I got billed $17 for a single AI short. So I built a local desktop app to generate them for 40¢.
Hey everyone,I run a niche faceless history channel (The Embered Tales). A few weeks ago, I tried generating a single vertical short using a popular cloud-hosted video tool. When the bill hit my dashboard, a single 60-second clip had cost me $17.15 in cloud markup. No warnings.
I figured the middlemen markups on API usage were getting out of hand, so I spent the last few weeks building my own local alternative: Emberforge.
It’s a local desktop pipeline (Windows, Mac, Linux) that handles the entire faceless video workflow—scripting, narration, visual generation, consistent character seeds, and burnt-in captions—but it runs completely on your own API keys (ElevenLabs, fal.ai, Anthropic).
The Cost Breakdown:
The SaaS Way: $40+/month for locked credits.
The Emberforge Way: You pay the providers directly at raw cost. My last 9 full videos cost a combined $3.85. That's about 43¢ per finished vertical video.
How it works:
You double-click the app to launch it locally.
Type a topic or paste a script.
Choose one of the 6 built-in styles (like Dark Fantasy, Celtic Woodcut, or Ink Wash).
The Feature I Needed: The app calculates an itemized cost estimate before rendering and makes you click confirm so you never get a surprise bill.
It exports a finished vertical MP4 ready for Shorts/TikTok.
It has a built-in setup checker that walks you through pasting your API keys, so you don't have to fiddle around in a command line terminal.
I just launched it on Gumroad. I'm selling the first 25 copies for a one-time launch price of $49 (then it goes to $100 permanently) because I want to get real user feedback and fix any day-one bugs. No subscriptions, you buy it once and own the file forever.
Check it out here: https://emberforgefacelessclips.netlify.app/
I'd love to get your thoughts on the landing page, the "Bring Your Own Keys" angle, or answer any technical questions about building a local pipeline!
The cost savings are compelling, but I'd keep validating what buyers are actually switching for. The bigger advantage may not be generating videos for 43¢—it may be giving creators predictable costs and full control instead of depending on someone else's pricing model.
Thats exactly what I have made. There is no video until you approve the cost. Check out my website. I just did a update push everything is live. Its also automated for youtube and TikTok. TikTok is gated under 4 to 6 week reviews. But its all there stop buy and check it out. O I almost forgot my last bit of goodies added as all the data analytics that matter have been added so when you generate hooks and videos it takes your winners and makes more.
Appreciate the context.
The shift from cost control to having more predictable ownership over the workflow is interesting.
Would be good to understand more about what you're seeing from creators using it.
What's the best email to reach you on?
Thanks Aryan. Honest answer on creator data: it's early — I launched this a few days ago, so the main person putting it through real use is me, on my own channel (linked above). What I can show you is the output itself — every video on that channel came through the tool, and the analytics loop I mentioned is what's driving which ones I make next.
Happy to talk more — easiest is right here in the thread, or you can reach me at my email listed on gumroad listing What's your interest — using it for a channel, or something else?
Appreciate the context.
I couldn't find the email on the Gumroad listing — could you share the best email to reach you on?
Would be good to continue the conversation there.
I can't post my email here you can email me via gumroad from the subscribe section
Got it, thanks.
I subscribed through Gumroad using hello@beryxa.com.
Looking forward to continuing the conversation there.