Text Story Video Maker for TikTok, Reels & Shorts
The chat-story format that gets millions of views — without After Effects.
Text-message story videos are one of the most reliable formats on TikTok, Reels and YouTube Shorts: a conversation unfolds on screen, viewers stay to see the reply, and the comment section argues about it. Producing them used to mean After Effects templates or expensive subscription tools — Chatimator does it in the browser, in minutes, free to start.
Write the conversation, pick a platform skin, and export a 9:16 MP4 (1080p60 on Pro) with typing indicators, message sounds and optional live keyboard typing. Timing is automatic — pauses scale to message length so the pacing feels human — and you can add per-message delays for dramatic beats.
What you get
9:16 vertical, feed-ready
The exact shape TikTok, Reels and YouTube Shorts want — 720p on the free plan, 1080×1920 at 60fps on Pro.
Automatic human pacing
Typing indicators and reading pauses scale with message length; add extra 'Wait' seconds on any message for a cliffhanger beat.
Keyboard typing mode
Show the message being typed on an on-screen keyboard with realistic rhythm, typos and corrections — the style that reads as a genuine screen recording.
Sound design built in
Send/receive tones and keyboard clicks are mixed into the export, so it's ready to post without editing.
Fast iteration
Change the script and re-export in seconds — unlimited exports on Pro. Save nothing to the cloud; everything stays in your browser.
How it works
- 1
Write a hook-first script
Start mid-drama — the first two messages decide whether viewers stay.
- 2
Pace the reveal
Use Wait times and typing indicators to hold tension before the punchline message.
- 3
Export and post
Download the 9:16 MP4 and upload straight to TikTok, Reels or YouTube Shorts.
Frequently asked questions
What's the best video size for TikTok text stories?
9:16 — Chatimator's default Reels format, at 1080×1920 on Pro. It also exports 1:1 and 16:9 for other placements.
Do I need to add sounds in an editor afterwards?
No. Message tones, typing sounds and keyboard clicks are already in the exported MP4's audio track.
Can viewers tell it's not a real screen recording?
Chatimator reproduces platform UIs closely — status bars, typing indicators, human typing rhythm with typos. For fiction and skits that's the point; always label fictional content clearly.
How long can the video be?
As long as your conversation needs. Duration is driven by the script; a typical 8-message story runs 15–30 seconds, ideal for short-form feeds.
Related tools
Try it now — free to start
Open the editor, write your first conversation and preview it instantly — then export with a free account.
Open the editor