Write the script
Ask for a 45-second script with a hook in the first two seconds and one clear takeaway. Read it out loud and trim anything that drags.
| Tool | Evidence | Plan | Good for | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Claude | Strong Why?
| Freemium Chat, web search and file creation | Writing, brainstorming and scripts | ~10 min |
| ChatGPT | Strong Why?
| Freemium Limited messages, images and voice | Writing, ideas and images | ~10 min |
| Gemini | Moderate Why?
| Freemium Everyday use plus 15 GB storage | Writing with Google search built in | ~10 min |
Record the voiceover
Paste the script in, pick a voice that fits your topic, and export the audio. Check the plan allows commercial use if the channel is monetized.
| Tool | Evidence | Plan | Good for | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ElevenLabs | Strong Why?
| Freemium 10,000 credits a month; no commercial license | Most natural-sounding narration | ~10 min |
| Murf | Strong Why?
| Freemium 10 minutes of voice, no downloads | Voiceovers with a timeline to sync to footage | ~10 min |
| CapCut | Moderate Why?
| Freemium Basic editing and templates; premium AI features locked | Built-in text to speech | ~5 min |
Find the visuals
Collect a clip for each line of the script. Stock footage is fastest; generated clips are more unique.
| Tool | Evidence | Plan | Good for | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Runway | Strong Why?
| Freemium 125 one-time credits | Generate custom clips | ~25 min |
| Pexels | Moderate Why? | Free Free photos and videos, including commercial use | Free stock footage | ~15 min |
| Kling | Moderate Why?
| Freemium 66 credits a day; watermark, no commercial use | Realistic motion from images | ~25 min |
| Pika | Moderate Why?
| Paid Free account, but no monthly credits | Quick stylized video clips | ~20 min |
Edit and caption
Line the clips up with the voiceover, add bold captions and quiet background music, and export at 9:16.
| Tool | Evidence | Plan | Good for | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CapCut | Strong Why?
| Freemium Basic editing and templates; premium AI features locked | Free auto captions | ~30 min |
| Descript | Strong Why?
| Freemium 1 hour of media a month, 720p, watermark | Edit by editing the transcript | ~30 min |
| Submagic | Strong Why?
| Paid | Polished animated caption styles | ~10 min |
| VEED | Moderate Why?
| Freemium 720p with watermark, 10-minute limit, no AI tools | Edit and caption in the browser | ~30 min |
We build workflows from published reviews, guides and tool documentation, not hands-on testing. Plans change often, so confirm the current details on each tool's site.