6 Best AI Video Makers for Beginners: A Comprehensive Guide

Did you know that 86% of businesses now use video as a marketing tool? When I first tried creating videos - the equipment costs alone nearly made me quit before I started!

Traditional video creation used to be a massive hurdle—expensive gear, complicated software, and hours of frustrating edits. But honestly, AI video makers have completely changed the game for people like me (and probably you, too).

In this guide, I'll walk you through six AI video makers that have genuinely impressed me. I've tested dozens of these abilities over the years, and these are the ones I keep coming back to when clients ask for recommendations.

I have compiled six AI video maker platforms below that will help you create stunning videos effortlessly. I selected these based on user reviews (G2/Capterra), my own experience, affordability for beginners, and ease of use. Read on to learn more

Pictory.ai: Your AI Video Creation Assistant

Pictory.ai is powerful yet beginner-friendly. It simplifies video creation by transforming written content into engaging videos. Don´t worry if you are new to this software; its intuitive interface and automation features make it an excellent choice for bloggers, content creators, and marketers who want to repurpose text-based content into professional-quality videos without needing technical expertise.

Key Features

• Script-to-Video: Easily convert your written scripts into captivating videos with just a few clicks.
• Article-to-Video: This is a superb feature for repurposing blog posts or articles into shareable videos for social media or other platforms.
• Edit Videos with Text: Modify your video by editing the text transcript, making it easy to refine content without traditional editing abilities.
• Automated Video Highlights: Quickly create concise, attention-grabbing highlights from longer videos.
• Pricing: Free trial, with paid plans starting at $19/month (Which I think is fair for what you get)

Pros

• No video editing skills required.
• Transcript-based editing simplifies the process.
• The free trial allows users to explore the platform before committing.

Cons

• I wish it had more customization options compared to more advanced abilities.
• The $19/month plan may feel restrictive for users with higher video production needs.

Why Choose Pictory.ai?

Pictory.ai is ideal for beginners who want to create professional-looking videos without the steep learning curve of traditional editing software. For example, you can use Pictory to turn a written article from your blog into a visually engaging video for social media in minutes. Its transcript-based editing is handy for those who prefer working with text rather than complex video timelines.

With a G2 score of 4.7/5 from 75 reviews, Pictory.ai is highly rated for its ease of use and efficiency. This is a fantastic starting point if you’re looking for a straightforward way to repurpose written content into videos.

Check how Pictory works in this video:

InVideo: Drag, Drop, and Create

InVideo is a versatile video creation platform that offers a drag-and-drop interface for ease of use. Its extensive library of templates, stock footage, and music provides all the necessary tools to produce professional-looking videos.

• Key Features:
  • Intuitive Drag-and-Drop Editor: Effortlessly arrange video clips, images, and text.
  • Extensive Template Library: Choose from pre-designed templates catering to various video styles.
  • Built-in Stock Media: Access a vast library of royalty-free stock footage, images, and music.
  • Brand Presets: Maintain brand consistency with customizable brand presets.
  • Pricing: Free Plan with 10 minutes/month, paid plan starts at $20/month.

Pros: Free plan, drag-and-drop simplicity, vast template library.
Cons: Watermark on free plan, 10-minute/month limit.

Why Choose InVideo?

InVideo's user-friendly interface and extensive library of resources are valuable features for creating high-quality videos regardless of your experience level. Invideo was one of the first video editors I first tried, and I was impressed by its ease of use and smooth learning curve.

InVideo score on G2 is 4.5/5 from 158 reviews. Check how Invideo works in this video:

Synthesia.io: Say Hello to AI Avatars

I was honestly blown away the first time I used Synthesia. Creating videos with professional-looking presenters without hiring actors or setting up a studio? It seemed too good to be true.

Key Features

• Their AI avatars are surprisingly realistic (though not perfect)
• The text-to-speech engine produces natural-sounding voiceovers in multiple languages
• Customizable templates give you a starting point without boxing you in
• Their screen recording Chrome extension is ideal for tutorials
• Pricing: Starts at $18/month with 10 minutes included (a fair price but not the best)

Pros

• Realistic AI avatars eliminate the need to hire actors.
• Multilingual support makes it easy to create videos for diverse audiences.
• High-quality output is suitable for professional use.

Cons

• There is no free plan, which may deter casual users.
• Custom avatars and advanced features can get pricey quickly.

Why Choose Synthesia.io?

Synthesia.io is perfect for businesses and educators who need to create professional, engaging videos without technical expertise. For example, a corporate trainer can use Synthesia to produce multilingual training videos featuring AI avatars, saving time and resources while maintaining a polished, professional look. The platform’s text-to-speech feature ensures that your message is delivered clearly and effectively, regardless of language.

With a G2 score of 4.7/5 from over 1,700 reviews, Synthesia.io is highly regarded for its ease of use and the quality of its AI avatars. While it may not be the most budget-friendly option, its ability to create professional videos with minimal effort makes it valuable for businesses and organizations looking to elevate their video content. Check how Synthesia works in this video:

Steve.ai: Animate Your Ideas with Ease

Steve.ai is a user-friendly platform designed to help beginners create animated videos effortlessly. Whether you’re working on explainer videos, storytelling, or educational content, Steve.ai’s intuitive interface and customizable templates make animation accessible to everyone, even without prior experience.

Key Features

• Animated Templates: Choose from a variety of pre-designed templates to kickstart your project.
• Customizable Characters: Personalize your videos with a diverse range of animated characters to suit your story.
• Automatic Lip-Syncing: Synchronize your voiceover with animated characters automatically, saving time and effort.
• Voiceover Recording: You can record your voiceover directly within the platform for seamless integration.
• Pricing: Plans start at $10/month, with 5 video downloads per month on the base plan.

Pros

• Affordable pricing makes it accessible for beginners.
• Focused on animation, which is ideal for explainer videos and storytelling.
• Automatic lip-syncing simplifies the animation process.

Cons

• Limited downloads (5/month on the base plan) may not be sufficient for frequent users.
• Primarily focused on animation, so it may not suit users looking for live-action video creation.

Why Choose Steve.ai?

Steve.ai is an excellent choice for educators, marketers, and storytellers seeking to create engaging animated videos without the difficulties of traditional animation software. For instance, a teacher can use Steve.ai to produce an animated explainer video for a lesson featuring custom characters and voiceovers in just a few steps. It's automatic lip-syncing, and pre-designed templates make it particularly attractive for those new to animation.

While this may not be the best choice for live-action video projects, its focus on animation and beginner-friendly features make it a standout option for anyone looking to bring their ideas to life through animated storytelling.

Steve.ai score on G2 is 4.6/5 from 98 reviews. Check how Steve.ai works in this video:

Lumen5: From Blog Post to Video in Minutes

Lumen5 is a user-friendly platform designed to help content creators and marketers transform written content into engaging videos. By automating the video creation process, Lumen5 can repurpose blog posts, articles, or text-based content into visually appealing videos, saving time and effort.

Key Features

• Blog-to-Video Conversion: Quickly turn blog posts or articles into videos by simply pasting your text into the platform.
• Automated Storyboarding: Lumen5 uses AI to generate a video storyboard with relevant visuals, text, and music based on your content.
• Media Library: Access a vast collection of stock images, videos, and music to enhance your creations.
• Brand Customization: Maintain consistency with customizable colors, fonts, and logos.
• Pricing: Free trial available, with paid plans starting at $19/month.

Pros

• Automates the video creation process, saving time.
• Ideal for repurposing written content into shareable videos.
• Customizable branding options for professional consistency.

Cons

• Limited creative flexibility due to heavy reliance on templates.
• The $19/month plan may feel expensive for casual users.

Why Choose Lumen5?

Lumen5 is an excellent choice for marketers, publishers, and content creators looking to maximize the value of their written content by converting it into videos. For instance, a marketer can utilize Lumen5 to turn a blog post into a short, engaging video for social media, complete with visuals and music, in just a matter of minutes. Its automation features are particularly appealing to those with limited time or video editing experience.

While it may not offer the same level of creative control as some other platforms, its ability to streamline the video creation process makes it a good option for anyone looking to repurpose text-based content into professional videos.

Lumen5 score on G2 is 4.5/5 from 68 reviews. Check how Lumen5 works in this video:

FlexClip: A Versatile Video Maker for Everyone

FlexClip is a versatile and beginner-friendly video creation platform that caters to a wide range of users, from small business owners to content creators. With its intuitive interface and AI-powered abilities, FlexClip makes it easy to create professional-quality videos for marketing, social media, or personal projects, even if you have no prior editing experience.

Key Features

• Simple Video Editor: This intuitive drag-and-drop interface makes it easy to trim, merge, and enhance video clips.
• AI-Powered Abilities: Features like text-to-speech, automatic subtitles, and AI translation simplify the video creation.
• Rich Media Library: There is no need to go for external tools since there is a vast collection of stock footage, music, and sound effects to enhance your videos.
• Pricing: Free plan available, with paid plans starting at $9.99/month.

Pros

• The free plan allows users to explore the platform without any upfront cost.
• AI-powered abilities like automatic subtitles and text-to-speech are great for beginners.
• The intuitive interface makes it easy to create videos quickly.

Cons

• Basic editing abilities may feel limiting for advanced users.
• Occasional glitches can disrupt the workflow.

Why Choose FlexClip?

FlexClip is an excellent starting point if you are a beginner who wants to create videos without a steep learning curve. For example, a small business owner can use FlexClip’s free plan to build a promotional video by combining stock footage, adding text overlays, and using AI-powered subtitles to make the content more accessible. Its affordability and ease of use make it an excellent option for those with limited budgets or time.

With a G2 score of 4.5/5 from 52 reviews, FlexClip is praised for its simplicity and cost-effectiveness. While it may not offer the advanced features of some other platforms, its combination of AI abilities, a free plan, and an intuitive interface makes it a reliable choice for beginners and small-scale projects.

FlexClip's score on G2 is 4.5/5 from 52 reviews. Check how FlexClip works in this video:

Best AI Video Makers comparison table

Platform	Pricing	Key Features	My take
	Free trial Paid plans start at $19/month	AI video generator AI video editor AI music generation URL to video AI text to video PowerPoint to video AI video templates	Ideal for bloggers and content creators who want to repurpose written content into videos quickly and easily. Best for those with minimal video editing experience.
	Free Plan Paid plans start at $20/month	AI Video generator YouTube shorts generator AI voiceover generator AI news generator Faceless video generator	Perfect for social media managers and marketers who need a versatile ability for creating professional-looking videos with minimal effort. Great for beginners and advanced users alike.
	No free plan Paid plans start at $18/month	AI human avatars Custom avatars AI voices Video templates Integrations 1 click translation	Best for corporate trainers, educators, and businesses that need professional-looking videos with realistic AI avatars. A bit pricey but worth it for multilingual and avatar-based content.
	No free plan Paid plans start at $10/month	AI blog to animation AI text to animation AI voice to animation AI blog to video Chat-GPT integration	Excellent for creating animated explainer videos or storytelling. Affordable and beginner-friendly, but limited to animation-focused projects.
	Free trial Paid plans start at $19/month	No video limits Blog to video Talking head video Tema management	Great for content marketers and publishers who want to repurpose blog posts or articles into engaging videos. Automation is a strength, but creativity may feel limited.
	Free trial Paid plans start at $9.99/month	AI Video generator AI text to video AI text to speech AI translator AI vocal remover Audio editor AI image upscaler GIF maker	A versatile and budget-friendly option for small business owners and beginners. The free plan is a great starting point, but advanced users may find the editing abilities too basic.

Limitations You Should Know About

I'd be doing you a disservice if I didn't mention some drawbacks I've encountered with AI video makers. They're excellent abilities, but they're not magic:

• Template fatigue is real. After a while, you might notice your videos looking similar to others using the same platform. I try to customize as much as possible to avoid this.
• AI voices can still sound robotic - While they've improved dramatically, there are still moments when text-to-speech just doesn't capture the right emotion or emphasis. For critical projects, I sometimes still record my own voiceovers.
• Stock footage limitations - You're often working with the same stock library as everyone else. For truly unique videos, you might eventually need to shoot custom footage.
• Subscription costs add up - I'm currently paying for three different video abilities because each has strengths for different projects. It's still cheaper than traditional production, but worth considering.
• Creative constraints - Sometimes, I have a specific vision that just can't be achieved within these platforms. For those projects, I still occasionally turn to more advanced abilities.