How to choose an AI video tool
After testing the leading tools, the right pick depends on what kind of video you’re making, a presenter explaining something, a social clip from a script, or an edit of footage you already have.
Quick guide:
- Talking-head / avatar videos? Synthesia or HeyGen.
- Generative, creative video? Runway.
- Turning blogs/scripts into social clips? Pictory, InVideo, or Fliki.
- Editing podcasts or video by transcript? Descript.
- Screen recording for work? Loom.
- Traditional desktop editing? Filmora.
For AI images rather than video, see our Midjourney review. Most of these tools have a free tier or trial, pick the one that matches your main use case and test it on a real project first.
Best AI Video at a glance
| # | Tool | Best for | Rating | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Synthesia | AI avatar & training videos | 4.4 | $18/mo |
| 2 | HeyGen | AI avatars & talking videos | 4.4 | Free / $24/mo |
| 3 | Descript | podcast & video editing | 4.4 | Free / $24/mo |
| 4 | Loom | screen recording & async video | 4.4 | Free / $15/mo |
| 5 | Runway | generative AI video | 4.3 | Free / $15/mo |
| 6 | Pictory | blog-to-video & repurposing | 4.2 | $19/mo |
| 7 | Filmora | easy desktop video editing | 4.2 | Free / $49.99/yr |
| 8 | InVideo AI | text-to-video for social | 4.1 | Free / $25/mo |
| 9 | Fliki | text-to-video with AI voices | 4.1 | Free / $28/mo |
Synthesia
Best for AI avatar & training videos
The leader in AI avatar videos, turn a script into a presenter-led video in minutes, in dozens of languages. The best choice for training and explainer content.
- Realistic AI avatars
- Many languages
- Great for training videos
- No free plan
- Not for cinematic video
HeyGen
Best for AI avatars & talking videos
A fast-moving Synthesia rival with excellent avatars, voice cloning, and translation. A free tier makes it easy to try avatar video before paying.
- Top-tier avatars
- Voice cloning & translation
- Free plan to start
- Credits run down fast
- Premium features cost more
Descript
Best for podcast & video editing
Edit video and audio by editing the transcript, delete words, not waveforms. The best tool for podcasters and creators who want fast, text-based editing.
- Edit via transcript
- Great for podcasts
- Strong free plan
- Not a generator
- Heavier on slower machines
Loom
Best for screen recording & async video
The fastest way to record your screen and camera for async updates and tutorials. Not AI generation, but indispensable for team and customer communication.
- Effortless screen recording
- Instant sharing
- Good free plan
- Not a video creator
- Editing is basic
Runway
Best for generative AI video
The creative frontier, text-to-video and video-to-video generation plus pro editing tools. Best for filmmakers and artists exploring generative video.
- Cutting-edge generation
- Creative control
- Free credits to try
- Credits are limited
- Results need iteration
Pictory
Best for blog-to-video & repurposing
Turns scripts, blog posts, and long videos into short, captioned clips automatically. The best pick for marketers repurposing content into social video.
- Blog & script to video
- Auto-captions
- Good stock library
- Templated look
- No free plan
Filmora
Best for easy desktop video editing
Wondershare's approachable desktop editor with a growing set of AI tools. The best traditional editor for creators who want power without Premiere's complexity.
- Easy to learn
- Affordable
- Growing AI features
- Watermark on free version
- Desktop only
InVideo AI
Best for text-to-video for social
Type a prompt and get a complete social video with stock, voiceover, and captions. A fast, prompt-driven way to make marketing videos at volume.
- Prompt-to-video
- Huge stock library
- Free plan
- Edits via prompts can frustrate
- Watermark on free
Fliki
Best for text-to-video with AI voices
Turns text into video with lifelike AI voices in many languages. A strong, affordable pick for faceless social and YouTube content.
- Great AI voices
- Many languages
- Affordable
- Templated visuals
- Voice limits on lower tiers
Frequently asked questions
What is the best AI video generator in 2026?
It depends on the job: Synthesia and HeyGen are best for AI avatar videos, Runway for generative AI video, Pictory and InVideo for repurposing content into social clips, and Descript for transcript-based editing.
What is the best free AI video tool?
HeyGen, Runway, InVideo, Fliki, Descript, and Loom all offer free tiers. HeyGen and Runway are the best ways to try AI generation free; Descript and Loom are best for free editing and recording.
What about AI image generation?
These tools focus on video. For AI images, see our separate [Midjourney review](/reviews/midjourney-review/), it's the leading AI image generator, though it doesn't create video.
Which AI video tool is best for faceless YouTube videos?
Fliki, InVideo, and Pictory are all strong for faceless content, combining AI voices, stock footage, and captions. Fliki leads on voice quality, while Pictory and InVideo are great for repurposing scripts.