Instagram Edits topped 7M downloads in first week, a bigger launch than CapCut’s

Tech Crunch - Apr 26th, 2025

Instagram Edits, a new video creation app from Meta, made a remarkable debut surpassing its competitor CapCut, with 702,900 downloads on iOS in the first two days, compared to CapCut's 83.5K combined iOS and Android downloads in three days. In the U.S., Edits was downloaded 381,000 times in its first three days, vastly outperforming CapCut's 3,400 downloads. This rapid adoption propelled Edits to the top of the U.S. iPhone App Store charts, aided by the network effects from Meta's extensive social networking ecosystem.

Despite this initial success, Edits faces challenges to match CapCut's extensive user base of 1.22 billion downloads worldwide since its 2020 launch. While creators appreciate Edits for its user-friendly interface and lack of ads, critics note its missing features compared to CapCut. As Edits gains traction, it may introduce a paid tier or ads for monetization, potentially increasing its appeal and competitiveness in the crowded video editing app market.

Meta Social Media App Downloads Network Effects Cap Cut Instagram Edits App Launch Video Creation Apps

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RATING

7.2

Fair Story

Consider it well-founded

The article provides a comprehensive overview of the launch and initial performance of Instagram Edits, offering detailed download metrics and comparisons with CapCut. It effectively highlights the competitive dynamics between Meta and ByteDance, supported by data from a reputable source, Appfigures. While the article is clear and well-structured, it could benefit from additional sources and perspectives to enhance balance and credibility. The focus on app download figures and market performance limits its broader societal impact, but it remains a timely and engaging piece for readers interested in technology trends.

Accuracy

The article presents a detailed account of the launch of Instagram Edits, supported by specific download figures and comparisons with CapCut. The claim that Instagram Edits had 702,900 downloads in its first two days and 7.1 million total downloads is backed by data from Appfigures, a reputable app intelligence provider. However, the article does not provide primary sources or direct access to Appfigures data, which could enhance verifiability. Additionally, while the article accurately reports CapCut's download figures and market performance, it lacks direct evidence for CapCut's 2020 launch metrics, which are crucial for a fair comparison.

Balance

The article provides a balanced view by comparing Instagram Edits with its competitor, CapCut, highlighting both strengths and weaknesses. It acknowledges that Edits has received mixed reactions from creators, noting both praise for its ease of use and criticism for lacking certain features. However, the article could improve balance by including more perspectives from users or industry experts on the potential long-term impact of Edits on the market.

Clarity

The article is clearly written, with a logical flow that guides the reader through the key points. It uses straightforward language to present complex data, making it accessible to a general audience. However, some technical terms, such as 'network effects,' could be explained more thoroughly for readers unfamiliar with industry jargon.

Source quality

The primary source of data in the article is Appfigures, a credible app intelligence provider. However, the article relies heavily on this single source for download figures, which may limit the diversity of perspectives. Including additional sources, such as interviews with industry experts or statements from Meta and ByteDance representatives, could enhance the credibility and depth of the reporting.

Transparency

The article is transparent in its use of data from Appfigures to support its claims about download figures and market performance. However, it lacks detailed explanation of the methodology used by Appfigures to gather this data. Additionally, the article does not disclose any potential conflicts of interest, such as relationships between the writer or publication and the companies involved.