Descript is a full audio/video editor -- recording, transcription, cutting, text-based editing -- with AI noise removal (Studio Sound) as one feature inside it. The specific thing worth knowing before you sign up hoping for free noise removal: Studio Sound isn't included on Descript's free plan -- it sits behind a paid tier and draws from paid AI credits. ClearVoice, by contrast, is built around noise removal as the entire product, with a real (non-watermarked) free trial.
Pricing and free-tier limits change over time. The figures below were checked directly against each company's own pricing/help pages in October 2026 -- if you're reading this later, it's worth double-checking the competitor's current page before deciding (we've linked to each one below).
Free plan comparison
| Descript (Free/Basic) | ClearVoice (Free) | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Full audio/video editor with transcription, cutting, AI features | Single-purpose AI noise removal |
| Free media allowance | 60 minutes per month, total | 15 minutes, one-time trial |
| Studio Sound (noise removal) on free plan? | No -- requires a paid tier (Creator and up), uses AI credits | Yes -- noise removal is the free trial itself |
| Watermark on free exports? | Yes | No |
| Cheapest paid tier | Hobbyist, $16-24/month | Pay-as-you-go, $0.03/minute, or unlimited from $6.99/month |
Which one should you use?
If you want a full editor -- cutting, text-based editing, transcription, and noise removal all in one place -- Descript is a genuinely capable (if more expensive) all-in-one tool, once you're on a paid tier. If all you need is a noisy recording cleaned up, without learning a full editor or paying for features you won't use, ClearVoice does the one thing and gives you a real, usable free trial to prove it works on your actual file.
Frequently asked questions
Can I try Studio Sound before paying?
Based on Descript's own plan breakdown, Studio Sound is gated to paid tiers -- there's no free way to test it on Descript's free plan.
Does ClearVoice do video editing too?
No -- ClearVoice is focused on noise removal, plus a set of free single-purpose utility tools (trim, compress, convert). If you need a full timeline editor, Descript is built for that; ClearVoice isn’t trying to be.
ClearVoice gives you 15 minutes of AI noise removal free, no signup required to try it, and no credit card upfront -- try it on your own file now. If you just need a quick audio/video utility rather than full noise removal, ClearVoice also has 9 completely free tools (video compressor, trimmer, silence remover, and more) that need no account at all, which none of the tools below offer.
Source: Descript free-plan breakdown via third-party pricing analysis -- verify current details on Descript’s own pricing page before deciding.