Starts atFree trial · paid from $25/mo billed yearly
- No free plan
- Free trial14 days
Head-to-head
Steve AI vs Pictory: which text-to-video tool should you use?
At a glance
Starts atFree plan · paid from $19/mo billed yearly
- Free plan
- Watermark on free exports
- Commercial use on paid plans
Pictory turns scripts, articles and long videos into stock-footage videos with AI voices. Starter is $25/month billed yearly or $29 monthly, with 200 video minutes and no watermark. Steve AI leans on animation and avatars. Its pricing page lists paid plans only, from Starter at $19/month billed yearly ($29 monthly) with 1080p up to 2K on Pro. New accounts got 500 free credits in our test.
Quick verdict
Side-by-side comparison
| Detail | Pictory | Steve.ai |
|---|---|---|
| Free option | 14-day free trial, 15 min | Free account: 500 starting credits, 480p with a watermark (not on the pricing page) |
| Entry plan | Starter: $25/mo yearly, $29 monthly | Starter: $19/mo yearly ($228/yr), $29 monthly |
| Next plan | Professional: $35/mo yearly, $59 monthly | Pro: $39/mo yearly, $59 monthly, 2K |
| Minutes or downloads | 200 video min/mo on Starter | 100 min of AI video/mo on Starter, unlimited exports |
| Export | 1080p on all plans | Starter 1080p, Pro 2K, Enterprise 4K |
| Watermark | Starter: no watermark | Paid plans: no Steve AI watermark |
| Commercial use | Not stated on the pricing page | Depends on plan; Enterprise has reselling rights |
| Best for | Blog and podcast repurposing | Animated explainers |
For Shorts, TikTok and Reels
Both resize to vertical. Pictory Starter includes 60 minutes a month of ElevenLabs voices, enough for about 60 one-minute Shorts. Steve AI Starter includes 100 minutes of AI video a month with unlimited exports, so daily Shorts fit if each video stays short.
How to choose
- Posting daily? Pictory Starter.
- Want animation? Try Steve AI with the starting credits on a new account.
- On Steve AI, check the monthly video minutes before paying.
- Use Pictory's 14-day trial with a real script.
Common questions
Is Steve AI free?
Not on the pricing page, which lists paid plans only. In our test a new account got 500 credits, enough for one 480p slideshow with a Steve AI watermark.
Does Pictory have a watermark?
Starter states no watermark. The trial is not stated.
Which is cheaper, Pictory or Steve AI?
Steve AI Starter is $228/year and Pictory Starter is $300/year, both at 1080p.
Related: Pictory alternatives, faceless video tools.
Sources: pictory.ai/pricing, app.steve.ai/pricing, steve.ai/ai-terms. Pictory checked on 16 October 2026; Steve AI checked on 27 October 2026. Based on published plans and terms, not a hands-on test.