AI Video Generators
Short answer
AI video tools split into generators that make clips from text or images (Runway, Luma, Pika, Kling, Google Veo) and avatar platforms that turn a script into a presenter video (Synthesia, HeyGen, Akool). OpenAI's Sora is gone: the app was reported closed in April 2026 and the API in September 2026. Several new models were reported in July and August 2026, including Seedance 2.5 and Wan 3.0. We have not re-verified video plan prices for October 2026, so check each provider before buying.
What this category covers: Making video with AI.
AI Video Generators compared
| Tool | What it does | Pricing model | Status | Last checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pika | Pika's AI video generator for short, stylised clips and effects made from text or images. | Free trial | Active | 2 June 2026 |
| Runway | A creative AI video platform for text- and image-to-video generation and AI editing tools. | Free trial | Active | 2 June 2026 |
| Synthesia | An AI video platform that turns scripts into presenter-led videos with AI avatars and voices in many languages. | Free trial | Active | 2 June 2026 |
| HeyGen | An AI video platform for talking avatars, video translation with lip-sync and personalised video. | Free trial | Active | 2 June 2026 |
| Luma AI | Luma's AI video generator (Dream Machine) for text- and image-to-video. | Free trial | Active | 2 June 2026 |
| Higgsfield Soul | Higgsfield's Soul model for stylised, photo-realistic visuals inside the Higgsfield AI image and video platform. | Free trial | Active | 2 June 2026 |
| Mirage (Dynamics Lab) | Dynamics Lab's Mirage, a generative world model that renders interactive, game-like video environments in real time. | Free trial | Active | 2 June 2026 |
| Akool | Akool's AI video suite for face swap, talking avatars, video translation and image-to-video. | Free trial | Active | 2 June 2026 |
| Videotowords | Listed as a tool for converting video speech into text and written content. | Free plan available | Active | 2 June 2026 |
| Sora | OpenAI's text-to-video model and app. The app was reported closed in April 2026 and the API in September 2026. | Discontinued | Discontinued | 5 October 2026 |
All tools in this category
Pika
Pika's AI video generator for short, stylised clips and effects made from text or images.
Runway
A creative AI video platform for text- and image-to-video generation and AI editing tools.
Synthesia
An AI video platform that turns scripts into presenter-led videos with AI avatars and voices in many languages.
HeyGen
An AI video platform for talking avatars, video translation with lip-sync and personalised video.
Luma AI
Luma's AI video generator (Dream Machine) for text- and image-to-video.
Higgsfield Soul
Higgsfield's Soul model for stylised, photo-realistic visuals inside the Higgsfield AI image and video platform.
Mirage (Dynamics Lab)
Dynamics Lab's Mirage, a generative world model that renders interactive, game-like video environments in real time.
Akool
Akool's AI video suite for face swap, talking avatars, video translation and image-to-video.
Videotowords
Listed as a tool for converting video speech into text and written content.
Sora
OpenAI's text-to-video model and app. The app was reported closed in April 2026 and the API in September 2026.
How to choose
Evidence: Editorial assessmentGenerator or avatar platform?
If you need cinematic or creative footage, use a text-to-video generator. If you need a person explaining something, such as training or sales videos, an avatar platform is faster and more consistent. Avatar tools also handle translation and lip-sync.
Clip length, audio and resolution
Generators produce short clips, often seconds long; check the maximum clip length, whether audio is generated natively, and the output resolution on the plan you would buy. Newer models reported in 2026 advertise longer native clips; test with your own prompts.
Price per usable second
Credit systems make prices hard to compare. Work out what one usable minute costs, including failed generations you discard. The cheapest plan per credit is not always the cheapest per usable result.
Licence and likeness rules
Check commercial-use terms, watermarking, and rules on generating real people's likenesses. Face-swap and avatar tools need consent from the people shown. If a vendor shuts down, as Sora did, you need your source files elsewhere.
What changed in this update
- Sora added as a discontinued status page.
- Removed the placeholder 'video test' table: no test had been run.
- Pika page now covers Pika generally rather than version 2.2.
Common questions
Is Sora still available?
No. The Sora app was reported closed on 26 April 2026 and the API on 24 September 2026. See our Sora alternatives page.
What is the best AI video generator?
It depends on the job: Runway and Luma for creative clips, Synthesia or HeyGen for presenter videos. Compare clip length, audio and licence terms on the plan you would buy.
Why are video prices not shown?
We only show prices confirmed on the provider's own page within the last 45 days. Video plan prices were last checked in June 2026 and are being re-verified.
Are AI avatar videos allowed for commercial use?
Usually on paid plans, but terms differ. Check the vendor's licence and get consent from anyone whose face or voice is used.