Short-form video is dominating every major platform—YouTube Shorts, Instagram Reels, TikTok, and Facebook. But creating eye-catching vertical videos consistently can feel like a full-time job… unless you let AI do the heavy lifting.

Today, dozens of AI tools can generate shorts from text, turn long videos into clips, add captions, design layouts, and even create faceless avatar videos. The problem? Most tools hide their good features behind paywalls.

So I researched deeply and compiled the best AI short-video makers that genuinely offer useful free plans—not useless trials.

Let’s dive in.

🔥 Quick Comparison: Best Free AI Short-Video Makers (2025)

🧩 1. Short AI — Best All-in-One Tool for Repurposing Long Videos

If you already have YouTube videos, webinars, or podcasts, Short AI instantly turns them into multiple viral-style clips.

Top Features

• Auto-extracts 10+ viral moments per video
• Auto-adds captions
• Generates faceless shorts
• Can schedule posts across platforms

Free Plan

✔ Bulk clip creation
✔ Limited short scheduling
❌ Paid plan needed for full automation

Perfect for: YouTubers, educators, podcasters.

🧩 2. Opus Clip / Opus Pro — Best for Viral-Optimized Shorts

Opus Clip is one of the most popular AI tools for turning long YouTube videos into short, engaging clips.

Why It’s Great

• Detects “viral moments” using AI
• Adds b-roll, dynamic layouts, zooms
• Auto-formats vertical videos for Shorts, Reels & TikTok

Free Plan

✔ Small number of free AI clips per month
✔ No credit card
❌ Limitations in exporting HD videos

Perfect for: Creators who want AI-optimized viral clips.

🧩 3. Vmaker AI Clip Maker — Best for Bulk Splitting Long Videos

Vmaker is a simple but powerful tool for slicing long videos into multiple short clips in seconds.

Key Features

• AI auto-splits a long video
• Designed for Shorts, Reels, TikTok
• Useful for creators with longer content libraries

Free Plan

✔ Full clip generation
✔ Exports with watermark
❌ Some templates locked

Perfect for: Beginners and creators with limited editing skills.

🧩 4. Imagine Shorts — Best Prompt-to-Short Generator (AI Creates Everything)

Imagine Shorts is ideal if you want fully automated short-form videos with zero editing.

What It Does

• Takes a text prompt or idea
• Writes the script
• Generates visuals
• Creates narration
• Produces a complete vertical video

Free Plan

✔ Free trial with limited exports
❌ No watermark-free downloads on free level

Perfect for: Faceless channels and storytelling TikToks.

🧩 5. Canva AI Reel Maker — Best Free Template-Based Video Maker

Canva remains unbeatable when it comes to visual design and branding. Their AI Reel Maker adds:

Key Features

• Auto-generated reels from text
• Thousands of templates
• Quick resizing (Reels/Shorts/TikTok)
• Gorgeous transitions and animations

Free Plan

✔ Very generous
✔ No watermark
✔ Perfect for businesses

Perfect for: Brands, marketing teams, coaches.

🧩 6. InVideo AI — Best Prompt-to-Reel Maker

If you love generating videos from text prompts, InVideo AI is one of the strongest options.

Top Features

• AI scriptwriting
• Voiceovers
• Stock footage selection
• Auto-style for Reels & TikTok

Free Plan

✔ Multiple exports
✔ Resolution limits apply
❌ Watermark on free plan

Perfect for: Social media managers, agencies.

🧩 7. VEED AI Reel Generator — Fastest Idea-to-Reel Tool

VEED’s AI reel generator is perfect for quick short-form content with auto-captions.

What’s Great

• Fast idea-to-video
• Auto-captions (very accurate)
• Trendy layouts

Free Plan

✔ Basic editing
✔ Exports with watermark

Perfect for: Influencers & content creators.

🧩 8. HeyGen — Best for AI Avatar Talking-Head Videos

If you’re running a faceless channel, but still want a “host” for your videos, HeyGen is a game changer.

Capabilities

• Realistic human avatars
• AI voice syncing
• Script-to-hosted video
• Perfect for educational reels

Free Plan

✔ A few minutes of free 720p video
❌ Watermark

Perfect for: Explainer channels, faceless YouTube Shorts.

🧩 9. Gemini Video (Veo) — Best for Cinematic AI B-Roll

Google’s Gemini (with Veo model) can generate high-quality, cinematic video clips from text.

While it’s not an editor, it’s perfect for:

• B-roll
• Background shots
• Story visuals

Free Plan

✔ Limited free credits
✔ Works inside the editor
❌ Must edit clips in another video tool

Perfect for: Creative storytelling TikTok/Shorts.

🎯 Which AI Video Tool Should You Use? (Use-Case Breakdown)

If you want to repurpose long videos →

Short AI, Opus Clip, Vmaker

If you want to generate videos from text →

Imagine Shorts, InVideo AI, VEED

If you want branded, aesthetic reels →

Canva AI Reel Maker

If you want talking-head avatar videos →

HeyGen

If you want cinematic generative video →

Gemini (Veo)

📌 FAQs (SEO-Friendly)

1. What is the best free AI short video maker?

Canva, Opus Clip, Short AI, and Vmaker offer the best usable free plans.

2. Which AI tool is best for YouTube Shorts?

Short AI and Opus Clip are the top choices for repurposing long videos into Shorts.

3. What is the best AI Reels generator?

Canva and InVideo AI give the best free results for Instagram Reels.

4. Can AI create short videos from text?

Yes—Imagine Shorts, InVideo AI, and VEED can generate full videos using only a prompt.

5. What is the best AI avatar video tool?

HeyGen provides the most realistic avatars with free minutes included.