Every talking-head video needs cutaways — B-roll that illustrates what you're saying and keeps viewers from staring at your face for ten straight minutes. Filming or licensing enough of it is expensive and time-consuming. AI now fills that gap two ways: generating original footage from a prompt, or automatically matching your script to relevant stock clips. Here are the three best tools for it in 2026.
Runway
The only option here that generates genuinely original footage — useful when stock libraries can't provide the specific shot your script needs.
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free option | Our rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Runway | B-roll no stock library has | Free | Yes | 4.3 / 5 |
| Pictory | Auto-matching B-roll to your script | $19/mo | Yes | 4.3 / 5 |
| CapCut | Quick generated clips inside your existing editor | Free | Yes | 4.2 / 5 |
SaaS pricing changes frequently. The figures below were accurate on the date we last verified them — always confirm the current price and plan limits on the tool's official website before subscribing.
Runway
When your script needs a very specific visual — something no stock library carries — Runway generates it from a text prompt. It's the tool to reach for when you want your B-roll to look distinctive rather than like every other creator's stock footage.
| Plan | Price | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free | Limited credits, Basic generations |
| Standard | $12/mo (billed annually) | 625 credits/mo, Latest Gen models |
| Pro | $28/mo (billed annually) | 2,250 credits/mo, Higher resolutions |
Key features
- Text-to-video and image-to-video generation
- Multiple leading video models
- Original footage, not licensed stock
Pros
- Genuinely unique footage
- No licensing concerns
- Cutting-edge quality
Cons
- Credit-based, can add up fast
- Not automated to match a full script
The best source of B-roll that doesn't look like everyone else's.
Pictory
Feed Pictory your script or voiceover and it automatically selects relevant stock footage to match, cutting the manual work of scrubbing through stock libraries clip by clip. It's the fastest route from a script to a fully covered edit.
| Plan | Price | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Starter | $19/mo | 200 video minutes/mo, Stock library |
| Professional | $29/mo | 600 video minutes/mo, Branding |
Key features
- Automatic script-to-footage matching
- Large licensed stock library
- Works from a script or existing voiceover
Pros
- Huge time saver on matching
- No manual searching
- Good for high-volume production
Cons
- Footage is stock, not original
- Matches can feel generic for niche topics
The fastest way to cover a script in B-roll without manually hunting for clips.
CapCut
CapCut's AI toolkit includes text-to-video generation alongside its regular editing tools, so you can generate a quick B-roll clip without leaving the app you're already cutting in. It's less polished than Runway but far more convenient for short-form work.
| Plan | Price | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free | Core editing tools, Basic AI features |
| Pro | $19.99/mo (or $15/mo billed annually) | Full AI toolkit, Text-to-video, 1,200 AI points/mo |
Key features
- Text-to-video generation built into the editor
- No separate app needed
- Free tier available
Pros
- No app-switching
- Fast for short-form needs
- Free tier included
Cons
- Generation quality behind dedicated tools like Runway
- AI points limited on Pro
The convenient choice for quick B-roll without adding another subscription.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best AI tool for generating B-roll?
Is AI-generated B-roll good enough to use professionally?
Do I need stock footage licences for AI-generated B-roll?
The bottom line
Runway is the best source of original B-roll your script needs but stock libraries don't have, Pictory is the fastest way to auto-match existing stock footage to a script, and CapCut is the convenient option if you want quick generated clips inside your regular editor. Confirm current pricing and commercial usage rights on each official site.