Per its own pricing page, OpusClip runs on credits and processes in its cloud. Max Editor does the heavy work on your PC through Max Companion: transcribe, clip and export as many hours as you want without burning credits, and edit each clip word by word instead of accepting whatever cut the AI picked.
Comparison
What changes when clipping runs on your PC instead of on credits
OpusClip solved the long-video-to-shorts problem well, but its model bills in credits and everything is processed in its cloud. This page explains what changes when that same work runs on your own machine.
Real problem
With credits, every retry costs money. You regenerate a clip because the cut felt off and you have already spent. Monthly volume becomes unpredictable and you end up rationing yourself exactly when you need to publish more.
How Max Editor solves it
Max Companion runs on your Windows PC and absorbs transcription, proxies, 9:16 reframing and export. None of that is billed per minute: you already paid for that hardware. On top of it you edit from the transcript, so fixing a cut means toggling words, not spending another generation.
How to migrate from OpusClip
Create the account and install Max Companion on the PC that will process.
Drop in the long video: transcription runs locally, consuming no credits or tokens.
Pick your segments from the transcript, apply 9:16 auto reframe and caption styles.
Connect your OpenAI key only if you want the editorial-judgment suggestions.
Expected outcome
A flat monthly cost even if you double your clip volume.
Word-level control over the cut, not just whatever the AI returned.
Your source footage never leaves your disk.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best OpusClip alternative without credits?
Max Editor. The heavy work (transcription, 9:16 reframing and export) runs on your own PC through Max Companion, so there are no credits or cloud minutes to run out: you pay a flat monthly subscription and process as many hours as you want.
How is Max Editor different from OpusClip?
OpusClip hands you clips already cut by its cloud AI. Max Editor shows you the full transcript and lets you toggle words on and off to recompose the cut instantly, plus keyframe-level framing control and reusable caption styles.
How much does the AI cost if I bring my own key?
Transcription, reframing and export use no AI at all: they run locally. Only editorial-judgment features call the OpenAI API with your own key (BYOK), and you pay that usage directly to OpenAI at list price, with no markup from us.
When is Max Editor NOT the right choice versus OpusClip?
If you do not have a Windows PC, if you work only from a phone, or if your policy requires a fully managed cloud service with nothing installed, OpusClip is the better fit. Max Editor needs a PC to do the rendering.
Can I try it without a credit card?
Yes. It is 14 days free with no card: create the account, install the Companion on your Windows PC, and you can transcribe, clip and export right away. An OpenAI key is only needed for the editorial-judgment suggestions.
What is Max Editor
You recorded an hour-long show. Walk out with the clean cut and the vertical clips, without editing a timeline.
Max Editor transcribes, finds the best moments, removes filler and repetition, builds the sequences and reframes them to vertical with captions. You edit by deleting words. The heavy lifting runs on your PC or your Android: no credits, no cloud minutes.
Import & transcribe. Drag in your video or paste a YouTube link. It's transcribed word by word on your own PC or phone, with exact per-word timing.
AI builds your sequences. The editor reads the script and proposes ready-made thematic sequences: it groups the best moments by topic, with no manual assembly.
Refine by text. Delete fillers, silences and repetitions by selecting text. AI cleanup trims the video for you, keeping the pace.
Reframe, captions & export. Vertical 9:16 reframe tracking the subject, 24 caption styles, AI-suggested B-roll and batch export. Ready for YouTube, TikTok or Reels.
14 days free · No credit card · Windows & Android
Fair pricing, no surprises
14 days free. No card to start. Cancel anytime.
Basic · $15/mo
Your PC does all the work.
Transcript-first editing with Max Companion
Transcription, reframe and export with no minute limits
Your own OpenAI key (BYOK), no markup
10 projects · 1 device
Pro · $45/mo
For active creators: edit from anywhere.
Everything in Basic
Full web editor from any browser
Cloud: upload, download and remote backup
100 projects · 2 devices
Unlimited · $65/mo
For teams and agencies.
Everything in Pro
Remote export across devices
Shared workspaces and supervision
Unlimited projects · 5 devices
Every plan includes a 14-day trial, transcription, reframe and export with no minute limits on your own devices, and AI cleanup with your own OpenAI key at no markup.
