By use case

AI Tools for Video in 2026: Generators, Avatars and Editors That Are Still Alive

34 tools tracked · 30 active · 4 dead or at risk · Updated September 23, 2026

AI video moved faster than any other category between 2023 and 2026. Text-to-video models went from four-second smears to minute-long clips with consistent characters, avatar presenters replaced a lot of stock talking-head footage, and clipping tools now turn a one-hour podcast into twenty vertical shorts before lunch.

That speed has a cost: video startups burn huge amounts of GPU money, and several well-funded names were quietly acquired or folded into bigger suites. Before you build a content pipeline on one of them, check its status here — every tool on this page is re-checked on a schedule.

We group the tools into three jobs: generating new footage from a prompt (Sora, Veo, Runway, Kling, Pika), presenting with an AI avatar (Synthesia, HeyGen, Colossyan, D-ID), and editing or repurposing footage you already have (Descript, OpusClip, VEED, Kapwing).

Still Active

Adobe Firefly Video is a generative AI system for creating video clips from text prompts or images and editing footage with controls such as

Adobe Firefly Video is a generative AI system for creating video clips from text prompts or images and editing footage with controls such as camera motion. It is available through Adobe Firefly and integrated into Premiere Pro workflows.

Video

Read the Adobe Firefly Video status page.

Captions

🟢Active

Captions is an AI-powered video creation and editing platform from Mirage.

Captions is an AI-powered video creation and editing platform from Mirage. Its tools support automated editing, captions, dubbing, eye-contact correction, and avatar-led video generation for creators and businesses.

Video

Read the Captions status page.

Colossyan Creator is a browser-based AI video platform for producing training, learning, and corporate communications videos from text using

Colossyan Creator is a browser-based AI video platform for producing training, learning, and corporate communications videos from text using synthetic presenters, voiceovers, templates, and localization tools.

Video

Read the Colossyan Creator status page.

D-ID’s web-based AI video creation platform turns text, images, or uploaded audio into presenter-led videos using digital avatars, text-to-s

D-ID’s web-based AI video creation platform turns text, images, or uploaded audio into presenter-led videos using digital avatars, text-to-speech, and face animation. It is part of D-ID’s broader Creative Reality product suite.

Video

Read the D-ID Creative Reality Studio status page.

AI Studios is DeepBrain AI’s browser-based text-to-video platform for creating videos with synthetic presenters, text-to-speech, templates,

AI Studios is DeepBrain AI’s browser-based text-to-video platform for creating videos with synthetic presenters, text-to-speech, templates, translation, and related editing tools.

Video

Read the DeepBrain AI Studios status page.

Descript

🟢Active

AI-powered audio and video editor that lets you edit media by editing text transcripts.

AI-powered audio and video editor that lets you edit media by editing text transcripts.

Video

Read the Descript status page or why Descript failed.

Dream Machine

🟢Active

Dream Machine is Luma AI’s generative video product for creating and modifying video from text prompts, images, and other visual inputs.

Dream Machine is Luma AI’s generative video product for creating and modifying video from text prompts, images, and other visual inputs. It is available through Luma’s web platform and developer API.

Video

Read the Dream Machine status page.

Genmo

🟢Active

Genmo is an AI video generation platform from Genmo, Inc.

Genmo is an AI video generation platform from Genmo, Inc. Its Mochi model family turns text prompts into short videos, while the hosted Playground provides a web interface for creating and exploring generated media.

Video

Read the Genmo status page.

Google Veo

🟢Active

Google DeepMind’s family of generative video models creates and edits video from text, image, and video prompts.

Google DeepMind’s family of generative video models creates and edits video from text, image, and video prompts. Newer versions add native audio generation and are available through Google products and Vertex AI.

Video

Read the Google Veo status page or Google Veo alternatives, best tools like Google Veo and why Google Veo failed.

Hailuo AI

🟢Active

Hailuo AI is a generative-video platform from MiniMax that creates short videos from text prompts and still images.

Hailuo AI is a generative-video platform from MiniMax that creates short videos from text prompts and still images. Its web product provides access to MiniMax video models, including the Video-01 family.

Video

Read the Hailuo AI status page.

Haiper

🟢Active

Haiper is an AI video-generation platform that creates and edits short videos from text prompts, still images, or existing footage.

Haiper is an AI video-generation platform that creates and edits short videos from text prompts, still images, or existing footage. Its web product includes text-to-video, image-to-video, video repainting, and video extension tools.

Video

Read the Haiper status page.

HeyGen

🟢Active

AI video generation platform creating spokesperson videos with realistic AI avatars.

AI video generation platform creating spokesperson videos with realistic AI avatars.

Video

Read the HeyGen status page or is HeyGen dead? and why HeyGen failed.

InVideo AI

🟢Active

InVideo AI is a web-based video creation tool that turns text prompts into drafted videos with scripts, stock media, voiceovers, subtitles,

InVideo AI is a web-based video creation tool that turns text prompts into drafted videos with scripts, stock media, voiceovers, subtitles, music, and editing controls. It is offered by InVideo as part of its online video platform.

Video

Read the InVideo AI status page.

Kaiber

🟢Active

Kaiber is an AI creative platform for generating and transforming videos, images, and animations from text prompts, still images, audio, and

Kaiber is an AI creative platform for generating and transforming videos, images, and animations from text prompts, still images, audio, and existing footage. Its tools target music videos and visual storytelling.

Video

Read the Kaiber status page.

Kapwing

🟢Active

Kapwing is a browser-based content creation platform for editing, generating, subtitling, translating, resizing, and repurposing video, imag

Kapwing is a browser-based content creation platform for editing, generating, subtitling, translating, resizing, and repurposing video, images, and audio. It offers collaborative workspaces and AI-assisted production tools.

Video

Read the Kapwing status page.

Kling AI

🟢Active

Kling AI is a generative video and image creation platform developed by Kuaishou Technology.

Kling AI is a generative video and image creation platform developed by Kuaishou Technology. It turns text prompts and still images into generated video and offers editing and creative-production tools.

Video

Read the Kling AI status page.

Lumen5

🟢Active

AI video creation platform that turns blog posts and articles into engaging videos.

AI video creation platform that turns blog posts and articles into engaging videos.

Video

Read the Lumen5 status page or Lumen5 alternatives, best tools like Lumen5 and why Lumen5 failed.

Munch

🟢Active

Munch is an AI video repurposing platform that turns long-form recordings into short clips for social channels.

Munch is an AI video repurposing platform that turns long-form recordings into short clips for social channels. It identifies segments, reframes video, adds captions, and supports publishing workflows.

Video

Read the Munch status page.

OpusClip

🟢Active

OpusClip is an AI video repurposing platform that turns long-form videos into short clips.

OpusClip is an AI video repurposing platform that turns long-form videos into short clips. It identifies segments, reframes footage for vertical formats, adds captions, and supports publishing workflows.

Video

Read the OpusClip status page.

Pictory

🟢Active

AI tool that converts long-form content into short branded videos automatically.

AI tool that converts long-form content into short branded videos automatically.

Video

Read the Pictory status page or best tools like Pictory and why Pictory failed.

Pika Labs

🟢Active

AI video generation platform creating short videos from text and image prompts.

AI video generation platform creating short videos from text and image prompts.

Video

Read the Pika Labs status page or why Pika Labs failed.

PixVerse

🟢Active

PixVerse is an AI video-generation platform that turns text prompts and images into short videos.

PixVerse is an AI video-generation platform that turns text prompts and images into short videos. Its web and mobile products offer templates, effects, editing controls, and model-based generation for creators.

Video

Read the PixVerse status page.

Runway ML

🟢Active

AI creative suite for video editing, generation, and visual effects using generative AI.

AI creative suite for video editing, generation, and visual effects using generative AI.

Video

Read the Runway ML status page or Runway ML alternatives, best tools like Runway ML, is Runway ML dead? and why Runway ML failed.

Sora

🟢Active

Sora is OpenAI’s generative video product for creating and editing short videos from text prompts and uploaded media.

Sora is OpenAI’s generative video product for creating and editing short videos from text prompts and uploaded media. It launched as a standalone experience for eligible ChatGPT subscribers after an earlier research preview.

Video

Read the Sora status page.

Stable Video Diffusion is Stability AI’s open generative video model family for creating short image-conditioned clips.

Stable Video Diffusion is Stability AI’s open generative video model family for creating short image-conditioned clips. The initial SVD and SVD-XT research releases generate 14 or 25 frames from a source image.

Video

Read the Stable Video Diffusion status page.

Synthesia

🟢Active

AI video generation platform that creates videos with realistic AI avatars from text scripts.

AI video generation platform that creates videos with realistic AI avatars from text scripts.

Video

Read the Synthesia status page or Synthesia alternatives, best tools like Synthesia, is Synthesia dead? and why Synthesia failed.

VEED

🟢Active

VEED is a browser-based video creation and editing platform from VEED Ltd.

VEED is a browser-based video creation and editing platform from VEED Ltd. It combines timeline editing, recording, subtitles, translation, avatars, and generative AI tools for individuals and business teams.

Video

Read the VEED status page.

vidyo.ai

🟢Active

An AI-assisted video repurposing service that turns long-form recordings into short clips, adds captions, and adapts content for social plat

An AI-assisted video repurposing service that turns long-form recordings into short clips, adds captions, and adapts content for social platforms. The product was subsequently rebranded as quso.ai.

Video

Read the vidyo.ai status page.

Vizard

🟢Active

Vizard is an AI video repurposing platform that turns long-form recordings into short clips for social media.

Vizard is an AI video repurposing platform that turns long-form recordings into short clips for social media. It provides transcription, automatic highlight detection, reframing, captions, editing, and publishing tools.

Video

Read the Vizard status page.

Wisecut

🟢Active

Wisecut is a browser-based AI video editor for turning long-form talking videos into shorter clips.

Wisecut is a browser-based AI video editor for turning long-form talking videos into shorter clips. Its features include automatic captions, silence removal, reframing, transcription-based editing, and social-media repurposing.

Video

Read the Wisecut status page.

Dead or At Risk

These have shut down, been abandoned, or been absorbed into another company. Check before you renew.

Elai.io

🟡Acquired / Merged

Elai.io is a browser-based AI video platform that converts text and presentation material into narrated videos featuring digital presenters.

Elai.io is a browser-based AI video platform that converts text and presentation material into narrated videos featuring digital presenters. It supports avatar-led training, marketing, and educational video production.

Video

Read the Elai.io status page or why Elai.io failed.

Hour One

🟡Acquired / Merged

Hour One is an AI video creation platform that turns text and presentation material into presenter-led videos using synthetic avatars and vo

Hour One is an AI video creation platform that turns text and presentation material into presenter-led videos using synthetic avatars and voices. It targets business uses such as training, marketing, sales, and communications.

Video

Read the Hour One status page or why Hour One failed.

Kamua

🟡Acquired / Merged

Kamua was a browser-based, AI-assisted video editing platform for automatically reframing, cropping, captioning, and repurposing landscape f

Kamua was a browser-based, AI-assisted video editing platform for automatically reframing, cropping, captioning, and repurposing landscape footage into vertical and square formats for social media.

Video

Read the Kamua status page or why Kamua failed.

Rephrase.ai

🟡Acquired / Merged

Rephrase.ai was an Indian generative video company whose platform created presenter-led videos from text using synthetic avatars and voices.

Rephrase.ai was an Indian generative video company whose platform created presenter-led videos from text using synthetic avatars and voices. Adobe acquired the company in 2023 to strengthen its generative video capabilities.

Video

Read the Rephrase.ai status page or why Rephrase.ai failed.

Side-by-Side Comparison

ToolStatusBest forDeep dive
Adobe Firefly VideoActiveAdobe Firefly Video is a generative AI system for creating video clips from text prompts or images and editing footage with controls such asAdobe Firefly Video status
CaptionsActiveCaptions is an AI-powered video creation and editing platform from Mirage.Captions status
Colossyan CreatorActiveColossyan Creator is a browser-based AI video platform for producing training, learning, and corporate communications videos from text usingColossyan Creator status
D-ID Creative Reality StudioActiveD-ID’s web-based AI video creation platform turns text, images, or uploaded audio into presenter-led videos using digital avatars, text-to-sD-ID Creative Reality Studio status
DeepBrain AI StudiosActiveAI Studios is DeepBrain AI’s browser-based text-to-video platform for creating videos with synthetic presenters, text-to-speech, templates, DeepBrain AI Studios status
DescriptActiveAI-powered audio and video editor that lets you edit media by editing text transcripts.why Descript failed
Dream MachineActiveDream Machine is Luma AI’s generative video product for creating and modifying video from text prompts, images, and other visual inputs.Dream Machine status
GenmoActiveGenmo is an AI video generation platform from Genmo, Inc.Genmo status
Google VeoActiveGoogle DeepMind’s family of generative video models creates and edits video from text, image, and video prompts.Google Veo alternatives
Hailuo AIActiveHailuo AI is a generative-video platform from MiniMax that creates short videos from text prompts and still images.Hailuo AI status
HaiperActiveHaiper is an AI video-generation platform that creates and edits short videos from text prompts, still images, or existing footage.Haiper status
HeyGenActiveAI video generation platform creating spokesperson videos with realistic AI avatars.is HeyGen dead?
InVideo AIActiveInVideo AI is a web-based video creation tool that turns text prompts into drafted videos with scripts, stock media, voiceovers, subtitles, InVideo AI status
KaiberActiveKaiber is an AI creative platform for generating and transforming videos, images, and animations from text prompts, still images, audio, andKaiber status
KapwingActiveKapwing is a browser-based content creation platform for editing, generating, subtitling, translating, resizing, and repurposing video, imagKapwing status
Kling AIActiveKling AI is a generative video and image creation platform developed by Kuaishou Technology.Kling AI status
Lumen5ActiveAI video creation platform that turns blog posts and articles into engaging videos.Lumen5 alternatives
MunchActiveMunch is an AI video repurposing platform that turns long-form recordings into short clips for social channels.Munch status
OpusClipActiveOpusClip is an AI video repurposing platform that turns long-form videos into short clips.OpusClip status
PictoryActiveAI tool that converts long-form content into short branded videos automatically.best tools like Pictory
Pika LabsActiveAI video generation platform creating short videos from text and image prompts.why Pika Labs failed
PixVerseActivePixVerse is an AI video-generation platform that turns text prompts and images into short videos.PixVerse status
Runway MLActiveAI creative suite for video editing, generation, and visual effects using generative AI.Runway ML alternatives
SoraActiveSora is OpenAI’s generative video product for creating and editing short videos from text prompts and uploaded media.Sora status
Stable Video DiffusionActiveStable Video Diffusion is Stability AI’s open generative video model family for creating short image-conditioned clips.Stable Video Diffusion status
SynthesiaActiveAI video generation platform that creates videos with realistic AI avatars from text scripts.Synthesia alternatives
VEEDActiveVEED is a browser-based video creation and editing platform from VEED Ltd.VEED status
vidyo.aiActiveAn AI-assisted video repurposing service that turns long-form recordings into short clips, adds captions, and adapts content for social platvidyo.ai status
VizardActiveVizard is an AI video repurposing platform that turns long-form recordings into short clips for social media.Vizard status
WisecutActiveWisecut is a browser-based AI video editor for turning long-form talking videos into shorter clips.Wisecut status
Elai.ioAcquired / MergedElai.io is a browser-based AI video platform that converts text and presentation material into narrated videos featuring digital presenters.why Elai.io failed
Hour OneAcquired / MergedHour One is an AI video creation platform that turns text and presentation material into presenter-led videos using synthetic avatars and vowhy Hour One failed
KamuaAcquired / MergedKamua was a browser-based, AI-assisted video editing platform for automatically reframing, cropping, captioning, and repurposing landscape fwhy Kamua failed
Rephrase.aiAcquired / MergedRephrase.ai was an Indian generative video company whose platform created presenter-led videos from text using synthetic avatars and voices.why Rephrase.ai failed

How to Choose

  • Pick by job first: generation, avatar presenting, or editing/repurposing are different products.
  • Check export rights and watermarks on the free tier before you commit a client project.
  • Favour tools that export standard formats (MP4, SRT captions, project XML) so you can leave.
  • Look at who owns the company — acquired video tools often get merged or sunset within 18 months.
  • Budget for credits: generation tools price per second of footage, not per seat.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best AI tool for video in 2026?

It depends on the job. For generating new footage, Runway, Google Veo and Kling lead. For avatar presenters, Synthesia and HeyGen. For editing and clipping existing footage, Descript and OpusClip.

Which AI video tools have shut down or been acquired?

Hour One, Elai.io, Rephrase.ai and Kamua were all acquired. Their pages in our graveyard list the date and the closest replacement.

Are free AI video generators good enough?

For testing, yes. Free tiers usually add watermarks, cap resolution at 720p and limit monthly seconds, so paid plans are needed for client or commercial work.

Is Lumen5 dead?

No. Lumen5 is still active in 2026, though many users moved to Pictory or InVideo AI for newer features.

Keep Reading: Status Checks and Alternatives

Deeper research on the tools above — shutdown reports, death-signal checks, and replacement shortlists.

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