It is buzzing among the creators that Meta has launched an all-new video-editing app called Edits. Thus, directly putting Meta in competition with the hugely popular CapCut app of ByteDance, one of the most popular aids used in the making of short-form videos.
It would not have been much of a surprise if Edits saw incorporation. After CapCut received a temporary removal from the various app stores of the U.S. during the talks about a ban on TikTok, Meta began announcing about its creation somewhere in January. At the moment, CapCut has come back to offer its services, but given the odds facing TikTok in the U.S., it seems that Edits was being strategically placed by Meta as a credible alternative.
Now, what is Edits? Let's take a look at what Edits is all about and how the app measures up to the competition.
Well, first things first: Edits is found on app stores on iOS and Android. After downloading, the app will ask you to log in with your Instagram account, providing smooth integration.
As you are navigating through the app itself, you'll have five main sections:
- Ideas: Here, you can brainstorm for your next viral video and save inspiring Reels.
- Inspiration: Find trending audio or popular Reels to get your creative juices flowing.
- Projects: Your studio. All things currently in progress will be listed here, and you'll also upload new videos from your phone.
- Record: To shoot! Film new content inside the Edits app.
- Insights: Watch how your videos are doing with metrics from views, reach, and follower growth.
Edits contains all types of gizmos that will make your videos shine more:
- Green Screen: Change or edit the background of your video with one tap.
- Timeline: Manage the fine arrangement and manipulation of your video clips.
- Captions: Having your videos captioned automatically is possible in different languages.
- Audio Library: You have access to all possible music in Instagram's gigantic music library for your video.
- Cutouts: Accurately isolate and track any object that appears in your video.
- Animate: Turn still images into videos using AI.
- Apply All: Save your time by applying filters, effects, transitions, and adjustments all at once to your project clips.
- Timeline Frame Rate Selector: Here you can select a frame rate for the video so it does not appear distorted when played.
- Alignment Guides: Place your key visuals and text in the perfect position with respect to the audience.
- Beat Markers: Automatically mark beats in audio for easier sync-ing of clips, texts, and overlays.
- Filters: Approximately 30 different filters are available for selection for your uniquely styled videos.
- Transitions: Approximately 30 transitions can be selected to make smooth connections between video clips.
Both Edits and CapCut are some capable even for the short-form video editing. A few factors set them apart.
CapCut has more of the advanced editing tools available right now, including more advanced AI tools. Understandably, since Edits is the newest contestant in the arena, it is possible to expect Meta to constantly improve Edits by providing more advanced tools in the weeks and months to come. At that time, CapCut has the upper hand on editorial music libraries.
Notable differences lie in the payment plans as of now: Edits is operating under a free mode. CapCut keeps its advanced features in a paid subscription, while the free version remains. But hints on the monetization of this platform surfaced in some comments from Adam Mosseri, head of Instagram. It's still unclear how long the free access will hold.
Finally, availability on platforms is a far cry from what will be provided here. CapCut runs on the web, while Edits is quite the mobile gimmick. Eventually, this too will evolve as Edits advances.
Meta's Edits represents a promising new tool for creators, and we will wait and see to what lengths it will go while being sandwiched between moves in such a volatile landscape as video editing apps.
