Instagram Edits: The new video editing app, and what it means for creators

Elie

April 9, 2025

Min Read

There’s a new AI video editor entering the arena on April 30—and it’s wearing team Instagram’s jersey.

Instagram Edits is the upcoming, in-house video creation app from Instagram, and it appears to be a direct swing at CapCut, TikTok’s editing companion. But this is more than just a CapCut clone. It’s designed to be a full-stack creative studio in your pocket—with advanced tools, AI-powered features, and a seamless connection to your Instagram account.

Let’s break down what this means, how it’s going to work, and whether it might change the game for creators, video agencies, and editors alike.

Before we dive in, Submagic is the choice of pros, agency owners, influencers, and creators who rely on the streamlined workflow. Submagic is an AI video editor that’s built like a productivity tool.

Okay, now on to the silver and bronze medalists in this story. You’ll see who they are, soon.

So… What is Instagram Edits?

At its core, Instagram Edits is a standalone mobile video editing app built by the Instagram team.

It’s not just a timeline editor or a tool for trimming clips. Think of it more like a creative command center: capture high-quality video, stack multiple clips, animate still images, layer text with precision, drop in music, generate AI-powered captions, and share directly to Instagram—no middleman apps needed.

At least, not the serious ones with workflows for independent creators to teams and agencies that save them hours each week.

Features you’ll want to try

Here’s what’s coming:

Full Creative Suite: Stack clips, animate stills, apply transitions—everything you’d expect from a pro mobile editor.
AI Tools: Auto-generate captions in multiple languages, turn photos into video, and even use AI to edit your backgrounds.
Collaboration: Share drafts with other creators or editors for feedback.
Inspiration Tab: A built-in library of trending audios, visual ideas, and concepts to fuel your creativity.
Draft & Idea Management: Save unfinished projects or rough cuts to revisit later (or send to a collaborator).
High-Quality Camera: Edits won’t just edit your clips—it’ll capture them, too.
Instagram Insights: Publish directly to your profile and instantly get performance metrics.
No Watermark: You’ll be able to export watermark-free, even if you’re posting elsewhere.
Free to Start: Instagram says it’ll be free at launch, with potential paid upgrades for premium AI tools later.

And there’s the catch. It does not appear to be a free app. So, if you have to pay for Instagram Edits, then the vast arena of similar paid apps are yet better options.

How to get it

Instagram Edits will be available in the App Store as a separate download. As of now, some creators are already testing a beta version, and a full launch is expected on April 30.

Bookmark the official page or grab it from Apple’s App Store once it drops.

Who is Instagram Edits for?

This is aimed squarely at creators who want to:

Make Reels that hit the Explore page
Elevate their Stories or feed videos
Save time bouncing between apps (like filming in one, editing in another, and uploading in a third)
Collaborate with clients or teammates
Create content that doesn’t just get views—it drives engagement and growth

Who would be interested in it:

Independent creators trying to build a brand
Social media managers and content teams
Coaches, consultants, and educators making bite-sized video lessons
Real estate pros, fitness coaches, and agencies producing high-volume short-form content

If you’re editing on your phone and already use Instagram heavily, this is designed for you.

How does it compare to CapCut?

Now we’re getting into the juicy stuff.

CapCut has dominated the mobile editing scene for a while now. With templates, advanced editing, overlays, auto-captions, and TikTok-native publishing, it’s been the go-to for Reels, Shorts, and TikToks alike.

Here’s how Instagram Edits stacks up:

Feature	CapCut	Instagram Edits
AI Captions	✅	✅ (multi-language)
Collaboration	❌	✅ (draft sharing)
Template Library	✅	✅ (via Inspiration tab)
Publish to Instagram	✅ (but clunky)	✅ (seamless)
Watermark-Free Export	✅	✅
Camera Quality	Standard	Enhanced native camera
Insights	❌ (unless on TikTok)	✅ (Instagram analytics)
In-App Trends	✅	✅
Price	Free (with pro upgrade)	Free (with optional paid features later)

Where Edits has the edge:

Instagram-native integration means you skip the back-and-forth uploads.

Draft sharing unlocks smoother collaboration for teams and agencies.

AI tools like background replacement and photo animation are built in.

Where CapCut might still win:

CapCut’s years of development give it a head start on advanced timeline editing and overlay controls.
Its massive template ecosystem is hard to beat.
If your main platform is TikTok, CapCut still offers a more native flow.

How Submagic is different

The differentiator here is that Edits is integrated with Instagram. They will protect against third-party integration. As creators, we’re all over the social media space. So locking into a potentially paid app with limited integrations is not the best thing

Submagic, not owned by Meta, or a tech behemoth, it is built for creators to spread their wings. Edit and publish anywhere and everywhere you should be publishing your content in order to grow your business or personal brand.

While Instagram Edits and CapCut brawl it out, creators can remain focused and use Submagic to create the best viral shorts with the most efficient AI video editor that creates subtitles automatically, along with a host of other features.

Will Instagram Edits replace CapCut?

For some users—yes.

If your main audience is on Instagram, the convenience and integration of Edits will be irresistible. Think about it: you film inside the app, edit with pro tools, share straight to Reels, and immediately see how it performs.

For TikTok-heavy creators or those who want more timeline control, CapCut will likely remain the go-to for now.

But Edits is clearly built for growth-minded creators. It’s not just about creating better Reels—it’s about saving time, collaborating faster, and tapping into trends while they’re hot.

Submagic is your secret weapon (but tell your friends)

Submagic is still your secret weapon—especially if captions, workflows, and speed matter to you.

Here’s why:

Submagic’s transcript accuracy is higher than anything Instagram’s AI caption tool can match right now.
It’s built for pros who need stylized captions, not just default subs.
Our edit-by-transcript interface saves hours. No timeline dragging. Just click and cut.
You can auto-add b-rolls, enhance audio, and slap on music in seconds.
Submagic isn’t trying to own your whole workflow. We integrate with what you already use—whether it’s CapCut, Premiere, or soon, Instagram Edits.

In short: Instagram Edits might be the shiny new toy, but Submagic is the power tool that creators keep reaching for. Especially if you care about caption style, speed, and creative control.

The bottom line, it’s not the end of the line

Instagram Edits is a bold (and smart) move. It’s a clear signal that Instagram is done playing defense when it comes to creator tools.

For serious editors, agency workflows, and teams working across multiple platforms, you’ll still need pro tools like Submagic to handle the heavy lifting—especially if captions are your secret weapon.

Once it launches, I’ll be diving into it and testing how well it actually stacks up in real-world use. But until then, now you know exactly what to expect—and how to plan ahead.

About the author

Elie

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Vick Tipnes

@vicktipnes