AI video generation is usually billed per second of output, and the rate depends on the model, the resolution and whether the clip has sound. On Kenerate, a second of Wan 3.0 at 720p costs 30 credits, a second of Seedance 2.5 at 720p costs 108 credits, and a second of Kling v3 Pro costs 33.6 credits silent or 50.4 credits with sound. The sticker rate is only part of the bill, because a usable clip often takes more than one attempt.
This guide covers how AI video pricing works in 2026, the per-second rates for the video models Kenerate runs, how to estimate the cost of a finished clip, and how to keep spending down. All rates are as of 30 Oct 2026. Prices change often, so check the live estimate in the app before you generate.
How is AI video priced?
Most AI video tools bill in one of four ways. Knowing which one a tool uses matters more than comparing headline prices.
| Billing unit | What you pay for | Example of where you see it |
|---|---|---|
| Per second of output | Each second of the finished clip, at a rate set by model and resolution | Most text-to-video and image-to-video models |
| Per clip | One flat fee for a fixed-length clip, whatever the length | Some hosted models sell a 5 s or 6 s clip for one price |
| Per token or per dollar of provider cost | Usage measured in the provider's own units, which can change with the prompt and settings | Some API-first providers |
| Credits | A balance the platform converts to model costs, so one credit pack covers several models | Kenerate, which bills every studio from one balance |
Kenerate uses credits. Each model has a fixed credit cost per second, worked out from the provider's rate, so you can see the cost before you generate. Credit packs are one-time purchases that don't expire. You can see the current packs on the pricing page.
What does AI video cost per second in 2026?
The table below shows the credit cost per second of output for four video models in the Kenerate app. These are the rates in our billing code, not estimates.
| Model | 480p | 720p | 1080p | 4K |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wan 3.0 | 15 | 30 | 60 | — |
| Wan 3 Prime | 22.5 | 45 | 90 | — |
| Seedance 2.5 | 54 | 108 | 270 | 540 |
| Kling v3 Pro | 33.6 silent / 50.4 with sound (no resolution tiers) |
A few details shape the numbers:
- Wan 3.0 runs from 2 to 30 seconds. The cheapest way to draft is 480p at 15 credits per second.
- Seedance 2.5 runs up to 30 seconds. Its billing code also has a separate reference-input rate (66 credits per second at 720p), so check the estimate for the mode you pick.
- Kling v3 Pro runs from 3 to 15 seconds in 16:9, 9:16 and 1:1. Sound adds 50% to the cost.
Outside the app, providers price these models differently. A Google pricing page dated 28 Oct 2026 lists Gemini Omni Flash at about $0.10 per second of 720p video, and an aggregator snapshot dated 7 Aug 2026 lists Veo 3.1 Standard at $0.40 per second at 1080p with audio. Comparison pages often disagree with each other. One popular comparison quotes figures that contradict themselves for the same model. Treat any third-party figure as a starting point and check the provider's own rate card before you budget.
Why does the same model cost different amounts?
Four things change the price of a single model:
- Resolution. On Seedance 2.5, a second at 1080p costs 2.5 times a second at 720p. Wan 3.0 at 1080p costs twice the 720p rate.
- Sound. Kling v3 Pro costs 33.6 credits per second without sound and 50.4 with it. If you don't need a soundtrack, switch sound off.
- Mode. Image-to-video and reference-to-video can be billed differently from plain text-to-video. Seedance 2.5 is an example.
- Length. Cost scales with the seconds you ask for, so a 10-second clip costs twice a 5-second one at the same settings. Shorter tests let you throw away a bad take sooner.
What does a finished 10-second clip cost?
Here is the cost of one 10-second clip at each setting, before any retries:
- Wan 3.0 at 720p: 300 credits
- Wan 3 Prime at 720p: 450 credits
- Seedance 2.5 at 720p: 1,080 credits
- Kling v3 Pro, silent: 336 credits
- Kling v3 Pro, with sound: 504 credits
These are first-try numbers. A clip you can use often takes more than one take. If you need three attempts on average to get one usable clip, the Wan 3.0 720p keeper costs about 900 credits, and the Kling sound clip about 1,512 credits. For that reason, compare models on the cost of a usable clip, not the cost of one generation.
How do you estimate the cost before you generate?
Use the estimate in the studio before you press generate. It shows the credit cost for the settings you've picked. If you're using the Kenerate MCP server in an AI assistant, the estimate_cost tool gives the same number for a chosen tool and arguments.
How can you lower the cost of AI video?
The cheapest workflow for most projects follows the same order:
- Draft at 480p. Test the prompt, camera move and timing at the lowest resolution. Wan 3.0 at 480p is 15 credits per second, half the 720p rate.
- Keep the first generations short. Use 5 seconds while you're still tuning the prompt. Extend the keeper afterwards with AI video extender if you need more length.
- Turn sound off when you don't need it. Kling v3 Pro drops from 50.4 to 33.6 credits per second.
- Upscale only the keeper. Generate the final take at 720p and use the AI video upscaler once you've chosen it. Upscaling a clip you'll throw away is wasted credits.
- Pick the model for the job. Wan 3.0 is the cheapest of the four for drafts. Seedance 2.5 costs more per second and is best where you need its quality. The Wan family page and the AI video models overview list what each model is good at.
What happens when a generation fails?
Kenerate refunds credits only when the provider reports that a generation failed. A clip you simply don't like is not refunded, so check the first frames and the motion before you commit a full-length run.
Is cheaper always better?
No. A cheap model that needs five attempts can cost more than a dearer model that works first time. The right test is cost per usable clip, multiplied by the time you spend re-prompting. For a 5-second social clip, a 480p draft at 15 credits per second is often the best first step. For a client-facing shot, the extra cost of 1080p or Seedance 2.5 can be worth it because it saves retakes.
Summary
- AI video is billed per second of output at a rate set by model, resolution and sound.
- On Kenerate, Wan 3.0 costs 15 to 60 credits per second, Seedance 2.5 costs 54 to 540 credits per second, and Kling v3 Pro costs 33.6 or 50.4 credits per second.
- A 10-second clip ranges from 300 credits (Wan 3.0 at 720p) to 1,080 credits (Seedance 2.5 at 720p) before retries.
- Draft at 480p, keep the first takes short, switch sound off when you don't need it, and upscale only the keeper.
- Compare models on the cost of a usable clip, not the price of one generation.
Frequently asked questions
How much does AI video cost per second?
It depends on the model and resolution. On Kenerate, the cheapest option is Wan 3.0 at 480p, which costs 15 credits per second. The most expensive listed here is Seedance 2.5 at 4K, which costs 540 credits per second.
Is Wan 3.0 cheaper than Seedance 2.5?
Yes, at every resolution in our billing code. Wan 3.0 at 720p costs 30 credits per second and Seedance 2.5 at 720p costs 108 credits per second. Whether the extra cost is worth it depends on how much quality matters for your clip.
Why does sound cost more on Kling v3 Pro?
Kling charges more for generated audio. In our billing code, a second of Kling v3 Pro costs 33.6 credits without sound and 50.4 with sound. Turn sound off if you'll add music or a voice-over later.
Do I pay for a clip I don't like?
Yes. Credits are charged when a generation runs. Kenerate refunds only when the provider reports a failure, so review the first frames and motion before committing to a full-length run.
How many credits does a 10-second AI video cost?
Before retries, a 10-second clip costs 300 credits on Wan 3.0 at 720p, 504 credits on Kling v3 Pro with sound and 1,080 credits on Seedance 2.5 at 720p.
Can I estimate the cost before generating?
Yes. The studio shows the credit cost for your settings before you start. In an AI assistant connected to the Kenerate MCP server, the estimate_cost tool returns the same figure.
Are the prices the same as other AI video platforms?
Not necessarily. Other platforms price the same models differently, and their rates change often. Compare the provider's own rate card with the number Kenerate shows in the studio before you decide.
Will the prices change?
They can. Provider costs change, so the credit rates in the app can change too. This article reflects the rates as of 30 Oct 2026.
Sources
- Google Gemini API pricing, page dated 28 Oct 2026, for the Gemini Omni Flash video rate.
- Morphed: AI video generation cost, third-party rate snapshot dated 7 Aug 2026, for the Veo 3.1 Standard rate.
- Atlas Cloud: cheapest AI video generation APIs in 2026, cited as an example of conflicting third-party figures.
- Kenerate billing rates:
src/lib/video-models.ts(credit cost per second for each model, 300 credits per US dollar of provider cost).
