We tested out the 7 best AI video generators for creatives

In today's world of powerful generative AI tools, having a top-tier AI video generator in your metaphorical back pocket is like having your own personal Hollywood film crew at your service.

In fact, AI video generators are now so capable that major brands are switching from old video production methods to these modern AI-powered ones.

Even the Tribeca Film Festival and other players in the film industry are jumping aboard the AI movement, highlighting just how dynamic and impressive these tools are becoming.

But if you're reading this and think it sounds like AI video generators are just for the creative pros, don't worry because that's not the case. With AI text-to-video, AI-generated avatars, and tons of other awesome new AI video features, literally anyone can create unbelievably high-quality content.

But with so many options flooding the market, it can be tough to figure out which tool is the right fit for you. Each promises to be the best, but how do you know which will deliver on that promise and actually be the best AI video generator?

We made this guide to help you navigate the crowded field and find the tool that suits your needs. We've carefully selected and reviewed seven top contenders, focusing on what they offer, where they excel, and where they might fall short.

So, if you've ever wondered, "What is the best AI video generator?" you're in the right place.

What is an AI video generator?

In the simplest of terms, an AI video generator is a tool that uses artificial intelligence to automate the video creation process.

Instead of manually editing clips, adding effects, and syncing audio, these tools handle the heavy lifting for you. You just input text, images, or other media, and AI turns that into a complete video through text to video generation.

By using AI, these tools automatically select the best visuals, create smooth transitions, and even generate voiceovers with realistic AI avatars.

This means you can focus more on crafting your message and less on getting bogged down in the technical details.

How do AI video generators work?

AI video generators work by using advanced algorithms to analyze and process your input, whether it’s text, images, or other media. When you provide the content, the AI interprets it and makes decisions about how to structure the video. This includes selecting visuals, syncing audio, and applying effects—all in a matter of minutes.

At the core of these tools is machine learning, which allows the AI to improve over time. The more data it processes, the better it becomes at making creative decisions that result in high-quality videos.

For example, if you input a script, the AI video tool can generate corresponding scenes, choose relevant images or video clips, and even create a voiceover.

The process is surprisingly intuitive. You simply provide the material, and the AI organizes it into a cohesive video that aligns with your vision.

How we chose the best AI video generators

To ensure you pick the best AI video generators and generative AI editing tools, we chose products that truly deliver on their promises of creating amazing videos.

No matter how skilled you are at video editing, you need an AI tool that simplifies the process.

Next, we evaluated the range of features. A great AI video maker should offer more than just basic editing—it should allow you to customize and tweak your video clips until they look like they were made by a professional film crew.

We also compared the pricing plans, ensuring that they offer a solid mix of features without breaking the bank. Our goal was to find tools that help you save time and money.

1. Luma Dream Machine

Dream Machine by Luma Labs is a video creation tool that uses AI to generate extremely lifelike videos. You can quickly turn your images or text prompts into professional-looking clips.

The process of creating a video takes just a couple of minutes. Each video is about five seconds long and can include multiple shots, making them richer and more detailed than many competitors’ outputs. During my tests, some videos were ready quickly, while others took longer, but all captured motion better than any other tool I’ve tried.

Whether you're crafting an epic scene or a visually intense moment, Dream Machine captures the essence of storytelling with visuals that feel straight out of Hollywood.

Why we like Dream Machine: Most cinematic

If you're a creator with a flair for the cinematic, you're going to love making videos with Dream Machine.

What really stands out is that you don't need precise details for motion areas, Dream Machine still manages to capture motion concepts effectively. Itfollows the laws of physics, ensuring that every shot feels grounded and realistic. Plus, it’s super fast! As their website mentions, Dream Machine can currently produce 120 frames in 120 seconds, which is not too shabby to say the least.

Where Dream Machine could improve

Although Dream Machine is generally fast, some users have experienced slower processing times when working on intricate projects with a lot of elements.

The discard rate can be around 98% with Reddit users pointing that most of the videos generated are unusable because of random elements, incorrect motion, or distortion.

Pricing options:

• Free Plan ($0.00)
• Lite Plan ($7.99/month)
• Standard Plan ($23.99/month)
• Plus Plan ($51.99/month)
• Pro Plan ($79.99/month)

2. Runway Gen-3 Alpha

Runway calls their latest model, Gen-3 Alpha, the new frontier for video generation, and we are here to say that they could definitely be right. The Gen-3 Alpha supports text to video, image to video, advanced camera control, multi motion brush, and after testing some of these features out, we were seriously impressed by how smooth and sharp the results are.

The video creation workflow feels super streamlined, thanks to the improved fidelity and motion—it’s clear this model was built for powerful things.

Why we like Runway: Most dynamic

Runway's Gen-3 Alpha is one of the most impressive AI video generators we’ve come across. Not only is it a powerful tool for video that makes content creation seem limitless, but it has a shockingly friendly interface and is easy to use.

With the Multi Motion Brush, you can select up to five areas with independent motion and control across 3 directional axis (x, y, z) for more precise and expressive generations.

Another highlight is how well it handles human-like characters. The AI generates lifelike figures with natural expressions and gestures, adding a level of realism that’s hard to beat.

We aren't exaggerating when we say you'll likely be blown away by what you generate with this tool. The videos are truly cinematic and offer an exciting glimpse into the future of creativity.

Where Runway could improve

Runway is an extraordinary tool, so it is hard to say where it can improve. Of course, with such a dynamic AI video generator comes cost, which might be the only thing holding back casual users or if you're on a budget.

Plus, it is true that sometimes the final results might look a little "wonky," but overall the quality is top-tier.

Pricing options:

• Basic Plan ($0 per editor per month)
• Standard Plan ($12 per user per month, billed annually as $144)
• Pro Plan ($28 per user per month, billed annually as $336)
• Unlimited Plan ($76 per user per month, billed annually as $912)
• Enterprise Plan (Customized with Runway team)

3. Synthesia

Synthesia is a game-changer for simplifying the process of making (sometimes scarily) realistic AI avatars. With simple text-based prompts, Synthesia turns your script into a polished, video ready project featuring life-like avatars.

Why we like Synthesia: Most complete video generator

Even if you're new to video Synthesia has an intuitive interface that makes creating and editing your video feel straightforward.

You simply choose an avatar, input your text prompts, and watch as the AI works its magic, transforming your words into engaging content.

Plus, the AI video editor allows you to tweak and refine your video, so you can take the time to make those small changes that really make your vision come to life.

So whether it is explainer videos, content creation for blog posts, or other marketing projects, Synthesia is excellent for businesses who want to make videos for their products or services.

Where Synthesia could improve

One of the main limitations is the degree of control available for the AI avatars.

The avatars do look polished, but the options for appearance and expressions are somewhat limited compared to more advanced tools.

Pricing Options

• Free Plan (€0/mo)
• Starter Plan (€20/mo)
• Creator Plan (€59/mo)
• Enterprise Plan (custom pricing)

4. revid AI

This tool might be new on the scene, but for improving video productivity for socials, revid is quickly becoming one of our favorites. Their mission is all about helping creators like you make short videos that have a potential to go viral.

Why we like revid AI: Best for social media

What we like most about revid AI is that it has a specific focus. The AI does the heavy lifting from finding ideas, adding sound effects, creating scripts, and then transforming everything into viral videos for your social media content.

It’s a company that knows its lane, and we can certainly appreciate its dedication to being the master of one instead of the jack of all AI video trades.

Where revid AI could improve

The main drawback with revid AI is that it is niche. This is fine if you need this specific type of content, but it may be lacking if you're searching for a more powerful tool.

Pricing options

• Hobby ($49/month)
• Growth (Launch offer $49/month)
• Ultra ($199/month)

5. Colossyan

Whether you're making screen recordings for employee training, video marketing content for social media platforms, or educational videos for compliance training, Colossyan offers features that simplify video making for established businesses.

Why we like Colossyan: Best for large businesses

Colossyan is awesome with AI video editing, offering tools like prompt to video and AI script assistants that help you create excellent videos without needing tons of experience.

While it is definitely on the more corporate side of video creation, we saw this tool streamline the creation process and make it easy to produce high-quality generated videos super fast and efficiently.

Plus, Colossyan’s extensive library of AI avatars and multilingual support make it a nice choice for large companies and diverse clients.

Where Colossyan could improve

While Colossyan has a ton of cool features, it may require a bit of a learning curve for those new to AI video tools.

The sheer number of options, from AI avatars to multiple export formats, can be overwhelming for beginners.

Pricing options

• Starter Plan ($19/month, annually)
• Pro Plan ($61/month, billed annually)
• Enterprise Plan (Custom Pricing)

6. HeyGen

HeyGen is one of the more impressive platforms we tested. A big reason for this is because it is hassle-free and easy to use, so jumping in was a simple process.

More specifically, HeyGen is one of the best when it comes to generating AI avatars. The process of creating a HeyGen avatar boils down to three steps: choosing or creating an avatar, recording or choosing a voice to go with it, selecting a video template, then letting HeyGen put it all together in a matter of minutes.

Why we like HeyGen: Most intriguing video generator

One of the coolest features of HeyGen is its AI avatars, which are constantly evolving.

The platform frequently updates these avatars to include enhanced visual details, expanded speech abilities, and more lifelike animations.

Another great feature is the change videos to multiple langauges. HeyGen allows you to create videos in over forty languages from your original video, letting you reach audiences from all parts of the world.

Where HeyGen could improve

While HeyGen offers a lot of flexibility, the pricing for the Team plan might be higher for smaller teams or individual creators.

Additionally, the Free plan, although great for beginners, limits users to just 3 videos per month, which may not be enough for those who need to produce content regularly.

Pricing options

• Free Plan ($0)
• Creator Plan ($24/mo)
• Team Plan ($69/seat/mo)
• Enterprise Plan (Custom Pricing)

7. Haiper AI

After diving into Haiper AI, we quickly realized it’s a promising tool for anyone looking to explore the world of AI-driven video creation.

One of the first things that stood out to us is how Haiper AI makes the video creation process both accessible and efficient, even for those just starting.

Why we like Haiper AI: Best for beginners

What we appreciated most about Haiper AI is its flexibility and how user friendly it was. The platform allows for up to 10 creations per day on the Free plan, which is generous for a no-cost option.

That, on top of the text-to-speech feature helps make Haiper a solid tool.

For those who need more, the Explorer and Pro plans offer expanded features that cater to different levels of use.

Where Haiper AI could improve

One of the primary limitations is that the Free plan doesn’t allow for commercial use or watermark-free videos.

This might be a dealbreaker for users who need to produce content for business purposes but aren’t ready to invest in a paid plan.

Pricing options

• Free Plan (Beta, $0/month):
• Explorer Plan (Beta, $8/month, billed yearly)
• Pro Plan (Beta, $24/month, billed yearly)
• Enterprise APIs (Custom Pricing)

Wrapping up: The future of AI Video Tools

AI in video and avatar creation has come a long way. From quirky results to making videos you’d swear were real, AI's gotten pretty good at this stuff. But the trick isn’t just making videos look real—it’s about getting them to move right, too.

With tools like Luma Labs’ Dream Machine or Synthesia, we see how far AI can go in understanding motion and realistic avatars. These advancements are opening doors to new ways to create and tell stories, and brands like Mcdonald's Japan aren't afraid to test it out. These tools aren't here to replace humans in the creative process; but to make it possible to do more, to be even more innovative, without needing blockbuster budgets.

Thanks to AI, we’re moving toward a future where anyone can produce a mini-movie or use avatars for product demos. It’s exciting to think about how these tools will help us all be more creative and bring our wildest ideas to life.

So, go ahead and play around with these AI video generators. See how they can improve your video project workflow or let you experiment with digital avatars. They're here to help, not to take over.

And while you’re at it, make sure to explore our Midjourney SREF codes to get even more incredible AI images.