11 Most Popular AI Video Generators Used by Content Creators

AI video generators are having a moment right now, especially in the US and other developed countries, as part of the broader wave of generative AI.

But being popular doesn’t mean they’re perfect or fully replacing traditional video production. There are still plenty of technical, legal, and ethical challenges to figure out.

Here’s a breakdown of why this trend is real, along with the biggest hurdles it still faces.

Why AI Video Generators Are Getting So Popular

Here are a few reasons why more creators are using AI tools to turn text or images into videos:

1. Rapid Market Growth

The global AI video generator market is projected to grow at around 20% CAGR through 2030.

In the US alone, the market was valued at roughly $105.4 million in 2023 and is expected to reach about $376 million by 2030.

Funding for startups in this field has surged in 2025, showing how strong investor interest is right now.

2. Adoption by Brands and Businesses

Many US brands are already using AI-generated videos for marketing campaigns because it’s efficient. They can create multiple versions of ads or promotional clips faster and cheaper than with traditional production.

Even major platforms are starting to integrate AI video features.

For example, Google has started rolling out generative video tools for YouTube Shorts (a simplified version of Veo) to help users turn text or images into vertical videos more easily.

3. Core Technology Is Advancing Fast

Models like Google’s Veo (now in its third version) can generate videos with synchronized audio directly from text prompts.

Tools such as LTX Studio allow creators to have more control over storyboards, framing, and camera angles, so the videos aren’t just random clips but guided productions.

Research like Open-Sora 2.0 also shows that commercial-grade video models can now be trained with manageable costs, opening the door for more developers to join the space.

4. The Demand for Video Keeps Growing

Video consumption keeps increasing across social media, advertising, education, documentaries, and user-generated content. AI video tools make it possible to meet that demand at scale without the huge costs of traditional production.

AI can also automate subtitling, voice syncing, visual variations, and content localization, making videos more adaptable for different audiences.

The Real-World Challenges

Despite the hype, there are still major limitations and risks:

1. Quality and Technical Limits

AI videos can look amazing in short clips or simple scenes, but they’re still far from replacing human production for complex narratives, natural human interactions, smooth transitions, or advanced lighting and effects.

Issues like unnatural movement, lip-sync errors, texture distortions, artifacts, and trouble displaying text inside videos are still common.

2. Ethics, Copyright, and Licensing

Using people’s likenesses, copyrighted characters, or music raises serious legal questions. Who owns the content? Was consent given? Does the AI model reproduce someone’s work too closely?

Deepfakes and image manipulation are becoming easier, which increases the risk of misuse for misinformation, scams, or fake personas.

3. Public Acceptance and Authenticity

Viewers can be skeptical of content that feels too AI-generated or lacks a human touch. Authenticity still matters a lot, especially in branding and marketing.

Some major brands have reportedly backed away from using AI influencers after backlash or disappointing results.

4. Regulation and Safety

Governments and regulators are starting to focus on generative AI, particularly around deepfakes, explicit content, privacy violations, and defamation.

AI video tools could be misused for scams or propaganda. There have already been reports of tools like OpenAI’s Sora being used for impersonation schemes.

5. Business Models and Monetization

Even though interest is booming, the money model isn’t fully clear yet. Should companies charge by subscription, by video, through ads, or some hybrid model?

Most startups are still in the growth and funding stage, with few that are truly sustainable.

Real Examples from Companies and Institutions

Here are a few real-world examples of companies already using or experimenting with AI video tech, plus what they’ve achieved so far:

1. Mattel

Mattel recently announced a partnership with OpenAI to test the Sora 2 video model. Their design team can now turn sketches into conceptual videos much faster, helping visualize ideas before production.

2. A Global QSR Brand

A major fast-food chain used AI to automate its audio and video ad production. Thanks to AI, the brand extended its media impact by around 18% while keeping costs stable.

3. Hour One

Hour One specializes in AI avatar videos for training, education, and multilingual content.

Their client, CoreLogic Inc, reported cutting video production time by about 90% after switching to their platform.

4. Colossyan

Colossyan has case studies showing how businesses and educational institutions replaced parts of their old video libraries with AI-generated videos to speed up production and lower costs.

5. E-commerce Companies

Many e-commerce brands are now using AI to automatically create product videos that showcase colors, features, or use cases, allowing them to produce large volumes of video content much faster than before.

Top 11 AI Video Generators

If you’re a student or an independent creator looking for AI video generators that are popular in the US but still practical to use, fast, affordable, and with good results, here’s a list worth checking out.

1. Sora / Sora 2 (OpenAI)

Sora is a text-to-video and audio model that lets you input text and images as prompts, and it generates a video complete with narration or background sound.

The upcoming Sora 2 version will upgrade the interface, add remix and collaboration features, and even introduce a “cameo” option that lets you insert yourself into someone else’s video.

It is designed for simplicity and helps users create and share short videos quickly, making it perfect for testing creative ideas.

Sora is already available as a real product. The app can be found on the US App Store.

Notes

Currently, video length is still limited. According to OpenAI’s documentation, users can generate around 20 seconds per clip using the “Sora Video Editor.”

Since it is still new and experimental, there are some visible AI artifacts, such as unnatural motion or inconsistent character details between shots.

One reviewer noted, “These videos still have the same problem, movement of legs, no consistency in characters.”

Competition with Google’s Veo 3 is strong, and many analysts believe Veo 3 already offers better features and higher quality.

Ethical concerns such as deepfakes and misinformation remain key issues.

Best for:

• Creative experiments and short viral clips
• Quick visual ideas for pitching or concept visualization
• Not suitable for long or complex story scenes

2. Veo 3 (Google / DeepMind)

Veo 3 stands out for its visual and audio quality. It can generate videos with built-in sound, including dialogue, effects, and ambient audio.

It is integrated into Google’s ecosystem, for example, Canva’s “Create a Video Clip” feature now uses Veo 3.

Veo supports cinematic-style prompts such as “aerial shot” or “timelapse,” and Google’s “Flow” tool helps users build videos with flexible and film-like aesthetics.

Notes

• Videos are currently short, often around 8 seconds.
• Because it is tied to Google’s ecosystem, not all features may be available or free.
• Even though visuals are impressive, it still struggles with complex interactions or detailed human animation.
• Regional access may depend on Google’s policy.

Best for:

• Short clips with good visuals and synced sound
• Social media videos, visual demos, or short trailers
• Users who already work with Google products

3. Synthesia

Synthesia is a well-established AI platform for creating avatar-based videos from text. It supports multiple languages and accents, making it ideal for global or multilingual content.

The production process is simple. You can choose an avatar, select a voice, enter your script, and adjust gestures or expressions. It is especially useful for corporate training, e-learning, or internal company videos.

Notes

• It is not built for cinematic storytelling and focuses more on “talking head” style content.
• Pricing can be higher than basic tools.
• Some viewers might find the avatars look slightly artificial.

In most comparisons, Synthesia is seen as the top option for avatar videos, but it offers less creative freedom than open editors like Veed.

Best for:

• Educational or training videos
• Business presentations and internal communication
• Quick production without filming anything

4. Veed.io

Veed is a powerful online video editor with tools for trimming, cutting, adding text, overlays, and effects. It also includes AI tools that help speed up editing.

It is more flexible than avatar-only platforms and usually more affordable for individuals or small teams.

Veed supports all kinds of videos, from social media content to promotional and short-form storytelling.

Notes

• It is not as strong as Synthesia in realistic avatars and lip-syncing.
• Its AI tools are lighter compared to fully generative models such as Sora or Veo.
• Some advanced options are available only in paid plans.

Best for:

• Creators who want both editing and AI tools
• Promotional or social media videos
• Users who prefer one platform for quick editing and AI assistance

5. InVideo

InVideo focuses on ease of use. It helps users create videos from templates, stock visuals, and light AI support, making it great for short social videos, slides, or quick promotions.

The interface is beginner-friendly and provides a large library of templates and stock assets.

Notes

• Compared to Synthesia, InVideo has fewer language and voice options.
• It is not built for complex storytelling or cinematic scenes.
• Camera control and advanced visual effects are limited compared to Veo or Sora.

Best for:

• Turning blog posts or captions into short videos
• Light promotional or story-style content
• Students or beginner creators who want something easy to learn

6. Runway ML (Gen-3 Alpha)

Runway’s Gen-3 Alpha is made for realistic, cinematic visuals. It can handle lighting, texture, and motion that look close to professional film quality.

It supports camera movement control and physical effects, and it integrates with professional software such as Premiere and After Effects. Many filmmakers and studios already use it.

Notes

• Video length is still short, typically 4 to 16 seconds.
• Some advanced features are available only with paid plans.
• The interface is more technical and may take some time to learn.

Best for:

• Filmmakers, advertisers, or visual artists
• Less suitable for casual or short social content

7. Pika Labs

Pika Labs is great for creating quick, creative videos from text or images. It supports a variety of styles including 2D, 3D, cinematic, and stylized animation.

The process is fast and simple, which makes it popular among TikTok and YouTube Shorts creators. The interface is easy to use, and you can download or share videos instantly.

Notes

• Video length is short, usually 4 to 8 seconds on the free plan.
• Detail quality can be inconsistent since objects sometimes change between frames.
• Automatic audio is not yet available.

Best for:

• Quick visuals for social media or creative short projects
• Not ideal for long or cinematic productions

8. HeyGen

HeyGen specializes in avatar-based videos that turn text into realistic virtual people with expressive voices and facial movements. It also supports face and voice cloning, making it great for personalized content.

It is multilingual and very easy to use, which makes it suitable for education and business purposes. You can create professional-looking videos quickly without a camera or studio setup.

Notes

• Avatars can still look artificial in some expressions.
• It does not support complex interactions or cinematic scenes.
• Advanced features like longer videos and watermark removal require a paid subscription.

Best for:

• Presentations, training, or educational videos
• Creators who want professional results without filming

9. Pictory

Pictory automatically turns articles or text into narrated videos. It comes with a large library of stock images, background music, and video clips.

It works well for YouTube content, promotional videos, or article summaries. The interface is simple, and users can export videos in full HD.

Notes

• AI narration voices sound somewhat generic.
• Visuals are not suitable for animation-heavy or cinematic projects.
• Video length is limited in the starter plans.

Best for:

• Turning written content into marketing or educational videos
• Users who prefer minimal manual editing

10. Fliki.ai

Fliki focuses on voice generation, offering hundreds of natural and expressive AI voices. It is easy to use for news-style videos, tutorials, or storytelling content.

You can publish videos directly to YouTube or other platforms, and there is a free trial version available.

Notes

• Visuals are basic, usually text, images, and voice-over combinations.
• Not designed for dynamic visuals or 3D effects.

Best for:

• Podcasters, teachers, or creators focused on narration and voice content
• Simple video storytelling projects

11. Lumen5

Lumen5 is a template-based video maker that can turn blog posts or articles into clean, professional videos. It integrates with Canva and large stock libraries such as Getty Images.

It is very popular among marketers and social media managers. The drag-and-drop interface makes it beginner-friendly and quick to use.

Notes

• Templates can feel repetitive and overly corporate.
• It does not support complex visual effects.
• Advanced AI tools are available only in premium plans.

Best for:

• Brand and social media promotion with consistent visuals
• Marketing teams or small businesses that need fast, polished videos

Pricing

Here’s a quick look at the current estimated pricing for popular AI video generators. Prices reflect entry or common plans as of now and may vary depending on billing cycle, location, or promotions.

Notes

All prices above reflect common entry-level or standard monthly plans. Most providers offer discounts for annual billing, and pricing may differ by region.

For API-based models (like Sora and Veo), costs are calculated per second rather than monthly, which matters if you plan to generate a high volume of video.

Several platforms use a credit system (Runway, Synthesia, Pictory, Pika), meaning the total number of videos you can generate depends on how many credits you consume.

Conclusion

AI video generators are without a doubt one of the hottest trends in the US and other developed countries. Their popularity keeps growing because of the rising demand for video content, advances in AI technology, and the push for faster, cheaper production.

That does not mean AI is about to replace traditional video production completely.

For now and likely for the next few years, AI video tools will mostly serve as creative assistants. They help with lightweight content, quick prototypes, automatic editing, and fast variations of short videos. Many creators will continue using AI as a way to produce rough drafts or concept versions that can later be refined by humans.