Your Complete AI Video Toolkit — 30+ Tools Organized by Function
The AI video creation ecosystem has exploded. With dozens of tools available, knowing which tool to use for which task is half the battle. This lesson maps out every major tool you will master in this course, organized by function so you can quickly find the right tool for any job.
AI Video Generation Tools
These are the core tools that generate video content from text or images.
| Tool | Best For | Pricing Model | Quality Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Veo 3 (Google) | Highest quality, built-in audio, SceneBuilder | Credits/Subscription | ★★★★★ |
| Sora 2 (OpenAI) | Cinematic quality, storyboard mode | ChatGPT Plus/Pro | ★★★★★ |
| Kling 2.0 (Kuaishou) | Motion brush, lip sync, camera control | Credits/Subscription | ★★★★☆ |
| Runway ML (Gen-3) | Creative effects, Act-2 motion, image refs | Subscription | ★★★★☆ |
| Pika Labs | Special effects, creative transforms | Freemium | ★★★☆☆ |
| Hailuo AI (MiniMax) | Fast generation, good quality | Freemium | ★★★☆☆ |
| Luma Dream Machine | Quick prototyping, accessible | Freemium | ★★★☆☆ |
| Haiper | Speed, simplicity | Freemium | ★★★☆☆ |
AI Image Generation Tools
These create the still images that feed into your image-to-video workflows.
| Tool | Best For | Style Strength |
|---|---|---|
| MidJourney | Artistic quality, style control, character refs | Photorealistic, artistic, fantasy |
| DALL-E 3 | Prompt accuracy, text rendering, ChatGPT integration | Illustration, photorealistic |
| Leonardo AI | Consistent characters, fine control | Photorealistic, game art |
| Stable Diffusion | Open-source, local control, unlimited generation | All styles (model dependent) |
| Adobe Firefly | Commercial safety, brand integration | Photography, design |
| Google WHISK | Style mixing, creative combinations | Experimental, mixed media |
| Gemini | Integrated research + generation | General purpose |
AI Audio and Music Tools
| Tool | Function | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|
| ElevenLabs | Voice synthesis, cloning, TTS | Most realistic AI voices available |
| Suno | Music generation from text | Full songs with vocals in any genre |
| Udio | Music generation, audio creation | High-fidelity audio, excellent for instrumentals |
AI Writing and Ideation Tools
| Tool | Best For |
|---|---|
| ChatGPT | Script writing, brainstorming, prompt generation |
| Claude | Long-form creative writing, detailed analysis |
| Gemini | Research-driven ideation, trend analysis |
| Perplexity | Fact-based research, source verification |
Video Editing and Post-Production
| Tool | Best For | Price |
|---|---|---|
| CapCut | Quick social media edits, AI features | Free/Pro |
| DaVinci Resolve | Professional color grading, advanced editing | Free/Studio |
| Filmora | Beginner-friendly editing with AI tools | Subscription |
| Topaz Video AI | AI upscaling and enhancement | One-time purchase |
Specialized Tools
| Tool | Function |
|---|---|
| Viggle | Character animation and dance |
| Storyboarder.ai | AI-powered storyboard creation |
| Canva | Quick design, thumbnails, social assets |
How to Choose the Right Tool
Use this decision framework:
- What is your output format? Social media (short), YouTube (medium), cinematic (long)
- What is your input? Text only, existing images, existing video
- What is your budget? Free tools, moderate budget, professional budget
- What matters most? Speed, quality, control, or consistency
Pro Tip: You do not need to subscribe to every tool at once. Start with Veo 3 for video generation and MidJourney for images. Add tools as your projects demand them. Most offer free tiers or trials that let you test before committing.
Key Takeaways
- Over 30 tools are organized into five categories: video generation, image generation, audio, writing, and editing
- Veo 3, Sora 2, Kling 2.0, and Runway ML are the four leading AI video generators
- MidJourney and DALL-E 3 dominate AI image generation for video source material
- ElevenLabs leads voice synthesis while Suno and Udio lead music generation
- Start with two or three core tools and expand your toolkit as projects require
- The right tool depends on your output format, input material, budget, and priorities