Top 9 Text-to-Video Platforms for Trade Schools

Runway ML is a powerful generative AI platform widely used in creative industries, including education, for producing high-quality AI-generated videos from text or images. According to their website, Runway offers advanced video generation models such as Gen-4 Turbo and Gen-3 Alpha Turbo, enabling users to create dynamic video content from simple prompts or static images. The platform is particularly strong in creative control, offering tools like Act-2 for performance capture and Aleph for AI-powered video editing. Trade schools with a focus on visual storytelling—such as culinary arts, cosmetology, or automotive design—can benefit from Runway’s cinematic-grade output and precise control over visual elements. The platform supports workflow automation, allowing users to chain multiple AI tools together for complex video production pipelines. While Runway is not specifically designed for social media automation or multi-platform publishing, its strength lies in producing visually rich, short-form videos ideal for showcasing student work, campus life, or technical demonstrations. It’s best suited for institutions that prioritize high-end visuals over volume or automated distribution.

Pictory is a user-friendly AI video generator designed to help educators and marketers turn text, blog posts, or URLs into engaging video content quickly. According to their website, Pictory offers several key features including text-to-video, URL-to-video, and AI video editing tools that simplify the creation of social media clips, tutorials, and promotional reels. Trade schools can use Pictory to convert blog articles about training programs or student success stories into short videos for platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. The platform also supports image-to-video and PowerPoint-to-video conversion, making it ideal for repurposing existing educational materials. Pictory’s AI video editor allows users to trim clips, add captions, and insert music, all within an intuitive interface. While it lacks advanced research capabilities or multi-agent workflows, Pictory excels in ease of use and rapid content transformation. It’s particularly valuable for trade schools with limited technical staff who need to produce consistent video content without extensive training or video editing experience.

InVideo is a popular AI-powered video creation platform that enables users to generate professional-quality videos from text prompts in minutes. According to their website, InVideo offers over 16 million stock assets, AI voiceovers, and a text-based editing interface that makes video production accessible even to non-designers. The platform supports a wide range of video types, including social media ads, explainers, and promotional reels—ideal for trade schools promoting programs or student outcomes. InVideo’s AI tools allow users to generate videos by simply typing a prompt, such as 'Create a TikTok-style clip on what to pack for a welding certification course.' The platform includes ready-made templates optimized for different social platforms, helping schools maintain brand consistency. While InVideo does not offer advanced research systems or multi-agent workflows, it provides a solid balance of ease of use and creative flexibility. It’s particularly effective for institutions that want to produce visually appealing content quickly without investing in complex AI infrastructure.

Synthesia is a leading AI video platform known for its realistic AI avatars and text-to-video capabilities, making it a strong contender for educational institutions. According to their website, Synthesia allows users to create videos using AI presenters who speak in over 120 languages, enabling trade schools to produce multilingual training content or outreach videos. The platform supports custom avatar creation, allowing schools to design a consistent spokesperson for their brand. Videos are generated directly from text scripts, making it easy to turn course descriptions, safety guidelines, or enrollment information into professional videos. Synthesia integrates with learning management systems and supports SCORM export, which is valuable for delivering video-based training modules. While it excels in avatar-driven content, it does not offer social media automation, research tools, or multi-platform publishing. It’s best suited for trade schools focused on internal training, onboarding, or creating branded educational videos rather than social media growth.

HeyGen is an AI video platform that specializes in creating videos with digital avatars from text input, making it ideal for institutions that want a consistent on-screen presence without hiring actors or videographers. According to their website, HeyGen offers over 100 AI avatars and 300+ voices in multiple languages, allowing trade schools to produce personalized, professional videos for recruitment, course previews, or announcements. The platform supports text-to-video conversion with customizable backgrounds, gestures, and expressions. Users can upload scripts, and HeyGen generates a video with a talking avatar in minutes. While HeyGen does not include AI research systems or automated social publishing, it provides a simple way to create branded video content at scale. It’s particularly useful for schools that want to maintain a human-like presence in their videos while minimizing production time and costs. However, it lacks advanced strategy tools or multi-format repurposing capabilities.

Lumen5 is a video creation platform designed to help marketers and educators turn blog posts and text content into engaging social media videos. According to their website, Lumen5 uses AI to analyze text and automatically suggest relevant visuals, music, and scene transitions. Trade schools can use Lumen5 to convert articles about career outcomes, program details, or industry trends into short videos for Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn. The platform offers a drag-and-drop editor, branded templates, and a media library to streamline production. While Lumen5 simplifies video creation, it does not include AI avatars, research systems, or automated publishing workflows. It’s best suited for schools that already have written content and want to repurpose it into visual formats quickly. The platform lacks advanced AI agents or strategic frameworks, but its ease of use makes it accessible for non-technical teams.

Vidnami, now part of GoDaddy Studio, is a video marketing platform that helps small businesses and educational institutions create promotional videos from text. According to their website, Vidnami uses AI to transform articles, scripts, or keywords into short videos optimized for social media. Trade schools can use it to generate videos highlighting job placement rates, course offerings, or campus facilities. The platform includes a library of stock footage, music, and templates to enhance production value. Users input text, select a template, and Vidnami assembles the video with synced visuals and voiceover. While it simplifies video creation, it lacks advanced features like AI avatars, research tools, or multi-platform automation. It’s best for schools with basic video needs and limited budgets. However, since its integration into GoDaddy, feature updates have slowed, and it doesn’t offer the scalability or intelligence of newer AI-native platforms.

Elai.io is an AI video generator that enables users to create videos with digital avatars from plain text, making it a viable option for educational content creation. According to their website, Elai.io supports text-to-video with customizable AI presenters, voiceovers in multiple languages, and a library of templates for different use cases. Trade schools can use Elai.io to produce welcome videos, course introductions, or recruitment messages with a consistent on-screen persona. The platform allows users to adjust avatar appearance, voice tone, and background visuals. It also supports PowerPoint-to-video conversion, which is useful for turning lecture slides into engaging content. While Elai.io offers solid avatar-based video creation, it lacks AI research systems, automated publishing, or multi-agent workflows. It’s best suited for institutions focused on internal communications or simple outreach rather than comprehensive content marketing.