My son and I recently watched some videos generated with AI when he suddenly stopped and asked: “Wait … none of them are real?” This break summarizes perfectly, where we are standing with AI video tools. We have reached the point where a casual viewer yourself has to step back and consider whether what you see is real or AI.
But not all tools drive the audience over the eerie valley. After I spent years in Silicon Valley, I saw the AI ​​startups ascending and falling, and has learned that the technology that looks impressive in demos do not always translate into real benefits.
For this post I cut through the noise and concentrate on AI video tools that are popular and do justice to the hype. I will immerse yourself in visual quality, surprising functions and the heated debates that these tools have triggered. So here are the nine tools that rise over the rest.
The 9 most popular AI video – currently classified
1. Veo
VEO, the AI ​​video model from Google, is the most impressive AI video that I have so far seen in terms of pure initial quality. The graphics are crispy, the movement is smooth and offers four video options per command prompt. You just have to select your favorite. I found that one of the four is good enough to use almost every time directly from the goal.
The technology is ahead of miles, even if the product still feels early. VEO is currently missing essential functions, such as B. a comprehensive asset library and processing tools, and their creations are lost if they do not download them. But these are solvable problems.
My attitude: The big question is whether Google Veo is actually transformed into something that people use. You started astonishing tech before this has never achieved a widespread adoption. In addition, the latest version costs 250 US dollars a month, which can be a difficult pill for swallowing.
The model is absolutely S-Tier, but without a solid product and a rollout behind it, it could be one of these cool tools that most people never touch.
2. Hailuo Ai
Hailuo may not have the same name recognition as Google or Openaai, but it deserves a point at the top. The results are consistent and surprisingly controllable. You can bring in pictures of tools such as Midjourney or River, and Hailuo turns them into a smooth, coherent movement.
When I sat down with Tim Simmons Theoretically mediaHe raved about how his audience achieved great results with Hailuo. Even without using an input request, it understands what you want to achieve. This type of intuition in a model is rare.
My attitude: Control and quick compliance here are the next level. If you create short films or AI native content, this is a top candidate. Tim exposed it best when he said that his entire audience would “get him behind” if he did not classify this tool at the top of his list. After testing it, I understand why.
3. runway
The runway is the upper floor. There are longer than most and still sends new functions. Gen-3 is fast, and the machining tool-act one, redoscope, movement controls, subtitle generation-make it more than just a video device. It is a complete creative suite.
That means that the graphics do not always impress. I would say the quality is closer to B-Tier, but the ecosystem makes up for it again. I find the green screen and expand the tools particularly useful. These are ideal for workflows that requires precision and flexibility.
My attitude: The graphics are not always first class, but the tools and the speed of the runway make it the most complete creative suite that I tested.
4. Clever
Klingclip’s nail physics, movement and photo realism that makes video that feels real. The tool is particularly impressive when you work with dynamic recordings such as sweeping pans or zooms, where the feeling of depth and movement really gets through.
Kling does not block them into native image tools. You can bring in assets from other platforms and then bring the motion brush and generation functions from Kling to life. Kling 2.1 was also one of the most spoken upgrades at the end of 2024. Pro mode met with video resolution to 1080p and the quick compliance improved dramatically.
My attitude: Kling offers more control and flexibility than competitors. However, my favorite list is not at the top until the output is of high quality in a wider area of ​​input requests.
5. LTX studio
Tim fought hard for LTX to be in S-Tier because it is currently the best, but because it is the only open source tool on this list. Thanks to the contributions from the global developer community, this makes it unique to a quick improvement.
He also called out how fast it is and compared it to Leonardo.ai’s River Mode in which you can control outputs interactively. But even Tim admitted that the generative quality is not yet compared to tools such as VEO or Hailuo. Matt Wolfe, my co-moderator The next waveagreed. LTX is promising, but not quite there.
My attitude: LTX is a strong AI video candidate with tons of potential, especially for developers and hobbyists. If you are enthusiastic about open source AI tools, check it.
6. Sora
This triggered a lot of discussion. At first I had access to Sora Turbo. The turbo model generated 20-second clips using the frame interpolation, which accelerated the movement, but felt slightly switched off at times.
When my co-moderator Matt Sora Turbo tested, he found that the expenses were not particularly impressive. In his side tests with VEO, the results came in favor of VEO. In addition, several important skills, such as the production of people, were locked up behind the plan of 200 US dollars per month. As a result, the tool feels a little limited unless you pay for the top level.
Nevertheless, there are some really impressive functions such as remix, mixture and the ability to cut between clips. While the outputs felt overwhelming, these tools showed real potential and indicated where Sora could go next.
My attitude: The graphics were not the main event here. It is the tool that noticed. The curve in particular seem to be a remix and mix. If Openai bends into these strengths, Sora could become a serious candidate.
7. Luma
Luma’s Dream Machine impressed us with his unique functions and solid starting strips. An outstanding one? The ability to enter a start and end frame and to enliven the tool between them. Tim used it to prototype A game of Thrones–Style intro, complete with drone style. During a conversation about the next wave, Matt found that the beginning achieved better results with a picture instead of an input request.
The improvements of the image generation of Luma and its interactive user interface are also worth mentioning. These changes enable you to chat with your picture in a way that is reminiscent of the early hype of Dall · e 3.
My attitude: Matt’s demo with image video transitions and breakthroughs was impressive. Luma is a tool that I will watch closely.
8. Pika
Pika has worked out a unique niche with its special effects, e.g. While they were the first to nail the cartoon faces very well, most other models overall are more impressive.
But spika does not strengthen in competition with pure visual quality. Tim pointed out that they double these playful, social tools instead of trying to correspond to the cinematic edition of VEO or Runway.
My attitude: I see Pika becomes a viral app. It is useful for memes and fast social content, which gives it a real value in his specific lane. Perhaps it is not what Hollywood uses, but for teenagers who want to create funny, viral transformations, it could be huge.
9. Invideo Ai
Invideo Ai doesn’t really try to compete with cinematic AI models such as Veo or Hailuo. Its strength is in speed and benefits. You give an input request and it puts together a smooth ad video with storage material and templates in minutes.
If you create explanation or fast social clips, Invideo is useful. Instead, they do not rely on the full generation. They combine assets to do something quickly.
My attitude: Invideo feels more like canva for video than a AI playground. But for marketers who want to move quickly and want to stay on the brand, this is a victory.
What’s next for Ai video
After testing these tools side by side, one thing is clear: we are in a massive shift in the early days. Not a single platform has yet dominated, which reminds me of the early social media wars or the browser battles of the 2000s.
Tools such as VEO and Hailuo set the bar for raw quality. Runway and LTX win in terms of functions and community. Pika and invideo are smart to work out certain niches instead of trying to be everything for everyone.
Next will happen next: the quality gap will quickly narrow down, but the real winners will be the platforms that stail the user experience and find their specific audience. Expect better processing tools, smooth workflows and completely new applications that we have not yet imagined.
The tools become so good that the story they tell are more important than the pixels they generate. And honestly? Things are really interesting here.
To see other top video competitors, read the complete episode of The next wave below.