to international markets. The app quickly gained traction, even reaching the number-one spot on the U.S. Apple App Store in 2021.  However, since it's owned by ByteDance—just like TikTok—it faces a similar fate if TikTok is banned or restricted in the U.S.

Is CapCut getting Banned in the US?

Short Answer - Yes, CapCut will be banned in the U.S. if its China-based owner, ByteDance, doesn't sell off its U.S. operation by Jan 19, following the “Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act” signed in April 2024.

Long Answer - CapCut, its parent company ByteDance, and its sister company TikTok have been at the center of controversy and potential bans since 2020 when concerns over national security, data privacy, and foreign influence first surfaced in the U.S.

The situation traces back to the Trump administration’s efforts to address the potential threat posed by TikTok, which was accused of sharing user data with the Chinese government, although TikTok denied these claims.

This led to discussions about banning the app due to its Chinese ownership, sparking debates over how much influence foreign tech companies should have over domestic users.

In April 2024, the U.S. government took significant action by signing the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act (PAFACA) into law. This act grants the government authority to ban foreign-owned apps deemed a threat to national security, and it directly affects ByteDance, the Chinese company that owns TikTok and CapCut.

Although the primary target of the act was TikTok and its massive user base, all of ByteDance's U.S.-based apps would get banned under the law.

However, Bytedance has challenged the law in court, arguing that it violates constitutional rights and unfairly targets the company based on its foreign ownership. The legal battle has been ongoing, and the case is now in the hands of the U.S. Supreme Court. If the court upholds the law, as a lower court did last month, TikTok's days in the U.S. could be numbered.

A ruling in favor of the government would likely lead to TikTok being banned in the country, following a similar fate for CapCut, which would also face delisting from app stores and potentially be blocked from use in the U.S.

What Happens If CapCut is Banned?

If CapCut faces a ban in the U.S., its impact will extend far beyond just the app’s availability. ByteDance, the parent company, will be forced to make significant operational adjustments. Here’s how things would unfold:

• Disappearance from App Stores: CapCut would be removed from major app stores like the Apple App Store and Google Play, preventing new users from downloading it. This would halt the app’s growth and severely limit its reach.
• Loss of Updates and Bug Fixes: Users who already have CapCut on their devices won’t be able to access future updates, security patches, or bug fixes. Over time, this would lead to technical issues, making the app increasingly unstable and less effective for editing video content.
• Disrupted User Experience: With CapCut’s functionality compromised due to lack of updates, creators who rely on the app for video editing would face significant challenges.

Here Are A Few CapCut Alternatives For Your Business

If CapCut gets banned in the U.S., businesses and creators who rely on it for quick, professional-grade video editing will need to pivot to alternative tools. Fortunately, several other video editing apps can provide similar functionalities to keep your content creation efforts on track:

1. quso.ai

quso.ai is the ultimate CapCut alternative, designed to help businesses create high-quality video content with ease. Powered by AI, it offers tools like the AI Video Editor, AI Clip Maker, and AI Video Generator, enabling users to create stunning videos in minutes without the steep learning curve.

Whether you’re resizing, trimming, adding text, or generating video content from text prompts, quso.ai streamlines the entire process, making it perfect for businesses looking to boost their digital presence and content strategy.

Plus, you can bring your downloaded CapCut assets and seamlessly integrate them into the quso.ai app, allowing you to create content just like before but with even more creative freedom.

2. Kapwing

Kapwing is another powerful CapCut alternative that simplifies video editing with its easy-to-use interface and robust features. It offers automatic subtitle generation, audio enhancement, and the ability to add unlimited video overlays—perfect for businesses looking to optimize their content quickly and efficiently.

3. InVideo

InVideo is a versatile CapCut alternative that empowers businesses to create professional videos effortlessly. Its intuitive drag-and-drop editor simplifies the video creation process, allowing you to customize templates, add text, and incorporate transitions seamlessly.

With access to a vast stock media library and AI-powered features like automated text-to-speech and script generation, InVideo makes video production faster and more efficient.

If you are looking for more video editors to supercharge your video creation, check out our blog on the 20 Best CapCut Alternatives for Video Editing.

How Can You Prepare For The CapCut Ban?

If the CapCut ban goes into effect, businesses and creators need to act quickly to minimize disruptions in their video production processes. Here's how you can prepare:

1. Explore Alternatives: Start using CapCut alternatives like quso.ai, Kapwing, and InVideo to familiarize yourself with their features and tools. Transitioning to these apps early will ensure you're ready to create content seamlessly once CapCut is no longer available.
2. Backup Your Assets: If you have existing CapCut projects or assets, back them up to your computer or cloud storage. This way, you can bring them into other video editing apps without losing any of your creative work.
3. Educate Your Team: If you have a team, ensure they are well-equipped with training or tutorials for the alternative tools you plan to adopt. This will help avoid confusion and ensure smooth transitions.
4. Plan Your Workflow: Revise your content creation workflow to incorporate your new video editing tools. Set deadlines and familiarize yourself with features that optimize your process, such as auto-subtitles, AI-driven tools, and media libraries.
5. Stay Updated: Follow updates on the CapCut ban and any changes to its legal status. This will give you enough time to make informed decisions and keep your business running smoothly.

Key Takeaways for Creators and Marketers

The potential CapCut ban presents a challenge, but it’s also an opportunity to explore new video editing tools. Alternatives like quso.ai, Kapwing, and InVideo offer powerful features to streamline your content creation process. By backing up assets and familiarizing yourself with these apps, you can ensure minimal disruption. Stay ahead of the curve by adapting early to maintain your content's quality and consistency.