Meta has finally dropped its long-awaited video editing app, Edits, built specifically to streamline content creation for Instagram (and Facebook).

While the tool was built with Meta’s platforms in mind – and you need to use your Instagram login to access Edits – the company is touting the app as a “creative tool to help creators express themselves freely in all the ways they can imagine, not just on Instagram and Facebook, but on any platform”.

Sounds great! But is ‘Edits’ ready to take on CapCut – Bytedance’s well established video-editing software that social media users know and love? Let’s look at some of the key differences between the two… 

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• Integration: Edits is tightly integrated with Instagram and Meta’s ecosystem, offering direct posting and analytics, while CapCut is platform-agnostic and widely used for TikTok, YouTube, and other platforms. You can post directly to TikTok from CapCut as well if you’re logged in with your account, but you don’t have access to analytics.
  
  
• Watermarks: Edits allows watermark-free exports for all users, whereas CapCut requires a Pro subscription for watermark-free exports.

• AI and editing tools: CapCut currently offers a broader and more mature set of editing features, templates, and AI-powered tools, especially in its Pro version. Edits, while feature-rich at launch, is still expanding its toolset but emphasises AI animation, trending audio, and Instagram integration.

• Music and audio: Edits leverages Meta’s licensed music library, making it easier to use trending and popular audio for Reels. CapCut has a large library, but is not as directly connected to music rights holders.

• Analytics: Edits stands out with built-in Instagram insights and analytics, helping creators track reach and engagement directly within the app – a feature CapCut lacks.

• Pricing: CapCut offers a free tier with limitations and a paid Pro version for advanced features. Edits is free at launch, with a paid premium tier expected in the future.

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If you’re primarily an Instagram creator, Edits should definitely be on your radar as a useful tool to test and play with. It’s free to use with a focus on Reels, offering seamless integration, watermark-free exports, built-in analytics, and more features on the way. If you’re looking for a wider set of features and a mature ecosystem, however, CapCut’s Pro version is still the gold standard for social video editing – for now.

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