AI video generation has become a reality. We break down which tools are available now and what tasks they suit.
Runway — a universal platform
Capabilities
- Gen-3: text-to-video and image-to-video
- Motion Brush: animate part of an image
- Remove Background: remove the background in a video
- Inpainting: replace objects
- Extend Video: extend a video
Pricing
- Basic: $15/mo (625 credits)
- Standard: $35/mo (2,250 credits)
- Pro: $95/mo (22,500 credits)
Quality
- Duration: up to 10 seconds
- Resolution: up to 720p (Gen-3)
- Consistency: good
- Realism: high
Best for
- Creative projects: music videos, art videos
- B-roll for content
- Concept videos for presentations
- Animations from still images
Cons
- Expensive with heavy use
- Duration limit
- Not always a predictable result
Pika — for quick videos
Capabilities
- Text-to-video
- Image-to-video
- Modify region (editing part of a video)
- Expand canvas
- Lip sync
Pricing
- Free: 30 videos per month
- Standard: $10/mo (700 videos)
- Unlimited: $35/mo (unlimited relax mode)
Quality
- Duration: 3-5 seconds
- Resolution: 720p
- Speed: fast generation
- Style: slightly less realistic
Best for
- Social media: short videos for Reels/Shorts
- Testing ideas: quick prototypes
- Logo animation
- Budget projects
Pros
- The most affordable premium plan
- Fast generation
- Simple interface
Kling AI (Kuaishou) — from China
Features
- Long videos (up to 2 minutes)
- High realism quality
- Text-to-video and image-to-video
- Good motion physics
Availability
- Available via VPN
- Registration through Chinese services
- There are free generations
Quality
- The best physics on the market
- Realistic motion
- Duration: up to 2 minutes
- High resolution
Best for
- Realistic scenes
- Long videos
- Complex motion
Cons
- Difficult access for non-Chinese users
- Queues
- Language barrier
Sora 2 (OpenAI)
What it can do
- Video with synchronized sound and speech
- Realistic motion physics
- Insert yourself into a scene with consent
- Its own app in a feed format
Status
- Available to ChatGPT subscribers
- Regional restrictions; from Russia — via VPN
- A detailed comparison with Veo 3.1 and Kling 3.0 is in the video generator overview
Expected pricing
Most likely $20-50/mo as part of ChatGPT Pro
Synthesia — AI avatars
What it does
- Create videos with AI avatars
- Voiceover in 120+ languages
- Avatar personalization
- Templates for various purposes
Pricing
- Personal: $29/mo (10 minutes of video)
- Business: from $89/mo
Best for
- Training videos
- Corporate presentations
- Explainer clips
- Videos in different languages
Not suitable for
- Creative projects
- B-roll
- Dynamic content
HeyGen — a Synthesia competitor
Features
- AI avatars (more natural)
- Video translation (video translation with lip sync)
- Personalization of mass videos
- API for integrations
Pricing
- Free: trial version
- Essential: $29/mo
- Business: from $89/mo
Advantage
Better lip-sync quality and more natural avatars
CapCut (AI features)
Free AI features
- Auto captions
- Background removal
- AI voice changer
- Script to video
- Auto reframe
Paid features (Pro)
- More advanced AI effects
- 4K export
- Commercial use
Price
- Free (with limits)
- Pro: $9.99/mo
Best for
- Editing with AI assistance
- Subtitles and automation
- Social media (TikTok, Reels)
Descript — editing via text
Unique feature
You edit video like text:
- Delete text → the video is deleted
- Edit text → the voiceover changes
AI features
- Studio Sound (audio enhancement)
- Eye Contact (gaze correction)
- Remove Filler Words
- AI voices
- Green Screen
Pricing
- Free: basic features
- Creator: $24/mo
- Pro: $50/mo
Best for
- Podcasts and interviews
- Educational content
- Quick editing of talking heads
Pictory — article to video
What it does
- Turns an article/script into a video
- Automatically selects stock footage
- Adds subtitles
- AI voiceover
Pricing
- Standard: $23/mo (30 videos)
- Premium: $47/mo (60 videos)
Best for
- Repurposing content
- Automating video creation
- YouTube Shorts from articles
Topaz Video AI — upscaling and enhancement
What it does
- Resolution increase (upscale)
- Frame interpolation (up to 60/120 fps)
- Denoising and stabilization
- Enhancing old videos
Price
- $299 (one-time, no subscription)
Best for
- Upscaling low-quality video
- Restoring old recordings
- Enhancing stock footage
Which tool to choose
For creative projects
Runway — if the budget allows
Pika — if you need to save money
For social media
Pika + CapCut — the optimal combo
For training and presentations
Synthesia or HeyGen — avatars
Descript — if there is a talking head
For mass production
Pictory — automation
CapCut — editing and adaptation
For enhancing existing video
Topaz Video AI — upscaling and enhancement
Descript — quick editing
Practical tips
1. Start with free plans
Almost all services offer a trial:
- Pika — 30 videos free
- Runway — 125 credits upon registration
- CapCut — free with limitations
2. Combine tools
- Generate in Runway/Pika
- Edit in CapCut
- Enhance in Topaz
- Add subtitles in Descript
3. Proper prompts
For text-to-video:
[action], [subject], [environment],
[camera style], [lighting], [mood]
Example: "slow motion close-up of coffee being poured
into white cup, modern cafe interior, warm natural lighting,
cinematic, 24fps"
4. Image-to-video is often better
Generate the perfect image in Midjourney, then animate it in Runway/Pika — the result will be more controllable.
5. Don't expect Hollywood quality
AI video in 2026:
- ✅ Excellent: short clips, b-roll, concepts
- ⚠️ Mediocre: complex motion, dialogues
- ❌ Poor: long narrative scenes
Limitations and problems
Technical
- Maximum 10-30 seconds (usually)
- Artifacts and glitches
- Unpredictability of the result
- Long generation time
Legal
- Rights to generated video (read the ToS)
- Commercial use (not on all plans)
- You cannot use real people's faces without consent
Ethical
- Deepfakes and disinformation
- Disclosure of AI use
- Copyright on training data
The future of AI video
The coming months (2026)
- Official release of Gemini 4 Argon and new versions of Veo
- Increased video duration
- Better consistency
- Lower prices
What will appear
- Generation of long videos (5+ minutes)
- Better camera control
- Editing of existing videos
- Integration with 3D
The optimal starter setup
Budget $0-15/mo:
- Pika Free (30 videos) — generation
- CapCut — editing
- Canva — design
Budget $30-50/mo:
- Pika Standard ($10) — generation
- CapCut Pro ($10) — editing
- Descript Creator ($24) — editing
Budget $100+/mo:
- Runway Standard ($35)
- HeyGen Essential ($29)
- Descript Pro ($50)
- Topaz Video AI ($299 once a year)
Start small, test different tools, and choose what works for your specific tasks.