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Video Production · head to head

HitFilm vs Squadcast

H

HitFilm

Video Production

Video editor and 3D compositor in one application, now owned by Artlist

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Squadcast logo

Squadcast

Video Production

Professional remote recording for podcasters

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: HitFilm editing and compositing share one interface, which suits a single operator and obstructs a team that wants to split the edit from the effects work.; Squadcast free plan limited to 1 recording hour per editor per month and exports capped at 720p with watermarks
  • They diverge on capability: HitFilm covers Composite shots, Squadcast covers Local recording.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which HitFilm and Squadcast actually diverge.

Attributes where HitFilm and Squadcast differ
AttributeHitFilmSquadcast
Pricing modelPer user per monthsubscription
PlatformsWindows, macOSWeb, Desktop
FoundedUnknown2017

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Video Production).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in HitFilm

  • Composite shots
  • Particle simulator
  • Camera tracking
  • Keying
  • Text and titling
  • Export presets

Only in Squadcast

  • Local recording
  • Progressive upload
  • Video recording
  • Screen sharing
  • Dolby audio
  • Cloud storage
  • Descript
  • Dropbox

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

HitFilm

  • Cutting and finishing an effects-heavy short film without moving between an editor and a compositornot Squadcast
  • Producing a YouTube channel with recurring motion graphics on one subscriptionnot Squadcast
  • Learning compositing concepts on the free tier before committing to a paid effects toolnot Squadcast
  • Adding tracked 3D elements to live footage in a one-person productionnot Squadcast

Squadcast

  • Podcast recording and editingnot HitFilm
  • Audio production with AI transcriptionnot HitFilm
  • Team interview and discussion recordingnot HitFilm

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

HitFilm

  • Editing and compositing share one interface, which suits a single operator and obstructs a team that wants to split the edit from the effects work.
  • The perpetual HitFilm Pro licence was retired after the Artlist acquisition, so long-standing owners who bought outright must subscribe to receive current versions.
  • Effects and add-on packs were historically sold separately, and archived projects can open with missing effects if the current plan does not cover them.
  • Performance falls off sharply on integrated graphics, so a machine that edits comfortably can still be unusable for the particle and 3D work that is the reason to choose HitFilm.
  • Colour management and delivery options are thinner than DaVinci Resolve, so any project with a broadcast or cinema deliverable ends up round-tripping to another application anyway.

Squadcast

  • Free plan limited to 1 recording hour per editor per month and exports capped at 720p with watermarks
  • Hobbyist plan monthly price of $24 per person rises to $35 per person if paid monthly instead of annually
  • Recording hour rollover is capped at twice the plan's monthly hour allotment

Pricing, plan by plan

HitFilm

Free
  • Free$undefined/month
    • Editing and basic compositing
    • Limited export resolution
    • Limited effects set
  • Creator$undefined/month
    • Expanded effects
    • Higher export resolution
    • Additional export formats
  • Pro$undefined/month
    • Full effects set
    • Highest export resolution
    • Advanced compositing and tracking

Squadcast

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 1 recording hour per editor per month
    • 1 show
    • 10 participants
  • Hobbyist$16/month
    • Annual $16/month or monthly $24
    • 10 recording hours per editor per month
    • 5 shows
  • Creator$24/month
    • Annual $24/month or monthly $35
    • 30 recording hours per editor per month
    • Unlimited shows
  • Business$50/month
    • Annual $50/month or monthly $65
    • 40 recording hours per editor per month
    • Unlimited shows

Which should you pick?

Choose HitFilm if

  • You need composite shots.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, macOS.
  • You also want particle simulator.
HitFilm review

Choose Squadcast if

  • You need local recording.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Desktop.
  • You also want progressive upload.
Squadcast review

Questions people ask

Is HitFilm or Squadcast better?
Neither clearly leads. HitFilm starts at Free and Squadcast at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, HitFilm or Squadcast?
HitFilm starts at Free and Squadcast at Free.
Does HitFilm or Squadcast run on more platforms?
HitFilm runs on Windows, macOS. Squadcast runs on Web, Desktop.
Can I use HitFilm for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is HitFilm best used for?
HitFilm is most often used for cutting and finishing an effects-heavy short film without moving between an editor and a compositor, producing a youtube channel with recurring motion graphics on one subscription, learning compositing concepts on the free tier before committing to a paid effects tool, adding tracked 3d elements to live footage in a one-person production. Of those, cutting and finishing an effects-heavy short film without moving between an editor and a compositor and producing a youtube channel with recurring motion graphics on one subscription are not what Squadcast is typically brought in for.
What can HitFilm do that Squadcast cannot?
HitFilm covers Composite shots, Particle simulator, Camera tracking, Keying. Squadcast covers Local recording, Progressive upload, Video recording, Screen sharing.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

HitFilm: Is HitFilm still free?

There is still a free tier with limited effects and export resolution. The perpetual Pro licence is gone; the paid tiers are subscriptions.

Squadcast: What is the cheapest paid plan on Squadcast?

The Hobbyist plan costs $16 per person per month when billed annually or $24 per month when billed monthly. It includes 10 recording hours per editor, 5 shows, and unlimited watermark-free 1080p exports. Source: https://squadcast.fm/pricing

Source
HitFilm: What hardware does it actually need?

A discrete GPU with adequate video memory. Integrated graphics will run the editor but stall on composite shots, particles and 3D layers.

Squadcast: Does Squadcast offer annual billing discounts?

Yes, Squadcast offers up to 35% savings over monthly billing when paying annually. For example, the Hobbyist plan costs $16/month annually ($192/year) compared to $24/month for monthly billing ($288/year). Source: https://squadcast.fm/pricing

Source
HitFilm: Does the Artlist acquisition affect the software?

It puts HitFilm inside a stock media subscription business. The licence model changed after the acquisition, and the roadmap now serves that business.

Squadcast: What are Squadcast recording hour limits by tier?

The Free plan allows 1 hour per editor per month. Hobbyist includes 10 hours, Creator includes 30 hours, and Business includes 40 hours per editor per month. Unused time rolls over with a limit of twice the monthly allocation. Source: https://squadcast.fm/pricing

Source
Squadcast: How much does Squadcast charge for overage recording hours?

Squadcast charges $5 per additional recording hour when time depletes mid-session. The overage rate applies across all paid plans and is assessed when recording exceeds the monthly allocation. Source: https://squadcast.fm/pricing

Source
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