Shortlist · checked Oct 4, 2026
Best AI video generators
Video tools split into generative models that create footage from a prompt and avatar or editing tools that assemble existing material. The right pick depends on which of those you need and what a finished minute costs.
- Lowest listed start
- InVideo · $9/mo
- With a free plan
- 7 of 10
- With API access
- 8 of 10
What to compare
- Generative clips, avatar presenters or editing: they are different products
- Credit cost per finished second or minute
- Export resolution and watermarks on the free plan
- API access for automation
- 01
Runway
Runway is an AI creative platform for generating and editing video, images, and audio, built on Runway’s real-world intelligence models. It offers cloud tools for creators and teams, including Gen-4.5 video, image models, agentic workflows, upscaling, and an API for programmatic access.
Best for: Video creators, marketers, and enterprises who want AI generation and editing for short-form video, images, and audio in one creative suite
- 02
Kling AI
Kling AI is a creative studio for generating images and videos from text, images, and references, including motion control, native 4K output, and an agent-driven Canvas workflow. Developer pricing lists API unit costs while consumer membership pages load dynamically in the browser.
Best for: Creators and studios producing cinematic AI video and stills, plus developers calling Kling models through the API.
- 03
Luma Dream Machine
Luma provides creative agents and generative models for image and video production, including Dream Machine-era video tools now within the broader Luma app. Teams plan, generate, and refine multimodal creative work with shared context and credit-based plans.
Best for: Creative professionals and studios producing campaign assets, social video, and high-volume generative media.
- 04
Pika
Pika is an AI creative platform bundling video, image, and audio generation apps with access to multiple third-party and in-house models. Creators use self-contained tools such as Video Studio, motion transfer, and character creators rather than a single monolithic editor.
Best for: Creators and studios who want one subscription spanning video, image, and audio models with commercial licenses on higher tiers.
- 05
HeyGen
HeyGen is an AI video platform for creating avatar-led marketing, training, and localization clips with voice cloning and translation. Creator and Pro subscriptions add watermark removal, more avatars, and faster processing for solo creators through small teams.
Best for: Marketers and L&D teams who need polished spokesperson videos without studio shoots, including multilingual variants.
- 06
Synthesia
Synthesia is an AI video platform for business with lifelike avatars, document-to-video generation, dubbing, translation, screen recording, and interactive training roleplays powered by a shared credits system across features.
Best for: L&D, HR, and marketing teams scaling localized video without studio filming.
- 07
InVideo
InVideo is an AI video creation platform that generates videos from prompts using AI agents and video models, sold on credit-based subscriptions.
Best for: Marketers and creators generating prompt-based videos who want credit-based tiers with team seats.
- 08
Pictory
Pictory converts scripts, articles and long videos into short branded videos with AI voices, stock media and summarization.
Best for: Marketers and educators repurposing text or webinars into short videos.
- 09
Fliki
Fliki turns scripts, ideas, blog posts and presentations into narrated videos with AI voices, avatars and stock media, in many languages.
Best for: Content creators making narrated explainer or social videos from text without editing skills.
- 10
CapCut
CapCut is a video editing app from ByteDance for short-form and social video, with templates, effects and AI features, offered on mobile, desktop and web.
Best for: Creators and social teams editing short-form video who want templates and quick AI-assisted edits.
This is a shortlist, not a ranking by quality. Tools are ordered by fit for the task, and every price, free-tier and API statement comes from the vendor's own pages on the date shown. Where a figure could not be confirmed it is marked as such.
AI video generators: common questions
What is the best free AI video generator?
Runway, Kling AI, Pika, HeyGen, Synthesia have an ongoing free plan in this list. Free plans change and often cap usage, so check the vendor before relying on one.
What is the cheapest paid option?
InVideo has the lowest listed starting price in this list at $9/mo per month. Some prices are quoted for annual billing; each tool's page shows the billing basis.
Which of these have an API?
Runway, Kling AI, Luma Dream Machine, Pika, HeyGen, Synthesia mention API or developer access. Check each vendor for API pricing, which is usually billed separately.