Key Takeaways
- Strongest traction remains in India and Southeast Asia, with early signs of global expansion.
- Google is expanding YouTube Create to iOS, hiring engineers in India for development.
- Despite user growth, the app significantly trails competitors CapCut and InShot in downloads, usage, and retention.
Google Begins Hiring iOS Engineers in India
Nearly two years after launching YouTube Create on Android, Google is preparing to bring its mobile video editing app to iOS. According to job listings reviewed by TechCrunch, the tech giant is actively hiring software engineers in Bengaluru to spearhead the iOS development.
Originally launched in September 2023 in the U.S. and seven other markets, YouTube Create expanded to 13 more regions by February 2024. The free app was designed for content creators after feedback from 3,000 users, offering tools like effects, stickers, and editing features tailored for YouTube Shorts and long-form videos.
Stiff Competition from CapCut and InShot
Despite the investment, YouTube Create is far behind rivals CapCut and InShot in both downloads and user engagement. In Q2 2025, CapCut amassed 66 million downloads and 442 million monthly active Android users, while InShot had 21 million downloads and 92 million monthly users. YouTube Create, by contrast, had fewer than 500,000 downloads and under 1 million active users.
The disparity is similarly stark on iOS. CapCut boasts 194 million monthly active users, dominating alongside Instagram’s built-in editor. InShot trails with 25 million. As YouTube Create targets the iOS market, it faces a highly competitive landscape with deeply entrenched players.
Also read: Meta’s Mega AI Paychecks Stir Buzz—But the Reality Isn’t So Simple
Modest Momentum but Major Retention Issues
Sensor Tower data shows YouTube Create is growing modestly, with a 28% year-over-year increase in active users in Q2 — outpacing CapCut and InShot. However, retention remains a challenge: only 1% of users were still active 90 days post-download in Q1, compared to CapCut’s 7% and InShot’s 4%.
User engagement is also lower, with users spending 38 minutes monthly on YouTube Create versus 62 minutes on CapCut. Session frequency lags as well — 11 monthly opens compared to 23 for CapCut users.
India and Indonesia Lead Adoption
India remains YouTube Create’s largest market, though its share of total users dropped from 67% to 51% year-over-year, indicating a broadening global presence. Indonesia now accounts for 21% of users, followed by Germany, Brazil, and the U.K. The app has seen triple-digit growth in markets like Spain, South Korea, and France.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is for general purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. The author’s views are personal and may not reflect the views of GameDegen.com. Before making any investment decisions, you should always conduct your own research. GameDegen.com is not responsible for any financial losses.
