Last updated: October 17, 2026. Free plans change often; we checked each one against the company’s own pages and tried Google Vids ourselves.
Short answer: the best free AI video generator right now is Google Vids. Since April 2026 every personal Google account gets 10 free AI video clips a month made with Google’s Veo model. Kling and Hailuo give small daily allowances with a watermark. Runway gives a one-time 125 credits. Some big names are no longer free at all: Sora has shut down, and Grok put its video tools behind a paywall.
Google Vids (Veo)
Ten free clips a month from Google’s top video model, in a free editor, with no credit card. Our test clip was ready in about 40 seconds.
Free AI video generators compared
| Tool | What you get free | Limits | Watermark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Vids (Veo) | 10 video clips a month | 720p, 10-second clips in our test | Small sparkle mark in the corner |
| Kling AI | Daily free credits | Short clips, slower queue on free | Yes |
| Hailuo (MiniMax) | Daily free credits | Short 720p clips on free | Yes |
| Runway | 125 credits, one time only | Credits never refresh; limited model choice | Yes |
| Pika | Small monthly credit allowance | Lower resolution on free | Varies |
| Luma | No real free plan | Trial credits come with paid plans (from US$30/month) | — |
| Sora | Not available | Shut down April 26, 2026 | — |
| Grok Imagine | Not free | Paywall for free accounts in our October test | — |
We tried it: Google Vids, free account
We opened vids.new on a free personal Google account, chose Create AI videos, and typed one prompt. The settings panel showed the free defaults: 720p and 10-second clips. The clip was ready in about 40 seconds and saved straight to Google Drive.
The result was good: a believable bike, wet pavement reflections and a slow camera push-in, just as asked. The only branding is a small sparkle icon in the bottom-right corner.
Two things to know:
- It’s in Vids, not the Gemini app. On the same free account, the Gemini app offered “Create image” and “Create music”, but no video option. Video on Gemini itself needs a paid plan, such as Google AI Plus at CA$6.99 a month.
- Ten clips go fast. Each new attempt counts, so write a detailed prompt the first time: subject, setting, light and camera movement.
The other free options
Kling AI: best daily allowance
Kling tops up free accounts with credits every day, which is rare. Free clips are short and watermarked, and the free queue can be slow when it’s busy. It’s the best choice if you want to make a little video every day without paying.
Hailuo (MiniMax): good motion, small daily quota
Hailuo also gives daily free credits for short 720p clips with a watermark. Its motion and physics are strong for the price of zero. It’s worth trying alongside Kling.
Runway: a taste, not a plan
Runway’s free plan is 125 credits, once. They never refresh, and every free video carries a Runway watermark, according to Runway’s own help page. It’s enough to test the editor and a few seconds of video, not to make anything regular.
Pika: quick social clips
Pika’s free Basic plan includes a small monthly credit allowance at lower resolution. It’s fine for playful effects on a photo, less so for realistic footage.
Not free any more
- Sora: OpenAI shut down the Sora app and website on April 26, 2026, and the Sora API on September 24, 2026.
- Grok Imagine: in our October 15 test, free accounts hit a paywall after a few images, and video is part of the paid plans.
- Luma: there’s no standalone free plan now; trial credits come with paid plans, starting with Plus at US$30 a month (US$25 billed yearly).
Which free AI video generator should you use?
| If you want… | Use |
|---|---|
| The best quality for free | Google Vids (10 clips a month) |
| A little video every day | Kling AI |
| A second daily option | Hailuo |
| To try a pro editor | Runway (125 one-time credits) |
| Fun effects on a photo | Pika |
Tips to stretch a free plan
- Write the full shot in one prompt: subject, place, time of day, camera move and style. Retries cost the same as first tries.
- Start from an image. Image-to-video usually gives more control than text alone, and most free plans include it.
- Keep it short. Free clips are 5 to 10 seconds. Plan several short shots and join them in a free editor like Vids.
- Check the watermark before you post. Most free plans add one. Google’s mark is small; others are larger.
FAQ
What is the best free AI video generator?
Google Vids, in our view. Every personal Google account gets 10 free clips a month made with Veo, Google’s top video model, and our test clip was ready in about 40 seconds.
Is there a free AI video generator without a watermark?
Very few. Kling, Hailuo and Runway watermark free videos. Google Vids adds only a small sparkle icon in the corner.
Can I make AI videos with Gemini for free?
Not in the Gemini app on a free account; we saw no video option there. Use Google Vids instead, which includes 10 free Veo clips a month.
Is Sora still free?
No. OpenAI discontinued the Sora app and website on April 26, 2026, and the API on September 24, 2026.