PickfinchBest AI video generators
Short answer: Our top picks are Runway (93), Synthesia (93) and HeyGen (91), out of 9 tools ranked by editorial score.
AI video tools split into two groups: generative models that turn text or images into clips (Runway, Kling, Luma, Pika), and avatar platforms that turn a script into a presenter-led video (Synthesia, HeyGen). Ranked by editorial score in our video category; video editors like Descript are covered on the category page instead.
Ranked by editorial score in Video. Rankings are editorial, never paid. Pricing details last verified 2026-10-16.
The list
- 1
Runway
by Runway
Text- and image-to-video, editing tools and an API, used by filmmakers; free plan with a one-time credit allowance.
Editorial 93FreemiumFree tier - 2
Synthesia
by Synthesia
Presenter-led videos with AI avatars and voices from a script; Basic plan is $0 with a monthly allowance of video minutes.
Editorial 93FreemiumFree tier - 3
HeyGen
by HeyGen
AI avatars and video translation for spokesperson videos, dubbing and personalized video.
Editorial 91FreemiumFree tier - 4
Kling AI
by Kuaishou
Kuaishou's text- and image-to-video generator; free Basic plan, paid memberships add monthly credits.
Editorial 89FreemiumFree tier - 5
Gemini
by Google
Google's assistant includes media generation, with a free tier and paid Google AI plans.
Editorial 86FreemiumFree tier - 6
Luma
by Luma AI
Home of Dream Machine for generating video and images; paid plans (a free option was not confirmed).
Editorial 80Paid - 7
Midjourney
by Midjourney
Known for its distinctive aesthetic in images, and also generates video; subscription only.
Editorial 79PaidNo free tier - 8
Adobe Firefly
by Adobe
Adobe's generative studio covers video as well as images, integrated with Creative Cloud apps.
Editorial 78FreemiumFree tier - 9
Pika
by Pika Labs
Short, stylized clips and effects from text or images; the free account includes 0 monthly credits.
Editorial 78Freemium
Comparison table
| # | Tool | Best for | Pricing model | Free tier | Editorial score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Runway | text-to-video, filmmaking, api | Freemium | Yes | 93 / 100 |
| 2 | Synthesia | ai avatars, training videos, localization | Freemium | Yes | 93 / 100 |
| 3 | HeyGen | ai avatars, video translation, dubbing | Freemium | Yes | 91 / 100 |
| 4 | Kling AI | text-to-video, image-to-video | Freemium | Yes | 89 / 100 |
| 5 | Gemini | chat assistant, google workspace, multimodal | Freemium | Yes | 86 / 100 |
| 6 | Luma | text-to-video, dream machine | Paid | Not verified | 80 / 100 |
| 7 | Midjourney | text-to-image, art, illustration | Paid | No | 79 / 100 |
| 8 | Adobe Firefly | text-to-image, creative cloud, commercial use | Freemium | Yes | 78 / 100 |
| 9 | Pika | text-to-video, effects, social video | Freemium | Not verified | 78 / 100 |
"Best for" lists each tool's use-case tags. Scores are editorial (0–100) in Video; pricing last verified 2026-10-16.
Frequently asked questions
- Is there a free AI video generator?
- Runway (one-time credit allowance), Kling (free Basic plan) and Synthesia ($0 Basic plan with a monthly allowance of video minutes) have free options. Pika's free account includes 0 monthly credits, and Luma's free option was not confirmed when we checked.
- What's the difference between text-to-video and AI avatar tools?
- Text-to-video tools (Runway, Kling, Luma, Pika) generate new footage from a prompt or image. Avatar tools (Synthesia, HeyGen) produce a presenter speaking your script — common for training and marketing videos.
- Which AI video tool is best for training videos?
- Synthesia is built for presenter-led videos with AI avatars and is popular for training content; HeyGen is a close alternative that adds video translation and dubbing.
Related
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