YouTube’s Mobile Video Editor Launches Soon on iOS
Google is preparing to launch its mobile video editor, YouTube Create, on iOS. Nearly two years after debuting exclusively on Android, the app’s expansion signals Google’s continued investment in creator-focused tools. According to TechCrunch, job postings confirm that Google is hiring iOS engineers in Bengaluru, India, to build the new version.
Initially launched in the U.S. and seven other regions in September 2023, YouTube Create expanded to 13 additional markets by early 2024. It offers free tools like GIFs, stickers, and video effects tailored for Shorts and longer videos. Google consulted with 3,000 creators during development to better align with their needs.
This move positions Google against ByteDance’s CapCut and other mobile editors. However, YouTube Create has struggled to gain momentum. CapCut and InShot dominate both downloads and user activity. In Q2, CapCut had 66 million downloads on Android, InShot 21 million compared to under 500,000 for YouTube Create. Since its release, the app has only been downloaded 4 million times.
Competition Remains Fierce Across Platforms
On Android, the engagement gap is striking. CapCut boasts over 442 million monthly active users, while InShot has 92 million. Meanwhile, YouTube Create lags with fewer than 1 million. The situation is similar on iOS, where CapCut leads with 194 million active users in Q2, and InShot trails at 25 million. Downloads tell the same story: CapCut reached 28 million, and Instagram Edit followed with 7 million.
Despite trailing rivals, YouTube Create has posted notable growth. According to Sensor Tower, its Q2 monthly active users rose 28% year-over-year—outpacing CapCut’s 9% growth and InShot’s 7% decline. This may indicate a loyal base forming, even if the app’s overall user count is low.
“While boasting solid user growth on a year-over-year basis, YouTube Create has struggled to keep up with some of its larger, more established peers such as CapCut, with the latter having more than 10x the number of monthly active users,” said Abe Yousef, a senior insights analyst at Sensor Tower.
Retention remains a challenge, though. YouTube Create’s 90-day retention rate was only 1% in Q1, compared to CapCut’s 7% and InShot’s 4%. Usage time and frequency also differ. CapCut users spend 62 minutes per month in the app and open it about 23 times. YouTube Create users average 38 minutes and 11 sessions.
User Base Expands, Especially Outside India
While India still makes up the largest portion of YouTube Create’s users, its dominance is shrinking. In Q2 last year, Indian users represented 67% of the base. Now, they make up 51%. Indonesia follows with 21%, while Germany, Brazil, and the U.K. hold smaller shares.
The app is also seeing significant growth in several regions. Spain leads with a 119% year-over-year jump in monthly active users. South Korea follows with 91%, then France with 89%, and Singapore at 71%.
“CapCut coming out many years ago, coupled with the fact that it’s seamlessly integrated with its sister app, TikTok, likely plays into this material size difference with YouTube Create,” said Yousef.
While YouTube Create faces tough competition, especially from apps with social media integration, its upcoming iOS launch could offer new momentum. Still, the road ahead remains competitive. Google has not issued an official comment on the app’s iOS release or its growth strategy.
