Independent analysis of AI video and image models
Scores, API prices and generated videos to pick the right model: Seedance, Veo, Sora, Kling, Midjourney, GPT Image and more, tested on real projects.
Videos generated by the ranked models. Click to view them full size.
AI video model ranking
Overall score out of 10: realism, motion, prompt adherence and art direction.
| # | Model | TopVideoAI score | Audio | Released | API price | Try | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seedance 2.5ByteDance | 9.4 | Yes | Jul 2026 | $0.29/s | Try | |
| 2 | Veo 3.1Google | 9.3 | Yes | Oct 2025 | $4.00 per 8 s | Try | |
| 3 | Kling 3.0Kuaishou | 9.1 | Yes | Feb 2026 | $0.16/s | Try | |
| 4 | Sora 2OpenAI | 9.0 | Yes | Sep 2025 | $1.00 per 8 s | Try | |
| 5 | Runway Gen-4.5Runway | 8.9 | – | Dec 2025 | $0.75 per 5 s | Try | |
| 6 | Hailuo 03MiniMax | 8.7 | – | Apr 2026 | $0.10/s | Try | |
| 7 | FLUX 3Black Forest Labs | 8.6 | – | Jul 2026 | $0.21/s | Try | |
| 8 | Wan 2.7Alibaba | 8.4 | – | May 2026 | $0.12/s | Try |
Bar scale: 5 to 10. API prices from Apiframe’s public price list, checked 08/20/2026.
tryseedance.ai
Seedance 2.5, the top model in our video ranking, in your browser.
Write a scene and add your reference images: Seedance Studio generates the video with sound, dialogue and lip sync.
- Up to 30 s per video, in 4K
- Generated sound, music and dialogue
- Multiple shots with the same character
One shot, four models
The same kind of short shot, generated by the top four models in the ranking.
AI image model ranking
| # | Model | TopVideoAI score | API price | Try | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | GPT Image 2OpenAI | 9.4 | $0.06 per image | Try | |
| 2 | Nano Banana 2Google | 9.2 | $0.08 per image | Try | |
| 3 | MidjourneyMidjourney | 9.1 | $0.10 per 4 images | Try | |
| 4 | Seedream 5.0 ProByteDance | 9.0 | $0.11 per image | Try | |
| 5 | Qwen Image 2 ProAlibaba | 8.6 | Not published | Try | |
| 6 | Ideogram 3Ideogram | 8.5 | Not published | Try |
Bar scale: 5 to 10. API prices from Apiframe’s public price list, checked 08/20/2026.
How much does a 10-second video cost?
The API price of each model for a 10-second video, from cheapest to most expensive, with its score alongside.
- Grok Imagine Video$0.638.2/10Best value
- Hailuo 03$1.008.7/10Best value
- Wan 2.7$1.208.4/10
- Sora 2$1.259.0/10Best value
- Runway Gen-4.5$1.508.9/10
- Kling 3.0$1.609.1/10
- FLUX 3$2.108.6/10
- Luma Ray 2$2.247.9/10
- Seedance 2.5$2.909.4/10
- Veo 3.1$5.009.3/10
Avatars, voice and editing
Ready-to-use apps, no video prompting needed.
apiframe.ai
Apiframe
One API for more than 70 image, video and music models.
Free credits to start, then from $39/month
Get an API keyGuides
7 min read
Which AI video generator should you choose in 2026?
Seedance 2.5, Veo 3.1, Kling 3.0, Sora 2: which one to pick for your project and your budget.
6 min read
AI video API pricing: cost per second compared
What a second of video generated with Veo, Sora, Kling or Seedance really costs, and how to lower the bill.
5 min read
Seedance 2.5: how to write a prompt that works the first time
The prompt structure that gives consistent multi-shot scenes with Seedance 2.5.
Frequently asked questions
How are the scores calculated?
Each model is scored on four criteria: realism, motion, prompt adherence and art direction. The breakdown is on every model page and in our methodology.
Which model should I start with?
Kling 3.0 for video (good output at $0.16/s) and GPT Image 2 for images. If you do not want to use an API, Seedance Studio lets you try Seedance 2.5 for free.
How much does an AI video cost?
From $0.06 to $0.50 per second through an API, depending on the model. Expect several attempts per shot: the real cost of a usable shot is 3 to 5 times higher.
Can I use these videos commercially?
Usually yes with a paid plan, but terms vary. Check each developer’s license before running a campaign.