Let AI tackle the tedious edits, empowering you to shape the art of your videos.
In an era where content creation straddles the lines of professional pursuit and personal passion, there’s an undeniable surge in demand for efficient and intuitive video editing tools. As a content creator, I’ve found myself constantly seeking ways to streamline the video editing process, particularly when churning out punchy YouTube videos or compelling Instagram snippets. My exploration in this domain led me to the burgeoning field of AI-driven video editing, a technological leap that has both intrigued me and substantially upped my editing game.
Today, I spotlight four AI-enhanced video editing tools that have been integral to my content journey, detailing their features, pricing and overall user experience.
Wondershare Filmora
Embracing Filmora has brought both thrill and simplicity to my editing process, especially for my Instagram videos. Thanks to AI capabilities like motion tracking, image enhancement, audio stretch and denoise and smart cutout, I spend less time wrestling with intricate edits and more on honing the essence of my content. The outcome? More time to refine the core of my videos, resulting in a consistently polished, professional finish.
What’s even more impressive is Filmora’s adaptability. Whether I’m using my desktop or editing on the go via mobile, the user-friendly interface ensures a seamless experience. Amidst its suite of features, one stands out as my absolute favorite: the “instant mode”. Exclusive to Windows users, this mode eliminates the need for advanced editing knowledge. Just provide the media, and Filmora takes the reins, conjuring up a video in an instant. This remarkable feature doesn’t just streamline my workflow, but it enables me to effortlessly produce captivating videos at lightning speed. With tools like this at my fingertips, Filmora has become an invaluable companion in my storytelling journey.
And for those on the fence about Filmora, there’s a free trial to dip your toes in, with the only caveat being a watermark on the final video.
Pricing (for individuals):
- Annual plan: US$49.99 per year
- Cross-platform plan: US$59.99 per year
- Perpetual plan: US$79.99 (one-time payment)
*Filmora also provides specialized plans for teams and businesses, educational purposes and bundled offerings.
FlexClip
While exploring tools for my Instagram Reels, I came across FlexClip and was genuinely taken aback. Beyond its user-friendliness, the software offers a plethora of AI tools to simplify the editing process and enhance the overall quality of video content.
The AI-powered “text to video” feature of FlexClip stands out, which allows you to effortlessly transform text into engaging video content. Complementing this is the AI video script tool, designed to craft narratives that hold viewers’ attention from beginning to end. Another gem in FlexClip’s arsenal is its AI image generator, which simplifies the process of generating stunning visuals that you can easily incorporate into your videos.
For creators who wish to add voiceovers but dread recording, FlexClip’s AI text-to-speech is a revelation. It translates written words into lifelike speech, streamlining the video-making process. Additionally, for content that demands subtitles, the AI auto subtitle tool is unmatched, automatically generating accurate captions, thus enhancing viewer accessibility.
While FlexClip offers an impressive range of AI capabilities, it’s important to note that the free plan comes with certain limitations. For instance, users are limited to one stock video and audio per month, which might be restrictive for those with frequent video editing needs. However, it’s an excellent starting point for those curious about the platform’s full potential.
- Plus: US$19.99 (billed monthly) or US$9.99 (billed annually) per month —allows the addition of up to five stock videos and five audios per project.
- Business: US$29.99 (billed monthly) or US$19.99 (billed annually) per month —grants unlimited stock videos and audios.
Synthesia
Synthesia is an amazing video editing software that I have been using to create content for work. This avant-garde tool allows me to create high-quality videos without the typical necessities like cameras, actors or microphones. All it requires is a chosen video template and your script; the AI takes care of the rest with finesse.
Boasting a diverse library, Synthesia offers over 150 lifelike avatars. Moreover, the option to fashion custom AI avatars equipped with congruent voices is truly remarkable. Navigating through its intuitive user interface is a breeze, with the AI adeptly syncing avatar lip movements and gestures to match the script’s nuances.
One of Synthesia’s crowning features is its capacity for audio translation, accommodating more than 120 languages, accents and voice tones. This versatility ensures global appeal. In particular, I really like its capability to incorporate subtle gestures, like confirming head nods or expressive raised eyebrows, which infuses a striking realism into the avatars.
If Synthesia piques your interest, they extend a free trial where you can generate one video at no cost. Simply select from one of their five starter templates, input your text and watch the software weave its magic, delivering a video within moments.
- Personal: US$30 per month (billed monthly) or US$22.50 per month (billed annually)
- Enterprise: custom pricing tailored to specific organizational needs.
Pictory
As a content creator navigating the digital realm, I’ve found this tool indispensable for a diverse range of professionals—from YouTubers and marketers to bloggers and course designers. With Pictory, you can unlock the potential of your long-form content by turning it into concise, captivating branded videos.
Pictory’s feature suite is what truly sets it apart. The ability to convert scripts or blogs into videos and even edit them using text instruction has transformed my workflow. Auto-captioning, creating video highlights and summarizing extensive videos are capabilities that streamline content creation. Furthermore, the AI-driven voice generator for text-to-speech transitions written content into voiceovers in a snap. Couple this with affordable access to stock footage, and Pictory emerges as a cost-effective solution for creators.
One point of contention, however, is the lack of a perpetual free version. While the free trial allowed me to get a taste of its functionalities, I did experience sporadic audio disruptions. That being said, such issues appear to be outliers rather than the norm. If you’re on the fence, I’d recommend leveraging the free trial, which permits the creation of three video projects, with each spanning up to ten minutes. It’s an excellent opportunity to gauge its capabilities and see firsthand how it can elevate your content creation endeavors.
- Standard plan: US$23 (billed monthly) or US$19 (billed annually) per month—allows up to 30 videos per month.
- Premium: US$47 (billed monthly) or US$39 (billed annually) per month—allows up to 60 videos per month.
- Teams: US$119 (billed monthly) or US$99 (billed annually) per month—starts from three users per account and supports up to 90 videos per month.
AI vs. traditional tools: Which one is better?
The debate between traditional video editing techniques and AI-driven solutions is as riveting as it is multi-faceted. Both avenues offer their distinct set of merits and limitations, which intertwine in a dance of technology and artistry.
Traditional video editing, to me, is akin to painting on a blank canvas. There’s an intrinsic artistry, a human touch, that cannot be easily replicated. Video editors dive deep, understanding not just the content but the very emotion and message it seeks to convey. Their creative instincts breathe life into raw footage, crafting narratives that resonate deeply. This human touch, with its nuanced understanding of emotion and storytelling, is something AI, in its current form, struggles to fully emulate.
On the flip side, I can’t deny the efficiency and automation that AI editing tools offer. The capability to sift through hours of footage at lightning speed, automate repetitive tasks and even proffer editing suggestions based on established patterns, is nothing short of revolutionary.
Perhaps the sweet spot of effective video editing might lie in the confluence of these two worlds. For projects with stringent timelines or repetitive tasks, AI’s prowess is invaluable. But when a project seeks to strike a deep emotional chord or demands a unique, bespoke vision, traditional methods hold their ground.
In conclusion, embracing both traditional and AI video editing tools seems like the most holistic approach. It’s like having a dynamic duo—AI handles the heavy lifting and efficiency, while humans infuse the narrative with soul and authenticity.
Also read:
- The Top 4 Beginner-Friendly Mobile Video Editing Apps of 2023
- How Picsart Uses AI to Empower Creators
- Dabbling in Graphic Design? Start Off with These 5 Free Online Tools for Beginners
- Drawing without a Paintbrush: An Evolution of Artificial Intelligence
- How Picsart Uses AI to Empower Creators
- 8 Online Graphics Tools To Amp Up Your Brand Design
Header image courtesy of Freepik
