AI tools that generate, edit, clip and translate video — from text-to-video models to transcript-based editors and AI avatars.
Quick answer
AI video tools fall into three groups: generators that create footage from text or images, editors that speed up cutting, captioning and clipping, and avatar tools that turn a script into a presenter-led video. Most creators combine one editor with one generator rather than relying on a single app.
Generative video models and AI editing tools
Runway offers text-to-video and image-to-video generation alongside AI editing tools such as background removal and motion tracking, used by filmmakers and creators.
Best for: Filmmakers and editors who want generated shots and AI effects
Playful text- and image-to-video generation
Pika generates short video clips from text prompts or images and adds effects that transform objects and scenes, popular for social media content.
Best for: Social creators making short, stylised clips
Realistic video and image generation from Luma AI
Dream Machine is Luma AI's generative platform for creating video clips and images from text or reference images, with tools for iterating on shots.
Best for: Realistic image-to-video inserts and concept shots
| Feature | RRunway | PPika | LDLuma Dream Machine | KAKling AI | IAInVideo AI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Filmmakers and editors who want generated shots and AI effects | Social creators making short, stylised clips | Realistic image-to-video inserts and concept shots | Creators experimenting with cinematic generated clips | Faceless YouTube channels and quick explainer videos |
| Editorial rating | |||||
| Pricing | Freemium | Freemium | Freemium | Freemium | Freemium |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes | Not verified | Not verified | Yes |
| Free trial | Not verified | Not verified | Not verified | Not verified | Not verified |
| API | Yes | Not verified | Yes | Not verified | Not verified |
| Platforms | Web, iOS | Web | Web, iOS | Web | Web, iOS, Android |
| Visit Runway | Visit Pika | Visit Luma Dream Machine | Visit Kling AI | Visit InVideo AI |
Start by deciding which step of your video workflow you want to speed up. Generators create new footage, editors save time on cutting, captions and clips, and avatar tools replace filming a presenter. Compare free plans, platforms and usage limits on each tool page, then shortlist two or three tools and test them with your own material.
Generative video models and AI editing tools
Runway offers text-to-video and image-to-video generation alongside AI editing tools such as background removal and motion tracking, used by filmmakers and creators.
Best for: Filmmakers and editors who want generated shots and AI effects
Playful text- and image-to-video generation
Pika generates short video clips from text prompts or images and adds effects that transform objects and scenes, popular for social media content.
Best for: Social creators making short, stylised clips
Realistic video and image generation from Luma AI
Dream Machine is Luma AI's generative platform for creating video clips and images from text or reference images, with tools for iterating on shots.
Best for: Realistic image-to-video inserts and concept shots
Text-to-video and image-to-video model by Kuaishou
Kling AI is a video generation platform from Kuaishou that creates clips from text prompts or images, with options for longer and higher-resolution outputs on paid plans.
Best for: Creators experimenting with cinematic generated clips
Turn a prompt into a complete edited video
InVideo AI turns a text prompt or script into a full video with stock footage, voiceover, music and subtitles, which you can then edit with text commands.
Best for: Faceless YouTube channels and quick explainer videos
Edit video and podcasts by editing the transcript
Descript transcribes your recordings so you can edit audio and video like a document, with AI tools for filler-word removal, studio-quality sound and clip creation.
Best for: Podcasters and talking-head YouTubers
All-in-one video editor with AI captions and effects
CapCut is a video editor for mobile, desktop and web with templates, auto-captions, background removal and other AI features geared to short-form social video.
Best for: Short-form creators editing on phone or desktop
Turn long videos into short viral clips
OpusClip analyses long-form videos, picks highlight moments and reframes them into vertical short clips with captions, ready for TikTok, Reels and Shorts.
Best for: Repurposing podcasts and long videos into shorts
Browser-based video editor with AI subtitles
VEED is an online video editor with automatic subtitles, translations, eye-contact correction and other AI tools, designed for quick social and marketing videos.
Best for: Teams that want a simple editor in the browser
AI avatar videos from a script
Synthesia creates presenter-style videos from text using AI avatars and voices in many languages, widely used for training, onboarding and explainer content.
Best for: Training, onboarding and corporate explainers
AI avatars and video translation
HeyGen generates talking-avatar videos from scripts, lets you create a digital twin of yourself and translates videos into other languages with lip-sync.
Best for: Creators and marketers localising videos into other languages
Talking-head videos from a photo
D-ID animates a still photo into a talking avatar driven by text or audio, and offers APIs for interactive agents and personalised video at scale.
Best for: Developers and marketers who need avatar video via API
Studio-quality remote recording with AI editing
Riverside records high-quality audio and video locally for each guest, then offers transcription, text-based editing and AI-generated clips.
Best for: Remote video podcasts and interviews
Tell us what you create and we'll narrow it down to a short list you can compare side by side.