TikTok’s future in the US is still foggy. After facing a one-day ban in the US, thanks to President Trump’s interference and signing of an executive order, the Chinese social media platform got a lifeline. The 75-day extension was provided to TikTok to find a new buyer. However, for 75 days, TikTok failed to find a buyer and got another lifeline. Amidst the gloomy future of TikTok, Meta has launched a new video editing app called Edits, which is meant to take on the likes of CapCut, another one of ByteDance’s (TikTok’s parent) apps. After being in the testing phase for a while, Instagram has made the Edits app available to everyone.
There are a lot of features on offer that will make your Instagram Reels and videos stand out. But it’s more than a video editing tool. It is designed for Instagram content creators, and also offers analytics and project management tools, all under one roof. In this guide, we will share with you all the details you need to know about the Instagram Edits app. Let’s jump right into it.
What is Instagram Edits?
Instagram Edits is Meta’s new video creation and editing app for Instagram creators. Until now, users had to rely on third-party editing tools to edit their videos and share them on Instagram. While editing videos was possible within the Instagram app, it wasn’t easy or streamlined. Edits make the process more straightforward. Edits is available to download on both Android and iOS, and the best part is that it is completely free to use.
When you download the Instagram Edits app, you will be asked to link your Instagram account with the app. Once you have done that, a whole set of editing tools awaits you. You will be able to edit, create, and download watermark-free videos without leaving the app, unlike CapCut, which adds a watermark. There is an inspiration feed that tells you which audio is currently trending. You get an organized list of all the projects you are working on, making it easier to pick up where you left off.
Features of Instagram Edits
Interface
After you have downloaded the Instagram Edits app, here’s what you will come across:
- Idea tab: To the left, you will find the Idea tab. This is where you can note down your ideas for future reels. You can also watch saved videos from Instagram here.

- Inspiration tab: This is where you can explore the trending audio, which you can use in your Reels to increase their reach. There is a button that you can use to quickly grab the audio from the trending Reel.

- Projects tab: In the middle, you will find the Projects tab. Here, you can upload a video from your camera roll that you want to use as a Reel.

- Recording tab: Using this tab, you can directly open the camera and shoot videos for your Reel.

- Insights tab: To the far right at the bottom, the Insights tab shows the engagement data for your published Reel.

Features
Just like CapCut, Instagram Edits has plenty of features that you can use to make your Reels stand out. We have created a list of features below:
- Automatic Captions: You don’t have to rely on third-party apps to generate captions for your videos. Instagram Edits generates captions automatically with just a click of a button.
- Object Cutout: Using this feature, you can separate any object from a photo or video and use it in your projects. In my testing, I found it slightly better on multiple occasions than CapCut. There is also an option to manually select a portion of the object.
- Add trending songs from Instagram: You can now choose any song from the Instagram library or use the trending audio in your video and expand your Reel’s reach. It can also recommend a trending song from Instagram, similar to how CapCut offers integration with TikTok.
- Voiceover: You also have the option to record your audio to add a voiceover, great if you are creating an explainer video.
- Object overlay: With this feature, you can use any photo or video as an overlay and impose it over your Reel. There are tons of stickers and filters to use from Instagram’s library, along with several audio effects.
- Transition effects: Edits also offers a bunch of effects that you can use in your video to transition smoothly between scenes.
- Color-code ideas: Under the idea tab, you can note down the idea for your next superhit Reel. The best part, if you have multiple ideas, you can color-code them to differentiate them.
- Built-in green screen: The Instagram camera app isn’t just a normal camera app; it offers a built-in green screen so that you can change the background during post-editing.
- Video quality: The camera app also offers the option to change the resolution and framerate, change between HDR and SDR, and choose the recording speed. There is also an option to set a timer. The Edits app allows exporting videos up to 4K@60fps.
- No watermark, completely free: The best part is that the videos saved using Edits do not have any watermark. Also, you can do all of the above and more absolutely for free.
- Insights: What good is it if you don’t know how popular your newly created Reel is? Using the Insights tab, you can check out the number of views, overall reach, new followers you gained, the likes you have received, and the comments on your Reels. You also get information about the number of saves and shares. All this is available even for a personal account as well.
How is Instagram Edits different from CapCut?
Here is a simple table that will explain to you the main differences between Instagram Edits and ByteDance’s CapCut app:
|
Category
|
Instagram Edits
|
CapCut
|
|---|---|---|
|
Integration
|
Integrated with Instagram and Facebook for streamlined posting
|
Works across multiple platforms, not tied to one social media app
|
|
Features
|
Core editing tools plus IG-specific features like inspiration feed, no watermark
|
Core editing tools include a watermark on the free version
|
|
Target audience
|
Instagram-focused creators
|
Casual to professional editors across platforms
|
|
AI features
|
AI-powered animations and cutouts for IG-style content
|
General AI tools for editing across a wider range of use cases
|
|
Subscription
|
No subscription needed; all features are free
|
Offers a paid plan to remove the watermark and unlock premium tools
|
What’s next for Edits?
Instagram, in their official blog, has mentioned that they have kept the feedback doors open, which will help the app to improve. The company already has a few features in line for the Edits app that it will start pushing very soon.
- Keyframes: This will let you mark specific points in your video where you can adjust your video’s timing, motion, and effects.
- Modify: Using AI-powered tools, you will be able to instantly change the look and feel of your videos, just by using a few simple prompts.
- Collaboration: You will soon be able to collaborate with your friends, creators, brands, or fellow editors by sharing drafts for feedback and creative builds.
- More options to express your creativity: More fonts, text animations, transitions, voice effects, filters, and music options, including royalty-free music, are incoming for Edits.


