If you’ve ever struggled to turn a complex idea into an easy-to-understand video, then you’ll relate to me. Back then, I tried many approaches: writing blogs, making slides, even hiring freelancers to create videos. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn’t – and the cost plus time was just too much.
Then I discovered a few categories of AI video tools that completely changed the game. For example, AI Script to Video Generators are amazing when you already have written content and just need it turned into video. If you’re into teaching or tutorials, AI Whiteboard Animation Tools make it simple to explain concepts visually. And for something more creative, AI Doodle Video Generators bring a fun, hand-drawn style that keeps viewers engaged.
That’s when I realized: oh, making videos doesn’t actually require design or animation skills. In this post, I’ll compare 4 popular tools: Pictory, Animaker, Vyond, and Steve.ai. Each has its own pros and cons, making them suitable for different types of users. And if you’re interested in more options, I’ll also share some alternatives worth checking out.
Why Are Explainer Videos So Important?
I believe it’s not just me – anyone in marketing or teaching has struggled at some point with explaining a complex product, service, or process.
- People remember visuals better than text: the brain processes images 60,000 times faster than words.
- Attention span is short: you only have a few seconds to hook your audience.
- Videos are more shareable: platforms like Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube prioritize video content.
That’s why explainer videos are no longer “optional” – they’ve become an essential tool for marketing, training, and personal branding.
Tool #1: Pictory
I first discovered Pictory when I wanted to turn a 2,000+ word blog post into a short YouTube video. What I love about Pictory is how simple it is: just paste your article link, and the AI will automatically analyze, summarize, and generate a complete video.
Pros:
- Automatically summarizes blog posts or scripts.
- Large stock video library and ready-made templates.
- Can create short clips from long videos (highlight reels).
Cons:
- AI voices aren’t 100% natural yet.
- Limited animation customization.
Best for:
- Bloggers and content creators who want to repurpose content.
- Solopreneurs looking to cut costs.
Tool #2: Animaker
While Pictory focuses on automation, Animaker shines in variety and ease of use. The first time I opened Animaker, it felt like Canva for video animation.
Pros:
- Drag-and-drop interface, very beginner-friendly.
- Huge library of templates, icons, animated characters.
- Supports many formats: 2D, infographics, whiteboard.
Cons:
- Rendering can be slow.
- Some premium templates are only available in the Pro plan.
Best for:
- Beginners and marketers who need quick videos.
- Small businesses wanting diverse animation styles.
Tool #3: Vyond
For me, Vyond is the most professional tool among these four. It’s not just an AI explainer generator – it’s powerful enough to replace freelance animators in many projects.
Pros:
- Extremely lifelike character animations.
- High customization: gestures, facial expressions, actions.
- Perfect for training or corporate videos.
Cons:
- More expensive compared to Pictory/Animaker.
- Requires some learning curve to fully leverage features.
Best for:
- Businesses, schools, or organizations creating training content.
- Marketers who want high-quality, professional videos.
Tool #4: Steve.ai
A relatively new player, Steve.ai impressed me right away. It focuses on AI-first automation – meaning you just input your script, choose a style, and the AI does the rest.
Pros:
- Fully automated, minimal editing needed.
- Offers both animation and stock video formats.
- AI voiceovers sound fairly natural.
Cons:
- Less customization compared to Vyond or Animaker.
- Output quality depends heavily on your script.
Best for:
- Solopreneurs and startups that need videos fast.
- Non-designers who want the AI to handle everything.
Comparison Table
| Criteria | Pictory | Animaker | Vyond | Steve.ai |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $19–$39/month | $12.5–$39/month | $25–$83/month | $20–$60/month |
| Ease of use | Very easy (AI) | Easy (drag & drop) | Medium (learning) | Very easy (AI-first) |
| Customization | Medium | High (templates) | Very high (characters) | Low |
| Strength | Summarizing blogs | Diverse templates | Pro-level animation | Full automation |
| Best for | Bloggers, creators | SMBs, marketers | Businesses, training | Startups, solopreneurs |
Other Alternatives If These 4 Aren’t Enough
Besides these four, you might also consider:
- Renderforest – great for branding (logo + video + website).
- Powtoon – simple and familiar whiteboard animation.
- Doodly – fun doodle-style explainer videos.
Or if you want to go broader, here are some categories worth exploring:
- AI script-to-video generators – perfect if you already have a lot of text content.
- Platforms specialized in whiteboard animation – ideal for educational and training videos.
- Doodle-style video creators – great if you prefer a hand-drawn, approachable style.
My Personal Experience
I once created an explainer video about affiliate marketing using Vyond. Honestly, the result looked like I had hired a $2,000 studio – except I only spent a few hours and a small subscription fee.
But when it comes to speed, Steve.ai surprised me the most – type in a few lines of text, and you’ll have a finished video in under 10 minutes. Still, I often return to Pictory when I want to repurpose a long blog into multiple shorter videos.
In short, no single tool is perfect. Depending on your needs, you should pick one or two main tools and experiment with others as needed.
Final Thoughts
Explainer videos are becoming increasingly important, and AI explainer video generators make it possible for everyone – from big companies to solo creators – to produce professional-quality videos quickly and affordably.
- If you’re a blogger → go with Pictory.
- If you’re a beginner marketer → choose Animaker.
- If you want corporate or training videos → pick Vyond.
- If you want the AI to do everything → try Steve.ai.
Personally, I think once you try one of these, you’ll be shocked at the difference: instead of spending 2 weeks and thousands of dollars on a single video, you’ll get it done in just a few hours – for a fraction of the cost.
👉 Have you tried any of these tools yet? If not, pick one today – you’ll be amazed how much time and effort it saves you.
Anna is a content creator and digital marketer with 3+ years of experience testing AI tools for video creation. I’ve personally used Pictory to repurpose blog posts into YouTube Shorts and LinkedIn clips — saving hours compared to manual editing.
