Free AI tools starter stack
Make a complete faceless video on free plans only, and stretch your free credits.
You don’t need paid software to start. This is the free stack I use in my “100% free” tutorials.
The stack
| Job | Tool | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ideas, scripts, prompts | ChatGPT | Load a master prompt so it guides you step by step |
| Images and animated clips | Google Flow | Nano Banana 2 for images, then image-to-video clips |
| Voiceover | ElevenLabs | Free plan is enough for short videos |
| Editing and captions | CapCut | Free, works on desktop and phone |
See every tool I use on the Tools page.
Make your free credits last
- Generate one image at a time. Each image uses credits, so don’t make four when you need one.
- Plan before you generate. A beat sheet means fewer wasted clips.
- Start with short videos. Fewer clips means fewer credits, and it’s the fastest way to practise.
- Keep the same aspect ratio across every image and clip so nothing has to be redone.
- Check the start frame first. Every clip grows from it, so get it right before you animate.
Next step
Follow the full map animation walkthrough to make your first video with this stack.