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Runway Google Veo Seedance Kling Luma Pika Hailuo AI Adobe Firefly Higgsfield: All AI Models in One Environment Conclusion23 min read
Which AI service is actually worth choosing for video creation today?
Why can the results from different generators vary so dramatically?
Just a few years ago, generative video was used primarily for experimentation and testing the technology’s capabilities. Today, AI video generators can create videos from text prompts, images, and other references.
But having more options does not necessarily make the choice easier. Runway, Veo, Kling, Seedance, Luma, Pika, Hailuo, and Firefly offer different features and approaches to video generation.
It is important to understand which tool is best suited to a specific task.
In this article, we’ll look at the most notable AI video creation services in 2026, their pricing, capabilities, advantages, and limitations. We’ll explore what you can actually get from each of them.
Runway
Runway is an AI-powered platform for video generation and editing. It combines Runway’s own models with models from third-party developers that are also available to users on the platform.
One of the platform’s current proprietary models is Gen-4.5, which supports Text-to-Video and Image-to-Video generation. It allows users to specify complex camera movements, scene composition, sequences of events, and timing in the prompt.
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Pricing
Runway uses a credit-based system. Gen-4.5 costs 12 credits per second of video and generates clips ranging from 2 to 10 seconds.
At the time of writing, the main plans available are:
Free – 125 one-time credits
Standard – $15 per month or $12 per month with annual billing, 625 credits
Pro – $35 per month or $28 per month with annual billing, 2,250 credits
Max – $95 per month or $76 per month with annual billing, 9,500 credits
For example, 625 credits on the Standard plan correspond to approximately 52 seconds of Gen-4.5 generation if all credits are spent exclusively on this model.
Usage
Video: Runway, Gen-4.5
Runway can be used for:
Creating videos from text descriptions
Animating images using Image-to-Video
Editing previously created or uploaded videos
Replacing characters, objects, and backgrounds
Creating and transforming individual scenes
AI character animation using specialized tools
Advantages
Text-to-Video and Image-to-Video. Gen-4.5 supports both methods of video generation.
Motion and composition control. Prompts can specify camera movement, sequence of events, composition, and timing.
Editing existing videos. Edit Studio allows you to change backgrounds, characters, objects, lighting, and other video elements using text instructions.
Access to third-party models. Runway offers not only its own models but also selected third-party models within the same platform.
Disadvantages
Credits are consumed during generation. Gen-4.5 costs 12 credits per second. As a result, repeatedly testing the same scenario can quickly increase costs.
Gen 4.5 generates a maximum of 10 seconds per generation. Longer sequences require additional generations or editing.
AI generation requires iteration. Runway itself notes that even with a good prompt, the result may not be correct on the first attempt. Each new generation consumes additional credits.
Runway is gradually evolving from a single AI generator into a platform featuring models from different developers. The company explicitly states that users can access Runway’s own models as well as selected third-party models within the same environment. Available models include Kling, Veo, and Seedance.
Another interesting development is that, starting June 1, 2026, Runway began replacing its Unlimited plan with Max for new subscribers. Existing Unlimited subscribers are scheduled to be automatically migrated on September 1, 2026.
Google Veo
Google DeepMind’s generative model for video creation. The current version is Veo 3.1. It can generate videos from text descriptions and images, as well as generate audio together with video.
Video: Google DeepMind, Veo 3.1
Pricing
Veo 3.1 is available through Google Gemini and Google Flow as part of Google AI subscriptions. Current pricing on the U.S. version of Google One is:
- Google AI Pro: $19.99/month;
- Google AI Ultra: from $99.99/month. Ultra offers different usage limit tiers: 10,000 Flow credits per month for the $100 plan and 25,000 credits for the $200 plan.
Google AI Pro includes 1,000 Flow credits per month. Google AI Plus, which also provides access to Flow, includes 200 credits per month.
The number of credits required for generation depends on the selected model and mode in Flow. If the free or monthly credits are not enough, Pro and Ultra users in supported regions can purchase additional AI credits.
Prices may vary by country, so the figures provided here should be considered approximate.
How It Is Used
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Veo can be used for:
Creating videos from text descriptions
Turning images into videos
Creating videos with audio
Generating dialogue and sound effects together with video
Creating scenes with specified camera movements
Working with references and building consistent sequences of scenes
Google also offers Flow, an AI tool for creating cinematic stories. It allows users to combine image and video generation and work with different types of input materials.
Advantages
Video with native audio. Veo can generate sound effects and other audio elements.
Working with text and images. The model supports both text-to-video and image-to-video.
Scene control. Google recommends specifying shot composition, camera movement, character actions, style, and dialogue in the prompt for more precise results.
Integration with Google Flow. Veo can be used in an environment specifically designed for AI video production and scene creation.
Disadvantages
Access depends on the plan and region. Google AI Pro, Ultra, and other access options have different limits. Availability of individual features may vary by country.
Usage limits apply. Google Flow has certain limits, after which users can purchase additional AI credits.
Results depend on the prompt. Google explicitly recommends describing framing, camera movement, actions, style, and dialogue in detail to achieve a more controlled result.
Veo differs from many earlier AI video generators because audio is part of the video generation itself. The model can generate dialogue and sound effects simultaneously with the visuals. This makes it possible to create scenes where a character speaks and interacts with the environment with corresponding sound.
Seedance
A family of AI video generation models developed by ByteDance. At the time of writing, the current version is Seedance 2.5, available through Dreamina. The model supports video generation from text and multimodal references and can generate videos up to 30 seconds long in standard mode.
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Pricing
Seedance 2.5 is available through Dreamina, which uses a credit-based system. For generation in 720p with a video reference, the estimated cost is approximately $0.097 per second, or around $2.91 for 30 seconds under the annual plan.
This is an estimated price for specific settings rather than a fixed cost for every generation. Dreamina also offers free credits for testing Seedance 2.5.
Advantages
Video: Seedance 2.0 via DaVinci AI
Multimodality. The model can work simultaneously with text, images, video, and audio.
Longer videos. Seedance 2.5 can generate up to 30 seconds in standard mode.
Audio support. Seedance supports synchronized dialogue, voice, music, and sound effects.
Character and scene consistency. Seedance 2.5 claims to maintain character identity, lighting, motion, and scene consistency across longer sequences.
Disadvantages
There is no single fixed price. Cost depends on the platform, model, duration, resolution, and use of audio.
Different model versions are available. Seedance 2.0, 2.0 Mini, and 2.5 have different capabilities and pricing. It would be inaccurate to compare them as if they were the same tool.
Longer generation does not automatically mean a finished video. Even if the model can generate a 30-second scene, a complete advertising or narrative video may still require editing and additional generations.
Seedance 2.5 supports up to 50 input references within a single generation process. These can include text instructions, images, videos, music, and other materials. This approach makes it possible to use AI to build more complex scenes based on multiple references.
Kling
An AI video generation platform developed by the Chinese company Kuaishou. The service supports video creation from text and images. Current models also work with references and audio.
Pricing
Kling AI uses a credit-based system. The platform offers free access with a limited number of credits. Paid plans start at approximately $6.99 per month. Higher-tier plans provide more credits and priority generation.
How It Is Used
Kling can be used for:
Creating videos from text descriptions
Animating static images
Generating advertising and product scenes
Working with characters and motion
Creating videos using references
Generating videos with audio in supported modes
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Advantages
Realistic motion. Kling is well suited for scenes involving the movement of people and objects.
Text-to-Video and Image-to-Video. You can create a scene from scratch or animate an existing image.
Reference support. References provide greater control over the appearance of characters and objects.
Different generation modes. Users can choose between faster generation and higher-quality output depending on the task.
Disadvantages
Credit-based system. Actively testing different variations can quickly consume the available credit limit.
Results are not always consistent. Complex movements and interactions may require several generations.
Plan limitations. Access to specific models and features depends on the subscription plan.
Interesting fact: Kling initially became known for its ability to generate longer and more realistic video scenes than many early AI video generators. Today, the platform is evolving from a simple text-to-video generator into a more comprehensive environment for creating and editing AI-generated video.
Luma
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An AI platform for video and image generation. The company’s current video model in 2026 is Ray3.2. It is designed to provide more precise control and greater consistency across scenes.
Pricing
Luma uses a credit-based system. Plus costs $30/month, Pro $90/month, and Ultra $300/month.
How It Is Used
Luma can be used for:
Creating videos from text and images
Modifying and transforming existing videos
Creating consistent sequences of scenes
Working with keyframes
Generating high-resolution video
Creating cinematic scenes
Advantages
Ray3.2 supports up to 16 keyframes for sequence control.
V2V is supported, allowing video to be used as input material.
Videos can be created in 1080p, HDR, and EXR.
Separate Fast and Relaxed modes are available for different generation speeds.
Disadvantages
High credit consumption for high-quality Ray modes.
The cheapest plans have limitations and watermarks.
Not all features are available on every plan.
Interesting fact: Luma is gradually expanding beyond its standalone Dream Machine into a broader AI platform. It combines its own Ray models with models from other developers, including Veo 3.1, Kling 3.0, and Seedance 2.0.
Pika
A platform for creating and editing short videos. The service supports image-to-video generation, effects, and transformations of existing materials. The current Pika 2.5 model supports video generation of up to 10 seconds.
Pricing
Pika uses a video credit system. A free plan is available, while paid plans start at $8 per month with annual billing. The Basic plan includes 80 credits per month, Standard 700, and Pro 2,300.
How It Is Used
Pika is suitable for:
Creating short videos from text and images
Animating static images
Replacing and adding objects within a scene
Creating creative video effects
Producing short-form content for social media
Advantages
A wide range of ready-made AI effects for quickly creating unconventional scenes.
Pikaframes allows users to work with keyframes.
Pikascenes, Pikadditions and Pikaswaps provide different ways to transform videos and images.
Commercial use is available on paid plans.
Disadvantages
Pika is more focused on short creative content than on producing long narrative videos.
The maximum generation length in Pika 2.5 is 10 seconds.
Credits can be consumed quite quickly when actively using different effects.
Interesting fact: Pika is not developing only its own models. Its API platform now brings together more than 100 generative models for video, images, audio, and other types of content.
Hailuo AI
Designed for creating videos from text and images. The service focuses on short video scenes and social media content.
Pricing
Hailuo AI uses a credit-based system. Standard – $9.99/month, Pro – $34.99/month, Master – $79.99/month.
How It Is Used
Hailuo can be used for:
Creating videos from text
Animating images
Creating advertising and social media videos
Working with characters and scenes
Creating short creative videos
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Advantages
Text-to-Video and Image-to-Video within a single service.
Suitable for quickly creating short video scenes.
Offers ready-made tools for different types of creative content.
Disadvantages
Generation uses credits, so active testing can quickly consume the available limit.
The duration and quality of the result depend on the specific model and generation settings.
Complex, longer videos still require additional generations and editing.
Interesting fact: Hailuo AI is developing a broader platform for working with video and other AI tools.
Adobe Firefly
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Adobe’s generative AI platform for creating and editing media content. Firefly allows users to work with Adobe’s own models as well as selected models from other developers.
Pricing
For individual users, Firefly Standard costs $9.99/month and includes 2,000 generative credits. Firefly Pro costs $19.99/month and includes 4,000 credits. Standard allows users to create up to 20 five-second videos within the monthly limit.
How It Is Used
Firefly can be used for:
Creating videos from text descriptions
Generating and editing images
Creating sound effects
Working with video and audio
Using third-party AI models within Firefly
Advantages
Adobe ecosystem. Firefly is integrated with other Adobe tools.
Multiple AI models in one environment. The platform provides access to Adobe models as well as partner models.
More than just video. Images, video, and audio can all be created and edited within a single service.
Disadvantages
Video generation consumes credits. Active content creation can quickly use up the monthly allowance.
Some features and models are available only on more expensive plans.
The free plan offers a limited number of daily generations.
Interesting fact: Firefly is gradually becoming a platform where users can access AI models from different companies. Adobe’s current plans explicitly include access to Veo 3.1 Fast and Kling 3.0 on higher-tier subscriptions.
Video: Adobe Firefly
Higgsfield: All AI Models in One Environment
There is another approach to working with AI video: using multiple models through a single platform. Higgsfield brings together different AI models for video generation and production within one environment.
The platform provides access to Veo, Kling, Seedance, Wan, and other models. This allows users to choose different generators depending on the specific task without constantly switching between separate services.
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What Higgsfield Offers
Multiple models in one place. Different models can be used for different scenes.
A single workspace. There is no need to repeatedly transfer materials between different platforms.
Reference-based workflows. Images and videos can be used to control character appearance and composition.
Motion control. Reference videos help transfer the character and dynamics of movement into the generated result.
AI editing and transformation. Existing videos can be further modified using AI tools, including style adjustments and reference-based transformations.
Another advantage is the single credit system. Different generators operate within the same environment, while costs depend on the selected model, duration, resolution, and generation mode.
How Much Does It Cost?
As of 2026, Higgsfield plans start at $9 per month. Pricing depends on the subscription tier and the number of available credits. Since different models consume different amounts of credits, the actual cost of a single video clip can vary significantly.
The main advantage of this approach is the ability to choose the right generator for a specific shot or task without changing platforms. For professional AI video production, this can be more convenient than paying for and maintaining several separate services.
Conclusion
In 2026, AI video generation services differ significantly in terms of capabilities, quality, control, and cost. Runway, Veo, Kling, Seedance, Luma, Pika, Hailuo, and Firefly each have their own strengths, so there is no single universal winner.
The choice should depend on the specific task: a realistic scene, image animation, an advertising video, character animation, or quick creative content for social media. And although AI significantly simplifies the production process, the final result still depends on many factors.
