In this Elai.io In this critique, I will evaluate the advantages, disadvantages, and characteristics of this internet-hosted application.
I conducted an in-depth trial of Elai and am prepared to provide a comprehensive evaluation, advice, user feedback, and a final assessment of the platform, enabling you to determine whether it aligns with your requirements for producing videos.
Read on to learn more.
What is Elai?
Elai is a Ukrainian startup established in 2021 that utilizes artificial intelligence to generate videos directly within a web browser, eliminating the need for cameras or additional hardware.
Elai boasts an extensive collection of lifelike avatars that can be utilized for creating videos. These avatars can articulate your script with impressive vocal clarity and accurate lip synchronization.The platform comes with a built-in video editor that allows users to modify their videos directly within the platform, eliminating the need for any additional software.
Check how you can use Elai in this video
What are the compelling reasons that make Elai a thrilling choice for video production?
Ultra-low-cost video making: Using just a web browser and an internet connection, you have the ability to produce a video completely from the ground up. Subscription options begin at a modest price of $23 per month.
No need for hiring actors: Select a character to serve as the host in your video from a collection of over 35 distinctive avatars.
It’s possible to create videos without revealing your face.Start a YouTube channel without having to appear on camera.
Quickly produce videos in multiple languages without any extra expenses.If you’re engaged with various markets, you can disregard the need for localization procedures. Elai offers capabilities like voice imitation, automatic translation, and the inclusion of subtitles.
Easy learning curve: No prior experience is necessary as the platform is user-friendly and easy to navigate.
Getting started with Elai
First of all, you must sign-up for an accoun To make a video using Elai, all that’s required is an internet connection and a browser. The platform provides ready-to-use templates, a selection of distinct avatars, and numerous editing tools to assist you.Make a video quickly. .
With Elai, it’s possible to produce videos of all varieties.
- Social media videos.
- Learning and courses videos
- Video presentations.
- YouTube videos.
- Product demos and reviews
- Training videos.
- How-to guides
- Onboarding videos.
- Marketing videos.
- Tutorial videos.
- Headline-grabbing news videos.
Be aware that this service is not intended to substitute for a professional video editing suite such as DaVinci Resolve. Filmora, Tools such as AdobePro provide comprehensive mastery over your creative work. They enable you to implement transitions and visual effects, adjust and fine-tune colors, and perform thorough audio editing.
In case your objective is to produce superior videos that require detailed editing, it would be advisable to opt for an advanced video editing software. In essence, this platform excels at generating AI avatar videos with text-to-speech capabilities.
Elai main features
- 65+ languages in 450+ voices
. - 80+ diverse human avatars.
- Avatar-chatbot integration.
- Over 50 ready-to-use video templates that can be personalized.
- Construct conversations involving a maximum of two characters on a single slide.
- Music, graphics, and video content with Lottie animations are available without a royalty fee.
- Auto captions, subtitles, and automatic translations .
- Voice cloning in 28 languages.
- URL to video automatic conversion.
- Complete video editing software, featuring video transitions and motion effects.
- Voiceover uploads Capture and upload a recording of your voice to generate a personalized avatar.
- Custom music and custom fonts upload .
- Multi-scene videos.
- Interactive speech editor.
- ChatGPT4 integration
for easy script creation. - Custom avatars, Profile pictures using one’s own self-captured images and animated character representations. .
- Branding kit.
- Transform PowerPoint presentations into videos: Change PowerPoint files into video format, complete with narration and available in various languages.
- Proprietary API.
- Proprietary API for avatars; You have the ability to design and personalize virtual representations to suit your preferences.
- Integrations include platforms such as Thinkific, Descript, Pexels, among others. more via Zapier .
- Collaborative teamwork that involves providing comments for the development and critique of videos.
- Advanced plan permits a maximum of two user accounts.
- Videos in 1080p and 4K Ultra HD quality vary based on your subscription tier.
- Commercial rights You hold the copyright to your videos for the purpose of earning money or for business-related uses.
How to Produce a Video Using Elai
Begin by selecting a template, creating an AI storyboard, using a URL, starting from an e-commerce platform, or developing from an existing PowerPoint presentation.
2- Choose a template: You have the option to preview it and modify the character representation. If you are unable to find the perfect template, there’s still the opportunity to craft your video from the beginning by selecting the “Create a blank video” feature.
Choose your desired aspect ratio, whether it be 16:9, 9:16, or 1:1.
Select your digital persona from a collection of over 35 avatars that represent a diverse mix of ethnic backgrounds, gender identities, and clothing styles. Additionally, you have the option to preview the appearance and voice of the avatar before making your choice.
There are three ways to display your avatar: as a transparent figure blending with the template’s backdrop, enclosed in a circular shape, or completely omitting the avatar. To adjust the size and placement of your avatar, simply click and drag it to your desired spot.
You also have the option to select a style for your avatar, be it relaxed or professional attire. Recently, Elai released an application programming interface (API) for the development of avatars, allowing for personalization and construction of avatars to meet specific requirements.This functionality is unique and not available in any comparable applications.
Making a video without the use of avatars significantly broadens the scope of the platform, allowing for the production of any type of video required.
4-Customization options: There are many customization options Enhance your content by incorporating written words, visual illustrations, video clips, emblems, animated images, and stickers.Animations created by Lottie (a distinctive feature from Elai)You have the ability to capture your screen and incorporate the recording into your video as well. This is advantageous as it eliminates the need to use a separate app or software for that purpose.
The editor’s animations can only be used on full slides and cannot be applied to individual elements.
When it comes to sound materials, there is a wide array of royalty-free music tracks available that span various genres including corporate, festive, pop, rock, classical, as well as house and electronic music. However, if you’re struggling to find an ideal track, you have the option to upload your own music to accompany your video. Currently, the platform is compatible with the prevalent audio file types.
The functionality of voices is quite comparable. Options range from cheerful to promotional tones, narrative style to casual dialogue, rapid to tranquil delivery, leisurely to youthful sounding. You have the option to capture your voice with a regular computer mic or to upload an already-recorded voiceover.
We are only proficient in English and Spanish, therefore we’re unable to judge the quality of other languages and their pronunciations.During our evaluation, both of these delivered a notably high-quality sound.Elai offers a comprehensive guide on enhancing the quality of your voice to achieve optimal results.
Elai has recently launched a new feature known as the Interactive Speech Editor. This innovative tool provides full command over the articulation of words, enabling users to insert breaks and dictate phonetics to ensure accurate pronunciation. Consequently, it allows users to enhance how words are pronounced without the need to alter the accompanying subtitles.
Regarding voiceovers, an excellent capability of Elai enables you to provide a voiceover in any chosen language and then have it presented in a range of languages such as English, Spanish, Hindi, Polish, Portuguese, German, French, and Italian.
5-Script: Place your written script into the provided text field or include a script for audio. This audio script can either be uploaded as a file or directly recorded using your computer’s microphone.
Furthermore, The AI Video Storyboard utilizes the integration with Chat-GPT. to create or rewrite existing content. Integration of Elai’s Chat-GPT Functionalityenables you to insert and enhance a script, a functionality that is absent in comparable platforms.
Take a look at the functioning of the video storyboard as demonstrated in this video.
6-Preview your video
After preparing your video, you have the opportunity to review it prior to submission. At this point, the avatar will be static without any animated elements. Once you hit the submit button, you’ll receive the video in your email shortly thereafter.
Elai pricing
Elai The cost of the service spans from a monthly allotment of 15 minutes to 200 minutes. Should you require additional minutes, inquire about the possibility of a tailored package. The platform offers a complimentary trial that allows you to produce a 1-minute video. Following that, the starting subscription package costs $23 per month (with an annual billing cycle) and permits the creation of videos up to 15 minutes in length.
As we stated before, Elai’s pricing stands out as highly competitive among similar platforms.The quality of the videos and the appearance of the avatars are exceptional.
For a personalized avatar, the cost is $500 per year for a professionally-created version, or $259 annually if you choose to create it yourself using a selfie from your mobile phone or camera. Should you require the addition of a voice clone, there will be an additional charge of $500 each year.
What distinguishes Elai from its rivals
Elai’s pricing stands out as highly competitive within its category.
At a monthly rate of $29, or a discounted yearly rate of $23 per month, you can produce up to 15 minutes of video, offering a great value for your money, enabling you to make videos affordably.
In the premium package offered at $352 monthly, you receive a maximum of 200 minutes’ worth of video content. In contrast, HeyGen charges a higher fee of $432 monthly for a slightly less amount of video time, totaling 180 minutes. While HeyGen provides additional functionalities such as animating photographs and exchanging faces, Elai emerges as the superior choice if those extras are not a necessity for you.
Automatic translations
You’re able to convert the language of any video instantly by just clicking once.This involves the entirety of the text on the slides. When we tried out this distinctive function by translating a video from English into Spanish, it functioned well without any mistakes. The enhanced translation offered by Elai is top-notch.
Integrations
Elai offers a proprietary API and a A full suite of built-in connections native to the platform.The list comprises platforms such as Thinkific and Udemy for streamlined course development, Descript for editing videos, PowerPoint for generating videos from presentation files, Pexels for visual resources, and Medium for embedding videos into articles. Should you require additional software not mentioned, Zapier’s integration capabilities can be utilized to assist you.
Four alternatives for designing personalized avatars
- Studio avatar
to get a professional-looking presenter. - Selfie avatar Quickly generate a lively representation of your own image using merely a smartphone or webcam.
- Photo avatar to develop an animated, speaking character using just one photograph.
- Animated mascot To obtain a talking animated figure that can be completely personalized.
Please be aware that the term “Studio avatar” and the term “selfie avatar” are different things.Voice cloning can also be incorporated.This handy functionality greatly enhances the appeal of the personalized avatar selection.
Excellent API development
Elai consistently updates its unique API. This allows you to integrate live avatar discussions into your app.This distinct characteristic is not available in any comparable application.
Continuous product updates
Elai consistently enhances its product by incorporating additional functionalities and avatars.
We would appreciate Elai enhancing certain aspects.
Onboarding and tutorials
Elai offers a repository of information that includes articles on initial setup, cost details, and additional topics. However, the platform lacks any form of tutorials, including video guides. This absence of educational content is a typical problem encountered with similar software. In contrast, Synthesia has an edge by providing numerous tutorials and instructional videos that assist users in fully leveraging the platform’s capabilities.
Avatar gestures
Avatar gestures have not been included, which is a thrilling addition recently introduced by Synthesia. In addition, Colossyan Creator is the sole platform that allows you to modify the age, emotions, and facial expressions of AI avatars.
Stock avatars
Elai currently provides over 80 different avatars, but we are interested in expanding that selection. Synthesia, on the other hand, has a larger range, with more than 100 avatars available. HeyGen excels with 120+ stock avatars.
Rendering time
Based on what we’ve encountered, a 1-minute video required 7 minutes to produce, which is considerably longer than the average time expected in this field.
Elai reviews and support
Assistance is provided through chat, and if you do not receive a satisfactory response, you have the option to submit a support ticket.
G2 shows 34+ ratings and reviews Boasting a high 4.8 out of 5 rating, the platform demonstrates outstanding performance from the perspective of its users. Trustpilot features over 63 reviews, with an impressive average score of 4.4 out of 5. Taking into account the feedback from both review platforms, it’s clear that Elai has successfully lived up to its customers’ expectations, maintaining a solid track record.
Best three Elai alternatives
Despite the existence of numerous similar platforms available, we have narrowed down our recommendations to a top three selection.
Synthesia
Synthesia This platform stands out as a top-tier choice for making videos, offering over 130 lifelike avatars, more than 65 customizable templates, and support for 120+ languages, making it exceptional for producing videos that feature digital human-like characters.
The avatars produced by Synthesia appear more refined and lifelike, however, their pricing model is set at $23 for every 10 minutes each month. Should you require in excess of 10 minutes, you’re able to request an extra 10-minute credit. After utilizing this credit, you’ll be required to opt for a corporate subscription plan or alternatively, you can hold off until the subsequent month begins.
Elai ensures that you are aware of your costs in advance, offering a variety of payment options that include packages with a maximum of 200 minutes per month.
Read our Synthesia review here
Colossyan
We consider Colossyan A major disruptor in the industry of creating video avatars. Although the selection includes only 30 avatars and supports 70 languages, with fewer template options compared to Elai, Colossyan stands out by offering the ability to customize the avatars’ expressions and movements. It allows for the inclusion of up to four avatars in a single scene, enabling the creation of interactive dialogues between them. Additionally, the incorporation of Chat-GPT technology is exceptional.
Pricing for Colossyan begins at $28 for 10 minutes each month. However, to access the more advanced features, you will need to opt for the Enterprise Plan.
Read our Colossyan review here
Heygen
Heygen is a swiftly expanding newcomer in the industry, quickly establishing itself as a robust choice in the field of video avatars. It offers a range of appealing features that include animated photographs, the ability to switch faces, and the creation of custom attire.
Additionally, it boasts over 100 avatars, more than 400 video templates, and the ability to clone voices, although some of the avatars appear mechanical and synthetic.
Pricing starts at $24/15 minutes/month
Read our HeyGen review here
Elai review: My conclusion
Upon evaluating Elai, my impression is that it has a user-centric, straightforward, and easily navigable design that newcomers can handle with ease. Despite coming across a handful of minor issues necessitating a page refresh, these were not substantial enough to detract from the overall user experience.
I was struck by the high quality of the AI-generated avatars on the platform, especially how well their lip movements matched spoken words, which is among the top-tier in the industry. Nonetheless, the range of pre-designed avatars seemed somewhat restricted, and I would like to see a broader array of choices going forward. The platform does provide a range of personalization tools and options for integration, which adds to its adaptability.
Ultimately, Elai delivers robust software with a competitive price point, making it a strong contender in the text-to-video market, especially for personal use. While the limited avatar selection remains a point for consideration, Elai’s active development suggests future improvements. If you’re looking for an easy-to-use and affordable text-to-video platform with high-quality avatars, Elai is worth exploring.
