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If you’re a content creator looking to level up your short-form videos, there’s a new tool in town you’ll want to check out: Edits, Meta’s freshly launched video editing app. Designed to compete with ByteDance’s hugely popular CapCut, Edits is Meta’s answer to the ever-growing demand for slick, seamless, and social-ready video creation—especially on Instagram.
Whether you’re already a Reels pro or just starting out, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know about Edits: how to use it, what features it offers, and how it compares to CapCut.
Getting Started with Edits
First things first: you can download Edits on both iOS and Android. Once it’s on your phone, you’ll need to log in using your Instagram account—easy enough if you’re already posting Reels regularly.
After logging in, you’ll land on a dashboard with five main tabs:
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Ideas: A digital notepad for your next video concepts and a place to save Reels for inspiration.
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Inspiration: Your creative spark plug—trending audio, viral content, and all the vibes.
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Projects: Your workspace for drafts, ongoing edits, and clips uploaded from your camera roll.
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Record: Launch your camera and film directly within the app—no need to switch back and forth.
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Insights: Your stats central. Get data on views, reach, and followers to help guide your strategy.
Editing Tools & Features
Now the fun part—editing! Edits is packed with powerful (and easy-to-use) features for creators of all levels. Here’s a rundown of what you can do:
Core Editing Tools:
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Timeline: Drag, drop, and fine-tune your clips frame by frame.
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Green Screen: Instantly replace your background—perfect for storytelling or fun effects.
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Cutouts: Isolate objects with AI-powered precision tracking.
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Cut Silences: Trim the boring parts in one tap.
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Apply All: Want to apply the same effect to every clip? One tap does it.
Creative Tools:
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Filters & Transitions: 30 unique filters and 30 transition effects to match your mood.
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Restyle (AI Presets): Change the entire aesthetic of your video with AI-generated looks.
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Keyframes: Animate position, scale, and rotation to create dynamic motion effects.
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Beat Markers: Let the app auto-detect beats in your audio to sync clips perfectly.
Sound & Captions:
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Audio Library: Add music straight from Instagram’s collection.
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Import Audio: Bring in your own sound files for unique flair.
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Captions: Auto-generate subtitles in multiple languages.
Recording Enhancements:
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Teleprompter: Script your shots and read along while you record.
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Clip Preview: Review each shot immediately after filming.
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Alignment Guides: Make sure nothing important gets cropped when posted.
Advanced Controls:
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Timeline Frame Rate Selector: Customize playback smoothness with different frame rates.
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Animate (AI Tool): Turn static photos into animated videos.
How Does Edits Compare to CapCut?
CapCut still holds the edge when it comes to deep editing and a broader music library. Its advanced AI tools are more mature, and it also supports web-based editing, making it a more flexible option for creators who prefer working on desktop.
That said, Edits is completely free—for now. CapCut has a free tier, but several pro tools sit behind a subscription wall. Meta’s Edits might follow suit down the line, but for the moment, everything is accessible without a fee.
Where Edits shines is in Instagram-native integration. Since it’s made by Meta, it syncs seamlessly with your Reels workflow. You can save ideas, pull in trending sounds, and post straight to your audience—all from the same app.
Final Thoughts: Should You Try Edits?
Absolutely. Even if you’re a long-time CapCut user, Edits is worth exploring, especially if Instagram is your primary platform. It’s intuitive, sleek, and tailored for Reels. Plus, with no subscription required (yet), you can enjoy the full range of features at no cost.
And who knows? With TikTok’s uncertain future in the U.S., mastering Edits might just be the smartest creative move you make this year.
So go ahead—download the app, tap over to the Ideas tab, and start planning your next viral masterpiece.
