Create or integrate?
Instagram Reels has become a popular feature on the platform, offering users a way to create and share short, engaging videos. People spend 17.6 million hours each day watching content created in this section.
Some of the key features that Instagram Reels provides include:
- Ability to create short multi-clip videos
- Use of audio tracks
- AR effects and filters
- Editing tools like speed controls and timer
Developing such functionality from scratch would be a significant undertaking, requiring a team of developers, designers, and project managers. According to industry estimates, creating a clone of Instagram Reels could cost upwards of $100,000, depending on the complexity of the features.
Developing your own set of Instagram Reels features from scratch comes with its own set of advantages:
- Tailored user experience. You can design every screen, button, and transition to customize the impression your app makes.
- Ability to integrate unique features. When making software from scratch, you can include elements that no other competitor has.
- Full ownership of the codebase. You are free to repackage the resulting work as a separate product, not to mention that owning unique IP increases your company’s valuation.
However, this approach is better suited for established companies with a skilled development team and a large budget to invest in the project.
Alternatively, integrating an SDK or an Instagram Reels API can be a more cost-effective solution. Some advantages of this approach include:
- Lower initial investment. A yearly license for an SDK or API is a fraction of the development costs you will have to invest otherwise.
- Access to more features from the start. A ready-made solution will give you more functionality than an MVP, offering a better user experience.
- Shorter time-to-market. Integrating an SDK/API usually takes only a few hours, allowing you to release your app faster.
This approach is ideal for smaller companies that may not have the resources to develop a feature like Instagram Reels from scratch but still want to offer similar functionality to their users.
How to Add Instagram Reels Features To Your Product
As developing everything from the ground up is too complex, we will focus on integrating a fitting ready-made solution. In this case – Banuba Video Editor SDK. It is an AI-powered module, tailor-made for modern short video format (TikToks, Reels, Stories, etc.). The SDK offers both basic necessities and advanced augmented reality effects for making shareworthy content.
Some of its functionalities include:
- Timeline
- Trimming/merging
- Drafts
- Sound editing
- Native music provider integration (Mubert & Soundtripe)
- Picture-in-Picture mode
- Rapid/slo-mo
- Captions
- Picture/GIF overlays
- Color filters
- Virtual backgrounds
- Beauty effects
- Etc.
Video Editor SDK also has an API version which is more flexible but has less features out-of-the-box.
Now let’s get to the integration.
1. Get a token
You can test the SDK for free during a 14-day trial period (no credit card required). This allows you to judge whether this product fits your business vision. To start, fill out the form below.
You will receive a unique token and an archive with the SDK.
2. Integrate.
Follow the instructions below to quickly merge Video Editor SDK with your app.
3. Test
Now you can freely play around with all the Instagram Reels SDK features, no strings attached. See how they work and how they can benefit your users.
Conclusion
Instagram Reels is a popular and engaging feature that many other apps want to emulate. There are two ways to go about it: develop everything from the ground up or integrate an SDK. The former option is expensive and fits larger companies with generous budgets. The latter is better for most other businesses, as it is cheaper, provides a shorter time-to-market, and a more expansive feature set.
