The Article Tells the Story of:
- Meta’s Surprise Move to Challenge CapCut – Meta quietly launches Edits after CapCut disappears from U.S. app stores, seizing the moment to grab creators before TikTok’s fate is sealed.
- A Hidden Tool Inside Instagram’s Walls – Edits requires an Instagram login and offers five powerful tabs—Ideas, Inspiration, Projects, Record, and Insights—each built for content domination.
- A Feature War That’s Just Getting Started – From green screens to AI-powered animations, Edits comes loaded—but CapCut still wins on music libraries, web access, and advanced editing tricks.
- A Free App… for Now – Edits is completely free—unlike CapCut’s paid version—but Instagram’s chief hints that may soon change, adding pressure to try it before it costs.
Meta Releases Edits to Compete With CapCut
Meta has launched a new video editing app called Edits, created to compete directly with CapCut, the short-form video editor from ByteDance. Meta developed Edits to attract Instagram creators who need fast, high-quality video tools. The launch of Edits comes after CapCut faced removal from U.S. app stores during a temporary TikTok ban earlier this year.
Although CapCut is now back on app stores, TikTok’s long-term presence in the U.S. remains unclear. Meta has moved quickly to offer an alternative with Edits. The company first revealed the project in January. Now, the app is live and available for download on both iOS and Android.
This article explains how to use Edits, explores its key features, and compares it directly to CapCut. If you’re looking for a fast, efficient way to create short-form content, this guide breaks down everything you need to know about Edits.
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How to Use Edits: Step-by-Step Overview
To start using Edits, download it from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. After installation, open the app and log in with your Instagram account. The app then displays five key tabs: Ideas, Inspiration, Projects, Record, and Insights.
- Ideas Tab: Lets users write and save video ideas. You can also save Reels into a collection for future use.
- Inspiration Tab: Features trending audio clips and popular Reels. This helps creators find current trends quickly.
- Projects Tab: Stores current video projects. Users can revisit, continue editing, or upload content from their phone’s camera roll.
- Record Tab: Allows creators to film content directly in the app.
- Insights Tab: Shows key performance data like views, reach, and follower count. This helps users track which videos perform best.
The interface focuses on speed and convenience. Users can jump into editing with minimal setup.
Key Features in Edits: What You Can Do
Meta packed Edits with several video editing tools to compete with CapCut. These tools help users edit, stylize, and post content without needing extra software. Below are the main features you can use inside the Edits app:
- Green Screen: Replaces the video background with one tap. Useful for reaction videos or immersive content.
- Timeline: Lets you arrange clips precisely. This helps with accurate trimming and editing.
- Captions: Automatically adds text captions in multiple languages. Speeds up accessibility and engagement.
- Audio Library: Lets users add music directly from Instagram’s music library.
- Cutouts: Allows object isolation using tracking. This works well for focusing on products or people in a video.
- Animate: Uses AI to turn still images into short videos.
- Apply All: Applies effects, transitions, or filters to all clips in one step.
- Timeline Frame Rate Selector: Converts videos into different frame rates. Helps improve playback quality.
- Alignment Guides: Helps place text or stickers in safe screen zones. Prevents content from being cut off after uploading.
- Beat Markers: Detects audio beats. Creators can match clips and text with music for smoother edits.
- Filters: Offers 30 filters to customize the look of videos.
- Transitions: Provides 30 transition effects to connect clips smoothly.
These tools make Edits a powerful app for quick video creation. They offer most of what everyday creators need for short-form content.
How Edits Compares to CapCut
CapCut still has more editing options than Edits. CapCut has been on the market longer, which gives it an edge in terms of available features. It includes more advanced AI tools that Edits currently lacks. It also has a larger music library.
Another key difference is platform availability. CapCut is available on both mobile and web, while Edits is currently mobile-only. This could change later, but for now, Edits users must stick to their phones.
CapCut also offers a premium subscription plan. Some of its features are locked behind a paywall. Edits is free to use right now, but that may not last. Instagram chief Adam Mosseri has said that future versions of Edits could include paid features.
In summary:
- CapCut has more features and AI tools.
- CapCut offers a web version; Edits does not.
- Edits is free; CapCut has a paid tier.
- Edits integrates with Instagram directly, making it easier for Reels creators.
Final Thoughts: Should You Use Edits or CapCut?
Edits is a strong option for short-form creators, especially those who focus on Instagram Reels. Its interface is clean, and its tools cover most basic video editing needs. If you want something that connects directly to Instagram, Edits gives you that connection out of the box.
CapCut still leads in advanced features, especially for TikTok creators or users who want more control over editing and effects. However, Edits is catching up quickly and may become more powerful in the coming months.
If you are already working in the Meta ecosystem, Edits may become your new go-to app. If you need professional-level tools today, CapCut may still be your best option. Either way, both apps continue to push short-form video content forward, and competition between them will likely benefit creators on all platforms.
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