Chat Story Video Maker
Turn a written conversation into an animated chat story video for TikTok, Reels, Shorts or YouTube. Write or paste the dialogue, split it into scenes, set the pacing, add sound, and export an MP4, WebM or GIF — all in your browser, with nothing uploaded.
Text-message stories work when the timing works: a typing indicator that holds the beat, a reply that lands just as the viewer finishes reading, a twist that gets a moment of silence. This editor is built around that. Every message has a timing you can see on a timeline, an estimated reading time for your audience, and a preview drawn by the same renderer that makes the final video, so what you watch is what you export.
- Free, no sign-up, no watermark
- Runs and saves in your browser
- MP4, WebM, GIF and PNG export
What the editor does
Script to story in one paste
Write “NAME: message” lines in any notes app and paste them in. Speakers become characters with their own colours, headings become scenes, and every line the parser can’t place is listed with its line number instead of disappearing.
Scenes, storyboard and timeline
Split a story into scenes, give each one its own look, title card and transition, and see every message on a timeline. Drag the end of a message to hold it longer, or drag scenes to reorder them.
Animation that matches the export
Typing indicators, letter-by-letter typing, bubble entrances, read receipts, reactions, highlights and gentle camera moves are drawn by one renderer — the video you download is frame-for-frame what you previewed.
Sound effects and music
Message pops, keyboard clicks, transition swooshes and four original music beds are generated in your browser, so there is nothing to license. You can also add your own track with fades.
Pacing and readability checks
A rule-based assistant points out messages that leave the screen before people can read them, long silences, rushed scenes, text too tall for the screen and abrupt endings — with a one-click fix you can undo.
Styles, devices and formats
Pick an iOS-style, Android-style, WhatsApp-inspired, Instagram-inspired, minimal or custom look, a phone frame or full-screen chat, and 9:16, 1:1 or 16:9 output.
How to make a chat story video
- 1Pick one of the starter templates, start from scratch, or paste a script with one message per line.
- 2Check the cast: choose who owns the phone (their messages appear on the right), and add names, colours or photos.
- 3Organise the story into scenes on the storyboard. Add a title card or a transition where the story jumps in time.
- 4Choose a messaging style, background and animation in Style, and turn on sound in Audio if you want effects or music.
- 5Press Play and watch it through. Open Checks to see any messages that move on too quickly, then adjust timing in the timeline.
- 6Click Export, choose MP4, WebM, GIF or PNG, and download the file. Your project keeps saving in this browser as you work.
Prefer to write first? Our guide to writing better chat story videos covers hooks, beats and endings, and the text message video workflow covers framing and editing for short-form platforms.
15 starter templates
Each template is a complete, original and fictional story with its own look, pacing and structure. Open one from the welcome screen or the Templates tab, then change any line.
Unexpected confession
A late-night text that changes a friendship. Slow build, one highlighted line.
Drama · 9:16
Funny misunderstanding
Mom sends the family photo to the wrong group. Snappy timing for comedy.
Comedy · 9:16
Mystery conversation
An unknown number knows things it shouldn't. Dark mode, slow drift camera.
Suspense · 9:16
Suspenseful cliffhanger
A babysitting night goes strange and stops right before the answer. Ends on “Part 2?”.
Suspense · 9:16
Friendship drama
Left out of the beach photos — and a better ending than expected.
Drama · 9:16
Romantic conversation
Two strangers from a bookshop plan a first date. Cozy, warm and light.
Drama · 9:16
Group chat comedy
Four roommates, one missing slice of birthday cake. Colour-coded names.
Comedy · 9:16
Plot twist ending
Planning a surprise party… in the wrong chat. The reveal lands on the last message.
Comedy · 9:16
Gaming team conversation
A squad scrambles before a tournament round. Fast, punchy, dark mode.
Everyday · 9:16
School-life conversation
A group project, a surprise quiz and one very calm friend.
Everyday · 9:16
Customer-support demo
A fictional support chat for a product walkthrough or training slide. 16:9.
Explainers · 16:9
Educational dialogue
A tutor explains the water cycle in short, friendly messages. For lessons and slides.
Explainers · 16:9
Horror-story teaser
A short, creepy teaser that ends on a hook. Red-black backdrop, suspense bed.
Suspense · 9:16
Short-form social video
A hook card, a 20-second chat and a punchline. Built for Reels, Shorts and TikTok.
Comedy · 9:16
Multi-scene story
Three days, three scenes and title cards: a lost dog finds its way home.
Drama · 9:16
Export formats and browser support
Videos are created on your device, so speed depends on your browser and hardware. The export dialog detects what your browser can encode before you start and only offers formats that will work.
| Format | Good for | How it’s made |
|---|---|---|
| MP4 (H.264) | TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts and video editors | Encoded on your device with WebCodecs where the browser supports it; otherwise recorded in real time, or hidden if unavailable |
| WebM | YouTube uploads, the web and most editors | Encoded with WebCodecs, or recorded in real time with MediaRecorder |
| GIF | Short silent loops for chats, slides and docs | 360–600 px wide, up to 15 fps; best under 15 seconds |
| PNG | Thumbnails, storyboards and single frames | 720p or 1080p still of any moment |
Videos come out at 720p or 1080p and 24, 30 or 60 frames per second, as a whole story, one scene or a custom range. Sound is included when it’s turned on and the browser can encode audio. Real-time recording needs the tab to stay visible until it finishes.
Pacing tips for chat stories
- Open with the line that makes people stay. Viewers decide in the first two seconds, so start mid-conversation rather than with “hey”.
- Keep messages short. Two quick messages read faster on a phone than one paragraph, and the extra beat adds rhythm.
- Use a typing indicator or a pause before a reveal — and only before reveals, so it still means something.
- Highlight at most one or two lines per scene. A spotlight on every message stops working.
- Set the reading speed for your audience. Younger or casual viewers need the relaxed setting; recap-style videos can go faster.
- Give the ending a moment. Hold the last message for a second or two, or add a closing card that asks for part two.
Fictional mockups only. Chat stories are for entertainment, storytelling, education and design. Don’t present them as real conversations, don’t impersonate real people or brands, and never use them as evidence or to deceive anyone. Messaging styles are original designs inspired by common layouts; Mocknex isn’t affiliated with any messaging app. Read our acceptable use policy.
Private by design
There’s no account and no upload step. Your script, photos and music stay on your device: projects are stored in your browser’s own database, and videos are encoded locally and handed straight to your downloads. The heavier video encoder is only downloaded when you export, so the editor opens quickly. Because browser storage can be cleared, the Projects tab lets you save a portable project file at any time.
Guides
Chat Story Video Maker FAQ
Is the Chat Story Video Maker free?
Yes. Writing, previewing and exporting are free, with no account, no watermark and no limit on the number of videos.
Is my story uploaded anywhere?
No. Editing, animation, audio mixing and video encoding all happen in your browser. Projects are saved in this browser's own storage (IndexedDB) and never sent to a server.
Which formats can I export?
MP4, WebM, GIF and PNG. The export dialog checks what your browser can encode and only offers formats that will work. Recent desktop and mobile browsers with WebCodecs export MP4 or WebM faster than real time; others record the video in real time.
How is this different from the Text Story Generator?
The Text Story Generator makes a single chat in many app styles and is the quickest way to a screenshot or short clip. The Chat Story Video Maker is a fuller video studio: several scenes, a storyboard and timeline, title cards, transitions, music and pacing checks.
How do I add sound or music?
Open the Audio tab and turn sound on. Choose message sounds and one of the built-in music beds, which are generated in your browser, or add your own audio file — only use music you have the rights to. Sound is mixed into MP4 and WebM exports in sync with the picture.
What script format does it understand?
One message per line as “NAME: message”. Start a scene with “# Scene title” or “---”, add pauses with [pause 2s], timestamps with [time Today 9:41 PM], and system lines with “>”. Tags such as [react 😂], [highlight] and [typing] go at the end of a message.
Will my projects still be there tomorrow?
Usually, yes: work autosaves in this browser. Browsers can clear site data, and private windows forget everything when closed, so use Projects → Save file to keep a portable copy with your photos and music.
Can I post these videos on TikTok, Reels or YouTube?
Yes, for fiction, comedy, storytelling, education and design. Don’t present a mockup as a real conversation, don’t use real people’s names or photos without permission, and don’t use it to deceive anyone.
Does it work on phones?
Yes. On small screens the editor switches to Edit, Preview, Properties and Checks views. Long 1080p exports take longer on phones, so 720p is a good choice there.
Ready to tell your story?
Start from a template or paste your script. No account, no watermark, nothing uploaded.
Open the editor