Pictory AI Video Creator Review | Features, Pricing and Free Usage

In 2024, you know that creating engaging video content is essential for effective communication and marketing. However, traditional video production can be both time-consuming and costly. Pictory, an AI-powered video creation platform, aims to simplify this process by transforming text content into captivating videos effortlessly. In this review we assess Pictory’s capabilities, and explain how it functions, how to set up an account, it’s pricing, advantages, disadvantages, and its competitors. We’ll also address some frequently asked questions.

*Note this guide also includes the latest updates with Pictory ai and it has been updated with all the latest info available from the Pictory ai help center until June 2024.

What is Pictory AI?

Pictory is an innovative AI-driven video creation platform that converts text-based content into engaging videos. Launched to cater to content marketers, bloggers, and social media managers, Pictory simplifies video production, making it accessible even to those with no video editing skills. Using Artificial Intelligence (AI), Pictory transforms articles, blog posts, and other textual content into visually appealing videos that can be used for various purposes, from marketing to education.

The platform analyzes the text to extract key points and then pairs them with relevant images, video clips, and music to create a coherent and engaging video narrative. This process not only saves time but also ensures that the content is tailored to capture the audience’s attention effectively.

What Pictory AI Does? How it Works

Pictory functions by leveraging advanced AI and natural language processing (NLP) technologies to convert text into engaging video content. The process involves several key components:

• Text Analysis: Pictory begins by analyzing the provided text to identify key points and themes. The AI extracts the most relevant information to ensure that the resulting video captures the essence of the content.
• Content Matching: Once the key points are identified, Pictory’s AI matches these points with suitable visuals. This includes selecting appropriate images, video clips, and background music from its extensive library. Users can also upload their own media if they prefer.
• Storyboarding: Pictory then creates a storyboard, organizing the visuals and text in a logical sequence to form a coherent narrative. This storyboard serves as the blueprint for the final video.
• Customization: Users have the option to customize various elements of the video, such as the text overlay, fonts, colors, and transitions. This ensures that the video aligns with their brand and messaging.
• Video Generation: After customization, Pictory’s AI generates the video. The platform ensures that the visuals, text, and audio are synchronized, resulting in a polished and professional video.
• Review and Edit: Users can review the generated video and make any necessary edits. Pictory provides easy-to-use editing tools that allow users to tweak the content as needed.
• Export and Share: Once the video is finalized, users can export it in various formats and resolutions. Pictory also provides options for directly sharing the video on social media platforms or embedding it on websites.

Pictory AI Features and Benefits Chart

Feature	Benefit
AI Text Analysis	Extracts key points for video content
Content Matching	Selects suitable visuals and audio automatically
User-Friendly Interface	Simplifies the video creation process
Cost Efficiency	Reduces production costs
High Customization	Personalizes videos to align with branding
Versatility	Suitable for various industries and purposes
Multi-language Support	Reaches global audiences
Cloud-Based	Accessible from anywhere with an internet connection

How to Set Up an Account on Pictory AI?

Setting up an account on Pictory is straightforward and user-friendly. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

• Visit the Website: Go to Pictory’s official website. Look for the “Sign Up” or “Get Started” button, typically located on the homepage.
• Sign Up: Click the button to start the sign-up process. You’ll be prompted to enter your email address and create a password. Alternatively, you can sign up using your Google or Microsoft account for faster access.
• Select a Plan: Pictory offers various pricing plans to suit different needs. Choose the plan that best fits your requirements. You can start with a free trial to explore the platform’s features.
• Verify Your Account: After selecting a plan, you’ll receive a verification email. Click the link in the email to verify your account.
• Complete Your Profile: Once your account is verified, complete your profile by adding necessary information, such as your name and organization details. This helps personalize your experience on the platform.
• Payment Information: If you selected a paid plan, you’ll need to enter your payment details. Pictory supports various payment methods, including credit cards and PayPal.
• Start Creating: With your account set up, you can now start creating videos. Upload your text content, customize the video elements, and let Pictory’s AI do the rest.

Pictory also provides tutorials and guides to help new users navigate the platform, ensuring a smooth onboarding experience.

Suggested Reading: Top 20 AI Video Tools to Use in 2024 – Expert Curated List

Pictory AI Pricing – What it Costs?

Pictory offers several pricing tiers to cater to different user needs. Here’s a breakdown of the current pricing plans:

• Free Plan

Pictory offers a free plan that allows users to create and export up to three videos per month. This plan includes access to basic features and a limited media library.

• Standard Plan

Priced at $19 per month, the Standard Plan is suitable for individuals and small businesses. It includes unlimited video exports, access to the full media library, and basic customization options.

• Premium Plan

At $39 per month, the Premium Plan offers advanced features such as custom branding, priority support, and additional customization options. This plan is ideal for businesses that require more control over their video content.

• Enterprise Plan

For larger organizations with specific needs, Pictory offers custom pricing for the Enterprise Plan. This plan includes all the features of the Premium Plan, plus dedicated account management, enhanced security options, and integration with other enterprise tools.

• Educational and Non-Profit Discounts

Pictory provides discounted rates for educational institutions and non-profit organizations, making it more accessible for these groups to leverage AI video technology.

The pricing is competitive, considering the extensive features and capabilities it offers. The different plans ensure that users can find an option that fits their budget and needs.

What are the Advantages of Pictory AI?

Pictory offers several advantages that make it a valuable tool for video content creation.

Ease of Use

Pictory’s user-friendly interface makes video creation accessible to everyone, regardless of their technical skills. The platform guides users through each step, simplifying the process.

Time Efficiency

Traditional video production is often time-consuming. Pictory significantly reduces the time required to create videos. Users can transform text content into videos in minutes.

Cost Savings

Pictory eliminates the need for expensive video production equipment and teams. This makes it a cost-effective solution for businesses and individuals alike.

High-Quality Videos

Pictory’s AI ensures that the videos are professional and engaging. The platform’s advanced technology synchronizes visuals, text, and audio seamlessly.

Customization

Users can customize various elements of their videos, including text overlays, fonts, colors, and transitions. This allows for personalized and brand-aligned content.

Versatility

Pictory can be used for a wide range of purposes, from marketing and social media to education and training. Its versatility makes it suitable for different industries and applications.

Global Reach

With support for multiple languages and accents, Pictory is ideal for creating videos for a global audience. This feature is particularly beneficial for businesses with international reach.

Latest Updates with Pictory AI – Updated June (2024)

Pictory AI has seen significant updates and enhancements that bolster its capabilities as a leading video creation tool powered by artificial intelligence. Here are some of the most recent and noteworthy developments:

Enhanced Performance and Speed

One of the most notable updates includes turbo-charged previews and faster video generation. The previews now load in seconds, and video rendering has been significantly accelerated thanks to the addition of powerful new servers. This update ensures that users can create and preview their videos much more efficiently, saving valuable time in the process. Additionally, transcription speed has been improved, making the video editing process smoother and quicker​ (Pictory Help Center)​.

New Features and Improvements

Pictory AI has introduced several new features to enhance user experience:

• Teams Plan: A new Teams Plan allows users to invite up to 20 colleagues to collaborate on projects within a dedicated workspace. This feature includes a free trial to test its capabilities.
• Voice-over Volume Control: Users can now control the volume of both AI-generated and manually recorded voice-overs, providing greater flexibility in video production.
• MP3 Downloads: Projects can now be downloaded as MP3 files, alongside the video and text assets.
• Scene Management: Enhanced scene management with a new scroll bar under the scene strip makes navigating and organizing video segments easier.
• Aspect Ratio Adjustments: Users can change aspect ratios directly in the transcription step, streamlining the editing process​ (Pictory Help Center)​​​.

Multilingual Support

In January 2024, Pictory expanded its language support to include 29 languages. This update makes it easier for users to create video content in multiple languages, broadening the potential audience reach and making the tool more accessible to a global user base​​.

Patent for AI-Powered Video Synopsis

Pictory was granted a U.S. patent for its AI-powered video synopsis system. This system uses advanced algorithms and custom large language models (LLMs) to generate concise video summaries from long-form content such as webinars, lectures, and meetings. This innovation sets Pictory apart in the AI video industry by providing a unique tool that simplifies the creation of short, shareable video highlights from extensive raw footage​.

Collaboration with ElevenLabs and Getty Images

Pictory has partnered with ElevenLabs to offer hyper-realistic AI voice-overs, and with Getty Images to expand its stock visuals library by adding 10 million high-resolution videos. These partnerships enhance the quality and variety of assets available to users, making it easier to produce professional-grade videos​​.

User-Friendly Enhancements

Pictory continues to focus on user experience with a clean interface and straightforward tools. Recent updates include auto-saving in the script editor, keyboard shortcuts for easier editing, and improved features for managing transitions and scene durations. These enhancements make Pictory a robust tool for both novice and experienced video creators.

Pictory AI Competitors and Alternatives

Several competitors offer similar AI video creation services. Here are some of the notable ones:

• Synthesia: Synthesia is an AI-powered video creation platform that uses customizable avatars to generate realistic video content. Unlike Pictory, Synthesia focuses on creating videos with AI avatars, making it suitable for training and personalized communication.
• Veed.io: Veed.io is an online video editing platform that provides tools for creating and editing videos. It includes features like subtitles, filters, and effects, making it a strong competitor. However, it doesn’t offer AI-driven text-to-video conversion.
• Animoto: Animoto allows users to create videos using pre-built templates and stock footage. It’s geared towards marketers and social media managers. Unlike Pictory, it doesn’t use AI to convert text into videos but offers a variety of editing tools.
• Wibbitz: Wibbitz offers AI-powered video creation with a focus on generating news and content videos. It provides automated video production capabilities, although it lacks the text-to-video conversion found in Pictory.
• Lumen5: Lumen5 transforms blog posts and articles into engaging videos using AI. It’s a great tool for content marketers and bloggers. Like Pictory, it offers automated video creation and editing tools but focuses more on turning existing text into video content.

Pictory AI Disadvantages

Despite its numerous advantages, Pictory has some drawbacks.

• Limited Free Plan: The free plan offers limited functionality, with a cap on the number of videos that can be created and exported each month. Users need to upgrade to a paid plan for full access to features.
• Customization Limitations: While Pictory offers customization options, advanced features such as custom branding and enhanced editing tools are only available in higher-tier plans.
• AI Limitations: Although Pictory’s AI is advanced, it is not perfect. There can be occasional mismatches between text and visuals, requiring manual adjustments. Users need to review the final product carefully to ensure quality.
• Internet Dependence: As a cloud-based platform, Pictory requires a stable internet connection. This can be a limitation for users in areas with poor connectivity.
• Learning Curve: While Pictory is user-friendly, there is still a learning curve for new users. It might take some time to fully understand and utilize all the features effectively.

Latest Upgrades and Improvements in Pictory (Up to June 2024)

Pictory has rolled out several key updates in 2024, enhancing its AI-driven video creation capabilities and user experience. Below is a timeline of the most recent updates and improvements up to June 2024.

01/10/24 – ElevenLabs Partnership

• Introduced 51 hyper-realistic voices in the voice-over library.
• Partnership with ElevenLabs to provide advanced voice-over options​.

02/15/24 – Improved AI Highlighter

• Enhanced AI for the Auto Highlight feature.
• More accurate extraction of key highlights from videos​ .

03/20/24 – Share Video Preview Feature

• Share previews instead of downloading videos for feedback.
• Makes collaboration quicker and easier​​.

04/18/24 – New Templates and Fonts

• Added new video templates and 24 stylish fonts.
• Enhances the visual appeal of created videos​ ​.

05/05/24 – Faster Video Generation

• Improved video rendering speed with new servers.
• Videos now generate three times faster than before​​.

06/01/24 – Teams Plan Enhancement

• Teams Plan now supports collaboration with up to 20 colleagues.
• Free trial available for the Teams Plan​ .

06/20/24 – Enhanced Royalty-Free Media Search

• Upgraded AI for better matching of video and image suggestions to scripts.
• More accurate and relevant media search results​.

06/25/24 – Getty Partnership

• Added 10 million more stock visuals through a partnership with Getty.
• Expanded media library now includes Storyblocks, Getty, Pixabay, and Unsplash​​.

FAQs

1. What is Pictory used for?

Pictory is used for creating AI-generated videos from text content. It’s ideal for marketing, social media, and educational purposes.

2. How long does it take to create a video on Pictory?

Creating a video on Pictory typically takes a few minutes. The exact time depends on the length and complexity of the text content.

3. Can I use Pictory for free?

Pictory offers a limited free plan that allows users to create and export up to three videos per month. For full access, you need to subscribe to one of their paid plans.

4. How many languages does Pictory support?

Pictory supports multiple languages and accents, making it suitable for global audiences.

5. Can I upload my own media to Pictory?

Yes, Pictory allows users to upload their own images, video clips, and music to customize their videos.