Finding the right Instagram Reel editor shouldn't require a spreadsheet, three devices, and a meditation app to manage your frustration. Unlike generic video editing apps, Reel creation demands specialized features: music options that won't trigger Instagram's copyright alarms, filters that enhance rather than embarrass, accurate caption generation, and a straightforward way to edit and post the video to Instagram without needing to learn a new language.

We've tested countless options (some brilliant, many disappointing) so you don't have to waste your creative energy on app roulette. This guide breaks down eight genuinely useful apps for making Instagram Reels, with honest assessments of their strengths, limitations, standout features, pricing, and what real users actually experience—helping you find the right tool for your creator business without the usual marketing hyperbole.

Key considerations for choosing the best reel editing apps

Selecting a reliable Reels editing app can feel like a puzzle, especially when faced with so many choices. One of the key factors is user interface simplicity—an intuitive design lets you easily trim, split, and merge clips while maintaining creative flow according to best practices. Audio capabilities are equally important, since standout music or voiceovers can make or break your final content as noted by industry experts. You’ll also want to look for export settings that match Instagram’s recommended 9:16 aspect ratio and 1080p resolution to keep your Reels crisp. Finally, watermarks or limited cloud storage can quickly sabotage your workflow, so confirm that your chosen app gives you enough creative freedom without those hidden constraints.

8 best apps for making Reels on Instagram

1. Descript

‎Descript is an all-in-one Instagram video editor that's jam packed with AI features to speed up the Instagram Reels creation process. As soon as your footage is loaded, the software automatically creates a transcript of everything you've said. This is how you'll edit your Instagram Reels—similar to editing a Google Doc, but way more intuitive for video content.

Alongside cutting and trimming your footage, Descript allows you to remove unwanted background noise, fix audio mistakes, and add subtitles to your Instagram Reels—all essential for creating professional-looking content that stands out. Once you're happy with the final product, export the video in high quality and share your new Reel directly to your Instagram profile in the proper 9:16 aspect ratio.

Pros and best features include: • Edit videos by editing text—just delete words to remove that portion of video • AI-powered automatic captioning for better engagement • Supports 9:16 aspect ratio perfect for Instagram Reels • One-click background noise removal • Available on both desktop and mobile

• AI effects like Studio Sound, Green Screen, and Overdub
• Automated subtitles for Instagram Reels
• Record your webcam, screen, and voiceovers within the Descript editor
• Built-in library of royalty-free stock images, audio, and sound effects
• Save your design as a Reels template for easy future editing
• Compatible with Windows, Mac, and browser
• G2 rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars
• Very user-friendly and easy to navigate
• Step-by-step guides and tutorials to get the most out of the Instagram Reels editor

Cons of Descript: • Learning curve for first-time video editors • Some advanced features require paid subscription • Processing longer videos can take time

• Not available for mobile
• Free plan allows for only one watermark-free Reel per month

Pricing: Free plan includes all premium features as standard but with a watermark on exports. For more transcription minutes and to export unlimited Reels watermark-free, paid subscriptions start at $12 per month. All plans support Instagram's required 9:16 aspect ratio for Reels.

2. Instagram's in-app editor

Instagram has a basic set of editing tools that content creators can use to make final touches to their videos before publishing them. You can make basic adjustments to your Reel's size and aspect ratio (9:16 vertical format), and apply effects to your video (including filters and stickers). That said, its functionality is limited compared to dedicated editing apps, and some features are restricted by location. It's best for quick edits rather than creating highly produced content.

Pros and best features include: • Built directly into Instagram—no additional downloads needed • Access to Instagram's music library and trending sounds • Variety of filters and effects specifically designed for Reels • Immediate publishing to your profile • Free to use

• Scale, crop, and rotate your Instagram Reels
• Choose trending music and sound effects from Instagram's library
• Add filters, stickers, and animations
• Save videos as drafts to post later
• Easy to use; no steep learning curve
• No third-party apps or software required

Cons of Instagram: • Very limited editing capabilities compared to dedicated apps • No advanced features like noise removal or audio enhancement • Can't save projects to edit later • Limited control over video quality • Some features vary by region

• Limited editing capabilities
• Music feature is only available for users in certain locations

Pricing: Free.

🎶 Keep producing: How to add music to Instagram Story

3. InShot

InShot is a popular mobile video editor that's available in the Google Play and Apple App Stores. It's highly recommended for beginners due to its intuitive interface. The app has a surprising amount of premium features on the free plan, and you can export Reels directly to your Instagram account in the proper 9:16 vertical format once you've finished editing them.

Pros and best features include: • Beginner-friendly interface with minimal learning curve • Built-in templates specifically for Instagram Reels • Supports all required aspect ratios including 9:16 vertical format • Extensive music library and sound effects • Direct export to Instagram

• Transitions library to move from one piece of footage to another
• Animations, stickers, and text overlays
• Picture-in-picture features to overlay different video clips on screen
• Speed control to speed up or slow down your video footage
• Royalty-free audio library to add music to Instagram Reels
• Free plan includes lots of advanced video editing features
• Available in browser and on iPhone/Android smartphones

Cons of InShot:

• No G2 rating available
• No option to save Reels as a draft
• Free version comes with ads

Pricing: Free plan available. For more features, paid subscriptions start at $4.19 per month.

4. Wondershare Filmora

Filmora's drag-and-drop editor is a good choice for creators who want a beginner-friendly and intuitive interface to edit their Instagram videos. It has over 300 special effects and easy exporting directly to Instagram. That said, paid plans can be expensive.

Pros and best features include:

• Free version available
• Lots of filters and special effects to choose from
• Very easy to use
• AI tools including thumbnail creators and music generators
• Compatible with Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS
• G2 rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars

Cons of Wondershare Filmora:

• More expensive than other Instagram Reel editing apps
• All plans have a 1GB cloud video storage limit
• Free version limits access to AI tools (100 credits)

Pricing: Free plan available. For more advanced features and to edit Reels across multiple devices, paid subscriptions start at $49.99 per year.

5. CapCut

Owned by the same parent company as TikTok, CapCut offers a ton of video editing features that you can use to make Instagram Reels. Its standout feature is the stock media library. Choose from thousands of fonts, effects, filters, stickers, and sound effects that add personality to your Reels.

Pros and best features include:

• Background removal tool
• Video resizing features to make vertical Reels from horizontal footage
• AI color correction
• Speech-to-text functionality for automated subtitles
• Music library of over 500,000 songs

Cons of CapCut:

• No G2 rating available
• Free videos are watermarked

Pricing: Free plan available. To remove the watermark, paid subscriptions start at $7.99 per month.

6. Canva

Predominantly known as a graphic design tool, Canva has expanded its offering to include an online video editor. Content creators can use it to make on-brand Instagram Reels through the Canva website or its iOS/Android apps thanks to the software's customizable brand kit. You can use this feature to store your logo, colors, and fonts, and apply the same settings to every Reel.

Pros and best features include:

• Branding kit to preset Instagram videos
• Stock media library includes images, videos, and graphics
• Thousands of premade Instagram video templates
• Green screen background remover
• G2 rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars
• Drag-and-drop interface is very user-friendly and great for beginners
• Export your edited Reels directly to Instagram

Cons of Canva:

• No offline editing options
• Advanced video editing features are very limited

Pricing: Free plan available. For advanced features (including its Magic Pro AI package), paid subscriptions start at $14.99 per month.

7. Adobe Express

Formerly known as Adobe Spark, this free video editor has a ton of stock assets and Instagram Reel templates that you can use to create social media videos. The freemium plan includes all of the features a beginner creator would use, but if you need advanced tools to make Reels, paid plans are still very affordable.

Pros and best features include:

• Instagram Reel templates to format your footage
• Generative AI to fill video backgrounds and create images from text
• Integrates with other apps in the Adobe Creative Cloud
• Compatible with iOS, Android, or desktop
• Premium plan is still very affordable
• G2 rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars

Cons of Adobe Express:

• Adobe products tend to have a steep learning curve
• 100GB limit of cloud storage on the paid plan

Pricing: Free plan available. For premium features (including extra templates), paid plans start at $9.99 per month. There is a free 30-day trial.

8. Splice

Splice is a mobile video editor specifically built to help creators edit short-form videos, including TikToks and Instagram Reels. It's available to download from the Apple and Google Play App Stores, and while the free plan covers a lot of features, advanced tools are locked behind paid subscriptions.

Pros and best features include:

• Chroma key for background removal
• Huge library of cinematic effects to create eye-catching Reels
• Option to save unedited Reels as a draft
• Speed up or slow down your video
• Preformatted aspect ratio for Instagram Reels
• Easy to use
• Mobile apps for iOS and Android

Cons of Splice:

• No G2 rating available
• No desktop or browser versions
• No automated subtitles or captioning tools

Pricing: Free. Paid subscriptions start at $2.99 per week.

Pro tips for more engaging reels

Making your Reels pop often means going beyond basic editing to incorporate advanced, creative tools. Augmented reality (AR) filters or text overlays can quickly grab viewers’ attention, especially if you keep them aligned with your personal style per official Instagram guidance. Don’t underestimate the power of well-placed captions—besides being more accessible, they keep your message intact even when your audience watches on mute as recommended by social media experts. Strategic use of transitions can help each segment flow organically into the next, eliminating awkward cuts that prompt viewers to swipe away. Finally, keep your Reels short and purposeful, piquing interest in the first few seconds so followers aren’t tempted to scroll past based on viewer insights.

Create professional Reels with Descript

Descript is one of the best Instagram Reels editors for creators who want to produce professional-quality social media videos without investing hours into learning a new software.

Not only is the Reels editor incredibly easy to use, but it comes jam-packed with advanced editing and AI features that speed up the video content creation process. That includes:

• Social Post Writer that uses AI to suggest Instagram captions
• Studio Sound to refine audio quality and remove background noise
• Automatic subtitles and captioning with <95% accuracy
• Green Screen effect to remove your video background in one click
• Huge library of royalty-free music and sound effects
• Video resizer so you can be confident that your Reel is perfectly formatted

Best apps for making Reels FAQs

How can I edit Instagram Reels?

For basic functions, you can use Instagram's in-app editor to edit Instagram Reels. For more advanced features, Descript allows influencers to use AI effects to add automatic captions, improve audio quality, and resize social media videos.

What is the best app to make Reels?

1. Descript
2. Instagram's in-app editor
3. InShot
4. CapCut
5. Canva
6. Adobe Express
7. Splice App
8. FilmoraGo
9. Kinemaster
10. Adobe Premiere Pro

Is there an app that will make Reels for you?

Yes: Descript comes with an AI-powered “Find Good Clips” tool that can automatically choose the best Instagram Reels content from a longer video.

What is the recommended video resolution for Instagram Reels?

Instagram Reels usually look best at a resolution of 1080 by 1920 pixels. This vertical aspect ratio of 9:16 ensures your content fills the entire mobile screen based on social media guidelines. Higher resolutions may produce slightly sharper visuals, but the file sizes also increase. If you're trying to optimize for quick uploads, staying at 1080p strikes a good balance between clarity and upload speed. Regardless, always keep your viewer’s bandwidth in mind when deciding file size.

Why do some third-party editing apps add watermarks to Reels?

Many free video editing apps include watermarks as a way to promote their brand or prompt users to upgrade to a paid tier. These watermarks can distract from your content, so it's worth looking for an app that either removes them on the free plan or offers an affordable premium option according to platform research. If you rely heavily on Reels for marketing, removing watermarks gives a more polished, professional appearance. Always check app settings or subscription details before finalizing your edit. Taking a few extra minutes to verify can save you re-editing time later.