Instagram launches desktop version of its Edits video editor
Instagram's short-form video editing app Edits is now available on computers, starting with a version for Mac users. It competes with CapCut, owned by ByteDance, which has been available on Windows and Mac since 2021.
Social media platform Instagram has announced that its short-form video editing app, Edits, will now also be available on computers. The desktop version is initially offered to Mac users. The move puts Instagram in direct competition with CapCut, an app owned by ByteDance that is very popular among content creators and has been available on Windows and Mac since 2021.
What the desktop version offers
The desktop app is designed for more complex video projects that are easier to handle on a larger screen with a mouse and keyboard. It includes a full multi-track timeline, keyframes for smooth transitions, audio waveforms for precise editing, and the option to import custom fonts. The tool also provides licensed, royalty-free music, audio and video effects, and automatic subtitles in several languages.
Audio and text styles saved in the mobile app sync automatically with the desktop version. Users can customise keyboard shortcuts or import them from other editing software.
Publishing and export
One of the key advantages is the ability to publish content straight from the desktop editor to Instagram, using the usual features such as tags and location. This removes the need to download the finished file and transfer it to a phone before posting. Edits supports both horizontal and vertical formats, and videos can be exported in up to 4K resolution without watermarks.
Next steps
Instagram promises weekly updates for the desktop version. It is also working on a solution that would let creators seamlessly continue editing the same project across a computer and a mobile device. The company adds that it will keep actively developing the Edits mobile app, which is currently used by more than 50 million creators worldwide.
