Best Free YouTube Shorts Generator to Create Viral Shorts Fast with AI

Last Updated: 2025-09-24 20:32:49

YouTube Shorts are the fastest route to reach new audiences, and AI tools now make creating high-engagement Shorts far quicker. An AI Shorts generator automates clipping, captioning, and creative edits so creators can produce more content in less time. Whether you want a free AI YouTube Shorts generator or a powerful paid maker, this guide breaks down the best free YouTube AI Shorts generator tools, compares features to help you choose the perfect tool for yourself.

Part 1. Best Free AI YouTube Shorts Generator and Maker

Free AI tools let you experiment without financial commitment. Some include watermarks or limited export minutes, while others provide generous free tiers. Below are six top free AI YouTube Shorts generator and maker tools chosen for usability, speed, and Shorts-focused features. Each entry includes a short introduction plus clear pros and cons so you can choose quickly.

1. InVideo AI - Free AI YouTube Shorts Generator and Maker

InVideo AI is a web-based creative platform that includes an AI YouTube Shorts generator tailored for creators who want fast, polished videos. Its Shorts workflow helps you convert longer footage into vertical clips and adds captions, transitions, and ready-made templates. The free plan allows limited use with a watermark while paid tiers unlock longer export minutes and remove the watermark. InVideo is ideal for creators who want template-driven speed plus manual customization.

Pros

Quick auto-trim and smart caption generation for fast Shorts.
Built-in templates speed up production without design knowledge.
Cloud-based workflow allowing edits from any device instantly.
Reasonable paid plans upgrade export minutes and watermark removal.
Integrated stock assets accelerate attractive Shorts creation and styling.

Cons

Free plan includes watermark on exported Shorts and limitations.
Advanced AI edits require manual tweaking for best results.
Longer projects may need more minutes than free plan allows.
Some templates feel generic for highly unique branding needs.

2. Short AI - Free AI Short Video Generator

Short AI focuses on converting scripts, blog content, or podcasts into vertical short-form videos quickly. The AI analyzes text or audio to identify highlight moments, then builds short video drafts with captions, suggested hooks, and pacing tailored for social platforms. Short AI is useful for repurposing long-form content into consistent Shorts. For creators who publish frequently, this AI YouTube Short generator can reduce hours of manual editing to minutes.

Pros

Fast script-to-clip conversion for repurposing long content.
Auto-generated captions and hooks aimed at higher engagement.
Simple interface reduces learning curve for new users.
Good for bulk creation and batch short generation workflows.
Exports formatted for vertical playback across major platforms.

Cons

Free tier has restricted exports and fewer customization options.
AI sometimes selects less-relevant clips needing manual correction.
Limited advanced color grading or detailed visual controls.
Occasional caption timing needs manual fine tuning adjustments.

3. Opus Clip - YouTube Shorts Maker

Opus Clip is built to automatically identify the best moments in long-form videos and produce share-ready Shorts. Its AI detects energetic moments, speaker emphasis, and scene changes to create engaging short cuts. The YouTube Shorts maker provides caption generation, pacing adjustments, and multiple aspect ratio exports. If your channel relies on recorded streams, podcasts, or tutorials, Opus Clip speeds up turning full episodes into many bite-sized Shorts.

Pros

Strong scene detection finds high-interest moments automatically and quickly.
Auto captions and text styling ready for vertical viewing.
Batch processing can generate many Shorts from one long video.
Good for creators repurposing livestreams or long tutorials.
Clean, minimal UI that accelerates the editing workflow.

Cons

Free version may limit number of clips created per month.
Occasional mismatches in clip selection require manual trimming.
Limited creative transitions compared with full editors.
Advanced customization reserved for paid feature tiers.

4. Imagine Art - AI Short Video Generator

Imagine Art blends AI-assisted editing with creative templates to help creators craft artistic Shorts. It emphasizes stylized visuals, automated scene recomposition for vertical formats, and creative overlays. The AI YouTube Short generator is suitable if you want eye-catching effects and stylized motion for niche content like fashion, travel, or art. Imagine Art can turn ordinary footage into more cinematic or stylized Shorts with minimal manual work.

Pros

Creative filters and artful templates that elevate visual appearance quickly.
Vertical recomposition intelligently crops for subject-centric framing.
Simple export pipeline for direct Shorts uploading to YouTube.
Good for creators seeking stylized visual identities for Shorts.
Fast turnaround from raw footage to publishable short clips.

Cons

Some filters may look too stylized for broad audiences.
Free tier offers a limited number of exports monthly.
Not ideal for heavily information-driven tutorial content creators.
Advanced motion controls are limited compared with full editors.

5. Riverside YouTube Shorts Maker

Riverside is known for remote recording and editing. Its Shorts maker extracts compelling moments from recorded interviews, podcasts, and webinars to make vertical clips. Riverside excels when content includes multiple speakers or remote guests because it records separate tracks, enabling clearer audio in Shorts. If your channel relies on interviews or conversational formats, Riverside helps you transform segments into digestible Shorts quickly and with consistent audio quality.

Pros

Excellent multi-track recording yields clear audio for Shorts.
Auto-highlights simplify finding engaging moments in long recordings.
Studio-quality audio options improve perceived video production value.
Direct export options for vertical formats ready for uploading.
Collaboration features streamline team-based short video production.

Cons

Free plan includes export limits and feature restrictions.
Best features unlocked behind higher-priced subscription tiers.
Not tailored for heavy visual effects or motion graphics.
Editing UI slightly complex for total beginners to master.

6. SendShort AI Shorts Generator

SendShort is designed to convert long videos into short, shareable clips with minimal input. The AI YouTube Shorts generator analyzes footage, suggests best clips, and applies vertical formatting plus caption overlays. Its simple, guided workflow makes it accessible to creators who are time-poor but need consistent output. SendShort is particularly useful for teams or solo creators who want repeatable, fast Shorts production without deep editing expertise.

Pros

Extremely fast turnarounds for converting long footage into Shorts.
Auto-captioning and vertical formatting for immediate social-ready results.
Low learning curve ideal for quick publishing workflows.
Batch conversion tools help scale multiple short outputs easily.
Good balance of automation and manual tweak options available.

Cons

Free usage often limited by monthly export quotas and caps.
Fewer advanced color grading or frame-by-frame adjustments available.
AI may miss subtle context that humans prefer included.
Some branding customization features are behind paywalls.

Part 2. Which YouTube AI Shorts Generator Is Best For You?

Choosing the right AI YouTube Short generator depends on your content type, budget, and desired level of control. If you repurpose podcasts or interviews, prioritize audio-focused tools like Riverside. If you want artistic, stylized clips, Imagine Art fits best. For template-driven speed and general-purpose Shorts creation, InVideo and Opus Clip are strong. Below is a compact comparison sheet to help you decide quickly.

Tool	Best for	Free Tier	Ease of Use	Customization	Export Quality	Recommended if
InVideo AI	Template-driven creators	Yes, with watermark and 10-minute usage	Easy	Moderate	Good up to 4K (with paid)	You want templates plus manual control
Short AI	Script-to-short conversion	Yes, limited	Very easy	Low to Moderate	Good	You repurpose written or audio content
Opus Clip	Auto-highlight extraction	Yes, limited	Easy	Low	Good for quick clips	You extract clips from long videos fast
Imagine Art	Stylized visual Shorts	Yes, limited	Moderate	High (visual styles)	Good	You need artistic, cinematic Shorts
Riverside	Interviews and podcasts	Yes, limited	Moderate	Moderate	Excellent audio-first exports	You record multi-guest shows or interviews
SendShort	Speed and batch creation	Yes, limited	Very easy	Low to Moderate	Good	You need many Shorts quickly and simply

Part 3. Level Up Your Shorts Quality with HitPaw VikPea Video Enhancer

Even the best AI YouTub Shorts generator cannot fully substitute for high-quality source footage. HitPaw VikPea Video Enhancer focuses on improving raw video quality so your Shorts look crisp, professional, and polished. Use VikPea to upscale resolution, reduce noise, and restore fine details before running your footage through an AI YouTube Short generator. Cleaner, higher-resolution source clips lead to better auto-crops, sharper thumbnails, and higher viewer retention on YouTube.

AI-powered upscaling to 4K and 8K with artifact reduction for clarity.
Advanced denoising removes grain while preserving fine texture and detail.
Sharpening model enhances edge definition without creating unnatural halos.
Portrait model optimizes facial details and skin texture for close-up shots.
Video Quality Repair fixes frame corruption, stabilizes shaky footage, and restores continuity.
Batch processing speeds up enhancement for multiple Shorts in one run.
Color correction and tone mapping balance exposure and improve visual consistency.
Motion-aware sharpening prevents jitter while preserving natural motion flow.

Step 1.Download and Launch HitPaw VikPea on your computer. Click Video Enhancer on the main interface and then import your video. Or directly drag the video into the Video Enhancer workspace from the Home tab.
Step 2.This software offers multiple AI models such as General Model, Sharpen Model, Portrait Model and Video Quality Repair Model. Select a suitable model based on your needs.
Step 3.Under Export Settings, choose your desired resolution. VikPea supports upscaling up to 4K or 8K. Click on "Preview" to see your video. If satisfied, press the "Export" option to save your video.

Conclusion

An AI YouTube Shorts generator dramatically reduces the time and effort required to produce YouTube Shorts, and many excellent free AI YouTube Shorts generator options exist for creators on a budget. Choose a tool that matches your workflow: Riverside for interviews, Imagine Art for stylized visuals, and InVideo or Opus Clip for rapid template-driven creation. For best results, enhance your footage first with HitPaw VikPea Video Enhancer to improve quality, clarity, and viewer appeal. Combine quality enhancement with AI automation to publish more Shorts that perform better.