A ZapCap API alternative for half the price per minute
Video in, styled captioned MP4 out, from REST or MCP.
| Feature | ZapCap | Awesome Video Editor |
|---|---|---|
| API price | $0.10 per rendered minute | $0.05 per minute or less (5 credits) |
| MCP server | Not listed on its API page | Yes, Streamable HTTP with API key or OAuth |
| Free preview | Not listed on its API page | style_preview renders real frames, free |
| Outputs | MP4, alpha overlay, green-screen layer | MP4 plus SRT, VTT and JSON transcript |
| Browser editor | Web editor at zapcap.ai | Free, no account, no watermark |
ZapCap vs Awesome Video Editor
ZapCap is a captioning API: upload a video, pick a template, get a rendered MP4, a transparent overlay or a green-screen layer, with webhooks. Its API page lists $0.10 per minute of rendered video. AwesomeVideo does the same job (transcribe, optionally translate, burn styled captions) for 5 credits per minute, which is $0.05 with the $5 pack and less with larger packs or plans, and adds an MCP server so agents can call it directly.
Browser captions are free with no account. Server and API captions cost 5 credits ($0.05) per minute from prepaid credits that never expire.
Choose Awesome Video Editor if
- • You want burned-in captions for half the price per minute.
- • Your agent should call captions over MCP from Claude, Cursor or ChatGPT.
- • You want to preview a style on your own frame before paying.
Stay with ZapCap if
- • You need an alpha-channel overlay (ProRes 4444 or WebM) or a green-screen caption layer.
- • You already built on ZapCap templates and webhooks.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the ZapCap API cost?+
ZapCap's API page says $0.10 per minute of rendered video, with volume credits for larger users.
What does AwesomeVideo charge for the same job?+
caption_video costs 5 credits per minute (1 to transcribe, 4 to burn). 1 credit is 1 US cent, so it is $0.05 per minute with the $5 pack and down to about $0.023 per minute on the largest plan. Failed jobs are refunded.
Can I send my own SRT instead of transcribing?+
Yes. burn_captions (POST /v1/captions/burn) takes SRT, VTT or JSON cues and only charges the burn, 4 credits per minute.
ZapCap facts from its public pages, checked November 2026: ZapCap captioning API. Prices and limits change; check their site before deciding.