Today’s Big Test-Drive of AI Video Tools. In this article, I take a close look at several popular AI tools for video—their features, pros and cons, and pricing. We’ll start with the most accessible free options.
1) Luma — https://lumalabs.ai/dream-machine
What it does: Luma Dream Machine is a next-gen AI video generator that creates videos from text prompts or images. Google sign-in makes onboarding simple. The free tier provides 10 video generations per day, which is enough for experimentation. Average video length is up to ~1 minute.
Pros
- Very easy to use
- High generation quality
- 10 free generations per day
- Works from both text and visual inputs
Cons
- Daily free quota limits
Pricing: Free for ~30 generations per month. Paid plans unlock higher usage and extra features.
Score: 8.6/10
2) KREA — https://www.krea.ai
What it does: Ideal for creative experimentation. You can generate brand-new videos or enhance ones you made elsewhere (e.g., in Luma). Typical outputs can run up to ~90 seconds.
Pros
- Strong creative controls
- Built-in upscaling / quality enhancement
Cons
- Average generation quality overall
Pricing: Free with quality limits. Paid plans improve quality and raise generation caps.
Score: 7.6/10
3) Pika — https://www.pika.ai
What it does: A fast video generator that gives you up to 25 videos on first sign-up, then 3 free generations daily. Google sign-in available. Video length up to ~30 seconds.
Pros
- Quick generations
- 25 free videos on registration
Cons
- Quality can be hit-or-miss
Pricing: Free for 25 starter videos + 3 daily; paid tiers raise limits and quality.
Score: 6.5/10
4) Runway — https://www.runwayml.com
What it does: A former category leader that’s now more focused on paid functionality. Free usage is limited and best for small tests. Videos can reach up to ~2 minutes, depending on tools/tier.
Pros
- Broad, professional toolset
- Support for multiple video formats
Cons
- Comparatively high cost
- Very limited free capabilities
Pricing: Free for small experiments. Paid plans start from $15/month for expanded use and features.
Score: 4.8/10
5) Stable Video — https://www.stablevideo.ai
What it does: Generates video from an image or text prompt. Quality is modest. Free tier typically allows 3–4 videos per day. Average length up to ~45 seconds.
Pros
- Simple workflow
- Text- or image-to-video options
Cons
- Low visual quality vs. leading tools
Pricing: Free for 3–4 daily generations; paid plans available for heavier use.
Score: 3.2/10
6) Genmo — https://www.genmo.ai
What it does: Once promising, but quality has slipped. Can create vertical videos and is free to try. Video length typically up to ~20 seconds.
Pros
- Vertical-video friendly
- Free to use
Cons
- Low generation quality
Pricing: Free for limited use; paid plans raise quality and quotas.
Score: 2.5/10
Conclusion
AI video tools are becoming more popular and accessible. Apps like Luma, KREA, and Pika offer plenty of room for experimentation and creativity—though overall quality and feature depth vary a lot.
Why use AI for video? It’s simple, fast, and lets you produce unique content. Still, each tool has trade-offs. The right choice depends on your needs and your quality bar.
- If you’re after high-quality outputs and are ready to invest, platforms like Runway can be a strong option.
- If you’re just starting and want to experiment, Luma and KREA give you generous free capabilities.
These tools evolve quickly—new features and improvements drop all the time. Don’t be afraid to try different services and find what fits you best.
