Short answer: Descript is a strong editor for podcasts and talking-head video: you edit the video by editing its text, with AI tools paid for in credits and media hours. For screen demos it is heavier than it needs to be, and its free plan exports 720p with a watermark. Girato also lets you cut the video by deleting words, but the transcript is made on your device, and it adds what a screen demo needs: a zoom on every click, a backdrop and click and typing effects. Free exports are 1080p.
Side by side (checked 29 Oct 2026)
| Descript | Girato | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free; Hobbyist $16, Creator $24, Business $50 a month billed yearly ($24, $35, $65 monthly) | Free; Pro $12/mo or $8/mo billed yearly; $99 lifetime |
| Free plan | 1 media hour, 720p export, watermark, 100 AI credits once | Full editor, 1080p, no time limit, commercial use; 3 clean exports a month, then a small badge |
| Edit by transcript | Yes, the core feature | Yes, made on your device |
| Auto-zoom on clicks | Not found; zoom is set by hand | Yes in the desktop apps; by hand in the browser |
| Metering | Media hours and AI credits per month | None; nothing is uploaded |
| Platforms | Mac and Windows apps | Windows 10/11, macOS 12+, and the browser with no install |
| Lifetime option | No | $99 once |
Decided?Start free in your browser or get lifetime, $99 once
Where Descript wins
Its text editing goes further: overdub, studio sound, AI tools for clips and scripts, multitrack podcasts and team workspaces. If your videos are mostly you talking, and you want AI to do the heavy lifting, Descript earns its price.
Where Girato wins
A screen demo lives or dies on where the viewer looks. Girato records your clicks and keystrokes, so every click gets a zoom and the cursor glides without keyframing anything. Transcript editing and captions run on your machine with no media-hour or credit meter, and there is a one-time $99 licence instead of a monthly plan.
Where Girato falls short
No overdub, no AI voice, no team workspace and no hosted share links: Girato exports a file to your disk. If you need those, stay with Descript.
Frequently asked questions
Is Descript's free plan watermarked?
- Yes. The free plan exports at 720p with a watermark.
- It includes 1 media hour and 100 AI credits once.
- Watermark-free 1080p starts at Hobbyist, $16 a month billed yearly.
- Checked on its pricing page on 29 Oct 2026.
Can Girato edit video by editing text?
- Yes. Girato transcribes your microphone on your device.
- Delete a phrase from the transcript to cut it.
- The video, sound and captions cut with it.
- It is free on every plan.
Does Descript zoom on clicks automatically?
- Not that we could find.
- Descript's zoom and pan are set by hand.
- Girato zooms on every click automatically.
- You can adjust each zoom on the timeline.
See it on your screen
- Record and edit in your browser, nothing to install
- Desktop apps zoom on every click
- Free to start, no time limit