Compare

When not to hire an editor here.

There are four other ways to get a video edited. Each beats us somewhere. These pages say where, row by row, with our side computed from the live roster and the other side described rather than guessed.

Where the others win Run the numbers

Trade-offs scored

across four comparisons

Won by the alternative

named on every page

Editors behind our column

5% client fee

Four comparisons

Pick the alternative you are weighing.

vs in-house editor

Marketplace editors or an in-house hire?

Better here on 4 of 9 · even on 1 · better with in-house editor on 4

Read the trade-offs vs production agency

An editor, or a whole agency?

Better here on 4 of 8 · even on 1 · better with production agency on 3

Read the trade-offs vs general freelance marketplace

A video marketplace, or a general freelance site?

Better here on 3 of 8 · even on 2 · better with general freelance marketplace on 3

Read the trade-offs vs editing it yourself

Hire an editor, or cut it yourself?

Better here on 3 of 7 · even on 0 · better with editing it yourself on 4

Read the trade-offs

At a glance

The situation where each one beats us.

The first reason on each comparison page to choose the other option. If one of these is you, start there.

Situations where each alternative beats UGC Editing
Instead of UGC Editing, choose	When	Rows it wins
In-house editor	You publish enough every month that one person would be busy full-time — run the break-even calculator with your own salary figure.	4 of 9
Production agency	You need concepts, scripts, casting or a shoot — not just someone to cut footage you already have.	3 of 8
General freelance marketplace	You need a large pool to choose from, or a rare language, location or specialism our roster does not cover yet.	3 of 8
Editing it yourself	The video is a quick, native-feeling post where rough edges help it read as real.	4 of 7

How we score

Three rules for every table.

Our numbers are measured

Prices, turnaround, review times and dispute rates come from the editor roster and order records. If a figure cannot be measured cleanly, it is left out.

Theirs are not invented

We have no measurement of anyone else's prices or speed, so their column describes how the option works. No competitor figures, no named brands.

Every table has losses

A comparison where we win every row is an advert. The build refuses to ship a table without at least one row the alternative wins.

Calculators

Check a comparison against real prices.

Editing cost estimator

What does a batch of edits cost here?

At the default settings

$21 – $25.20 for 4 edits (single cut)

Open calculator

Editor vs in-house

At what volume does an in-house editor pay off?

At the default settings

12 videos a month here, $756 a year

Open calculator

Content ROI

How many views before an edit pays for itself?

At the default settings

break-even at 3,750 views per video

Open calculator

Turnaround planner

Can my videos be done by the deadline?

At the default settings

3 videos in 5 days, 26 editors make a 14-day deadline

Open calculator

Read the trade-offs and still want an editor?

Post a brief for free and compare real applicants, with every price shown before anything is funded.

Post a brief Browse editors

Compare

When not to hire an editor here.

Where the others win Run the numbers

Trade-offs scored

across four comparisons

Won by the alternative

named on every page

Editors behind our column

5% client fee

Four comparisons

Pick the alternative you are weighing.

vs in-house editor

Marketplace editors or an in-house hire?

Better here on 4 of 9 · even on 1 · better with in-house editor on 4

Read the trade-offs vs production agency

An editor, or a whole agency?

Better here on 4 of 8 · even on 1 · better with production agency on 3

Read the trade-offs vs general freelance marketplace

A video marketplace, or a general freelance site?

Better here on 3 of 8 · even on 2 · better with general freelance marketplace on 3

Read the trade-offs vs editing it yourself

Hire an editor, or cut it yourself?

Better here on 3 of 7 · even on 0 · better with editing it yourself on 4

Read the trade-offs

At a glance

The situation where each one beats us.

The first reason on each comparison page to choose the other option. If one of these is you, start there.

Situations where each alternative beats UGC Editing
Instead of UGC Editing, choose	When	Rows it wins
In-house editor	You publish enough every month that one person would be busy full-time — run the break-even calculator with your own salary figure.	4 of 9
Production agency	You need concepts, scripts, casting or a shoot — not just someone to cut footage you already have.	3 of 8
General freelance marketplace	You need a large pool to choose from, or a rare language, location or specialism our roster does not cover yet.	3 of 8
Editing it yourself	The video is a quick, native-feeling post where rough edges help it read as real.	4 of 7

How we score

Three rules for every table.

Our numbers are measured

Prices, turnaround, review times and dispute rates come from the editor roster and order records. If a figure cannot be measured cleanly, it is left out.

Theirs are not invented

We have no measurement of anyone else's prices or speed, so their column describes how the option works. No competitor figures, no named brands.

Every table has losses

A comparison where we win every row is an advert. The build refuses to ship a table without at least one row the alternative wins.

Calculators