Meta’s Instagram Edits App: A Complete Guide

Last Updated on June 4, 2025 by Himanshu Rawat

As short-form videos gain popularity, creators often switch between several apps to produce eye-catching short content. To make this easier, Meta just dropped a game-changing tool for content creators: Edits, a brand-new video content-making app aimed at simplifying the creative process. If you’re making content for Instagram, Facebook, or other platforms, Edits is designed to bring everything you need into one highly productive, easy-to-use space.

Let’s take a closer look at what makes Instagram Edits the next must-have tool for modern creators.

What is Instagram Edits?

Edits is Meta’s newest standalone app for video creators. Instagram continues to be a destination for visual storytelling, but Edits is designed to support creators even before their content reaches the platform.

Instagram Edits goes beyond what typical video editing apps can do. It’s not just an editing tool, it’s a full creative studio built into one app. You can shoot, edit, manage, and directly publish videos to Instagram and Facebook without switching platforms or losing quality.

Key Features of Instagram Edits

Instagram Edits is designed to give creators a professional-grade, all-in-one video editing solution tailored for Reels and short-form content. Here’s a detailed look at its standout features:

Timeline Editing

• Offers a familiar, frame-accurate timeline layout with tools to cut, trim, split, rearrange, and merge clips.
• Supports multiple layers, overlays, and adjustment of key visual aspects like saturation and sharpness for precise control.

Green Screen & Cutout Effects

• Let’s you easily replace or remove backgrounds using advanced tracking technology, similar to rotoscoping.
• The “Cutout” tool can isolate objects or people, enabling creative backgrounds or effects for both fun and professional content.

Transitions & Effects

• Includes a variety of transitions (like dissolve and zoom) and visual effects to make videos dynamic.
• Features Instagram’s signature filters, such as New York, Los Angeles, Jaipur, and Melbourne, with more promised in future updates.

Text and Fonts

• Access to over 125 Instagram-native fonts, with customizable text animations and styles.
• Built-in captions enhance accessibility and engagement, all without needing extra plugins.

Voice Effects & Audio Editing

• Apply 15+ voice effects (e.g., robotic, high-pitched), record/edit voiceovers, and split audio to match your video for stories.
• Easily access saved and trending sounds from Instagram’s integrated audio library.

AI Animation & Tools

• Animate still images or backgrounds using AI-powered features, and isolate objects with precision for advanced edits.
• AI tools also assist with auto-captions and background removal.

Apply All

• Apply filters, effects, or transitions across all clips in a project instantly, speeding up the editing process.

No Watermarks

• Export videos in HD, 2K, or 4K HDR without any Instagram branding, ensuring a polished, professional finish.

Performance Metrics

• View engagement data like skip rates after sharing, helping you understand audience behavior.

Seamless Instagram Integration

• Log in with your Instagram account and publish directly to Instagram or Facebook.

Free to Use

• All current features are free, though advanced AI-powered tools may become paid in the future.

How to Use Instagram Edits: Getting Started

Getting started with Instagram Edits is designed to feel intuitive and empowering, Imagine opening the app and being greeted by a clean, organized interface that puts your creative journey front and center.

 Step 1. Download & Sign In

• Download Edits from the App Store or Google Play.
• Sign in using your Instagram credentials.

Step 2. Project Management

• The app features five main tabs: Ideas, Trending Audio, Projects, Recording, and Insights.
• Use the Ideas tab to jot down notes or save inspirational videos and audio.

Step 3. Recording & Importing

• Record videos up to 10 minutes directly in the app or import clips from your device’s gallery.

Step 4. Editing Workflow

• Use the timeline editor to trim, split, and arrange clips.
• Add transitions, effects, text, and overlays.
• Adjust audio, apply voice effects, and experiment with green screen backgrounds.

Step 5. Export & Share

• Export your finished video without watermarks.
• Share directly to Instagram, Facebook, or download for use on other platforms.

Step 6. Track Performance

• After publishing, check engagement metrics in the Insights tab to see how your content performs.

Pros and Cons of Edits

Edits is great for Instagram-focused creators seeking a simple, free tool. While CapCut offers more advanced features and cross-platform support, Edits is quickly improving with strong Meta integration.

Pros:

• User-friendly, clean interface
• Free, watermark-free exports
• Seamless Instagram and Facebook integration
• Robust suite of editing tools and effects
• AI-powered features and frequent updates

Cons:

• Occasional crashes and lag reported
• Lacks advanced features like keyframes and cropping
• Audio sync issues and slow exports for some users
• Interface limitations: fewer templates than CapCut
• Still maturing compared to established rivals like CapCut

How Do Edits Compare to CapCut and Other Rivals?

Feature Comparison

Features	Instagram Edits	CapCut/Competitors
Integration	Deep with Instagram/Facebook	Best for TikTok, less for IG
Watermark	None	Present unless paid (CapCut)
Templates	Fewer (for now)	Extensive
Advanced Features	Lacks keyframes, cropping (coming soon)	More mature (keyframes, templates)
Price	Free (for now)	(premium features paid)
AI Tools	AI animation, auto-captions, background removal	Available, but some are paid

• Instagram Edits integrates deeply with Instagram and Facebook, while CapCut is best for TikTok and offers less seamless IG support.
• Edits exports videos without watermarks; CapCut adds a watermark unless you pay.
• CapCut offers a larger library of templates; Edits currently has fewer templates available.
• CapCut provides more advanced features like keyframes and cropping, which Edits currently lacks but plans to add.
• Edits is completely free for now; CapCut uses a freemium model with some paid features.
• Both offer AI tools, but some of CapCut’s AI features require payment, while Edits’ AI tools are currently free.
• Edits is best for Instagram-focused creators wanting a simple, integrated workflow, while CapCut is better for advanced editing and cross-platform use.

What’s More Instagram Edits have in future?

Meta has outlined an ambitious roadmap for Instagram Edits, aiming to make it a leading platform for video creators. Here’s what’s coming next: 

1. Keyframe Editing

This highly requested feature will allow creators to precisely control movements, effects, and transitions on a frame-by-frame basis, unlocking more advanced and polished edits.

2. Enhanced AI Tools

Meta is working on expanding Edits’ AI capabilities, including automated video corrections, advanced noise reduction, and video stabilization. These tools will help creators quickly improve video quality and streamline their workflow.

3. Collaboration Features

Edits will soon introduce robust collaboration tools, making it possible for creators to share drafts, receive real-time feedback, and co-edit projects with friends, brands, or team members directly within the app. This will simplify teamwork and speed up the content creation process.

4. Inspiration & Analytics

Future updates will further integrate inspiration tabs for saving creative ideas and trending content, as well as enhanced analytics dashboards to track engagement, retention, and provide AI-driven tips for content improvement.

Conclusion

Instagram Edits is a powerful, free tool that lowers the barrier for professional-quality video creation on mobile. Its seamless integration with Instagram, watermark-free exports, and growing suite of features make it a compelling choice for Reels creators. 

While it’s not yet as feature-rich as CapCut, its rapid development and Meta’s backing suggest it will only get better. For now, it’s a must-have for any Instagram-focused content creator watch this space as new features roll out.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is Instagram Edits free to use?

Yes, Instagram Edits is currently free, though some advanced AI-powered features may become paid in the future.

2. How is Instagram Edits different from Instagram’s built-in editor or other apps like CapCut?

Edits offers more advanced, professional-level editing tools, seamless Instagram integration, and AI-powered features, while CapCut and others may have more templates and advanced features but require exporting before posting.

3. Can I use Instagram Edits for both Reels and Stories?

Yes, Edits is designed for creating content for Reels, Stories, and Feed posts, making it versatile for all Instagram formats.

4. Do I need an Instagram account to use Edits?

Yes, you must log in with your Instagram account to use the Edits app and access its features

5. Does Instagram Edits export videos with a watermark?

No, videos edited and exported with Instagram Edits do not have any watermark, allowing for a professional finish