Krock.io offers collaborative review workflows and CSV-based storyboarding, but its AI storyboard generator is limited in automation and cinematic planning. Filmmakers ready to elevate their pre-production process should explore stronger script-to-storyboard solutions—starting with Shai.
📊 Comparison Table
| Rank | Tool | Script Import | AI Imagery | Shot Planning | Animatics | Collaboration | Starting Price |
| 1 | Shai | ✅ Full script | High | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Cloud | $12/mo (Basic) |
| 2 | story‑boards.ai | ✅ Basic | Medium | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ~$15/mo |
| 3 | storyboarder.ai | Good | ❌ | ✅ Yes | ✅ | ~$39/mo | |
| 4 | storyboardhero.ai | ✅ Full script | High | ❌ | ✅ Yes | ✅ | $19–199/mo |
| 5 | ltx.studio | ✅ Full script | 3D-style | ❌ | ✅ Yes | ✅ Invite | Free–$75/mo |
| 6 | katalist.ai | ✅ Basic | Medium | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ Beta | TBD |
| 7 | Frame Forge | ❌ Manual previz | 3D Manual | ✅ Yes | ❌ | ❌ | One-time |
| 8 | OpenAI Sora | ✅ API-only | High | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | API-priced |
| 9 | wonderunit.com | ❌ Manual | Manual | ❌ | ✅ Yes | ✅ | Free/Premium |
Why Explore Alternatives?
Krock.io excels at collaborative review and feedback. However, filmmakers seeking a production-centric ai storyboard generator need features Krock.io lacks:
- Prompt-free script parsing
- Cinematic shot control and customization
- Auto-generated shot lists & schedules
- Integrated animatic production
- Intuitive storyboard-first workflow
These top alternatives significantly enhance creative freedom, automation, and production readiness.
1. Shai – The Ultimate AI Storyboard Generator
What it is: A groundbreaking ai storyboard generator that converts full scripts into cinematic storyboards, shot lists, animatics, and production schedules—all in the cloud.
Key Features:
- Full-script parsing – Upload any screenplay; no CSV or manual formatting needed.
- AI imagery – No prompts required; AI crafts visuals from script context
- Real-time adjustments – Edit camera angle, shot size, and framing live, with instant visual updates
- Shot lists & scheduling – Automatically extracts scenes, characters, locations, and timing for production planning
- Animatics – Built-in voiceover, pacing, and camera movement for previewing action flow
- Collaboration – Cloud-first platform with real-time sharing and security
Shai storyboard view showing AI-generated frames from uploaded script
Drawbacks:
- Animatics require the Studio plan
- Requires internet as a fully cloud-based tool
Learn more at shaicreative.ai or try our AI storyboard generator.
Shai Pricing:
| Plan | Images | Videos | Animatics | Extras | Price |
| Free Trial | 10 | — | ❌ | Explore core features | Free |
| Basic | 120 | 13 | ✅ | Unlimited projects, collaboration | $12/mo |
| Freelance | 440 | 44 | ✅ | More images/videos + longer scripts | $29/mo |
| Studio | 1,400 | 156 | ✅ | Animatics, priority exports & support | $99/mo |
| Enterprise | Custom | Custom | ✅ | Team controls, integrations (enterprise) |
Edit AI-generated visuals directly in Shai with prompt tuning and framing controls
Why Shai Beats Krock.io:
While Krock.io handles CSV imports, Shai delivers a full script-to-screen experience:
- Voiceover & AI animatics bring pacing and mood
- Cinematic camera controls for angles, lenses, transitions
- Script-to-storyboard automation in minutes
- Realtime cloud collaboration with creatives
- Built for filmmakers, not just managers or clients
Shai truly meets the needs of production filmmakers with speed, depth, and control.
Learn more at shaicreative.ai or try our AI storyboard generator.
Shai Shot List Overview
2. story‑boards.ai
What it is: A simple and affordable ai storyboard generator for quick script-to-board visuals.
Key Features:
- Basic AI image generation from scripts
- Intuitive drag-and-drop interface
- Very affordable (~$15/month)
Drawbacks:
- No shot lists, schedules, or animatics
- Limited customization and team features
story‑boards.ai vs Krock.io:
Generates visuals faster than Krock.io’s CSV method but lacks depth in planning and collaboration.
Why Shai Beats story‑boards.ai:
Shai elevates story‑boards.ai with cinematic storytelling tools:
- Deeper script parsing and shot composition
- Priority visual fidelity and style controls
- Complete production output: shot lists, schedules, animatics
- Cloud-based team workflows (absent in story‑boards.ai)
3. storyboarder.ai
What it is: A cloud storyboard tool featuring animatics and collaboration.
Key Features:
- Import PDFs or scripts to generate frames
- Create animatics with timing control
- Offers team comments and versioning
Drawbacks:
- Basic AI intervention; minimal camera control
- No auto-generated shot lists or scheduling
storyboarder.ai vs Krock.io:
Better at automation and animatics; weaker at production planning.
Why Shai Beats storyboarder.ai:
Shai strengthens storyboarder.ai’s offerings with:
- Camera-specific adjustments (angles, depth of field)
- Automated shot list & scheduling in seconds
- Cinematic animatics with layered voiceovers
- Prompt-free automation and cloud editing
4. storyboardhero.ai
What it is: An AI-enhanced storyboard tool geared toward agencies and creators with collaboration in mind.
Key Features:
- Full script import or prompt-based board creation
- Custom image styles, premium visuals, brand export
- Team collaboration and PDF, shot list exports
Drawbacks:
- Additional costs for high-definition visuals
- Production scheduling features missing
storyboardhero.ai vs Krock.io:
Better visuals and teamwork features; lacks pre-production pipelines.
Why Shai Beats storyboardhero.ai:
Shai caters specifically to filmmakers:
- Voiceover & AI animatics with real pacing
- Camera lens, zoom, movement options
- Automated shot lists and sequence breakdowns
- Cloud-based real-time editing over static exports
5. ltx.studio
What it is: A pipeline tool offering script-to-video with stylized visuals and exports.
Key Features:
- Rich visual generative tools
- Script and shot-level automation
- Export to XML/MP4 formats
Drawbacks:
- Currently invite-only
- Lacks automated scheduling and detailed shot lists
ltx.studio vs Krock.io:
Superior visual quality; less accessible and team-friendly.
Why Shai Beats ltx.studio:
Shai democratizes these advanced features with public access, plus:
- Built-in shot planning
- Animatics out of the box
- Cloud sharing with version control
6. katalist.ai
What it is: A concept-driven ideation tool focusing on moodboards and early storyboard drafts.
Key Features:
- AI-generated moodboards
- Script reflection and early visuals
- Collaborative ideation space
Drawbacks:
- Beta stage, unstable for full production
- No final storyboard or planning
katalist.ai vs Krock.io:
Better for mood and concept; no storyboard professionalism.
Why Shai Beats katalist.ai:
Shai transitions smoothly from ideation to full deliverable:
- Professional storyboard visuals
- Shot lists & schedules
- Animatics and polished sharing
7. Frame Forge
What it is: An award-winning desktop previz tool for precise shot production planning.
Key Features:
- 3D virtual sets with camera and lighting control
- Previsualization of camera movement and framing
- Scene design based on actual space dimensions
Drawbacks:
- No AI generation of visuals
- Desktop-only, high learning curve
Frame Forge vs Krock.io:
Excellent for pre-fire planning; lacks AI and real-time sharing.
Why Shai Beats Frame Forge:
Shai replaces manual previz with:
- AI-driven shot visuals instantly
- Cloud-based collaboration
- Production-ready outputs without desktop software
8. OpenAI Sora
What it is: API-centered script-to-image engine capable of generating high-quality visuals.
Key Features:
- Script prompt-based image outputs via API
- Developer flexibility in pipeline integration
Drawbacks:
- No built-in storyboard or project UI
- Requires coding knowledge
OpenAI Sora vs Krock.io:
High visual potential; no workflow or UI support.
Why Shai Beats OpenAI Sora:
Shai wraps OpenAI-level image creation in:
- A film-ready storyboard UI
- Shot planning & animatics
- No coding required
9. Wonder Unit (Storyboarder)
What it is: Free desktop storyboard tool designed for hand-drawn boards with animatics.
Key Features:
- Drawing tools plus audio-timeline animatics
Drawbacks:
- No AI automation
- Manual creation only
wonderunit.com vs Krock.io:
Better for artists; no AI or scripting automation.
Why Shai Beats Wonder Unit:
Shai totally automates the storyboard workflow:
- Generates visuals from script
- Provides shot lists and animatics
- Enables cloud sharing and faster iterative edits
🏁 Why Shai Reigns Supreme
For filmmakers and production-focused creatives, Shai stands out because it combines:
- Script-to-board automation – no CSVs or prompt engineering
- Cinematic imagery – adjustable camera framing, depth, and mood
- Production readiness – shot lists, schedules, animatics included
- Cloud collaboration – real-time team access and security
- Flexible plans – from $12/mo Basic to Enterprise-tier capabilities
No other tool offers this comprehensive suite in a single platform tailored to the needs of filmmakers. Shai isn’t just another AI storyboard generator—it’s a complete production ecosystem.
Conclusion
If you’re aiming for a true ai storyboard generator that supports your creative vision and operational workflow from script to screen, Shai is the definitive choice. While alternatives offer specialized tools in animation, previz, or lightweight storyboard layouts, only Shai delivers cinematic automation, collaboration, and pre-production depth—all in one cloud-based platform.
Empower your filmmaking process with Shai: where creative control meets production-ready efficiency.