Creators Column

Find Your Best-Fit AI Video Generator: A Side-by-Side Comparison for Every Use Case

Veo 3.1, Sora 2, Wan 2.5, Hailuo 2.3, Kling 2.5, and Wan 2.2 — a YouTuber with 600K+ subscribers compares them all to figure out what each tool is best for, and when to use it.

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If you’ve tried keeping up with AI video tools lately, you know how fast this space moves. Every few weeks, a new model drops that claims to be “the most realistic yet.” Some are great for cinematic shots. Others only handle talking heads. Most are obsolete before you even finish your first export.

That’s why I decided to put together a practical breakdown of what’s actually working right now.

I’m the creator of the AI Search YouTube channel and website for AI tools and jobs. Over the past year, I’ve tested hundreds of tools from text and image generation to video and voice to help creators and marketers figure out what’s worth their time.

AI video generation is finally crossing the threshold from novelty to usability. The challenge, however, is that each model has a very specific sweet spot. Pick the right one, and you’ll get stunning results. Pick the wrong one, and you’ll spend hours fixing uncanny faces or broken physics.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through the top AI video generators available today as well as what each one’s best at, where it struggles, and when to use it.

If you’re creating marketing videos, explainer clips, or short-form content, this will help you choose the right tool for the job (without wasting a weekend testing them all).

I'm the creator of AI Search, a YouTube channel (~600K subscribers) and website for AI tools and jobs. Over the past year, I’ve tested hundreds of tools from text and image generation to video and voice to help creators and marketers figure out what’s worth their time.

Who is AI Search?

Quick Facts

The State of AI Video 2025

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The AI video landscape is exciting, chaotic, and evolving every week (there might very well be a new update by the time this article is published). 

With the tools on the market, what used to take a full production team can now be done with a single prompt and some patience.

But, we’re still early. None of the current models can do it all. Some handle dialogue and sound beautifully but struggle with movement. Others can create complex camera shots but can’t produce audio or natural facial expressions.

When I test these tools, I think about three main things:

  • Sound: Does it generate believable speech or audio directly in the model?
  • Movement: How well does it handle physics — like walking, jumping, turning, or interacting with objects?
  • Scene control: Can I guide the camera or upload reference images for consistency?

Those three variables shape which tool I choose to use for a project. The right model depends on what kind of video you’re trying to create, whether it’s a talking-head explainer, an ad-style montage, or a cinematic sequence with camera motion.

Right now, we’re seeing two clear categories emerge:

  • Models with sound.

    • These generate both visuals and audio in a single pass. Think Google’s Veo 3.1, OpenAI’s Sora 2, and Alibaba’s Wan 2.5. They’re great for narrative or talking-style videos.

  • Models without sound.

    • These focus purely on motion, physics, and visual realism. Tools like Hailuo 2.3, Kling 2.5, and Wan 2.2 shine here. You’ll need to add audio separately, but you get more cinematic control.

So when you’re picking an AI video generator, don’t look for a tool that’s the “best.”

Instead, ask yourself “What kind of shot am I trying to make?” and find the tool best suited for your project. 

Once you know that, the choice becomes a lot clearer.

Tool Showdown

AI Video Generator Cheat Sheet: Which Tool to Use and When

Best For Use This Tool If... My Take
Veo 3.1 (Google)

Talking-head or portrait videos with sound.
You’re making an explainer, podcast host, or speaker-style clip.
Generates realistic mid-shots and synced speech; easy to drop in character or reference images. Not ideal for complex movement or action.
Sora 2 (OpenAI)

Multi-scene storytelling, ads, or narrative videos.
You want a polished, ad-style sequence with multiple scenes or characters.
Has the strongest world understanding and style control; creates scenes that feel cohesive. Still struggles with physics and fast movement.
Wan 2.5 (Alibaba)

Affordable clips with basic sound and moderate action.
You’re on a budget but want 1080p, short-form, sound-enabled video.
Not as intelligent as Veo or Sora, but faster and cheaper. Can handle moderate action, though sound quality is weaker.
Hailuo 2.3

Cinematic, high-action scenes with precise camera motion.
You’re producing sports, stunts, or dynamic movement with tracking shots.
Excellent physics and camera direction control (tilt, zoom, pan). No sound yet, but visually impressive for motion-heavy content.
Kling 2.5

Realistic human motion and detailed body movement.
You’re generating sports, dance, or gymnastics scenes.
Best for anatomy accuracy and fluid movement; optional sound effects (not native). Produces clean 1080p sequences.
Wan 2.2 (Open Source)

Full creative control, offline rendering, and custom styles.
You want to experiment locally, use LoRAs, or transfer your own motion.
Open-source flexibility with tons of plugins like Wan Animate; can mimic your movement on 3D characters. Lower resolution (720p) and no native sound.

AI video generator cheat sheet

AI Video Generator Cheat Sheet: Which Tool to Use and When

Want this table handy? Click here to access the download-able spreadsheet. Easy to bookmark and share.

The Best AI Video Tools I’ve Tested (and What Each One Does Best)

One

Veo 3.1 (Google)

Google’s latest video model, Veo 3.1, is a small but meaningful step up from its previous version. It’s not a full upgrade (don’t expect a leap to “Veo 4” quality yet), but it does bring better audio realism, stronger prompt control, and slightly more accurate motion.
veo 3.1

In my tests, I found Veo 3.1 strongest when used for talking-head videos, portraits, or short narrative clips with synced sound. It handles dialogue naturally and keeps character consistency better than almost any other model right now.

Standout Features

  • Ingredients to Video. Users can upload multiple reference images (characters, objects, or products) and insert them directly into a scene. For example, you can have a host holding your product or an animated figure running through your chosen background.
  • Frames to Video. Upload a reference image as the starting or ending frame of your clip. 
That flexibility makes it great for short branded content or product explainers. In one of my tests, I uploaded three product photos and asked for “a TikTok-style influencer video where she holds up and talks about these three products, one by one.” Veo handled it surprisingly well — showing a girl holding each item, matching the reference images, and even speaking naturally. It’s not perfect, but it’s usable.
Screenshot 2025-12-02 at 3.47.47 PM-1

Veo’s biggest strength is character consistency. You can keep a person or object looking mostly the same across shots, something that’s still hit-or-miss for most models. It’s also solid for simple, slow-moving scenes: a host, a comedian, a speaker, or a brand ambassador talking on camera.

The sound quality is noticeably better than in most other tools. It can produce clear voices, background sound, and even basic music without external editing.

Physics, motion, and anatomy are still major weak spots. If your prompt involves jumping, dancing, fighting, or fast camera movement, Veo has some weak spots. The limbs warp, the action looks sluggish, and realism falls apart. In my tests, Hailuo 2.3 and Kling 2.5 were far better for anything involving movement or complex poses.

It also fails at world understanding. When I asked for “Lord of the Rings but Gen Z style,” it didn’t recognize the characters or tone. Sora 2 nailed it. Same with a “StarCraft match commentary.” Sora 2 understood the reference perfectly. Veo didn’t.

Finally, text, diagrams, and physics-based tasks (like juggling or gymnastics) just don’t work well yet.

  • Resolution: 720p by default, upscalable to 1080p
  • Duration: 8 seconds (can be extended by chaining clips)
  • Platform: Google Flow
  • Also Available On: Higgsfield, Replicate, WaveSpeed

Veo 3.1 fully tested

Veo 3.1 fully tested

“A podcast host speaking to camera in a studio, explaining how AI helps marketers create video content.”

“A comedian tells a short joke on stage. Audience reacts naturally.”

Prompt examples to try with Veo 3.1

Two

Sora 2 (OpenAI)

Sora 2 is OpenAI’s latest and most advanced AI video model, and right now it’s arguably the most capable tool on the market for generating story-driven, multi-scene videos with integrated sound. It combines strong world understanding with solid audio generation and scene stitching, making it ideal for ad-style clips, product videos, and short narratives.

Sora 2 Real-World Example

While still in limited release, early demos show how far the tech has come. In one viral example, a user prompted Sora to create an imaginary commercial for a squirrel-powered composter called Nibbler. The model generated multiple scenes — from squirrels dropping leaves into the machine to a fully voiced product narration — all from a single text prompt.
Screenshot 2025-12-02 at 4.11.09 PM

Standout Features

  • Native audio generation. Sora produces realistic voices, music, and sound design in one pass. The audio tracks are synchronized with the visuals better than any other model I’ve tested.
  • “Cameos.” You can record yourself (or someone else) inside the Sora app and turn that clip into a reusable digital model. That cameo can then appear in future videos, complete with your likeness and voice.
  • Scene-level understanding. You can describe multiple shots in one prompt, and Sora automatically stitches them together. It’s the first model that feels like it understands editing rhythm and comedic timing.

Sora is built for storytelling. It’s the best choice for ads, short narratives, and branded content that require multiple shots or characters interacting.

 Its scene transitions, pacing, and composition feel cinematic and coherent, much closer to traditional video editing than earlier one-shot models, like Veo 2 or Runway Gen-2.

The model also has excellent “world understanding.” If you prompt for something like “a surreal Wes Anderson–style commercial for an underwater bakery,” Sora will nail the tone, framing, and movement in a way that feels deliberate and creative. It’s also strong with humor, physical comedy, and fantasy scenes that rely on style over realism.

Sora still struggles with complex physics. High-action movement like dancing, gymnastics, or fight scenes often look stiff or distorted. It’s best for moderate motion and storytelling, not full kinetic realism.

OpenAI also has strict guardrails: You can’t generate real celebrities or copyrighted characters unless you’re using approved Cameos. Some creative prompts get flagged for brand or likeness issues.

  • Resolution: Up to 1080p (Pro plan)
  • Duration: ~15 seconds (Pro can do 25 seconds)
  • Audio: Fully integrated and synced
  • Review & Comparison: YouTube Video

Sora 2 full review

Sora 2… wtf

“A woman looks extremely sad. She bursts out crying while saying “AI never sleeps”. Then, the camera pans right to reveal a man who is very happy and excited. He screams wildly “And this week has been absolutely insane!!!”

“An influencer reviews a new smartwatch in a bright studio, with realistic dialogue and synced voiceover.”

Prompt examples to try with Sora 2

Three

Wan 2.5 (Alibaba)

Alibaba’s Wan 2.5 is one of the most practical entry points into AI video generation, especially if you’re looking for a free or low-cost model with native sound.

It doesn’t hit the realism of Veo or the scene complexity of Sora, but it’s fast, accessible, and surprisingly solid for short clips.

You can think of it as a budget-friendly all-rounder: it’s good enough for quick social videos, product teasers, or light action shots.

Screenshot 2025-12-02 at 4.23.49 PM

Standout Features

  • Native sound support. Wan can generate dialogue, music, and ambient sound directly in the video. The audio isn’t as natural as Sora or Veo, but for most use cases, it works fine out of the box.
  • Cinematic lighting and realism. The model has an unusually good grasp of lighting and mood. Even without perfect physics, it produces scenes that look cinematic.
  • Simple workflow. You can generate clips up to 10 seconds in 1080p, right from the Wan platform.
Wan is best for quick content generation, things like short commercials, teaser shots, influencer-style clips, or experimental visuals. If you’re just starting to explore AI video or want something lightweight and free, Wan 2.5 gives you an easy way to experiment without worrying about access or cost.

The main limitation is world understanding. Wan often misinterprets niche cultural references or detailed story prompts. Plus, its audio output can sound slightly robotic. It also lacks advanced features like Veo’s “ingredients to video” or “frames to video.”

  • Resolution: Up to 1080p
  • Duration: 10 seconds per generation
  • Audio: Native (voice + music)
  • Availability: Open access, no invite required

“Two martial artists sparring in a dojo, cinematic lighting, synchronized movement, ambient fight sounds.”

“A podcast interview in a cozy, somewhat dimly lit studio.The podcaster is an Indian man and the guest is an Australian woman. Here’s the dialogue: Podcaster: “What’s your favorite healthy snack?” Guest: “Almonds, definitely. It’s a superfood”

Prompt Examples to Try with Wan 2.5

Four

Wan 2.2 (Open Source)

Wan 2.2 is the most powerful open-weight video model currently available. You can run it locally, offline, and even fine-tune it with LoRAs from the open-source community to generate different characters, art styles, camera angles, and VFX.

While it can’t match the realism or integrated audio of closed-source models like Veo or Sora, it’s an incredible sandbox for creators who want full control over their workflow.

Screenshot 2025-12-02 at 4.29.08 PM

Standout Features

  • Local, offline generation. Run the model directly on your own GPU without cloud restrictions or content filters.
  • LoRA support. Import community-trained LoRAs to instantly change style, genre, or subject. Great for anime, cinematic, or stylized looks.
  • Plugin ecosystem. Extensions like Wan Animate let you transfer motion from one video to another. For instance, film yourself acting and apply your movements — including full facial, body, and hand motion — to another character.

Perfect for technical creators, researchers, and indie studios who want full freedom to tinker, automate, and render locally. It’s also great for those building creative pipelines with character motion, animation, or multi-style experiments.

Its offline setup means you can render privately, without censorship or API costs — ideal for prototyping ideas or building custom datasets.

Because it’s open-source, setup can be complex, and results vary depending on your GPU power and installed LoRAs. It also has no native sound, so you’ll need to pair it with plugins or external tools to add dialogue or music.

  • Resolution: 720p (default)
  • Duration: 5 seconds (extendable through chaining)
  • Audio: None (add via plugins)

Wan 2.2 full review

This is the BEST free AI video generator! Wan 2.2 tutorial

“The camera pushes in towards the couple kissing. The man is in a black suit. The woman is wearing a red dress."

“A young figure skater gracefully ice skating on a frozen river that winds through a snowy, mountainous canyon. The camera follows her dynamic movements as she skates and twirls. Fast tracking shot, high action."

Prompt Examples to Try with Wan 2.2

Five

Hailuo 2.3

Hailuo’s latest release, Hailuo 2.3, is a massive leap forward for AI video tools, especially if you care about physics and motion. 

It’s the new benchmark for high-action, fast-moving video generation, and in my tests, it even outperformed Sora 2 and Veo 3.1 in realism and complexity.

This is the model you use when you want motion that looks like motion — not the slow, floaty effect you often get with other generators.

Screenshot 2025-12-02 at 4.33.03 PM

Standout Features

  • Superior physics simulation. Hailuo 2.3 can handle acrobatics, juggling, skating, and fight choreography with far fewer distortions than most models.
  • Cinematic camera control. You can specify camera actions directly in your prompt. That includes commands like tilt, orbit, zoom, pan, or tracking shots. The result is a video with a more dynamic, film-like quality.
  • Strong prompt understanding. It handles complicated, multi-element scenes better than almost any other model. You can stack details (like a ballerina, a rabbit, and an elephant outside a window), and it will usually include them all accurately.
  • World understanding with minimal censorship. Unlike Veo or Sora, Hailuo allows the generation of recognizable people or characters, including celebrities and anime figures.

Hailuo is best for cinematic and action-heavy scenes. Think epic fight sequences with fast camera pans. It also nails scene composition — from icy mountains to crowded markets — while maintaining consistent lighting and perspective.

In my side-by-side tests, it consistently produced the most dynamic and realistic motion out of any model. For battle scenes, anime clips, or fantasy environments, it’s hard to beat.

The biggest drawback is that Hailuo doesn’t generate audio. All clips are silent, so you’ll need to pair them with another sound or dubbing model if you want music or dialogue. It also can’t yet generate end frames, so if you want to define both start and end stills, you’ll need the earlier version, Hailuo 0.2.

Like most video models, it still struggles with text, diagrams, and motion graphics, anything requiring precise symbols or educational visuals.

  • Resolution: Up to 1080p 
  • Duration: Up to 6 seconds (1080p); 768p can go to ~10s
  • Audio: None (silent output)
  • Access: Free account includes four generations per day

Hailuo 2.3 full review

We have a new top AI video generator!

“A sorceress casting massive fireballs while her opponent summons icy dragons, their powers clashing midair with explosive shockwaves. Fast camera pans, motion blur, epic cinematic lighting.”

“A child climbs a ladder bridging dual dimensions — left half a bustling city skyline at dawn, right half an ancient ruined temple under moonlight.”

Prompt Examples to Try with Hailuo 2.3

Six

Kling 2.5 (Turbo)

Kling 2.5 Turbo is a big upgrade: more stable motion, cleaner anatomy, tighter camera control, and far cheaper generations than earlier Kling releases. 

In side-by-side tests, I was impressed by its fast action, tracking shots, and image-to-video fidelity. You can optionally add audio, but it isn’t natively generated like Veo or Sora.

Screenshot 2025-12-02 at 4.36.26 PM

Standout Features

  • Physics + anatomy you can trust. Gymnastics, parkour, board sports, kung fu — the movements hold up without limb warping or rubbery collisions.
  • Precise camera direction. Obeys pans, orbits, whip zooms, speed ramps, and aggressive one-takes.
  • Image-to-video leader. Preserves faces, wardrobe, and scene details across motion; strong for dance and group shots.

High-action cinematics, dynamic tracking, breakdancing, fight scenes, snowboarding off cliffs, crowded market walk-throughs, and any brief scene that lives or dies by camera choreography. It also holds character consistency well when starting from a still frame.

The main limitation is that Kling doesn’t produce native audio. You can add sound effects or voiceover in post, but synchronization and realism won’t reach the same level as models like Sora or Veo. 

It also struggles with text and on-screen elements. Basically anything involving written words, charts, or UI components tends to generate garbled or inconsistent visuals. 

Like many closed models, it has some restrictions around generating real people or likenesses, which limit direct recreations of celebrities or public figures.

  • Duration: 5s (~25 credits) or 10s (~50 credits)
  • Resolution: 1080p outputs supported
  • Audio: Optional add-on (not native)
  • Modes: Text-to-Video, Image-to-Video (start frame only for 2.5 Turbo)

 “First-person parkour across rooftops at golden hour; sprint, vault, wall-run, front flip to gap; continuous tracking shot, whip pans, subtle motion blur, high shutter.”

“A group of ninjas ambushing a heavily armored samurai in a bamboo forest, with swift sword strikes, acrobatic flips, and leaves swirling in the wind.”

Prompt Examples to Try with Kling 2.5

Kling 2.5 Turbo full review

The best AI video generator just dropped!

How to Choose an AI Video Editing Tool

Every few weeks, a new AI video model drops, and it feels like unwrapping a strange gift. Some surprise you, others disappoint you, and a few quietly become essentials. The trick isn’t chasing perfection—it’s learning the quirks.


Right now, no single model can carry a whole production on its own. Some nail dialogue and expression but fall apart the second you ask for complex motion, while others handle dynamic action and camera moves but give you nothing for sound. That means you’re constantly trading audio quality for physics, realism for flexibility, and speed for control.

My approach is to treat these tools like a toolbox. Veo for faces and dialogue. Kling and Hailuo for motion and high action scenes. Sora for multi-shot scenes and better world understanding. And Wan for an open-source local option with a ton of plugins for more control.

There’s no one AI video model that ‘rules them all’, but you can absolutely make great videos right now if you leverage the strengths each model has to offer and combine them together!

 

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