How to Use Instagram Edits for Your Eye-catching Videos?

Do you know what the Instagram Edits app is? Learn its features and steps to make videos for Instagram in this useful article. Moreover, discover the desktop video editor CapCut to do more video editing for Instagram.

CapCut
CapCut
Apr 29, 2025
62 min(s)

The key to making attention-grabbing videos that really stand out from the crowd in today's fast-scrolling society is through Instagram Edits. If you are a budding content creator or a brand looking to reach a higher level of engagement, learning how to master Instagram Edits can work wonders. For users who want a desktop video editor, CapCut is the best choice. This guide will teach you how to work with Instagram Edits efficiently so that your videos can impress and leave a mark.

Table of content
  1. What is the Instagram Edits app
  2. Key features of Instagram Edits for video editing
  3. How to use Instagram Edits for video making
  4. Why should you pick Instagram Edits
  5. CapCut desktop: Best alternative for creating Instagram videos
  6. Which one is suitable for you? Edits or CapCut
  7. Conclusion
  8. FAQs

What is the Instagram Edits app

Instagram Edits is a video editing mobile app designed by Instagram to provide users with more powerful creative capabilities than those provided within the core Instagram application. It gives users key editing capabilities such as trimming, layering clips, transitions, audio adjustment, color tweaking, and visual effects, all aimed at making users' content for Reels, Stories, and posts more polished and easier to control.

The Edits app clearly draws on the successful experience of the TikTok flagship app, CapCut. The tool optimizes the editing process specifically for vertical videos, allowing creators to more efficiently produce social video content, which once again reflects Meta's conventional strategy to cope with market competition.

Instagram Edits interface

Key features of Instagram Edits for video editing

  • Image to video: AI-powered animations transform still images into dynamic video content, adding movement and life to your photos.
  • Caption generation: Automatically generate and customize captions to make your videos more accessible and engaging.
  • Video background changing: The Edits app allows you to change or overlay backgrounds, allowing for creative scene transformations.
  • AI fill light: Enhance lighting in your videos automatically, ensuring clear and well-lit footage even in suboptimal conditions.
  • Specific editing function entry: Access targeted editing tools directly from the Instagram platform, streamlining your workflow and catering to specific editing needs.
  • Video export without a watermark: Export your edited videos without any watermarks, maintaining a professional appearance for your content.
  • Download videos in 4K for free: Download high-resolution 4K videos without any additional cost, ensuring top-quality content.
  • Easily view Instagram video performance: Integrated analytics/insights allow you to monitor your video's performance on Instagram, providing insights into engagement and reach.

How to use Instagram Edits for video making

    STEP 1
  1. Download & Sign in to Instagram Edits

Begin by going to the App Store or Google Play, searching for "Instagram Edits," and downloading the application. Once downloaded, just log back into your current Instagram account. There is no need to set up a new one.

    STEP 2
  1. Start a new project

Upon signing in, you will get to the home screen where you can either directly record new content inside the application (up to 10 minutes) or import current clips from your phone's camera roll. To import current content, tap on the "+" at the bottom right. Tap the "Record" button at the bottom center to record new content.

    STEP 3
  1. Editing the video

Once you tap on a clip, editing options pop up: split clips, adjust volume, fine-tune brightness and contrast, speed up or slow down footage, apply filters, replace or duplicate clips, and even use green screen effects or voice effects for a creative touch.

Tip: You can now zoom in on the timeline with a pinch gesture for detailed edits, or zoom out to get a broader view. Tap and hold a clip to move it around, then drag it to your desired position.

Once you select a clip on the timeline, several creative editing options appear to polish your video:

Adjust: Refine your footage by tweaking brightness, contrast, saturation, warmth, sharpness, and other visual parameters.

Effects: Instantly add dynamic movements or visual styles to your videos with effects like zooms, camera shakes, flashes, strobe lights, and more.

Filters: Choose from a wide range of filters to change the overall tone and color grading of your video.

Text: Personalize your video by adding text overlays. You can fully customize the font, color, size, style, and animation of the text to match your video's theme.

Sound FX: Bring your edits to life with a library of fun and expressive sound effects. From swooshes and pops to applause and ambient noises, these effects help to highlight actions, transitions, or emotions, making your videos more lively and engaging.

You can also add music, overlay, stickers, mirror effect, and much more.

    STEP 4
  1. Export and share the video

Once your video feels complete, you can export it in 4K HDR without a watermark, perfect for sharing on Instagram or even other short-form video platforms like TikTok or YouTube Shorts.

Edit a video using the Edits app

Why should you pick Instagram Edits

  • Smooth creation from recording to editing

Record with built-in features such as green screen and slow motion with Instagram Edits, with your footage ready to edit at a click. This helps your content flow better, accelerates your work, and retains your creative rhythm.

  • Built specially for Instagram

Instagram Edits perfectly complements the Instagram application. It is mostly geared towards assisting with creating Reels, which previously had a smaller set of edits. From the app's design to navigating through features, all of it feels Instagram-like. This simplifies editing and publishing videos that are compatible with Instagram's style.

  • All-in-one editing made simple

Instagram Edits provides robust editing capabilities without making things convoluted. It utilizes a simple, easy-to-use multi-track design, with which you can rapidly cut, re-arrange, and apply effects without having to be a professional. It avoids complicated settings, providing the right options for quickly making amazing videos.

  • Take care of the entire creative process

The application will assist you throughout the entire creative process, from inspiration to editing to posting. Its design mirrors the creators' organic steps when creating Reels, making everything easier and less cluttered. You have all the tools you need, from start to end, all within one place.

While Instagram Edits makes mobile video creation easier than ever, it's still limited to smartphones. For users who prefer editing with more flexibility on a bigger screen, CapCut's desktop version is a powerful alternative, offering advanced features and a smoother editing experience for crafting standout Instagram videos.

CapCut desktop: Best alternative for creating Instagram videos

If you desire a more powerful means of making Instagram videos over mobile editing, CapCut desktop video editor is a leading option. It provides a simple but professional editing experience with pre-made Instagram video templates, fashionable filters, AI stickers, and a wealth of visual effects. Suppose you're looking to create short reels or more extensive Instagram videos. In that case, CapCut desktop allows you to edit more quickly and creatively, all on a bigger screen for superior control. You can access a library of popular video templates for instant project beginnings, tap into intelligent AI features such as text to speech and long video to shorts for streamlined content creation, and add your videos with rich visual effects such as text, effects, and stickers.

Want professional-quality Instagram videos without the hassle? Sign up for CapCut desktop today and unleash limitless creative freedom!

Key features

  • Video templates: CapCut provides users with a vast selection of pre-designed templates for making Instagram videos.
  • AI tools: The platform includes AI-powered features like text to speech, long videos into short, and auto captions.
  • Visual elements: You can enhance your Instagram videos with stylish text overlays, animated effects, and fun stickers.
  • Stock of media: Utilize CapCut's extensive music, images, and video library to give your Instagram posts a polished and professional touch.

How to create a video for Instagram in easy steps

    STEP 1
  1. Import files

Launch CapCut and select "New project" to get started. Drag and drop your video clips into the media library, or click "Import" to upload them manually. Remember to set the aspect ratio to 9:16, which is ideal for Instagram Reels.

Import media
    STEP 2
  1. Customize the video

Add visual flair with filters, transitions, and effects to make your video pop. Head over to the "Audio" tab to browse trending music, add it to your timeline, and fine-tune the volume or clip length. Use the "Adjustments" panel to tweak brightness, contrast, and overall tone for color adjustments.

Edit video in CapCut
    STEP 3
  1. Export the video

After polishing your video, click on "Export" and select the recommended resolution for Instagram. Save your project in MP4 or MOV format and transfer it to your mobile device for effortless uploading.

Export the video

Which one is suitable for you? Edits or CapCut

Which one is suitable for you? Edits or CapCut

When should you choose Instagram Edits

Instagram Edits' clean and simple interface is perfect for hobbyists and beginners. If you're an amateur just looking to casually share daily posts, the Edits app's basic editing features will meet your needs. You can quickly apply filters, make simple cuts without complicated steps. What's more, it allows you to complete the entire video creation process without leaving the Instagram ecosystem, from shooting, editing, to publishing, everything can be done in one go.

When should you choose CapCut desktop

CapCut desktop is more suitable for users who desire more creative control and features. If making content demanding fine-tuned changes, professional effects, or extended editing time is a frequent need, CapCut offers a full set of tools with room to spare. If you are a professional creator who needs to manage multiple social handle accounts, create content for a brand, or want increased production quality, CapCut desktop provides the flexibility and richness to turn your creative visions into a reality.

Conclusion

Instagram Edits is popular because of its integration with the Instagram platform. Whether it's recording, editing, or publishing Reels, the application provides the basics to move quickly and stay connected with your audience. You can also use it to easily view Instagram video data performance. If you need more editing options, the CapCut desktop can be put to use with AI features, professional templates, and an extensive collection of visual assets. Regardless of which tool you choose, your ultimate goal is the same: to develop compelling, high-quality content to attract your audience. Download CapCut today and start effortlessly creating stunning Instagram videos!

FAQs

    1
  1. Can I use Instagram Edits on desktop?

Instagram Edits is only a mobile application for iOS and Android. As there is no official desktop version, editing on a computer or a Mac is not supported. Still, other applications, such as CapCut desktop, exist for those who prefer professional editing from a laptop with rich video editing features like AI video maker, script generator, and more.

    2
  1. How much do people pay for the Instagram Edits app?

Instagram Edits is completely free to download and use for now. There are no hidden charges, subscriptions, or fees — you can access all editing features without paying anything. But you can only use it on your mobile. If you need a free desktop tool to create Instagram videos, CapCut desktop is a good choice because you can do fine video editing on a larger screen.

    3
  1. Can I edit a video using Instagram on a PC?

While Instagram itself allows you to upload posts and reels via its desktop website, it does not offer full video editing tools on PC. To edit videos on your computer for Instagram, you'll need external editors like CapCut desktop, which provides more advanced editing features such as video templates and visual effects optimized for Instagram content.