Introducing ‘Edits’: Instagram’s new tool for creating video content

06/06/2025

Instagram has launched a new video editing app called Edits. Here’s what it can do and why you might want to try it.

Do we have a new video editing rivalry on our hands? Introducing ‘Edits’ - Instagram’s new standalone app for editing - and it’s already making waves as a direct competitor to popular tools like CapCut and Canva.  

I took Edits for a spin to see how it stacks up, putting myself in your shoes as you look to improve your church’s digital presence. Here are five pros and five cons to help you decide if it’s worth trying.  

Pros  

  1. Integrated music library  
    You can easily add music directly from Instagram’s vast library.  It’s a smoother process than on CapCut and Canva, especially useful for worship clips or event recaps.  

  1. Seamless Instagram integration  
    If your church already uses Instagram, this app fits like a glove. You can edit and publish your content straight to Instagram or Facebook without jumping between tools. 

  1. Free auto-captions  
    Similar to Canva’s video editing tool, Edits offers free autogenerated captions, fantastic for accessibility and engagement.  

  1. No watermarks on exports  
    Content can be exported watermark-free which is ideal for cross-platform sharing without extra branding.  

  1. The ‘Ideas’ tab 
    This is where Edits differs from editing in the Instagram app itself.  The app includes an ‘Ideas’ tab, a project management space where users can ‘save’ inspiring videos, have access to their saved posts and plan video projects. 

 

Cons  

  1. Limited Features  
    Currently, Edits lacks some tools that competitor apps have, like templates. If you are producing videos and rely heavily on templates, other editing apps including Canva remain a better option for now.  

  1. No Desktop Version  
    It’s mobile-only for now, which may be limiting for users who prefer editing on larger screens.  

  1. No scheduling 
    Currently, you can’t schedule posts ahead on Edits, but that is still available on the Instagram app if you are using a ‘professional account’ where you can use their native scheduling tool. 

  1. Instagram Account Required  
    You must be logged into an Instagram account to use the app, which isn’t ideal if you prefer to keep editing tools separate.  

  1. Potential Future Costs  
    While most features are currently free, it’s possible that pricing tiers will be introduced as the app continues to develop and grows in popularity.  

screenshot of the Edits app
screenshot of the Edits app menu and editing page

Final thoughts

Instagram’s Edits is a promising tool for creators who focus their content within the Meta ecosystem, especially churches aiming to grow their reach on Instagram and Facebook. It’s user-friendly, intuitive, and makes content creation more accessible, particularly for beginners or those with limited editing experience.  

While it’s not yet a full replacement for more powerful tools, I see real potential here. For now, Edits is definitely an app worth exploring and experimenting with to produce engaging, high-quality Reels and Stories for Instagram, Facebook and for work that supports the Church’s mission in the digital space.   

So why not give Edits a go? If you do, we’d love to hear how you find it and what it helps you create.  

 - Nozipho Dube, Social Media Officer