Meta Launches a New App, ‘Edits,’ Rivaling TikTok Parent-Owned CapCut

One might say that Meta’s timing couldn’t be better. TikTok’s future in the US remains unclear, and should the platform ultimately get banned from the market, its affiliated video editing app CapCut would be affected, too. Meta comes with the perfect solution to this potential scenario, presenting its own video-creation app, Edits.

The technology company that stands behind the popular social media platforms Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp first revealed it was developing a video-focused app in January 2025—shortly after TikTok and CapCut briefly became unavailable in the US.

“There’s a lot going on right now, but no matter what happens, it’s our job to provide the best possible tools for creators,” said Adam Mosseri, Head of Instagram, three months ago.

Now, Edits is up and running, available on both iOS and Android. The app, which is part of Instagram, allows creators to “make great videos directly on their phones,” using a wide range of creative features and capabilities, from longer camera capture to background replacement and editing tools. It also features AI tools that can turn images into video, as well as detailed, data-driven insights reporting on one’s content performance on Instagram. Reportedly, the app’s characteristics were developed in collaboration with various content creators, with the Meta team incorporating their feedback along the way.

From our perspective, managing and working with Edits is incredibly easy. The app’s interface is simple and very user-friendly, offering everything one might need to make a video for social media. In addition to video creation, Edits also enables users to capture and organize ideas and view saved IG Reels for inspiration. If you’re seeking even more creative motivation and encouragement, you can check out the inspiration tab, where you can scroll through suggested Reels. Alternatively, you can view Reels from those you follow. Anything you like can be saved to a Reels collection and have a note added to it. Regarding video editing, the app provides an industry-standard range of features. You can incorporate audio into your video, along with royalty-free sounds, texts, captions, overlays, stickers, and cutouts.

While all the features are currently accessible for free, Meta has previously indicated that future versions of Edits might eventually include premium paid features. “I think over time we might have some paid features where we’re going to need to cover the cost of things like compute for big AI features. But in general, we want to create as many features that are free as possible because the more people can create, the more they will create, the better Instagram will be, and the more we will all benefit,” Mosseri said.

Currently, more advanced features appear to be in development for Edits. For instance, Meta hinted at working on keyframe animation that would enable users to “pinpoint exact moments for adjustments to your video’s timing, motion, and effects.” Simultaneously, the company is developing features for modification, collaboration, and creativity, making it even better and simpler for creators to make videos.

“This is just the first step in making an app that helps you create your best videos, and we plan to keep evolving and improving Edits based on your feedback,” Meta stated in its launch post.