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
🟢ActiveAdobe 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.
Read the Adobe Firefly Video status page.
Captions
🟢ActiveCaptions 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.
Read the Captions status page.
Colossyan Creator
🟢ActiveColossyan 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.
Read the Colossyan Creator status page.
D-ID Creative Reality Studio
🟢ActiveD-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.
Read the D-ID Creative Reality Studio status page.
DeepBrain AI Studios
🟢ActiveAI 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.
Read the DeepBrain AI Studios status page.
Descript
🟢ActiveAI-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.
Read the Descript status page or why Descript failed.
Dream Machine
🟢ActiveDream 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.
Read the Dream Machine status page.
Genmo
🟢ActiveGenmo 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.
Read the Genmo status page.
Google Veo
🟢ActiveGoogle 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.
Read the Google Veo status page or Google Veo alternatives, best tools like Google Veo and why Google Veo failed.
Hailuo AI
🟢ActiveHailuo 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.
Read the Hailuo AI status page.
Haiper
🟢ActiveHaiper 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.
Read the Haiper status page.
HeyGen
🟢ActiveAI video generation platform creating spokesperson videos with realistic AI avatars.
AI video generation platform creating spokesperson videos with realistic AI avatars.
Read the HeyGen status page or is HeyGen dead? and why HeyGen failed.
InVideo AI
🟢ActiveInVideo 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.
Read the InVideo AI status page.
Kaiber
🟢ActiveKaiber 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.
Read the Kaiber status page.
Kapwing
🟢ActiveKapwing 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.
Read the Kapwing status page.
Kling AI
🟢ActiveKling 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.
Read the Kling AI status page.
Lumen5
🟢ActiveAI 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.
Read the Lumen5 status page or Lumen5 alternatives, best tools like Lumen5 and why Lumen5 failed.
Munch
🟢ActiveMunch 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.
Read the Munch status page.
OpusClip
🟢ActiveOpusClip 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.
Read the OpusClip status page.
Pictory
🟢ActiveAI tool that converts long-form content into short branded videos automatically.
AI tool that converts long-form content into short branded videos automatically.
Read the Pictory status page or best tools like Pictory and why Pictory failed.
Pika Labs
🟢ActiveAI video generation platform creating short videos from text and image prompts.
AI video generation platform creating short videos from text and image prompts.
Read the Pika Labs status page or why Pika Labs failed.
PixVerse
🟢ActivePixVerse 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.
Read the PixVerse status page.
Runway ML
🟢ActiveAI 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.
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
🟢ActiveSora 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.
Read the Sora status page.
Stable Video Diffusion
🟢ActiveStable 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.
Read the Stable Video Diffusion status page.
Synthesia
🟢ActiveAI 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.
Read the Synthesia status page or Synthesia alternatives, best tools like Synthesia, is Synthesia dead? and why Synthesia failed.
VEED
🟢ActiveVEED 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.
Read the VEED status page.
vidyo.ai
🟢ActiveAn 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.
Read the vidyo.ai status page.
Vizard
🟢ActiveVizard 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.
Read the Vizard status page.
Wisecut
🟢ActiveWisecut 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.
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 / MergedElai.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.
Read the Elai.io status page or why Elai.io failed.
Hour One
🟡Acquired / MergedHour 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.
Read the Hour One status page or why Hour One failed.
Kamua
🟡Acquired / MergedKamua 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.
Read the Kamua status page or why Kamua failed.
Rephrase.ai
🟡Acquired / MergedRephrase.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.
Read the Rephrase.ai status page or why Rephrase.ai failed.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Tool | Status | Best for | Deep dive |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adobe Firefly Video | 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 status |
| Captions | Active | Captions is an AI-powered video creation and editing platform from Mirage. | Captions status |
| Colossyan Creator | Active | Colossyan Creator is a browser-based AI video platform for producing training, learning, and corporate communications videos from text using | Colossyan Creator status |
| D-ID Creative Reality Studio | Active | 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 Creative Reality Studio status |
| DeepBrain AI Studios | Active | AI 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 |
| Descript | Active | AI-powered audio and video editor that lets you edit media by editing text transcripts. | 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 status |
| Genmo | Active | Genmo is an AI video generation platform from Genmo, Inc. | Genmo status |
| Google Veo | Active | Google DeepMind’s family of generative video models creates and edits video from text, image, and video prompts. | Google Veo alternatives |
| Hailuo AI | Active | Hailuo AI is a generative-video platform from MiniMax that creates short videos from text prompts and still images. | Hailuo AI status |
| Haiper | Active | Haiper is an AI video-generation platform that creates and edits short videos from text prompts, still images, or existing footage. | Haiper status |
| HeyGen | Active | AI video generation platform creating spokesperson videos with realistic AI avatars. | is HeyGen dead? |
| 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 status |
| Kaiber | Active | Kaiber is an AI creative platform for generating and transforming videos, images, and animations from text prompts, still images, audio, and | Kaiber status |
| Kapwing | Active | Kapwing is a browser-based content creation platform for editing, generating, subtitling, translating, resizing, and repurposing video, imag | Kapwing status |
| Kling AI | Active | Kling AI is a generative video and image creation platform developed by Kuaishou Technology. | Kling AI status |
| Lumen5 | Active | AI video creation platform that turns blog posts and articles into engaging videos. | Lumen5 alternatives |
| Munch | Active | Munch is an AI video repurposing platform that turns long-form recordings into short clips for social channels. | Munch status |
| OpusClip | Active | OpusClip is an AI video repurposing platform that turns long-form videos into short clips. | OpusClip status |
| Pictory | Active | AI tool that converts long-form content into short branded videos automatically. | best tools like Pictory |
| Pika Labs | Active | AI video generation platform creating short videos from text and image prompts. | why Pika Labs failed |
| PixVerse | Active | PixVerse is an AI video-generation platform that turns text prompts and images into short videos. | PixVerse status |
| Runway ML | Active | AI creative suite for video editing, generation, and visual effects using generative AI. | Runway ML alternatives |
| Sora | Active | Sora is OpenAI’s generative video product for creating and editing short videos from text prompts and uploaded media. | Sora status |
| Stable Video Diffusion | Active | Stable Video Diffusion is Stability AI’s open generative video model family for creating short image-conditioned clips. | Stable Video Diffusion status |
| Synthesia | Active | AI video generation platform that creates videos with realistic AI avatars from text scripts. | Synthesia alternatives |
| VEED | Active | VEED is a browser-based video creation and editing platform from VEED Ltd. | VEED status |
| 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 | vidyo.ai status |
| Vizard | Active | Vizard is an AI video repurposing platform that turns long-form recordings into short clips for social media. | Vizard status |
| Wisecut | Active | Wisecut is a browser-based AI video editor for turning long-form talking videos into shorter clips. | Wisecut status |
| 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. | 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 | 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 | 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. | 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.
- → why Descript failed
- → Google Veo alternatives
- → best tools like Google Veo
- → why Google Veo failed
- → is HeyGen dead?
- → why HeyGen failed
- → Lumen5 alternatives
- → best tools like Lumen5
- → why Lumen5 failed
- → best tools like Pictory
- → why Pictory failed
- → why Pika Labs failed
- → Runway ML alternatives
- → best tools like Runway ML
- → is Runway ML dead?
- → why Runway ML failed
- → Synthesia alternatives
- → best tools like Synthesia
- → is Synthesia dead?
- → why Synthesia failed
- → why Elai.io failed
- → why Hour One failed
- → why Kamua failed
- → why Rephrase.ai failed