Watching videos is easy. Making a good one? Not so much. Writing a script, gathering footage, and editing everything to near perfection can take up a huge amount of time.
Luckily, AI is stepping in to make things faster—just like it’s doing in almost every other field. I went on a hunt for the best AI tools for video creation, and I was surprised by how many great options are already out there.
Whether you’re running a YouTube channel, creating eye-catching social media content, or repurposing videos to keep your business’s online presence fresh, there’s an AI tool to help. After nearly a month of testing, here are my top picks for the best AI video generators this year.
What makes the Best AI Video Generator?
The best AI video tools help you create more high-quality content without spending extra time. They speed up the process from script to final video by offering templates, faster editing tools, and shortcuts to enhance audio and visuals.
There are three main types of AI video tools:
- AI-powered video editors – These make editing faster with smart automation.
- Generative AI apps – These create videos instantly from text, audio, images, or video prompts.
- AI productivity tools – These help you produce and repurpose content quickly for different platforms.
No matter the type, here’s what I focused on when testing the best AI video generators:
- AI-powered features – Every app on this list relies on AI to streamline video creation.
- High-quality video output – The tools export videos in at least 720p, with some reaching 4K in multiple aspect ratios.
- Customization – I checked how easy it was to tweak and personalize videos.
- Ease of use & support – Since AI video editing is still new, I prioritized tools that are beginner-friendly with helpful guides.
- Unique features – Some tools stand out with innovations that boost productivity or improve video quality.
This year’s update brought a wave of new AI tools and improvements to existing ones. I tested them all—starting with templates (when available) or uploading my own content, following platform guides, and finally exporting videos to evaluate quality.
You might be surprised that Adobe Premiere Pro, After Effects, and Final Cut aren’t on this list. While they have AI-powered features and plug-ins, they require advanced editing skills, making them less beginner-friendly compared to the tools here.
The Best AI Video Generators at a Glance
Here’s a simple and easy-to-read breakdown of the best AI video tools, what they’re best for, and whether they offer a free plan.
Best AI Video Tools & Their Features
| Tool | Best For | Platforms | Free Plan? |
|---|
| Sora | Creating stunning videos with simple prompts | Web | No (Part of ChatGPT Plus) |
| Runway | AI-generated video creation | Web, iOS | Yes (125 video credits for AI features) |
| Descript | Editing video by editing the script | Web, Windows, Mac | Yes (1 hour of transcription, watermark included) |
| Filmora | Enhancing videos with AI tools | Windows, Mac, iOS, Android | Yes (with watermark) |
This list covers tools for everything from simple social media clips to high-end, AI-driven video production. Whether you’re looking for quick automation or advanced customization, there’s an AI video tool to fit your needs!
Also Read: What are the Differences Between ChatGPT and Bard AI?
Best AI Video Generators for Stunning Videos with Simple Prompts
Sora (Web)
Pros:
✅ Unique AI video creation tools
✅ Easy to control the AI model
Cons:
❌ Watermark on the lowest paid plan
After all the hype, OpenAI’s Sora is finally here! This AI video model can create jaw-dropping scenes from simple text prompts—something many competitors struggle with. Unlike other AI video generators that require a lot of trial and error, Sora makes the process easy.
There’s just one catch: it’s only available in the U.S. right now. Since I’m in the UK, I can only watch from afar with envy. As soon as I get access, I’ll update this with my firsthand experience. For now, my thoughts are based on reviews, guides, and sample videos floating around the web. (Shoutout to my editor in the U.S. for testing it out—she even made a cool video with it!)
You can access Sora through ChatGPT, and there are two main ways to create videos. The first is the classic text-to-video method: type what you want, hit enter, and wait for the magic to happen. The second is more unique—Storyboard mode. This lets you build a video scene by scene, writing a prompt for each one, ensuring a smoother and more consistent result.
You can also remix other users’ creations. Just click on a video you like, check out the original prompt, and tweak it however you want. Want to animate an image instead? Upload it and let Sora bring it to life.
Now, while Sora is impressive, it still struggles with object permanence and realistic movements. Humans and animals can look a little… off, but landscapes? Absolutely stunning. If you’re aiming for a cartoony style, you won’t notice these quirks as much.
If you’re in the U.S. and have a ChatGPT Plus subscription, go ahead and explore! For the rest of us, let’s try not to hit refresh too many times while waiting. Meanwhile, check out Marques Brownlee’s video for an in-depth look at Sora’s capabilities.
💰 Pricing:
- ChatGPT Plus ($20/month): 50 priority video generations, 720p quality, up to 5 seconds per video.
- Pro ($200/month): Removes watermark, 500 priority generations, 1080p quality, up to 20 seconds per video.
Best AI Video Generator for Advanced Editing & Effects
Runway (Web, iOS)
Pros:
✅ Powerful AI tools for unique results
✅ Great tutorials and learning resources
Cons:
❌ Steep learning curve—takes time to master
Runway feels like a digital magic wand that transforms your ideas into stunning AI-powered videos. While it takes a bit more effort than Sora (you’ll need to fine-tune your prompts), Runway offers a learning academy to help you get the most out of it.
Its flagship feature, Gen-3 Alpha, lets you craft detailed videos. You start by describing the camera movements and aesthetics, then add scene details and final touches. It’s only available on paid plans, and it can burn through credits quickly, but it’s worth experimenting with.
One of its coolest features is Act One—a game-changer for content creators. Record a real actor reading a script, then use Runway to animate an AI character with their expressions, emotions, and voice.
Beyond text-to-video, Runway is packed with AI-powered editing tools. You can remove backgrounds, create super slow-motion effects, generate subtitles, and much more. It feels like a high-end video editing platform, but with AI making everything easier.
While AI videos won’t replace real-world footage anytime soon, Runway is perfect for abstract, surreal, or futuristic visuals. Want some inspiration? Check out the Runway Watch tab for AI-generated films.
💰 Pricing:
- Free plan: 125 one-time credits.
- Standard plan ($15/month): Unlocks Gen-3 Alpha, 625 monthly credits, watermark removal, and higher export quality.
Best AI Video Generator for Editing Videos Like a Text Document
Descript (Web, Windows, Mac)
Pros:
✅ Super intuitive editing tools
✅ Edit videos by editing the transcript
Cons:
❌ Transcriptions can be inaccurate sometimes
If you tend to ramble when recording videos (like me), Descript is a lifesaver. Instead of manually trimming endless footage, Descript automatically transcribes your video and lets you edit it just like a text document. Simply delete parts of the transcript, and the video cuts accordingly—no more scrubbing through timelines to get perfect edits.
Once your script is organized, you can divide the video into scenes. Just type a / in the transcript to create a new section, making it easy to add B-roll footage. You can even search for stock video directly inside the editor.
But Descript isn’t just about cutting down your editing time—it also comes with AI-powered audio tools, auto-multicam editing, and even AI-generated highlight clips for social media.
Want to automate your workflow even further? Connect Descript with Zapier to integrate it with thousands of other apps.
💰 Pricing:
- Free plan: 1 hour of transcription.
- Hobbyist plan ($19/user/month): 10 hours of transcription, watermark removal, 1080p exports.
Also Read: What are the Best Free AI Tools for Beginners?
Best AI Video Editor for Enhancing Videos with AI Tools
Wondershare Filmora (Windows, Mac, iOS, Android)
Pros:
✅ Traditional video editor with AI-powered features
✅ Tons of tutorials and learning resources
Cons:
❌ Can run slow on lower-end computers
Filmora has been around for years, and while it started as a basic editing tool, it now comes packed with AI-powered features that make video editing a breeze.
Here’s what the AI can do:
🎭 Smart Cutout: Easily remove objects from scenes.
🎙️ Audio Denoise: Reduce background noise.
🎼 Audio Stretch: Extend music to fit scene transitions.
🎥 Motion Tracking: Blur faces or add effects to moving objects.
🖼️ Remove Background: Create fun green-screen effects.
🎬 Silence Detection: Automatically remove awkward pauses.
🔊 Audio-to-Video: Turn your podcast episodes into social media-friendly videos.
Filmora is a full-fledged video editing platform with AI making it much easier to use. If you ever get stuck, Wondershare has detailed guides on each feature.
If you’re curious about AI avatars, check out Wondershare’s Virbo—a separate tool for creating AI-powered talking head videos.
💰 Pricing:
- Free plan: Includes watermark.
- Basic plan ($59.99/year): Removes watermark.
- One-time purchase ($79.99): Full lifetime access.
More Generative AI Video Tools
The AI video scene is growing fast, with new tools and models popping up all the time. Right now, I’d say Sora and Runway are the best generative AI video creators, but I’ve also found a few other fun ones that are worth checking out.
- Stable Video is on par with Runway in some tests, but its online app doesn’t offer many controls. The visuals are impressive, though it still struggles with simple camera movements.
- Pika is a cute tool with simple controls that creates shiny, beautiful images. However, it only supports basic subject movement and camera shifts, so there’s room for improvement.
- Luma Dream Machine lives up to its name, producing dreamy visuals with great camerawork and lighting—without needing highly detailed prompts. It also has one of the best guides, walking you through the creative process from Midjourney images to dynamic video scenes.
- PixVerse delivers solid results, especially with subject movement. Like most AI models, though, it still has issues with object interactions. Definitely worth a try!
- Hailuo is another sign that China is making big moves in AI. While it’s not quite on Sora or Runway’s level, it has decent quality and some standout features, like using the same character across different videos and offering advanced camera controls.
- Genmo lets you experiment with Mochi1, an open-source model that handles camera movement really well. Every prompt I tested had smooth motion and consistent objects.
The best part? You can try all of these for free—so why not give them a spin and see what works best for you?
Full list of AI Video Alternatives
AI video tools are getting more competitive, and there are plenty of alternatives to the big names. If you’re looking for more options, here’s a quick list to check out:
- Canva – Its video editor runs in your browser and includes AI-powered features from Runway.
- Kapwing – A great Filmora alternative with similar AI-powered tools, plus an AI stock media video tool.
- Virbo – Wondershare’s take on AI avatar creation.
- Munch – A solid Peech alternative for turning long videos into short clips while tapping into trending topics.
- HeyGen – A Synthesia alternative with unique AI tools.
- Visla – A good revid.ai alternative with a different set of AI-powered features.
These tools offer a variety of AI video features, so if you’re experimenting, they’re all worth a try!
Also Read: How to Use Canva AI to Design Graphics?
What’s the Best AI Video Maker?
AI-generated videos are here, and it’s time to make the most of them! The tools on this list can save you time, streamline your content creation, and boost your production quality. Most of them offer free plans or trials, so you can test them out before deciding. Set aside some time to explore and find the one that works best for you and your team. Then, start creating!
