ToolRankBest AI text-to-video generators
Updated 16 Oct 2026 · Prices from vendor pages only · How we rank →
The short answer
These tools generate video clips from a prompt using video models. Runway comes first: leading video models with clear credit-based plans and mobile apps. The cheapest verified paid plan here is Pika Starter ($10/month ($8 annual)). 2 of the 4 have a free plan we could confirm. Every price below is from the vendor’s own page, checked 16 Oct 2026.
Ranked shortlist
- Runway: Leading video models with clear credit-based plans and mobile apps. Plan: Standard: $12/month annual ($15 monthly)
625 credits/month - Luma AI: High-end video models plus third-party models and agents in one plan. Plan: Plus: $30/month ($300/yr)
10,000 credits - Pika: Text- and image-to-video generator with effects for short social clips. Plan: Starter: $10/month ($8 annual)
900 credits/month, no commercial license - Invideo AI: Generates full videos with script, stock media and voiceover from a prompt. Plan: Starter: $10/seat/month billed annually
400 credits/seat/month, Agent Two Lite only
Order follows ToolRank’s editorial ranking in Video & Animation, filtered to tools that fit this page. Anything we couldn’t confirm on a vendor page says “Not yet verified”.
Side by side
| Rank | Tool | Relevant plan | Starting price | Free plan | Best for | Main limitation | Last checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Runway | Standard: $12/month annual ($15 monthly) 625 credits/month | $12/month (Standard, billed annually; $15 monthly) | 125 one-time credits, 5GB storage | Creators and studios producing AI video | Free plan is 125 one-time credits; video seconds per plan are limited. | 16 Oct 2026 |
| #2 | Luma AI | Plus: $30/month ($300/yr) 10,000 credits | $30/month (Plus) | ✕ None listed | Video creators who want high quality and agent workflows | No free plan listed; entry plan is $30/month. | 16 Oct 2026 |
| #3 | Pika | Starter: $10/month ($8 annual) 900 credits/month, no commercial license | $8/month (Starter, annual; $10 monthly) | Free: $0, no monthly credits (credit packs only), 2 parallel video generations | Not yet verified | Not yet verified | 16 Oct 2026 |
| #4 | Invideo AI | Starter: $10/seat/month billed annually 400 credits/seat/month, Agent Two Lite only | $10/seat/month (Starter, billed annually; shown as 50% off $20) | ✕ None listed | Not yet verified | Not yet verified | 16 Oct 2026 |
Prices as listed by each vendor on the last-checked date, USD, before tax. Plans and limits change, so follow the sources below.
Who should pick which
Pick Runway for creators and studios producing AI video (Standard: $12/month annual ($15 monthly)); think twice if you need long-form video on a small budget. Pick Luma AI for video creators who want high quality and agent workflows (Plus: $30/month ($300/yr)); think twice if you want to try for free. Pika (Starter: $10/month ($8 annual)): Text- and image-to-video generator with effects for short social clips. Invideo AI (Starter: $10/seat/month billed annually): Generates full videos with script, stock media and voiceover from a prompt.
FAQ
Which of these is cheapest?
Pika Starter ($10/month ($8 annual)) is the lowest paid price we verified on this list (https://pika.art/pricing, checked 16 Oct 2026). Check the vendor page for tax, billing period and usage limits.
Which of these have a free plan?
Runway: 125 one-time credits, 5GB storage; Pika: Free: $0, no monthly credits (credit packs only), 2 parallel video generations.
How were these tools chosen?
They are the tools in ToolRank's rankings with generative video models listed in the vendor's plans, confirmed on the vendor's own website on 16 Oct 2026. Tools we could not verify are left out rather than guessed, and anything unconfirmed is marked Not yet verified.
Sources
- Runway: Runway pricing checked 16 Oct 2026
- Luma AI: Luma pricing checked 16 Oct 2026
- Pika: Pika pricing checked 16 Oct 2026
- Invideo AI: Invideo AI pricing checked 16 Oct 2026
Related comparisons
Profiles: Runway · Luma AI · Pika · Invideo AI
More best-of lists
- Best AI avatar video generators
- Best free AI video tools (with a real free plan)
- Best AI video tools for $15 a month or less
- Best AI video tools for $20 a month or less
- Best AI video tools for $30 a month or less
- Best AI video tools with an API
- Best AI video tools for enterprise buyers
- AI video tools that are cheaper billed yearly
- Best AI video generators with a free plan
- Best paid AI video tools (no free plan)
- Best AI tools with MCP support (all categories)
- Full Video & Animation ranking →
Some links may be affiliate links. They never affect rank.
Get the weekly ToolRank brief
New AI tools, verified price changes and fresh comparisons. One email a week. Unsubscribe anytime.