# Text-based editing vs timeline editing

> Text-based editing cuts video by editing its transcript. Timeline editing cuts by hand on tracks. See what each suits in ad edits, and which tools offer it.
- **Author**: Marxx
- **Published**: 2026-11-05
- **Category**: Creative
- **URL**: https://marxx.ai/library-compare/text-based-editing-vs-timeline-editing

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Text-based editing cuts video by editing its transcript, which suits talking-head ads, filler words and pauses. Timeline editing cuts by hand on tracks, which suits b-roll, effects and exact timing.

## Side by side

| Job | Text-based editing | Timeline editing |
|---|---|---|
| Cut filler words and pauses | Filter the transcript, then delete | Find each spot, split, delete, close the gap |
| Rough cut from an interview | Copy and paste lines of text | Mark and move clips by eye |
| Add b-roll and overlays | Switch to the timeline | Place clips on tracks |
| Keyframes, masks, colour | Not the job | Yes |
| Captions | The transcript already exists | Generate from the audio |

## When text editing wins

- **Talking-head and UGC ads.** The edit is mostly choosing what to say, and the transcript shows it.
- **Long recordings.** Searching words beats scrubbing a 40-minute clip.
- **Clean-up.** Filler words and pauses can be found and deleted in bulk.

## When the timeline wins

- **Layers.** B-roll, text, logos and sound effects sit on tracks you can see.
- **Motion.** Keyframes, masks and punch-ins need a timeline.
- **Beat and pace.** Cutting on a beat or trimming one frame is a timeline job.

## Tools that offer text editing

- **Descript:** edit the transcript to edit the video. The free plan includes it.
- **Premiere Pro (now called Adobe Premiere):** Text-Based Editing for rough cuts, filler words and pauses, included with your subscription.
- **DaVinci Resolve:** text-based editing is listed under Studio.
- **Pictory:** change the transcript to change the video, with Filler words and Silences toggles.
- **Submagic and Vizard:** trim by deleting transcript text.
- **Filmora:** AI Text-Based Editing.

Tool features checked 3 Nov 2026. Adobe says Text-Based Editing [does not support the captions workflow](https://helpx.adobe.com/premiere/desktop/edit-projects/edit-video-using-text-based-editing/overview-of-text-based-editing.html), so generate captions from your final edited sequence.

## A worked example

Say a 45-second UGC ad has 9 filler words and 4 long pauses, 13 spots in all.

- Text-based: filter for Filler words and Pauses, then choose Delete all.
- Timeline: make 13 cuts and close 13 gaps by hand.

Now say the ad also needs 6 b-roll shots and a punch-in on the offer. Those are timeline jobs. Most ads need both.

## Where Marxx fits

[Marxx's AI video editor](/features/ai-video-editor) does both: it cuts silences and filler words from the transcript, and you can still edit by hand with a timeline, keyframes and masks. We make Marxx.

## FAQ

### What is text-based video editing?

You edit a transcript and the video follows. Delete a word and the matching clip is cut.

### Do I still need a timeline?

For b-roll, keyframes and sound, yes. Many editors offer both. Compare them in the [best AI video editors for ads](/best/best-ai-video-editors-for-ads).

### Is text-based editing good for captions?

It makes the transcript, which captions need. See [how to add captions to video ads](/guides/how-to-add-captions-to-video-ads). Also read [AI video editor vs a human editor](/compare/ai-video-editor-vs-human-editor).

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