Last updated: July 19, 2026 · Reading time: ~15 minutes
Quick verdict: Most solopreneurs don’t need a $76/mo generative-video lab. Start with CapCut (free/Pro) for social edits and Descript for talking-head or podcast-to-video. Add HeyGen only if you ship avatar explainers weekly. Use Runway or Kling for short B-roll and product motion — not for editing your whole YouTube channel. One editor + one generator beats five overlapping subscriptions.
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