In today’s digital landscape, video content is king, making the right video creation tool essential for marketers, educators, and creators alike. The use of AI-powered video tools has revolutionised the way we create, edit, and share videos, making the process quicker and more efficient. From creating promotional content to educational videos, each tool offers unique features tailored to different needs. This guide will help you navigate through some of the best free AI video tools available today, highlighting their pricing, features, and limitations so you can make an informed choice based on your needs and budget.
At-a-glance comparison
| Tool | Best for | Highlights | Considerations | Pricing | Free Plan |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| InVideo | Content creators needing templates and ease of use. | Professional templates and a user-friendly interface. | Watermarked videos on free plan; export limitations. | $15/month (Startup), $30/month (Business), $120/year (Business), Enterprise pricing available on request. | Free plan offers 60 videos/month with watermark, limited stock. |
| Synthesia | Business users looking for AI avatars in presentations. | AI avatars provide a unique presentation style. | No free plan offered; premium pricing required for features. | Starting at £75/video. | No free plan available; trial available on request. |
| Pictory | Marketers looking for quick video summaries. | AI-driven summarisation enhances content creation efficiency. | Limited features in free plan; watermark on videos. | $19/month (Basic), $39/month (Standard), $99/month (Premium). | Free plan includes 3 videos/month, limited editing options. |
| Veed.io | Social media marketers needing simple editing tools. | User-friendly with automatic subtitle generation. | Watermarked exports for free users; limited resolution. | $12/month (Pro), $24/month (Business), up to $50/month (Enterprise). | Free plan includes 15-minute max video length with watermark. |
| Descript | Podcasters and video content creators looking for text editing. | Text-based editing simplifies audio/video tasks significantly. | 3-hour transcription limit in free plan; premium features costly. | $12/month (Creator), $24/month (Pro), $30/month (Enterprise). | Free plan allows 3 hours of transcription and editing capabilities. |
| Renderforest | Businesses seeking a complete branding solution. | Extensive range of templates, straightforward branding tools. | Watermarked videos in free plan; long rendering times. | $9.99/month (Lite), $19.99/month (Pro), $39.99/month (Business). | Free plan offers limited access to templates with watermarks. |
| OpenShot | Users looking for a fully free video editing solution. | Excellent free tool with a great range of effects. | Potential performance issues with large files; limited support. | Free and open-source. | Fully functional as open-source software with no limitations. |
| HitFilm Express | Aspiring filmmakers wanting professional tools. | Professional capabilities at no cost, extensive effects library. | Higher resource requirement; can be complex to set up. | Free with optional paid add-ons, starting from £9 for add-ons. | Completely free with certain features requiring purchase. |
Detailed Pricing Comparison
Below is a detailed breakdown of pricing for each tool featured in this comparison:
InVideo
Pricing: $15/month (Startup), $30/month (Business), $120/year (Business), Enterprise pricing available on request.
Free Plan: Free plan offers 60 videos/month with watermark, limited stock.
Synthesia
Pricing: Starting at £75/video.
Free Plan: No free plan available; trial available on request.
Pictory
Pricing: $19/month (Basic), $39/month (Standard), $99/month (Premium).
Free Plan: Free plan includes 3 videos/month, limited editing options.
Veed.io
Pricing: $12/month (Pro), $24/month (Business), up to $50/month (Enterprise).
Free Plan: Free plan includes 15-minute max video length with watermark.
Descript
Pricing: $12/month (Creator), $24/month (Pro), $30/month (Enterprise).
Free Plan: Free plan allows 3 hours of transcription and editing capabilities.
Renderforest
Pricing: $9.99/month (Lite), $19.99/month (Pro), $39.99/month (Business).
Free Plan: Free plan offers limited access to templates with watermarks.
OpenShot
Pricing: Free and open-source.
Free Plan: Fully functional as open-source software with no limitations.
HitFilm Express
Pricing: Free with optional paid add-ons, starting from £9 for add-ons.
Free Plan: Completely free with certain features requiring purchase.
Top picks, with pros and cons
InVideo Try Now
InVideo is a versatile online video maker that allows users to create professional-quality videos quickly. Perfect for marketers and educators, it offers a vast library of templates and stock footage, enabling users to craft engaging content without prior video editing experience.
- Wide variety of professionally designed templates
- Intuitive drag-and-drop interface for easy editing
- Robust stock library with high-quality media
- Support for multiple languages and voiceovers
- Collaboration tools for teams
- Watermark on free plan videos
- Limited export options for free users
- High learning curve for advanced features
- Some features restricted to higher plans
Synthesia Try Now
Synthesia leverages AI to generate videos using lifelike avatars, making it ideal for creating educational and training videos. The tool allows users to turn text into video presentations, streamlining content delivery beautifully.
- Unique AI avatars for realistic presentations
- Text-to-video capabilities for easy content creation
- Supports over 40 languages
- High-quality video output
- Quick editing with automated features
- No free plan available
- Premium pricing can be daunting for new users
- Limited scene variation in base templates
- AI voice limitations compared to live voices
Pictory Try Now
Pictory is designed for simplifying video creation by enabling automatic video summarisation from scripts or long articles. Ideal for content marketers, it helps to save time and create videos that are direct and to the point.
- Automatic video creation from text
- AI-driven summarisation for brevity
- User-friendly interface
- Library of royalty-free music and images
- Branding options for business users
- Watermarked videos in the free plan
- Limited video length for free users
- Fewer customisation options than some competitors
- Requires internet access for cloud rendering
Veed.io Try Now
Veed.io is a straightforward video editing platform that is browser-based, catering to content creators and social media marketers. Its ability to add subtitles and text overlays makes it an engaging choice for online content.
- User-friendly for both beginners and advanced editors
- Ability to add subtitles automatically
- Good selection of filters and effects
- Collaboration features for team projects
- No downloads required as it works online
- Free plan includes watermark
- Limited video resolution on free plan
- Some features locked behind higher plans
- Exporting can be slow with larger files
Descript Try Now
Descript turns audio into text and vice versa, allowing users to edit audio and video through text editing. It’s particularly beneficial for podcasters and video content creators who want to streamline their editing process.
- Text-based editing for audio and video files
- High-quality transcription services
- Rich editing features including filler word removal
- Multitrack editing capabilities
- Cloud-based for easy access
- Free plan limited to 3 hours of transcription
- Premium features can be expensive
- Complex for beginner users
- User interface can be overwhelming at first
Renderforest Try Now
Renderforest is an online platform that ranges from video production to branding suites, making it a one-stop solution for businesses and creators. Its easy-to-use features are ideal for crafting promotional and explainer videos.
- Diverse range of video templates for all occasions
- Creating animations easily with preset designs
- Complete branding solutions available
- User-friendly and visually appealing interface
- Good export high-definition options
- Watermark on videos in the free plan
- Limited HD exports unless on higher plan
- Can be costly for premium videos
- Long rendering times during busy hours
OpenShot Try Now
OpenShot is an open-source video editor that is known for its simplicity and powerful features. Ideal for users looking for a free alternative to higher-end software, it supports various video editing tasks efficiently.
- Fully free and open-source software
- Wide array of video effects and transitions
- Supports a range of formats and resolutions
- Multi-platform availability (Windows, Mac, Linux)
- Community-supported with extensive tutorials
- Some features may lack polish compared to paid tools
- Occasional performance issues with larger files
- Limited customer support
- Requires some learning curve for new features
HitFilm Express Try Now
HitFilm Express caters to aspiring filmmakers and advanced editors. With a plethora of editing tools and effects usually found in paid software, it empowers users to create visually stunning videos for free.
- Professional-grade editing features available for free
- Wide selection of visual effects and compositing tools
- Robust community fostering learning and sharing
- Regular updates and improvements
- Supports 2D and 3D effects
- Steeper learning curve for beginners
- Some features require add-on purchases
- Resource-heavy, requiring a strong computer
- Setup can be complex for novice users
How to choose the right tool
When selecting an AI video tool, consider your specific needs, such as the type of content you wish to create and your technical proficiency. Look for tools that offer suitable templates, stock libraries, and editing features that align with your goals. If collaboration is vital, choose platforms with robust sharing features. Budget is also crucial; explore free plans before committing to paid subscriptions, ensuring you understand what each plan offers. Performance, compatibility with your device, and whether you need features like AI avatar technology or automatic subtitling can also be deciding factors in your choice.
FAQs
What free video tools have the best functionalities?
Tools like InVideo and Pictory offer extensive features even in their free plans, including access to templates and editing options. Renderforest provides good branding tools at no cost, while OpenShot and HitFilm Express are fully functional and completely free, appealing to those prioritising features without financial constraints.
Are there hidden costs associated with these tools?
Most tools have free plans with limited features, often resulting in watermarked outputs. Premium subscriptions vary widely in pricing and might include extra stipulations for features such as additional stock media or higher-quality exports. Reading the fine print is advisable to avoid surprises.
Can beginners use these tools effectively?
Absolutely. Many platforms like Veed.io and Descript provide user-friendly interfaces tailored to novices. InVideo and Pictory also cater to beginners, offering ample tutorials and templates that simplify the learning curve significantly.
What are the limitations of free plans?
Free plans usually include restrictions like watermarked exports, limited access to templates, and constrained video lengths. For professional use, exploring paid plans may be necessary to unlock enhanced features and remove restrictions.
In conclusion, many exceptional free AI video tools can significantly assist in video production, ranging from simple editing tasks to advanced presentation capabilities. Tools like InVideo and Pictory stand out for their feature offerings, while OpenShot and HitFilm Express offer fully free options ideal for comprehensive editing needs. Consider your specific editing requirements and budget before making a choice, keeping in mind the limitations of free plans. Start exploring these tools today to find the right fit for your creative projects!