Meta’s new video creation app, Instagram Edits, has made an impressive debut, topping 7 million downloads within just its first week. This new app, designed for crafting videos for Instagram Reels, Stories, and other social posts, had an exceptional start, particularly when compared to its competitor CapCut by ByteDance.

Record-breaking Launch Numbers

In its first two days, Instagram Edits was downloaded about 702,900 times on iOS, a number 37 times higher than CapCut’s first two-day figure. By Thursday, Instagram Edits had reached 1.2 million downloads on iOS and 5.9 million downloads on Android, bringing its total to 7.1 million downloads. In contrast, CapCut only saw 83.5K downloads in its first three days, and even if CapCut’s numbers were adjusted for global reach, Edits would still be far ahead.

U.S. Performance Surpasses Expectations

In the United States, Instagram Edits performed exceptionally well, racking up 381,000 downloads in the first three days, while CapCut could only claim 3,400 downloads in the same period. This means Edits’ U.S. launch was 112 times bigger than CapCut’s.

App Store Success

The app’s rapid adoption helped Instagram Edits achieve high rankings in the U.S. App Store. On its first day, it reached No. 1 in the Overall and Non-Game apps category. While it dropped to No. 2 on day two and No. 3 on day three, it still outperformed CapCut, which was ranked No. 14 Overall and No. 10 in the non-game apps category during its initial days.

Instagram Edits vs. CapCut: Who Will Win?

While Instagram Edits is still in its infancy, its rapid rise shows the potential it holds. For those looking to create high-quality Instagram content without the hassle of ads or watermarks, Instagram Edits provides a clean, user-friendly platform. But with CapCut’s established user base and more advanced features, the competition is far from over.

In the end, Instagram Edits has set a high bar with its debut, but only time will tell if it can sustain this momentum and truly rival CapCut in the long run.

Mixed Reactions from Creators

Up until now, the creators’ feedback has been a mixed bag. Many Edits users argue for its simple approach, ad-free interface, 4K video support, and exports that do not have a watermark. On the contrary, many creators argue that Edits is lacking some of the advanced features that CapCut offers, such as templates and multiple transition effects.

Looking Ahead

In the long term, Instagram Edits could catch up to CapCut, but it may need to introduce new features, or even a paid tier, to further drive engagement and growth. Whether it will add ads or premium features remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Meta’s new app is already a strong contender in the video creation space.

Future Enhancements for Instagram Edits

Looking ahead, Instagram Edits might consider adding more features that creators and brands commonly use in video content creation. Some potential features could include:

  • Collaborative Editing: Since most social media contents are team-based, having multiple users working on a video project at the same time would greatly enhance the appeal of Instagram Edits to influencers and brands.
  • Necessary Music Integration: A fast and vast library of tracks, sound effects, and voiceovers could augment the user experience, akin to the audio feature with TikTok and CapCut.
  • AI-Powered Editing Tools: Advanced AI tools to automate parts of the video creation process, like auto-cutting clips, smart transitions, or even auto-captioning, could set Instagram Edits apart.

Tips for Creators Using Instagram Edits

Here are some tips for beginners in Instagram Edits so that you may enjoy every minute spent with the app: 

Use Template Wisely: Even if Instagram Edits does not have as heavy a template storehouse as does CapCut, it has that little aspect where users make custom templates that will make it easier to use in future video production and save time.

Leverage Built-In Analytics: Track the performance of your content directly within the app, which can help optimize future posts.

Export in 4K: If you’re aiming for high-quality content, make sure to take advantage of the 4K video export feature for crisp and professional-looking posts.

Create Stories and Reels: The app is tailored for Instagram’s most popular features, so focus on creating Reels and Stories to maximize engagement.