Looking for Story-Boards.ai alternatives in 2025? We compare the top Story-Boards.ai competitors — including Shai, Boords, and more — to help you find the right AI storyboard tool for your creative process.
Story-Boards.ai has made waves as an AI-powered storyboard generator, turning scripts or prompts into visual storyboards in minutes. But as filmmakers and creative teams demand more cinematic control, richer features, and workflow flexibility, many are searching for alternatives that better fit professional pre-production needs.
In this article, we’ll explore 10 top Story-Boards.ai alternatives — including a standout AI-powered option designed specifically for filmmakers.
Quick Comparison Table
|
Alternative |
Best For |
Key Features |
Free Plan? |
Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Shai |
Filmmakers & advertisers |
Script upload, style control, AI video preview |
Yes |
$12/month |
|
Boords |
Manual storyboarding |
Team tools, PDF export, classic UI |
Yes |
$36/month |
|
storyboarder.ai |
Simplicity |
Basic drag-drop, quick visuals |
No |
$19/month |
|
storyboardhero.ai |
Teams & agencies |
Collaboration, templates, client feedback |
Yes |
$25/month |
|
ltx.studio |
All-in-one AI pipeline |
Full video generation suite |
Limited |
Invite-only |
|
krock.io |
Review & approval |
Team workflows, annotations |
Yes |
$12/month |
|
katalist.ai |
Concept creation |
Moodboards, AI-assisted scripting |
No |
Varies |
|
frame forge |
Technical pre-vis |
Camera planning, 3D tools |
No |
$299/license |
|
OpenAI Sora |
Cutting-edge video AI |
Natural language to video (experimental) |
No |
TBD |
|
wonderunit.com |
Free & open-source |
Manual desktop storyboard software |
Yes |
Free |
Why Look for Story-Boards.ai Alternatives?
While Story-Boards.ai offers a fast way to generate storyboards from scripts, filmmakers and creative teams often need more:
- Limited customization: Not enough visual control or shot specificity.
- Generic output: Lacks cinematic nuance or emotional depth.
- Not ideal for professionals: Geared more toward fast visuals than structured filmmaking.
- Pricing vs. capability: Cost may outweigh value for some users.
- Missing features: Lacks timeline editing, animation, or voice/audio integration.
Recent industry surveys show over 60% of professional filmmakers now use some form of AI-assisted pre-production tool, but demand is rising for platforms that deliver both speed and creative depth.
Meet Shai – The Best Story-Boards.ai Alternative
At Shai, we’ve built a next-generation AI storyboard generator designed for directors, creatives, and advertisers who want more than just quick visuals. Our platform transforms your script into a cinematic, AI generated storyboard — with full control over style, pacing, and shot composition.
Why filmmakers choose Shai:
- Script-to-Storyboard Engine: Upload your script and watch a detailed storyboard unfold, scene by scene.
- Visual Control: Choose formats, tones, and camera movements for each shot.
- AI Video Preview: Instantly generate animatics with voiceover and music for dynamic pre-visualization.
- Creative Workflow: Edit, regenerate, and refine shots within an intuitive dashboard.
- Made for Filmmakers: Built-in shot types, cinematic pacing, and collaborative features tailored for production teams.
Shai isn’t just another storyboard ai generator — it’s a complete pre-production platform, built to accelerate your creative process and empower your team.
Shai’s intuitive interface where users can upload a script and generate visual storyboards, complete with scene sequencing, shot duration, and voiceover options — all in one platform.
Learn more at shaicreative.ai or try our AI storyboard generator.
Why Shai Beats Story-Boards.ai
While Story-Boards.ai is fast and easy, Shai offers greater artistic and narrative control. Our platform is designed around filmmaking needs — adding layers like voiceover syncing, visual style consistency, and shot framing logic that Story-Boards.ai currently lacks.
Key differences:
- Advanced AI: Context-aware storyboarding supports multiple genres and styles.
- Collaboration: Real-time, multi-user editing and asset sharing.
- Asset Management: Integrated version control and cloud storage.
- Customization: High flexibility with custom templates and pipelines.
- Production-Ready: Built for professional filmmakers, agencies, and creative teams.
Shai storyboard view showing AI-generated frames from uploaded script
Efficiency gains: Filmmakers report up to 50% reduction in pre-production time using AI-driven tools like Shai, freeing up resources for creative exploration.
Shai Pricing
- Basic – $12/month: Full access to storyboard and shot list tools, unlimited projects, real-time collaboration, 120 images + 13 videos.
- Freelance – $29/month: Same access with 440 images + 44 videos.
- Studio – $79/month: Includes AI animatics, advanced exports, priority support, 1400 images + 156 videos.
- Enterprise – Custom: Built for studios/agencies with additional security, integrations, and high-volume needs.
Compared to Story-Boards.ai, Shai provides a flexible pricing model with more creative control and production-ready features at each tier.
Edit AI-generated visuals directly in Shai with prompt tuning and framing controls
Alternatives #2 to #10
2. Boords
What it is: Boords is a classic online storyboard tool, popular for its intuitive drag-and-drop interface and team collaboration features.
3 Key Features:
- Team-based storyboarding with version history.
- PDF and animatic exports for client presentations.
- Simple, accessible UI for manual storyboarding.
Drawbacks: Limited AI features; manual image creation can be time-consuming for complex projects.
Boords vs Story-Boards.ai: Boords offers more manual control and team tools, but lacks the AI-driven speed and automation of Story-Boards.ai. Best for teams who prefer hands-on storyboarding.
3. storyboarder.ai
What it is: Storyboarder.ai focuses on simplicity, offering quick drag-and-drop storyboarding for fast visual ideation.
3 Key Features:
- Basic drag-and-drop interface.
- Quick visual generation from prompts.
- Minimal learning curve.
Drawbacks: Limited customization and advanced features; not ideal for complex or cinematic projects.
storyboarder.ai vs Story-Boards.ai: Both offer AI-generated visuals, but storyboarder.ai is even more streamlined — great for fast drafts, less so for professional filmmaking.
4. storyboardhero.ai
What it is: Storyboardhero.ai is built for creative teams and agencies, emphasizing collaboration and client feedback.
3 Key Features:
- Real-time collaboration and feedback tools.
- Customizable templates for various genres.
- Client review and approval workflows.
Drawbacks: Higher pricing for advanced features; may be overkill for solo creators.
storyboardhero.ai vs Story-Boards.ai: Storyboardhero.ai excels in team collaboration and feedback, while Story-Boards.ai is faster for solo use.
5. ltx.studio
What it is: LTX Studio is an all-in-one AI pipeline for video production, offering script-to-edit workflows and advanced AI-driven storytelling.
3 Key Features:
- Full video generation suite from script to edit.
- AI-powered storyboarding and shot planning.
- Intuitive, modern UI.
Drawbacks: Currently invite-only with limited access; pricing details not public.
ltx.studio vs Story-Boards.ai: LTX Studio offers a broader production pipeline, while Story-Boards.ai is focused on fast storyboard generation.
6. krock.io
What it is: Krock.io is a review and approval platform for creative teams, supporting storyboarding, annotations, and workflow management.
3 Key Features:
- Team workflows with feedback and approval.
- Annotation tools for precise feedback.
- Integration with other creative tools.
Drawbacks: Not AI-driven; manual storyboard creation required.
krock.io vs Story-Boards.ai: Krock.io is better for collaborative review, while Story-Boards.ai is faster for initial storyboard drafts.
7. katalist.ai
What it is: Katalist.ai focuses on concept creation, combining moodboards, AI-assisted scripting, and visual planning.
3 Key Features:
- AI-powered moodboard and concept generation.
- Script integration and visual planning.
- Customizable creative workflows.
Drawbacks: Pricing varies; less focused on detailed storyboarding.
katalist.ai vs Story-Boards.ai: Katalist.ai is ideal for early-stage ideation, while Story-Boards.ai is better for final storyboard output.
8. frame forge
What it is: Frame Forge is a technical pre-visualization tool, offering 3D camera planning and detailed shot design.
3 Key Features:
- 3D camera and lighting tools.
- Detailed shot planning for technical accuracy.
- Export options for production teams.
Drawbacks: Steep learning curve; higher upfront cost.
frame forge vs Story-Boards.ai: Frame Forge is best for technical directors and DPs, while Story-Boards.ai is more accessible for general creatives.
9. OpenAI Sora
What it is: OpenAI Sora is an experimental AI platform that generates video from natural language prompts.
3 Key Features:
- Natural language to video generation.
- Experimental, cutting-edge AI models.
- Potential for rapid visual ideation.
Drawbacks: Still in early access; not yet production-ready.
OpenAI Sora vs Story-Boards.ai: Sora pushes the boundaries of AI video, while Story-Boards.ai is more stable for current production needs.
Read about OpenAI Sora
10. wonderunit.com (Storyboarder)
What it is: Storyboarder by Wonder Unit is a free, open-source desktop storyboard software for manual creation.
3 Key Features:
- Free and open-source.
- Manual drawing and editing tools.
- Export to various formats.
Drawbacks: No AI features; manual work required.
Storyboarder vs Story-Boards.ai: Storyboarder is ideal for artists who want full manual control, while Story-Boards.ai is faster for AI-generated storyboards.
Final Thoughts
The landscape for storyboard and pre-production tools in 2025 is defined by AI integration, collaboration, and workflow automation. Whether you need rapid AI-generated storyboards, deep cinematic control, or robust team collaboration, there’s a tool to fit your workflow.
If you’re seeking a powerful, filmmaker-focused, AI-driven alternative to Story-Boards.ai, we recommend starting with Shai. Our platform is purpose-built to accelerate your creative process, empower your team, and deliver cinematic storyboards that bring your vision to life.
FAQ
Is there a free version of Story-Boards.ai? Story-Boards.ai does not currently offer a free plan, but some alternatives like Boords and Wonder Unit Storyboarder do.
What’s better than Story-Boards.ai for filmmakers? For filmmakers seeking cinematic control, collaboration, and advanced AI features, Shai is a top choice. Frame Forge and LTX Studio are also strong options for technical or all-in-one workflows.
Can AI storyboards be customized? Yes! Platforms like Shai allow you to control visual style, shot composition, and pacing, ensuring your AI generated storyboard matches your creative vision.
Ready to transform your pre-production? Explore shaicreative.ai and experience the next level of AI-powered storyboarding.