Cardboard review
A capable AI editor for collaborative social video, in the browser and on the Mac, with paid plans from $8 a month.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Cardboard is an AI video editor for the browser and the Mac, for solo creators, editors, and collaborative studios working on social and multi-format video. It analyzes uploaded footage, finds moments, creates cuts from natural-language prompts, generates animated captions, reframes video for vertical, square, and landscape formats, removes silence, cleans audio, and supports voiceovers, dubbing, and translation. Cloud projects, collaborative editing and multi-platform exports are included, with 4K exports on Creator and Pro.
Pricing is organized around four credit-metered plans, with launch prices for the first month. Lite costs $8 a month ($5 the first month) or $96 a year, with standard usage and three watermarked exports at 1080p, and it is free in the Cardboard Mac app. Starter costs $29 a month ($9 the first month) or $240 a year and adds 2.5x usage, 400 generative credits, unlimited watermark-free exports and NLE exports. Creator costs $59 a month ($30 the first month) or $468 a year and adds 10x usage, 1,500 generative credits, 4K exports and voice cloning. Pro costs $175 a month ($89 the first month) or $1,500 a year and adds 30x usage, 5,000 generative credits, priority processing and files up to 10 GB.
The main strength is the breadth of AI assistance within a browser workflow: natural-language editing, moment search, reframing, captioning, silence removal, audio leveling, dubbing, and translation address common social production tasks in one product. The platform also supports collaborative cloud projects and exports at up to 4K on Creator and Pro. Paid plans start at $8 a month on the web, but generative credits and 4K exports need the higher plans, which reduces its value for occasional users. Cardboard fits teams and creators who will use its AI workflows and collaboration features regularly; Mac users can start on the free Lite plan; buyers who need a native app outside the Mac should consider an alternative.
Cardboard pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Natural-language editing, footage search, and automatic reframing
- Captions, silence removal, audio cleanup, dubbing, and translation
- Cloud collaboration with multi-platform exports, in 4K on the two higher plans
- Where it doesn't
- The free Lite plan is Mac-only: three exports at 1080p, watermarked
- The Mac app needs Apple Silicon
- 4K exports start on Creator at $59 a month; Pro costs $175
Cardboard fact sheet, pricing and score →
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