Meta Launches ‘Edits’ App: A New Video Creation Tool with Expanded Music Options

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has just launched a brand-new app called Edits — a move seen by many as a direct challenge to CapCut, the popular video editor owned by TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance.

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Available now for iOS and Android users, Edits arrives at a time when TikTok and related Chinese-owned apps are facing heavy scrutiny from US regulators. If TikTok ends up banned in the US, Meta seems well-positioned to offer creators an alternative way to keep making and editing their video content.

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Meta describes Edits as an all-in-one creative suite, offering tools not just for Meta’s own platforms but for content made for “any platform out there.” According to Music Business Worldwide, the app was first teased in January after CapCut briefly disappeared from US app stores. Instagram chief Adam Mosseri explained that Edits aims to go beyond basic editing: it’s built to inspire ideas, offer a high-quality camera experience, allow sharing drafts with others, and deliver insights on how posts perform — especially if shared on Instagram.

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At launch, all features in Edits are free. However, Mosseri has suggested that future updates could introduce premium paid features, particularly for advanced AI-powered tools that require more computing resources. Still, the goal is to keep as many features free as possible to support a broad community of creators.

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Excitingly for musicians and content creators, Meta also plans to expand Edits’ music options. Future updates will include access to royalty-free music, similar to what Meta started offering advertisers back in 2022 for Reels ads. This could be great news for independent artists who want to avoid copyright issues or find new ways to feature their music in video content. Meta already has licensing deals in place with major labels like Warner Music Group and Universal Music Group, ensuring that music rights holders get a share of revenue when licensed tracks are used.

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Meta says that Edits was developed closely with feedback from creators, incorporating their input through an early access program. And it’s just the beginning — more features like keyframe animation, AI-powered video editing, and collaboration tools are already in the works.

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As video content continues to dominate social media, tools like Edits could become essential for artists, brands, and creators looking to stay ahead — and it’ll be interesting to see how it grows, especially if TikTok’s future remains uncertain in the US.

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(Original reporting by Music Business Worldwide — read the full article here.)