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Updated October 2026

AI video generators compared: what a minute really costs.

Per-second prices hide the real bill. Here's what 60 seconds costs on today's popular models, what's missing from a raw clip, and when a different approach makes more sense.

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Cost per minute

60 seconds of video, by model.

Typical third-party API rates, multiplied out to one 60-second pass. These are footage-only figures: one attempt, no rerolls, no script, narration or editing.

ModelTypical rate60 s, one passFinished video?Best for
Seedance 2.0 (1080p, audio)$0.42–0.68/s$25–41NoCinematic, photoreal shots with native audio
Seedance 2.0 (fast / 720p)$0.09–0.30/s$5–18NoDrafts and lower-resolution social clips
Veo 3.1 (Lite → full with audio)$0.03–0.75/s$2–45NoHigh-end realism (full) or cheap drafts (Lite)
Kling 3.0$0.07–0.11/s$4–7NoBudget generative motion
Sora 2 (720p → Pro 1080p)$0.10–0.70/s$6–42NoStory-driven generative scenes
Etchly Studio~25 credits/min$4–6Yes: script, voice, art, music, captionsExplainers, stories, listicles, ads, courses

Rates are ranges compiled from public provider and reseller pricing in October 2026. They vary by provider, resolution, audio and tier, and they change often, so check the vendor's current price page before budgeting. Etchly's range is a 60-second video with 16 new illustrations on the Studio to Starter plans.

The hidden costs of a “cheap” generated minute

Even when the per-second rate is low, a raw generated clip isn't a finished video. Budget for:

  • Rerolls. Warped hands, drifting faces and wrong props mean retakes, and every retake is billed.
  • Stitching. Clips are roughly 5–15 seconds, so a minute is several generations to join and color-match.
  • Consistency. Keeping the same character, palette and style across clips takes reference work and more retries.
  • Script and narration. You still need words, a voice and timing.
  • Captions, music and mix. Usually separate tools and subscriptions.

A different approach: stills plus a motion engine

Etchly generates a script, a voiceover and about 16 still illustrations for a one-minute video, then animates them with its own motion engine: parallax, camera moves, draw-on line art, talking characters and kinetic titles. The result is a finished, captioned MP4 for about the price of one or two generated seconds on a premium model.

It's not photoreal, and it doesn't try to be. For explainers, social content and storytelling, a deliberate illustrated style often works better than imperfect realism.

How to choose

  • Need photoreal people or real physics? Use a generative model. Save the premium tier for hero shots.
  • Need a narrated explainer, story, listicle or ad? Use Etchly and spend the difference on making more videos.
  • Need both? Make the video in Etchly and add one or two generated shots where real motion matters.

Want the detailed math? Read what an AI video really costs in 2026.

FAQ

Questions, answered.

What's the cheapest AI video generator?

Per raw second, budget tiers like Veo 3.1 Lite and Kling are the cheapest generative options. But raw clips still need a script, narration, captions, music, stitching and rerolls. For a finished narrated video, an illustration-plus-motion tool like Etchly is usually cheapest overall.

Why do prices vary so much?

Resolution, audio, speed tier, provider and whether you go through the official API or a reseller all change the per-second rate. Some aggregators charge two to three times official rates. Always check the current price page.

Is Etchly a generative video model?

No. Etchly uses AI for writing, voice and still illustrations, then animates them with its own motion engine. That's why it costs a flat, low amount per finished minute.

Which should I choose?

If you need photoreal motion, pick a generative model, using the full tier for hero shots and the cheap tier for drafts. If you need explainers, stories, listicles, ads or course videos at volume, Etchly gets you finished videos for far less.

Make your first video free.

10 free credits on signup, enough to script and produce a short 15-second video. No card required.

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