Cheapest AI Video API in 2026: Price per Second Compared

Video models are priced in different units — per second, per clip, per credit — which makes them hard to compare. Here is every video model on OkayPic converted to the same three numbers: price per second, a 10-second clip, and a one-minute film.

Last updated · prices from OkayPic

ModelPer second10-second clip1-minute filmClip length
MiniMax H3 · 480p$0.007/s$0.071$0.431–15 s per clip
MiniMax H3 · 768p$0.010/s$0.10$0.601–15 s per clip
MiniMax H3 · 1080p$0.021/s$0.21$1.291–10 s per clip
Seedance 2.5 · cheapest channel$0.12/s$1.16$6.96per second
Seedance 2.0 · cheapest channel$0.16/s$1.61$9.64per second
Seedance 2.0 Mini · cheapest channel$0.089/s$0.89$5.36per second
Veo 3.1 Fast$0.013/s*$0.20*$0.80*8 s clips
Veo 3.1 Components$0.019/s*$0.30*$1.20*8 s clips
Veo 3.1 Pro$0.037/s*$0.60*$2.40*8 s clips

* Veo 3.1 is sold per 8-second clip: 10 seconds needs two clips, a minute needs eight. Prices in USD on OkayPic, pay as you go; failed generations are refunded.

The cheapest: MiniMax H3

MiniMax H3 at 480p costs $0.007/s — a 10-second clip for under ten cents and a full minute for under fifty. At 768p it is still about one cent per second. It is also the model we use for multi-shot storytelling: up to 9 reference images and 3 voice samples per clip keep characters consistent.

When to pay more

Veo 3.1 generates sound together with the picture in fixed 8-second clips, which suits single shots with ambience. Seedance handles very large motion and accepts video and audio references. For long-form work like short dramas, the per-second price dominates: a 10-minute drama is 600 seconds of video.

How to spend less on any model

Draft at the lowest resolution and only re-render the shots you keep; use reference images instead of re-rolling for consistency; keep clips short and cut between them; and use an API that refunds failed generations automatically.

FAQ

What is the cheapest AI video API?

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On OkayPic, MiniMax H3 at 480p is the cheapest at $0.007/s: about $0.07 for a 10-second clip.

How much does a one-minute AI video cost?

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With MiniMax H3, about $0.43 at 480p or $0.60 at 768p. Our 64-second demo drama cost about $1 in total, including character sheets and keyframes.

Do I need a subscription for either model?

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No. OkayPic is pay as you go for every model: top up from $2, pay per image or per second of video, and failed generations are refunded automatically.

More comparisons

Try them yourself

One balance for every model. Top up from $2, failed generations are refunded.