Step 1
Upload your long-form footage
Add the podcast, interview, tutorial, or video that contains the content you want to convert into Reels.
Editly AI
Best Video Editor for Instagram Reels
What is the best app for editing Instagram Reels?
For mobile-native Reels creation: CapCut is the most popular with the best trending effects library. For editing longer footage into Reels with AI automation: Editly is faster for extraction, vertical reframing, and captioning. Many creators use both — CapCut for phone footage, Editly for desktop footage.
Instagram Reels Editors: App vs AI Automation
Comparing the leading Reels editing approaches for creators with real footage.
| Decision | Other Apps | Editly |
|---|---|---|
| Hook selection | CapCut / InShot: you manually find and select the strongest opening moment from your footage | Editly: AI analyzes your footage and selects the strongest opening based on your prompt guidance |
| 9:16 vertical format | CapCut / InShot: manual canvas/crop tool — you adjust vertical position per clip | Editly: specify '9:16 for Reels' in the prompt — applied automatically across the clip |
| Captions for Reels | CapCut: good auto-caption but requires per-video style setup on mobile | Editly: caption style in the prompt — generated and applied automatically |
| Batch Reels from one recording | Mobile apps: each Reel is a separate project — full manual edit for each | Editly: each Reel is a separate prompt on the same upload — consistent quality at scale |
Create Instagram Reels With Editly in 4 Steps
Step 2
Write a Reels-specific prompt
'From around minute 8-10, create a 60-second Instagram Reel about [topic]. Start with my most surprising statement. 9:16 format. Bold white captions. Remove pauses.'
Step 3
Review the AI-selected Reel
Editly returns a vertical, captioned, hook-first Reel. Check that the opening grabs attention and the caption accuracy is good.
Step 4
Repeat for each Reel
Create multiple Reels from the same recording using separate prompts for different segments. Same upload, consistent quality.
Create Your First Reel With AI — 3 Free Exports
Upload footage that could become a Reel. Write a prompt targeting the best 45-90 seconds. See a finished, captioned, 9:16 Reel in minutes.
- 3 free Reels exports — vertical, captioned, hook-first
- No CapCut project setup — desktop browser workflow
- Pro $28/month for creators producing Reels regularly