Disclosure: ElevenLabs, Runway, Descript, Synthesia and Meshy links are affiliate links (marked). If you sign up through them I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It doesn’t affect what I recommend, and there are no paid placements, ever. Prices change often, so always confirm on the official site.
“AI video” means very different jobs: generating cinematic clips from a prompt, editing a video you recorded, making a presenter-led training video, or quick image-to-video experiments. Here’s the tool from my list that fits each one, with prices from the official pricing pages (checked Oct 27, 2026).
1. Runway (affiliate link): best for cinematic clips and b-roll
Text- and image-to-video generation plus editing tools. Free is a one-time 125 credits that never refill, and free exports are watermarked. Standard is $15/mo ($12/mo billed annually). Runway review
2. Synthesia (affiliate link): best for training and explainer videos
Puts an AI presenter on screen to read your script. The free Basic plan includes 500 credits/month plus your first 10 video minutes, but videos are watermarked and share by link only. Starter is $19/mo ($14/mo annual), with a $9 first-month deal right now. Synthesia review
3. Descript (affiliate link): best for editing video you recorded
Edit video and podcasts by editing the transcript. Free includes 60 media minutes/month (720p, watermarked). Hobbyist is $24/mo ($16/mo annual). Descript review
4. Krea: best for cheap visual experiments
A real-time canvas and multi-model studio for images and short video. Free gives 100 compute units a day (no commercial use). Basic is $9/mo ($5.25/mo annual). Krea review
| Tool | Best for | Free plan | Entry paid (Oct 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Runway | Generated clips | 125 credits, one time | $15/mo ($12 annual) |
| Synthesia | Avatar presenters | 500 credits/mo, watermarked | $19/mo ($14 annual) |
| Descript | Editing recordings | 60 min/mo, watermarked | $24/mo ($16 annual) |
| Krea | Visual experiments | 100 units/day | $9/mo ($5.25 annual) |
Watch out for one-time credits
Runway’s free credits never refill, so write and refine your prompt in a free image tool first. Always check whether free exports carry a watermark before you plan a deadline around them.