Pictory: AI Video Creation from Text
Pictory transforms your written content—blog posts, annual reports, impact stories—into professional videos in minutes, automatically creating scenes, selecting visuals, and adding captions without any video editing experience required.
What It Does
Spending hours creating social media videos from your written content, or struggling to repurpose that hour-long webinar into shareable clips? Pictory uses AI to automatically transform text into engaging videos and extract highlight moments from long recordings—turning what used to take a full day into a 15-minute task.
Pictory dominates over 50% of the AI video creation market by making video production accessible to nonprofits without dedicated video teams. Paste your blog post about a recent program success, and Pictory analyzes the content, creates scenes with relevant stock footage, adds text overlays for key points, and generates a complete video ready for social media. Upload your recorded volunteer training session, and it identifies the most important segments, creating short clips perfect for Instagram or LinkedIn.
The platform handles everything from scene selection to captioning, allowing your communications team to produce professional video content without cameras, actors, or Adobe Premiere skills. Organizations report saving 6-8 hours per week while increasing their video output by 500%.
Best For
Organization Size
Small to mid-sized nonprofits with limited video production resources; marketing teams of 1-5 people managing multiple communication channels
Best Use Cases
- Repurposing blog posts and newsletters into video content
- Creating social media clips from webinars or events
- Producing donor thank-you videos at scale
Ideal For
Communications Directors, Marketing Managers, Development teams who need video content but don't have video editing skills or dedicated production staff
Key Features for Nonprofits
Text-to-Video AI
Turn written content into professional videos automatically
Paste your blog post, annual report summary, or impact story into Pictory, and the AI analyzes the text to create a video draft. It automatically extracts key points, generates scenes, selects relevant stock footage from the Getty Images library (Professional tier), and creates text overlays. What used to require storyboarding, filming, and hours of editing now takes 15 minutes.
Real-world impact: A food bank transformed their monthly newsletter into a 2-minute video showcasing their impact metrics, increasing social media engagement by 350% without hiring a videographer.
Long Video to Short Clips
Extract highlight reels from hour-long recordings in seconds
Upload your recorded webinar, training session, or virtual event, and Pictory's AI identifies the most engaging moments automatically. It finds key segments, removes dead air, and creates short, shareable clips perfect for social media—no manual scrubbing through footage required.
Time savings: Organizations report cutting video editing time by 80%, transforming a 4-hour editing process into 45 minutes of review and customization.
AI Voiceovers with ElevenLabs
Add realistic AI-generated narration in multiple languages
Professional plan includes access to ElevenLabs' AI voice technology, creating natural-sounding voiceovers in multiple languages without recording equipment or voice actors. While the AI voices aren't perfect, they're rated 4.8 stars by users and save significant production time.
Accessibility benefit: Automatically add voice narration to silent videos, improving accessibility for visually impaired audiences and increasing video completion rates by 40%.
Auto-Captioning & Accessibility
Generate accurate captions automatically for better reach
Pictory automatically generates captions for all videos, making content accessible to deaf and hard-of-hearing audiences while improving social media engagement (85% of Facebook videos are watched without sound). Captions appear with one click—no manual transcription needed.
Engagement boost: Videos with captions see 16% higher click-through rates on social media, helping nonprofits maximize the impact of every video.
Filler Word & Silence Removal
Polish videos automatically by removing "um," "uh," and dead air
Pictory's AI detects and removes filler words and awkward pauses from recorded videos with one click. This feature alone saves hours of manual editing and makes amateur recordings look professional—perfect for nonprofits creating video content without experienced on-camera talent.
Professional polish: Executive Director interviews and volunteer testimonials become broadcast-quality without expensive editing services.
Video Podcasts & Audio-to-Video
Transform audio recordings into engaging video content
Upload an audio recording (podcast, interview, storytelling session), and Pictory adds visuals, captions, and highlights automatically. This feature helps nonprofits repurpose audio content for visual platforms like YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram, expanding reach without creating entirely new content.
Real-World Nonprofit Use Case
An animal rescue organization with a single marketing coordinator was struggling to maintain an active social media presence. They had compelling written impact stories—monthly newsletter articles about adopted pets and rescue operations—but video production felt out of reach without a dedicated videographer.
After implementing Pictory, the coordinator began converting their written adoption success stories into 60-second videos. The AI extracted key moments from each story ("Luna was found in a parking lot" → visual of rescued dog; "After 3 months of care" → veterinary footage; "She found her forever home" → happy adoption photo), automatically selecting relevant stock footage and creating text overlays.
For their monthly volunteer training webinars, they recorded sessions via Zoom, then used Pictory to extract 5-6 highlight clips covering key training points. These short clips became an evergreen resource library for new volunteers, viewable on mobile devices during orientation.
Results after 6 months: Video output increased from 2 videos/month to 15 videos/month. Social media engagement jumped 600%, volunteer training completion rates improved by 40%, and donation page traffic from video posts increased 3x—all managed by the same single coordinator who now spends just 3 hours/week on video instead of struggling to find time for occasional productions.
Pricing
| Plan | Monthly | Annual | Videos/Month | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starter | $23/mo | $19/mo | 30 videos | 1080p quality, text-to-video, basic editing |
| Professional | $47/mo | $39/mo | Increased limit | Getty Images library, ElevenLabs AI voices, auto-captions |
| Teams | $99/mo | Higher limit | Multiple users, shared brand kits, collaboration tools | |
| Enterprise | Custom | Custom | Dedicated support, custom features, API access | |
Annual Savings: Save up to 30% when paying annually vs. monthly (equivalent to nearly 4 months free)
Free Trial: Available to test the platform before committing
Nonprofit Discount
Pictory does not publicly advertise a nonprofit discount program. However, nonprofits are encouraged to contact Pictory directly to inquire about custom pricing or special arrangements.
How to Inquire:
- Log into your Pictory account and use the chat box in the bottom-right corner
- Email: [email protected] or [email protected]
- Mention your nonprofit status and inquire about custom pricing arrangements
Note: Pricing information is subject to change. Please verify current pricing directly with Pictory.
Learning Curve
Learning Curve: Beginner-Friendly
Time to First Value
- Initial setup: 15-30 minutes (create account, familiarize with interface)
- First video: 15-20 minutes (paste text, customize AI-generated draft, export)
- Proficiency: 2-3 hours of use across a few videos to master core features
Technical Requirements
- No video editing experience required—designed for marketers, not video professionals
- No software installation needed—fully web-based platform
- Basic writing and content organization skills helpful for text-to-video feature
Support Available
- Comprehensive knowledge base and help documentation
- Video tutorials covering all major features
- In-app chat support for troubleshooting
- Active user community and third-party tutorials
Common Learning Challenge
While basic features are intuitive, some users report the interface can feel "clunky" when trying to access advanced customization options. The AI automation is powerful but sometimes produces results that need refinement. Budget extra time for your first few videos to customize AI-generated outputs to match your organization's brand and messaging style.
Integration & Compatibility
Connects With
Automation Platforms
Zapier, Make (Integromat) for workflow automation with 2,000+ apps
E-commerce
Shopify (automated product video creation)
Developer Tools
Pictory API for custom integrations (docs.pictory.ai)
AI Integration
MCP Server for Claude integration (Model Context Protocol)
Platform Availability
- Web-based: Works in any modern browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge)
- Mobile: Responsive web interface (no dedicated mobile app)
- Desktop: No software download required—entirely cloud-based
- Operating Systems: Windows, Mac, Linux (browser-based compatibility)
Data Portability
- ✅ Export videos in standard formats (MP4, suitable for all platforms)
- ✅ Download final videos for use anywhere (social media, websites, presentations)
- ✅ API access (Enterprise tier) for programmatic video creation and export
- ⚠️ Project files and templates not exportable to other video editing software (vendor lock-in consideration)
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Massive time savings: Reduces video creation from hours to minutes; users report saving 6-8 hours per week
- No editing skills required: Designed for marketers and communications staff, not video professionals
- Market leader: Dominates over 50% of AI video creation market with proven track record
- Excellent for repurposing content: Breathes new life into existing blog posts, reports, and long videos
- High user satisfaction: 4.8-star rating from 800+ reviews; users praise functionality and results
- Proven ROI: Organizations report 1000% cost savings, 500% output increase, and 600% engagement boost
Cons
- AI voiceovers not perfect: While acceptable and time-saving, they lack the warmth of human narration
- Interface can be clunky: Some users report difficulty navigating advanced features; not as polished as Adobe tools
- Limited automation features: Compared to competitors, some users want more advanced workflow automation
- Monthly video limits: Starter plan caps at 30 videos/month, which may be restrictive for high-volume users
- No public nonprofit discount: Must contact sales directly; pricing may be a barrier for small organizations
- Customization requires review: AI-generated videos often need editing to match brand standards perfectly
Alternatives to Consider
If Pictory doesn't feel like the right fit, consider these alternatives:
Lumen5
Budget-friendly blog-to-video specialist for small teams
Lumen5 is similar to Pictory with AI-powered text-to-video conversion, but typically more affordable for small nonprofits with tight budgets. The interface is designed for teams without advanced video skills, though it offers fewer advanced features than Pictory.
Best if: Budget is your primary concern and you mainly need basic blog-to-video conversion without extensive customization.
VEED.io
Comprehensive online video editor with broader capabilities
VEED.io is a powerful online video editing platform with more comprehensive editing tools than Pictory. It offers trimming, subtitles, effects, and collaboration features. While it has less specialized AI automation for text-to-video, it provides more manual control and creative flexibility.
Best if: You want a full-featured video editor with more manual control and don't need specialized text-to-video automation.
Fliki
Accessible entry point with generous free tier
Fliki offers 5 minutes of free video creation per month, making it one of the most accessible AI video tools for testing. It's user-friendly and covers text-to-video, podcasts, and audiobooks. Great for nonprofits wanting to experiment with AI video without immediate financial commitment.
Best if: You're just starting with AI video and want to test the concept risk-free before investing.
HeyGen
Professional-quality AI avatar videos
HeyGen specializes in AI avatar videos similar to Synthesia, with realistic talking avatars for professional presentations and training videos. While it's more expensive than Pictory and focuses less on text-to-video conversion, it excels at creating polished spokesperson-style content.
Best if: You need professional spokesperson videos and prefer avatar-based content over stock footage compilations.
Why Choose Pictory Instead
Pictory dominates the AI video creation market (50%+ market share) because it strikes the best balance between automation and customization for content repurposing. Its text-to-video AI is more sophisticated than Lumen5, it's more specialized for repurposing than VEED, and it's better suited for stock-footage-based storytelling than avatar-focused tools like HeyGen. For nonprofits with existing written content and limited video expertise, Pictory offers the fastest path to consistent video output.
Getting Started
Your First 48 Hours with Pictory
1Sign Up and Explore the Interface (15 minutes)
Create a free account or start your trial at pictory.ai. Spend 15 minutes clicking through the main features: "Script to Video," "Article to Video," "Edit Videos Using Text," and "Visuals to Video."
Pro tip: Watch the 2-minute platform overview video in the dashboard to understand the workflow before diving in.
2Create Your First Text-to-Video (20-30 minutes)
Select "Article to Video" and paste a recent blog post or impact story (300-500 words works well). Let Pictory's AI analyze the text and generate a video draft. Review the scenes, swap out any stock footage that doesn't fit, adjust text overlays, and add background music.
Pro tip: Choose content that's already structured with clear sections or bullet points—the AI performs better with well-organized text.
3Test the Highlight Reel Feature (30 minutes)
Upload a recording of a recent webinar, training session, or virtual event (start with a 15-30 minute video). Use "Edit Videos Using Text" to automatically generate a transcript, then select "Create Highlights" to let the AI identify key moments. Review the suggested clips and export 2-3 for social media.
Pro tip: This feature alone can save 4+ hours of manual video scrubbing. Even if the AI doesn't select perfect moments, it narrows down your review time significantly.
4Experiment with Captions and Voiceovers (30 minutes)
Take one of your created videos and test the auto-captioning feature (makes videos accessible and boosts social media engagement). If you have the Professional plan, try adding an AI voiceover using ElevenLabs voices. Compare different voice options and see which style fits your organization's brand.
Pro tip: Always review auto-generated captions for accuracy, especially with nonprofit-specific terminology or names. Quick edits ensure professionalism.
Quick Win: Your First 24 Hours
Want to see immediate value? Try this simple experiment:
- Find your 3 most popular blog posts from the past year (20 minutes)
- Convert each into a 60-90 second video using Pictory's Article to Video feature (15 minutes per video)
- Post all three videos on your social media channels over the next week (5 minutes to schedule)
- Compare engagement (views, shares, clicks) to your typical blog post links (check after 1 week)
What you'll learn: Whether video content performs better than text-only posts for your audience. Most nonprofits see 3-6x higher engagement on video content—and you'll have proven it works for your organization in less than 2 hours of total effort.
Time invested: ~90 minutes
Potential insight: Data-driven proof that video content is worth prioritizing, plus 3 ready-to-use videos
Need Help with Implementation?
Setting up AI video tools can feel overwhelming when you're balancing a dozen other priorities. If you'd like expert guidance getting started with Pictory—from initial setup to workflow design to training your team—we're here to help.
One Hundred Nights offers implementation support, from quick setup assistance to full-service onboarding and training for your communications team.
Contact Us to Learn MoreFrequently Asked Questions
Is Pictory free for nonprofits?
Pictory does not offer a publicly advertised nonprofit discount. However, nonprofits are encouraged to contact Pictory support via the in-app chat or email [email protected] to inquire about custom pricing arrangements. Pictory offers a free trial, and the Starter plan begins at $19/month when billed annually.
How does Pictory's text-to-video feature work?
Pictory's AI analyzes your text content (blog posts, scripts, articles), automatically extracts key points, creates video scenes, and selects relevant visuals from its library. You simply paste your content, and Pictory generates a complete video draft with scenes, images, text overlays, and music. You can then customize the output before finalizing.
Can Pictory turn long videos into short social media clips?
Yes, this is one of Pictory's key features. Upload a long video (like a webinar or training session), and Pictory's AI identifies the most engaging moments and creates short highlight clips automatically. This feature saves hours of manual editing and is perfect for creating social media content from existing videos.
Does Pictory include AI voiceovers?
Yes, Pictory offers AI-generated voiceovers powered by ElevenLabs, available in multiple languages. The Professional plan and above include access to these realistic AI voices. While the voiceovers aren't perfect, users report they're acceptable quality and save significant time compared to recording voiceovers manually.
What's the difference between Pictory and other video creation tools like Lumen5 or VEED?
Pictory focuses specifically on text-to-video conversion and automatic highlight extraction from long videos, with strong AI automation. Lumen5 is similar but more budget-friendly for small orgs. VEED is a more comprehensive online video editor with broader capabilities. Pictory dominates over 50% of the AI video creation market and is particularly strong for marketers who need to repurpose written content into video quickly.
Do I need video editing experience to use Pictory?
No, Pictory is designed for marketers and content creators without video editing skills. The interface is user-friendly, and the AI handles most of the technical work automatically. Users report being able to create videos within minutes of signing up, though mastering all features takes some practice.
Resources
Third-Party Reviews
Related One Hundred Nights Articles
Learning Resources
- Pictory Blog & Tutorials
- Case Studies & Success Stories
- Video Tutorials (available in dashboard)
Ready to Transform Your Content into Video?
Pictory makes video creation accessible to nonprofits without dedicated production teams. Turn your written content into engaging videos in minutes, not hours.