7 Best Online Storyboard Creator Tools
While traditional methods like pen and paper or digital software have their place, online storyboard creator tools offer a convenient and efficient alternative. In this article, we’ll delve into the top contenders in this category, presenting you with a comprehensive list of the finest options available.
1. StoryboardHero
StoryboardHero, also recognized as an AI storyboard generator, is an online tool that leverages AI to facilitate the creation of storyboards in mere minutes! Tailored for video agencies aiming to streamline their pre-production processes, it’s a must-have solution.
Key Features:
- Concept and Script Generation: StoryboardHero simplifies concept and script creation, whether you have existing scripts or not. If you have existing scripts, you can simply import them. If you don’t have one, StoryboardHero can generate concepts and scripts for you, which you can edit later on to suit your preferences.
- AI Image Generation: Effortlessly create scene images by selecting your preferred art style and clicking the generate button. Utilize the prompt field to provide detailed descriptions for precise outcomes.
- Premium Sketch (Optional): Elevate professionalism with Premium Sketches meticulously crafted by skilled artists.
- Effortless Revisions: Streamline the revision process with StoryboardHero. Easily regenerate your storyboard with a few clicks until it aligns with your specifications.
- Share Your Storyboard Online: Share your storyboard online with optional password protection for privacy. Invite guests to provide feedback on individual scenes or generate a final storyboard in PDF format for seamless distribution.
For hassle-free, affordable, and quality storyboards created in minimal time, StoryboardHero stands out as the ultimate choice. With its AI-powered generation and customization options, it’s the perfect tool for bringing your ideas to life swiftly and effectively.
2. Canva
Canva, a widely recognized graphic design platform, now includes the ability to create storyboards among its extensive features.
Key Features:
- Easy to Use: Canva boasts a user-friendly interface, complete with intuitive drag-and-drop functionality, catering to both novice and experienced designers.
- Templates: Access a diverse range of templates designed to meet various needs, streamlining the storyboard creation process. Choose from an extensive selection of templates tailored to different industries and styles.
- Simple Storyboard Creation: Utilize templates and Canva’s extensive stock image library to effortlessly craft basic storyboards. This feature is particularly beneficial for beginners venturing into visual storytelling.
Despite Canva’s emphasis on simplicity, its storyboard creation features are relatively basic, which may limit users seeking more advanced customization options.
3. Milanote
Milanote is a user-friendly tool crafted to assist you in organizing your ideas and projects into visual boards, with a particular focus on storyboard creation.
Key Features:
- Drag and Drop Functionality: Milanote offers an intuitive drag-and-drop interface, allowing effortless arrangement and rearrangement of elements within your storyboard.
- Templates: Choose from a variety of templates tailored to different storyboard styles and formats, providing a helpful starting point for your creative endeavors.
- Built-in Images: Access a library of built-in images to enrich your storyboard visuals, ensuring a diverse range of options to suit your needs.
- Multimedia Support: Milanote facilitates the integration of videos, GIFs, files, and other multimedia elements into your storyboard, enhancing its richness and depth.
- Collaboration Features: Collaborate seamlessly with team members by sharing your storyboard on Milanote. Comment, share, receive notifications, and collaborate in real-time to refine your ideas.
- Sketch Cards: Utilize Milanote’s sketch cards feature to draw detailed scenes or quick concepts directly within your storyboard, enabling rapid visualization of ideas.
4. Visme
Visme stands out as an all-in-one marketing and design platform that includes a storyboard creator tool among its features.
Key Features:
- Customizable Templates: Visme offers a variety of customizable templates to jumpstart your storyboard creation process, catering to different storytelling needs with various styles and layouts.
- Searchable Stock Photo Library: Easily access a vast library of stock photos directly within Visme, simplifying the process of finding the perfect images to enhance your storyboard.
- Text Boxes and Presenter Notes: Seamlessly integrate script details or presenter notes into your storyboard using text boxes, ensuring clear communication and direction for each scene.
- Brand Integration: Maintain brand consistency by incorporating brand colors, icons, and shapes into your storyboard design. Visme’s intuitive interface facilitates the seamless integration of brand elements.
- Drag and Drop Design Tools: Effortlessly create and arrange elements within your storyboard using Visme’s drag-and-drop design tools. This intuitive feature enables quick and easy customization of your storyboard layout.
While Visme offers a user-friendly solution for creating engaging storyboards, users seeking a platform solely dedicated to storyboard creation may find that its diverse feature set lacks the specialized focus they require.
5. Miro
Miro serves as a visual workspace tailored to support workflows across all business stages, including storyboarding.
Key Features:
- Ready-Made Storyboard Templates: Miro expedites the storyboard creation process by offering a variety of ready-made templates. These templates serve as a creative springboard, allowing users to personalize them according to their specific requirements.
- One Shared Space: Collaboration lies at the heart of Miro’s ethos. Teams can effortlessly collaborate in one shared space, facilitating the real-time capture and organization of ideas.
- Limitless Board Features: Miro empowers users with boundless creative possibilities. From sketching scenarios to incorporating images and illustrations, the platform offers a diverse array of tools to breathe life into your storyboard.
While Miro provides unparalleled customization freedom, some users may find its interface less structured compared to conventional storyboard layouts. Navigating the platform to assemble a cohesive storyboard may require some adjustment.
6. Creately
Creately offers an intuitive storyboard maker that facilitates collaboration, planning, designing, and creating storyboards.
Key Features:
- Multiple Storyboard Templates: Creately provides users with a diverse selection of storyboard templates to kickstart the visualization process. Whether you’re conceptualizing a film, animation, or advertisement, there’s a template tailored to your needs.
- Diverse Shapes, Styles & Text Formats: Customize your storyboard with an extensive range of shapes, styles, and text formats. This versatility enables users to craft detailed scenarios aligned with their vision.
- Freehand Drawing Functions: Sketch out shots precisely with Creately’s intuitive freehand drawing functions. This feature seamlessly integrates hand-drawn elements into your storyboard.
- Advanced Text and Annotation Features: Describe scenes in meticulous detail using Creately’s advanced text and annotation features. From dialogue to stage directions, every aspect of your storyboard can be annotated for clarity.
- Multiple Import Options: Enhance your storyboard with visuals and graphics by importing them directly onto the canvas. Creately supports various import options, ensuring seamless integration of external elements into your storyboard.
- Real-Time Collaboration: Collaborate with teams in real-time, facilitating easy sharing and discussion. With Creately’s collaborative features, teams can work together seamlessly, regardless of their geographical location.
While Creately boasts powerful features, some users may find its interface challenging to navigate, especially when first starting out. The abundance of features and customization options may require time to fully master, potentially making it less accessible for those who prefer a simpler, more straightforward solution.
7. Plot
Plot is a versatile online storyboard creator, designed to be mobile-ready for convenient reviewing and adding comments on the go.
Key Features:
- Direct Scene Insertion: Easily insert new scenes directly from your scripts, maintaining the adaptability of your storyboard to changes.
- Illustration Tools: Plot offers a variety of brushes, shapes, and clipart to assist in creating detailed illustrations that enhance your storyboard.
- Image Flexibility: Whether uploading your own pictures or copying and pasting from other websites, Plot provides the freedom to incorporate visuals from various sources.
- Collaboration: Collaborate seamlessly with team members by sharing your storyboard on Plot. Work together in real time to refine ideas and make revisions.
However, unlike some other platforms, Plot does not provide templates or access to stock images. Users must supply their own resources, potentially limiting convenience for those who rely on pre-made templates or stock imagery. Its reliance on user-generated content may make it more suitable for skilled storyboard artists comfortable working without predefined structures.
In Conclusion
These online storyboard creators each offer unique advantages, from AI-generated visuals to collaborative workspaces. Depending on your project’s complexity, collaboration needs, and artistic preferences, there’s a tool tailored to streamline your storyboarding process. Experiment with these platforms to discover which best aligns with your creative workflow, enhancing your storytelling from concept to completion.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Are these tools available for free?
Most tools offer basic versions or trial periods for free, with full features accessible via subscription or purchase.
Can these be used professionally?
Absolutely. These tools cater to a wide range of professional applications, from video production to animation and marketing.
Do they support collaboration?
Yes, many of these tools are designed with collaboration in mind, allowing team members to contribute and refine storyboards together.
How do they compare to traditional software?
Online storyboard tools provide the convenience of web-based access and collaboration, differing from traditional software that might offer more robust features but less flexibility in sharing and teamwork.
Which is the top choice?
StoryboardHero is highly recommended for its quick, AI-assisted storyboard generation and comprehensive customization options, though the best choice depends on specific project requirements and personal preference.
