The cheapest AI video generator (and the best value)
These are what we actually paid to generate 4-second 720p clips through the Runway Dev API ($0.01 per credit). They're not list prices copied from marketing pages.
| Model | Per second | Per 4s clip | 30 clips/mo | Audio | Oct score | Points per $ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Runway Gen-4.5 | $0.12 | $0.48 | $14.40 | No | 6.9 | 14.4 | Official site |
| Kling 3.0 | $0.13 | $0.52 | $15.60 | Yes | 7.2 | 13.8 | Official site |
| Veo 3.1 Fast | $0.15 | $0.60 | $18.00 | Yes | 7.2 | 11.9 | Official site |
Images
| Model | Per image | 100 images | Oct score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nano Banana 2.1 | $0.04 | $4.00 | 8.9 | Official site |
| Ideogram 4.0 | $0.07 | $7.00 | 8.7 | Official site |
Nano Banana 2.1 at 1024² cost $0.04 and still scored higher than Ideogram 4.0 at 2048² medium ($0.07). See Nano Banana vs Ideogram.
What we'd do
- Tightest budget, silent b-roll: Runway Gen-4.5. It's the cheapest and made our best milk pour (review).
- Best value with sound: Kling 3.0. It's $0.08 cheaper per clip than Veo for an essentially tied score (review).
- Faces and product polish: Veo 3.1 Fast is worth the extra $0.08 (people results).
Prices are from Runway Dev's pricing page, checked October 2026. App subscriptions price things differently.
FAQ
What is the cheapest AI video generator?
Of the three models we scored in October 2026, Runway Gen-4.5 was cheapest at $0.12 per second ($0.48 per 4s clip), but it has no audio. Kling 3.0 Standard with audio was $0.13/s ($0.52), and Veo 3.1 Fast with audio was $0.15/s ($0.60).
Which gives the best quality per dollar?
Runway Gen-4.5: 6.9/10 for $0.48 a clip, or 14.4 score points per dollar.
Is API pricing cheaper than a subscription?
For occasional use, yes. You only pay per second generated. A $10 Kling or $15 Runway app plan only makes sense if you generate regularly, and plan credits often expire monthly.
Are there cheaper models?
Yes. The Runway Dev API lists cheaper models such as Wan 3 (10 credits/s at 720p) and MiniMax H3 (8 credits/s at 768p). We haven't scored them yet, so we can't say whether the savings are worth it.