Heavy work runs on your machine through the Companion and AI features use the OpenAI API with BYOK, so you know exactly what you pay per source hour and why companion-first scales better.
Cost transparency
Cost comparison users can actually understand
This is not just SEO copy. It explains where AI/video editing cost really comes from and how to optimize it.
Real problem
Many editors do not know why cost grows: cloud compute overuse, retries, and inefficient pipelines.
How Max Editor solves it
It separates local heavy processing from cloud orchestration, supports BYOK transparency, and lowers infrastructure waste.
How to evaluate cost
Measure cost per source hour.
Identify tasks that should run locally.
Tune workflow for cost/performance.
Expected outcome
More predictable monthly spend.
Less compute waste.
Sustainable SaaS scalability.
Frequently asked questions
Why does cost vary so much across tools?
The main drivers are where heavy compute runs and whether AI token pricing includes markup. Max Editor separates local processing from cloud orchestration to reduce waste.
When is local-first NOT the best approach?
If your team requires a fully managed cloud-only policy and cannot install a local companion, another model may be a better fit.
Does exporting more hours raise my bill?
No. Rendering runs on your machine through the Companion, so the monthly subscription is the same whether you process one hour or forty. The only variable is your own machine time.
How are AI tokens billed?
Through BYOK: you connect your own OpenAI key and pay usage directly to OpenAI at list price. Max Editor adds no markup and does not resell credits, and you can see the estimated spend before launching each operation.
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.
