Meta releases its CapCut rival Edits globally

Meta announced on Tuesday that it’s officially launching Edits, its CapCut-like video-creation app. Releasing globally, Edits will allow creators to do things like keep track of video ideas, get inspiration for new content, and create videos with effects and AI tools. The app is available on iOS and Android.

All of the app’s features will be accessible for free at launch. However, Instagram head Adam Mosseri said earlier this month that later versions of Edits may include paid features.

The company first shared that it was working on Edits back in January after ByteDance-owned CapCut was removed from U.S. app stores when the TikTok ban momentarily went into effect. Although the app has since come back online and is available to download, TikTok’s future in the U.S. remains uncertain, so Meta is ready to capitalize on CapCut’s possible absence in the future.

The launch of the new app also allows Meta and Instagram to push creators of all kinds to use Edits as opposed to CapCut for all of their short-form content. In its announcement post, Instagram notes that Edits is designed to help creators make videos not just for Instagram or Facebook, but also for “any platform,” which is likely a reference to competitors like TikTok and YouTube Shorts.

It’s worth noting that one major difference between Edits and CapCut is the fact that Edits lets you export videos watermark-free. In comparison, you need to pay for CapCut Pro to export a video without a watermark.

As for the features themselves, the app’s “Ideas” tool allows you to jot down ideas for new videos, while the “Projects” feature helps you organize and manage different creations in one place. The “Inspirations” tool lets you browse through trending audio to create videos with audio you discover.

Edits’ “Green screen” feature lets you replace the background of your videos. Plus, the “Timeline” feature helps you arrange and adjust clips. You can also add automatic captions to your videos, along with music from Instagram’s library.

In addition, you can turn static images into videos using AI thanks to the app’s “Animate” feature. The app’s “Cutouts” feature allows you to isolate specific objects with precision tracking.

Once you’re happy with your video, you can share it directly to Instagram or Facebook from within the app. Or, you can choose to export the video to post it on other platforms.

Edits also features insights that can help you learn about your content strategy and factors that could impact your reach and distribution.

Meta has teased a few new features that will be available on Edits in the future, including a “Modify” tool that will allow creators to use AI to alter the “look and feel” of their videos. Additionally, a “Keyframes” feature lets users pick specific moments to change the position, rotation, or size of their clips.

Plus, creators will soon be able to collaborate with other creators or brands to get feedback on their drafts. Meta also plans to release more fonts, text animations, transitions, voice effects, filters, sound effects, and music options in the future.