If you’re taking your first steps on YouTube or looking to enhance your channel for better promotion, AI-powered tools are worth a try. They can speed up routine tasks, suggest creative solutions, and significantly simplify video editing. Below is a selection of AI services that are already available to the public, work online, or offer free plans and are definitely worth your attention. Each will be briefly described, with pros and cons rated on a scale of 1 to 10, along with my subjective comments.
1. Descript
Overview
Descript is a powerful cloud-based editor that integrates audio and video editing. It is AI-driven, allowing you to edit video content as if you were editing text: simply delete unwanted words or phrases from the transcript, and the software syncs the changes with the video.
Formats
- Supports uploading popular video formats (MP4, MOV) as well as audio (MP3, WAV).
- Exports to MP4, WAV, GIF, etc.
Pricing
- Free plan with some limitations on usage time and certain features.
- Paid plans start at $15 per month.
Link
Pros / Cons (rated from 1 to 10)
- Interface usability: 9
– Open it up and within minutes, you understand how to remove filler words. - Processing speed: 8
– Slight delays when importing large files, but overall, it works quickly. - AI editing quality: 9
– Very accurate speech recognition, but sometimes struggles with rare words. - Plan affordability: 6
– Free plan limits project length.
My Comment
Descript is perfect for those who dislike manually cutting every pause. If you need to clean up speech efficiently, it’s a top-tier solution. However, for complex editing transitions, you might need an additional editor.
2. Clipchamp
Overview
Clipchamp, owned by Microsoft, is positioned as a simple online editor for beginners. It offers several AI-powered tools, including automatic text-to-speech and AI-driven color correction suggestions.
Formats
- Imports popular formats (MP4, WMV), exports mainly in MP4.
- Supports cloud uploads from OneDrive.
Pricing
- Free plan with basic functionality and watermarks on some templates.
- Premium plans start at $9 per month.
Link
Pros / Cons (rated from 1 to 10)
- Interface usability: 8
– Very beginner-friendly, but lacks professional filters. - Processing speed: 7
– Occasionally lags with longer videos (as expected for a web-based editor). - AI tools quality: 7
– Decent text-to-speech, but limited voice options. - Plan affordability: 8
– You can work with the free version, but some templates have watermarks.
My Comment
For beginners on YouTube, Clipchamp is a great find—you don’t need to install complex software. I recommend it as a starting tool, especially if you don’t plan on doing professional editing. However, it lacks more advanced AI features.
3. Runway ML
Overview
Runway ML is a well-known AI tool for background removal without a green screen, color correction, and frame-by-frame editing. It also offers automatic VFX effects, making it useful for creative projects that require quick background replacements.
Formats
- Supports MP4, MOV, and image sequences.
- Exports mainly in MP4, GIF.
Pricing
- Free plan with limited rendering minutes and lower resolutions.
- Paid plans start at $15 per month.
Link
Pros / Cons (rated from 1 to 10)
- Interface usability: 7
– Some tools are slightly hidden, requiring a learning curve. - Processing speed: 9
– Works almost instantly with short clips, but depends on your internet connection. - AI effects quality: 8
– Background removal is high-quality but struggles with complex backgrounds. - Plan affordability: 6
– The free version is heavily limited in duration.
My Comment
I use Runway ML when I need to extract a person from a non-ideal background or quickly change the setting without expensive equipment. If you mostly film in an office but want diverse locations, this tool is worth trying.
4. VEED.io
Overview
VEED is an online editor where AI assists with quick subtitling, text-to-speech, and even noise removal. It’s popular among vloggers who create content in multiple languages and don’t want to spend hours manually adding subtitles.
Formats
- Supports almost all common video and audio formats.
- Exports to MP4, MOV, AVI, etc.
Pricing
- Paid plans start at $12 per month.
- Free plan with file size limitations and a watermark.
Link
Pros / Cons (rated from 1 to 10)
- Interface usability: 8
– Simple navigation, easy to get used to. - Processing speed: 7
– Occasional lags when generating subtitles. - AI subtitle quality: 8
– Recognizes most languages accurately, but dialects and technical terms need manual correction. - Plan affordability: 7
– Free version is fine for short clips, but the watermark can be annoying.
My Comment
I love the automatic subtitle translation feature: if you’re making content for multiple countries, VEED.io truly saves time. Just be aware that complex terminology may need manual adjustment.
5. InVideo
Overview
InVideo is an online platform for creating and editing videos, where AI helps generate text-based intros, structure video scripts, and suggest music and transitions. It includes a template library and stock media.
Formats
- Supports MP4, AVI, MKV uploads.
- Exports primarily in MP4 with various quality settings.
Pricing
- Free plan with a watermark, limited to 40 minutes of video per month.
- Paid plans start at $15 per month.
Link
Pros / Cons (rated from 1 to 10)
- Interface usability: 8
– Intuitive menu with tooltips at every step. - Processing speed: 8
– Works fairly fast, but may lag on longer projects. - AI suggestions quality: 7
– Music and transition recommendations can be hit or miss, but overall decent. - Plan affordability: 7
– Free plan has a watermark (“InVideo”), which can be removed with a paid subscription.
My Comment
I think InVideo is great for advertisements, promo videos, or presentations. If you’re working on complex content with multiple layers and professional editing, you may need additional tools.
Conclusion
AI-powered tools are no longer a novelty. For many creators just starting on YouTube, they offer a great way to speed up editing and focus on ideas rather than technical details. Moreover, all the mentioned services offer free plans, though they come with limitations (watermarks, file size, or duration restrictions).
Final Recommendations
- Best for quick speech cleanup & audio improvement: Descript
- Best for creative background & effects editing: Runway ML
- Best for AI-generated subtitles & translations: VEED
- Best for pre-designed templates & quick editing: InVideo
- Best for beginners needing a simple AI-powered editor: Clipchamp
Final advice: Don’t rely solely on AI as a “magic button.” AI is just a tool. Your concept, script, and vision always come first. AI can make editing easier, but it won’t replace creativity.
