Instagram is stepping up its game. With over 500 million daily active users consuming Stories and Reels, Meta’s popular platform is making a bold move by launching its own standalone video editing app, “Edits.” Designed for creators who want professional-quality tools on their phones, Edits directly challenges ByteDance’s CapCut, which has long dominated the mobile video editing scene. Here’s everything you need to know about this ambitious new app.
Why Instagram Is Launching “Edits”
Instagram’s Head, Adam Mosseri, announced the app’s development, emphasizing its focus on empowering creators. “Today we’re announcing a new app called ‘Edits’ for those of you who are passionate about making videos on your phone. It’s our job to provide the best possible tools for creators,” Mosseri stated in a recent video.
The timing couldn’t be better. Following the recent U.S. ban on TikTok-associated apps like CapCut, there’s a gap in the market for a robust, mobile-first editing tool. Though CapCut has since returned, its absence left many creators scrambling for alternatives—a gap Instagram is eager to fill.
Key Features of Edits
Creators can expect:
- Multi-layer timeline editing for videos.
- Custom transitions and effects optimized for social sharing.
- Royalty-free music library to avoid copyright issues.
- AI-assisted tools for smoother workflows, like automatic captions and smart cropping.
- Publish videos directly to Stories and Reels.
- Use insights from Instagram analytics to optimize future content.
While currently listed in the iOS App Store with a release date of March 13, Mosseri confirmed the app will officially launch in February. Pre-orders are already open, and an Android version is on the way.
How “Edits” Stacks Up Against CapCut
Though Threads users have noted similarities between Edits and CapCut, Instagram aims to differentiate itself by prioritizing the creator experience. Unlike CapCut, which often caters to casual users, Edits promises a suite of professional-grade tools while maintaining ease of use.
Instagram’s strategic position also provides an advantage. By directly tying Edits to its platform, creators can enjoy an end-to-end solution, from editing to publishing, without leaving the Instagram ecosystem.
The Bigger Picture: Competing in a Crowded Market
Instagram isn’t the only tech giant eyeing this space. Elon Musk’s X (formerly Twitter) and decentralized platform BlueSky have recently launched vertical video feeds, further underscoring the race to capture creator loyalty. However, with its massive user base and established video-sharing infrastructure, Instagram’s Edits is uniquely positioned to dominate.
