The complete step-by-step AI workflow for making YouTube videos — from script to published. Tested tools, real costs, free alternatives at every step.
| Tool | Free tier | Paid | What you get paid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Claude | Yes | $20/mo Pro | Longer scripts, better quality |
| ElevenLabs | 10K chars/mo | $5/mo Starter | 30 mins audio/mo, more voices |
| Canva | Yes | $13/mo Pro | AI image gen, brand kit |
| CapCut | Yes | $8/mo Pro | 4K export, no watermark |
| Runway | Limited | $12/mo | AI video generation for B-roll |
| Free stack total | $0/mo | 2-3 videos/week | |
| Paid stack total | ~$37/mo | Unlimited, no watermarks |
Use the fully free stack: Claude + Canva + ElevenLabs free + CapCut. Don't pay for anything until you've made 10 videos and confirmed you'll stick with it.
Add ElevenLabs Starter ($5/mo) for more voice minutes. Add Canva Pro ($13/mo) for faster thumbnail creation. Total: $18/mo — worth it once you're consistent.
Add Runway ($12/mo) for AI B-roll generation — makes faceless videos look far more professional. Total stack: ~$37/mo. At this point your channel revenue easily covers it.
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