Descript is a cloud-based video editor that lets you edit video by editing its transcript. FrameQuery is a desktop search tool that indexes your footage with cloud AI (transcription, object detection, and scene descriptions) and on-device face and voice recognition, so you can find any moment across your entire library in seconds. Choose Descript to edit video; choose FrameQuery to search video.
| Feature | FrameQuery | Descript |
|---|---|---|
| Search type | Visual + transcript + face + object | Transcript only |
| Deployment | Hybrid desktop app | Cloud + desktop |
| Format support | 50+ formats | Limited |
| Pricing | From $19/mo | From $24/user/mo |
| Primary use | Video search & analysis | Video editing |
| NLE export | FCPXML, EDL, LosslessCut | Descript timeline |
| Offline capable | ||
| Face recognition | ||
| Object detection | ||
| Voice cloning | ||
| Built-in editing | ||
| Team collaboration |
Descript's search is transcript-based. You type a word and it finds where that word was spoken. It is built for podcasts and talking-head content.
FrameQuery searches across four dimensions simultaneously: transcripts, visual content, detected faces, and detected objects. Search for “red car on a highway” and FrameQuery will find that scene even if nobody mentions it in dialogue. Searches span your entire indexed library.
Descript offers a free plan with limited transcription hours. Their Pro plan starts at $24/user/month, and Business at $33/user/month. Costs scale per seat.
FrameQuery has a free tier for getting started, with paid plans from $19/month based on usage rather than seats. Because search runs locally on your hardware, ongoing costs stay low.
FrameQuery supports 50+ video formats natively, including professional formats like RED R3D, ProRes, BRAW, and CinemaDNG. Descript supports common web formats (MP4, MOV, WebM) but lacks native support for many professional camera formats. If you work with raw camera footage, FrameQuery handles it without transcoding.
FrameQuery extracts frames and audio on your device and sends only those for analysis. Your originals never leave your machine, and the extracted data is discarded the moment analysis completes. Your search index lives locally on your machine, so once indexed, search works entirely offline. Descript processes everything in the cloud; your footage and audio are uploaded to their servers for transcription and editing.
FrameQuery exports to FCPXML, EDL, and LosslessCut markers, so you can take search results directly into your NLE of choice (Premiere, Resolve, Final Cut). Descript is its own editing environment, a separate workflow from traditional NLEs. If your pipeline already centers on Premiere or Resolve, FrameQuery slots in without disruption.
FrameQuery and Descript serve different purposes. FrameQuery searches inside video content using visual AI, transcript search, face recognition, and object detection across your entire library. Descript is a full video editing suite with transcript-based editing. If you need to find moments in footage, choose FrameQuery. If you need to edit videos, choose Descript.
FrameQuery extracts frames and audio on your device and sends only those for analysis. Your originals never leave your machine, and the extracted data is discarded the moment analysis completes. The resulting search index lives locally on your machine, so once indexed, search is entirely offline with no internet needed. Descript requires a cloud connection for most features including transcription and editing.
Descript searches transcripts, so it finds spoken words. FrameQuery searches visual content, transcripts, detected faces, and detected objects at once, and finds scenes by what appears on screen whether or not anyone mentioned it.
FrameQuery starts at $19/month with a free tier available. Descript starts at $24/user/month for its Pro plan. For a solo user who needs search rather than editing, FrameQuery is the lower-cost option.