▶Chatimator

Text Story Video Maker for TikTok, Reels & Shorts

The chat-story format that gets millions of views — without After Effects.

Start creating — freeAll use cases

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.

Example: Who pays for Netflix

Fake iMessage text story in dark mode: two friends argue over a shared Netflix account after the password is changed
  1. Bestie: why did netflix just log me out
  2. You: I changed the password
  3. Bestie: WHY
  4. You: because it's my account??
  5. Bestie: we've shared it for 3 years
  6. You: you've never paid once
  7. Bestie: I watched every show you recommended. that's payment
  8. You: goodbye
  9. Bestie: ok but before you go what's the new password

Hook in the first bubble, a new reveal every couple of messages, and a 3-second Wait before the last reply so the punchline gets the screen to itself. iMessage dark mode on iPhone 15 Pro Max, exported 9:16 — this is the final frame.

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. 1

    Write or generate the script

    Type the conversation, or describe the premise in a sentence and let the AI script generator draft it.

  2. 2

    Set the pauses

    Add a Wait on the reveal message, and switch on keyboard typing if the story is told from your side.

  3. 3

    Export and post

    Download the 9:16 MP4 and upload straight to TikTok, Reels or YouTube Shorts.

A four-beat script for text stories

Most text stories that hold attention follow the same shape. Script against it before you open the editor:

1. Hook — messages 1–2
Start mid-conflict. 'why did netflix just log me out' beats 'hey what's up' — viewers decide in the first second whether to swipe.
2. Escalate — the middle
Every reply should raise the stakes or reveal something. If a message could be deleted without losing the story, delete it.
3. Pause
Add a 2–3 second Wait before the big reply. The typing indicator pulsing on screen is what keeps people watching.
4. Payoff — the last message
End on the line people will quote in the comments, and don't add anything after it. Let it hang.
Aim for 15–35 seconds
That's roughly 8–14 short messages at normal speed. Longer stories work too — but trim before you add.

Read the full breakdown: anatomy of a viral text story →

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