In 2026, we’ve officially moved past the "novelty" phase of AI video. In a, 83% of consumers said they've watched a video they suspected was AI-generated, and 36% said it lowers their trust in a brand.
As video creators, we’re no longer impressed by just any moving image; we’re looking for tools that actually save time without making our brands look like generic "AI slop." 84% of marketers now create videos with AI, but 90%+ say being able to edit them is absolutely essential.
If that sounds like you, you’re in the right place.
We’ve evaluated several different AI video makers to help you find the right fit for your specific workflow. Whether you need to turn a blog post into a social clip, record a high-def remote interview, or edit a podcast by simply deleting words from a transcript, there is a specialized tool designed to handle the heavy lifting.
TLDR: Animoto is our #1 pick because it prioritizes what most AI tools miss: human-centric storytelling. It allows brands to scale video production significantly while ensuring every frame feels authentic and unique to their story.
By starting with your media, you can create a professional and engaging video that still feels and looks like you, no AI slop detected.
Animoto: Best all-around AI video maker
Animoto's new AI video maker is a game-changer for anyone who needs professional results without the steep learning curve. Unlike impersonal AI generators that invent people, places, and things out of thin air, Animoto’s AI tool puts your content at the center. Your customers, your team, your products, and your story become the essential building blocks of your video, helping you build trust without sacrificing the human touch.
The platform streamlines the production process by handling the technical heavy lifting of scripting, pacing, and layout design. All you have to do is drop in a URL or your media, and the AI tool will turn it into a ready-to-share video complete with a script, creative layouts, animations, and music. Then, you can share it right away or use Animoto’s drag-and-drop interface to make as many edits as you’d like.
Here’s an example of a video created with Animoto’s AI video maker:
Key features:
- Videos are based on your media for authenticity
- Can drop in a URL to create videos from existing content and pages
- Intuitive tools make editing fast and easy for creators of all skill levels
Cons:
- Some editing features are only available with a paid plan
Make a video with AI
Synthesia: Best for AI avatars
Synthesia is a specialized video generation platform that replaces traditional video production with synthentic, AI-driven media. Rather than filming a human presenter, users input a script and select a digital "avatar" that speaks the text with synchronized lip movements and natural gestures. It excels at scaling high-volume tasks such as global onboarding, multilingual customer support, and personalized sales enablement.
Key features:
- 230+ hyper-realistic AI avatars
- 140+ languages with automatic lip-sync
- PowerPoint-to-video integration
Cons:
- Not designed for cinematic or "artistic" storytelling
- AI avatars can decrease brand trust
- One of the more expensive options
Descript: Best for text-based editing
Descript treats the video editing process like a text document, making it a great fit for podcasts, interviews, and talking-head content. It transcribes audio instantly and links it directly to the video timeline, allowing users to edit visual media simply by modifying the transcript. Beyond basic cutting, the platform integrates AI features to polish spoken-word content with minimal effort.
Key features:
- AI assistant removes filler words
- Voice cloning fixes script mistakes
- Built-in sound studio improves phone audio
Cons:
- Not great for highly visual, "montage-heavy" projects
- Can be resource-intensive and slow with larger projects
- The text-based editing style may require some adjustment
OpusClip: Best for repurposing
OpusClip is a specialized AI tool designed for repurposing long-form content into short-form, viral-ready clips. It analyzes full-length webinars, podcasts, or interviews to identify high-engagement moments, and automatically crops the video into a vertical 9:16 aspect ratio, applies dynamic captions, and uses speaker-detection technology to ensure the subject remains centered in the frame. The platform is built specifically for creators and marketers who prioritize reach and volume across platforms like TikTok, Reels, and YouTube Shorts.
Key features:
- AI-splicing saves hours of manual searching for clips
- Automatically captions audio
- Active Speaker Detection(keeps the face centered in vertical mode
Cons:
- You can't use it to edit a long video from scratch
- AI B-roll additions can be very hit or miss, requiring more editing
- Credits can be confusing and limiting for larger projects
Riverside.fm: Best for remote recording
Riverside.fm is a recording platform that records separate tracks directly on each participant's device and uploads them to a cloud-based dashboard. Its AI-driven features can automatically stitch together a multi-guest conversation, use speaker-switching logic to cut between participants, and generate accurate transcriptions in real-time. Although it lacks the granular creative control of a dedicated cinematic editor, Riverside provides an end-to-end solution for creators who need to create live remote videos.
Key features:
- AI speaker switching automatically cuts to the person talking
- Clip creation from long-format videos
- High-fidelity automatic transcription based on your audio
Cons:
- Limited creative editing capabilities
- Records "locally" on your computer, which can be taxing on CPU and RAM
- Audio and video tracks can slowly fall out of sync for long videos
How to make an AI video in Animoto
If you’re tired of generic stock videos or uncanny AI-generated slop, Animoto’s AI video maker is your solution. The AI maker is designed to build stories around your stories and people, not just generic clips.
It handles the heavy lifting of scripting and structuring so you can jump straight to the final polish. It’s free to get started! Just sign up for a free account and use your media or a URL as the starting point.
After your video is created, you can take full control and edit it using Animoto’s drag-and-drop video editor. Let’s dive in!
Want to generate a video from a URL? Skip ahead.
1) Create with AI
Making a video with Animoto’s AI tool is quick, easy, and free. Just follow these simple steps:
- Pick a video type: Choose the video type that best matches your vision. If there isn’t a perfect fit, no problem, you can choose “Other” and add more details in the next step.
- Add must-have details: Give the AI tool some important details like promo terms, important dates, and product features. You can get as specific as you’d like, or start with a blank slate and refine as needed.
- Choose an aspect ratio: Choose between a square, landscape, or vertical ratio for your final video. You can always change this later or duplicate your project to get multiple aspect ratios.
- Upload your media: Lastly, add media from your device or phone. Every photo and video you add at this stage will be incorporated into your video.
- Generate your video & edit: Generate your video and edit as needed using Animoto’s beginner friendly tools, like:
- One-click branding
- Licensed music
- Drag-and-drop flexible layouts
- Animated elements
- Customizable text boxes
- 1 million+ licensed media from Getty Images
- Screen and webcam recording
- Voice-over
- And a lot more
2) Generate from a URL
Hit the ground running by repurposing a landing page into a video! This is a great choice for real estate listings, product pages, company overviews, and blogs.
All you have to do is select “Generate from a URL”, drop in your link, choose a video type, and generate. It will pull photos and videos from your page, create a script based on your site copy, and turn it all into a professional, ready-to-share video.
Just like the media-based flow above, you’ll be able to make as many changes to your videos as you’d like.
Make a video with AI
Make your next AI video with Animoto
Never risk AI slop eroding your brand’s image again! Creating a unique, authentic, and engaging video is that easy thanks to Animoto’s AI video maker.
Make a video with AI