Meta Launches Edits: Free AI Video App to Rival CapCut

Meta is doubling down on short-form video. On Tuesday, the company officially launched Edits, a new video-creation app aimed at creators who want a powerful, flexible, and AI-enhanced editing experience—without the watermark or the paywall.

Available now globally on both iOS and Android, Edits brings a suite of creative tools that echo the functionality of ByteDance’s CapCut, but with some notable upgrades and Meta ecosystem perks.

A New Creative Playground for Video Makers

At launch, Edits is completely free, giving creators access to professional-grade editing tools, AI features, and content strategy insights—all without needing to pay or worry about intrusive watermarks. This is a key distinction: CapCut users must subscribe to CapCut Pro to export watermark-free videos.

But Edits isn't just for Instagram and Facebook. In a bold move, Meta emphasized that the app is designed to help creators craft content for any platform—a nod to TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and other rivals.

Key Features in Edits

Edits combines intuitive design with AI-assisted features to streamline video creation:

• Ideas – Save and organize concepts for future content.
• Projects – Manage multiple video drafts from one dashboard.
• Inspirations – Browse trending audio to spark creative ideas.
• Green Screen – Swap video backgrounds with ease.
• Timeline – Precisely edit and arrange video clips.
• Auto Captions & Music – Add text and music from Instagram’s library in seconds.
• Animate – Transform static images into videos using AI.
• Cutouts – Isolate objects with precision tracking.
• Direct Sharing – Publish instantly to Instagram, Facebook, or export anywhere else.

Plus, built-in analytics offer feedback on what’s working—and what’s not—helping creators fine-tune their content strategy.

The TikTok Factor

Meta’s timing isn’t accidental. The company started teasing Edits in January—right after CapCut was briefly pulled from U.S. app stores during a legislative crackdown on TikTok. Though CapCut is back, the political landscape remains shaky, and Meta is seizing the moment to provide a viable, home-grown alternative.

What’s Next for Edits?

Instagram head Adam Mosseri hinted earlier this month that paid features could come to Edits in the future, but for now, it’s free across the board.

Upcoming features include:

• Modify – Use AI to change a video’s look and feel.
• Keyframes – Set specific movements like zoom or rotation at key moments.
• Collaborations – Share drafts with other creators or brands for feedback.
• Expanded libraries of fonts, transitions, filters, effects, and music.

Meta’s Long-Term Play

With Reels continuing to grow and AI tools becoming central to content creation, Edits positions Meta as more than just a platform—it’s becoming the full-stack ecosystem for creators.

By making professional tools free, intuitive, and tightly integrated with Meta’s social apps, Edits isn’t just challenging CapCut—it’s redefining the creator toolkit for a new era.