You spent way too long setting up your camera and script, only to realize there's some epic clutter behind you. Your choice: tidy up or keep going? Luckily, a green screen editor can bail you out at the finish line. These tools used to be Hollywood-only, but now anyone can use them to create pro-looking videos.

We’ll walk you through how to pick the right one for your creator business — plus showcase nine top green screen tools. You’ll see their features, how they fit into your workflow, and how they’re priced.

Instead of delaying your filming schedule to clean up the background, green screen apps can do it for you in the last stage of video production. And the good news is: they’re no longer reserved for Hollywood productions. 

What is green screen software?

Green screen software is any type of tool that can remove a video’s background. Most often, this is done through “chroma keying.” You’ll put a green or blue background behind you, then tell the software you want to exclude that color so you can replace it with a graphic or video of your choice.

Some green screen software uses artificial intelligence (AI) to separate the subject of a video from the background without chroma keying it. Instead of buying a dedicated green screen or studio backdrop, this filmmaking technique uses AI to identify the background layer and remove it from the scene. You can then replace the video background with another still image or moving video. 

How to choose the right green screen editor

AI-powered background removal

Unless you own a green screen—in which case, chroma key software may be just fine for you—the ability to remove your background without extra equipment is extremely helpful. The best background removal software uses AI to detect and remove the background for you, ticking one more task off your green screen video editing to-do list.

Royalty-free stock media

If you’ve removed your video’s background, you’ll likely want to replace it with something else. Check that your green screen video editor has a built-in library of stock media. This will save you from opening multiple tabs to find a copyright-free video or image that you can replace your video clips’ background with.

Compatibility

Before you set your heart on what you’ve read as the best green screen software, check it’s compatible with the technology you’re using. This includes the file format of your video, plus the device and operating system you’re using to edit it. Descript’s video editing software, for example, supports MP4, MPEG, and MOV formats and is available for Mac and Windows computers. You can also open the software in your browser.

9 best green screen software for creators

1. Descript

‎ Descript is an AI video editing software that allows you to remove your video background in a single click. The feature uses AI to detect your background and separate it from the subject in your footage, and there’s a huge library of stock media to choose from if you want to replace the background with a new image or video.

What’s great about Descript’s free green screen software is that it comes as part of the video editing package. Alongside chroma key features, you can remove unwanted background noise, generate a video transcript, and banish filler words—all within a single video editing dashboard.

Pros and best features include:

• No need to buy a physical green screen
• Record your webcam or screen directly in the video editor
• Huge library of royalty free stock media to replace your background 
• Special effects to overlay filters, stickers, and transitions
• Multitrack editing for creative compositing
• Available for Mac, Windows, and in your browser 
• Rated 4.6 out of 5 stars on G2
• Very user-friendly and great for beginners with lots of tutorials and help guides 

Cons of Descript’s green screen software:

• Not available on mobile 
• Free videos have a watermark

Pricing: Free plan available. To export videos without a watermark, paid plans start at $12 per month. 

2. Adobe Creative Cloud 

This advanced software suite offers multiple apps for video creators, including the ability to remove backgrounds via chroma key. It supports color correction and layering options to refine your green screen edits. While it’s widely used by professionals, it tends to have a steeper learning curve and can be more expensive than other options. Educational discounts may be available.

3. Kapwing 

This browser-based editing tool is known for helping creators produce quick social clips. It includes both a manual chroma key option and a one-click background removal feature, although the automated tool typically requires a paid plan. It’s considered beginner-friendly and offers built-in captioning features, but the advanced AI features may be limited on lower tiers.

4. Filmora

This drag-and-drop editor targets beginners who value simplicity when it comes to green screens. You can match colors, access stock libraries, and apply chroma key effects with minimal fuss. However, you’ll need a paid plan for watermark-free exports, and it offers somewhat limited advanced editing features for pros who want deep customization.

5. iMovie

If you’re working on an Apple device, you might already have a built-in video editor that supports chroma key for green or blue backgrounds. Its interface is straightforward, includes a few basic video templates, and handles up to 4K resolution. While it’s free and very user-friendly, it’s not available on non-Apple systems and doesn’t have many advanced editing features.

6. Movavi Video Editor

This software uses a standard chroma key approach, so you’ll need a solid-colored background. If you’re comfortable with that workflow, it’s relatively approachable and integrates with both Mac and Windows. There’s a free trial, but watermark-free outputs require a paid subscription. There’s no browser or mobile version, so it may not suit on-the-go creators.

7. Final Cut Pro

This Mac-only editor caters to more advanced users who need higher-end capabilities than a basic free tool. Its chroma key function allows you to fine-tune selected colors, lighting adjustments, and edge spill while editing in up to 360° video. It’s known for its robust color grading tools and fast performance but comes at a premium one-time purchase cost.

8. OBS Studio 

This open-source livestreaming tool can record real-time broadcasts and remove backgrounds with the help of a free plugin. It supports advanced layering and mixing, making it a good fit for creators who want to broadcast live while using a virtual background. That said, it can feel complex for newcomers, and the background removal feature is an extra download instead of a built-in tool.

9. CapCut

This mobile-oriented editor is popular for generating quick clips on social media. It includes one-click background removal, straightforward editing tools, and direct exporting to popular platforms. Watermarks may appear on the free plan, and it limits clip length to 15 minutes. It’s great for short, on-the-go projects but doesn’t offer robust multi-track or advanced video compositing options.

How to use a green screen for your videos

Got a tool in mind but still not sure how to pull off that green screen magic? Check out our quick FAQs below, then follow our simple Descript walkthrough to remove and replace your background in just a few clicks.

Step 1: Import your video into Descript

Descript’s green screen editor is free to use. Just create your account and download the software for your Mac or Windows device. Alternatively, load Descript in your browser and create a new video project. Here’s where you’ll import the video you want to remove the background from.

Step 2: Apply the green screen effect

Once your video is in Descript, go to Effects in the right-hand menu. You’ll see options for:

• Chroma Key effect, if you recorded your video against a green backdrop
• Green screen, if you didn’t use a backdrop and want to use AI to remove your video background

Step 3: Edit your video

Descript will automatically transcribe your video so you can edit it like you’d edit a Google Doc. From here, take advantage of the professional AI editing features that the green screen software has to offer. You can polish your video and make it more engaging to watch with tools like:

• Filler Word Removal to remove “ums” and “uhs”
• Eye Contact to adjust your gaze if you’re reading from a video script or teleprompter
• Studio Sound to remove unwanted background noise
• Overdub to correct audio errors without re-recording 
• Edit for Clarity to speed up the editing workflow 

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Step 4: Review and publish

Do one final runthrough of your video and check you’re happy with it—including the graphic or video you’ve replaced the original background with. If you’re happy, press Publish, which will let you:

• Get a shareable link 
• Download your video in MP4 file format
• Export your content directly to video hosting sites like YouTube or Wistia

Green screen software FAQs

_{What program is the best to apply green screen effects?}

Descript combines powerful AI background removal with a user-friendly editor. You can record or import any video, apply the screen screen effect with one click and swap in a new background - no special gear required. If your original video already has a physical green screen, Descript's chroma key feature will remove it cleanly. You can also get great results with everyday backgrounds using Descript's automatic background removal.

How to get a green screen for free?

Descript offers a free plan with an AI-powered background removal tool, so you can achieve a "green screen effect"—no physical screen needed. You can create and share videos with this plan; just keep in mind that free exports include a Descript watermark. Upgrading removes the watermark and unlocks additional features and export options.

What is the best free background remover?

Descript’s free plan includes one-click background removal that detects and removes your background instantly. The feature uses AI to separate you from the environment—no special equipment or big budget required. If you need more flexibility or watermark-free videos, Descript offers paid plans with enhanced export options and tools.