🎬 Video

Cardboard Review

Agentic AI video editor that edits from plain-English instructions.

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Quick answer

Cardboard: Agentic AI video editor that edits from plain-English instructions. Best for marketing teams that need fast first cuts. Pricing: lite $5 first month then $8/month; Starter $29; Creator $59; Pro $175.

Our hands-on test

We tested Cardboard ourselves. Read the results: Cardboard vs Opus Clip vs CapCut: We Tested 3 'Free' AI Shorts Tools (2026)

Cardboard pricing page shown before editing — From our test: Cardboard asked for a paid plan before starting the edit.

Best formarketing teams that need fast first cuts

PricingLite $5 first month then $8/month; Starter $29; Creator $59; Pro $175

What is Cardboard?

Cardboard (Y Combinator W26) is a browser-based AI video editor: upload footage, describe the edit, and it builds a first cut with captions, music and transitions, with export to Premiere Pro and DaVinci Resolve.

Key features

Edits from plain-English instructions
Semantic footage search
Auto captions
Export up to 4K
XML export to Premiere Pro and DaVinci Resolve

What we like

Understood our request precisely
Professional export options

Watch out for

Editing would not start without a paid plan in our test
AI chat in English only

Pricing

Lite $5 first month then $8/month; Starter $29; Creator $59; Pro $175. Prices and plan limits change often, so check the official pricing page for the latest details before you subscribe.

Ready to try Cardboard?

Start with the free option and upgrade only if it fits your work.

Go to Cardboard ↗

Frequently asked questions

What is Cardboard?

Is Cardboard free?

Lite $5 first month then $8/month; Starter $29; Creator $59; Pro $175. Plans and limits change often, so check the official pricing page for current details.

Who is Cardboard best for?

Cardboard is best for marketing teams that need fast first cuts.

What are the downsides of Cardboard?

Editing would not start without a paid plan in our test. AI chat in English only.

What are the best alternatives to Cardboard?

Popular alternatives include Descript (best for podcasters and YouTubers who edit talking-head content), Pictory (best for marketers turning articles and scripts into social videos), Synthesia (best for companies producing training and explainer videos at scale), HeyGen (best for creators who want avatar videos and short cinematic AI clips with sound), Kling AI (best for creators making AI-generated clips for social media and visuals), Runway (best for filmmakers and creators who want cinematic AI shots and effects), vidIQ (best for YouTube creators researching keywords and what works in their niche), Opus Clip (best for creators turning English videos into Shorts, Reels and TikToks), CapCut (best for free video editing and quick social clips).

Sources: Cardboard official website · Cardboard FAQ. Features and prices checked October 2026; they change often, so confirm on the official site.

Last updated: October 2026