AI explainer video generator
Explainer Video Maker
Turn an idea, a script or a web page into an explainer video. Pictory writes the script, matches the visuals and adds a voiceover and captions.
- An idea in, a script and scenes out
- A visual matched to every line
- AI voiceover and captions
- Free to try, online in your browser
4.6/5Trusted by over 20,000 teams and institutions worldwide.
What is an explainer video maker?
An explainer video maker turns an idea or a script into a short video that explains a topic. In Pictory you open Idea to Video, choose the Explainer type and type the topic, or paste your own script. It builds the scenes with visuals, a voiceover and captions.
One idea, explained once. A good explainer covers a single product, process or concept. Pictory drafts a script that does that, and you edit it like a document before a single scene is made.
Use it as an AI explainer video maker for a landing page, a help center or a lesson. It runs in your browser and is free to try. To explain a whole procedure to your team, see the training video maker.
Explainer · 1 minHow our pricing works
Script written9 scenes · voiceover on
Your source, any format
Start with what you’ve got
An idea, a script or a page that already explains it. Use idea to video when all you have is the topic.
Idea to Video
One sentence in. Script and scenes out.
Text to Video
Paste any text and get a finished video.
URL to Video
Drop in a link. Pictory turns the page into a video script.
Doc to Video
Upload a document. Get a video of the key points.
PPT to Video
Your slides and notes, narrated and on screen.
Blog to Video
Turn a post into a video for social.
PDF to Video
Turn reports and guides into videos people actually finish.
Screen Recorder
Record, then edit it like a document.
AI Video Editor
Upload a video and edit it by editing the text.
How it works
How to make an explainer video
To make an explainer video, open Idea to Video in Pictory, choose the Explainer type and type your topic, or paste a script into Text to Video. Pick the platform and length, and check the script. Edit the scenes, add a voiceover and captions, then download the MP4.
Type your idea
Open Idea to Video, choose the Explainer type and type the topic in a sentence.
Pick the platform and length
Choose where the video will be shown and how long it is. Pictory writes the script.
Check the script
Edit it like a doc, or ask AI to shorten, rephrase or change the tone.
Edit and download
Swap a visual, change the voice, then download the MP4 or share a link.
AI explainers
AI explainer video generator
An AI explainer video generator writes and builds the video from a topic. In Pictory, the AI drafts the script for the length you choose, matches a visual to every line and adds a voiceover and captions. You approve the script first and can change any scene after.
Features
Explainer video maker features: visuals, voices and captions
Visuals
A visual matched to every line of the script
Pictory picks a visual for each scene from 18M+ stock assets. Keep it, search for another, upload your own or describe the picture you need and generate it in AI Studio.
- 18M+ stock videos and images
- Your own uploads
- AI Studio images and clips from a prompt
Voices
A voice that explains it clearly
Choose one of 170+ AI voices in 29+ languages to read the script, or upload your own recording. Preview the voice on your own words before you apply it.
- 170+ AI voices in 29+ languages
- Your own voiceover, uploaded
- Preview before you apply
Captions and brand
Captions and your brand on every explainer
Captions are timed to the voice, so the explainer works with the sound off. Apply your brand kit and choose 16:9, 9:16 or 1:1.
- Captions timed to the voice
- Logo, fonts and colors from your brand kit
- 16:9, 9:16 and 1:1
explainer.mp41:00 · 9 scenes
Captions onBrand kit applied
Ideas
Explainer video ideas
Explainer video ideas come in three kinds. A product explainer shows what something does and who it is for. A process explainer walks through the steps in order. A concept explainer takes one idea, such as how interest works, and makes it clear in a minute.
More AI video features
Your complete AI video generation tool
AI avatars
Add a talking presenter, or a digital twin of you.
Captions
Accurate, synced captions in your brand style.
Translation
Captions and voiceover for every market.
Text editing
Edit the transcript to edit the video.
Team workspaces
Share projects and brand kits with your team.
API
Generate branded videos from your own product.
AI Studio
Create any image or video you need with generative AI
The latest image and video models, built into the editor. Generate it, then drop it straight into your scene.
Generate and edit images
Describe it, or edit an existing image with a prompt.
Keep characters consistent
Use reference images to keep the same person or product in every scene.
Create video clips with sound
Generate clips with audio. Yes, characters can talk.
Extend any clip
Keep any clip going with a new prompt, even one you uploaded.
✓Get four options at once
Generate up to four versions and keep the best one.
Stay on brand
Bring in your brand from a website, a document or a logo, and it is applied to every scene.
✓
Choose your model
Pick a model for stills or 5 to 10-second clips.
Also in AI Studio: Nano Banana Lite for images and Omni Flash for video.
Use cases
Who is using explainer video makers?
StartupsProduct explainer videos for software
Explain what the product does in the first minute on the page.
- Internal comms
Process explainers for teams
Show the new process once, in a video everyone can replay.
Why Pictory
Loved by creators, trusted by enterprise teams
From solo creators to global marketing teams. Read the case studies
4.6 / 5
Average rating on G2, plus Capterra’s Best Ease of Use award for 2025.
20,000+
companies and institutions creating video with Pictory.
SOC 2
and GDPR compliant, ready for enterprise security reviews
GDPR
Case studies
Teams that scaled video with Pictory
“Pictory is the easiest, most efficient way to get from an idea in text to multimedia imagery on the screen. It’s the critical component to get us out of death by PowerPoint.”
Read the Whirlybird Labs case study“Pictory helps us consistently deliver the high-quality videos we’re known for, content we’re proud of and our clients are proud to use. They always get a five-star response.”
Read the VRC case study“82% of our 10,000+ partners keep coming back to our training videos even though they aren’t mandatory courses. That’s how we know the content’s working.”
Read the AppDirect case study“It increased subscriber growth by 78% and cut my video creation time from a couple of hours to a few minutes. It’s been a godsend.”
Read the NetRock case study“Through Pictory videos, leads up by 500%, video production costs are down 90%.”
Read the Online Super Tutors case study“We only launched our new app a few months ago and already have over 500 subscribers. People come back regularly to watch more videos made with Pictory.”
Read the Game of Yield case study
Compare
Explainer video maker vs. video editing software
One 60-second explainer, made two ways.
| Step | With Pictory | Traditional editing software |
|---|---|---|
| Starting point | An idea, a script or a web page | Footage or graphics you have made |
| The script | Drafted for you, then edited like a doc | Written separately, before the edit |
| Visuals | Matched to every line, then swapped where you like | Sourced and placed on a timeline |
| Voiceover | An AI voice applied in the editor | Recorded or bought, then synced |
| Captions | Automatic and timed to the voice | Added, then styled on the timeline |
| A change of wording | Edit the line and the scene updates | Re-record and re-edit |
| Formats | Switch between 16:9, 9:16 and 1:1 | A new sequence and reframing for each |
Video API
Make video at scale from your own product
Send text, links or slides to the Pictory API and get branded videos back, automatically.
POST /v1/video/storyboard
{
"videoName": "q3-update",
"scenes": [{ "text": "Q3 in 90 seconds..." }]
}Enterprise
Enterprise video at scale
Custom plans, onboarding and support for company-wide rollouts.
- SOC 2 and GDPR compliant
- Custom plans and personalized onboarding
- Shared brand kits and team workspaces
- Dedicated support
Open Idea to Video in Pictory, choose the Explainer type and type your topic. Pick the platform and length, check the script, then edit the scenes and download the MP4. If you already have a script, paste it into Text to Video.
The first draft takes minutes: Pictory writes the script and builds the scenes while you wait. After that it depends on how much you change, since every scene, line and visual is yours to edit.
Yes. Idea to Video drafts the script from your topic, for the platform and length you choose. You can edit it line by line, or ask AI to shorten it, rephrase it or change the tone.
Yes. You can try Pictory’s explainer video maker on a free trial, online in your browser. The trial includes 300 AI credits, and videos downloaded on it carry a watermark. Paid plans start at $25 a month, billed annually.
Long enough to explain one idea and no longer. Idea to Video offers lengths such as 30 seconds and 1 minute, which suit most explainers. Split a bigger topic into several short videos.
Yes. Paste the link into URL to Video and Pictory writes a script from the key points on the page. It suits a help article, a blog post or a page that describes a service.
Not Just an Explainer Video Maker
Explore our AI Generative Tools and Other Features
