Instagram officially launches Edits, its new standalone video editing app to rival CapCut

Instagram has officially launched "Edits," to the general public, its new standalone video editing app designed to compete with ByteDance's CapCut. The video editor was announced back in January and is now available for free on iOS and Android, targeting creators with advanced editing features and content management tools.

Right off the bat, it supports green screen background replacement and subject cutouts, similar to CapCut, and introduces unique AI-powered animations from static images—a feature not available in the main Instagram app. Users can manage projects, track ideas, and analyze video performance data.

Instagram head Adam Mosseri acknowledged the similarities with CapCut but emphasized that Edits is more creator-focused (and we’ve got to assume using Edits will probably give you a bit of an extra boost if you're a Instagram's Reel user). He also mentioned that Edits would offer a broader range of creative tools, prioritizing depth and versatility. Future updates are expected to include keyframes, enhanced AI editing, and collaborative tools.