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How much does a short-form video editor cost?
Updated 10 October 2026 · Written by the SOVE7GN founders
"How much is an editor?" has no single answer. It depends on where they're based, how experienced they are, how many clips you need, and how much they do beyond editing. Here's how to compare options properly.
Short answer: freelance short-form editing is usually priced per clip or per batch, a full-time editor is a salary plus tools and management time, and an agency is a monthly fee. To compare, work out the cost per clip and what's included: posting, strategy, captions, revisions. At SOVE7GN, Entry is $2,000 a month for about 60 clips posted on your accounts, roughly $33 a clip, with a weekly strategy call and an idea doc included.
The three options
| Option | How it's priced | What's usually included | What's usually not |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freelancer | Per clip or per batch | Editing, captions | Choosing moments, posting, strategy |
| Full-time editor | Monthly salary | Editing, often posting | Strategy, unless they're senior |
| Agency retainer | Monthly fee | Editing, posting, strategy | Depends on the agency |
Rates for freelancers and employees vary widely by country and experience, so get several quotes for your exact volume.
How to compare per clip
- Count the clips per month you actually need.
- Divide the monthly cost by that number.
- Add your own time: briefing, feedback, posting. Put a price on an hour of your time.
- Compare what's included at that price.
Example: SOVE7GN plans per clip
| Plan | Monthly price | Clips a month | Roughly per clip | Also included |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry | $2,000 | About 60 | $33 | Posting, weekly strategy call, idea doc |
| Growth | $4,000 | About 120 | $33 | Posting with access to your accounts, fan page option |
| Full service | $5,000–6,000 | About 120 | $42–50 | Scripting, 2 calls a week, monthly analytics |
Costs people forget
- Your time. Every brief and round of feedback.
- Choosing moments. Many editors cut what you tell them. Choosing what to cut is the hard part.
- Posting. Uploading, captions, tags, timing, on each platform.
- Turnover. Replacing an editor who leaves.
- Tools. Editing software, caption tools, scheduling.
When the cheapest option is right
If you know exactly what to clip, have time to post, and just need hands, a freelancer is usually the cheapest. If you need strategy and consistency, compare an agency on the full cost, including your time.
Questions people ask
What's a fair price per clip?
It depends on what's included. A clip that's chosen, edited, captioned and posted is worth more than a file someone cut to your timestamps.
Is an agency more expensive than a freelancer?
Per clip, often yes. Per hour of your time saved, often no. Compare both.
Do agencies charge for revisions?
Ask each one. With us, you approve the style once at the start and we keep it running.
Can I start with a smaller plan?
Our smallest plan is Entry at $2,000 a month. Entry and Growth are month to month.
Want a straight answer for your videos?
Book a 30-minute call. Send us a link first and we'll tell you which plan fits and how many clips we can make.
Book a call See plans and pricing- Hire a short-form editor or an agency?Freelancer, full-time hire or agency: costs and trade-offs.
- How much does a clipping agency cost?Retainers, CPM clipper pools, and what to check before you pay.
- Clip it yourself or hire an agency?The real time cost of doing it yourself, and when to hand it off.