Instagram’s Edits app records 7m downloads on debut, surpasses CapCut

• Published On: 27 April 2025 at 13:42

Instagram Edits, Meta's latest release, has made a strong entry into the video editing arena, surpassing rival app CapCut in its first few days.

According to app intelligence firm Appfigures, Edits received over 702,900 downloads on iOS in its first two days, which is roughly 37 times higher than CapCut's performance in the same timeframe.

As of Thursday, Edits had 1.2 million iOS downloads and 5.9 million Android downloads, for a total of 7.1 million global installs. In contrast, CapCut, owned by ByteDance, received only 83,500 iOS and Android downloads in its first three days. Even after accounting for increased availability, Edits maintains a considerable early advantage against CapCut.

In the United States alone, Edits received 381,000 downloads in its first three days, far outpacing CapCut's paltry 3,400 downloads during its U.S. launch – a difference of 112.

The app's fast uptake propelled it to the top of the US iPhone App Store charts. On April 22, Edits debuted at number one in both the Top Overall and Top Non-Game Apps categories. Though it dropped to second place on day two and third place on Friday, it stayed significantly ahead of CapCut, which rated 14th overall and 10th among non-game apps after three days.

Meta's significant network effects are credited with Edits' rapid ascent, as it benefits from seamless integration with Instagram's social ecosystem. However, if Edits is to compete with CapCut's vast global footprint, it will face a long road ahead. Since its inception in 2020, CapCut has been downloaded 1.22 billion times worldwide, excluding China.

The initial reactions to Edits have been divided. While many users commended the app's easy interface, built-in analytics, 4K video compatibility, and ad-free experience, others pointed out that it lacks functionality included in CapCut, such as ready-made templates and a diverse range of transition effects.

Despite this, Edits' excellent start makes it a serious contender. Analysts believe Meta may eventually include paid services or advertisements to capitalize on the app's rising user base.