AI video generation for B-roll, ads and shorts
When you need a shot you can't film, like a product in a dream setting, a cinematic establishing shot or a hook for a short, generate it instead. Here's where to start without wasting credits.
Not hands-on tested yet. The picks below are based on vendor documentation and pricing we verified on 19 Oct 2026. Test results will appear here once we've run our standard task. We don't publish made-up test results.
Runway
One subscription gives you several video models, so you can switch models per shot without paying for separate tools. Runway's plan cards list Gen-4.5, Kling 3.0 and Nano Banana Pro on Standard, and add Seedance on Pro and Max. It also includes image and audio models in the same credit pool.
source, checked 19 Oct 2026
Google Flow (Veo 3.1)
Everyone gets 50 Flow credits a day, and a 4–8 second Veo 3.1 Lite clip costs 10 credits for non-Ultra users, so you can try a few clips a day for £0. Without a subscription you may not be able to generate video at peak times (roughly 2–5pm UTC). A Google AI plan adds monthly credits.
source, checked 19 Oct 2026
Kling's free Basic plan, for client or monetised video
Kling's own plan guide says content generated on Basic is not for commercial use, while paid plans list commercial use. If the clip is going into an ad, a sponsored video or client work, use a paid plan. Kling's live plan page didn't load when we checked, so confirm the current terms there before you rely on them.
The full stack
- Shot list: Your LLM of choice
Turn the idea into 3–6 short shots, each with a subject, setting, camera move and length. - Generate: Runway (or Google Flow on a budget)
Generate each shot. Use a reference image to keep the product or character consistent. - Sound: ElevenLabs or Suno
Add a voiceover, sound effects or a music bed. See our AI voiceover and AI music pages. - Edit: Descript or your usual editor
Cut the shots together, add captions and export at the right aspect ratio.
Also considered
| Tool | Why it's not the pick | Pricing (verified) |
|---|---|---|
| Kling AI (direct) | Go direct for Kling 4.0, which launched on 15 October with native clips up to 30 seconds and up to 15 reference assets. When we checked, Runway's plan cards listed Kling 3.0, not 4.0. | Basic free (not for commercial use). Standard $10/mo shown (first month $6.99), 660 credits/mo. Pro $37/mo shown, 3,000 credits/mo. From Kling's official plan guide dated 28 Jul 2026; the live plan page didn't load for us, so confirm before buying. (source, 19 Oct 2026) |
Test notes
Pending hands-on test
Pending hands-on test. Planned standard task: generate the same 3-shot product B-roll sequence (one prompt per shot plus one reference image of the product) in each tool, then score prompt adherence, product consistency across shots and visible artefacts, and record the credits and cost per usable second.
Who this is for
YouTubers, short-form creators and founders who need a few striking shots for a video, ad or launch post, and don’t have a camera crew.
How to choose
- You want to try several models in one place: Runway.
- You’re on £0: Google Flow’s daily credits, used at off-peak times.
- You need long, consistent shots of one character or product: watch Kling 4.0, and test it directly.
Sources
- Google Flow credit costs and daily credits: Google Flow Help, checked 19 Oct 2026.
- Kling 4.0 launch details: Kuaishou press release, 16 Oct 2026.