The Video Layer

Independent benchmark

AI explainer-video tools compared.

Start with the overall Explainer Index, then inspect generation time per finished minute, visual explanation, and cost per finished minute.

The benchmark

Benchmark results

Overall ranking first, followed by generation time, visual explanation, and cost.

5 measured tools
Explainer IndexHigher is better · 0–100
  1. 1
    Simi by Lamina LabsVisual 80 · Speed 100 · Cost 99
    91/100Explainer Index
  2. 2
    SynthesiaVisual 20 · Speed 64 · Cost 91
    51/100Explainer Index
  3. 3
    HeyGenVisual 40 · Speed 1 · Cost 95
    42/100Explainer Index
  4. 4
    xAI Grok Imagine Video 1.5Visual 30 · Speed 36 · Cost 0
    24/100Explainer Index
  5. 5
    InVideo AI — AgentVisual 40 · Speed 9 · Cost 0
    21/100Explainer Index

Score: 45% visual explanation, 30% speed, and 25% cost. Speed is scaled from one to twelve minutes. Cost is scaled from $0 to $15 per finished minute.

Output length

Target: 1 minute

Simi by Lamina Labs1m 9s delivered9s over
Synthesia57s deliveredScene by scene · not one shot
xAI Grok Imagine Video 1.515s delivered15s model maximum
InVideo AI — Agent1m deliveredScene by scene · not one shot
HeyGen49s delivered11s short

Visual scores are provisional. Scene-by-scene tools are labeled. Videos are not hosted here.

Current leader

Simi by Lamina Labs ranks first at 91/100.

Simi is a product made by Lamina Labs. It generated 1:09 in 0:55, scored 8/10 for visual explanation, and costs about $0.17 per finished minute. Use the tabs above to inspect every tool.