Kling AI
AI video generator that creates 4K clips up to 15 seconds from text or image prompts
FREEMIUM Verified JUN 11, 2026
Vidu
AI video generator with reference-to-video for consistent characters, up to 1080p and 16-second clips
Vidu, by Shengshu Technology, generates video from text, images, and reference images, with its flagship Q3 model producing up to 1080p clips as long as 16 seconds. The free tier gives about 80 credits with a watermark; paid plans run $10 to $99/month, and the API sells credits at $0.005 each. Best for creators who need consistent characters across multiple shots.
Verified JUN 26, 2026 FREEMIUM Live
What is Vidu?
Vidu is an AI video generator from Shengshu Technology that creates short clips from text prompts, still images, or reference images. Its standout capability is reference-to-video: you upload three or more images of a character, object, or scene, and Vidu composites them into a generated clip that stays visually consistent with those references — useful when you need the same character to appear across multiple shots. It also handles standard text-to-video and image-to-video with first-frame and last-frame control, and includes an AI image generator and AI sound effects.
The current flagship is the Vidu Q3 model, offered in higher-quality pro and faster turbo variants, generating up to 1080p video and clips as long as 16 seconds; older Q1 and Vidu 2.0 models remain available for shorter outputs. Vidu runs on a credit system: each generation consumes credits based on the model, resolution, and duration, with an off-peak mode that halves the cost. Beyond the consumer subscriptions, Vidu exposes a public API with transparent per-second credit pricing and extra endpoints for text-to-speech, lip sync, and motion sync, making it a building block for apps and content pipelines.
Who is it for?
Vidu suits creators and developers who want quick, controllable AI video and especially value character consistency. The free tier is enough to test the look, but its watermark and lack of commercial rights push any real project onto a paid plan or the API.
- Social and short-form creators producing TikTok, Reels, and Shorts who need fast, repeatable output.
- Marketers and e-commerce sellers making product and ad clips with a consistent character or mascot.
- Video editors generating b-roll and background footage to drop into longer edits.
- Developers building video generation into an app via the usage-based API.
How much does Vidu cost?
Starting price: $10/mo · Free tier: yes · Model: freemium
Pricing verified JUN 26, 2026
Price history tracked from June 2026
| Plan | Price | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | About 80 credits (~20 standard videos) · Unlimited off-peak generation · Watermarked output, no commercial use |
| Standard | $10/mo | 800 credits per month · Watermark removed, commercial use included · $8/month billed annually |
| Premium | $35/mo | 4,000 credits per month · High-speed generation · $28/month billed annually |
| Ultimate | $99/mo | 8,000 credits per month · Free off-peak submissions · $79/month billed annually |
| API | Usage-based | Credits sold at $0.005 each · Per-second pricing by model and resolution · Text-to-speech, lip sync, and motion sync endpoints |
What are Vidu's key features?
- Text-to-video generation from a prompt
- Image-to-video with first-frame and last-frame control
- Reference-to-video: upload 3+ images for consistent characters, objects, or scenes
- Flagship Vidu Q3 model in pro and turbo variants
- Up to 1080p resolution and clips up to 16 seconds
- AI sound-effect generation plus API text-to-speech, lip sync, and motion sync
- Built-in AI image generator
- Off-peak mode at half the credit cost
- Public API at the Vidu platform with per-second credit pricing
What people use Vidu for
- 01 Turning a text prompt into a short marketing or social video
- 02 Animating a still image into a moving clip with first- and last-frame control
- 03 Keeping a character or product consistent across shots using reference-to-video
- 04 Generating b-roll and background footage for longer edited videos
- 05 Producing video at scale through the API for an app or content pipeline
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Reference-to-video keeps characters and objects consistent across shots — a genuine differentiator | Credit cost scales sharply with resolution and length — a 1080p, 16-second Q3-pro clip can cost roughly 384 credits, draining monthly allowances fast |
| Fast generation, with the homepage citing videos in about 10 seconds | The free tier is small (~80 credits), watermarked, and excludes commercial use |
| Cheaper than many rivals, with paid plans from $8 per month billed annually | Clip length is capped at 16 seconds even on Q3, so long-form video requires stitching multiple generations |
| Public API with transparent per-second credit pricing for developers |
What are the best Vidu alternatives?
Hailuo AI
AI video generator by MiniMax that turns text and images into short cinematic clips at up to 1080p
FREEMIUM Verified JUN 24, 2026
Runway
AI video generation platform for cinematic clips, world simulation, and conversational video agents
FREEMIUM Verified JUN 11, 2026
Luma Dream Machine
AI video generator that creates cinematic clips from text or images using the Ray 2 model
FREEMIUM Verified JUN 11, 2026
Pika
AI video generator that turns text prompts and photos into short-form videos with scene editing tools
FREEMIUM Verified JUN 11, 2026
Google Veo
Google DeepMind's text- and image-to-video model with native audio, generating 1080p and 4K clips
FREEMIUM Verified JUN 22, 2026
How people make money with Vidu
- Produce short product and ad videos for e-commerce brands using reference-to-video for consistent characters, sold as a Fiverr or Contra gig
- Run faceless TikTok, Reels, and Shorts channels at scale with Vidu and monetize through creator funds and brand sponsorships
Frequently asked questions
Is Vidu free?
Vidu has a free tier with about 80 credits, roughly 20 standard videos, plus unlimited off-peak generation. Free output carries a watermark and cannot be used commercially, so professional work requires a paid plan starting at $10 per month.
How much does Vidu cost?
Paid plans are Standard at $10 per month for 800 credits, Premium at $35 for 4,000 credits, and Ultimate at $99 for 8,000 credits, each cheaper billed annually. The API instead sells credits at $0.005 each on usage-based pricing.
What is reference-to-video?
Reference-to-video lets you upload three or more images of a character, object, or scene, and Vidu composites them into a generated clip that stays consistent with those references. It is Vidu's main differentiator for keeping characters stable across shots.
How long can Vidu clips be?
Vidu's flagship Q3 model generates clips up to 16 seconds long at up to 1080p resolution. Earlier models are shorter — Vidu Q1 is fixed at 5 seconds and Vidu 2.0 runs 4 to 8 seconds. Longer videos require stitching multiple generations together.
Does Vidu have an API?
Yes. Vidu offers a public API on its platform with per-second credit pricing that varies by model and resolution, plus endpoints for text-to-speech, lip sync, and motion sync. Credits on the API are priced at $0.005 each.
How do Vidu credits work?
Credits are consumed per generation based on the model, resolution, and duration you choose. Higher resolution and longer clips cost far more, and off-peak generation runs at half price, so the same monthly allowance stretches further at lower settings.