Free tools for content creators: a complete workflow
Updated 21 October 2026
Short answer: you can plan, edit, caption and publish short videos and posts with free browser tools and no watermark. Here's a workflow that covers YouTube, TikTok, Reels, Shorts and Instagram posts, with the tool for each step.
1. Record
- Screen tutorials and demos: screen recorder with microphone and tab sound.
- Voice-overs and podcasts: voice recorder.
2. Edit the video
| Step | Tool |
|---|---|
| Cut the start, end and mistakes | Trim video |
| Make it vertical for TikTok, Reels, Shorts | Crop video to 9:16 |
| Fix a sideways clip | Rotate video |
| Join clips | Merge videos |
| Speed up boring parts, slow down highlights | Video speed |
| Remove copyrighted background music | Mute video |
3. Add subtitles
Most people scroll with the sound off. Make subtitles with video to text: download the SRT and upload it with your video, or import it into CapCut or Premiere. Full steps in how to transcribe a video.
4. Make the cover and thumbnail
- YouTube thumbnail: YouTube thumbnail maker, 1280 × 720 under 2 MB. See YouTube thumbnail size.
- Cut out yourself or a product: remove background.
- Add a bold title: add text to image.
- Pick brand colours from your best photo: image to palette.
5. Post at the right size
| Platform | Size |
|---|---|
| TikTok, Reels, Shorts, Stories | 1080 × 1920 (9:16) |
| Instagram feed | 1080 × 1350 (4:5) |
| YouTube | 1920 × 1080 (16:9) |
For images, the social media image resizer has every preset. See social media image sizes.
6. Share and promote
- Too big to upload or send? Compress video.
- A teaser loop: video to GIF.
- Audio clip for a podcast feed: video to MP3.
- Link in bio and printed QR codes: link shortener plus the QR code generator.
Why browser tools?
Your files never leave your device, there's nothing to install, and nothing adds a watermark. That makes them handy on borrowed computers and for client work under NDA.