AI Video Tools Pricing Comparison 2026: Every Platform Compared

AI video creation has gone from experimental novelty to essential business tool. From text-to-video generation to AI avatars and automated editing, the options are vast and the pricing varies enormously. This comparison helps you find the best AI video tool for your budget and production requirements.

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Complete AI Video Tools Pricing Table

Tool	Free Plan	Starter	Pro/Business	Primary Use
Runway ML	125 credits	Standard: $15/mo	Pro: $35/mo	Gen video, effects
Synthesia	1 free video	Starter: $29/mo	Creator: $89/mo	AI avatar videos
Descript	1 hr/mo	Hobbyist: $8/mo	Pro: $24/mo	Video/podcast editing
InVideo AI	Limited	Plus: $25/mo	Max: $60/mo	Template-based video
HeyGen	1 free video	Creator: $29/mo	Business: $89/mo	AI avatar videos
Pictory	3 videos	Starter: $23/mo	Professional: $47/mo	Text-to-video
Opus Clip	10 clips/mo	Starter: $19/mo	Pro: $49/mo	Short-form clips
Lumen5	5 videos/mo	Basic: $29/mo	Professional: $79/mo	Blog-to-video
Kapwing	Limited	Pro: $24/mo	Business: $50/mo	Video editing suite
Kling AI	Yes (limited)	Standard: $8/mo	Pro: $28/mo	Gen video

Best Value by Video Type

AI-Generated Video (Text/Image to Video)

Runway ML leads generative video with Gen-3 Alpha producing the most consistent, controllable results. At $15-35/month, it’s the standard for creative AI video. Kling AI at $8-28/month is an emerging, more affordable alternative with competitive quality.

AI Avatar/Talking Head Videos

Synthesia and HeyGen both start at $29/month for AI avatar videos. Synthesia offers more professional avatars and enterprise features. HeyGen provides better lip-sync and more natural expressions. For training, marketing, and explainer videos, either tool saves thousands over live production.

Video Editing with AI

Descript at $24/month offers the best AI-powered editing experience. Text-based editing, filler word removal, and automatic transcription make it the editor of choice for podcasters and YouTubers. Kapwing ($24/mo) is a strong alternative with more traditional editing alongside AI features.

Short-Form Content Clips

Opus Clip at $19/month is the best tool for automatically creating short-form clips from long-form video. It identifies viral moments, adds captions, and formats for TikTok, Reels, and Shorts. Essential for repurposing podcast and YouTube content.

Blog/Text to Video

Pictory ($23/mo) and Lumen5 ($29/mo) convert blog posts and text into video content. Pictory offers more AI automation, while Lumen5 provides better template customization. Both are excellent for content marketers who want video without production expertise.

Cost Per Minute of Video

Tool	Type	Est. Cost/Min	vs. Traditional
Runway ML	Gen video	$1-3/min	95% cheaper
Synthesia	Avatar	$3-5/min	90% cheaper
Descript	Editing	$0.50-1/min	80% cheaper
Pictory	Text-to-video	$2-4/min	85% cheaper

FAQ: AI Video Tools Pricing

What is the cheapest AI video creation tool?

Descript at $8/month (Hobbyist) and Kling AI at $8/month are the cheapest useful options. Several tools offer limited free tiers to get started.

Which AI video tool is best for marketing?

Synthesia ($29/mo) for professional avatar videos. InVideo AI ($25/mo) for template-based marketing videos. Pictory ($23/mo) for blog-to-video conversion.

Can AI video tools replace professional production?

For training videos, social media, and explainers, yes. For high-end brand campaigns, professional production remains superior but AI significantly reduces costs.

How much does AI video save vs. traditional production?

AI video tools cost 80-95% less than traditional production. A 3-minute explainer video costs a fraction with AI tools compared to a production company.

Related: AI Tools Directory | ChatGPT vs Claude vs Gemini | Best Free AI Tools 2026