CapCut has quickly become one of the most popular video editing apps worldwide. With its easy-to-use interface and powerful tools, many people wonder: Who owns CapCut?
Understanding who controls the platform helps clarify its business model, data handling, and future direction.
CapCut Company Profile
CapCut is a free, all-in-one video editing application designed for both beginners and experienced creators. It offers tools such as trimming, cutting, transitions, filters, text overlays, and music integration. What makes CapCut stand out is its simplicity, high-quality output, and direct integration with TikTok, making it ideal for short-form content.
- Company Name: CapCut
- Developer: ByteDance Ltd.
- Launch Year: 2020 (originally released as Viamaker)
- Headquarters: Beijing, China (ByteDance HQ)
- Platform Availability: iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, Web
- Core Features: AI-powered editing, audio sync, background removal, text-to-speech, auto-captioning, effects, and cloud projects.
Founders
CapCut itself does not have a distinct founder since it was developed in-house by a team at ByteDance. The company was founded by Zhang Yiming in 2012. He played a key role in launching many successful products, including TikTok (Douyin), Toutiao, and later, CapCut.
The CapCut product was spearheaded by ByteDance’s video and media technology teams, working under its multimedia and TikTok ecosystem divisions. It represents ByteDance’s strategic extension into creator tools, complementing TikTok’s content consumption model.
Major Milestones
- April 2020: CapCut is launched globally under the name Viamaker. It initially gains popularity among TikTok creators in Asia.
- Mid-2020: Rebranded to CapCut to appeal to international users. The rebranding comes with UI updates and expanded language support.
- 2021: CapCut ranks among the most downloaded editing apps globally. It is consistently among the top apps on iOS and Android.
- 2022: CapCut Desktop (Windows and macOS) is released, expanding its capabilities beyond mobile. A web-based version is also introduced.
- 2023: CapCut introduces AI features such as automatic captions, speech-to-text, and smart editing, driving increased use among creators and brands.
- 2024: CapCut hits over 500 million active users. It becomes a core tool for TikTok content creators and small businesses worldwide.
- 2025: CapCut begins monetization experiments through premium features, cloud storage upgrades, and integrations with TikTok Ads Manager for brand users.
CapCut continues to evolve, focusing on artificial intelligence, cloud syncing, and cross-platform consistency. It stands today as a leader in mobile-first content creation tools.
Who Owns CapCut?
CapCut is fully owned and operated by ByteDance Ltd., a Chinese multinational technology company best known for creating TikTok and Douyin. CapCut is not an independent company but functions as a strategic product within ByteDance’s ecosystem. The app was not acquired from another developer—it was built in-house by ByteDance’s product development team and officially released in 2020.
Parent Company: ByteDance Ltd.
ByteDance was founded in 2012 by Zhang Yiming. It quickly rose to prominence with the launch of Toutiao (a news aggregation app) and later became globally recognized for TikTok. Headquartered in Beijing, ByteDance operates globally, with offices in the U.S., Europe, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East.
CapCut plays a central role in ByteDance’s creative tools strategy. It supports video creation for TikTok and other platforms by offering users intuitive editing capabilities, filters, AI tools, and export features directly optimized for social media.
Why ByteDance Created CapCut
ByteDance built CapCut to solve a specific problem: empowering mobile users to create professional-grade video content quickly. As TikTok grew in popularity, so did the need for a dedicated editing tool. While TikTok offered basic editing features, CapCut provided a much broader range of tools without requiring external software.
Creating CapCut internally allowed ByteDance to maintain complete control over:
- User experience and design
- Data collection and usage
- Performance optimization for TikTok
- Innovation through AI and machine learning
This in-house development strategy mirrors ByteDance’s approach with other tools like Lark (productivity suite) and Lemon8 (lifestyle content app).
Legal Ownership Structure
ByteDance legally holds CapCut under its Chinese corporate entities but operates it globally through various regional subsidiaries. In China, it may fall under Beijing ByteDance Technology Co., Ltd., while outside China, ByteDance Ltd. or its affiliates (such as TikTok Pte Ltd. in Singapore) manage international operations.
ByteDance owns all rights to CapCut’s technology, monetization, intellectual property, and future development plans. No external company or entity owns any part of CapCut directly. Ownership is indirect for external investors, only through their stakes in ByteDance itself.
Other Relevant Ownership Details
- Data control: CapCut, like TikTok, faces scrutiny over data privacy due to ByteDance’s Chinese roots. Its data policies follow ByteDance’s global compliance rules.
- Governance: CapCut decisions are influenced by ByteDance’s executive board and product leads, not a separate CapCut team with corporate independence.
- Strategic value: CapCut is considered a supporting product, not a revenue-first app. Its purpose is to strengthen engagement within the TikTok ecosystem.
Who is the CEO of CapCut?
CapCut does not have its own standalone CEO. Instead, it is managed as a strategic product under the leadership of ByteDance, the parent company. The global CEO of ByteDance, Liang Rubo, oversees its development and direction.
Liang Rubo: Global CEO of ByteDance
- Background & Rise
Liang Rubo co-founded ByteDance in 2012 alongside Zhang Yiming. He served in senior roles, including head of R&D, human resources, and product development. In 2021, he became CEO following Zhang Yiming’s resignation. - Approach & Vision
Liang is known for his steady, execution-focused management style. He emphasizes AI innovation and operational efficiency. In a 2025 all‑hands meeting, he highlighted AI as central to ByteDance’s future, leading a $2B investment push and urging the pursuit of intelligence breakthroughs. - Sphere of Control
Liang directs ByteDance’s entire product portfolio—including TikTok, CapCut, Lemon8, and infrastructure services. He chairs the executive board and oversees product strategy, development priorities, and resource allocation.
CapCut Leadership & Reporting
- Past Product Heads
Between 2021 and early 2024, Zhang Xiaoran led the CapCut team. She guided its expansion from early stages to over 100 million monthly users. - Transition in 2024
In early 2024, Douyin China’s ex‑CEO Kelly Zhang (Zhang Nan) took over oversight of CapCut and related AI initiatives. Zhang Xiaoran reported to her until she stepped down later that year. - Current Structure
Following Kelly Zhang’s shift toward broader ByteDance roles and Zhang Xiaoran’s departure, CapCut’s team now reports directly to ByteDance’s executive leadership under Liang Rubo. There is no separate, formal CEO for CapCut.
CEO History Snapshot
- Zhang Yiming (to Nov 2021): ByteDance co‑founder and first CEO.
- Liang Rubo (Nov 2021–present): Current global CEO overseeing CapCut.
- Kelly Zhang / Zhang Nan (2023–early 2024): Took control of CapCut oversight.
- Zhang Xiaoran (2021–2024): Former CapCut product head.
CapCut Annual Revenue and Net Worth
CapCut achieved rapid growth in 2024. It reached nearly ¥10 billion RMB (~$1.4 billion) in annual revenue after hitting triple-digit growth in late 2024.
Monthly revenue peaked at around $17.6 million in July 2024 following the introduction of paid subscriptions.
As of 2025, CapCut continues to monetize through a combination of in-app purchases (templates, effects), tiered subscriptions (e.g., cloud storage), and ad-free premium models. Although independent Q1–Q2 2025 estimates aren’t public, the app is projected to surpass $1.5 billion in annual revenue this year, given sustained user engagement and subscription growth.
Net Worth of CapCut in 2025
As of June 2025, CapCut is valued internally and by analysts as being worth approximately $10 to $15 billion. This estimate is based on its:
- Annual revenue exceeding $1.5 billion
- Over 500 million monthly active users worldwide
- Critical integration with TikTok’s creator ecosystem
- Expansion into desktop and enterprise features
- AI-driven product innovation and monetization growth
Valuation models for CapCut are generally based on a 6x to 10x revenue multiple, which is common for fast-growing SaaS (software-as-a-service) and creator tool companies with strong engagement. Applying a conservative 7x multiple to its estimated $1.5 billion 2025 revenue gives a mid-range valuation of $10.5 billion.
Strategic Value Within ByteDance
While CapCut’s direct financials are growing, its real value lies in how it enhances ByteDance’s ecosystem. CapCut serves as:
- A content engine for TikTok
- A distribution channel for templates, ads, and branded content
- A bridge to enterprise users with new Pro and Cloud features
Its strategic position means ByteDance may value it internally higher than market comparables. This pushes the top-end estimate closer to $15 billion, especially if ByteDance considers spinning it off or seeking external funding for the product division.
Below is the historical revenue and net worth of CapCut from 2020-25:
| Year | Estimated Annual Revenue (USD) | Estimated Net Worth (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $5 million | $50 million |
| 2021 | $45 million | $300 million |
| 2022 | $250 million | $1.2 billion |
| 2023 | $750 million | $5 billion |
| 2024 | $1.4 billion | $9 billion |
| 2025 | $1.5 billion (est.) | $10–15 billion (est.) |
Final Thoughts
CapCut is a powerful example of ByteDance’s innovation beyond social media. When asking who owns CapCut, it’s essential to recognize the influence of ByteDance and its founder, Zhang Yiming. CapCut will likely continue evolving with new AI features and deeper TikTok integration. Its future depends on ByteDance’s strategic direction and ability to compete with global editing tools.
FAQs
Who are the owners of CapCut?
CapCut is fully owned and operated by ByteDance, a private Chinese multinational internet company headquartered in Beijing. ByteDance is also the parent company of TikTok. CapCut is not independently owned; it functions as a key product within ByteDance’s creative tools division. The largest shareholder of ByteDance is Zhang Yiming, who indirectly owns a significant share of CapCut.
Is CapCut owned by TikTok?
No, CapCut is not owned by TikTok, but both CapCut and TikTok are owned by the same parent company, ByteDance. CapCut is developed to support TikTok creators, offering editing tools optimized for TikTok’s vertical video format, effects, and sound features.
Is CapCut basically TikTok?
No, CapCut is not the same as TikTok, although they are closely integrated. TikTok is a social media platform, while CapCut is a video editing tool. CapCut helps creators produce high-quality videos that they can publish on TikTok and other platforms. The two apps work well together, but serve different purposes.
Why did the U.S. ban CapCut?
As of mid-2025, CapCut itself has not been officially banned in the U.S., although it is sometimes grouped in policy discussions with TikTok due to shared Chinese ownership. Some lawmakers have raised concerns about data privacy and national security, but no federal-level ban specifically targeting CapCut has been enforced. However, some government devices and state agencies restrict their use.
Who is the founder of CapCut?
CapCut does not have a publicly recognized individual founder in the traditional startup sense. It was internally developed by ByteDance in 2019 and launched in 2020 under the original name Viamaker. It was later rebranded as CapCut. The project was a strategic product initiative by ByteDance’s internal product and engineering teams.
Does China own CapCut?
CapCut is owned by ByteDance, which is a Chinese company headquartered in Beijing. Therefore, yes, China owns CapCut indirectly through ByteDance. However, ByteDance also has subsidiaries in Singapore, the U.S., and other countries, and CapCut is operated globally.
Which country does CapCut belong to?
CapCut is a Chinese-owned app, developed and operated by ByteDance. ByteDance has international headquarters in Singapore, and CapCut is managed as part of its global operations. Despite its Chinese origin, CapCut serves users in over 150 countries.
Is CapCut a private app?
Yes, CapCut is a private app. It is not independently listed on any stock exchange. It is part of ByteDance, which itself is a privately held company with various global investors, including Sequoia Capital, General Atlantic, and others.
Does CapCut earn money?
Yes, CapCut generates significant revenue through multiple channels. These include:
- Subscription-based premium features
- Cloud storage (CapCut Drive)
- Enterprise tools and templates
- AI-powered commercial services
- Integration with TikTok ad solutions
CapCut’s estimated annual revenue in 2025 exceeds $1.5 billion.
What is the CapCut Owner’s net worth?
CapCut is not owned by an individual but by ByteDance. The largest shareholder and co-founder of ByteDance, Zhang Yiming, has an estimated net worth of $65.5 billion as of June 2025. He indirectly benefits from CapCut’s success as part of ByteDance’s valuation and performance.
Who owns CapCut?
CapCut is owned by ByteDance, the same company behind TikTok.
Is CapCut a Chinese app?
Yes, CapCut is developed by ByteDance, a company based in China.
Is TikTok connected to CapCut?
Yes, CapCut integrates directly with TikTok and is part of the same parent company.
Who is the founder of CapCut?
CapCut was created by a ByteDance product team. Zhang Yiming, the founder of ByteDance, is indirectly its founder.
Does CapCut collect data?
Yes, CapCut collects user data similar to other video editing apps. It follows ByteDance’s privacy policy.
Is CapCut free?
Yes, CapCut is free to use with optional advanced features for professionals.