Video is now the most powerful form of digital content, with 89% of businesses using it as a marketing tool, according to Wyzowl’s Video Marketing Report. For entrepreneurs and creators who want to transform static visuals into dynamic stories, the best image to video AI solutions are game changers.
These AI image-to-video generators and AI video creation tools make it possible to turn simple photos into animations, marketing clips, and branded content without needing a production team.
This article breaks down the five best image-to-video AI tools, comparing their features and pricing. By the end, you will know exactly which AI video maker for entrepreneurs suits your business or creative goals.
Key Takeaways
- AI turns static images into compelling videos, helping entrepreneurs market faster and smarter.
- The right image-to-video AI software saves time and cuts production costs.
- Different tools suit different needs, whether for social media, branding, or professional storytelling.
- Adopting AI video creation tools gives small businesses the edge to compete with big brands.
Criteria for Choosing the Best AI Image-to-Video Tools
The right AI image-to-video generator depends on your goals, whether you are an entrepreneur creating ads, a content creator looking for animation, or a business owner building brand stories.
These are the key factors to consider before picking the best tool.
| Criteria | What to Look Out For |
|---|---|
| Ease of Use | Intuitive interface, drag-and-drop features, and simple learning curve. |
| Features & Capabilities | Options like motion effects, text-to-video, AI avatars, stock assets, and audio. |
| Output Quality | HD or 4K video quality, smooth animation, and realistic visuals. |
| Customisation | Ability to edit colours, styles, branding, and transitions. |
| Pricing & Plans | Free trials, flexible subscriptions, or one-time payments. |
| Integration & Exports | Compatibility with social media platforms and marketing tools. |
| Scalability | Tools that grow with your business needs and support advanced features. |
6 Best Image to Video AI Tools For Creators
Before diving deeper, here is a snapshot of the best image-to-video AI tools every entrepreneur and creator should know.
These AI video makers vary in features, from simple social media clips to advanced cinematic editing, so you can quickly spot which one fits your needs.
| Tool | Best For | Standout Feature | Ease of Use | Pricing (from) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pictory AI | Marketing videos & social media clips | Auto-captioning + stock library | Easy | $19/month |
| Runway ML | Cinematic, high-quality storytelling | Gen-2 text-to-video motion effects | Moderate | $12/month |
| Synthesia | Business presentations & training | AI avatars with voice narration | Easy | $18/month |
| Kaiber AI | Creative visuals & music videos | Artistic, animated transformations | Moderate | $29/month |
| Lumen5 | Branding & SME video marketing | Drag-and-drop templates for quick edits | Very Easy | $15/month |
1. Pictory AI
Pictory AI is one of the best image-to-video AI tools for entrepreneurs who want quick, engaging content without advanced editing skills.
It allows users to turn images into short videos, complete with captions, stock footage, and background music, perfect for marketing and social media campaigns.
Key Features of Pictory AI
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Auto-captioning | Adds accurate captions automatically, boosting accessibility and engagement. |
| Stock media library | Thousands of royalty-free images and video clips included. |
| Templates & themes | Customisable video styles for consistent branding. |
| AI summarisation | Converts blogs or long scripts into short, shareable highlight videos. |
| Cloud-based editing | 100% online platform, accessible anywhere, no downloads required. |
| Collaboration tools | Allows teams to work on video projects together. |
| Social sharing | Direct publishing options for platforms like YouTube and LinkedIn. |
Pictory AI Pricing
| Plan | Price |
|---|---|
| Standard | $19/month |
| Premium | $29/month |
| Team | $99/month |
| Enterprise | Custom pricing |
Pros and Cons of Pictory AI
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Very easy to use, designed for beginners and non-tech users. | Limited manual editing for advanced creators. |
| Affordable entry-level plan for startups and SMEs. | Branding options (fonts, colour schemes) can feel basic. |
| Large built-in library of stock images, video, and music. | Output quality may vary depending on the chosen template. |
| Auto-captioning improves accessibility and saves time. | Not ideal for complex storytelling or cinematic effects. |
| AI summarisation helps repurpose blogs and long-form content. | The free trial has limited features, requiring an upgrade for full power. |
| Cloud-based with no need for expensive hardware or downloads. | Collaboration features are available only in higher-tier plans. |
| Fast turnaround, videos can be created in minutes. | Templates can look repetitive if overused without customisation. |
2. Runway ML
Runway ML is a cutting-edge AI video creation tool that is popular among professionals, artists, and startups seeking cinematic results.
It goes beyond basic image-to-video AI software, offering advanced features like text-to-video, motion effects, and background generation.
While it has a learning curve, its capabilities make it one of the top AI video editing tools for those who want full creative control.
Key Features of Runway ML
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Gen-2 text-to-video | Generate videos directly from text or images with realistic motion. |
| Motion brush | Add movement to still images for a cinematic effect. |
| Background replacement | AI-powered green screen technology removes and seamlessly changes backgrounds. |
| Image-to-video animation | Transform single photos into animated sequences. |
| Creative effects | Stylisation, slow motion, inpainting, and other advanced editing tools. |
| Cloud rendering | High-performance processing without heavy local hardware. |
| Integration | Exports to Adobe Premiere and other editing suites. |
Runway ML Pricing
| Plan | Price |
|---|---|
| Free | $0 |
| Standard | $12/month |
| Pro | $28/month |
| Unlimited | $76/month |
| Enterprise | Custom pricing |
Pros and Cons of Runway ML
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Delivers some of the most realistic AI-generated videos available. | Steeper learning curve compared to beginner-friendly tools. |
| Powerful features like motion brush and background removal. | The free plan is limited and heavily watermarked. |
| Frequent updates with new AI-powered creative tools. | Processing large projects can be time-consuming. |
| Flexible exports that integrate with pro editing software. | It can become expensive if you need a lot of credits. |
| Great for startups, agencies, and creative professionals. | Requires a strong internet connection for smooth use. |
| Cloud-based system saves local computer storage. | Lacks ready-made templates for quick social media posts. |
| Strong community and tutorials to support creators. | Best results often require experimentation and patience. |
See Also: Topaz Photo AI vs Gigapixel- 6 Key Differences You Need to Know
3. Synthesia
Synthesia is a leading AI video maker for entrepreneurs and businesses, best known for its lifelike AI avatars that act as presenters.
It allows you to turn images, slides, or scripts into professional training videos, corporate presentations, and product explainers.
Unlike other image-to-video AI software, Synthesia focuses on communication and branding, making it ideal for entrepreneurs who need polished, people-driven video content without hiring actors or video crews.
Key Features of Synthesia
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| AI avatars | Choose from 120+ human-like avatars to present your message. |
| Multi-language support | Generate voiceovers in 120+ languages and accents. |
| Custom avatars | Create branded avatars that represent your team or business. |
| Script-to-video | Convert text scripts into spoken, animated video presentations. |
| Media integration | Add images, logos, or backgrounds to personalise videos. |
| Browser-based platform | No installation, accessible on any device. |
| Collaboration | Teams can collaborate on projects in real-time. |
Synthesia Pricing
| Plan | Price |
|---|---|
| Basic | Free |
| Starter | $18/month |
| Creator | $64/month |
| Corporate | Custom pricing |
Pros and Cons of Synthesia
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Professional-looking AI avatars make videos engaging and human-like. | Not designed for artistic or cinematic videos. |
| It saves businesses the cost of hiring actors, studios, and equipment. | It can feel repetitive if the same avatar style is overused. |
| Multi-language voiceovers expand global reach. | Limited flexibility for highly creative storytelling. |
| Very beginner-friendly with drag-and-drop editing. | Pricing can climb quickly for businesses needing large volumes. |
| Works perfectly for training, explainer, and product demo videos. | Avatars, though realistic, may lack full natural body language. |
| Accessible anywhere—100% browser-based platform. | Requires a strong internet connection for smooth operation. |
| Great customer support and frequent updates. | No offline editing option. |
4. Kaiber AI
Kaiber AI is an image-to-animation AI tool built for artists, musicians, and creators who want to transform static visuals into cinematic, stylised videos.
It stands out as one of the most creative AI video creation tools, letting users animate album art, illustrations, or photos with unique styles and music-driven effects.
For entrepreneurs in the creative and entertainment industries, Kaiber offers a way to stand out with eye-catching, artistic content.
Key Features of Kaiber AI
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Image-to-video animation | Turns static images into animated, stylised sequences. |
| Music video mode | Generates visuals synced to music or soundtracks. |
| Style library | Wide range of artistic filters (cinematic, 3D, anime-inspired, abstract). |
| Custom prompts | Guide AI output with text prompts for unique results. |
| Video remixing | Upload existing clips and reimagine them with new styles. |
| Export options | Supports MP4 outputs for sharing across platforms. |
| Intuitive interface | Simple to use, even for non-technical creators. |
Kaiber AI Pricing
| Plan | Price |
|---|---|
| Flex | $0 |
| Creator | $29/month |
| Professional | $149/month |
| Visionary | Custom pricing |
Pros and Cons of Kaiber AI
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Highly creative outputs with unique visual styles. | Less suited for professional business or corporate content. |
| Music-synced videos make it ideal for musicians and performers. | Quality can vary depending on the chosen style or prompt clarity. |
| Affordable entry pricing for individuals and small creators. | Requires experimentation to get consistent results. |
| Easy to use with a minimal learning curve. | Lacks advanced editing and professional customisation tools. |
| Wide range of artistic templates and effects. | Free or low-tier plans come with noticeable watermarks. |
| Great for branding, storytelling, and artistic marketing campaigns. | Output length is limited unless on higher plans. |
| Quick exports for social media sharing. | Not ideal for formal presentations or training videos. |
5. Lumen5
Lumen5 is one of the most popular AI tools for video marketing, designed for entrepreneurs, startups, and SMEs. It converts blog posts, images, and ideas into polished marketing videos using drag-and-drop simplicity.
Unlike creative-heavy tools like Kaiber, Lumen5 focuses on speed and branding, making it one of the best image-to-video AI tools for businesses that need professional, shareable content without hiring an editing team.
Key Features of Lumen5
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Blog-to-video | Automatically turns written content into engaging videos. |
| Image-to-video creation | Upload images and transform them into animated social posts. |
| Templates & branding | Customise fonts, colours, and logos to keep videos on-brand. |
| Drag-and-drop editor | Beginner-friendly editing with no technical skills required. |
| Media library | Access to millions of stock photos, clips, and audio tracks. |
| AI scene selection | Automatically selects the most relevant parts of your content. |
| Social media ready | Exports are optimised for LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. |
Lumen5 Pricing
| Plan | Price |
|---|---|
| Free | $0/month |
| Starter | $15/month |
| Professional | $50/month |
| Team | Custom pricing |
Pros and Cons of Lumen5
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Extremely user-friendly, ideal for entrepreneurs with no editing experience. | Advanced users may find editing options too limited. |
| Automates video creation from blog posts or scripts. | Higher-tier plans can be pricey for small businesses. |
| Strong focus on branding with custom colours, logos, and fonts. | Videos can look formulaic if templates are overused. |
| Large stock media library included. | Free/low-tier plans have restricted access to premium assets. |
| Perfect for creating marketing, social media, and ad videos. | Not designed for creative or artistic storytelling. |
| Optimised for all major social platforms. | Limited animation and cinematic effects compared to Runway or Kaiber. |
| Saves time and produces ready-to-publish videos in minutes. | Best results often need higher-priced subscriptions. |
See Also: I Tested the 6 Best AI Business Photo Generators – Here Is What I Found
Practical Use Cases of AI Video Creation Tools for Entrepreneurs
Video has become essential for marketing, branding, and customer engagement, and AI video creation tools make it accessible to entrepreneurs without the need for expensive production teams.
Whether you run a startup, small business, or creative brand, the best image-to-video AI tools can help you save time, cut costs, and produce professional-quality content.
| Use Case | Entrepreneur Benefit | Best Tools to Use |
|---|---|---|
| Marketing Ads | Turn product photos into short promo videos for ads and social media. | Pictory AI, Lumen5 |
| Product Launches | Create branded explainer videos that grab attention and build excitement. | Lumen5, Synthesia |
| Training Videos | Replace manuals with engaging tutorials for staff and customers. | Synthesia, Pictory AI |
| Social Media Content | Post consistent, eye-catching videos to boost engagement and follower growth. | Pictory AI, Lumen5, Kaiber |
| Brand Storytelling | Use artistic visuals and animations to make your brand stand out. | Kaiber AI, Runway ML |
| Investor Pitches | Add motion and voice to pitch decks for a professional, persuasive touch. | Synthesia, Runway ML |
| Music & Art Projects | Turn album art or creative concepts into animated or music-driven videos. | Kaiber AI, Runway ML |
| Repurposed Content | Convert blogs or articles into short video highlights to reach new audiences. | Pictory AI, Lumen5 |
The Future of AI in Image-to-Video Conversion
AI is reshaping how businesses and creators produce video content, and the next wave of innovation promises even more opportunities.
From immersive storytelling to smarter automation, image-to-video AI software will continue to expand the way entrepreneurs market, train, and connect with audiences.
| Trend | What It Means for Entrepreneurs | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Hyper-Personalisation | Videos tailored to each customer’s preferences and behaviour. | Boosts engagement and conversion rates. |
| AR & VR Integration | AI-generated videos blending with augmented and virtual reality experiences. | Creates immersive marketing, training, and product demos. |
| Ethical AI & Deepfake Control | Stricter safeguards against misuse of AI-generated faces and voices. | Builds trust and protects brand reputation. |
| Faster Cloud Processing | Shorter render times and more powerful AI engines. | Saves time, making high-quality video creation instant. |
| Low-Cost Democratisation | More affordable AI tools are accessible to startups and small businesses. | Levels the playing field with big brands. |
| Cross-Platform Automation | AI videos auto-optimised for TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, and LinkedIn. | Streamlines content creation for multiple channels at once. |
| Creative Expansion | New artistic styles, 3D animations, and cinematic effects are available. | Allows small brands to produce high-end content on a budget. |
Conclusion
AI is transforming how entrepreneurs create video content, turning simple images into professional marketing assets, training tools, and creative stories.
By choosing the right image-to-video AI software, small businesses can save time, cut costs, and compete with larger brands. The future belongs to those who embrace these tools early, and now is the best time to start.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the best image-to-video AI tool for beginners?
Pictory AI and Lumen5 are the most beginner-friendly. They use drag-and-drop simplicity and templates, making them ideal for entrepreneurs without editing experience.
Can AI tools really replace professional video editors?
Not entirely. AI tools are excellent for quick marketing clips, social posts, and explainers, but complex storytelling or cinematic productions may still require human editors.
Are AI image-to-video generators expensive?
No. Many start as low as $10–$20 per month. Most tools also offer free trials, making them affordable for startups and small businesses.
Which AI video maker is best for corporate training or presentations?
Synthesia is best for business settings, thanks to its AI avatars and multi-language voiceovers. It helps create professional training and explainer videos at scale.
What is the most creative AI image-to-video software?
Kaiber AI and Runway ML excel at artistic storytelling, music videos, and experimental visuals, perfect for creators and brands seeking originality.
Can I use AI video creation tools for social media marketing?
Yes. Tools like Pictory AI, Lumen5, and Kaiber AI are optimised for platforms like TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn, helping entrepreneurs boost visibility.
Is AI video creation safe and ethical?
Yes, but caution is needed. Reputable tools follow ethical AI practices, but misuse like deepfakes remains a concern. Always use AI-generated content responsibly.
