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The Best AI Video Generators in 2026
CNET compares Adobe Firefly, Google Veo 3 and Omni, Runway, and Midjourney on quality, controls, pricing, audio and safety.
Image: CNET
Google’s Veo 3 and Omni, Adobe Firefly, Runway and Midjourney lead CNET’s 2026 comparison of AI video generators. The right choice depends on your skill level, budget and project: Veo 3 is the top paid option for cinematic video, while Firefly is the strongest fit for professional work because Adobe guarantees that content created with its AI is commercially safe.
CNET removed OpenAI’s Sora from the list on June 30 after OpenAI announced on March 24 that it was discontinuing the service. Sora had previously been selected as the best free AI video generator.
Best AI video generators compared
| Generator | Best for | Price | Latest model | CNET score | |---|---|---|---|---| | Adobe Firefly | Professional creative workers | Plans begin at $10/month; may be included in existing Adobe plans | Firefly Video | 8.0/10 | | Veo/Omni | Gemini users and Google One subscribers | Plans begin at $20/month after a one-month free trial | Veo 3.1/Omni | 7.5/10 | | Runway | AI enthusiasts who want detailed controls | Free; paid plans begin at $15/month | Gen 4.5 | 7.0/10 | | Midjourney | Beginners and AI enthusiasts | Plans begin at $10/month | V1 | 6.0/10 |
Adobe Firefly offers resolution controls from 540p to 1080p, multiple styles and camera motions, plus the ability to upload reference videos for composition and motion. Its videos are vibrant and detailed, and Firefly can be used through other Adobe products such as Photoshop alongside several non-Adobe models.
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The main limitation is audio: Firefly can record and generate sound effects, but its videos do not natively generate synchronized AI audio. CNET lists its other strengths as extensive hands-on controls and integration with Adobe programs.
Veo 3 stands out for automatically creating and synchronizing AI audio with its videos. It produces cinematic clips with smooth, natural motion and is available through Gemini, Canva, Google’s AI Studio, Flow, Adobe and other Google platforms. Google’s latest video model, Omni, was released at I/O 2026 and adds multimodal prompting with text, images and videos.
Runway targets more experienced creators. Its platform supports image, video and audio generation, with extensive settings for customizing content before generation. The model is highly creative and works across a broad range of projects, although videos do not include native sound; users can create and layer AI audio within Runway.
Midjourney’s V1 video model is the simplest option to navigate. Users can animate existing Midjourney images, and its open gallery provides inspiration from the community. It is especially suited to experimentation, brainstorming and non-realistic styles, but it can struggle with realistic outputs and does not always follow prompts. It also has no audio.
How CNET tested the generators
CNET reviewers tested each service with varied prompts, from photorealistic scenes to fantastical scenarios. They assessed:
- Prompt accuracy and hallucinations
- Creativity and image-to-video capabilities
- Generation speed and ease of use
- Editing controls
- Privacy and usage policies
Most models generate a video in two to five minutes. Faster output can improve usability, but a longer wait may be worthwhile when it produces better results.
Copyright and safety risks
AI video tools can produce deepfakes, low-quality “AI slop” and content that violates copyright or other legal protections. Reference-image uploads, brand names, logos and another person’s likeness require particular care. Users should not use someone’s likeness without permission, should avoid brand names and logos, and should disclose AI use when sharing generated videos.
Creators should also review each provider’s privacy and usage policies. CNET notes that many creators, publishers and content owners remain concerned that copyrighted material was used to train AI models without permission or compensation. Its parent company, Ziff Davis, filed a lawsuit against OpenAI in April, alleging that OpenAI infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.
Computing Editor
Tomas lives in the terminal. He covers chips, laptops, and operating systems with a focus on performance and efficiency. He reads kernel changelogs the way other people read fiction, and he's always on the hunt for the perfect mechanical keyboard switch. If it processes data, Tomas has an opinion on it.
via CNET
