Who KathaCut is for#
Malayalam and mixed-script video creators
If you produce videos in Malayalam or switch between Malayalam and English mid-sentence, KathaCut handles the text shaping that generic caption tools skip. You can transcribe locally, animate captions word by word, and export an MP4 without uploading your audio to any server.
Skip if:
If your content is entirely in English or another Latin-script language, most capable caption editors handle it without KathaCut's specialist Malayalam shaping. The overall feature set is also still early-stage for general-purpose use.
Privacy-focused independent creators
For creators who prefer not to send raw audio recordings to third-party servers, the local workflow keeps every file on your own computer. Transcription, editing, and export require no internet connection after the initial model download, and no account is ever created.
Skip if:
If your team edits collaboratively across multiple users or needs browser-based access to shared projects, KathaCut's desktop-only local architecture does not fit that workflow.
DaVinci Resolve editors needing caption sync
The local bridge brings KathaCut captions back into an open Resolve project as editable Text+ clips, preserving word-level animation. Resolve Free is supported alongside Resolve Studio, so the round-trip works without the paid Resolve tier.
Skip if:
The Resolve integration is beta-quality with end-to-end sync not fully verified. Do not build a production deadline workflow around it until you have confirmed it works on your own footage.
The problem it solves#
Cloud-based caption tools process audio on remote servers, which means your recordings leave your computer every time you transcribe. For creators working in Malayalam or mixed-script languages, the problem compounds: most mainstream tools are built around English-first models that do not render Malayalam character clusters correctly. Words can split at the wrong point, ligatures break, and the visual result is unreadable for Malayalam-speaking audiences.
Subscriptions add a recurring cost to what is often independent or part-time creative work. If internet access is lost, a subscription lapses, or a service changes its pricing, your editing workflow breaks. Offline tools are not just a privacy preference; for many creators, they are the more reliable path.
How it solves it#
Local AI transcription with whisper.cpp
Transcribes video audio using whisper.cpp models downloaded to your machine. Once installed, transcription runs fully offline with no audio sent to any server. Models are checksum-verified and removable. Optional cloud transcription is available for Gemini, OpenAI, and ElevenLabs Scribe when you supply your own API key; the app shows exactly what will be sent before any upload occurs.
Animated word-level captions
Styles captions with per-word animation: active-word highlight, pop, phrase fade, and progressive reveal. Font, color, outline, shadow, and background are all configurable. Malayalam and mixed-script text is shaped at the character-cluster level, so ligatures render correctly and captions never split mid-syllable.
Multi-track timeline editor
Supports trim, split, ripple, picture-in-picture, image overlays, titles, shapes, masks, zoom regions, blur, and look adjustments on multiple video and audio tracks. The same caption layout and animation logic used in the editor preview renders identically in the exported MP4. Undo and redo are supported throughout.
SRT import and editable project files
Imports SRT files without altering their text or timings. Exports SRT and the .cstudio project format, which preserves the full timeline for future editing. Source media is never overwritten; all edits are stored separately in the project file.
DaVinci Resolve bridge
A local bridge connects KathaCut to an open Resolve project, imports the timeline, and syncs captions as editable Text+ clips. Resolve Free and Resolve Studio are both supported. The bridge connection has been confirmed on Windows; full end-to-end caption sync is still under verification and the integration is marked beta.
Strengths and trade-offs#
Strengths
- Fully offline after initial model downloadAfter downloading a speech model once, transcription, editing, and export all run on your computer with no network access required. Your video file never leaves your machine in the local workflow. API keys for optional cloud services are stored in the operating system's secure credential storage, not in the app layer.
- GPL-3.0, no account, no subscriptionKathaCut is free to use, modify, and share under GPL-3.0. There is no paid tier, no feature gating, and no account creation. The only potential cost is optional third-party API providers, which you control by supplying your own key.
- Correct Malayalam text shapingMalayalam uses complex ligature rules that many Western caption tools ignore, causing words to split at grapheme boundaries and producing unreadable text. KathaCut shapes Malayalam character clusters correctly and handles mixed Malayalam-English sentences, including code-switched text like 'ഇത് വളരെ simple ആണ്.'
- Corrections persist through retranscriptionOnce you fix a word in the transcript, that correction stays fixed. Retranscribing never silently overwrites manual edits. Imported SRT timings are preserved unless you explicitly edit them.
Trade-offs
- -Pre-1.0 with unsigned installersKathaCut is at a pre-1.0 stage and under active development. Test installers are unsigned, which triggers SmartScreen warnings on Windows and Gatekeeper warnings on macOS. Some recent features have been type-checked but not exercised on every supported platform.
- -Limited platform supportCurrent builds support only Windows x64 and Apple Silicon Mac. Intel Macs and Linux are not supported by the available builds. The project is developed on Apple Silicon and Windows x64 with an NVIDIA GPU, so those environments have the most complete coverage.
- -DaVinci Resolve integration is still in betaThe local bridge connects KathaCut to Resolve and the connection has been confirmed on Windows, but end-to-end timeline import and caption sync still need full verification in a real Resolve project. If your workflow depends on this round-trip, test it on your own footage before relying on it.
KathaCut vs alternatives#
KathaCut vs Descript
Descript is a subscription-based video editor combining cloud transcription, timeline editing, and collaboration features. KathaCut is a local-first caption editor built for offline transcription and Malayalam text shaping, with no subscription or cloud account required.
| Feature | KathaCut | Descript |
|---|---|---|
| License | GPL-3.0 | Proprietary |
| Price | Free | Subscription required |
| Transcription | Local whisper.cpp or own API key | Cloud (server-side) |
| Malayalam support | Character-cluster shaping | Not documented |
| Offline editing | Yes | No |
| Account required | No | Yes |
| Platform | Windows x64, Apple Silicon Mac | Web, Windows, Mac |
KathaCut is the better choice when privacy, offline access, or accurate Malayalam shaping matters. Your recordings never leave your computer in the local workflow. Descript is worth considering when you need collaborative team editing, screen recording, or its broader video production surface at the paid tiers.
KathaCut vs CapCut
CapCut is a free-to-use video editor with automatic captioning and templates, available on web, iOS, Android, and desktop. Both tools offer automated captions and video editing, but they differ on data handling, language support, and licensing.
| Feature | KathaCut | CapCut |
|---|---|---|
| License | GPL-3.0 | Proprietary |
| Transcription | Local or own API key | Cloud |
| Malayalam support | Yes | Not documented |
| Offline editing | Yes | Partial |
| Account required | No | Yes |
| Source available | Yes | No |
CapCut is the more mature product with wider platform support and a larger template library. KathaCut is the better fit when offline transcription, Malayalam shaping, or not sending audio to third-party cloud servers is a priority.
Quick start#
Build from source requires Node.js 22.12 or newer; run the platform setup script to install dependencies.
```sh
git clone https://github.com/vxlabs/KathaCut
./dev.sh
```What it's built on#
- Languages
- JavaScriptLuaTypeScript
- Frameworks
- React
- Tooling
- esbuild
FAQ#
Is KathaCut free to use?
Yes. KathaCut has no subscription, no account requirement, and no paid feature tier. It is GPL-3.0 licensed. Optional cloud transcription services (Gemini, OpenAI, ElevenLabs) charge separately through your own API key, but the local workflow costs nothing.
Does KathaCut work offline?
After you download a speech model, transcription, editing, and export all run on your computer without an internet connection. The initial model download requires a connection. Optional cloud providers send audio only when you enable them and confirm the upload in the app.
Which platforms does KathaCut support?
Current test builds are available for Windows x64 and Apple Silicon Mac. Intel Macs and Linux are not supported by the existing builds. The project is developed on Apple Silicon and Windows x64 with an NVIDIA GPU.
How does KathaCut handle Malayalam text in captions?
KathaCut shapes Malayalam character clusters at the glyph level, which prevents words from splitting mid-ligature during word-level animation. It also handles mixed Malayalam-English sentences where both scripts appear in the same caption line.
Can I use KathaCut alongside DaVinci Resolve?
A local bridge connects KathaCut to an open Resolve project and syncs captions as editable Text+ clips in both Resolve Free and Resolve Studio. The bridge connection is confirmed on Windows, but full end-to-end timeline import and caption sync is still beta and needs verification in a real project.
Similar open-source tools#
Drift
Desktop CapCut alternative. GPL-3.0, no subscription, no watermark.
Concat
Free, open-source video editor with local AI captions.
video-use
Edit videos by chatting with Claude Code, not clicking menus
VoiceStudio
Voice cloning, dubbing, and transcription that runs fully offline
auto-subs
Local-first AI subtitles for DaVinci Resolve and Premiere Pro.
whishper
Local speech-to-text transcription and subtitling with a web UI