Want to make your videos stand out? Master Instagram Reels editors in this guide! Instagram Reels are a game-changer for content creators. Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, the right editing tools can take your videos to the next level.
In this article, we’ll compare Instagram’s built-in editor with top editing apps like Filmora’s IG Reels Maker. You’ll discover their key features, pros and cons, and which one suits your needs best. Plus, we’ll share expert tips to make your Reels more engaging.
Let’s start by exploring Instagram’s built-in Reels Editor and its editing capabilities!
Part 1: What is Instagram’s Built-in Reels Editor?
Instagram Reels Editor is a basic yet efficient editor that assists users in editing short videos within the app. It includes tools for cutting clips, adding effects, and inserting music. Since everything is available inside Instagram, there’s no need to download extra apps.
Features of Instagram Reels Editor
Instagram’s editor comes with several tools to enhance your reels. Here are the features you can gain from Instagram Reels Editor.
- Trim and Cut Clips
Trim or cut clips to remove unwanted parts of your video. This technique helps you keep only the best moments.
- Scale, Crop, and Rotate
- Adjust the size of your video using the Scale option.
- Crop the video to focus on a specific part.
- Rotate the video by pinching the screen with two fingers.
- Music and Sounds
Choose from a large library of songs and trending sounds to make your reel more engaging.
- Filters and Effects
Apply creative filters, AR effects, and transitions to enhance your video.
- Text and Stickers
Add text with different fonts and colors. You can also use stickers and emojis to make the video more fun.
- Undo and Redo Editing Actions
Have you made a mistake? Instagram lets you undo or redo up to 20 editing actions using left and right arrows above the timeline.
- Speed Control
Adjust the speed of your reel. Slow it down for dramatic effects or speed it up for a fun, fast-paced video.
- Alignment and Timer
The alignment tool helps match clips for a smoother transition. The timer allows hands-free recording.
How Does Instagram Video Editor Work?
Using Instagram’s Reels Editor is simple. Follow the steps given below.
- Open Instagram and tap the Reels option at the bottom.
- Tap the camera icon to start a new reel.
- Choose to record a video or upload one from your gallery.
- Tap Edit Video in the bottom left corner. This command will open all editing tools.
- Use the tools to:
- Trim and cut clips.
- Scale, crop, or rotate videos.
- Add music, text, stickers, and effects.
- Adjust speed and apply filters.
- If you make a mistake, use the undo or redo options.
- Once you’re done, tap Next, add a caption, and choose your audience.
- Tap Share to post your reel.
Now that you know how Instagram’s Reels Editor works, let’s explore third-party reel makers!
Part 2: What Are Third-Party Reel Editing Apps, and Which Is The Best?
Third-party reel editing apps offer advanced features for a more professional touch. These apps provide additional editing tools, better effects, and greater flexibility. These Apps allow users to enhance their videos beyond Instagram’s capabilities.
Among the many reel editing apps available, Filmora stands out as the best choice. Alongside Filmora, InShot and CapCut are also popular options.
Let’s explore these apps in detail, focusing on their key features and benefits.
1. Filmora – The Ultimate IG Reels Editing Solution
Filmora by Wondershare is a powerful AI-driven video editing tool that offers best features with an easy-to-use interface. It simplifies the editing process and provides a variety of tools to help users create engaging Instagram reels.
Key Features of Filmora
- AI-Powered Editing Tools
- Smart Short Clips: Automatically clips long videos into short, engaging content.
- AI Video Enhancer: Improves clarity, reduces blur, and enhances video details.
- AI Portrait Cutout: Detects and removes backgrounds without a green screen.
- AI Sound Effect Generator: Creates custom music and sound effects instantly.
- Advanced Editing Features
- Multi-Camera Editing: Seamlessly edit footage from multiple cameras on one timeline.
- Planar Tracking: Tracks objects and applies effects accordingly.
- Path Curve: Enables smooth and dynamic motion effects.
- Creative Effects & Filters
- Stickers, Titles, and Templates: Access a vast collection of built-in assets.
- Transitions & Overlays: Enhance storytelling with cinematic effects.
- Color Grading & Keyframe Animation: Offers professional-level customization.
- Audio Editing & Enhancement
- AI Voice Enhancer: Removes background noise and enhances voice clarity.
- Auto Captions & AI Video Translation: Generates subtitles in multiple languages.
- Export & Sharing
- Supports high-resolution exports up to 4K.
- Direct sharing to Instagram, YouTube, and other social platforms.
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced editor, Filmora’s advanced effects and best export options make it the best choice for Instagram reels.
2. InShot – A Feature-Packed Reels Editing App
InShot is another excellent choice for editing Instagram reels. It is beginner-friendly yet packed with advanced features, making it ideal for content creators of all skill levels.
Key Features of InShot
- Slow-Mo & Speed Control
- Enhance slow-motion videos with AI-powered Smooth Slow-Mo.
- Use Speed Curve to create dynamic speed adjustments.
- Cutout & AI Editing
- AI Cut automatically removes backgrounds without a green screen.
- Auto Captions generate subtitles for videos.
- HSL & Tracking for advanced motion effects.
- Creative Effects & Transitions
- AI Effects: Glitter, Line, and more.
- Transitions: Distort, Ripped Paper, and Analog effects.
- Stickers & Text: Add custom fonts, stickers, and animated text.
- Music & Audio Editing
- Access a built-in music library with a variety of soundtracks.
- Feature your own music within InShot and share it with millions of users.
- User-Friendly Interface
- Simple and intuitive layout for easy video editing.
- Perfect for both beginners and professional editors.
- No bugs, frequent updates, and tutorial support.
With its ease of use, vast creative options, and AI-powered enhancements, InShot is a top choice for editing Instagram reels.
3. CapCut – A Versatile and AI-Powered Reels Editor
CapCut, developed by ByteDance, is a feature-rich video editing app known for its AI-powered tools and intuitive interface. It is widely used by content creators for its advanced editing capabilities and seamless integration with social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok.
Key Features of CapCut
- AI-Powered Editing Tools
- AI Video Generator: Instantly creates videos based on text and image prompts.
- AI Background Removal: Removes backgrounds without requiring a green screen.
- AI Video Enhancement: Improves video quality by reducing noise and enhancing details.
- Advanced Video Editing Features
- Keyframe Animation: Enables smooth and precise motion effects.
- Video Stabilization: Reduces shakiness for professional-quality reels.
- Speed Curve: Provides precise control over video speed with smooth transitions.
- Effects and Filters
- AI-Powered Effects: Includes trendy visual effects, transitions, and overlays.
- Color Grading: Advanced color palettes and auto-adjustment for cinematic results.
- Text and Stickers: Adds customizable text, captions, and animated stickers.
- Audio and Voice Editing
- AI Voice Generator & Changer: Creates custom voiceovers and modifies voices.
- Text-to-Speech: Converts text into realistic voiceovers for narration.
- Sound Effects & Music Library: Offers a wide range of royalty-free music and effects.
- Export and Sharing
- Supports High-Resolution Exports: Up to 4K video quality.
- Cloud Storage: Allows cross-device editing and easy access to projects.
- One-Click Sharing: Directly uploads to Instagram, TikTok, and other platforms.
CapCut’s powerful AI tools, user-friendly interface, and professional-grade editing features make it an excellent choice for creating high-quality Instagram reels. Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, CapCut helps enhance your videos with ease.
Part 3: Instagram Reels Editor vs. Third-Party Apps—Feature Comparison
When deciding between Instagram’s built-in Reels Editor and other apps like Filmora, InShot, and CapCut, it’s essential to understand how they compare across various features. Below is a comparison highlighting key aspects.
| Features | Instagram Reels editor | Filmora | InShot | CapCut |
| Ease of Use | Integrated within Instagram; intuitive for basic edits. | Desktop-based with a learning curve due to advanced features. | Mobile-friendly with a user-friendly interface | Mobile-first design with an intuitive layout |
| Editing Features | Trim, cut, add music, effects, text, and stickers. | Advanced features like multi-camera editing, planar tracking, AI tools, keyframe animations. | Trimming, cutting, speed control, filters, and transitions. | Keyframe animation, video stabilization, speed adjustments, and basic effects. |
| Special Effects & Filters | Limited selection of filters and AR effects. | Extensive library of professional transitions, overlays, and effects | Wide range of filters, effects, and transitions | Trendy visual effects, transitions, and overlays |
| Music & Sound Options | Access to Instagram’s music library with popular tracks and sounds | Advanced audio editing with AI voice enhancer, sound effect generator | Built-in music library, option to add personal tracks, and basic audio editing tools. | Variety of sound effects, music options, and basic audio editing capabilities. |
| Export Quality | Standard quality | High-resolution exports up to 4K; direct sharing to multiple platforms. | Exports in various resolutions | High-resolution exports |
| Customization | Limited | High level of customization | Through filters, effects, text, and stickers. | Through effects, filters, text, and stickers |
Even when comparing features, Filmora stands out as the best Reels editing app due to its advanced features.
Let’s discover how to edit Reels using Filmora.
Part 4: How to Edit Reels Using Filmora (Step-by-Step Guide)
Want to make your Instagram Reels look more professional and engaging? Filmora makes it easy with its powerful editing tools and simple interface. It only takes three steps to create high-quality Insta Reels with Filmora.
Steps to Edit Instagram Reels in Filmora
Follow these easy steps to edit your Reels with Filmora and make them stand out.
Step 1: Import Your Video
Open Filmora and select the option to import media. Once the clips are uploaded, drag them onto the timeline to begin editing.
Step 2: Edit and Enhance
Use the built-in Reels editor to trim unnecessary parts, merge clips, and add effects. Filmora offers various features, including transitions, filters, and text animations.
If needed, apply AI-powered tools for background removal, smooth slow-motion, and video enhancement.
Step 3: Export and Share
Click on the export button and select the preferred resolution. Filmora provides an option to save the reel in an Instagram-compatible format (9:16) for the best quality.
Now that you know how to edit reels, let’s explore tips to make them engaging.
Part 5: Tips to Make Reels More Engaging
Here are some effective strategies to enhance your Reels.
- Understand Your Audience
Make such content that resonates with your target audience. Understanding their preferences ensures your Reels are relevant and appealing.
- Apply Trending Music and Sounds
Incorporate popular music or sounds to increase discoverability. Using trending audio can amplify your content’s reach.
- Incorporate Text and Stickers
Adding text overlays and stickers can emphasize key messages and make your Reels more engaging.
- Maintain Consistency
Regularly posting Reels establishes a routine for your audience. Consistency helps in building a loyal following.
- Craft Compelling Captions
Engage your audience by writing captions that encourage interactions, such as likes, comments, or shares. Prompting viewers to take action can boost engagement.
- Utilize Hashtags Strategically
Employ relevant hashtags to increase the visibility of your Reels. Hashtags make your content discoverable to a broader audience.
- Ensure High-Quality Visuals
Produce clear and visually appealing videos. High-quality content retains viewer attention and reflects professionalism.
- Engage with Your Viewers
Respond to comments and promote a community around your content. Active engagement encourages more interactions.
By implementing these strategies, you can create Reels that not only capture attention but also encourage viewers to engage, thereby enhancing your presence on Instagram.
FAQs
1. How often should I post Reels for optimal engagement?
For the best engagement, aim to post 3 to 5 Reels per week. Consistency is key to keeping your audience engaged and improving your reach on Instagram’s algorithm.
Here’s why:
- More posts = More visibility – Instagram favors active creators, boosting frequent posters on Explore and Reels tabs.
- Better audience connection – Regular uploads keep your content fresh in followers’ feeds, increasing chances of interaction.
- Higher chances of virality – Posting multiple times increases the likelihood of one Reel going viral.
💡 Pro Tip: Use Instagram Insights to track your engagement and adjust your posting frequency based on what works best for your audience.
2. Can I edit my Reel after posting it on Instagram?
Once a Reel is posted on Instagram, you can edit certain elements like the cover photo, caption, tagged people, and location. However, you cannot modify the actual video content. To make changes to the video itself, you’ll need to delete the existing Reel and upload a revised version.
3. What type of content works best for Instagram Reels?
Instagram Reels are versatile and can feature various content types, including:
- Educational Clips: Share quick tips or tutorials relevant to your niche.
- Behind-the-Scenes Footage: Offer a glimpse into your daily operations or creative process.
- Product Showcases: Highlight new products or demonstrate their usage.
- User-Generated Content: Feature content created by your audience to build community engagement.
Final Words
When it comes to editing reels, the Instagram Reels Editor is a great built-in option for quick edits. But if you want to take your content to the next level, a more advanced tool is essential.
This is where Filmora stands out. It offers AI-powered editing, high-quality effects, and seamless export options. Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, Filmora makes reel editing smooth and effortless.
Why settle for basic features when you can create stunning, high-quality reels with Filmora? Download Filmora now and start making reels that truly grab attention!