Feature · Vertical video
Vertical Video Generator
natively 9:16, not cropped.
Every frame is composed for vertical. Faces, captions, motion — all fit a 1080×1920 canvas without cropping horizontal footage into awkward letterbox.
What you get
- ✓Generated natively at 1080×1920 — not a 16:9 cropped to fit.
- ✓Subject composition respects the vertical safe-zone for captions.
- ✓Text overlays always land in the caption-safe strip across platforms.
- ✓Instant platform presets: Shorts, Reels, TikTok, Snap, Pinterest.
- ✓Character and scene composition optimized for a portrait canvas.
- ✓Export 1080p or 4K, 30/60fps, mobile-first codec.
How it works
- 01Step 1
Pick a vertical preset
Shorts, Reels, TikTok, Pinterest — each preset locks the aspect, duration, and caption-safe zone. You never render something the platform will refuse.
- 02Step 2
Prompt your idea
One line of intent. The AI writes a script with pacing suited to the platform (Shorts = hook-first, TikTok = scroll-stopping, Reels = editorial) and generates scenes composed for vertical.
- 03Step 3
Render and export
Get an MP4 that lands inside platform spec. Upload with zero additional editing — Shortlify handles compression, caption placement, and safe zones automatically.
Comparison
| Aspect | Shortlify (native vertical) | Horizontal AI tool + crop |
|---|---|---|
| Subject composition | Always in the vertical frame | Cropped off left/right |
| Captions | Inside the safe-zone | Often cut off by UI |
| Resolution | Native 1080×1920 | Upscaled or letterboxed |
| Platform fit | Shorts/Reels/TikTok ready | Manual reframing required |
| Time to export | Instant | 30–60 min of re-composition |
Prompt ideas that work
“A cinematic portrait of a lone samurai at dawn, mist rolling over a mountain pass.”
“A first-person POV of a street in Tokyo at night — neon reflecting on wet asphalt.”
“A glass of whisky with smoke curling around it, slow-mo, editorial product style.”
“Three quick how-to frames for tying a bow tie, top-down shot, minimal aesthetic.”
“A cat discovering its reflection, anthropomorphic style, kids-bedtime mood.”
FAQ
- What's the difference between native 9:16 and cropping 16:9?
- Native 9:16 means the AI generates the scene for a portrait canvas — the subject, lighting, and motion are composed for vertical from the start. Cropping takes a horizontal scene and trims 30% off each side, which often cuts the main subject and destroys the composition.
- What resolutions does Shortlify output?
- Default is 1080×1920 (standard HD vertical). Studio plan supports 4K vertical (2160×3840) for agencies delivering to premium platforms. Frame rate defaults to 30fps with 60fps available.
- Can I convert an existing horizontal video to vertical?
- Yes — upload any 16:9 and Shortlify will re-compose it for 9:16 using AI reframing (subject tracking + zoom). Results are dramatically better than a simple crop.
- Do captions stay readable across all platforms?
- Yes. Shortlify uses a universal caption safe-zone (center column, avoiding the top/bottom UI strips where TikTok, Reels and Shorts overlay their own elements). You can preview how captions look on each platform before export.
- Can I add a custom watermark or logo?
- Yes — upload a logo and choose its corner placement. Watermark can be toggled on/off per video. Free plan includes watermark toggle.
- What file format does it export?
- H.264 MP4 with AAC audio — the exact format Instagram, TikTok and YouTube accept without re-encoding on upload. Studio plan adds H.265 / ProRes for higher-quality delivery.
Related reading
Vertical video that looks like it was shot vertical.
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