Platform Guide
TikTok vs YouTube Shorts vs Reels for AI Video
aicut makes one 9:16 AI video and auto-posts it to TikTok, YouTube Shorts and Instagram Reels, because all three use the same 1080x1920 vertical format. The real differences are length limits, where each app's UI covers the frame, sound, discovery and creator payouts, so keep the subject and captions in the center safe zone. The aicut account is free.
What does aicut include? Specs at a glance
One aicut account gives you 22 AI video models and 9 image models in 29 languages, and posts finished videos to TikTok, YouTube Shorts and Instagram Reels.
| Spec | aicut |
|---|---|
| AI video models | 22, including Veo 3.1, Kling 3, Seedance 2.5 |
| AI image models | 9 |
| Languages | 29 |
| Aspect ratios | 16:9, 9:16, 1:1, 2:3, 3:2, 21:9, 4:3, 3:4 |
| Longest single AI clip | 30 seconds |
| AI video price | 0.2 to 6.25 tokens per second of video ($0.10 to $3.13 on a paid plan) |
| Free plan | $0, pay-as-you-go at $0.60 per token |
| Creator plan | $19.99/month, 50 tokens included |
| Automate plan | $39.99/month, 100 tokens included |
| Auto-posts to | TikTok, YouTube Shorts, Instagram Reels |
How long does an AI clip take, and what does it cost? Our test
We ran one prompt through Veo 3.1, Kling 3 and Seedance 2.5 on October 10, 2026. Each made an 8-second, 1080p, 9:16 clip; render times ran from 2 min 21 s to 7 min 26 s.
| Model | Clip length | Render time | Token cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Veo 3.1 | 8 seconds, 1080p, 9:16 | 2 min 21 s | 5 tokens ($2.50) |
| Seedance 2.5 | 8 seconds, 1080p, 9:16 | 4 min 6 s | 20.48 tokens ($10.24) |
| Kling 3 | 8 seconds, 1080p, 9:16 | 7 min 26 s | 5.6 tokens ($2.80) |
Prompt: "A golden retriever puppy runs through a sunlit meadow toward the camera, slow motion, shallow depth of field, cinematic vertical shot." No audio. One run per model, so times vary by run.
What are the video specs for TikTok, Shorts, and Reels?
All three want a 9:16 vertical video at 1080x1920 in MP4. They differ mainly in length: TikTok allows up to 10 minutes, while a clip only counts as a YouTube Short or an Instagram Reel if it stays at or under 3 minutes.
| Spec | TikTok | YouTube Shorts | Instagram Reels |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aspect ratio | 9:16 vertical | 9:16 vertical | 9:16 vertical |
| Resolution | 1080 x 1920 | 1080 x 1920 | 1080 x 1920 |
| Max length | Up to 10 min | 3 min (to count as a Short) | Up to 3 min |
| Reach sweet spot | 21-34 sec | Under 60 sec | Under 90 sec |
| File format | MP4 / MOV | MP4 / MOV | MP4 / MOV |
How are the safe zones different?
Each app covers different parts of the frame with its own buttons, captions, and handle, so anything important near the edges can get hidden. Keep the subject and any on-screen text inside the center - roughly the middle 1080 x 1420 - and it reads cleanly on all three.
- •TikTok: the right-side icon stack and the caption and username strip along the bottom cover the lower-right quarter.
- •Instagram Reels: similar right-side actions, plus the caption and audio line across the bottom.
- •YouTube Shorts: the title, channel name, and subscribe button sit across the bottom, and the progress bar hugs the base.
Do the three platforms want different content?
Yes - the format is identical but the culture is not. TikTok rewards fast, trend-and-sound-driven hooks; YouTube Shorts rewards searchable, evergreen topics that connect to a channel; Instagram Reels rewards polished, shareable clips that travel through an existing audience.
| TikTok | YouTube Shorts | Instagram Reels | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Driven by | Trending audio + hook | Search + topic | Aesthetic + shares |
| Sound matters | Critical | Less critical | Important |
| Best for | Trends, fast hooks | How-to, evergreen | Polished, community |
| Follower dependence | Low (pure FYP) | Low-medium | Medium |
How does discovery work on each?
TikTok is the most algorithmic - the For You Page shows a video to strangers regardless of follower count. YouTube Shorts pulls from the Shorts feed plus YouTube search and suggested, so titles and topics matter; Reels reaches through Explore and the follower graph, so shares and saves carry more weight.
Which platform pays creators the most?
As of 2026 there is no single winner - each pays differently and the thresholds change often. YouTube Shorts shares ad revenue through the Partner Program, TikTok pays qualifying longer videos through its Creator Rewards Program, and Instagram Reels leans on ads, gifts, and brand deals rather than a per-view fund.
| Platform | How it pays | Rough entry bar (verify current terms) |
|---|---|---|
| YouTube Shorts | Shorts ad-revenue share (YPP) | 1,000 subs + 10M Shorts views / 90 days |
| TikTok | Creator Rewards Program | 10,000 followers + 100k views / 30 days, videos over 1 min |
| Instagram Reels | Ads, gifts, brand deals | No per-view fund; eligibility varies |
Payout rates and eligibility shift regularly - treat these as direction, not a promise, and check each platform's current creator terms before you count on them.
Do I have to make three different videos?
No. One 9:16 vertical video with the subject and captions kept centered works on all three - you only need to adjust length and caption text per platform. With aicut you generate the video once and it auto-posts the right cut, with per-platform titles, to TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram.
That is the whole point of building for the shared 9:16 canvas: make it once, keep it inside the safe zone, and let automation handle the three uploads instead of exporting and posting by hand three times a day.
Frequently asked questions
Can I post the same video to TikTok, Shorts, and Reels?
Yes - all three use the same 9:16 vertical format, so one master video works everywhere. Keep it at or under 3 minutes and it qualifies as a YouTube Short and an Instagram Reel as well as a TikTok.
What length works on all three platforms?
Under 60 seconds is the safest cross-platform length - it fits TikTok's reach sweet spot and stays within the 3-minute cap that YouTube Shorts and Instagram Reels require.
Which platform is best for faceless AI videos?
All three work for faceless content. TikTok tends to give new faceless channels the fastest algorithmic reach, YouTube Shorts compounds best over time through search, and Reels helps most if you already have an Instagram following.
Does aicut resize videos for each platform?
aicut generates in the shared 9:16 vertical format that all three platforms use and auto-posts to each, so you do not export and re-upload three times - you make the video once and it goes out everywhere.
Try it on a real video
The free plan is pay-as-you-go - generate a first video before committing to anything.