Six AI video platforms for engaging visual stories and beyond

In a world where digital content is king, AI is the new frontier, transforming the way we create and consume video. Let’s take a look at the innovative platforms at the forefront of this revolution

Maxim Rahr
9 min readDec 8, 2023
AI video generators are here to aid content creators, marketing teams, and… everyone else

Whether you’re a professional looking to streamline your workflow or a beginner eager to tell your story, AI video generation platforms are here to help. Read on to learn how they can bring your ideas to life with ease and a touch of AI magic.

Image: Pika Labs

Pika Labs: Tailored video creation with AI precision

What it offers: Pika Labs is not just another video creation tool; it’s a powerhouse for transforming text prompts into vivid videos. With its advanced text-to-video technology, Pika Labs stands out for its ability to maintain the original image’s colors, textures, proportions, and details, creating a seamless visual experience.

Ideal for: This platform is perfect for content creators, marketers, and anyone looking to produce high-quality videos without the hassle of complex editing software. It’s especially useful for those who want to quickly turn their ideas into engaging visual stories.

Ease of use: Pika Labs offers an easy web interface that replaces the need for complicated software. Users can generate and edit higher-quality videos with simple text prompts, making the platform accessible to users with varying levels of expertise.

Integration and compatibility: The platform integrates with other AI communities and tools, such as Hugging Face, to enhance content quality and expand creative possibilities. This makes Pika Labs a versatile choice for creators who use multiple tools in their workflow.

Pros:

  • Innovative text-to-video conversion
  • High fidelity to original images
  • User-friendly interface for all skill levels

Cons:

  • Some users may find manual settings a bit cumbersome
  • May not offer the same level of advanced features as specialized professional software

Best use scenario: Pika Labs excels in scenarios where creators need to quickly bring a concept to life, such as creating a cyberpunk-infused Tokyo skyline or a serene landscape that harmonizes nature with urban architecture. It’s also ideal for cinematic projects where control over visual elements is crucial.

Screenshot: Pictory

Pictory: Transforming text into video with precision and flexibility

What it offers: Pictory stands out with its ability to swiftly convert scripts, articles, and blog posts into professional-quality videos. The platform leverages AI to select the best summary sentences and corresponding visuals from a vast media library of over 3 mln video clips and images.

Ideal for: It’s an excellent tool for YouTubers, marketers, course creators, and anyone looking to create videos quickly and efficiently. Pictory’s AI does the heavy lifting, but users have the freedom to make adjustments, ensuring the final product aligns with their vision.

Ease of use: Users can start with an article URL or a video script, and Pictory’s AI engine will automatically generate a video storyboard. The process is designed to be simple, yet users retain the ability to edit text summaries and storyboards to fit their preferences.

Integration and compatibility: Pictory operates in the cloud, making it compatible with any computer without the need for software downloads. While it doesn’t offer an open API, its web-based service is versatile and user-friendly.

Pros:

  • Quick and simple video generation from text
  • Extensive customization options, including a large media library and AI voices
  • No need for prior video-making experience or technical knowledge

Cons:

  • Users looking for more advanced editing features may find the automatic selections limiting
  • The platform’s focus on text-to-video may not cater to all creative needs

Best use scenario: Pictory is ideal for creating high-retention, engaging videos for social media, marketing campaigns, and educational content, where time efficiency and quality are paramount.

Image: Lumen5

Lumen5: Effortless video creation for impactful storytelling

What it offers: Lumen5 is a platform that empowers users to create videos with ease, utilizing AI to transform blog posts, articles, and text into engaging video content. It offers a drag-and-drop interface and a vast media library, along with the ability to customize branding, styles, and music.

Ideal for: This tool is particularly useful for marketers, social media managers, and educators who want to produce video content quickly without delving into complex editing software. Lumen5’s AI assists in storyboard creation, but users can personalize every aspect to match their brand identity.

Ease of use: With Lumen5, creating a video is as simple as entering text or a URL — and the AI suggests visuals and layouts. Users can then fine-tune the video, selecting from various themes, colors, and fonts to ensure the final product reflects their desired aesthetic.

Integration and compatibility: Lumen5’s cloud-based service ensures compatibility across devices, and while it doesn’t provide an open API, it supports various content formats and exports videos in standard resolutions suitable for most platforms.

Pros:

  • AI-assisted storyboard creation saves time
  • Comprehensive customization options for branding
  • Intuitive drag-and-drop interface simplifies the video-making process

Cons:

  • Advanced editors may desire more sophisticated editing features
  • The automated process may occasionally require manual adjustments for optimal results

Best use scenario: Lumen5 is excellent for turning company blog posts into informative videos, creating educational content that resonates with students, or generating social media clips that capture audience attention.

Image: Steve.AI

Steve.AI: Elevating video creation with AI-driven precision

What it offers: Steve.AI stands out with its AI Video Generator Tool, which effortlessly transforms text into captivating live-action and animated videos. The platform’s patented AI technology ensures that the most relevant creative media assets are selected to match the video context, providing users with a professional video creation experience. With a vast library of over 100 mln assets, including unique characters and music options, Steve.AI caters to a wide range of creative needs.

Ideal for: This platform is perfect for social media educators, niche content creators, brand marketers, and social media managers who aim to produce high-quality videos quickly and efficiently. Its user-friendly approach makes it accessible to both novices and seasoned video creators alike.

Ease of use: Steve.AI is designed to be intuitive and beginner-friendly, guiding users through the video creation process with helpful tutorials and an easy-to-navigate interface. The platform encourages creativity and simplifies the video-making process, allowing for quick and easy creation.

Integration and compatibility: While detailed integration specifics are not provided, Steve.AI offers advanced video editing features, brand kit integrations, and the ability to customize videos to maintain brand consistency.

Pros:

  • Patented AI technology for efficient text-to-video conversion
  • Extensive media library with a diverse range of assets
  • Intuitive design with tutorials for ease of use
  • High-quality video output options, from 720p to 4K
  • Innovative features like AI Talking Head Videos with lip-syncing characters

Cons:

  • Limitations on the number of videos generated in the free plan
  • Some users have reported issues with customer service and mobile app functionality

Best use scenario: Steve.AI excels in creating engaging videos for various platforms, making it great for converting blogs into bite-sized videos, repurposing audio files into dynamic content—or crafting personalized marketing videos. It is especially useful for those looking to produce standout videos for social media, educational purposes, or promotional campaigns.

Image: Steve.AI

Kaiber AI: Crafting visual narratives with AI simplicity

What it offers: Kaiber AI stands at the intersection of creativity and technology, offering a robust AI Video Generator Tool that transforms text inputs and images into stunning videos. The platform’s Animation feature ensures a seamless transition from concept to video, enabling users to bring their ideas to life — with ease. Kaiber AI’s versatility is showcased through its array of artistic styles, including anime, concept art, and impressionism, which can be applied to create unique visual narratives.

Ideal for: Kaiber AI is a treasure trove for video editors, graphic designers, and content creators seeking to infuse digital content with compelling video elements. Its ability to generate videos from text and images makes it a valuable asset for professionals looking to elevate their digital storytelling.

Ease of use: The platform’s user-friendly interface invites users to create videos effortlessly, whether they are starting from scratch with prompts or building upon existing images. Kaiber AI’s straightforward design ensures that users of all skill levels can navigate and create with confidence.

Integration and compatibility: With Kaiber AI’s API, the platform promotes a harmonious integration with other tools, offering a comprehensive suite of features for end-to-end video creation. This connectivity allows for a more streamlined workflow, enhancing the overall creative process.

Pros:

  • Text and image-based video generation for a personalized touch
  • A diverse range of video styles and templates to choose from
  • An intuitive interface that simplifies the video creation journey
  • The ability to transform videos into new styles and aesthetics with ease

Cons:

  • Free trial videos may carry a watermark and have length restrictions
  • Some users may desire more advanced editing capabilities within the platform

Best use scenario: Kaiber AI shines when it comes to producing creative video content swiftly, making it an excellent choice for social media campaigns, educational videos, and promotional materials. Its quick and intuitive video creation process allows users to focus on storytelling, ensuring that their message is not just seen, but felt.

Image: Genmo

Genmo: Your AI-powered creative co-pilot

What it offers: Genmo specializes in AI-powered video generation, allowing users to create not just videos but also 3D models, images, and art. Its standout feature, Genmo Replay, is a powerful tool that brings your creative ideas to life with impressive efficiency.

Ideal for: Genmo is tailored for creative professionals, content creators, and anyone seeking to enhance their visual content with AI. It’s particularly useful for those looking to explore the boundaries of generative art.

Ease of use: The platform boasts an intuitive user interface, guiding users through the creation process with ease. Genmo makes the journey from concept to creation straightforward, whether starting from scratch or using templates.

Integration and compatibility: While specific details on integration with other tools are not provided, Genmo encourages social interaction and collaborative creation through features like Genmo Chat and a dedicated Discord community.

Pros:

  • Advanced AI for video and art generation
  • Intuitive and user-friendly interface
  • Encourages collaboration and community engagement

Cons:

  • As a relatively new platform, it may still be developing certain features
  • Advanced users might seek more granular control over the creative process

Best use scenario: Genmo shines when creating marketing videos, educational materials, or simply exploring the art of video creation for fun. Its ability to synthesize content from diverse sources makes it a versatile tool for various projects.

Wrapping up

Let’s list the platforms mentioned and give each a brief description:

  • Pika Labs: AI-powered Text-to-Video platform for simplified video creation.
  • Pictory: AI-powered platform for easy video creation from scripts, articles, and blog posts.
  • Lumen5: AI-based platform for converting text-based content into engaging video content.
  • Steve.AI: AI Video Generator Tool for creating live-action and animated videos from text.
  • Kaiber AI: Platform for transforming text and images into videos, with a focus on visual storytelling.
  • Genmo: Versatile AI-driven platform for video creation, including 3D models and art.

Each platform has its own unique selling points, from maintaining original image details to creating 3D models and art, and from transforming long-form content into videos to generating live-action and animated videos from text.

These platforms offer a range of features and tools to make the process efficient and accessible for users with varying levels of expertise — although some may still have issues and not live up to expectations.

Surely, the teams behind each product are hard at work to beat the competition, so it’s fair to expect improvements across the whole AI video generation field in the near future.

Maxim Rahr, AI-Supported Content Creator

Need a hand in content creation? I might be of help 😉

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Maxim Rahr

Product-Led Content & User-Centric UX Copy. Have work? Let’s chat!