SynthCut
What SynthCut is
SynthCut is a free, open-source desktop video editor that compatible AI clients operate through MCP. Clients can import clips, edit timelines, generate captions, reframe footage, render previews, and export videos. The editor supports multi-track work, trimming, splitting, reordering, transitions, fades, keyframes, text, captions, color, audio, proxy media, and export presets. It exposes 94 editing tools across 13 categories to MCP-compatible clients, including Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor, Codex, Gemini CLI, and Windsurf. The maker says importing, editing, previews, captions, reframing, and exporting run on the user’s machine; the Windows build includes FFmpeg and local models. Users can inspect the same project in the desktop app, preview results, and redirect the AI in plain language. SynthCut is licensed under GPL-3.0-or-later with no length limits on its Free plan. Windows offers an installer and portable zip. macOS and Linux can run from source with Node.js and FFmpeg, while packaged builds are described as forthcoming.
Who it suits
It suits creators who want local, AI-directed editing through MCP-compatible clients. Windows users get packaged options, while macOS and Linux users currently run from source.
What it does well
- Free GPL-3.0-or-later license
- 94 MCP tools across 13 categories
- Automatic captions and silence removal
- Local processing on the user’s machine
- Windows installer and portable zip
What to know first
- macOS and Linux packaged builds forthcoming
- Windows app is currently unsigned
- macOS and Linux require Node.js and FFmpeg
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Free | No length limits · GPL-3.0-or-later | Free |
As relo.video lists them, read 11 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
SynthCut offers broad timeline editing controlled by compatible AI clients while keeping project work local. Check your platform setup and MCP client before installing, especially outside Windows.
Facts from SynthCut's own pages
- Automatic captions
- Yes · github.com, 21 Sept 2026
- Editing workflow
- It lets an AI client import clips, edit timelines, generate captions, reframe footage, render previews, and export videos. · relo.video, 11 Oct 2026
- Free plan
- Yes · github.com, 21 Sept 2026
- Human review
- The AI edits the same project shown in the desktop app, where users can inspect the timeline, preview results, and course-correct in plain language. · relo.video, 11 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The site lists Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor, Codex, Gemini CLI, and Windsurf as compatible clients. · relo.video, 11 Oct 2026
- License
- SynthCut is free and open source under GPL-3.0-or-later. · relo.video, 11 Oct 2026
- Local processing
- The maker says importing, editing, previews, captions, reframing, and exporting run on the user's machine; the Windows build includes FFmpeg and local models. · relo.video, 11 Oct 2026
- MCP tools
- SynthCut exposes 94 editing tools across 13 categories to MCP-compatible AI clients. · relo.video, 11 Oct 2026
- Platform availability
- Windows has an installer and portable zip; macOS and Linux can run from source with Node.js and FFmpeg, with packaged builds described as forthcoming. · relo.video, 11 Oct 2026
- Product
- SynthCut is an open-source desktop video editor operated by AI through MCP. · relo.video, 11 Oct 2026
- Silence removal
- Yes · github.com, 21 Sept 2026
- Supported platforms
- Windows,macOS,Linux · github.com, 21 Sept 2026
- Text-based editing
- Yes · github.com, 21 Sept 2026
- Timeline features
- The editor supports multi-track editing, trimming, splitting, reordering, transitions, fades, keyframes, text, captions, color, audio, proxy media, and export presets. · relo.video, 11 Oct 2026
- Windows signing
- The maker says the Windows app is currently unsigned and may trigger a SmartScreen warning. · relo.video, 11 Oct 2026
Where SynthCut stands on Freedom251
- Video editors#29 of 70
- AI Video Editors#39 of 80