Guide · Updated September 13, 2026 · 13 models compared
Best AI Video Generators in 2026 (Text to Video, Compared)
The best AI video generators in 2026 are Seedance 2.5 (30-second native clips), Kling 3 (control and audio), Veo 3.1 (realism and sound) and Wan 3.0 (best value at 1080p). For cheap volume, Grok Imagine Video 1.5 and Hailuo H3 Max cost a few credits per clip. All run on Bolly from the Starter plan; the free plan covers image models.
Text-to-video has moved from 4-second silent loops to 15–30 second shots with dialogue and ambience. This list ranks the models Bolly hosts on realism, controllability, maximum length, audio and what a 5-second clip costs at default settings.
Prices are in Bolly credits (1 credit ≈ $0.05) for a 5-second clip at each model's default resolution; longer or higher-resolution clips scale roughly linearly.
Quick comparison
| # | Model | Best for | Max length | Max res | Audio | Credits / 5s clip | Plan |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seedance 2.5ByteDance | Narrative scenes and ads | 30s | 1080P | 95 | Plus | |
| 2 | Kling 3Kuaishou | Directed, multi-shot sequences | 15s | — | 34 | Starter | |
| 3 | Veo 3.1Google DeepMind | Realistic footage with dialogue | 8s | 4K | 80 | Plus | |
| 4 | Wan 3.0Alibaba | Long 1080p clips on a budget | 30s | 1080P | 40 | Starter | |
| 5 | Seedance 2ByteDance | 4K hero shots or cheap drafts (Mini) | 15s | 4K | 61 | Plus | |
| 6 | Minimax H3MiniMax | High-resolution product footage | 15s | 4K | 26 | Starter | |
| 7 | LTX 2.5Lightricks | Smooth camera moves | 10s | 1080P | 34 | Starter | |
| 8 | Flux 3Black Forest Labs | Composed, painterly shots | 20s | 1080P | 34 | Plus | |
| 9 | Gemini OmniGoogle | Draft-then-upscale workflows | 10s | 4K | 20 | Starter | |
| 10 | Grok Imagine Video 1.5xAI | Volume social clips | 15s | 1080P | 28 | Starter | |
| 11 | PixVerse V6PixVerse | Anime and stylized shorts | 15s | 1080P | optional | 12 | Starter |
| 12 | Vidu Q3Shengshu | Keyframe transitions | 16s | 1080P | 31 | Starter | |
| 13 | Luma Ray 3.2Luma AI | VFX and compositing | 10s | 1080P | 20 | Starter |
Credits are Bolly prices at each model's default settings; 1 credit ≈ $0.05. Cheapest on this list: PixVerse V6 at 12 credits per 5s clip.
How we ranked them
- Realism and temporal consistency
- Prompt adherence and shot control
- Maximum clip length and resolution
- Native audio
- Price per 5-second clip and plan requirement
The 13 best ai video generators, ranked
1.Seedance 2.5by ByteDance
95 credits / 5s clip · Plus planThe longest coherent shots available — up to 30 seconds with audio — and a reference-to-video mode for consistent characters.
Best for: Narrative scenes and ads. Modes: Text to video, Image to video, Reference to video.
Try Seedance 2.5- 4–30s
- 480p–1080p
- Reference images, video and audio
- Plus plan
- 1080p is expensive
2.Kling 3by Kuaishou
34 credits / 5s clip · Starter planCinematic motion with multi-shot prompting and native audio, up to 15 seconds.
Best for: Directed, multi-shot sequences. Modes: Text to video, Image to video.
Try Kling 3- Shot-type control
- Audio and voice control
- Negative prompts
- Pricier per clip
- Three aspect ratios
3.Veo 3.1by Google DeepMind
80 credits / 5s clip · Plus planGoogle's Veo 3.1 has the most natural sound and physics; the Fast tier is the value pick.
Best for: Realistic footage with dialogue. Modes: Text to video, Fast, Image to video.
Try Veo 3.1- 720p/1080p/4K
- Best audio
- Fast tier
- 4/6/8s only
- Plus plan
4.Wan 3.0by Alibaba
40 credits / 5s clip · Starter planAlibaba's Wan 3.0: 1080p clips of 2–30 seconds with audio at a fraction of the price.
Best for: Long 1080p clips on a budget. Modes: Text to video, Image to video.
Try Wan 3.0- Very long clips
- Low 1080p price
- Audio
- Some flicker on fast motion
5.Seedance 2by ByteDance
61 credits / 5s clip · Plus planSeedance 2.0 goes up to 4K, and its Mini variant is one of the cheapest 720p generators around.
Best for: 4K hero shots or cheap drafts (Mini). Modes: Text to video, Mini (fast).
Try Seedance 2- Up to 4K
- Mini tier is very cheap
- Audio
- Plus plan for the full model
6.Minimax H3by MiniMax
26 credits / 5s clip · Starter planHailuo H3 renders 2K and 4K with stable motion and generous 15-second clips.
Best for: High-resolution product footage. Modes: Text to video, Image to video.
Try Minimax H3- Up to 4K
- 5–15s
- 4K pricing
7.LTX 2.5by Lightricks
34 credits / 5s clip · Starter planLTX 2.5 combines camera-motion presets with 50 fps output and a fast tier up to 4K.
Best for: Smooth camera moves. Modes: Text to video, Image to video, Fast.
Try LTX 2.5- Camera presets
- High frame rate
- Up to 20s on Fast
- 16:9/9:16 only
8.Flux 3by Black Forest Labs
34 credits / 5s clip · Plus planBlack Forest Labs' Flux 3 brings Flux's composition sense to 5–20 second video with audio.
Best for: Composed, painterly shots. Modes: Text to video, Image to video.
Try Flux 3- Eight aspect ratios
- Audio
- Up to 20s
- Plus plan
9.Gemini Omniby Google
20 credits / 5s clip · Starter planGemini Omni Flash is the fastest way to draft at 360p and finish at 4K.
Best for: Draft-then-upscale workflows. Modes: Text to video, Image to video.
Try Gemini Omni- Near-free 360p
- Up to 4K
- Two aspect ratios
10.Grok Imagine Video 1.5by xAI
28 credits / 5s clip · Starter planxAI's Grok Imagine Video is the cheapest per second and supports any length from 1 to 15 seconds.
Best for: Volume social clips. Modes: Text to video, Image to video.
Try Grok Imagine Video 1.5- Cheapest per second
- Flexible length
- No audio
- Less cinematic
11.PixVerse V6by PixVerse
12 credits / 5s clip · Starter planPixVerse V6 wins for stylized output with built-in anime, 3D, clay and comic looks.
Best for: Anime and stylized shorts. Modes: Text to video, Image to video.
Try PixVerse V6- Style presets
- Cheap at 540p
- Optional audio
- Photoreal trails the leaders
12.Vidu Q3by Shengshu
31 credits / 5s clip · Starter planVidu Q3 covers 1–16 seconds with audio and keyframe control at a fair price.
Best for: Keyframe transitions. Modes: Text to video, Image to video.
Try Vidu Q3- Start/end frames
- Audio
- 720p+ costs 2.2x
13.Luma Ray 3.2by Luma AI
20 credits / 5s clip · Starter planLuma Ray 3.2 is unique in HDR and EXR export, useful for compositing.
Best for: VFX and compositing. Modes: Text to video, Image to video.
Try Luma Ray 3.2- HDR/EXR
- Loop mode
- 1080p pricey
Frequently asked questions
Is there a free AI video generator with no watermark?
Bolly never watermarks generations, but video models need the Starter plan ($19/month for 300 credits). On Starter, Grok Imagine Video, Hailuo H3 Max, PixVerse V6 (540p) and Gemini Omni (360p) cost only a few credits per clip, so 300 credits goes a long way. The free plan covers image, audio and tool models.
What is the best alternative to Sora?
Seedance 2.5 and Veo 3.1 are the closest in realism and audio, and Kling 3 gives more shot control. All three are available on Bolly without a separate subscription.
How long can AI-generated videos be?
Seedance 2.5 and Wan 3.0 generate single shots up to 30 seconds; LTX 2.5 Fast and Flux 3 reach 20 seconds; Kling 3, Hailuo and Grok reach 15. Longer videos are made by chaining shots.
How much does an AI video cost?
On Bolly a 5-second clip runs from about 6 credits (Luma Ray 3.2 at 540p) to 95 credits (Seedance 2.5 at 720p), with 1 credit ≈ $0.05. Prices are shown before you generate and refunded if a run fails.
