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Best AI Text-to-Video Generators

Try Runway
ToolPriceProsCons
RunwayFrom $12/mo (Standard, billed annually)
  • Free plan with 125 one-time credits
  • Multiple models plus image and audio generation
  • Gen-4.5 costs 12 credits per second, so Standard's 625 credits go quickly
  • Standard credits reset monthly
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Luma Dream MachineFrom $25/mo (Plus, billed yearly; $30 monthly)
  • Access to several video models, including Ray3.14 and Seedance 2.0
  • Plus includes 10,000 credits
  • No free plan on the pricing page
  • Cost per second varies widely by model and resolution
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HeyGenFrom $29/mo (Creator)
  • Script-to-video with avatars
  • Free plan: 3 watermarked videos/month
  • Avatar videos, not general text-to-video scenes
  • Free plan videos are watermarked and capped at 1 minute
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FAQ

Which generator has a free plan?

Runway (125 one-time credits) and HeyGen (3 watermarked videos/month) do. Luma's pricing page lists no free plan.

Is HeyGen a true text-to-video generator?

It turns a script into a video with an avatar presenter; it does not create arbitrary cinematic scenes like Runway or Luma.

Why do credits matter?

Each generation spends credits based on model, length and resolution, so check the per-second cost before choosing a plan.

Try Runway