Decide this first
Whether you want to make a "cinematic piece" or an "explainer / how-to video" changes which tool to pick. The former is the strength of generative tools; the latter, of avatar tools.
Cinematic expression and serious generation
- Runway — Rich editing features too; a production-leaning standard.
- Sora — High expressive power from text.
- Veo — From Google. A balance of quality and ease of use.
- Kling — Highly rated for natural motion.
Quick and easy, short clips for social
- Pika / Luma Dream Machine — Good for whipping up short clips fast.
Avatar-based explainers and training videos
- HeyGen — Strong at multilingual avatar videos.
- Synthesia — A standard for training and internal videos.
Bottom line
If you're unsure, a safe start is Runway or Veo for generative work, and HeyGen for avatars. Since clip length and pricing plans change rapidly, be sure to check each tool's page and its official site for the latest.