Best AI Video Generator 2025

You can transform existing footage with AI as well. For example, imagine riding your bike down a path on a sunny day and then using AI to turn that exact shot into a snow-filled blizzard or a rainy day scene. This is all possible right now with today's AI tools.

In this article, I'll share my top five picks for AI video generation so you can create clips just like these. Along the way, I'll provide step-by-step guides and a detailed comparison table to help you choose the best tool for your needs.

1. Google Veo 3

The first tool on my list is Google Veo 3, one of my personal favorites and what I consider a standout choice.

Why Veo 3 Stands Out

Veo 3 doesn't just generate high-quality visuals — it also builds audio directly into the video.

This includes:

• Realistic dialogue
• Ambient sounds
• Sound effects that match the scene

This unique feature sets Veo 3 apart from many other AI video generators.

While the quality is incredibly high, you might occasionally notice minor glitches. For instance, someone might appear to chew cookies without ever taking a bite. These small imperfections are rare and don't take away from the overall experience.

Pricing

• Plans start at $20 per month
• No free tier, but you get a free one-month trial
• Limited generations per day depending on the plan

Since video generation requires significant computational power, these costs are justified.

Step-by-Step Guide to Using Veo 3

1. Sign Up
   • Go to the Veo 3 website and sign up using your Google account.
   • Choose a paid plan (or start with the free trial).
2. Access the Gemini Chat Interface
   • After signing in, you'll land on the Gemini chat interface.
   • At the bottom of the screen, you'll see a prompt field and a list of tools.
3. Select the Video Tool
   • Click on "Video" to start creating your video.
4. Write Your Prompt
   • Type in what you want, e.g., "A close-up cinematic shot of a gooey chocolate chip cookie."
   • You can also:
     • Upload a reference image to guide the video's style
     • Add text in quotes for voiceovers
     • Describe background music and sound effects
5. Generate the Video
   • Submit your prompt by clicking "Generate".
   • Wait a few minutes for Veo 3 to process and render the clip.
6. Optional Automation via API
   • Veo 3 integrates with the Gemini API, allowing you to fully automate video creation using services like Zapier.

Automate Video Workflow with Zapier

AI can generate amazing videos, but repetitive tasks like uploading, posting, and archiving can take up time. Zapier helps automate these steps.

For example:

• When you upload a file to Dropbox, Zapier can:
  1. Generate a video using Veo 3
  2. Post the clip to YouTube and Instagram
  3. Archive it automatically

Zapier supports over 8,000 apps, making it easy to connect Veo 3 with your favorite editing tools and social platforms.

2. Seedance by ByteDance

Next on the list is Seedance, developed by ByteDance, the company behind TikTok and CapCut.

This tool is currently ranked near the top of AI video generation leaderboards, offering both text-to-video and image-to-video capabilities.

Features

• Free daily credits:
  • 120 credits per day = 2 free videos per day
• Paid plans available to:
  • Remove watermarks
  • Increase resolution
  • Access higher-quality models

Step-by-Step Guide to Using Seedance

1. Sign In
   • Visit the Seedance website and sign up.
   • You'll automatically receive 120 free credits daily.
2. Enter Your Prompt
   • Type a description of your video in the prompt box at the top.
   • Example: "A group of dancers on a tropical beach, each holding a big chocolate chip cookie."
3. Upload a Reference Image (Optional)
   • Guide the style of the output by adding an image.
4. Adjust Settings
   • Choose:
     • Generation type: Image, Video, or Avatar
     • Model type
     • Aspect ratio
     • Video length (default is 5 seconds)
5. Review Credit Cost
   • Each video consumes 50 credits.
   • With 120 free credits per day, you can generate 2 free videos.
6. Add Soundtrack
   • For additional credits, you can add background music or sound effects.

3. Kling AI

Kling AI has quickly become one of the most popular AI video generators, thanks to its ability to generate highly realistic footage quickly.

Why Kling AI is Popular

• Incredibly realistic video quality
• Sound included directly in generated clips
• Free credits for new users

Step-by-Step Guide to Using Kling AI

1. Get Started
   • Go to klingai.com.
   • You'll receive free credits each month, enough for about 8 videos.
2. Try Effects Mode
   • Click on "Effects" on the left sidebar.
   • Upload an image and apply fun effects like "flyer."
3. Full AI Video Generation Mode
   • Switch to the video generation page.
   • Choose a model (e.g., Kling 2.1 Master for the highest quality).
4. Add Prompts
   • Enter:
     • Positive prompt (what you want to see)
     • Negative prompt (what you don't want)
5. Image-to-Video with Start and End Frames
   • Upload both a starting image and an ending image for smooth transitions.
6. Multi-Elements Feature
   • Upload a video and:
     • Swap objects
     • Add new elements
     • Remove existing items

Pricing

• Plans start at $6.99 per month
• Go up to $65 per month depending on usage

4. Hailuo Minimax

Hailuo Minimax excels at realistic physics and accurate prompt interpretation.

Key Features

• Generate videos:
  • From text prompts
  • From reference images
  • From subject references (upload a person's photo to include them in the video)

Step-by-Step Guide to Using Hailuo Minimax

1. Sign Up
   • New users receive 500 free credits for the first three days.
2. Upload a Subject Reference
   • Example: Upload your own photo to appear in the generated video.
3. Enter a Prompt
   • Example: "A cowboy rides a horse through a snowy landscape."
4. Adjust Settings
   • Choose:
     • Model
     • Video quality
     • Clip length
5. Generate
   • Each video costs approximately 25 credits.
   • The $10/month plan gives you 1,000 credits — about 40 videos.

5. Runway Gen 4

Runway Gen 4 is ideal when you need consistency across multiple clips.

For instance, you can upload a single reference image (like a character or prop), and every shot will maintain the exact same style.

Features

• Generate and edit videos using AI
• Transform existing footage
• Unlimited plan available for heavy users

Step-by-Step Guide to Using Runway Gen 4

1. Sign In
   • Access the Runway website and sign in.
2. Navigate to Tools
   • Click "All Tools" → "Generate Video."
3. Upload a Video
   • Start with an existing clip.
   • Example: Upload a video of biking down a pathway.
4. Enter Your Prompt
   • Example: "Transform this video into a heavy blizzard scene."
5. Generate and Preview
   • Runway will render the new version of your video.

Automation with Zapier

Runway has a native Zapier integration, allowing you to automate workflows without needing webhooks.

Example:

• Upload a file to Google Drive → Zapier sends it to Runway → Runway generates a clip automatically.

Bonus Mentions

• Dream Machine by Luma Labs
  • Best for artistic, cinematic motion shots.
• Midjourney V1 Video
  • Ideal for bold, stylized animations rather than realism.

AI Video Generator Comparison Table

Final Thoughts

These AI video generators open up incredible opportunities for creators, from small content projects to professional productions.

The best choice depends on your needs:

• For realism and audio integration: Google Veo 3
• For quick free videos: Seedance
• For creative control and object manipulation: Kling AI
• For accurate, physics-based results: Hailuo Minimax
• For consistent branding and automation: Runway Gen 4